"Chocolate" Covered Strawberries!

                                         Oh my, oh my! 

                                These are truly a delicacy.

How often do you get to have HEALTHY chocolate covered strawberries? 




Well, as often as you'd like around my house. :)

                             What is the best part of this recipe?

                            *There is NO chocolate involved!*

Ingredients:

*All organic*

-2 cartons of fresh strawberries (depending on the amount you want)

-1 1/2 tablespoon raw carob powder

-1 teaspoon cinnamon

-1/2 inch piece of fresh vanilla bean

-1 cup medjool dates

-1 cup water (or raw coconut water)

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Take your absolutely gorgeous and fresh strawberries and arrange them on the plate as you would want them to look when finished.

This is the secret ingredient- raw carob powder.

 Check below for benefits of carob as opposed to cacao or chocolate. 

Place all ingredients in your high speed blender and get to blendin'!

I tried this in a food processor, but it was too chunky (still tastes great, though).

The Vitamix always does the trick when you want a smooth cream.

It will come out looking this.

You can actually use this "chocolatey" sauce with other fruits when strawberries are not available.

 I suspect it would be wonderful with apple slices.

Simply dip the strawberries in the sauce and arrange how you'd like.

                                These are fabulous for a party.

                        They are also great for children!

                    These taste so good it is almost unbelievable! 

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            Why is carob a better alternative to cacao?

~Carob does not contain caffeine or theobromine. Theobromine is a stimulant and a neurotoxin (toxic to the brain)! 

~Caffeine and theobromine are substances that can cause insomnia, racing heart, acne, obesity, fatigue, bedwetting, anxiety, dizziness, etc. 

~Caffeine is a stimulant that is very hard on the adrenal glands and the colon.

~Real cacao is actually very bitter, so in order to cover up the bitterness sugar and fat are added to chocolate. The fat is usually milk and cream. Other chemicals and additives are added to traditional chocolate you find in the stores.

~The cacao is also extremely processed and heated at high temperatures, essentially killing any nutrients the cacao had to offer. 

~Carob is actually a legume that comes from a tree that is native to the Mediterranean. 

~It has a similar taste to chocolate and is very nutritious!

~Carob contains vitamin B1, B2, A, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and trace minerals such as iron, copper, nickel, etc.

~Overall carob is low in fat, rich in taste, and does not have any adverse effects.

According to realrawfood.com, 

• Carob tannins contain Gallic acid that works as an analgesic, anti-allergic, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiviral and antiseptic.
• Carob improves digestion and lowers cholesterol level in the blood.
• It is used for treating diarrhea in children and adults alike.
• Since it does not contain caffeine, carob benefits people with high blood pressure.
• Regular use of carob helps in preventing lung cancer.
• The vitamin E content in carob helps in treating cough, flu, anemia and osteoclasis.
• The Gallic acid in carob helps in preventing and treating polio in children.
• Carob fights against osteoporosis, due to its richness in phosphorus and calcium.
• Carob pod husks are chewed by singers to clear the voice and throat.

**What I have found is that you will probably have to order your raw organic carob powder online, as the ones in the store are mainly roasted.**

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LOL

:)