Tag: dairy free desserts

Chocolate Chip Cherry Muffins (Gluten Free and Grain Free)

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These chocolate chip cherry muffins are so good! The combination of chocolate and cherry together is my FAV! 

I often whip up a smoothie with chocolate protein powder + frozen cherries + coconut milk + almond butter and it is so incredibly delicious. Oh! and my fat bombs! If you’re a chocolate-cherry lover, you’ve got to try my Chocolate Coconut Cherry Fat Bombs. They are so easy to make and perfect for a high fat, low carb diet. 

The truth is, as delicious as these muffins are, I’m in the process of eliminating almonds/almond flour/almond butter from my diet. They came up high on my food intolerance test + I’ll be eliminating all nuts and seeds for my AIP protocol, so I won’t be able to have these muffins for at least a good 6 weeks, once I reintroduce almond products back into my diet. 

When I baked these up last week I enjoyed them like they were my last meal!! Giving up almond butter is HARD. It’s really one of my favourite things to eat, plus I often bake with almond flour. But, you can bet I’ll be getting creative in the kitchen over the next few weeks, testing out different kinds of flours.

A food elimination diet definitely has its challenges, but if you’re currently struggling with autoimmune issues or hashimoto’s, it might be time to consider the AIP diet. 

And here’s the thing. There is NEVER going to be the right time to go on any type of ‘diet.’ With family events and parties and commitments, it can seem like following any type of program is just never going to happen. But, YOU have to create the time and make it a priority. 

With easter around the corner and lots on family dinners and brunches, I’m going to be faced with some challenges – for sure! But, I also recognize that there will never be the “right time” for healing. The right time is now. The right time is one I create. 

My priority is my health. It is very high on my list of values, which is why making these changes to my diet and lifestyle isn’t something I ever question. I just dive right in and go for it and at the same time recognize that it might not be perfect.

You are better off doing SOMETHING versus doing NOTHING. So if you’ve been holding back from losing weight, balancing your hormones or healing your autoimmune disease, the time to get started is right now. Dive in, trust the process and just begin. 

So, with all that said, let’s get to these delicious Chocolate Chip Cherry Muffins. They are gluten free and grain free, which is perfect for many elimination protocols and diets (but unfortunately, not AIP friendly).

* As a note – I used Lily’s Sugar free chocolate chips, which you can find here. And if you’re looking for the lakanto sweetener (which is my favourite to bake with), you can find it here. 

Enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Cherry Muffins
Yields 9
Delicious gluten free, grain free and dairy free muffins that are bursting with chocolate and tart cherries.
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Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
25 min
Total Time
35 min
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
25 min
Total Time
35 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 cup almond flour
  2. 1/4 cup cacao powder
  3. 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
  4. 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  5. 1/2 tsp baking soda
  6. 1/4 tsp sea salt
  7. 2 large eggs
  8. 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  9. 1/4 cup almond butter
  10. 3 tbsp lakante sweetener
  11. 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  12. 1 cup frozen cherries, roughly chopped
  13. 1/3 cup lily's sugar free chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line muffin tin with liners.
  2. Add all DRY ingredients to a food processor and blend until well combined. T
  3. hen add WET (minus the cherries & chocolate chips) and blend until combined.
  4. Scoop batter into bowl. Add in cherries and chips and fold in gently. Spoon batter into muffin liners, filling 3/4 of the way.
  5. Bake for 26-28 mins, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool for 10 mins.
Holistic Wellness https://holisticwellness.ca/
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Chocolate Coconut Cherry Fat Bombs (High Fat, Low Carb)

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Chocolate, coconut and cherry is pretty much a magical match made in heaven. 

These delicious fat bombs are so-damn-good and perfect to whip up for your special Valentine. 

I just absolutely love cherries! I buy tart frozen cherries and always keep a stash in the freezer. They are perfectly sweet and in fact, are great for combating inflammation and helping with sleep as they contain melatonin. 

Melatonin is a hormone secreted at night by the pineal gland in the center of your brain to help to regulate your circadian rhythm. In order to produce adequate amounts of melatonin, it’s important that you head outside for at least 30 minutes – 2 hours a day (regardless of the weather), as natural light exposure helps support your natural circadian rhythm.

