no-bake double chocolate brownie bites

While the heat wave continues I am continuing on my no-cooking strike! It’s been way too hot to turn on my oven and I have no desire to “bake!”  That’s where these little No-Bake Double Chocolate Brownie Bites come into play!  All you need are wholesome superfood ingredients and a cuisinart, simple enough and you don’t need to heat up the kitchen!  These may be the easiest brownie recipe around…not to mention the healthiest!

No-Bake Double Chocolate Brownie Bites ~vegan, gluten free~ No refined sugars, no processed ingredients, gluten free and plentiful in healthy fats, fiber and antioxidants! They are a healthy way to satisfy that sweet tooth! Made with dates, walnuts, cacao, coconut oil and a little pure maple syrup...5 ingredients, that's it!

No refined sugars, no processed ingredients, gluten free and plentiful in healthy fats, fiber and antioxidants!  They are a healthy way to satisfy that sweet tooth!  Made with dates, walnuts, cacao, coconut oil and a little pure maple syrup…5 ingredients, that’s it!

No-Bake Double Chocolate Brownie Bites ~vegan, gluten free~ No refined sugars, no processed ingredients, gluten free and plentiful in healthy fats, fiber and antioxidants! They are a healthy way to satisfy that sweet tooth! Made with dates, walnuts, cacao, coconut oil and a little pure maple syrup...5 ingredients, that's it!

I talk a lot about the benefits of cacao and coconut oil, but did you know walnuts are also a superfood?

Here’s the breakdown:

-A great source of plant-based protein, healthy fats and fiber

-Promising studies show they improve heart health by lowering cholesterol

-Help stabilize blood sugar and improve type II diabetes

-High antioxidant content to lower risk of cancer

-Contain anti inflammatory compounds

No-Bake Double Chocolate Brownie Bites ~vegan, gluten free~ No refined sugars, no processed ingredients, gluten free and plentiful in healthy fats, fiber and antioxidants! They are a healthy way to satisfy that sweet tooth! Made with dates, walnuts, cacao, coconut oil and a little pure maple syrup...5 ingredients, that's it!

The dates I used were pretty fresh and ooey gooey…if yours are not, soak in warm water for 10 minutes first!  If you don’t have raw cacao powder (found in Whole Foods, vitacost.com or most health food stores) you can use cocoa powder, however you’ll be missing out on a lot of antioxidants!

no-bake double chocolate brownie bites
 
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No-Bake Double Brownie Bites, made with only 5 ingredients and no oven needed! Makes 18 Brownie Bites
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: Vegan
Serves: 18
Ingredients
  • For the Brownies:
  • 1½ cups walnuts
  • 10-12 dates, pitted
  • ⅓ cup raw cacao
  • For the Frosting:
  • ¼ cup coconut oil (melted)
  • ½ cup raw cacao
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
Instructions
  1. Line a 5x9 loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Place walnuts, dates and ⅓ cup raw cacao in a food processor. Pulse until well combined and crumbly.
  3. Transfer to lined loaf pan and press down evenly with fingers.
  4. Meanwhile, whisk together melted coconut oil, ½ cup raw cacao and maple syrup. Pour on top of brownies.
  5. Place in refrigerator until frosting has hardened. Slice into 18 pieces and enjoy!
  6. Store in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 Calories: 152 Fat: 10 Carbohydrates: 15 Sugar: 10 Fiber: 3 Protein: 4

They also got the stamp of approval from the family…big ones and little ones :)

tropical turmeric smoothie

Turn up your morning routine with a Tropical Turmeric Smoothie!

Tropical Turmeric Smoothie ~ Turn up your morning routine with this anti inflammatory smoothie! ~

I’ve been trying to include a smoothie (or smoothie bowl) and a salad to my diet every day for increased energy and immune support.  I need all the help I can get these days!  The USDA recommends 5-13 servings of fruits of vegetables per day for optimal health.  (Aim for 13 for best results!)  This may seem like a daunting task to undertake.  However, if you get into the habit of adding a smoothie and salad to your day it’s a piece of cake!

