Cacao

First, I must thank Christine and Steven Bailey for hipping me to raw cacao nibs and their surprising health benefits. In fact, on my to-do list this week is to try Mr. Bailey's raw chocolate recipe. Johnny and I are loyal dark chocolate fans, and the darker the better. But in my recent health-nut reading, I'm becoming less a fan of soy lecithin.

God is always kind, as He was again yesterday by providing more healthy treasures. After a wonderful Sabbath of visiting the nursing home, worshipping during the Eucharist, and a delightful Church luncheon meeting, a ran by the Whole Foods on Kirby since they are bigger than our local cozy store, and thus carry a bit more granola goodness. I was most excited about Dagoba Fair Trade organic Conacado 73% dark chocolate (only organic cacao beans, organic evaporated cane juice, and organic cacao butter - no icky soy lecithin!), Nature's First Law raw organic cacao nibs, and raw organic goji berries from the bulk aisle. This Whole Foods also carries raw organic cacao nibs in their bulk section which I will do next time to be more economical, but I indulged yesterday for reading references Nature's First Law listed on the bag* as well as a few genius cacao nibs ideas:

1. Blend them into your smoothie, tea, coffee or favorite nutritional beverage.
2. Add to any recipe instead of chocolate chips.
3. In a blender, add to your favorite milk (i.e. Stryk raw whole milk) 3-4 heaping tablespoons of cacao nibs, 3-4 tablespoons of raw honey, 2 tablespoons of maca** or carob powder, and 1 pinch of sea salt.

On my to-do list this week are also #'s 2 and 3, but today I tried my hand at #1. I placed a Guayaki Mate Chocolatte tea bag and a few cacao nibs in a mug. I poured near-boiling water (mate does not require boiled water) into the mug and let the concoction brew for 5-10 minutes. I then added 1 packet of stevia and removed the tea bag. The cacao nibs gave the already aromatic tea a deeper chocolate scent, and I had nibs waiting at the bottom of my mug. You are looking at a woman who adores bubble tea (various iced teas with chewy tapioca beads floating around), so I was thrilled to chew up nibs while sipping the last remnants of tea. I admit they are much different than regular chocolate, but very similar to yummy dark chocolate-covered espresso beans.

To complete idea #2, I will tweak a recipe I found on a box of Hodgson milled flax seed. I plan to replace the apples, vegetable oil, and sugar with (1/2 cup) cacao nibs, extra-virgin coconut oil, and honey. By the way, I love goji berries! I know they will be good in Mr. Bailey's recipe, but I enjoyed a handful alone. And then another handful in cup of plain Kefir yogurt mixed with raw walnuts.

Now, I also found a gem in the bath and body department. We are running very low on Burt's Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser at home, and it is currently out of stock at our local Whole Foods. I don't think my Burtsbees.com order will arrive before we run out, so I purchased their Lemon Poppy Seed Facial Cleanser at the Kirby store (they were also out of the orange). As Christine told me, it is a wonderful product, and I plan to switch off between the orange and lemon cleansers. I should have known - I've never tried a Burt's Bees product I don't love!


*Naked Chocolate by Wolfe and Shazzie.
The Sunfood Diet Success System by Wolfe.
Does anyone recommend these books?
The other reading reference was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl which I've loved since I was a kid. I love both versions of the movie, too.

**What the heck is maca?