But melatonin is not only produced in the pineal gland—it is also naturally present in certain foods, cherries being one of them. Their was a study done on participants who drank tart cherry juice post workout to help with their recovery and they found that not only did the cherry juice help combat inflammation, but it also increased melatonin levels. 

Now, if you eat these delicious gems during the day, trust me, you’re not going to all of a sudden do a face plant on the floor and fall asleep. It’s not that strong! But they might help encourage better sleep – bonus!

As we age, we produce less melatonin, which is often the reason why so many elderly men and women struggle with insomnia. And if you throw in autoimmunity or other health complications and conditions, lacking sleep means your body is not healing. 

As I work on healing my Hashimoto’s, sleep has become my number one priority. And guess what? I’m feeling like a million bucks because I’ve been sleeping so well. 

Last year I had so many issues with sleep, getting to sleep, staying asleep and because of it, my healing process was taking a long time. I felt exhausted (obviously) and this started to affect my workouts and my day-to-day. 

Now, I’m working out 4 days a week and sleep through the night. I do take a cocktail of supplements before bed and I’ve been using the true dark glasses at night if I’m watching netflix. These glasses have been a GAME changer for blocking out blue light. I recommend getting both the yellow (for the computer) and the red glasses (the stronger ones for tv and sleep). 

Anyhow, enough talking. Let’s get to these delicious Chocolate Coconut Cherry Fat Bombs. Oh! and Happy Valentines Day xoxo

P.S. Here is the silicon molds I used for this recipe. I ordered it off of amazon here. These molds are a game-changer for baking. Easy clean up and nothing sticks to them!

P.P.S. If you’re loving the high fat, low carb way of eating, then click here to learn more about my metabolic reset weight loss program. This 12 week program is amazing for helping you burn fat and balance your hormones.

Chocolate Coconut Cherry Fat Bombs
Yields 30
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Ingredients
  1. CHERRY FILLING
  2. 1 cup full fat coconut cream (from top of canned coconut milk)
  3. 3/4 cup frozen tart cherries, pitted
  4. 1 tbsp lakanto or swerve (optional)
  5. 1 tsp vanilla extract
  6. CHOCOLATE COATING
  7. 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
  8. 2 tbsp shredded cacao butter (optional)
  9. 1 tbsp coconut oil
Instructions
  1. CHERRY FILLING: place all cherry filling ingredients into a food processor and combine until creamy. Spoon mixture into mini silicon molds. (you can use any size, I personally like the mini ones. My silicon mold holds 30). Spoon mixture about 3/4 of the way, leaving space to pour in chocolate.
  2. Place in the freezer for 20-30 minutes to harden.
  3. CHOCOLATE COATING: over a double boiler, melt together chocolate chips, cacao butter and coconut oil. Once melted and smooth, remove fat bombs from freezer and pour in chocolate over each mold.
  4. Place back in the freezer for 1-2 hours to set and harden. When ready to serve, remove from freezer and pop out fat bombs from the molds. The silicon is great as the fat bombs don't stick and pop right out! These fat bombs melt fairly quickly, so eat right away once out of the freezer.
  5. Can keep stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Holistic Wellness https://holisticwellness.ca/
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Rice Krispies Squares- All Grown Up!

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I loved rice krispie squares as a kid.  I remember pulling up a chair to the oven so I could see my melt the marshmallows and the butter and stir together the rice krispies. They were so easy to make, but sadly, full of processed ingredients and high in sugar. 

And even worse, you can now buy pre made rice krispies which contain even more junk and artificial ingredients. These are what most parents are sending their kids off to school with as treats! 

Enter, the all grown up rice krispies! They are insanely delicious and kid friendly approved (my nieces approve all my treats), but they are super satisfying and loaded with more ‘adult’ friendly (and waist friendly) ingredients!

With almond butter (healthy fats) and unprocessed natural sugar (maple syrup), plus a few simple and natural additions, like cinnamon, vanilla and coconut; these treats are waaaaaay better than what Kellogg’s is serving up!

Plus, they are gluten free. Huge bonus!

Image 7

I whipped these up last week in literally 5 minutes. They lasted 1 day and so I made a fresh batch to bring up north for the long weekend. Again…they didn’t last long!

