Holiday Healthy Peppermint Bark

This Holiday Healthy Peppermint Bark is the perfect balance with a mix of crunchy pumpkin seeds, sweet dried cranberries, and a touch of peppermint, it's a treat that brings joy and health. It's the perfect bite-sized way to add a little magic to your holiday season or anytime.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

• 3/4 cup shelled pumpkin seeds and/or chopped almonds

• 3/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries

• 2 12-ounce bags of dark chocolate chips

• Natural crushed candy cane pieces in top (optional) or mint extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a baking sheet, spread coconut and pumpkin seeds.

2. Bake for approximately 3 minutes or until coconut is lightly golden and fragrant ( keep an eye on this).

3. Add cranberries to parchment lined baking sheet and mix with coconut and seeds. Set aside.

4. In a medium saucepan over medium heat ( or a double boiler) warm chocolate chips, stirring until chocolate is mostly melted. Remove from heat and keep stirring until chocolate is completely melted.

5. Pour chocolate over coconut, seeds, and cranberries. Using a silicone spatula, spread out into a smooth layer covering the parchment lined baking sheet. Sprinkle crushed candy cane on top of chocolate mixture if desired . Let cool in refrigerator for at least 1 hour or until completely cool and solid. Once chilled, remove, break bark into pieces, and serve.

6. You may freeze for a later date …if its lasts that long!

   Note: If you choose not to use candy cane, you can add a few drops of mint extract to the chocolate.

Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients:

• 2 cups almond flour

• 12-13 whole soft large dates ( soak in water for 10 minutes if not soft)

• 2 tbsp raw cacao powder

• 2 tbsp mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1-2 tbsp of water ( if necessary)

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients ( except water) in a food processor

2. Add 1 tbsp of water if its is not coming together ( it should be a touch hard to process)

3. Transfer to a bowl and put in the freezer for 15-20 minutes

4. Take a small ball scooper and roll into 1” balls

5. Roll in cacao powder ( optional: sprinkle with shredded coconut or even drizzle some melted chocolate over each ball)

6. Place rolled balls in the freezer separated on a small sheet pan or flat tupperware lined with parchment until hard . Store in a covered container in the freezer to keep fresh.

7. Eat chilled or at room temp.

Refreshing “Nice” Cream

Are you ready to dive into a delicious, light, healthy, and refreshing treat? Ready to make some "NICE" Cream? It's fun, simple, and a fantastic way to cool down while enjoying something tasty and nutritious.

Preparation Steps:

1. Ripe Bananas: Ensure your bananas are ripe (with some brown spots on the peel). Peel and cut them into pieces. Freeze in a ziplock bag or container. You can prepare the bananas days, weeks, or even months in advance to have them ready whenever the craving hits.

2. Blending: When you're ready, toss the frozen banana pieces (about three bananas’ worth) into a food processor or blender. For regular blenders, or if your bananas are very hard, add a few tablespoons of your favorite plant milk or another liquid to help blend.

3. Consistency: Blend until smooth, resembling a thick, soft-serve ice cream. Enjoy immediately for a soft texture, or transfer to a container and freeze for about thirty minutes for a firmer consistency. Scoop and serve for that classic ice cream feel.

My Favorite Flavor Inspirations:

• Chocolate Banana: Blend 3 bananas with 1/4 tsp vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and 3 tbsp cocoa powder.

• Mint Chocolate Chip: Blend 2 bananas with a pinch of salt and 1/8 tsp peppermint extract. Add chocolate chips or cacao nibs post-blending. For an extra nutrient boost, blend in a pinch of spirulina or a handful of spinach.

• Peanut Butter: Add 2-3 tbsp peanut butter (or any nut butter) before blending.

• Cool Colada: Use 1/4 cup canned coconut milk and blend with 1/2 cup frozen pineapple. Top with shredded coconut if desired.

• Bountiful Berry: Blend your bananas, then add 1 cup frozen berries of your choice and 1/8 tsp vanilla extract. Add fresh on top .

• Silky Strawberry: Blend 2 bananas with 1/2 cup frozen strawberries, 1/4 tsp vanilla extract, and an optional dash of cinnamon.

• Vanilla Bean: Blend 3 bananas with a pinch of salt and 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste.

• Cashew Crunch: Blend with 2-3 tbsp cashew butter and 1/8 tsp vanilla extract. Sprinkle crushed cashews ( or a variety of nuts) on top if desired.

A few of My Helpful Hints

• Creaminess : Adding a little fat, like peanut butter, almond butter, or coconut milk, enhances the creaminess, making it taste even closer to traditional ice cream.

• Ripeness: Let bananas ripen fully before freezing if you want a sweeter taste . Brown spots indicate they are sweet and ready. Green or all-yellow bananas are not fully ripened and will taste less sweet ( up to you).

  Health Tip: Ripe bananas are a wonderful natural sweetener, ideal for replacing added sugars in various recipes.

• Versatile Treat: This banana nice cream is so healthy, it can be enjoyed for breakfast, snack or dessert. It’s dairy-free, egg-free, vegan, raw, paleo, and gluten-free, making it a win win !

Enjoy this delicious and refreshing "NICE" Cream.

Happy blending!