This smoothie has turned into one of our favorites as it is super refreshing and energizing!  Tropical fruit is blended with hemp seeds and turmeric…yes, turmeric!  The same spice that is typically used in savory recipes such as curries.  Turmeric is insanely high in anti inflammatory compounds, namely curcurmin.  This compound has shown promise in improving cardiovascular disease, diabetes, digestive disorders, Alzhiemer’s disease and delayed cell growth of certain types of tumors.  Turmeric has an earthy, spicy and bitter taste.  However, it’s practically undetectable in this recipe.  If you’re not sure about adding it to smoothies, try it in soups, stews, curries or rice dishes!

Tropical Turmeric Smoothie ~ Turn up your morning routine with this anti inflammatory smoothie! ~

tropical turmeric smoothie
 
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Makes 1 smoothie
Author:
Recipe type: Drinks
Cuisine: Vegan
Serves: 1
Ingredients
  • 1 banana
  • 2 cups frozen mango
  • 1-2 tablespoons hemp seeds
  • ⅛-1/4 teaspoon turmeric
  • 6 oz pineapple juice
  • Additional Add-Ins:
  • coconut oil
  • coconut flakes
  • baby spinach
  • chia seeds
  • oats
  • cashews
  • almond butter
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
  2. Enjoy!

Tropical Turmeric Smoothie ~ Turn up your morning routine with this anti inflammatory smoothie! ~

Hemp seeds add a balance of protein, healthy fat and fiber.  You can add a dollop of coconut oil for an extra dose of healthy fat or a scoop of your favorite protein powder to hold you over longer.  I added Dang coconut flakes because I’m obsessed with them!  Other add-ins are old-fashioned oats, chia seeds, cashews or almond butter.

You can always add spinach and transform this into a green smoothie, which I highly recommend!

Spirulina Smoothie Bowl

It’s too hot in the kitchen to cook these days.  Thank God for my vitamix because we’ve been living on smoothie bowls!  Here’s a different combo to try, the Spirulina Smoothie Bowl blended with cashews and topped with fruit, chia seeds and Dang toasted caramel sea salt coconut flakes!  (If you haven’t tried Dang coconut flakes you’re missing out, they are so good!  No, I wasn’t paid to say that…I’m seriously obsessed with them!)

Spirulina Smoothie Bowl ~vegan, gluten free~ For a burst of vibrant energy!

Spirulina Smoothie Bowl
 
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Spirulina Smoothie Bowl, makes 2 servings
Author:
Recipe type: Drinks
Cuisine: Vegan
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • 3 frozen bananas
  • ¼ cup raw cashews
  • ¼ coconut water (maybe a little more)
  • ¼ teaspoon spirulina powder
  • Toppings:
  • chia seeds
  • strawberries
  • kiwi
  • toasted coconut flakes
Instructions
  1. Add the frozen bananas, cashews, coconut water and spirulina powder to a high-speed blender such as a vitamix. Blend using damper stick until well combined and smooth.
  2. Top with favorite toppings and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 Calories: 300 Fat: 8 Carbohydrates: 59 Sugar: 28 Fiber: 8 Protein: 5

Spirulina Smoothie Bowl ~vegan, gluten free~ For a burst of vibrant energy!

What’s spirulina anyway???

Please don’t be intimidated by the funny name and blue-green color or by what spirulina actually is…algae!  Yup, the same sort of algae that’s in the ocean!  It’s virtually tasteless when blended into smoothie bowls and it’s so good for you, give it a chance!  It will boost your immune system, help your liver with detoxification, reduce oxidative stress and it’s loaded with nutrients such as iron, copper, magnesium and manganese.  It also contains amino acids (the building blocks of life!), fatty acids (omega 3 & 6), and chlorophyll!  You can buy it at most health food stores in either a pill or powder form.  I personally like the powder form, which can be added to smoothies, juices or other recipes!

Spirulina Smoothie Bowl ~vegan, gluten free~ For a burst of vibrant energy!

Give yourself permission to not cook!  

Replacing one meal or adding to a meal with either a smoothie bowl, smoothie or salad will bring you radiant energy!  The added burst of much needed nutrients, detoxifying chlorophyll and antioxidants will help fuel your day!

Try it out today!