Magical Cacao in Decadent Chocolate Truffles!

Eat chocolate, get healthier, slow down the aging process -- seem too good to be true? Well, there is evidence showing it is true, but you have to eat the real thing, not the sugar-added, highly processed chocolate found in conventional stores.

 

Magical Cacao: "Raw cacao is one of the most, if not THE most, nutrient rich and complex foods known to man. All chocolate starts out as raw cacao “beans” or nuts - the seed of the cacao fruit which grows on a tropical tree. The usual roasting/processing of chocolate destroys a significant amount of its valuable health supporting properties. Much of the mood elevating, antidepressant and antioxidant qualities are eliminated with heating." (Excerpt from Sacred Chocolate Website) 

Sacred Chocolate is a company I love and fully endorse. Their products are raw, stone ground, organic and vegan. Did you know that chocolate (the real whole raw kind that is) is an amazing health food, filled with polyphenol antioxidants and flavanols.





Sacred Chocolate: Raw, Stone-Ground, Organic & Vegan

Do your sweethearts a favor this Valentine's day and fill their heart with goodness - sweet, chocolatey, heart-healthy, decadent, sensuous goodness in the form of chocolate hearts and incredible truffles, hand-made here in the US, with love and blessings.

Check out their complete selection and place your order here.

Out of this world!

Non-GMO Shopping Guide

Non-GMO
Shopping Guide









Get the the guide here:

Non-GMO Shopping Guide

You can download the iPhone application at shopnogmo also.

Eating for Energy, Part 4 - Less Toxins, More Energy

 Welcome to Part 4 of Eating for Energy!  Hope you are enjoying this special time of year, even with all the extra activities.   This series, Eating for Energy, can help you maintain and even increase your energy levels into the New Year.

Reducing toxic load turns out to have a lot to do with increasing your energy level. Our body has to use a lot of energy to process the environmental toxins that we come into contact with and ingest everyday. If we reduce our body’s workload, and therefore energy expenditure, in processing and eliminating toxins, we have more energy for everything else.

Reducing toxic load can help reduce brain fog and boost our immune system, which can increase our productivity. It can also help improve our digestion, absorption and assimilation of nutrients, making them more available to support our daily activities.

Here are 5 tips to reduce your toxic load:

1. Use herbs that support our detox organs – liver, kidney and colon. E.g. milk thistle and dandelion.

2. Encourage elimination through skin, our largest organ for elimination. E.g. sweating and dry brushing.

3. Buy and eat organic food as much as possible – learn about the “Dirty Dozen” list and try to shop organic for this produce.  http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/

4. Reduce processed and packaged foods, which are loaded with chemicals.

5. Replace household and personal products with a lot of chemicals with those made with natural ingredients.

 

For more healthy tips and recipes, be sure and visit my website, www.blissfulbalancewellness.com

Chia Seeds - 5 Reasons to Eat Them!

I love chia seeds so much and here are just 5 reasons why:

1.  They have twice as much protein as other seeds or grains, providing all the essential amino acids in an easily digestible form.
2.  They have three times the antioxidant strength of blueberries.
3.  They are the richest plant source of Omega-3 fatty acids, (the vital fats that protect against inflammation—such as arthritis—and heart disease).  They have twice as much as wild salmon.
4.  They are easier to digest than flax seeds and they don't need ground up.
5.  They make a delicious drink in minutes, called Chia Fresca, and it is so hydrating.

There are so many more reasons than 5 to eat Chia seeds.  They are shown to help with high blood pressure, weight loss, and blood sugar control.  They have 5 times more iron than spinach, 2 times more potassium than bananas, and 5 times more calcium than milk (plus boron which is a trace mineral that helps transfer calcium into your bones).


What a great plant-based source of all these great nutrients!  And they are so much fun and so easy to use.  Add them to your morning smoothie, make Chia Fresca, Chia Pudding, and many other wonderful recipes.

'Chia Fresca'

2 tsp chia seeds
10oz pure water
juice of one lemon or lime
agave syrup or raw honey to taste

This is still a popular drink in modern-day Mexico. Simply stir the ingredients together and enjoy.

