Coconut Bliss Bars

Coconut bliss bars are the yummiest snack EVER. They can also double as dessert.

This recipe was inspired by Stephanie Eusebi Nutrition & Wellness.

Looking to make a nice dessert or energy boosting snack? This recipe is super simple and delicious. Feel free to add other types of nuts or dried fruit to appeal to any palate. I added pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds) to this batch and it was delish!

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded or flaked coconut
1/2-3/4 cup dark chocolate or carob chips (preferably a brand with no refined sugar)
1 egg
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
teeny pinch cinnamon
teeny pinch nutmeg
1 pinch sea salt
*Optional: If you like them a little sweeter, feel free to add a few tablespoons of maplesyrup to the mix

Method:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper.

Whisk the eggs.

Whisk the melted coconut oil into the egg mixture.

Add in the vanilla, coconut, and chocolate chips (and optional maple syrup) and combine until well-mixed.

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until the top and edges are golden and crispy.

Allow to cool (if you have the willpower!). Slice off a piece and enjoy!

Benefits:

Cacao: (Dark chocolate)Organic cacao is a legit superfood. It abounds with Vitamin A, C, and E, and a plethora of B vitamins, as well as, magnesium, copper, calcium, manganese, zinc, sulphur, iron, chromium, phosphorus, and Omega 6 fatty acids. It is also high in protein and fiber. Move over spinach! See here for more health benefits and nutritional information.

Coconut: Coconut is highly nutritious, rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Both modern and traditional medicine have recognized coconut as having antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Meanwhile coconut provides a nutritional source of quick energy, and can be used to enhance endurance and physical performance. Coconut is also soothing to the digestive tract, and aids in absorption of other nutrients within the body. See here for more health benefits and nutritional information.

Organic Eggs: (Preferably pasture-fed) Eggs are a good source of low-cost high-quality protein. They provide over 6 grams of protein (13% of the daily value for protein) each, and are a good source of choline, a key component of many fat-containing structures in cell membranes, which is particularly important for brain function and health. Eggs are also a rich source of tryptophan and selenium. See here for more health benefits and nutritional information.

Action Packed Trail Mix

Spring has sprung! Time to hit the trail (mix)!

My über adorable nephew was just here visiting, and I needed to come up with some energy-boosting snacks, stat. When you only have 2 minutes before heading off on an adventure (in our case we went snowshoeing in the high country…had to enjoy the last of the snow!), then this is a perfect treat.

I always have some dried fruit, and crispy (soaked and dehydrated) nuts and seeds on hand, just in case. This time we also added some raw cacao nibs and a few crack almonds chocolate covered almonds to make our mix chocolatey and delicious. Hope you enjoy this special snack and whatever kinds of adventures you can dream up!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup crispy almonds
1/4 cup crispy pecans
1/4 cup golden raisins
Hefty sprinkle tart dried cherries
Hefty sprinkle cacao nibs
Chocolate covered almonds to taste

Method:

Mix all the ingredients and place in a container that can withstand your adventure (I don’t recommend glass if you’re going hiking, biking, running, etc….But I really hate plastic). Try a wax paper bag if you think it won’t get destroyed. Grab a handful as needed and enjoy!

Benefits:

Almonds: Almonds are a Supernut. High in monounsaturated fats (associated with reduced risk of heart disease), almonds contain high amounts of vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium. They are also high in protein, which makes them an ideal snack. See here for more health benefits and nutritional information. Many suggest that soaking nuts (and grains, legumes, and seeds) before consuming them enhances their nutritional quality.

Cacao: Organic cacao is a legit superfood. It abounds with Vitamin A, C, and E, and a plethora of B vitamins, as well as, magnesium, copper, calcium, manganese, zinc, sulphur, iron, chromium, phosphorus, and Omega 6 fatty acids. It is also high in protein and fiber. Move over spinach! See here for more health benefits and nutritional information.

Pecans: Pecans contain a plethora of vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, a variety of B vitamins and zinc. One ounce of pecans provides 10 percent of the recommended Daily Value for fiber. Pecans are also a source of monounsaturated or “good” fat and protein. See here for more health benefits and nutritional information. Many suggest that soaking nuts (and grains, legumes, and seeds) before consuming them enhances their nutritional quality.

