There are few words that light most people up like the word “chocolate”. It is one of the few foods in the world that most people naturally embrace, due to it’s sultry and decadent taste when processed with milk and sugar. If you have ever had raw chocolate without the addition of sweetener or milk products, it is highly unlikely you would have much use for it, due to its very bitter taste.
Unfortunately, chocolate loses a lot of its benefits when combined with refined sugars and dairy products, and as a result, becomes a not so healthy habit. However, when combined with healthier ingredients, chocolate has many health benefits, including:
- Promotes blood flow and prevents coagulation that can result in a heart attack or stroke
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improves cognitive function
- Supports weight loss
- Elevates moods and spirits by raising levels of serotonin and endorphins
- Helps reduce cell damage
So to make sure you get more of these benefits, and less of the not so desirable ingredients, here are two decadent and chocolatey snacks to put on your list to create.
Coconut Brownie Recipe
The best part of this recipe is that there are very few ingredients to source, and in less than 60 minutes they can be in your mouth!
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup of coconut oil
- 1/2 cup of raw cacao powder
- 6 organic eggs
- 1 cup of coconut sugar
- 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract (or powder, to taste)
- 1/2 cup of coconut flour (substitutes will affect consistency)
- Optional: 1/2 cup of hemp seeds, cacao nibs, non-dairy chocolate chips, or goji berries
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350F
- Over low heat in saucepan, blend coconut oil and cacao powder. Remove from heat and let cool.
- In a separate bowl, mix eggs, sweetener, and vanilla. Blend into cocoa mixture.
- Stir in coconut flour until batter is smooth. Add hemp, cacao nibs, chocolate chips, or goji.
- Bake in a greased 8×8 baking pan for 30-35 minutes.
- Let cool and place in fridge or freezer until chilled.
- Option to add toppings such as coconut flakes or chocolate frosting.
Healthy Chocolate Pudding Recipe
This snack or dessert can be whipped up very quickly, and is sure to satisfy even the most discerning tastebuds. Loaded with antioxidants and minerals, it’s a great way to get kids to eat healthier!
Ingredients
- Two ripe avocados
- 2 tbsp of coconut oil
- 1/2 cup of cacao powder
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup of almond milk
- Sweetener of choice: 1/3 cup raw honey and 3 warmly soaked dates OR liquid stevia to taste
Directions
- Add ingredients to the blender or food processor in the order of coconut oil, dates, honey, vanilla, half of the milk serving, avocados, and cacao powder. If using stevia, add it in at the end.
- Blend until smooth. Add more milk to get the desired consistency. If eating right away, make it the thickness you want. If you are storing in the fridge, make it a bit thinner as it will thicken up in the fridge.
- Serve immediately or store in fridge until you can’t handle it anymore and need to bust it open.
For more decadent and healthy recipes with chocolate (including homemade Twix bars), visit here.
To learn more about the benefits of chocolate, read Healing Benefits of Cacao.
Sources for this article include:
http://www.healingthebody.ca/healing-benefits-of-cacao/
http://www.healingthebody.ca/healthy-chocolate-pudding-recipe/
http://www.healingthebody.ca/coconut-brownie-recipe/
About the author:
Derek Henry took a deadly health challenge that conventional medicine couldn’t solve and self-directed a one-in-a-million health journey that found him happier and healthier than he had been in his entire life. As a result of this rewarding journey, he created Healing the Body and became a well revered holistic health coach who now spends his time writing, coaching, and educating thousands of people each month who want to enjoy similar results.
His Wellness Transformation E-Guide and THRIVE Online Health Program are two essential resources for anyone who wishes to have the intelligence and answers to become truly well.
You can find his experience derived and heavily researched articles at his website Healing the Body and his one of a kind holistic health program, THRIVE, here.
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