Homemade Raw Chocolate Recipe

This time of year, everyone is indulging in chocolates. Making raw chocolates instead of the processed, cooked (all chocolate is cooked unless it says 'raw'), refined & sugar-laden chocolates, can allow you to feel guilt-free while still sharing your sweetness with loved ones. Remember, eating raw food is not about deprivation; I find the raw lifestyle to actually allow guilt-free indulgence while infusing your cells with life force and nutrition.

Main Ingredients:
1 cup raw cacao powder
1 cup raw cacao butter
1/2 cup clear agave
1-2 tbsp raw almond butter
pinch Celtic salt (or mix of highly mineralized salts)
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Optional Ingredients, yet use them if you have them!
pinch of white stevia extract powder
pinch vitamin E tocotrienols
pinch blue green algae

Blend in a Vita-Mix ideally (it may warm gently which is fine - you want it to be a thinner consistency for easy pouring) or in a food processor (smaller bowl inside the bigger bowl unless you double or triple the recipe). I've found the VM to work best. Pour into ice cube trays or cute molds and chill until frozen.

Keep this recipe simple the first few times you make it and experiment with different versions after you've gotten a solid recipe that you can default to in the future.

Raw chocolate on it's own has no sugar, but of course the clear agave brings the sweetness to this recipe. I'm personally not doing much agave recently as a personal experiment, but having a liquid sweetener for this recipe is needed. From my understanding, the raw clear agave is the healthiest agave available in comparison to the others on the market.

Raw Chocolate Dream Nuggets

This recipe is hands-down, without question, the most scrumptious dessert I've ever made in my life. It's OUTSTANDING. If you don't try it, you're nutz. It's so absurdly decadent, creamy, and rich that I'm on my 4th nugget (cube) as I write this, wondering how to slow it down so I have some for the next few days. I have no problem spending $10 on a raw chocolate bar (my favorite are the Sacred Heart bars - Immuno Mushroom) especially since their made with such wholehearted chocolately good mojo - the kind that only Steve Adler (aka: the raw Willy Wonka) can provide. Yet, after making my own, I find it to be so rewarding and over the top tasty (a bit surprised at my ability to pull this one off), that it's now mandatory that there is always some waiting for me in the freezer.

These chocolate nuggets are raw, vegan, organic and absolutely mouth-watering (oh, and super nutritious, did I mention that?). One nugget will not be enough.

Raw Chocolate Dream Nuggets
1 cup raw cacao butter
1 cup raw cacao powder
1-3 spoonfuls raw almond butter (I used 3 just because)
1/2 cup agave nectar or honey
spoonful raw cacao nibs (not necessary but they add a nice chip texture)
pinch Himalayan Crystal Salt
pinch white stevia extract powder
pinch wild blue green algae or crystal or blue manna (or both, as a true Superfoodist would)
pinch vitamin E tocotrienols

Makes 1.5 ice cube trays.

Taste and modify to your liking (like I said though, if you don't like this, you're nutz!). You can add those cacao nibs (or even homemade raw chocolate chips), goji berries, and/or any other addition that sounds appealing to you. Pour into ice cube trays (or cute mold shapes if you want to have even more fun) and freeze. Please comment and tell me how you like the nuggets, your variation of them, and if you're as hooked on this creamy perfection as I am! No chocolate lover should be without this recipe!

You Choose: Is it Breakfast or Dessert?

I used to ask the question, 'What's for dessert?' every single night as a child. Fortunately, now, I make my own desserts and they don't come out of a carton or box. Some of them (like this one below) also happen to double as a decadent breakfast - and are still such a healthier option than the cinnamon rolls we all grew up with. Some might look at what I'm eating for dessert (don't limit this recipe to dessert only though!) and wonder just how long it took to prepare, thinking that anything that can't be scooped right out of the package is too much work. I have to admit, I used to feel this way and was somewhat intimidated with the idea of whipping up a raw sweet treat until that was put to rest with Naked Chocolate. This book changed my perception of what a real indulgence is and actually proved that even I (Miss Disaster in the Kitchen When the Oven is On) could make mouth-watering recipes.

This is really for those of you who do not have the Naked Chocolate book yet (what are you waiting for?), as I'm copying the recipes directly since they always turn out perfect. If I had to pick my absolute favorite.. it would be.. the Chocolate Entangled Cinnamon Roll (that's my name for it):

Dark Chocolate Sauce (for the Cinnamon Rolls)
4 heaping tbsp raw chocolate powder
3 tbsp raw agave necter
1/2 tsp coconut oil

Mix all ingredients together to form a paste (I love watching it go from all powdery to the consistency of frosting). Add more agave if you need it runnier; add more coconut oil if you need it creamier. Store remainder of what you don't use on the rolls in fridge and spread it on to everything!

Cinnamon Rolls
1 Serving of Dark Chocolate Sauce (couple spoonfuls)
Ground Cinnamon
1 cup of pecans, not soaked
1 cup of medjool dates, stoned

Blend the pecans and dates together in a food processor to make a dough. Dust some cinnamon onto a clean work surface (bamboo cutting board is good), and place the dough on it (dough is a bit oily). Sprinkle some more cinnamon on top of the dough and flatten it out, adding more cinnamon if it ever get sticky.