Raisin: Raisins are high in fiber witch can aid in relief of constipation. They a good source of iron (thus helping with anemia), arganine (which can enhance libido and aid with sexual weakness). They also contain calcium and boron, both of which are crucial for proper bone health. See here for more health benefits and nutritional information.

Digestion Fixer Elixir

Got gut woes? This green juice will fix you right up.

Anytime you have tummy trouble, this juice can help you get back on track. This delightful combo of ingredients help to promote healthy digestion, soothe inflammation, calm nausea, and get you back to feeling good. It’s a pretty mild juice with a touch of sweet from the pear and little kick of spice with doTERRA’s ginger essential oil (or a little hunk of fresh ginger). Happy belly to you!

A dab will do you on the ginger oil and the aloe juice! Both are powerful medicine.

Ingredients:

1 cucumber, peeled and quartered
4 celery sticks, de-stringed
1 pear, quartered and cored
1/2 lemon, de-rinded
1 splash fresh aloe juice (I like Lakewood Organic)
1 drop doTERRA ginger essential oil

Method:

Place all ingredients but aloe juice and essential oil in your juicer. Juice. Place in a glass jar (with a lid) add your aloe and essential oil. Shake it up to mix it all together. Sip to your heart’s content!

Or, place all ingredients in your high-powered juicer. Add 1 cup filtered water. Blend to smithereens. Strain over a glass. Enjoy!

Benefits:

Aloe Juice: The aloe vera plant abounds with vitamins, minerals, proteins, polysaccharides, enzymes, and amino acids. It is particularly helpful to aid with digestive ailments (constipation, gas, bloating), inflammation (internal and external). Research also shows that aloe vera juice can help deter cancer (particularly colon cancer), stroke and heart attack. See here for more health benefits.

Celery: Celery is jam-packed with vitamins K and C, beta-carotene, and manganese. But also contains phytonutrients that are shown to have anti-inflammatory benefits and protect the digestive tract. See here for more health benefits and nutritional information.

Cucumber: Cucumbers contain three types of phytonutrients which provide with valuable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer benefits. They are also very low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium and are a good source of Vitamin A, C, and K, pantothenic acid, magnesium, phosphorus and manganese. See here for more health benefits and nutritional information.

Ginger Essential Oil: Ginger is a powerful analgesic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-nauseant, and stumulant. It provides tremendous benefits to the digestive system, and can also be used as an expectorant and decongestant. Ginger can also help provide relief from coughs and sore throats. See here to learn more about doTERRA essential oils.

Lemon: Lemons are vitamin C powerhouses. Great for immunity, vitamin C can also be helpful for preventing the development and progression of atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease. See here for more health benefits and nutritional info.

Pear: This lovely-shaped fruit abounds with copper, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and other cancer fighting phytonutrients. They are also extremely high in fiber and are considered to be easily digestible, so cane be great for gut health. See here for more health benefits and nutritional info.

*NOTE: Not all essential oils are created equal. I only use doTERRA because their oils are Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade, which is suitable for internal, external, and aromatherapeutic consumption.

*NOTE: All doTERRA Essential Oils are extremely potent. I’d recommend 1 drop per batch. Otherwise, just know that you will have a VERY strong-tasting snack!

Click here to learn more about doTERRA Essential Oils.

Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies…Nom nom

These just filled my sweet tooth and I don’t even feel guilty about it. They’re high in good fats and protein, low in sugar, and even better, they’re way tasty.

This recipe was inspired by Taylor Made it Paleo.

I’ve had an insatiable sweet tooth of late, and don’t like to load up on refined sugars. So I found this delightful paleo chocolate chip cookie recipe and thought I’d give it a go. Much to my pleasant surprise, these cookies are simple to make and delicious indeed. They’re like little, glossy, fluffy, chocolate chippy bites of heaven. You’ll see what I mean about “glossy.” They’ve got a little sheen like they’ve been painted with lacquer. May you enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 cup chunky nut or seed butter (I used almond butter and it was divine.)
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
1/2 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)
1/2-3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (preferably no refined sugar added)

Method:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mix all ingredients thoroughly.

Using a large spoon, scoop the cookie dough into little balls and place them onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet (leave ample space between each as they expand).

Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Allow to cool, and enjoy!

Benefits:

In moderation, chocolate chip cookies can be good for the soul.