Valentine’s Day is the holiday that is hated by most of the single population. For others, Valentines Day carries a lot of baggage; not only physical, but emotional. Dodge the extra weight this year, and recreate some of these festive recipes! Whether you’re in a relationship, or not these recipes are perfect for any loved one!
Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Ditch the boxed cookies and try this healthier alternative!
Recipe: (makes 12 cookies)
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1/4 cup virgin coconut oil (do not melt)
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-1/4 cup sunflower seed butter
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1/3 cup coconut sugar
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2 tbsp honey or agave
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1 egg
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1/2 teaspoon baking soda
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1/2 teaspoon sea salt
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4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
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1 1/2 cups gluten-free rolled oats, blended into flour
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2 tbsp almond milk
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1/2 chocolate bar (finely chopped)
Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a sheet pan with parchement paper.
2) In a bowl mix all wet ingedients together, and add in dry ingredients.
3) Once all of the ingredients are blended begin to form balls (the batter should be moist enough to form balls.)
4) Bake for 10 minutes, and let sit out on a cooking rack for 10 minutes.
Chocolate “Cake Pops”
Recipe: (Makes 7)
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 1/4 cup raw almonds
- 1/2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocao powder
Directions:
1) In a food processor blend dates and almonds together on high.
2) Then, add in coconut oil and cocao and pulse on high until the mix is blended enough to combine into a ball.
3) Roll into balls, and on a separate plate coat as you please with toppings. Examples for toppings are: pistachios, dried raspberries, shredded coconut, gogi berries, cocao nibs.
Detox Water
You might be thinking- what are the benefits of me putting fruit in my water? Well, not only does it taste so amazing, but infusing your water with fruit and vegetables adds essential vitamins that benefit your body.
Some benefits of adding fruit and vegetables to your water are:
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Appetite control
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Hydration
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Immune defense
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Heartburn prevention
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Blood sugar regulation
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Weight management, and many more
Now obviously not every fruit and vegetable aids in all of the benefits listed above, but combined, there are some amazing outcomes that can come out of infused water.
Recipe:
-Strawberries
-Raspberries
-Pomegranate
-Mint
-Watermelon
Black Bean Brownies
Recipe: (Makes 8 large brownies)
- 1 1/3 cups black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 gluten free rolled oats
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/3 cup agave
- 5 drops stevia extract
- 4 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 cup dairy free chocolate chips
Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2)In a food processor blend oats until it turns into flour.
3) Then, add all other ingredients, and blend on high until smooth.
4) Line pan with parchment paper or spray with coconut oil. Pour mix into pan and bake for 20 minutes.
5) Let cool, and enjoy!
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Recipe: (makes 6 cupcakes)
- 1/2 brown rice gluten free flour
- 3 tbsp unsweetened cocao powfer
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 cup dairy free chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 (15 oz) can sliced beets (drained and rinsed)
- 4 tbsp almond milk
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2) In a food processor blend all wet ingredients, and dates. Then, add in dry ingredients.
3) Line pan with paper liners, or spray with coconut oil. Pour, and bake for 25 minutes.
4) Let cool down, and enjoy!
Don’t let Valentine’s Day get you down this year, get up, and get baking!
For more recipes click here.
All images are author’s own.