Are you nuts about chocolate? Then read this.

Why eat chocolate? Apart from the obvious. 

 

Cacao is chock-full of therapeutic benefits and could easily be considered one of nature’s best medicines.

• Cacao is considered a ‘super-antioxidant’ because it has such a high ORAC score (a measure of antioxidant content). The unprocessed raw cacao bean earns a higher ORAC score than acai berries, spinach or blueberries, and helps protect the heart, prevent cellular damage, and keep us looking and feeling younger. The darker the chocolate, the higher the antioxidant levels.
• Cacao contains oleic acid, which has been linked to lower cholesterol.
• Cacao contains high bioflavonoid levels that help regulate blood flow and pressure.
• Cacao is high in the mineral magnesium, which helps with calcium absorption, metabolism, and protein synthesis. It may also be useful in preventing and treating congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, diabetes, and premenstrual syndrome.
• Cacao contains other essential minerals such as iron, copper, calcium, potassium, and zinc.

Our new Nutty Chocolate Smoothie, pictured above, is bursting with cacao goodness. For those of you who know our cleansing menu, it's our Calming Smoothie with an extra injection of chocolatey goodness. Almonds and chia add to the benefits of cacao with essential fatty acids and fibre for glowing skin, shiny hair and improved digestion.

Click here to order.
  

Content sourced from Move Nourish Believe: www.movenourishbelieve.com/nourish/pick-of-the-week-benefits-of-cacao

 

Acai. A smooth operator with serious beauty benefits.

Acai, we love it. For starters, there's a reason why this superfood has been coined the ‘Beauty Berry’. Containing more grams of regenerating protein than an egg, and packed full of anti-ageing and metabolism-boosting phyto-nutrients, this lovely berry improves your health and promotes real beauty from the inside out. 

Why Acai?

This little wonder:

• Combats premature ageing with the help of powerful antioxidants (namely anthocyanin)
• Boosts immunity and metabolic function
• Aids in muscle regeneration, promoting increased energy and stamina
• Improves blood circulation, assisting in a healthier heart
• Assists in removing toxins from your body

Beautifying Berry Smoothie

Ingredients

• Raw acai powder – 1 tsp
• Raw cacao powder – 1 tsp
• Mixed berries – a large handful (fresh or frozen)
• Medium ripe banana  – 1 whole
• Almond milk – 200 ml
• Water – 100ml

We like Loving Earth for our acai and cacao powders – they use only sustainable , fairly traded and high-quality organic ingredients. When choosing an almond milk, always go for unsweetened. Or if you have the time, make your own!

Preparation

1. Pop all ingredients in blender
2. Blend
3. Serve
4. Drink
5. Yum

If you fancy making our Beautifying Berry Smoothie but don't have all of the ingredients at your disposal, we have a lovely superfood hamper up for grabs from Loving Earth. Just head over to our Facebook page, like our post, and you could be in with a chance of winning some raw acai, goji, vanilla and cacao...

Cocoa Berry Surprise!

I didn’t have time for a proper breakkie yesterday (tut tut, I know) and had to whip something up at work to get my energy levels going. This little beauty was just the thing! In fact, it was so delicious and so energising that I simply have to share it with you…

Ingredients
• 1 handful raw cashews
• 2 handfuls frozen berries
• 1 medium-sized banana
• 1 tsp raw organic maca powder
• 1 tsp raw organic cacao powder
• 2 heaped tsp black chia seeds
• 200-300ml brown rice milk or organic milk

Preparation
• Chuck all ingredients in blender
• Blend
• Serve
• Drink
• Yum

And there you have it folks. A tastebud-tingling, mouth-watering smoothie – perfect for breakfast, for a post-workout snack, or as a yummy after-dinner dessert substitute.

Super smoothie delight!

This week, we're dishing up a yummy recipe for a 'Super Smoothie' to keep you feeling... well 'super' all morning. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 200 ml milk alternative or organic milk
• 50 ml water (filtered if poss)
• 1/2 banana or 1 small banana
• Handful of mixed berries (frozen)
• 1 tsp raw cacao powder
• 1 tsp raw maca powder
• 1 tbsp LSA mix or chia seeds

Preparation

1. Throw ingredients in blender (throwing is more fun, we promise!)
2. Blend
3. Serve
4. Drink
5. Yum

Comments

• Milk alternatives: try almond, brown rice, millet, oat or soy milk
• Berries: we opt for frozen as they make your smoothie nice and chilled. No need to add ice!
• Maca powder: an energising superfood from the Incas; also a well known aphrodisiac! ;)
• LSA: Linseed, Sunflower and Almond mix (omega heaven)
• Chia: a super seed, packed full of vits, mins and omegas!