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Showing posts from December, 2015

New Year, New You...What does it mean?

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Four years ago if I saw a post inviting me to join a New Year New You challenge group I would have rolled my eyes and made some stupid comment about how it's all bull shit. I would have talked about how every year I make resolutions and set out to be a new me and it never happens. That was me before I decided to take ownership of my life. I was sitting there wishing for things to happen but not taking any action. I would rather complain than do something about it because I was scared of what it took to change. It wasn't that it wasn't possible, I just didn't believe that I was capable of it...until I joined my first challenge group that is. I was 28 years old, single, living in an amazing city full of friends and family. This should of been the best time of my life, but instead I felt like it was the worst. I felt unhealthy, unfit, and a lack of things to be proud of in my life. Year after year there were things I had set out to do, and year after yea

Clean Eating Almond Joy Bites

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Prep Time: 20 mins Serves: 10-12 I found this recipe while looking for healthy holiday baking treats. These are gluten free, vegan, raw, and free of any refined sugars! Such a great substitution for an actual candy bar!  INGREDIENTS 1 cup raw almonds (whole) 12 pitted dates  1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut plus 1 cup to roll finished bites in. 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1.5 Tbsp. pure maple syrup.  Chocolate Drizzle Ingredients 1/4 cup organic baking cocoa powder  1/4 cup organic virgin coconut oil  2-3 Tbsp. 100% pure maple syrup  DIRECTIONS Add ingredients for the bites into a food processor and process until a sticky dough is formed. Be careful not to over process, there should still be pieces of almond visible.  Fill a shallow dish with shredded coconut, set parchment paper down to put rolled bites onto. Roll the dough into 1.5 inch balls and place in the shredded coconut, rolling an even coat. Place finished bite on parchment paper.

Gluten-Free Tiramisu Double Chocolate Brownies

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All I can say is OMG these are so good! I had to give them all away because I had absolutely no self control while they were sitting in my fridge!  INGREDIENTS: Brownie Base 2 1/2 cups hazelnut flour  1/2 cup coconut flour  1/2 tsp baking soda  1/4 cup cocoa powder  1 cup bitter sweet chocolate chips  1/4 cup freshly brewed espresso  1/2 cup plus 1 Tbsp maple syrup  1/4 cup raw virgin coconut oil  1 tsp. vanilla extract  4 Tbsp. unsweetened apple sauce  2 eggs  Ingredients Tiramisu Cream 8oz mascarpone  8oz cream cheese  1/4 cup maple syrup  3 egg yolks 1 tsp. vanilla extract  1/4 tsp. almond extract  DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350F and line a square 9x9 baking dish with parchment paper.  Add coconut oil to a small sauce pan and melt over low heat. In a large bowl, mix all dry ingredients for brownie base: Flours, baking soda, Cocoa powder, chocolate chips. In a medium bowl mix all of the wet ingredients from the brownie base: espre

Clean Eating Sweet Potato Brownies

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This week I decided to test out these clean eating sweet potato brownies in honor of National Brownie Day...I expected them to be good, but they exceeded my expectations! A great healthier alternative to the regular boxed brownies and they are also gluten free!  INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 cups of naked mashed sweet potato  1 cup of nut butter (I used cashew) 3 Tbsp of unsweetened cocoa powder  1 egg  1/4 cup maple syrup 1 tsp vanilla extract  2 tsps cinnamon  1 tsp baking soda  1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips or cocao nibs  DIRECTIONS  peel, dice, and steam 1 large sweet potato. Once steam use food processor to mash, put aside.  Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix all ingredients in a bowl except for the chocolate chips, adding the egg last. Fold chocolate chips in Lightly coat an 8x8 pan with coconut oil.  Once ingredients have been mixed, pour batter into baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes.  Let cool for 30  minutes and enjoy!! 

Vegan Gluten Free Apple Crisp

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I have been searching the internet for yummy better for you holiday dessert recipes to share in our 12 days of clean baking group. I tested this recipe out today and was very impressed! Great option for vegans, dairy free, clean eaters, or just people wanting to use better ingredients!  Prep time: 10 minutes   Cook time: 30 minutes  Makes 3 servings INGREDIENTS 3 Large apples; peeled and sliced 1 Tbsp lemon juice 1 heaping tsp of ground cinnamon  1/4 tsp ground nutmeg  4 Tbsp agave nectar (can use honey or maple syrup) 1/3 cup coconut flour  1/2 cup gluten free rolled oats  1/2 tsp baking soda  1/2 tsp baking powder  1 pinch Himalayan salt  2 Tbsp coconut oil  DIRECTIONS  Pre-heat oven to 350F  In a bowl toss sliced apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1 Tbsp agave nectar Lightly oil an 8x8 baking dish Add apple mixture and bake for 10 minutes While apples are baking mix the rest of the ingredients in a bowl Remove apples from the oven and sprin