The Healthy Living Lounge

By Carole Fogarty

Natural wisdoms: A regular feature:

Uma Thurman, Madonna and Victoria Beckham are all reported to indulge in chocolate facials. Raw cacao (cocoa) powder is now considered one of the worlds most beneficial super foods emerging in our world today. It has four times more antioxidants than goji berries, ten times the antioxidant level of blueberries and thirty times the antioxidant level of green tea.

Of course you can eat or drink raw cacao powder, nibs or seeds but as your skin is the largest organ why not treat yourself to an authentic chocolate facial with raw cacao powder. A simply wicked alternate.

Cacao translates as food of the gods:

Olga Gerrards

The best part for you and I is the authentic chocolate facial is totally edible so you can happily lick away knowing that every mourish lick is fueling your body. In fact I’m a firm believer that if you can’t eat it then it shouldn’t go on your skin in the first place.

More about raw cacao (cocoa):

• Cacao (Aztec) is from the theobroma species meaning food of the gods so called for the goodness of its seeds. Mexicans named the pounded seed chocolate
• Cacao (kah KOW) was discovered 2,000 years ago in the tropical rainforest’s of the Americas
• The Aztecs and Mayans mixed ground cacao beans with various seasonings to make a frothy drink. The beginning of hot chocolate
• It is significantly high in anti oxidants and nutrient rich.
• Cacao is the number one source of magnesium for any food. Magnesium is one of the most deficient minerals in the modern world today. Its a great brain food. It is also the number one mineral in the heart.
• Cacao has a high serotonin content which gives you the feeling of well being. It can literally lift your mood.
• Raw cacao seeds and powder retain their nutritional and antioxidant qualities where as a chocolate bar loses some of its potency plus it generally has sugar added
• Eat five or six cacao beans and you can literally give a boost of energy for hours and a good dose of magnesium for stress protector.

Warning:

Chocolate facials are addictive so administer wisely. One per week is the recommended dosage.

The Authentic Chocolate Facial Recipe:

5 tablespoons raw cacao (cocoa powder) most good health food stores will sell the powder. You can adjust the quantity to only 3 tablespoons.

3 tablespoons organic honey (darker honey is better)

3 - 5 tablespoons natural organic yoghurt

A splash or two of oatmeal to bind

You can also use this recipe for your hair as well.

Mix the honey and cacao powder together adding as much oatmeal and yoghurt to create a smooth yet thickish paste. I find the wetness of yoghurts can vary greatly and affect the facials consistency so start with 2 tablespoons and increase as needed. I generally add a little oatmeal just to bind the mixture a bit more. As you can see I’m not one for exact measurements. I tend to cook and create by feel. Sorry about that.

Not all honeys are the same. According to an Illinois Research Program the darker the honey the less water and the higher the antioxidant, vitamin and mineral content. Honey is antibacterial and antifungel which supports the healing process of cuts and wounds.

Further useful information:

World Cocoa Foundation - encouraging sustainable, responsible cocoa growing. Did you know there are between 40 and 50 million people who depend on cocoa for their livelihood.

From the tree to the table. A fabulous slide show showing you the process of cacao bean going from the tree to your table. This would be a great one for kids. It shows how chocolate is made.

Listen to David Wolfe America’s leading nutritional guru talk about the health properties of cacao.

There is a fabulous book by David Wolfe called Naked Chocolate It shares the scientific and exotic properties of chocolate with over sixty different recipes.

Thanks for reading my article, Carole.

Please visit my Wellbeing Toolbox which has been created just for you
or join me in Bali for my annual Womens Rejuvenation Retreat.

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