How to Boost Your Energy & Stamina

By Divinity Chan All rights reserved ©2012-2014

“Chocolate – The breakfast of champions” – Unknown

 

It is well known fact that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. After a sleeping for a number of hours the body will need nourishment to function at an optimal level. It has been strongly recommended by fitness nutritionists to eat breakfast within the first hour of waking up because this is when the metabolism is at the highest.

 

So why not add chocolate to your breakfast using cacao nibs?

 

Cacao, known as one of the world’s superfoods is the raw material of chocolate or the bean that has been fermented and roasted before it is processed into chocolate. As one website described them as “nature’s chocolate chips.” http://navitasnaturals.com Nutty flavor with hints of bitter chocolate that tastes like cocoa powder.

 

What are some benefits of this little bean?

• Contains antioxidants and nutrients that enhance physical and mental well-being that will give you a healthy boost/pick up.
• Rich with magnesium and contains more antioxidant flavoids that red wine, green tea and blueberries.
• Helps release endorphins giving you a natural high or the ‘feeling of being in love’
• Natural snack without sugar, additives, and preservatives.

Not too shabby for this little bean. You can find this gem at health food stores and organic food markets. You and your Chocolate Date sweetie can enjoy both the health benefits and the yummy flavor.

 

Simply add a couple tablespoons of cacao nibs to granola, cereal or breakfast smoothie for a morning chocolate treat.

 

Here’s a few recipes to get you started:

Chocolate Supreme Smoothie
From book: The Art of Raw Living Food by Doreen Virtue and Jenny Ross

Raw cacao is high in magnesium and other creativity enhancers. This superfood smoothie is great for unlocking your mind’s potential to create, and it also provides a naturally stimulating energy. The most important thing about this recipe is that it’s balanced by rich green foods.

1 ripe peeled banana or avocado
1 young Thai coconut (water and flesh)
2 tbsp. raw cacao nibs or powder
1 tbsp. maca-root powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract or 1 whole vanilla bean
2 tbsp. hemp seeds
2 tbsp. agave nectar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tbsp. SuperGreens or spirulina
1/2 cup ice
Blend all ingredients well in a high powered blender. Pour into a glass lined in chocolate sauce and serve, or sprinkle with fresh cinnamon and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

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Crazy-Good Chocolate Granola with Cacao Nibs, Almonds, and Cherries
http://wayfaringchocolate.com/2012/03/15/chocolate-granola-with-cacao-nibs-almonds-and-cherries/

3 cups (270g) rolled oats
1 cup (120g) slivered almonds
1/2 cup (60g) sunflower seeds
1/4 cup cacao nibs
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 cup honey (I used Manuka honey, ’cause I’m fancy like that. Agave or maple work for a vegan version)
1/3 cup canola oil
a few pinches of salt
1/2 cup raisins
3/4 cup dried cherries

1.Preheat oven to 150°C (300°F).
2.In a large bowl, mix the oats, almonds, sunflower seeds and cacao nibs together. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, sugar, honey, oil, and salt. This will make a very, very thick mixture, so don’t fear it. Embrace it.
3.Mix the wet mix into the dry, stirring vigorously to make sure it’s all mixed through.
4.Pour the granola mixture onto one or two baking trays, then bake for about an hour, stirring every twenty minutes. (I only had one baking tray so baked the mixture for 1 hour and 20 minutes.)
5.Stir in the dried fruit and bake for five minutes more, although this part is probably completely unnecessary. You could certainly just stir in the dried fruit and be done. Your call. Also, don’t stress if the granola still seems a little bit wet straight out of the oven; as soon as it cools down, it because stupendously crispy.

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Tropical Fruit Salad with Cacao Nibs Recipe
http://www.chow.com/recipes/14112-tropical-fruit-salad-with-cacao-nibs

1 cup banana, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices (from about 1 medium banana)
1 cup kiwi, peeled and cut into medium dice (from about 3 medium kiwis)
1 cup mango, peeled and cut into medium dice (from about 1 medium mango)1 1/2 cups solo papaya, peeled, seeds removed, and cut into medium dice (from about 1 medium papaya)
1/4 cup hazelnuts, toasted, skins removed, and coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons cacao nibs
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tablespoon agave nectar

Place all ingredients in a large bowl and gently mix to combine. Serve immediately.

 

Action: Try these ideas and let me know what is your favorite one. Or if you have any that you would like to share please post them in the comments below. Love to hear your story.