CACAO COCONUT AND PLANTAIN BALLS WITH PUMPKIN SEEDS

CACAO COCONUT AND PLANTAIN BALLS WITH PUMPKIN SEEDS

By onegreenplant.org - Alissandra Maffucci

MAKES 5 - 6 balls

INGREDIENTS

1 plantain, peeled, spiralized

5 medjool dates, pitted and roughly chopped

1 tsp cacao

2 tsp de-shelled roasted and salted pumpkin seeds

3 tsp coconut flakes

Instructions

Place your plantain noodles into a food processor and pulse until like rice.   Place into a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook for 3 minutes, tossing frequently.   Place the plantain rice, medjools, cacao and coconut flakes into a food processor and pulse until sticky and smooth.   Place the mash into a bowl and add in the pumpkin seeds.  Mix with hands to incorporate the pepitas. Then, form 5-6 balls with hands and place each onto a plate. Refrigerate for 15 minutes and then enjoy or enjoy immediately.

COURGETTE SLICE

COURGETTE SLICE

From foodmatters.tv

Ingredients

400g zucchini (approximately 2 Courgettes)

1 brown onion

6 eggs

60g/1⁄2 cup coconut flour

A pinch each of sea salt and pepper

2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast flakes (or a handful of shredded cheese or chopped feta) 1 large tomato

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Grease or line a 20 x 20cm baking dish. 2 Beat the eggs in a large bowl until combined.  Grate the courgette and using your hands squeeze out the excess moisture from it. (This step is important to ensure you do not end up with a soggy slice!)

Add the coconut flour into the eggs and whisk until smooth.  Add in the grated courgette, onion, salt, pepper, nutritional yeast or cheese and stir to combine.  Pour the mixture into the prepared dish. Thinly slice up the tomato and place the slices evenly on top. 7 Bake for approximately 45 minutes or until cooked through. Allow to cool slightly before cutting.

CHOCOLATE PIE WITH BERRIES

CHOCOLATE PIE WITH BERRIES

By paleogrubs.com

For the crust

1 cup (120 g) almond flour

1/3 cup (40 g) coconut flour

1 egg, lightly beaten

4 tbsp (60 ml) coconut oil

1 ½ tbsp raw honey

For the filling

180ml/¾ cup full fat coconut milk

75G/1/3 cup raw cocoa butter

30g/¼ cup raw cocoa powder

6 tbsp raw honey

2 eggs

For decoration

200g/1 cup fresh mixed berries (optional)

Instructions

To make the crust, in a large bowl combine well the coconut flour, almond flour, coconut oil, honey and egg.    Refrigerate, covered, for 30 minutes.   Preheat oven to 350°F/175C.   Press the mixture into a 9-inch pie plate, prick it all over with a fork and bake for 12 minutes. Meanwhile, make the filling. Place the cocoa butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water and stir until the cocoa butter is fully melted. Set aside.   In a large bowl beat the eggs with honey.    Add coconut milk, cocoa powder and mix well until combine.    Add the melted cocoa butter and combine.    Remove the crust from the oven and set aside. Pour the mixture into a pastry case and bake for 40 minutes. Cool at room temperature. Top with fresh berries if using, cut into into wedges and serve.

WHAT SNACKS TO EAT AT BEDTIME FOR WEIGHT LOSS

WHAT SNACKS TO EAT AT BEDTIME FOR WEIGHT LOSS

Sometimes we get hungry before we go to bed but we don't want to eat something heavy that is going to interrupt our sleep.  I don't know about you but I can't get to sleep when I am hungry!  So what can we eat?  

CHEESE

Cheese is also full of the protein, healthy fats and tryptophan for a satisfied stomach and a great sleep.

BANANAS

Bananas are a great late night snack.  They are high in fibre and contain tryptophan.  Tryptophan is a hormone that can induce sleep.  The banana will fill you up ready for sleep.

CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Mix some cacao powder and 1tsp honey into some greek yoghurt and mix together.  The greek yoghurt contains tryptophan too.

GREEK YOGHURT OR COTTAGE CHEESE

The greek yoghurt and cottage cheese have tryptophan and protein to fill you up.

STUDIES SHOW THAT PEOPLE WHO BUY EXPERIENCES AND NOT THINGS ARE HAPPIER!

STUDIES SHOW THAT PEOPLE WHO BUY EXPERIENCES AND NOT THINGS ARE HAPPIER!

