Since we have pretty much given up eating refined sugar at home, people often ask what we do about sweets or desserts, thinking that we have given those up too! Well I’m here to tell you that we have not — Frank has a real sweet tooth and I come from a long line of chocoholics! So what do we do? Once a week (well almost), I make my own. You’re probably rolling your eyes reading this, but honestly, it does not take up much time or much effort and the rewards are so worth it.
One of our current favorites are these Chocolate Date Coconut Bars.
Healthy ingredients that are good for you!
Dates are full of fiber, potassium, copper, manganese, magnesium and Vitamin B6, so despite being relatively high in natural sugars, they do offer some good health benefits. Raw cocoa contains all important antioxidants as well as iron, fiber, calcium, zinc and potassium and of course we all know how good eating chocolate makes us feel. Coconut and coconut oil is a truly healthy fat that helps provide support for your immunity and your metabolism, as well as promoting thyroid health. Almonds are another source of healthy fats that can help stabilize blood sugars, and are also rich in Vitamin E and B and magnesium.
So what are you waiting for? Here is the recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups pitted dates
- 2 cups raw almonds
- ½ cup ground flax meal
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ½ cup raw almond butter
- ¼ cup raw cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Mix the first 7 ingredients in a food processor until it resembles a coarse meal.
- Melt the coconut oil, then add vanilla.
- Mix all the ingredients together until well combined.
- Press into an 8×8 pan lined with parchment paper, sprinkle with a little shredded coconut.
- Allow to harden in the fridge before cutting into small squares (I cut mine really small).
- Store in the fridge.
This article was originally published on www.drfranklipman.com. Read the original here.
*Image of “bar“ via Shutterstock
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