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Salted Caramel Smoothie Bowl

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This Salted Caramel Smoothie Bowl will keep you happy and healthy… it is so good!
salted caramel smoothie bowl

I go through phases. For awhile I had to have a smoothie every single morning. Then I decided I wanted something hot for breakfast so I changed up my smoothies, made them a little lighter and fruitier, and had them as mid afternoon snacks. Then I stopped them completely. Then… this next phase happened: Smoothie Bowls any time I had the urge. This phase is my favorite phase. I love coming home for lunch and making one of these. I also love making one for a snack. And breakfast… well that goes without saying. I love this unstructured smoothie bowl phase.

I’ve decided that I like my smoothies even more when they are thick enough to eat with a spoon. When I can top them with glorious fresh fruit, crunchy toppings, and superfoods. This phase seems to be lingering for quite awhile and I couldn’t be happier.

This Salted Caramel Smoothie Bowl is my latest obsession. It tastes amazing. It includes as many superfoods as I feel I need in the moment, and can be topped with anything that floats my boat. And really… is there anyone who doesn’t like the taste of salted caramel?

Years ago when I started making so many smoothies, I would make mine differently than the ones I made for my family. Mine would come out all kinds of green and brown and they’d really look pretty unappealing. For my family, I would inevitably leave out the greens and they’d be all kinds of pretty. This kept us all happy.

I’m not sure what it is about creating an extra thick smoothie that can be served in a bowl, but whatever it is, it allows me to create the same bowl for all of us. I have found my creative flow with these bowls and I highly recommend you experiment and customize your bowl to your liking and your needs.

salted caramel smoothie bowl

Free healthy digestion ebook

This smoothie bowl happens to be great for your digestion… please feel free to download my free ebook now to learn more about optimizing your diet for digestive health.

salted caramel smoothie bowl

Here are some of the healing ingredients in this Salted Caramel Smoothie Bowl recipe:

In Chinese medicine, we use coconut to strengthen the body, reduce swelling, and stop bleeding. Coconut kills viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It’s good for all types of infections and viruses in the body, including the flu, bronchitis, tapeworms, urinary tract infections, and herpes. And equally as important, it helps you keep your mind sharp and it makes it easier for you to focus. This recipe calls for coconut water.

Cashews are really a multi-tasking nut. I use them all the time so I say it all the time: Cashews have a lower fat content than most other nuts. Most of the fat in cashews is unsaturated and is made up of oleic acid; this is the same acid that is found in olive oil, making these nuts a heart-healthy choice. I like to use a cashew-based yogurt for this bowl.

I use cauliflower for breads, crusts, rice… everything. It can be used in so many forms… and, it’s really good for you. In Chinese medicine we use it to aid in digestion and help with constipation. One of the things I find most amazing about this cruciferous vegetable is it’s ability to help with age-related memory loss (My menopausal friends will appreciate this benefit!). It contains a healthy amount of Vitamin B, Vitamin K and Omega-3 fatty acids and can help fight cancer and cardiovascular disease. Cauliflower also helps the body with detoxification and with reducing inflammation. So, as far as I’m concerned, the more the merrier. Frozen cauliflower makes this bowl so thick and creamy.

Dates are rich in potassium, dietary fiber and tannins. Fiber is good for your gut and tannins help the body fight inflammation and infection. Dates are also rich in vitamin A and iron. The most amazing thing about dates is that they can be used to replace sugar in almost anything. I stopped using sweetened protein powders in my smoothies and now I use unsweetened ones but I add a few dates.

Collagen strengthens bones and muscles, keeps your joints healthy, improves flexibility and concentration, and helps heal your digestive system. It also keeps you looking youthful.

Maca Root has many healthy benefits including increasing libido, helping menopausal symptoms, relieving menstrual cramps, regulating hormones, and increasing energy.

Flax seeds can relieve constipation and lower cholesterol.

