HEALTHY TRUFFLES THAT ARE BURSTING WITH YUMMY GOODNESS FOR VALENTINES DAY (and the rest of the year!
It’s that time of year when you are trying to steer clear of all things fattening after your festive feasting, and then… along comes one of the chocolatiest days of the year! So unfair. But all is not lost! It turns out you can have your cake and eat it, as it were. All you need to do is replace that nasty sugar with wholesome power foods, using a little creativity.
Here are a couple of recipes to tickle your taste buds and do your body heaps of good.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
LEMON COCONUT TRUFFLES
Lemons have are sour, astringent flavour and cooling thermal nature. They are very alkaline and are therefore one of the most beneficial fruits for those who eat high animal-protein/fat diet, which is very acidifying for the blood. They help the liver to function as well as cleanse the blood, especially the zest (all the more reason to use all three bits). Lemons are high in vitamin C with 53 mg per 100 grams, as much as an orange. They also have antiseptic and antimicrobial properties, making them great for combating flus, colds, coughs and parasites - try a squeeze of juice and a little grated zest in a glass of hot water with a sliver of ginger and some coconut nectar or coconut sugar to sweeten. Even better, make these delicious treats to go with it.
Makes 22 truffles
MAKE WITH
Always use certified organic, local and fairly traded ingredients wherever possible
1 1/2c raw cashews (or macadamias)
1 1/2c desiccated coconut
1 lemon (juice, zest & flesh)
1/4c light coconut nectar
2 tbsp virgin coconut oil (softened but cool)
1 tsp ground vanilla beans
1/8 tsp Himalayan sea salt
c = 250ml cup, tbsp = 15ml tablespoon, tsp = 5ml teaspoon
HOW TO
Blend the cashews in a food processor until you achieve a fine flour, then add desiccated coconut, vanilla, salt and blend until fine.
Add wet ingredients (lemon, coconut nectar and coconut oil), and blend until a smooth dough forms then place in fridge to firm.
Roll in balls then roll in extra desiccated coconut and/or lemon zest if desired. Pop in freezer for at least an hour or overnight to set.
AND NOW FOR THE CHOCOLATE VERSION….
Healthy Chocolate Coconut Truffles have the delicious flavors of dark chocolate and coconut…all coming in around 60 calories and without any added sugar or fat. They are made using only 3 main ingredients (plus an optional ingredient which helps to deepen and intensify the chocolate flavor). Even better – they take only minutes to make, and even better, they are so amazingly good!
MAKE WITH
8 oz pitted dates
3 tbsp raw or unsweetened cacao powder
3 tbsp unsweetened flaked coconut
1 tsp espresso powder (optional)
¼ cup unsweetened flaked coconut for rolling
HOW TO
Process the dates, cacao, coconut & espresso powder (if using) til smooth. If mixture is too dry add water by the tsp.
Scoop mixture by the tbsp. and roll into balls.
Roll the balls in the remaining coconut
Pop in the fridge to chill, and eat when you fancy one
