CoffeeChino and Raw Cacao

Tonight, CoffeeChino is my inspiration :) I think I might have accidentally gotten the coffee/Teachino ratio closer to 50/50 than usual. Totally feel like superwoman right now. Wait. Now that I think about it, I also just had some homemade raw chocolate (from the Navitas Naturals Organic Superfood Chocolate Kit) with my CoffeeChino. Aha! That explains the energy...  Cacao and coffee can be a dangerous combination. I've read about the dangers of caffeine, but I also know that organic coffee and raw cacao are powerful sources of antioxidants. Is it worth the trade-off? I don't think that a splurge now and then can hurt. Even a moderate amount of caffeine on a daily basis, say one cup of coffee (full caffeine) or a couple green teas, shouldn't be enough to hurt a healthy person. An excess of caffeine, however, will overstimulate the adrenals, consequently lowering the immune system and creating a state of chronic adrenal fatigue. In the past I've been guilty of a profound excess (seriously), but these days I try to be nice to my immune system. If you love it, it will love you back. :) My rule of thumb is to avoid the really bad stuff like artificial ingredients, sweeteners, and preservatives, refined sugar and flour containing products, dairy, and to moderate indulgences like caffeine and natural sweeteners. Even with healthy indulgences, it's possible to get carried away. However - that being said, I say live a little. Live a little bit dangerously. If you enjoy your coffee, then savor it. If you love cake, eat it. If you crave steak... well I guess to each his own (lol). Moderation is the key, and there are really so many ways to create foods that taste amazing but are packed full of nutrition and contain none of the really bad stuff. The trick is learning how to re-create old recipes with new, healthier ingredients. I tried a brownie recipe this weekend that was refined sugar-free, grain-free, dairy and egg-free, and I'm telling you my husband said it was the best dessert I ever made. Brett always does an honest review of my experiments, and he really loves a good brownie. That was super encouraging. More to come on the brownie in a future post! 

So, I just want to encourage everyone to try substituting ingredients to create healthier versions of your favorite receipes. The outcome might surprise you! Try something new every once in a while. ~And Enjoy it~