Foodie Friday

In honor of Valentine's Day this week, we wanted to share our top 5 favorite, yummy (and in my opinion, downright decadent) CHOCOLATE recipes with you all today.

All of these recipes are gluten free and processed sugar free.
Other than the yogurt for the mousse, and the butter in the chocolate chip cookies, they are all dairy free as well.

Why? You may ask. Because the experts tell us that gluten, dairy, and sugar are the top 3 culprits in causing inflammation in our bodies. They don't fuel us well, friends.

So, even in our food (and let me tell you, I absolutely LOVE to eat- especially sweets.), we are pursuing better things.

Some of these are recipes I concocted, and others are ones I've found that our family has found to be tried and true.

I dare you to try some of these. They are all kid-approved, taste-tested, and I venture to bet, you'll be pleasantly surprised by how delicious they are.

1. Chocolate Peanut Butter Coconut Energy Balls

I whipped these amazing snacks up for my kids yesterday. And they downed them in no time.
These are definitely a new favorite. I loved coming up with healthy snack ideas like these.

1 cup all natural peanut butter (just peanuts)
1/2 cup honey
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup of cocoa powder (not hot chocolate)
1/2 cup - 1 full cup raw, old fashioned oats (depending on how thick your peanut butter is)

Mix until well combined. Chill for about 30 minutes, then roll into 1 1/2 inch size balls. Enjoy.

2. Unbaked Cookie Dough Bars

These were a BIG hit at our small group gathering a few months back. And the best part is, there's no actual baking involved. (I love treats that don't require bake time.)

https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2016/05/23/unbaked-cookie-dough-bars-chocolate-chip/

3. Chocolate Superfoods Mousse

This was my Valentine's Day treat this year. TOTALLY decadent. I didn't feel even the tiniest bit deprived.

1 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 scoops Chocolate Shakeology (dense organic superfood and protein blend.
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons honey

Mix until well blended. Chill and serve with fresh berries. (I highly recommend raspberries.)
Makes 4 half cup servings.

4. Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are some of my hubby and kids' favorites. They're extra delicious with chopped walnuts or pecans added.

https://elanaspantry.com/chocolate-chip-cookies/

5. Chocolate Brownies

My 4 year old wanted brownies for his birthday dessert this year, but he really has several chronic health issues and so I was determined to find a winner recipe that tasted like a true brownie without all the junk. THIS is what I came up with. I modified a recipe I found over at Paleo Grubs. (http://paleogrubs.com/best-paleo-brownie-recipe)   And this, has become our go to brownie recipe.

1 cup almond butter
1/3 cup of honey
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 325. Mix the wet ingredients including the almond butter until smooth. Add the dry and mix well.
Pour batter into a 9 inch square baking pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes until brownie is set, but still soft in the middle.
(You don't want the brownie to shake, but overbaking makes it dry and crumbly. )
Let sit for 10-15 minutes before slicing. Enjoy warm or cool. (But I don't think they'll last too long.)



Let us know if you try any of these. We'd love to hear how you like them.

Happy weekend, friends!