A divine union of mint and chocolate.

Makes approx. 14

YOU WILL NEED

  • 7 medjool dates
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 3 tablespoons raw cocoa powder
  • 1 pinch Himalayan salt
  • 2 tablespoons raw cocoa nibs
  • 2 drops essential oil of peppermint
  • 1 tablespoon raw cocoa powder (for coating the balls)

HOW TO PREPARE THE CRUNCHY AFTER EIGHT BALLS

Remove the stones from the dates and mash them with your hands or in a food processor. Mix coconut oil, raw cocoa powder, salt, raw cocoa nibs and peppermint oil with the mashed dates. Form the dough into balls and coat the balls in raw cocoa powder.

Photo: CamillaHey.dk

THE BENEFIT OF COCOA & MINT

Together cocoa and mint have good synergy – the menthol in the mint expands the capillaries, so the properties of the cocoa reach your cells more easily and wields its magic!

Raw cocoa

The Latin name for cocoa is Theobroma cacao, which means – rightly so – the food of the Gods. When I mention cocoa, I always mean raw cocoa. Raw cocoa is available as whole beans, as nibs (pieces of beans) and as a powder.

Raw cocoa is not roasted like ordinary cocoa powder and in this way many of the fantastic properties of cocoa, which would otherwise be destroyed by roasting are maintained. Cocoa contains an incredible amount of minerals, just as cocoa scores top points for antioxidant values.

Raw cocoa also contains large amounts of Theobromine, a plant chemical related to caffeine, and phenylethylamine which is known for giving a feeling of happiness and excitement and increasing concentration.

Finally cocoa contains large amounts of magnesium and can therefore be used as a muscle relaxing agent. But cocoa should not be eaten before bedtime for although cocoa relaxes the muscles it is also a stimulant!

Medjool dates

My favourite dates are the medjool dates which are also called King Solomon dates. They are soft and juicy.

Many dates are hard and dry and are therefore difficult to use in making cakes. Medjool dates are so soft that they can easily be mashed and kneaded by hand.

Medjool dates are available from health food shops and green grocers. You will find suppliers in the list of stockists at the end of my book: Raw Snacks.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is, like cocoa butter, solid at room temperature and is therefore also used to maintain the shape of cakes. Coconut oil contains a fatty acid called laurine acide known for its antiviral, antibacterial and fungicidal properties.

This fatty acid has proven to increase the metabolism, and to lower the risk of cardio vascular diseases and high blood pressure.

Coconut oil is an amazing building block, especially in the formation of the female sex hormone progesterone and the male sex hormone testosterone.

Increasingly in my clinic I meet more and more men and women who produce too little of these hormones.

Progesterone and testosterone also contribute to increasing the formation of Dopamine and serotonine which further the feeling of well being in the body.

 

This recipe is from my book: Raw Snacks. Buy it here.