Choc-Mint Nut Butter Protein Balls

For those of you gym, health & fitness freaks here is an easy peasy snack you can make packed with protein. They are great as a post training snack. One of the main ingredients in these protein balls is Chai seeds which are among the healthiest foods on the planet. They are loaded with nutrients and can have important benefits for your body & brain. Here is some great info on these little miracle seeds:

Chia seeds are tiny black seeds from the plant Salvia Hispanica, which is related to the mint. This plant grows natively in South America. “Chia” is the ancient Mayan word for “strength.” Despite their ancient history as a dietary staple, only recently did Chia seeds become recognized as a modern day superfood. Don’t be fooled by the size… these tiny seeds pack a powerful nutritional punch.

Health Benefits include:

·         Deliver a massive amount of nutrients with very few calories

·         Loaded with antioxidants

·         Almost all the carbs in them are fibre

·         High in quality protein

·         Due to high fibre & protein content should aid with weight loss

·         High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids

·         May improve certain blood markers which should lower risk of heart disease & Type 2 diabetes

·         High in many important bone nutrients

·         Can cause major improvements in Type 2 diabetes

·         Can improve exercise performance as much as a sports drink

·         Are easy to incorporate into your diet

·         Among the few trendy “superfoods” that are actually worthy of that term

And now for the recipe J

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh dates (pitted)
• 1 Tbsp Nut butter (any flavour)
• ¼ cup Chia seeds
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 1 tsp Peppermint Essence
• 1/3 cup Maca Powder (optional)
• ¼ cup Cacao powder
• 1/3 Cup Almond flour
• 1 Tbsp cinnamon

Toppings:

• Dessicated coconut
• Cinnamon

Method:

Blend all ingredients together in a food processor or blender

Roll into any size balls you choose (smaller /bite size is usually best) and place on a tray

Add toppings (I rolled half the batch in desiccated coconut and the other half I sprinkled with cinnamon)

Place in the fridge or Freezer to set

Eat & Enjoy J

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Chocolate Caramel Squares

Firstly must apologize to you all for not posting any recipes for a while now. No excuse really life has just been terribly busy and i simply have not gotten around to it until now. I have quite a few new goodies to post & will hopefully be able to add them all over the next couple days.

So this recipe turned out really nicely!! It contains no dairy, no sugar & no gluten. A really nice healthy snack to nibble on when that sugar craving hits. Enjoy! :)

INGREDIENTS

Crust:

·         2 Cups Almond Flour

·         1 Cup dates

·         1 Tbsp Cacao powder

·         1 tsp vanilla extract

·         Pinch salt

Caramel:

·         2 Tins Coconut Milk or coconut Cream or Soya Milk (works just as well as the coconut)

·         4 heaped Tbsp Honey (add more if not sweet enough)

·         4 tsp Vanilla extract

·         Pinch salt

Chocolate:

·         ½ Cup Coconut Oil

·         ½ cup Carob chunks (optional)

·         ½ Cup Cacao powder

·         3 Tbsp Honey

·         1 tsp vanilla extract

·         Pinch of salt

METHOD

Crust:

·         Add ingredients to a blender or food processor until mixed together like cookie dough

·         Line a baking dish lined with baking paper

·         Press mixture down to form a layer

·         Put in the fridge to set

Caramel:

·         Add all ingredients to a pot and bring to the boil in medium heat

·         Leave mixture to simmer until it turns a caramel brown colour and thickens

·         Remove and let cool slightly (until thick and sticky (but still liquid enough to spread as a layer)

·         Remove baking tray from Fridge & add your caramel layer

·         Put baking tray back in fridge to set

Chocolate:

·         Melt coconut oil and carob chunks in a small pot on top of a bigger pot of boiling water

·         Once melted remove from heat and add all other ingredients

·         Mix well

·         Remove baking tray from Fridge & add your Chocolate layer

·         Garnish with things like crushed nuts, seeds, cacao nibs etc

·         Place in Freezer for 2 hours or overnight

Serve & Enjoy!

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Marble Chocolate & Peanut Butter Fudge

Here's another recipe for all you "raw" food fanatics. It involves no cooking, the fudge simply sets in the fridge or freezer overnight. When that sweet, sugar craving hits this is a FAR healthier option than the real deal. It contains no sugar, no gluten & no wheat. The recipe does contain fat in the form of coconut oil, but never fear as this is considered to be your healthy fat! It has loads of benefits which you can go and read up on here:

http://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coconut-oil/

Remember that with fats (even though good) they do still need to be consumed in moderation :)

INGREDIENTS

Chocolate Fudge:
 ¼ Cup Cacao powder
¼ Cup Raw Honey
1 ½ Cup Almond flour (or just plain raw Nuts; I recommend almond/hazelnuts)
1 tsp Vanilla extract
 2 Tbsp Coconut oil
Pinch of salt
1 Cup shredded coconut

For stronger chocolate flavour:

1 Tbsp coconut oil
¼ Cup Cacao powder
 2 Tbsp Raw honey

Peanut Butter Fudge:
1 ½ Cup Almond flour  (or just plain raw Nuts; I recommend almond/hazelnuts)
¼ Cup Raw Honey
1 tsp Vanilla extract
2 Tbsp Coconut oil
½ Cup natural peanut butter (or any nut butter from Dischem or your local health store)
Pinch of salt
1 Cup shredded coconut

METHOD

Chocolate Fudge:
Process the Almond Flour (or nuts) , Cacao powder, coconut and salt.
Add Honey, coconut oil, vanilla extract & blend until all combined.
Set aside

Peanut Butter Fudge:
Process the Almond Flour (or nuts), coconut and salt.
Add Peanut Butter, Honey, coconut oil, vanilla extract & blend until all combined.
Set aside

For stronger chocolate Flavour:
Melt coconut oil in a small pot over a bigger pot of boiling water
Once melted take off heat and mix in honey & Cacao powder
Set aside

Rip Chocolate & peanut butter dough into 4 large chunks (you should have 8 in total).

Create the fudge marble effect by combining the different pieces together and knead until you see marble effect.

Shape into a flat rectangle shape baking tray

To make stronger chocolate flavour allow the extra chocolate mixture to sit for a bit & thicken (careful that it does not solidify). Then combine it in between the Chocolate and Peanut Butter Doughs.

Chill in the fridge for 3 hours or leave overnight. You can also set in the freezer.

Cut into squares and enjoy! J

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