cacao.chocolatey good.

The bean of the cacao plant is the nutritional flavorful source for all CHOCOLATE and COCOA products.  Cacao contains a naturally rich supply of antioxidants, iron, magnesium and fiber.  It is known to be one of the highest dietary sources of magnesium and possesses many other essential minerals in significant quantities.
You hear that dark chocolate is good for you, well, that is why. Actual chocolate candy is made of cacao and the darker it is and the more percent cacao it contains, the better for you. If you have not tried raw cacao nibs, they are very bitter tasting, eating them alone are not too enjoyable!! Add them to bars, smoothies, or use them as yogurt or icecream toppers.
I made a yummy and healthy smoothie today with cacao nibs in it, here's the recipe:

~chocolate almond milk                        
~frozen banana
~wheat germ
~scoop natural peanut ~butter
~cacao nibs



this is a great snack for anyone esp for kids in the morning or after school!!

Cacao nibs are available at any health food store, they run about $13 a bag but last quite a while. A little goes a long way!

Enjoy and BE WELL

kid week...day 1:healthy snacks

Since all the kiddos are going back to school I thought I'd blog on some healthy snacks for kids. When kids come home from school they are hungry!! The last time they probably ate was at 11 or 12 for lunch, especially if you have younger ones!!  instead of tossing them a bag of chips or cookies here are some quick, easy and healthy snacks you can whip up for the kids.

plain or lightly salted rice cake with natural peanut butter (or almond butter)

 mixed nuts are great especially if they are raw, you can actually a little of your own salt or honey and bake them for a little in the oven to add flavor. Nuts are a great source of protein

smoothies are great especially now while its hot out. they are also a great way to "add" other healthy things in without your children knowing!! For example i put spirulina(super green food), chia seeds(plant based omega 3),flax(another plant based omega three) and even powdered probiotics(good bacteria) in my smoothies for my kids and they love them!!

simple piece of fruit is great and sweet, I am surprised at how many of my son's preschool classmates that didnt eat much fruit!! Wow, so simple and so yummy too!

lastly i have a peanut, almond or sunbutter granola ball (picture to come) You can use any low sugar granola, mix it with a little natural nut butter and some honey or agave syrup and roll them into balls, put them in the refrigerator and when you are ready to eat one take them out and enjoy!!

happy new school year to you all and BE WELL