Candy

This is the beginning of the Sugar Season.......starting with Halloween.  I don't know about you, but if I have a plan in place I don't succumb to the candy setting out EVERYWHERE. I make the following recipe and keep it in the freezer. It is my 'go to' when I need a little sweet something with chocolate to get me through. I've given you a "Healthy Fudge" recipe before, but I tweaked that one and came up with this version, my new favorite. The fat in it is nuts and coconut oil. The sweetness is coconut syrup and stevia, a healthier choice than the white processed sugar. I hope you will give this a go. 

Chocolate Candy

3/4 cup macadamia nuts

3/4 cup cashews

1/3 cup coconut oil      

1/4 cup cacao powder  

1/4 cup coconut syrup  

3 drops liquid stevia              

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt or Himalayan salt 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In food processor or blender, put macadamia, cashews and coconut oil and blend until it starts to "butter" a bit, but still has chunks. Add remaining ingredients, blend until completely mixed, scraping the sides to mix well.  Pour into a baggie, flatten out and freeze. When frozen, tear open the baggie, cut into bite size pieces. Put into a container and return to freezer. This will melt at room temperature so store in freezer or refrigerator. 

(Be sure to remove any plastic that sticks to the candy!)

Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream from Forks over Knives

I know it is hot right now and Ice Cream just sounds so nice.....but you are trying to be really "good." Well now you can "have your ice cream and eat it too." Give this version a try, add your own ingredients (like nuts and fruit) and make it your own.

Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream

INGREDIENTS:
4 medium-sized bananas, cut into 1-inch pieces and frozen
1 cup frozen cherries
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon to 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk, as needed
2 tablespoons mini vegan chocolate chips

Instructions:
1. In a food processor, combine the frozen banana pieces, cherries, and vanilla extract.
2. Process until creamy, adding almond milk one tablespoon at a time as necessary.
3. Pulse in the chocolate chips. Serve immediately.

Healthy Fudge

Healthy Fudge sounds like an oxymoron, but it really is possible. This version is chunky if you use my favorite addition at the bottom*. It really helps me with my chocolate addiction. A great way to get that 'fix' without blowing your goals for healthy living. 

Healthy Fudge Recipe

1 cup almond butter (or nut butter of choice)*

1/3 cup coconut oil      

1/4 cup cacao powder  

1/4 cup pure maple syrup/honey**                  

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt or Himalayan salt 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Blend in food processor or blender until smooth. Pour in container and freeze. Will melt at room temperature.

Favorite version: *I put in about a 1/2 cup raw cashews and 1/2 cup raw macadamia nuts and blend until it starts to “butter” a bit, but still has some chunks instead of the nut butter already made.

**Experiment with sweeteners. I prefer Coconut syrup with 3 drops of liquid stevia.