In honor of my birthday tomorrow…

I’ve decided to write about the most delicious new anti-aging product on the market treat in my kitchen: anti-aging chocolate.

That’s right. Anti-aging chocolate.

It’s certainly the sweetest way to turn back the clock!

OK OK, these could otherwise just be called “goji berries covered in homemade-and-healthy chocolate,” but that is far less fun! Plus it takes away from the best part about these chocolatey treats, their anti-aging benefits:

• Goji berries have one of the highest ORAC ratings (a system which ranks antioxidant power). The antioxidants contained in goji berries help neutralize free radicals, which damage DNA and cause cells to grow abnormally. Damage to our DNA opens the door to disease and accelerates aging. Goji berries are also said to help prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in people over the age of 65. They are also high in astaxanthin, the antioxidant known as “natural sunscreen,” helps reverse and protect the skin from sun damage. The beta-carotene in goji berries helps fight inflammation and encourages new skin cell growth. To read more, see Goji berries: the anti-aging, antioxidant powerhouse.
• Raw cacao also touts an extremely high ORAC rating (ten times that of red wine or blueberries!) and is high in essential fatty acids. It is a wonderful anti-inflammatory. Chronic inflammation opens the door to a range of disease and illnesses, and also accelerates aging.
• Coconut oil has a positive antioxidant effect on the body by helping to stop the oxidative damage of free radicals. Oxidation is believed to contribute to cardiovascular problems and skin aging.

What you will need:

• 1/2-1 cup goji berries
• 1 cup powdered cacao (Click here to learn the health benefits of cacao and understand the difference between cacao and cocoa.)
• 1/3 cup of organic virgin coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon of organic raw coconut butter
• 4 tablespoons of raw honey (Click here to read about the health benefits of raw honey.)
• Some sort of mold into which to pour your chocolate (I use these silicone ice-cube trays – they making removing the chocolate a breeze. You may also use a pan lined with wax or parchment paper.)

Directions:

First, make the chocolate. If your raw honey or coconut oil is solid (coconut oil has a melting point of 76°F, so if you keep your house cool, it will likely be soft but solid), put them into a glass oven-safe bowl or measuring cup (such as Pyrex), and place it in pot filled with shallow, boiling water (do not let the water get into the bowl or cup containing the honey and/or coconut oil). Mix the coconut oil and/or honey just until melted, and then pour it into a mixing bowl with all of the other ingredients except the goji berries. Mix the ingredients together until smooth and consistent.

Next, fill your molds with goji berries and then pour the chocolate on top.

Lastly, place them in the freezer to cool and set. After 5-10 minutes, pop the chocolates out of the molds and enjoy!

Since coconut oil has a low melting point, I suggest keeping your chocolates in the refrigerator.