Vegan Raw Cacao Treat - Healthy Valentine's day Delight

Vegan Raw Cacao treat recipe

An Ayurvedically balanced recipe (Courtesy of a friend from Ayurveda class)

Ingredients:

Organic Raw Cacao powder 1 cup

Organic virgin Coconut oil 1/2 cup

Organic Maple syrup 1/2 cup

Directions:

Mix all ingredients and make sure break up all lumps with the fork to get a creamy consistency. Then pour it onto parchment paper on a plate or tray. Freeze it for an hour and your special treat is ready. Store in freezer.

Variations:

You can be creative!

Add pecans or walnuts chopped before freezing.

This was made in our Ayurvedic cooking class and is very healthy even for Diabetics. It is simple and decadent. If you have a sweet tooth make this healthy treat!

The combination of the 3 ingredients offers several health benefits as outlined below.

Cacao

Raw cacao is made by cold-pressing unroasted cacao beans. The process keeps the living enzymes in the cacao and removes the fat (cacao butter).

Cocoa powder is raw cacao that’s been roasted at high temperatures. Roasting changes the molecular structure of the cacao bean, reducing the enzyme content and lowering the overall nutritional value. Cacao has many health benefits. It is rich in antioxidants which can repair the damage caused by free radicals thus reducing the risk of certain cancers. It also lowers insulin resistance. It is a mood booster. Who doesn’t feel great after eating some chocolate. It is rich in minerals like magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium, zinc, copper and manganese.

Detailed article in www.foodmatters.com

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is high in fats called medium chain triglycerides (MCT), which are metabolized differently than most other fats. These special fats are responsible for a lot of the health benefits of coconut oil.

The medium chain triglycerides in coconut oil have been shown to increase calories burned over 24 hours by as much as 5%. A few studies have shown that coconut oil can raise blood levels of HDL cholesterol, the good cholesterol which is linked to improved metabolic health and a lower risk of heart disease.

Coconut oil can also be applied topically, with studies showing it to be effective as a skin moisturizer. It is used conventionally for protecting against hair damage, common in India. This is commonly used in Ayurveda for Abhyanga or Self oil massage. It is a cooling oil and good for inflammation.

Although it is a saturated fat, its benefits are numerous and like anything else, consumption in moderation is the key!

Detailed article of benefits can be found in www.heathline.com

Maple syrup

Natural sweetener used for pancakes and other foods. It contains about 24 antioxidants, just like Cacao. It has a lower glycemic index and does not raise the blood sugar as much as refined sugar. It is a healthier alternative to artificial sweeteners since it is a natural product.

Ayurvedic perspective

Cacao is Pitta enhancing. Coconut oil and maple syrup help balance. Coconut oil gives the lubrication for Vata and the cooling quality for Pitta. Maple syrup is good for Kapha and Pitta due to its astringent nature. So this recipe is tridoshic and can be enjoyed by all!

It does not raise blood sugar much and is certainly a welcome treat for even Diabetics. We have personally seen using a BS sensor that the sugar doesn’t go up much. Like any food, moderation is the key. So if you feel like a sweet treat, this could be a healthy choice to satisfy your taste buds while enjoying the health benefits of these 3 ingredients. Enjoy!

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