Yes I post a lot of chocolate recipe- guilty!!

Firstly this is because I just love chocolate. Secondly knowing the incredible health benefits of the cocao bean causes me to want to just add it to everything (including my breakfast).

This type of chocolate each day WILL keep the doctor away!

So what is cocao?

Also know as cocoa, the cocao bean is best known as our natural form of chocolate before it has been roasted, processed and had sugars, dairy and other chemicals added. Cocao has potent, medicinal health benefit and is concidered one of natures best kept secrets in the entire history of food.  The addition of refined sugars and other production processes to our chocolate has created a highly addictive, nutrient depleted food item.

Cocao health benefits:

The two main health benefits of this superfood is its high antioxidant and mineral concentrate. Cocao has been considered the greatest natural medicine of all times and when consumed regularly this powerful substance can help to prevent primary killer diseases better than anything.

Releasing a chemical that stimulates the nervous system cocao is fantastic in creating a positive state of mind and mood and increase cognitive function. For centuries cocao has also been used to promote a healthy cardiovascular system and has been shown to lessen the risk of strokes, heart attacks and reduce high blood pressure and risk of cancer. Happy mind and happy heart!

Some of the ways I like to use cocao:

Hot chocolates

Cocao shots (pure energy boost)

Chocolate brownies (2 recipes on blog)

Snack on cocao nibs

Chocolate smoothies

In my bliss balls

Through my breakfast bowl whether it be cereal or porridge

Choc chip biscuites

Cocao nibs in salads

Homemade chocolate

Slices

Through a winter soup or stew

Cocao nibs mixed through quinoa with lemon juice, sultanas and seasoned

Here is a morning favourite, my Cocao Super Start Bowl!

Recipe:

Serves 2

1/4 cup chia seeds

2 tbs cocao powder

1/4 cup sprouted buckwheat

6x chopped dates

2 tbs goji berries

10x roughly chopped raw almonds

2 tbs cocao nibs

1 tsp nativia

Pinch of Himalayan salt

Yogurt and milk to serve

Mix together all the ingredients. Serve with your favourite choice of milk (almond, coconut, hemp seed, whole milk) and a heaped tbsp of Natural yogurt (greek, sheep, goats, byodynamic).

Coco pops you have nothing on this bowl of chocolaty superfood goodness.

Enjoy!