Cacao (pronounced Ka-cow) is the superfood that Chocolate and cocoa (coco) are made from. By using the minimally processed cacao you can benefit from all of the nutrients that are lost in these other more common forms of chocolate.

1. Eating Healthier with Cacao Powder
I think I first heard about cacao powder from one of
Melissa Costello’s recipes, but actually ordered it and
started using it after I bought Superfood Cuisine by
Julie Morris. I had the pleasure of meeting Julie while
on a trip with my husband to Washington DC where
we stopped in the Whole Foods Market to pick up
some dinner. She happened to be doing a
demonstration there and I of course had to sample
everything and ask lots of questions . As I was
asking all my questions, I realized that there was a
book next to her cart, Superfood Cuisine, and that
Colorful Cocoa Tree SHE was the author.
Her book is full of great information and wonderful recipes. It was released last fall and is titled
Superfood Kitchen.
Cacao Powder – A Superfood
A food is considered a superfood based on its nutrient content. All the superfoods she lists are
the most nutrient dense foods on the planet, many of which you’ll find in Beachbody’s
Shakeology. Cacao powder is just one of the superfoods listed in her book and one of many
superfoods that you can find in the new Chocolate Vegan Shakeology from Beachbody.
Cacao was a prized food of the Mayans and Aztecs. Cacao trees produce these big colorful pods
that are filled with large seeds, cacao beans, from which chocolate is made. If you break the
bean, it comes apart into little cacao nibs. From this cacao powder, cacao butter, and cacao
paste can be made. There are many benefits from cacao powder.
Cacao Powder – The Benefits
1. Cacao powder has more antioxidants than blueberries – helps dilate blood vessels, reduce
blood clotting and improve circulation. It also helps lower LDL cholesterol, and reduce the risk
of stroke and heart attacks.
2. Cacao powder is rich in magnesium, which helps relax muscles and reduce cramping. It also
helps balance brain chemistry, and regulate blood pressure.
3. Cacao powder contains high quantities of iron, zinc and calcium.

2. 4. Cacao powder has phytochemicals, which means plant chemicals, and amino acids that help
elevate your mood. It raises the level of serotonin and stimulates the secretion of endorphins.
These help mood and sense of well-being.
There are many articles about cacao powder and cocoa powder. It seems that cacao refers to
the cacao pod or bean, in other words the natural state before so much processing. In order to
make cacao powder, the cacao beans are extracted from the pod then ground into a powder.
Cacao Beans
Raw cacao powder is minimally processed at
low temperatures while cocoa powder is
processed at high temperatures, which
destroys the nutrients and thus the health
benefits.
Julie has several recipes in her cookbook that
use cacao powder, but this is the easiest one
around.
You can visit my website at Here is a video of
her recipe No-Bake Brownies. The recipe is
after the videos so you don’t need to take
notes.
Here’s the recipe!
Ingredients
1 cup (packed) soft Medjool dates (about 10 or 11) pits removed
1 cup raw walnut pieces
½ cup cacao powder
Pinch of sea salt
1 tablespoon – ½ cup cacao nibs (use quantity to taste)
Place walnuts in a food processor and grind for a couple seconds to form a coarse flour. While
machine is running, add pitted dates, cacao powder and salt, processing until a moist, crumb-

3. like dough has formed. Depending on the natural moisture of the dates, you may need to add a
touch of water – a teaspoon at a time – to get the crumbs to “stick” when pinched together.
Spread the crumbs into an 8×8 –inch pan, sprinkle with cacao nibs, and press firmly into a solid
brownie layer. Cut into bite-size squares and serve. Alternately, press and roll brownie dough
into small balls and make brownie bites.
Variation: Add 1 teaspoon maca powder or maqui berry powder when adding the cacao
powder for an additional boost. Hemp seeds, goji berries, or other superfoods can also be
sprinkled on top, to taste.
These are a great burst of chocolate delight that will satisfy all your chocolate cravings while at
the same time give you some great health benefits.
I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.