Once the dough is about 1/4 inch thick, cut or round out the edges so they are neat (make a square). Spread the chocolate sauce evenly on top. Pick up one side of dough and start to roll to the other side, so you end up with a spiraled log. Chill the log in the fridge (it will be relatively soft and is best when cool) and then cut into slices of heaven.

To see a picture of the Cinnamon Rolls, just click on any of the links in this post and scroll down. Naked Chocolate provides several mineral-rich shakes, yummy morsels of goodness, and versions of chocolate desserts you've probably never heard of (like the chocolate pizza!). Isn't it time we stop feeling guilty for indulging in the best food ever?

If you chose to make this in place of the traditional gooey, saturated, and heavy cinnamon rolls (with heavy cream, butter, eggs, and white flour) that bring back those memories we can all relate to, the results would show on the outside. You know that at some point you'll treat yourself to something 'sinful', so you may as well devour what will make you look good too!

ATTN: Raw, Organic, Skincare Lovers!

As many of you already know, I handcraft my own line of superfood infused skincare products. These are the purest products I've ever experienced and it gives me immense joy to see the demand for this (a desire for real natural beauty) rapidly increasing. My line, currently known as Organic Healing, is organic, free of toxins and preservatives, raw, made fresh to order (no inventory just laying around), herbal infused with 8 certified organic and biodynamic herbs (alfalfa, burdock root, comfrey leaf, horsetail, nettle leaf, noni, oatstraw, and red clover blossoms), vegan, holistic, environmentally conscious, and cruelty-free. Some of the Superfoods that are used include: angstrom sulfur, burdock root, wildcrafted horsetail, green tea extract, raw cacao powder, raw maca powder, goji berry powder, marine phytoplankton, stabilized oxygen, goji berry extract, and cacao extract.

I currently offer Healing Body Scrubs (body exfoliants), Body Silks (rich body moisture replenisher), Beauty Silks (creams for the face, neck, and undereye), Clay Masques (that are detoxifying, nourishing, soothing, and balancing - even using Vitamineral Green in one of them!), Belly Silks (for stretch marks, scarring, cellulite, skin appearance), Organic Edibles (sensual massage silks), and Luscious Bundles (discounted gifts and packages).

My very first product was the Java Body Scrub (named after my sweet gorgeous dog) and was created one afternoon as a result of playful experimenting in my kitchen. Little did I know that was the beginning of what it has become! I never expected or dreamt it would turn into an expanding line of the purest products, in demand by those who truly understand the amazing benefits of super nutrient-rich topical luxuries (I imagine, YOU!).

My intention in creating these products has been to make skincare that parallels my nutrition philosophy and approach (raw, organic, fresh living foods, Superfoods, medicinal herbs and teas). You could essentially lick the products right off your skin because they are that pure! There are few ingredients which make it so that you shouldn't do this (except in the Organic Edibles - eat of much of this as you want), but the idea is that what you put onto your skin should be to these standards. If you shutter at the idea of doing this, then it's time to reconsider what you're applying to your skin! If you aren't comfortable putting lotion and cream on your hands and then eating right out of them (without washing your hands first), once again.. time to re-evaluate what you're using! I've been told I'm a purist at heart; isn't it time we Embrace Purity (my monthly eZine to help you achieve exceptional internal health and stunning external beauty) for what goes not only into our mouths, but also onto our skin?

My original vision was, continues to be, and will always be - Cultivate Beauty in Harmony with Nature. For an excellent review of my product line done by Lenette with Go Raw Have Fun, click here. She also did a 40 minute interview that was just released, delving into the details of my introduction into the natural beauty industry: click here to listen. And THANK YOU for reading the review and/or listening to the interview :)

2009 has already brought me huge opportunities for growth. If you didn't see my announcement through Twitter and Facebook yesterday - My product line is now officially sold in stores (at Raw Vegan Source in Redmond, WA)!

I look forward to meeting you in person if you plan to attend one of these huge gatherings of conscious, like-minded individuals. The festivals I'll be exhibiting at in 2009 are:

The Seattle Green Festival on March 28 & 29: http://www.greenfestivals.org/seattle/

Raw Spirit Santa Barbara, CA, June 5-7: http://www.rawspiritfest.com/

Raw Spirit Prescott, AZ, Sept 26 & 27: http://www.rawspiritfest.com/

If there is anyone reading this that feels inclined to support my business, whether as an angel investor, working as a distributor (where you buy wholesale and sell retail - and you keep the profit), or if you have the means or know-how to take my grand vision to the next level, I'd love to hear from you. Spread the pure beauty word .. I feel the momentum .. this is just the beginning!

Raw Chocolate Dream Fudge

I used to make an incredible vegan fudge made with tofutti's soy cream cheese (which now I cringe at) and powdered sugar - there were only 4 ingredients and it was so easy to make. But, I've found the perfect raw replacement and I know you will absolutely love it. It takes minutes to make from start to finish and there's no heat or anything complicated about it. You can make it in a food processor (as I did tonight) or a high-speed blender (like the Vitamix).

