Using Superfoods in Recipes, Peanut Butter Cacao Nib Fudge

I had a great time yesterday at yesterday's Health & Harmony Herb Festival out at Red Road Herb Farm.  It was great to see people come together at this wonderful event to explore avenues to health through healing herbs and natural methods in rural Nebraska.  We are so agriculturally skilled here, but many have forgotten the ways our grandparents used to do things.  I'm so encouraged to see a revival of a real health movement going on around here. 

At a time when we are discussing "health care" the best health care, in my opinion, is discussing the symbiotic system that is our health and taking charge of our own health by not relying on medicine, which will never cure an illness, only mask symptoms. 

Attendees could visit with different vendors, eat lunch prepared by a talented local chef, listen to drumming, watch belly dancers.  I arrived on site with a dead battery, so I wasn't able to capture this beautiful place, but visit them on Facebook at the link above, where she has many gorgeous pictures of the event, the herb farm and all there is to offer. 

There were presentations on yoga, massage, reiki, cooking with herbs, and I presented on cooking (or no-baking, as it was) with coconut oil and other super food ingredients.  

I was inspired to share more about super foods after Jessica over at Delicious Obsessions shared this awesome recipe for Peanut Butter Cacao Fudge Bars with me from Healthy Happy Life.  

This photo credit, definitely theirs.

What's even more intriguing about this amazing recipe is how amazing the ingredient list is!  Literally every ingredient is a super food, so I'd like to share it also with you here.  Click on the link above or the photo to get the recipe!

A closer look at each of the ingredients:

Virgin Coconut Oil - Unrefined, Pure Virgin Coconut Oil is not only very versatile, but it’s a nutritional powerhouse!  A healthy saturated fat, it contains MCFAs that help boost metabolism, prevent weight gain and could lead to weight loss!  Coconut oil is also host to many other health benefits: kills viruses, bacteria, yeast & fungus, boost energy, improve digestion, improve insulin levels, improve cholesterol levels, prevent osteoporosis, reduce inflammation, improve immunity, support thyroid function, reduce skin ailments like eczema & psoriasis, and research is even showing it helps in improving Alzheimer’s symptoms. 

Peanut Butter - satiating and satisfying, like coconut oil, peanut butter is an excellent source of protein and fiber.  Find a natural peanut butter, that does not include binders, fillers and free of aflatoxins! 

Maple Syrup - a great, pure & natural sweetener that won't mess with your blood sugar like artificial sweeteners and refined sugars tend to.

Banana - high in fiber and potassium which is great for your bones and eyes, great for heart health, regulating blood pressure, and has a natural antacid effect, especially a good fruit for those with leaky gut.

Cinnamon - Nothing short of astonishing!  In Chinese Medicine, used to treat colds, diarrhea, nausea and painful menstrual cycles.  It is said to improve energy, vitality, and circulation.  In Ayurveda, used to regulate blood sugar for diabetes, improves digestion of diary & fruit, use to treat colds and recommended for Kapha body types.  Recent studies show what ancient wisdom has always said is true of cinnamon, it does have a beneficial effect on blood sugar.  It also has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties that are effective against bacteria causing ulcers, thrush and yeast infections. 

Salt - An often misunderstood ingredient, it is vital.  It's important to remember that refined table salt is nothing like pure salt crystals. Please use the right kinds of salt.  Sanoviv.com has a great post about Understanding Salt.

Hemp seeds - These really wow'd me since they contain a balance of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids.  They are great for heart health in lowering blood pressure.  They are also known to reduce inflammation and improve circulation, 2 factors important in preventing any disease.  There is no known allergy to hemp seeds, which is helpful to those allergic or sensitive to gluten, lactose, sugar, fish nuts or meats.   They reduce cravings for foods with stimulants, sugars, starches and fats.  Hemp seeds increase energy, improve cholesterol profiles and are another natural way to control blood sugar.

Raw Cacao Nibs - another "wow" ingredient as they are high in antioxidants - higher than blueberries, red wine or black and green teas.  Cacao beans and/or nibs are actually 4 times higher in antioxidants than green tea!  This ingredient also packs a cardiovascular punch: it improves circulation, regulate heart beat and blood pressure, improves cholesterol profiles, protects from environmental and metabolic toxins, like free radicals, reducing the risk of cancer.  They also improve energy by raising serotonin, endorphin and other mood elevator levels!  Cacao contains Magnesium, making it good for the joints, sulfur which detoxifies the liver and pancreas, and helps grow strong nails and hair!

Enough justification for not sharing the entire pan?  Perhaps...