Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/80373
"& studies are also showing that ELEMENTS IN CACAO also turn "on FAT BURNING GENES" great source of serotonin, dopamine, anandamide and phenylethylamine, which are all neurotransmitters associated with feelings of well being and used for alleviating depression. Cacao also contains MAO inhibitors which keep these wellbeing neurotransmitters in our system for longer," Willow says. Add to that, the chocolate's magnesium content and there's no denying there are plenty of good reasons to tuck into this treat. "Magnesium assists brain function, heart health and helps build bone strenght. It also aids in stress reduction and muscle relaxation. When the brain has enough magnesium, it acts with clarity and focus." But best of all, raw cacao also contains natural appetite suppressants. It is satiating and provides long lasting energy. It is also a great source of soluble fibre. "Our chocolate is low GI so it helps to remove sugar cravings," Willow says. "The fibre is really helpful because you start clearing waste out of the body quicker and obviously everything benefits. "And studies are also showing that elements in cacao also turn on fat burning genes," Willow says. Crucial to the potency and successful uptake of these nutrients is the fact that the cacao beans are not roasted and no dairy is added in production. "We don't cook our chocolate, we don't need to. We can make a good tasting product a low temperature. It doesn't take a lot of heat to do it. And we have worked out a recipe that does not need dairy and we use agave instead of sugar." Interestingly, Willow and Catherine do not want people to buy their chocolate. Instead they want to teach people how to make their own. "We want people to take responsibility for this themselves," Willow says. "Putting it together is a simple process and it only takes 15 minutes. We don't want to get bogged down in chocolate production. We want people to learn to do it for themselves." Nonetheless, the couple are finding it virtually impossible to keep up with demand for their chocolate, which is stocked at a variety of specialty food stores around the metropolitan area. But for under $100, you can purchase a Roar Chocolate Therapy in a Box kit, which not only contains all the ingredients needed to make a good supply of chocolate, it also shares the secrets to doing it well. "Lots of people were telling us they were too busy to come to our chocolate making workshops, so we developed this product," Willow says. "The box includes a link to an online educational video, all the recipes and all the ingredients required and we can mail it anywhere in the country, it is that simple." Contact: www.roarsuperfoods.com 6420 0904 AGAVE SYRUP WHAT IS Consisting mainly of fructose and glucose, agave syrup is a good alternative to sugar. Unlike other sweeteners that store their energy as starch, agave syrup's energy comes in the form of inulin. Inulin is not digested in the stomach and small intestine and is actually digested in the large intestine. Another benefit of inulin is that it feeds the probiotic bacteria in our digestive system. It has a low glycaemic index, so is a viable alternative sweetener for those with blood sugar disorders such as diabetes. It can be used as a sugar replacement in any recipe - use 25% less agave than you would use sugar. Consumption in large amounts is not recommended. Some dieticians claim agave syrup is not really a raw food. SHEILA JULY 2012 31