Confession: I made a batch just two days ago, filled up an entire ice cube tray (which makes perfect BIG bite size pieces), and needed (yes, NEEDED), to make another batch tonight because we (I do share these indulgences however difficult it may be) plowed through the first within 48 hours.

I am currently living on fresh green juices, collard wraps w/ the best hummus ever (recipe coming soon), super plump goji berries, macadamia nuts, and a different raw cacao dessert every other day. I'm finding this to be quite balanced. Actually, when have you ever had fudge that is super packed with super-nutrition? As a nutrition educator, I can tell you this is likely the healthiest fudge you'll ever eat, and you'll feel fabulous and guilt-free afterward, as you should. And now...

Raw Chocolate Dream Fudge
1/3 cup raw organic almond butter (Maranatha)
1/4 cup organic coconut oil
2 T raw cacao powder
small handful raw cacao nibs
1/4 cup agave (I prefer Sunfood Nutrition)
1 T maca force (HealthForce Nutritionals)
1 tsp raw lucuma powder (makes everything sweeter & smoother)
1 tsp - 1 T of E3Live (how good do you really want to feel?)
1 tsp vit E tocotrienols
drizzle of angstrom calcium (for mineral balance - see note below)

Whip this up into a creamy dessert in your food processor or blender, pour into ice cube trays, and freeze or refrigerate to store.

If you don't have every single ingredient, make it anyway! You can still make this even if you only have the almond butter, coconut oil, cacao powder, and agave - the remaining ingredients boost the nutrition, but I certainly don't want you to postpone making this just because your cupboards aren't filled with every superfood out there. I just started using lucuma powder this week and am experimenting with it in these desserts. Coincidence? I've eaten more chocolate desserts this past week than... - could it be that I'm still celebrating my birthday (yes, 4 days later), or, my body is craving sweets after the 3.5 day green smoothie challenge of deprivation (just kidding), or, is there something addicting about lucuma?

Angstom calcium is the most bioavailable form of calcium. Raw chocolate is exceptionally high in magnesium and the body needs calcium to balance this out, hence the addition of angstrom calcium. I get it mine from Sunfood Nutrition or Raw Vegan Source).

I'm throwing a Spa Party this coming Sunday, at the Beauty Bar Spa and Boutique in West Seattle and will be making this raw fudge as a decadent addition to the other sweet indulgences during this very special evening. Contact me if you'd like to join us - all are welcome!
Details: Sunday, November 16 from 5 - 9pm.

Organic Healing's raw chocolate blendie

For the launch of my Healing Raw blog, I thought I'd give you something that I'm constantly asked about: my crazy creations of super delicious smoothies and what I call, blendies. Usually when people try them, they gasp, as if shocked that such a creamy shake could exist (not having a clue as to what's in it) - but it does, and I'm here to share with you all about it! If there's an interest, I'll keep posting these scrumptious recipes that I've gathered over time as well as nutritional skooshes (sk-O-shiz) - (a silly way to describe advice, tidbits, info., fascinating facts) of all things related...

Chocolate Blendie - ingredients are always organic

* 1.5 cups coconut water
* 2 small/medium bananas
* 3-5 pitted dates
* 1/2 cup nuts (raw cashews are ideal for that creamy texture, then Brazil nuts/macadamia nuts)
* 2 tbsp raw chocolate powder / cocoa nibs (ok, you may use up to a couple handfuls if need be..)
* Optional: Vanilla pod, maca, 1 tbsp coconut oil, MSM powder (see below), tocotrienols/rice bran solubes (raw super vitamin E)

Blend like crazy in a high powered machine (Vitamix if available) until it's super creamy & well-blended. Resist the temptation to inhale this concoction, and put it in the fridge for an hour (or until it becomes all you can think about). Blendies taste best when their super cold.

Note: I'm not one to follow recipes exactly, esp w/ something that potentially has so many variations. Adjust to your liking (more banana to thicken, more dates to sweeten, more nuts for texture, more chocolate, for... more chocolate :)

Next time, use freshly made almond milk (insanely easy to prepare - I know, it first sounded waaaay too complicated, but now there's just no other option & you'll see why if you ever get around to doing it too), instead of the coconut water (which by the way, you can find at any natural health food store - Whole Foodies, PCC, etc - in the refridg. section in mini milk size cartons) - or crack open a real coconut (same stores or Asian markets)! You can source the best raw chocolate, truly raw cashews, MSM, and tocotrienols from Sunfood Nutrition (you may link from my site: http://organichealing.net/content.php?pid=7)

You can add a vanilla bean pod (slice open & scrape insides from the vanilla bean - found in the bulk section), maca extract or powder, and/or MSM powder (a beauty mineral - check my website http://www.organichealing.net/ for more info) - all of these which I typically do to enhance the taste/health-giving properties. The recipe here is just the start, and I must say I vary it each time for that surprising melt-in-your-mouth ('I can't believe how good this is'..) milkshake taste - yet, in the cold, dairy-free kind of way.

Tip: pour into ice cube trays and freeze for a tasty treat later.