Cacao

Superfood Cacao

Superfood Cacao

Superfood Cacao!

If you take out dark chocolate's extra sugar content, you are left with the good stuff - pure unadulterated cacao.

Cacao has more than 300 beneficial compounds and is believed to be a super beneficial medicine. 

The bad news here is that many of the products made from cacao destroy their beneficial qualities through processing, cooking, or refining them. Did you know that most milk chocolate bars, for example, are more sugar and hydrogenated oils than they are cacao? Try and look for high levels of cacao and a minimum of processing.

Studies have shown Cacao to increase the levels of neurotransmitters that specifically help us feel happier and give us a positive outlook on life. The cacao benefits include:

Serotonin: Raw cacao increases the levels of serotonin and acts as a natural antidepressant.

Endorphins: Cacao also increases the secretion of endorphins which leads to a sense of well-being.

Anandamide: This is sometimes referred to as the 'bliss' chemical. Raw cacao has a compound that increases the levels of anandamide in the brain and enzymes that slow the breakdown of anandamide. This helps to give us longer periods of relaxation.

Phenylethylamine (PEA): This natural compound is made and released by the brain when we are in love. PEA is an antidepressant, mood elevator and helps to increase our levels of alertness and focusing abilities.

I'm off to make a smoothie with banana, almond milk and cacao!

I hope you have enjoyed this information. Until next time!

Emma Alexander-Cook.

Emma Alexander-Cook

My name's Emma. I've been living gluten-free for over 25 years, and I've been dairy-free for over five years.

Health and Auto-immune Diseases

I have auto-immune diseases and expected to be on medicine for the rest of my life, but I didn't want to live like that. My rheumatology Doctor was so supportive of the change I wanted to make, and with their help, I now manage my auto-immune diseases by being strict with my diet.

It can be quite frightening when you first find out you have to change the way you eat but for some of us' Food is our medicine.'

I have several websites, write blogs, and I'm currently in the process of writing a book.

I trained to be Holistic Health Coach, Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher and Certified Gluten Free Practitioner in order to heal myself, my family and others who find themselves on the same journey as myself.

Websites include:

www.emmaalexandercook.com

www.savemoneyfreezefood.com

www.livefreelovelife.com

www.cooksprojects.com

Photography

Our love for photography started on our travels. We wanted to capture images of the areas we travelled to both for our own records and for our family back at home. Some of these images were reproduced as watercolours. Our favourite images we display at home and friends often asked where we had purchased the pictures! Now you can purchase them online directly from us.

Coaching and Consultancy

Previously an IT Manager my skill set has come in very handy as I am both a Health Coach and also offer consultancy for small business starts up and fellow Health Coaches. This has included building websites and online profiles.

Our Family

Family is everything to me! We have a family of four boys where the age difference between the youngest and the eldest is 18 years. Two of our sons are also Gluten Free and Dairy Free. Emma is a Health Coach who specialises in helping individuals and families achieve their health and wellness goals. Ian runs his own business which began developing a Race Timer for diecast model cars.

http://www.glutenfreedairyfreefamily.com
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