Hope you enjoy them as much as I do! 🙂

All Grown Up Rice Krispie Squares
Yields 16
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Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
5 min
Total Time
10 min
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
5 min
Total Time
10 min
Ingredients
  1. 1/2 cup almond butter (try sun butter for nut free version)
  2. 1/2 cup maple syrup (the real s**t, not aunt jemima's!)
  3. 2 tbsp shredded coconut
  4. 1 tsp cinnamon
  5. 1 tsp ground vanilla bean
  6. 3 1/2 cups Natures Path gluten free crispy rice cereal
  7. 1/4 cup chocolate chips, melted (optional, can use for drizzle)
Instructions
  1. In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt together the almond butter and maple syrup. Stir together until well combined.
  2. Once melted, add in coconut, cinnamon and vanilla. Stir well.
  3. Lastly, add in crispy rice cereal and mix until well combined and cereal is completely coated with almond butter mixture.
  4. Transfer to an 8x8 baking dish lined with parchment paper.
  5. Pour into dish, press down into pan and place into the freezer to set. *If you are drizzling chocolate on top, place in freezer. Otherwise, place in fridge to set.
  6. Leave in freezer for 5 minutes, then remove and drizzle with melted chocolate. Place back into freezer to harden chocolate, for approximately 10 minutes.
  7. Let sit for 5 minutes before cutting into desired squares.
Holistic Wellness https://holisticwellness.ca/

 

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Cacao Walnut Superfood Cookies

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Boo-ya!! These cookies freakin’ rock!

I don’t know about you but my cupboards are always stocked with cacao. I use it a lot! From smoothies, to cookies, cakes, bars, and all kinds of desserts, cacao is my go-to chocolate saver. 

Did you know that cacao is one of the richest sources of Magnesium? Yup! It’s true!

Magnesium serves many, many functions in the body. From detoxification, to relaxation and sleep, this mineral is uber-importante!

Personally, I recommend supplementing with magnesium (magnesium bisglycinate is my preference). I take 400mg before bed to help with sleep and relaxation and to help relieve muscle soreness. Nothing like waking up in the middle of the night with a calve muscle cramp. You know what I’m talking’ about! It ain’t pretty. In fact, it really sucks. 

And ladies, if you’re dealing with PMS cramps, be sure to take magnesium a week prior to your period. Not only will it help with cramps, but breast tenderness too. 

OK… now onto the baking! 🙂 

These cookies, which freakin’ rock, (did I say that already?), are super soft and chewy and loaded with some incredible superfood goodness. They lasted ONE day in my house! They are also amazing crumbled and served on to of my Vanilla Maple Chia Pudding. They are Paleo approved and could be vegan if you substitute the egg for a ‘flax’ egg. 

Enjoy!

Cacao Walnut Superfood Cookies
Yields 15
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Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
20 min
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
20 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 1/4 cups almond flour/meal
  2. 1 teaspoon baking powder
  3. 1/4 cup Cacao Powder
  4. 1/4 cup Cacao Nibs
  5. 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
  6. 1 cup Shredded Coconut
  7. 1/2 tsp Vanilla Powder
  8. 1 tsp cinnamon
  9. Pinch of Himalayan sea salt
  10. 1/2 cup maple syrup
  11. 3 tablespoons melted Coconut Oil
  12. 1 egg or vegan egg substitute
Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 375F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, mix almond flour, baking powder, raw cacao, vanilla and cinnamon.
  3. Stir in cacao nibs, walnuts and shredded coconut.
  4. Whisk remaining wet ingredients, maple syrup, egg and coconut oil in a bowl and add to dry mixture. Use a large spoon to combine.
  5. Scoop out tablespoon sized mounds onto your baking sheet and gently press down.
  6. Bake for 10-12 minutes, less time for more chewy cookies, more if you prefer a crunchier texture. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
  1. *To make flax egg - One egg equals = 1 tablespoon flax meal plus 3 tablespoons water. In a small bowl, add flax meal followed by water, stirring as you go. Place mixture in refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to allow mixture to bind. Once mixture is set, replace with egg in recipe.
Holistic Wellness https://holisticwellness.ca/
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