Choc it up for Easter! :-)

Whether you do or you don’t, I definitely have a sweet tooth!

The best news you’ll hear all week …. regularly indulging in the velvety goodness of chocolate can equal a slimmer waistline.  A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found people who frequently eat the sweet stuff (more than twice a week), have a lower Body Mass Index (BMI) than non-chocoholics!  Researchers are still out on exactly why this is the case (I imagine this means all things being equal and in moderation).  WH nutrition expert Kristen Beck says a square of dark chocolate each day is enough to hit your sweet spot.  Good enough for me!  Max Brenner here we come …. and pass out the Easter Eggs!!  :-)

And in the interests of sharing the love (the yummy sweet stuff!), here are two of my favourite HEALTHY treats!

RAW VEGAN CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Mmmmm yummmm ..... 5 ingredients in 5 minutes and you will LOVE this rich, smooth, velvety, decadent raw vegan chocolate mousse recipe (and it's healthy!!)  :-)

I've tried numerous chocolate treat recipes over the years and this one is a definite winner!!

Move over Rachael Bermingham and your 4 ingredients, this healthy chocolate mousse recipe is the front runner for sure....  :-)

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1/4 cup cacao powder
• 1/4 cup raw agave nectar (I use the light agave syrup)
• 1/4 cup almond milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Puree until smooth, refrigerate and serve chilled.

Super yummy either refrigerated or served frozen!!  I’m in heaven….  :-)


RAW CHOCOLATE BROWNIE

YUM!  Whipped up a super healthy scrumptious treat to share with friends dropping in .... cuppa anyone?  It’s quick and easy to make this delicious snack …. enjoy!  :-)

Posted by Teresa Cutter on Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Ingredients:

• 250 g (2 cups / 8 ¾ oz) raw almonds or walnuts
  
• 10 fresh soft pitted dates
  
• 2 tablespoons coconut butter or your choice cacao butter or coconut oil
  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or paste
  
• 3 tablespoons cacao powder
  
• 1 tablespoon maca powder (optional)
  
• Pinch sea salt
  

Garnish:

• Dried or fresh red fruits such as goji, raspberry, cherry, strawberry
  

Place almonds into a food processor and process until broken up roughly.

Add cacao powder, maca powder (if using) and sea salt.

Process again for a few seconds until combined.

Add dates and process again until the dates have distributed evenly throughout the almonds.

Add coconut butter and process again until combined.

Spoon mixture into a bowl.

Add 1 – 2 tablespoons water (just enough so that the mixture sticks together when squeezed together).

Press into a 15 cm square tray lined with baking paper.

Refrigerate for 2 hours to set.

Cut into small delicate portions.

Serve topped with your choice of berries.

Boost them up:
Add 4 tablespoons of protein powder to make the most awesome protein powder bar.

Notes:
Quality coconut butter can be used in place of almonds in this recipe.

Gluten Free – Dairy Free – Low GI – Purely Delicious

http://www.thehealthychef.com/2014/02/raw-chocolate-brownies/

I garnished the Raw Chocolate Brownies using Co Yo with berries (a dairy alternative), strawberries (I also love blueberries and raspberries) and fresh mint.  Savoured this treat, it's so yummy!  :-)


So …. how was it for you?  Do tell if you made these divine treats!  Your feedback is welcome and please also share your variations and garnish choices.  :-)

I love healthy recipes that are quick and easy to make … and these are two of my favourites!  Thank you Teresa Cutter!  I must admit I do have a sweet tooth and I love chocolate, however, I’m mindful of the philosophy ‘everything in moderation’ and I look for healthy, flavoursome choices to enable me to live a life I love!  :-)


Karen Low is the owner of Coach Me Now!  To learn more, please contact Karen on 0409 343 336

Follow us on Facebook for inspirational quotes and links, events, workshops, networking opportunities and resources.