Dark Cocoa Almond Date Snacks

These are the perfect little snack. Or dessert. Made with all natural ingredients and no added sugar, you won’t feel guilty about serving these up. (Or eating them up) Kid approved and hubby approved = win for me. 

As I made this recipe up, I just used what I like. If you don’t like almonds, try another nut. Don’t have coconut butter? Try a nut butter or leave it out. (I made my coconut butter, just by processing unsweetened organic coconut) I think my next try might involve cashews. Dried cranberries or blueberries would be great too, I bet.

 These take about 5 minutes – everything just goes into the food processor – a great treat for days like today, when Manitoba decides to skip spring and go right to summer. No turning on the oven today, but that’s ok because I’ve got these.

Dark Cocoa Almond Date Snacks

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Yield:about 20

Ingredients:

• 150g dates (about a cup)
• 150g almonds (about a cup)
• ¼ cup unsweetened coconut
• 2 tablespoons dark cocoa
• 2 tablespoons coconut butter
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
• pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to food processor and blend up until evenly combined.
2. Add water, a tablespoon at a time until mixture sticks together (I used 2 tablespoons).
3. Scoop out and form into balls, pressing together, then arrange on a plate or pan.
4. Refrigerate until firm, and then serve.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

I've been trying to get back to healthy eating (which for me right now is no grains, no sugar) since I got back from San Francisco.  It's been tough.  Once I break the habit it's hard for me to get back to it.  But nothing convinces me better than a fresh smoothie.

Here is a delicious strawberry banana smoothie, with no added sugar, and no dairy. I love it and my kids love it too.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Simple Smoothie

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Yield:1 mason jar

Ingredients:

• 4 strawberries, trimmed
• 10-12, 1/2 inch slices of frozen banana
• 1 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (I used Almond Coconut Almond Breeze)
• 1/2 cup crushed ice (approx 3-4 large cubes)

Instructions:

1. Add milk to blender, followed by ice and then fruit. Blend until smooth. Adjust liquid amounts for your tastes. This makes a thicker smoothie, about the size of a mason jar.