Food to Put You In the Mood – Raw Food Recipes with Maca and Raw Cacao

~ published by Diana Cohen

Okay, I have to admit it … I’m addicted to raw cacao and maca happily married in any raw food recipe! Yes, I have a problem!! … but wait, it is only a problem if it:

creates havoc in your life
makes you unhealthy or
causes you stress.

Okay, no, it’s definitely NOT a problem. Raw cacao and maca are yummy together and create BLISSFUL HEALTH … all out BLISS! Nothing problematic about that.

Good Mood Food

Raw Cacao

Once treasured by ancient cultures for its medicinal purposes, raw cacao has amazing health benefits including promoting cardiovascular health, improving circulation, regulating heart rate and blood pressure, and aiding in the body’s ability to repair and resist toxins and free-radicals. It is one the greatest sources of magnesium and a rich source of antioxidants, manganese and sulfur. It promotes the release of neurotransmitters, promoting improved mood, a positive outlook and an increase in serotonin thought to alleviate PMS. Wow. No wonder I love raw cacao.

Maca Root

Now, maca, is also an amazing substance. It regulates and supports the endocrine system and actually helps endocrine glands produce hormones in the amount ideally suited to ones’ individual body. Think about this for a moment. Maca regulates and supports the hypothalamus, adrenal glands, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, pituitary gland, thymus, ovaries and testes in such a way that it stimulates them to release the precise amount of hormone ideal for your individual body! Bring on the maca!!

2 Maca-Cacao Raw Food Recipes You’ll Love

Well, what could be better for our body and tastier than putting raw cacao and maca together. Maca has a rich, malty, almost caramel taste which melds well with the chocolat-ey taste of the raw cacao. Here are a couple of my favorite ways to enjoy:

Chocolate Malt Ice Cream

Ingredients:

1 cup Coconut milk (or nut milk of your choice; make it thick and creamy)
3 tablespoons raw cacao powder
1 tablespoon maca
1 tablespoon agave nectar
½ avocado
1 handful spinach
2 cups ice

Directions

Mix all ingredients until creamy. Then, slowly add a couple ice cubes at a time until mixture reaches a thick, ice cream consistency. Scoop into a bowl, grab a spoon and devour!!!

Maca Balls

(adapted from www. Joyoushealth.ca)

Ingredients:

1.5 teaspoon maca
1 tablespoon organic ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
1/4 cup cacao nibs
8-10 soft medjool dates
1/2 cup raw almonds
1/4 cup organic goji berries
1 vanilla bean, ground

Directions

Place all ingredients into a high power food processor and blend until small pebbles form. Roll into balls and refrigerate. Makes approximately 15 cookie balls.

Play around with variations: add coconut, roll in agave powder, replace cinnamon with mesquite or hot and spicy cayenne.

The raw food recipes listed above are just two of the many tasty combinations that can be made when these two ingredients get together. What are your favorite ways to enjoy your maca and raw cacao?