Raw 'Rice Pudding'

4-5 tbsp chia seed
2 cups almond milk
raw honey or agave syrup to taste

Combine the ingredients to your taste. Leave the chia to soak for at least 10 minutes before consuming. You can also add other flavours like vanilla, cinnamon or cardamom.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/022468_chia_seeds_food.html#ixzz1dcyLsmeo 

and http://www.nutsonline.com/cookingbaking/chia-seeds/premium.html

Mini Zucchini Millet Muffins - Gluten Free

Mini Zucchini Millet Muffins

Gluten Free.  You can make these dairy free by substituting water for the milk.  Still wonderful.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. 

Line muffin pan with baking cups.  You can use either mini (so cute) or regular muffin pans, just adjust baking time.

Mix together in a small bowl:

3/4 cup of warm milk of choice
1 tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar

Let stand for 30 minutes while you prepare the rest.

Mix together in a large bowl:

2 cups millet flour (freshly ground if you have a Vita-Mix )
2 tablespoon freshly ground flax seed
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

 Mix well then add:

1/3 cup of coconut oil (melt if needed)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup of grated zucchini
1 grated apple or ½ cup grated carrots

¼ cup organic agave syrup or maple syrup (optional)

Add contents of small bowl and combine well. Fill muffin pans 3/4 full. Bake mini muffins about 10 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Bake regular muffins about 15-18 minutes or a toothpick comes out clean.  Remove from oven, cool slightly and remove from pan.  These are delicious served warm with butter or add some maple syrup or honey for a sweet treat.

PS: You can use other flours and oils, but these are my favorites since I am not eating wheat.  Millet is similar to corn meal but I love the flavor for a change. 

Coco-Choco-PB Energy Bites

Coco-Choco-PB Energy Bites

Last night after dinner I was really wanting a chocolate or sweet treat and my food supply was sadly missing anything along those lines.  Usually I can find something for my sweet tooth that is satisfying and healthy, even if its a tablespoon of peanut butter, but alas I was also out of that.  It was a little late and too rainy to run to the store, and I made do with a cup of tea.

So today I decided to whip up some healthy, tasty  tidbits of chocolatey goodness to keep in the fridge or freezer for the next time my sweet tooth kicked in.  They turned out really well and are very satisfying as well as very easy to make.  All the ingredients are healthy too, so win/win for me!

Here is the simple recipe

These are dairy-free, gluten-free and raw.  You could also substitute a different natural sweetener if needed.  So simple, here is the recipe:

1-1/2 cups shredded organic coconut
1/2 cup organic cocoa powder or cacao
1 tablespoon organic extra virgin coconut oil (melt if needed)
1/4 cup organic agave nectar
2 tablespoons organic Crunchy Peanut or Almond Butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
pinch of sea salt

Stir all this together until well mixed and shape into balls.  You can cover with a little finely shredded coconut if desired (I used the Vita-Mix to make the coconut flakes very fine).  Keep in refrigerator.

Non-GMO Shopping Guide

If you would like to know more about GMO foods, and why we should avoid them, here is a great website.  They have a downloadable Shopping Guide for Non-GMO Foods as well as great information on GMOs and their hazards to our health.  

Why Should I Avoid GMOs


4 Simple Tips to Avoiding GMOs:

1. Buy Organic - Certified organic     products cannot intentionally     include any GMO ingredients
2. Look for "Non-GMO Project"     verified seals
3. Avoid At-Risk Ingredients including     Corn, Soybeans, Canola, Cottonseed
4. Buy Products Listed in our     Shopping Guide... read more

If you have a baby  see this page for non-gmo baby food and infant formula.   The brands featured there are enrolled in the the Non-GMO Project Standard.  For more information please click here.

From their website:
The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) recently released its position paper on Genetically Modified foods stating that "... GM foods pose a serious health risk". The AAEM called for a moratorium on GM food, with implementation of immediate long-term safety testing and labeling of GM food. The AAEM is just one of many organizations worldwide calling for these steps to be taken.

When to Buy Organic -- Download the Guide | Environmental Working Group - Dirty Dozen & Clean 15

Do you need to buy everything organic?  Probably not.  This information will help you make informed choices.  By knowing what is most heavily sprayed, you can help reduce your body's toxic burden.  By knowing what is lowest in pesticides, it can help you save money.

Download a List to Take to the Grocery Store, or an App for Your I-Phone
Download the Guide | Environmental Working Group


  
Top Reasons to Use EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Reduce Your Pesticide Exposures
 http://www.foodnews.org/reduce.php