Raw Reese's Cups

I'm sure you've all heard that dark chocolate is healthy in moderation (promises of antioxidants galore and heart health!). The part that they left out was that the healthy chocolate is actually raw cacao.  It may just seem like I'm misspelling cocoa, but in reality cacao is transformed into cocoa after it's processed. Someone decided to ruin it and took out all of the health benefits by heating and processing it. Most commercial chocolate has added dairy, sugar, and preservatives. Our society seems to have an uncanny ability of turning something nourishing and healthy into a chemical and sugar-laden mess. It's the same old story. 

The reasoning in the above picture may be a little exaggerated, but cacao truly is a superfood. It's mineral-rich with iron, copper, manganese, chromium, magnesium, zinc. It also boasts more antioxidants than blueberries. It has a high Vitamin C profile for the immune system and illness protection. The naturally occurring chemicals in cacao balances brain chemistry, are a mood enhancer, anti-depressant and aphrodisiac. Cacao is like cocoa's nutritious counterpart. Need any more excuses to eat delicious chocolate?

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup cacao
• 2 tbsp lucuma
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• Approx 5 tbsp peanut butter (or any but butter)

• Method:

1. Melt the coconut oil in a double boiler and mix in the cacao, lucuma, and maple. Whisk together until smooth
2. Spoon approx 1 tbsp of mixture into muffin tin.
3. Put tin in freezer until that layer hardens.
4. Scoop approx 1 tsp peanut butter on top of first layer and place back in freezer.
5. Layer the remaining chocolate on top. If you wish, add crunchy toppings such as cacao nibs, goji berries, shredded coconut, or sea salt.
6. Store in the freezer in an airtight container. Makes about 6 but butter cups.