By lifehack.org - Nicholas Garcia

Let’s say that you recently came into a bit of money. What would you do with it? Would you rather buy a bunch of high quality gadgets and products, or go on an expensive vacation to a unique and exciting locale?

Personally, I’ve wavered between the two. I like my gadgets more than most, so I’ve probably spent more on electronics than your average person. That said, I’ve been on trips taking me all across the United States, and I definitely think I am better off for it.

Luckily, the question of whether to spend your money on products or experiences has been answered by science, and thus you’ll no longer have to worry about whether you should choose one over the other in the future. So what is the verdict? According to San Francisco State University, people are far more satisfied when they purchase experiences, than they are when they buy material objects.

And yet, most people, including myself, are prone to spending our hard earned money on things like clothes, shoes, gadgets, jewelry, cars, and the like. We do this because these things are tangible: we can hold them, use them, etc. When we buy experiences, all we have are the memories, and thus, it seems like we’re getting less out of our purchase.

What that study reveals, however, is that in the long run, we cherish our memories and experiences far more than the things that we buy. And it makes sense. Decades from now, will you remember your cross country trip that took you to the Grand Canyon, or that Xbox you waited in line for all night? Probably the former.

Let’s break it down into simpler points. Why exactly are people who buy experiences, rather than objects, happier?

READ MORE HERE

IS DRIED FRUIT HEALTHY?

IS DRIED FRUIT HEALTHY?

By theheartysoul.com

Information about dried fruit can be a little conflicting, since some sources claim that it’s just as healthy as fresh fruit, while others say that it’s no better then candy. Dried fruit is made by removing almost all of the water content from the fruit, which leaves behind a small nutrient-dense snack, so in theory, it should be just as health as the fruit that it’s made from. It also has great snacking potential because it can be preserved for so long without refrigeration, and can be made with almost any kind of fruit. However, do the health benefits that dried fruit pack outweigh the dangers posed by additives that some companies slip into their product? You be the judge!

BENEFITS OF DRIED FRUIT

High in Micronutrients, Fiber and Antioxidants

Since dried fruit is a compressed version of it’s fresh counterpart, it contains the same amount of nutrients as a normal fruit, but packed into a much smaller space. Although the vitamin C intake is reduced slightly when fruit is dried, dried fruit contains up to 3.5 times the fibre, vitamins and minerals of fresh fruit by weight.

Prunes Are A Natural Laxative

Prunes are dried plumes, and they are rich in fiber, potassium, vitamin A and vitamin K. Because of the high content of sugar and anti-oxidants, prunes are great for the digestive system. They are also very filling, but don’t cause any spikes in blood sugar levels.

Raisins Help Reduce Risk of Certain Diseases

Raisins are often used as a substitute for candy as a snack or in baked products. Because they’re dried grapes, they’re high in fiber and potassium, and have a very low insulin index. Raisins have been found to:

• Lower blood pressure.
• Improve blood sugar control.
• Decrease inflammatory markers and blood cholesterol.
• Lead to increased feeling of fullness.

READ MORE HERE

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE MUFFINS

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE MUFFINS

By civilizedcavemancooking.com

Serves: 12

Ingredients

200g/1 cup whole pitted dates, packed

240ml/1 cup hot water

1 medium avocado (roughly 1 cup)

220g/1 cup almond or cashew butter

120ml/½ cup full-fat canned coconut milk, warm enough so it is pourable

1 large egg

40g/1/3 cup cocoa powder

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

½ tsp sea salt

1 tsp baking soda

2 tbsp dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs

Instructions

Preheat oven to 200 degrees C/400 degrees F.  Pour water into a small, microwave safe bowl and microwave for 1.5 minutes.   Carefully add dates to water then set aside and let soften for 10 minutes.  Thoroughly drain the water and discard (there is no need to squeeze or pat the dates dry) then add dates and remaining ingredients, except for the chocolate chips/nibs, to a high powered blender or food processor.  Blend for 30-45 seconds, scrape down the sides, then blend for another 30 seconds-1 minute or until the batter is completely smooth.  Using a ¼ cup cookie or muffin scoop, divide the mixture between 12 muffin cups lined with silicone or paper liners.  Sprinkle the tops of each muffin with a few chocolate chips/nibs then bake on the middle rack for 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Let cool completely and store in an air tight container.