Monday, March 10, 2014

Chocolate Obsession



When I radically shifted my diet, about a year and a half ago, to a healthier more thoughtful way of eating, I gave up many of my favorite things. Since then I've had two hot dogs (one of my 'old' favorite things). Also, the last time I had a hamburger was Mother's Day 2013. After our traditional Mother's Day hike we stopped at Boomer's Drive-In. I might eat one slice of bread a week, one half slice at a time. My bread of choice is Dave's Killer Bread and I keep it in the freezer, toast it and top it with either peanut butter or coconut oil and cinnamon. I'm not vegetarian or vegan, but I have become very picky about the meat, poultry and fish I consume, and it is much less frequent. All of these changes have been well worth it. The weight loss is almost a side note to just how much better I feel.

That being said, I love chocolate and one way or another I eat some every day. (It is healthy after all.) Costco carries some really yummy dark chocolates. The latest two I tried and fell madly in love with were the Dark Chocolate Enrobed Mangoes and Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries. These probably are not the healthiest thing in the world, but I keep my consumption limited. 

I believe the best way to have my special treats is to make them. Putting time into the process of creating my treat makes it even more special. I found a great chocolate recipe with only three ingredients and have been using it, when I am desperate for my dark chocolate, for quite some time. The recipe is for mini peanut butter cups. I like to use the basic chocolate for a variety of creative, tasty treats. 

Chocolate Obsession

3 basic ingredients:
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup cocoa or cacao
1/4 cup maple syrup



possible add-ins:  nuts, cacao nibs, dark chocolate chips,
dried fruits, crystallized ginger, peanut butter,
almond butter...




How I do it: First, I work the coconut oil a bit to soften it (this will depend on room temperature, it's always pretty cool here). Then, I add the cacao and and maple syrup and mix well. Next, add in whatever you like, drop by spoonfuls on waxed or parchment paper and place in freezer until hardened. I sprinkled a little extra cacao on top before chilling. Store in a plastic container in the refrigerator.






This made about  9 ounces -- 17 pieces.





It's great to find so many healthier recipes online. Reboot With Joe was my first and remains one of my favorite sites. Supper tonight (brought to you by the internet:): Arabic Lentil Soup and Massaged Kale Salad and, or course, chocolate!

If you're interested in more, mostly healthy recipes I've been collecting, check out my pinterest.

For Lent this year we are purging and donating in our house. I'm so grateful God loves the imperfect, because we've already missed a day or two. Do you observe Lent? How? One year I actually gave up chocolate! What was I thinking?


Linda <><

11 comments:

  1. mmmmm *chocolate* Yes, chocolate is one of my biggest weaknesses. I did really bad over December & January. I've gotten myself somewhat back on track with moderation & was very please when i went to the Dr. on Feb. 28th, i had not gained any weight. =)

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    1. Making it through the holidays without weight gain is awesome! Chocolate in moderation (that's the hard part) isn't bad:)

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  2. Wow, that is great you made the healthy change in your life. I also try to have coconut oil in my diet everyday. I even scramble my eggs in the oil. I love spreading coconut oil on my toast, or on a Triscuits.

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    1. I love coconut oil. I even use it for my popcorn!

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  3. That looks fantastic and so easy. Thanks for the healthful eating encouragement.

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  4. Wow... reallly? A slice of bread a week? I recently myself stopped eating microwave popcorn, yet I typically grab a bagel (or 2) with cold cuts for my meal on the go. I'm very VERY proud of you for your lifestyle change... it isn't easy, but totally worth it. Thank you for being an inspiration and encouragement :) Would love to talk with you sometime!

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    1. Luckily I'm not gluten or dairy intolerant. I can't imagine NEVER having those things in my life, but sometimes just a stroll through Costco satisfies my cravings without having to go overboard:)

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  5. I eat chocolate everyday too and good ole' Dr. Oz said that if you eat it around 3 p.m. the calories literally do not count! Something about that time of day and your metabolism. True or not, that is when I eat it and enjoy it! Great post and thanks for the recipe. Pinned!

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    1. I'll have to try for around 3 PM. That's usually about the time I need a little pick me up anyway:) ♥ Dr. Oz!

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  6. I, too, am proud of you, Linda. You're being disciplined about it. I did jump on the "healthy eating" wagon in the New Year but keep falling off. One thing that knocks me off is that I miss chocolate so much that I eventually cave and buy chocolate covered raisins or something like that. Then I'm off that wagon and throwing caution to the winds. Perhaps you "once a day chocolate" recipe will save me from feeling deprived. Copying and pasting.

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  7. I love the recipe. Thank you for sharing. YUMMY!

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