When I hear chocolate and coconut, I feel happy. This is a delicious combination, and just as delicious separate. I love anything with these two amazing super food combinations.
Benefits of Cocoa Powder
Cocoa powder has many health benefits. A 2 tbsp. serving of cocoa contains just 25 calories and 1.5 g of fat. It also provides you with 3.6 g of fiber, which is 14 percent of the daily value, and 8 percent of the daily value of iron and 14 percent of the daily value of magnesium.
According to Elson Hass in his book “Staying Healthy With Nutrition,” cocoa may provide antidepressant benefits. He explains that cocoa contains the substance phenethylamine, which is a neurotransmitter found in the brain that acts as a mood elevator and natural antidepressant. The University of Michigan Health System (UMIM) states that cocoa may also have the ability to boost endorphins, which act as natural “happy” opiates and are responsible for the highs that are often felt after exercising, laughing, having sex or winning the lottery. Finally, UMIM says that cocoa may boost serotonin, which is the neurotransmitter that antidepressants target in order to boost overall happiness levels.
Benefits of Coconut
Eating coconuts are excellent for one’s immunity. They are antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-parasitic, meaning they kill harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Because of that, if you consume coconut in any of its various forms (whether it be raw coconut, coconut oil, coconut milk, coconut butter, etc.), it can help treat some of mankind’s worst and most resilient of illnesses such as influenza, throat infections, urinary tract infections, tapeworms, herpes, gonorrhea, bronchitis, and numerous other ailments.
Whether you’re eating the meat, drinking the juice, or consuming it as oil, coconuts are a delicious and nutritious source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It has tons of calcium, potassium, and magnesium, as well as plenty of electrolytes.
The oil is excellent for keeping one young and beautiful. Its antioxidant properties slow down the aging process by protecting the body from harmful free radicals. I like to put a little bit of coconut oil around my eyes every night to keep that area smooth. I swear by it!
I decided to make chocolate coconut balls, and they turned out delicious! Below you will find my recipe.
Chocolate Coconut Balls
1/2 cup pure cocoa powder
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
5 tbsp. (weighed and measured) coconut oil
1/4 cup coconut flour
Stevia as sweet as you like
1 tbsp. agave nectar
Mix all ingredients well together. If too dry, add more coconut oil. Let sit in fridge for one hour. Roll into small little balls. I'm sure you can easily roll in coconut flakes for more coco nutty goodness. Store in fridge.
Angelique Kronebusch Fitness
