Super Food Number Seven.

Becca's Super Food Number Seven: Carob.

Carob tastes similar to cocoa, yet has no caffeine, more nutrients, and the carob bean is naturally sweeter than the cocoa bean, meaning less sugar has to be added to make it palatable. You can find carob in solid form (like a chocolate bar; carob chips are also easy to find and are great for making trail mix or in baking) and in a powdered form (which looks like a very pale cocoa powder). Carob is a good for treating diarrhea (especially in children), as it has a high pectin content, meaning it gels when in contact with liquid and "bulks" things up (eww, sorry to have been so graphic!). Carob is also antimicrobial, so it can act as a natural preservative in baked goods and it helps to clean-up any microbes in the body. Lastly, carob is very high in calcium. Chocolate-y and calcium-y all in one? Carob, you are amazing.

Carob Balls These are no-bake and make for an healthy yet satisfying dessert. You could even make a batch for your V-Day Sweetheart.

2 cups chunky peanut butter
1 cup honey
1/2 cup carob powder
3/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup raisins
1/3 cup sesame seeds

Mix all ingredients (minus the sesame) together and roll into balls. Then roll the balls in sesame seeds (poor the seeds on a plate for easy coating). Makes 15-30 balls (depending on size). Refrigerate after making.

Other ways to use carob are here and here, or any time you need cocoa powder, you may substitute carob.