More inspiring stories
Eating up the world
There is a link between the climate crisis and what’s on our plates. The hard facts are astounding, as is the difference a plant-based change...
Seven stages of going vegan
Going vegan can be a life-changing experience, and it’s not without its challenges. The good news is you’re not alone. There are identifiable...
The cycle of hormones
If you haven’t quite got your cycle phases figured out, you’re not alone. But it’s time to tune in to your body’s rhythms - so that you...
Getting started with a wholefoods approach
Wholefoods may just save your life, and at the very least, they will deliver a host of health benefits. Here’s what you need to know to get...
Elevate your eco cred
Time for an eco spring clean? Here are seven simple swaps for the conscious consumer
A vegan's guide for going gluten-free
Learn when to consider a vegan and gluten-free diet (and when you probably shouldn’t). Plus, discover four popular plant-based meals and how...
A haven on Earth
Mountains stretch down to coastal plains, which hug the curves of over 100 pristine beaches, all gazing out towards the stunning waters of the...
Plant-based recipe inspiration
Lemon cheesecake
Shifting to a wholefood plant-based diet doesn’t mean missing out on cheesecake. This recipe uses tofu instead of cream cheese and is therefore...
Red sushi with garlic mayo
Not only do these sushi rolls look gorgeous, they also taste incredible. These showstoppers will wow your friends!
Carrot cake cupcakes
All the goodness of classic carrot cake in vegan cupcake form. We guarantee you won't be able to stop at one!
Teriyaki no-meatballs and rainbow veg
Jam-packed with gut-loving whole plant foods, this delicious and sustaining recipe is a perfect example of how to ‘eat the rainbow’.
Quinoa pasta with hemp pesto and sautéed greens
Need a nourishing dose of greens? Traditionally, basil was used to help ease symptoms of colds, while the garlic in this dish adds a strong...
Indonesian salad with spiced tempeh topping
This salad is a take on urap sayur that instead uses crumbled tempeh and toasted almonds to top the dish. A balance of spicy, sweet, and sour...
Shiitake pumpkin dumplings
Australian nutritionist and dietitian Ellie Bullen loves homemade dumplings, and this combo is a particular favourite.
More inspiration from our mindful collective
Natural sleep oils
Spraying sheets and pillows with calming scents can be a wonderful aid to slumber
To wander with no purpose
The next time you go for a walk, discover the wonder of the everyday world around you
Let it glow
A skincare routine can be a way to nourish yourself inside and out
Seeking the silver lining
When the clouds converge, practise gratitude for the smallest of glimmers, and learn to dance in the rain.
6 reasons to love raw cacao
Once revered by the Aztecs and Mayans as the food of the gods, raw cacao is once again being worshipped as a powerful superfood. Made by simply grinding the beans of the cacao tree, the fine powder is a nutrition powerhouse too good to resist.
Cocoa beans, the key ingredient in chocolate, contain phenethylamine (PEA), an organic chemical compound that is known to act as a mood booster. But don’t go reaching for that chocolate bar just yet; cocoa beans lose almost all of their amazing superfood powers once they have been roasted.
When exposed to high heat, the molecular structure of the cocoa bean changes, reducing the enzyme content and lowering the overall nutritional value. Most commercial chocolate is processed at high temperatures, leaving it nutritionally lacking. That’s where cacao steps in.
Cacao is the raw, unprocessed form of the more commonly recognised cocoa. It is made by cold-pressing unroasted cocoa beans, which keeps the living enzymes in the cocoa intact and removes the fat (cacao butter). What remains is a nutritionally-dense, and delicious, raw powder.
BENEFITS OF RAW CACAO
- Improved muscle growth and repair: The magnesium found in abundance in raw cacao allows the body to produce more insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), which is a major contributor to the growth and strength of muscles.
- Natural mood booster: Cacao can increase levels of certain neurotransmitters that promote a sense of wellbeing. The same chemical that is released when we experience deep feelings of love (phenethylamine) is also found in cacao.
- Heart health: A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2006 followed two groups of elderly men for 15 years – one that consumed cacao and one that did not. The findings showed that the group who consumed cacao halved their risk of cardiovascular mortality and a 47 per cent reduction in mortality overall.
- A powerful antioxidant: Raw cacao has nearly three times the antioxidant content of green tea. It can repair damage caused by free radicals and may reduce the risk of certain cancers.
- Improved digestion: Raw cacao has a surprising amount of fibre, which supports digestion. Cacao also stimulates the body’s production of digestive enzymes.
- Availability and uses: Cacao powder can be found in health food stores and selected supermarkets across Australia. To benefit, add a tablespoon to smoothies, sprinkle over fruit, or substitute anywhere you might use cocoa in a traditional recipe.
More inspiring stories
A vegan's guide for going gluten-free
Learn when to consider a vegan and gluten-free diet (and when you probably shouldn’t). Plus, discover four popular plant-based meals and how...
The cycle of hormones
If you haven’t quite got your cycle phases figured out, you’re not alone. But it’s time to tune in to your body’s rhythms - so that you...
Elevate your eco cred
Time for an eco spring clean? Here are seven simple swaps for the conscious consumer
Seven stages of going vegan
Going vegan can be a life-changing experience, and it’s not without its challenges. The good news is you’re not alone. There are identifiable...
Mythbusting: Gut health
If you want to get your gut in order, Dr Will Bulsiewicz is the expert to help you sort out fact from fiction. This is the gut-health cheat sheet...
Eating up the world
There is a link between the climate crisis and what’s on our plates. The hard facts are astounding, as is the difference a plant-based change...
Getting started with a wholefoods approach
Wholefoods may just save your life, and at the very least, they will deliver a host of health benefits. Here’s what you need to know to get...
Plant-based recipe inspiration
Indonesian salad with spiced tempeh topping
This salad is a take on urap sayur that instead uses crumbled tempeh and toasted almonds to top the dish. A balance of spicy, sweet, and sour...
Mie goreng
This Indonesian fried noodle dish can be found at both high-end restaurants and street food vendors in the region – it’s a popular dish for...
Not-avo toast
Smashed avocado on toast is perhaps the most popular breakfast or brunch item out there, and as much as we love the mighty avo, it generally has...
Roasted broccoli green curry with coconut rice
The trick to this super-vibrant green curry is to add a bunch of blitzed leafy greens into the paste to ensure a lovely, bright-green colour. I...
Lemon cheesecake
Shifting to a wholefood plant-based diet doesn’t mean missing out on cheesecake. This recipe uses tofu instead of cream cheese and is therefore...
More inspiration from our mindful collective
Natural sleep oils
Spraying sheets and pillows with calming scents can be a wonderful aid to slumber
To wander with no purpose
The next time you go for a walk, discover the wonder of the everyday world around you
Let it glow
A skincare routine can be a way to nourish yourself inside and out
Seeking the silver lining
When the clouds converge, practise gratitude for the smallest of glimmers, and learn to dance in the rain.