Carob Raspberry Tart

Name: Carob Raspberry Tart
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup buckwheat flour; 1 cup coconut sugar; 1 cup coconut milk; 1 cup coconut oil; 1 cup carob flour; 0.5 teaspoon sodium bicarbonate; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1 cup fresh raspberries; 0.5 cup fresh blueberries

By Dada Shivananda·Beginner

Is "going sentient" your next step toward a healthy lifestyle? Try this vegan carob raspberry tart for a delightful new taste experience.

Before I got into health mentoring and coaching a sentient lifestyle, many students asked, "Is dark chocolate healthy?" I said YES, because it's loaded with nutritional benefits, and NO, because its caffeine content can be a stimulant. For example, pure chocolate can be dangerous for dogs due to its high caffeine content, which may accelerate their heartbeat.

Chocolates are often sweetened with sugar and loaded with milk, making them less healthy unless you choose 100% pure chocolate, cacao powder, or nibs. I have used whole cacao seeds soaked in water for 24 hours, blended into a paste with bentonite clay and applied over my entire body during a detox camp in Mexico. After laying on the beach until the clay dried, we all dove into the ocean and playfully washed it away. My skin remained shining and smooth for three days—my students were amazed.

Chocolate's minerals, essential oils, and other nutrients made it as valuable as gold during the Maya civilization. In its pure state, chocolate contains 632 antioxidants and theobromine (from the Greek words meaning 'food for gods').

Have you met people who don't like the taste of chocolate? As you become more in tune with your body, you might notice how chocolate makes you feel—perhaps causing mild headaches, especially in summer when consumed in large quantities, or upsetting your digestion. Heed the call when your body speaks.

Nutritional Benefits:

Raspberries contain potassium, which is necessary for heart function and helps decrease blood pressure, and omega-3 fatty acids, which can help prevent stroke and heart disease. They also provide manganese, important for bone and skin health as well as blood sugar regulation.