Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Chocolicious!

If you missed our August Newsletter, than you missed a wellness tip regarding one of my favorite subjects: chocolate! Need I really say more? I think it’s safe to say that almost everyone loves to indulge in a little decadent chocolate from time to time. And for good reason... it is delicious! But sadly, the indulgence often is paired with guilt for those of us trying to maintain our girlish figures. So, in true healthy chick fashion, I included in our newsletter a super healthy chocolate recipe that coincidentally utilizes none other than coconut oil. (See below!)

Terra has already filled you all in on the benefits of coconut oil, but this recipe is all natural and full of healthy, beneficial ingredients! Most chocolate bars and candies are loaded with dairy and refined sugars that are no good for us. But the raw cacao bean, the stuff chocolate is made from, is naturally high in antioxidants and essential minerals. So, eating raw cacao or a high quality dark chocolate can actually be really good for us. Thank goodness! Combine it with some fresh seasonal berries and you have an antioxidant-rich healthful, and delicious treat!

Raw Chocolate Covered Strawberries
1/4 Cup of softened coconut oil (soften oil by placing the jar in a bowl of hot water)
1/2 Cup of raw cacao powder
3 Tbsp raw agave nectar
Pinch of sea salt
Whole strawberries

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until soft and rich. If your sauce is too runny, continue adding cacao powder until thick, but still a sauce consistency. Dip your strawberries until well coated and refrigerate on a tray lined with parchment paper. It helps to sit your bowl inside another bowl filled slightly with hot water to keep the sauce from hardening as you work.

I looooove chocolate covered strawberries, but there are so many options with this recipe. You can also use sliced bananas, raspberries, mango, dried fruits or raw nuts! You can also sprinkle your chocolate covered fruit with shredded coconut, raw cacao nibs, ground flax or ground nuts before setting the chocolate too! The possibilities are endless! YUM!

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Keep it Fresh!
- Jill