Avocado Cocoa Nib Truffles

Last summer, Jeff (my boyfriend) and I went to Halifax. It was my first time in Halifax and we did as many activities as we could in 2-3 days. One of my favourite activities was going to the Halifax market. If you are ever in Halifax, make sure to check it out! At that market, I purchased a raw chocolate truffle/ball (from Rawthentic Chocolate); at the time I was not sure whether I should purchase it (since it was over $3.00 for one!) BUT I did and was very happy I did. It was absolutely delicious and worth every penny. Since then I have looked up many chocolate truffle/ball recipes AND made a few but still haven't found a perfect recipe. This weekend I tried my own version of a truffle (I am sure there are VERY similar recipes online). 

Avocado Cocoa Nibs

The balls are yummy but still don't compare to the Halifax ones. I actually ended up liking the coconut coated ones better than the plain ones. Next time, I may use ground up cashews OR date paste with cocoa powder. If anyone has any suggestions, please comment below. :)   

Avocado Cocoa Nib Truffles (yields approx. 15)

• 1/4 cup coconut oil (hardened)
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1.5 small avocado
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 3 tbsp cocoa nibs or chopped up chocolate chips (optional)
• unsweetened coconut (optional)

In sauce pan, melt coconut oil over medium heat. In a medium bowl, add cocoa powder, avacado, vanilla extract and maple syrup and mix using an electric mixer. When combined, add melted coconut oil and continue mixing. When mixture is combined, fold in cocoa nibs or chocolate chips (or both! :)). Place in fridge for 1 hr. Roll mixture in balls* and then in coconut if desired. Place in fridge for an additional hour (or preferably over night). These should be kept in the fridge until ready to eat. Enjoy!

*Run hands under cold water so the mixture won't melt in your hands.

Blog Question:

What's the most expensive food item you have purchased AND was it worth it?

Belgian Waffle Cookies

When I was younger I didn't crave or like sweets, especially chocolate but overtime I've developed a sweet tooth. Admittedly, I am always trying to make healthier sweets (which usually involves other alternatives to processed white sugar such as bananas, apple sauce or dates OR honey, maple syrup or cane sugar, etc.). Yes, I have tried Stevia but do not like it, unfortunately. However, I am willing to try it again if someone has a specific brand or way of cooking with it that they enjoy (post below). This weekend I decided I wanted to try and create my own belgian waffle cookie creation for two reasons:

1. Delicious
2. Easy

Since these delicious treats consist mainly of sugar, butter and flour I figured they would be an easy recipe to create a 'healthier' version and to kick off my blog. 

Belgian Waffle Cookies

They turned out great. I used coconut oil to replace the butter (I don't have a problem with butter but don't want to eat large amounts of it at a time). spelt flour to replace all purpose white flour and (less) cane sugar instead of refined white sugar (I believe honey, maple syrup or Stevia could be used for the sweetner also). 

Belgian Waffle Cookies (yields approx. 15)

• 100 g (less than 1/2 cup) coconut oil
• 200 g (3/4 - 1 cup) spelt flour
• 118 g (approx. 1/2 cup but could use less) cane sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• pinch of salt
• 3 eggs

Melt coconut oil over low/medium heat. Add spelt flour, cane sugar, baking powder, vanilla extract and salt to mixing bowl. Mix on low and slowly add the eggs. Once eggs have been added mix for 1 minute. Slowly add the coconut oil until well combined (initially it will look like it won't combine but it will, trust me) . Put bowl in fridge for at least 1 hour. Roll dough into small balls while waffle iron is heating (I sprayed mine with olive oil). Add ball mixture to waffle iron (I was able to do two at a time) and cook until golden brown (approx. same time as a waffle). Cool on cooling rack. Enjoy!

Blog Question:
What's your favourite dessert and do you have a 'healthier' version that tastes great also?

Welcome!

Yes, I've finally decided to start a blog. It's been something that I have thought about for the past year or so and today I've finally started it. This blog will consist of a lot of favourite recipes that I have found, made AND love and will have links to the original spots that I have found them. The other part of the blog will consist of my very own creations on various food favourites (yes, it is possible that someone else may have a similar recipe as me, please share if you find or know of one).

Overall, I want to reach out to people and show them that there are a lot of healthy (or healthier) delicious foods. I have found most people thinking that eating well means having no taste to the food you are eating. It's scary to go to the grocery store and pick up a product that you have no idea of how to cook or eat (or don't really have the money to buy it) BUT I have done this several times now and overall it has been a positive experience (which involves me buying the product again); I hope I will be able to encourage you to try new healthier foods. Some foods that I have discovered include:

• Cocoa nibs (thanks to siblings)
• Nutritional yeast
• Chia seeds
• Different types of flours
• Different types of milk
• Quinoa (thanks to friends) 

If you don't recognize these items continue reading, if you do recognize these items continue reading also because I suspect you would like to find more recipes with these type of ingredients in them. Once a person realizes that there are foods that our parents never introduced us to it opens up a whole new eating and cooking world. I eat raw foods, gluten free as well as gluten containing foods, vegetarian, vegan, etc. and will post the recipes if they are delicious.

I eat 'clean' and try and make sure there are lots of nutrients going into my body with everything I eat; that means I am not just eating 'empty calories' (but am also human and do still enjoy some of my favs once in a while, like homemade white bread). I hope you enjoy my blog spot and check back semi regularly (my own creations will be a little slower, I suspect).

Blog Question: 

What food/recipe have you recently tried and will continue to eat/make?