{"id":228,"date":"2013-02-19T03:51:54","date_gmt":"2013-02-19T03:51:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.natalie-naturopath.com\/?p=228"},"modified":"2013-03-26T03:30:01","modified_gmt":"2013-03-26T03:30:01","slug":"raw-cacao-treat-balls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.natalie-naturopath.com\/melbournehealth\/2013\/02\/19\/raw-cacao-treat-balls\/","title":{"rendered":"Raw Cacao &#8216;Treat Balls&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<style><!--\n\/* Font Definitions *\/\n@font-face\n\t{font-family:Times;\n\tpanose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;\n\tmso-font-charset:0;\n\tmso-generic-font-family:auto;\n\tmso-font-pitch:variable;\n\tmso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}\n@font-face\n\t{font-family:Times;\n\tpanose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;\n\tmso-font-charset:0;\n\tmso-generic-font-family:auto;\n\tmso-font-pitch:variable;\n\tmso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}\n@font-face\n\t{font-family:Cambria;\n\tpanose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;\n\tmso-font-charset:0;\n\tmso-generic-font-family:auto;\n\tmso-font-pitch:variable;\n\tmso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}\n \/* Style Definitions *\/\np.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal\n\t{mso-style-unhide:no;\n\tmso-style-qformat:yes;\n\tmso-style-parent:\"\";\n\tmargin-top:0cm;\n\tmargin-right:0cm;\n\tmargin-bottom:10.0pt;\n\tmargin-left:0cm;\n\tmso-pagination:widow-orphan;\n\tfont-size:12.0pt;\n\tfont-family:Cambria;\n\tmso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;\n\tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;\n\tmso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;\n\tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;\n\tmso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;\n\tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;\n\tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\";\n\tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}\n.MsoChpDefault\n\t{mso-style-type:export-only;\n\tmso-default-props:yes;\n\tfont-family:Cambria;\n\tmso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;\n\tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;\n\tmso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;\n\tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;\n\tmso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;\n\tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;\n\tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\";\n\tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}\n.MsoPapDefault\n\t{mso-style-type:export-only;\n\tmargin-bottom:10.0pt;}\n@page WordSection1\n\t{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;\n\tmargin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;\n\tmso-header-margin:36.0pt;\n\tmso-footer-margin:36.0pt;\n\tmso-paper-source:0;}\ndiv.WordSection1\n\t{page:WordSection1;}\n--><\/style>\n<h1 class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0.1pt 0cm; text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: Times;\">Raw Cacao Treat Balls<\/span><\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top: .1pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1;\"><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_229\" style=\"width: 286px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.natalie-naturopath.com\/2013\/02\/19\/raw-cacao-treat-balls\/raw-cacoa-image\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-229\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-229\" class=\"size-full wp-image-229\" alt=\"Raw Cacao  - A Super Food\" src=\"https:\/\/www.natalie-naturopath.com\/melbournehealth\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/raw-cacoa-image.jpg\" width=\"276\" height=\"183\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-229\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Raw Cacao &#8211; A Super Food<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top: .1pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1;\"><strong>Ingredients<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top: .1pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;\">\u00bc &#8211; \u00bd Cup raw cashews \/ almonds<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>&#8211; chopped (almond meal is also a good and easy replacement)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top: .1pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;\">2 tablespoons of agave nectar (this is super sweet but low GI, when everything is mixed together, taste the mix and add a bit more if you want it sweeter <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top: .1pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;\">1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract or the seeds of about \u00bd pod<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top: .1pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;\">handful of dates (chopped finely and soaked in water for about half an hour \u2013 discard water when adding to mix)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top: .1pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;\">2-4 tablespoons raw cacao powder<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top: .1pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;\">2 tablespoons of organic cold pressed coconut oil (if the weather is cold, you will have to warm this to make it liquid.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>To do this place in a bowl and sit over a saucepan with a little bit of simmering water \u2013 it melts very quickly)<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>Add a bit more if you think there is not enough liquid<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top: .1pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;\">\u00bc cup desiccated coconut (to roll the balls in)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top: .1pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;\">Mix all the ingredients together (except for the desiccated coconut which is good to roll the balls in, although you can add some of this to the mix if you want).<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top: .1pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;\">You can blend it all together for a smooth consistency.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>I just mix it so the balls are chunky.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>Roll small amounts in your hands to make a ball, then roll in desiccated coconut.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Store in an airtight container in the fridge.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>(When the balls chill they will become more firm)<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top: .1pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;\">There are so many variations to this recipe.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>You can add some Tahini (this can make them stick together better), Goji berries, chopped-up dried apricots, spirulina powder, soya milk if you like a more mild flavour.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>Experiment with things you like and different amounts of the ingredients to make some yummy and healthy treats! <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top: .1pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;\">If you add some tahini and oats, you can also make a variation of this recipe into a slice.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>Let it chill in the fridge then cut into slices that can be individually wrapped and stored in the fridge.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top: .1pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;\">\u00a0<strong>WHY THEY ARE GOOD FOR YOU!<\/strong><span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top: .1pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;\">\u00a0<\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;\">Coconut oil<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;\"> ~ Full of essential fatty acids particularly lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid which have properties including antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal and antibacterial.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>The health benefits include maintaining good cholesterol levels, weight management, increased immunity, improved digestion and nutrient metabolism, just to name a few.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top: .1pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1;\"><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;\">Raw cacao powder<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;\"> ~ It\u2019s what chocolate is made from, but still has all the benefits of this super little bean \u2013 raw cacao has 360% more antioxidants than processed beans.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>It contains protein, zinc, omega 3 oils, calcium, chromium, sulphur, potassium, and is one of the best known food sources of magnesium \u2013 an essential nutrient that is used in almost every biological process in our body! <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top: .1pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1;\"><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;\">Agave Syrup<\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;\"> ~ A great alternative to regular cane sugar.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>It has a low GI (glycemic index) which means it is more beneficial to maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>It is also sweeter tasting than sugar so you don\u2019t need to use as much (about 30% less) to achieve a sweet taste.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-top: .1pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 1;\"><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;\">Nuts ~ <\/span><\/b><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Times; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;\">Packed full of protein, essential minerals, essential fatty acids.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>They can help keep blood sugar levels stable,<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span>and are a healthy between meal snack.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\">\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Raw Cacao Treat Balls &nbsp; \u00a0 &nbsp; Ingredients \u00bc &#8211; \u00bd Cup raw cashews \/ almonds\u00a0 &#8211; chopped (almond meal is also a good and easy replacement) 2 tablespoons of agave nectar (this is super sweet but low GI, when everything is mixed together, taste the mix and add a bit more if you want &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":229,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,5,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-228","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","category-natural-food-for-health-and-wellbeing","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.natalie-naturopath.com\/melbournehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/228","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.natalie-naturopath.com\/melbournehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.natalie-naturopath.com\/melbournehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.natalie-naturopath.com\/melbournehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.natalie-naturopath.com\/melbournehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=228"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.natalie-naturopath.com\/melbournehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/228\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":234,"href":"https:\/\/www.natalie-naturopath.com\/melbournehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/228\/revisions\/234"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.natalie-naturopath.com\/melbournehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/229"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.natalie-naturopath.com\/melbournehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=228"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.natalie-naturopath.com\/melbournehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=228"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.natalie-naturopath.com\/melbournehealth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=228"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}