Sunflower seeds help lower blood pressure and can relieve headaches and dizziness. In Eastern medicine we recommend eating sunflower seeds if a person is troubled by certain severe intestinal symptoms like dysentery, or intestinal worms or certain parasites. These seeds also contain calcium and magnesium and have anti-aging properties. In Chinese medicine they are often prescribed to get rid of rashes. I like to use sunflower seed butter in this recipe.

salted caramel smoothie bowl

Salted Caramel Smoothie Bowl
5.0 from 1 reviews
Print
Recipe type: paleo, whole30, dairy free, gluten free, grain free
Cuisine: smoothies, smoothie bowls, breakfast
Author:
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 1
This Salted Caramel Smoothie Bowl will make you smile while keeping you healthy. It's great for your digestion and can help fight inflammation.
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Put all ingredients (except toppings) into a high-speed blender and whiz it up until smooth.
  2. Scoop into a bowl.
  3. Top with whatever makes you happy.
  4. Enjoy!

salted caramel smoothie bowl

Flourless Chocolate Walnut Cookies

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These Flourless Chocolate Walnut Cookies are so delicious… nobody will guess that they are grain-free and dairy-free!
flourless chocolate walnut cookies

I was never one of those people who had real true chocolate cravings. Honestly, I never understood it when people said they needed chocolate and they needed it fast. And then, last week, I had a chocolate craving… hmm. It wasn’t all-encompassing, but it was a definite strong desire for something chocolate. And nothing else would do. So, I looked through my recipes. What could I make that I had all of the ingredients on hand for? What could I make that was simple. I didn’t want to mess around with cake pans and pie tins.

I have a few cookies recipes on this site that I know will come out great every time I make them. My Flourless Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies are my usual go-tos when I’m in a cookie mood. And I know my Grain-Free Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are awesome too. And then there’s my Grain-Free Peanut Butter Cookies… yum.

But nothing was chocolatey enough.

So, these Flourless Chocolate Walnut Cookies were born. Out of a chocolate need.

You should know, baking does not come naturally to me. It’s not like I have it in my skillset to just start creating a cookie recipe. I am not equipped with enough baking knowledge to know the ratios of flours to sugars to everything else. So, I started perusing my favorite food blogs to get some ideas.  I want to give thanks to Arman at The Big Mans World — I worked off of his ratios in his awesome recipe for Paleo Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies.

Maybe one day I’ll be able to experiment with cookie baking independently, but for now I’ll save the complete and total experimenting to my cooking and I’ll look to the experts for the baking… it certainly worked out well here in this recipe for Flourless Chocolate Walnut Cookies.

flourless chocolate walnut cookies

I learned long ago that my digestion runs so much better without any grains at all. If you think you are one of these people, I urge you to remove grains from your diet and see how you feel. Digestion is my baby — it’s what got me into this work. I wrote an ebook on it… you can download it below for free now.

Free healthy digestion ebookDownload my free ebook: Healthy Digestion Food Plan.

flourless chocolate walnut cookies

Here are some of the amazing healing ingredients in this recipe for Flourless Chocolate Walnut Cookies:

I used almond flour in this recipe. In Chinese medicine, nuts are known to be good for your brain, heart, skin and reproductive system. Almonds are particularly nutritious. They are a good source of protein and they give you energy. And, they are gluten free and make the best grain free flour! Almonds will help relieve a cough and asthma and are also good for constipation.

Raw cacao is a superfood. It is packed with magnesium, iron, zinc and other minerals. Not only is it packed with health benefits, but it actually has properties that help the body absorb nutrients better and it’s filled with antioxidants. Cacao can actually be translated as “food of the gods”… Raw cacao can help lower blood pressure, promote healthy heart function, improve digestion, and may even help increase the libido.

Sesame seeds have many great nutritional benefits. This recipe calls for tahini (sesame paste). These seeds are an anti-aging food. If you have backaches, hair thats graying way too fast, ringing in the ears, weak knees, blurry vision or general weakness, go for the sesame seeds; just sprinkle them on everything. Long ago in China, sesame seeds were ground into honey to form a paste and was taken as a medicine to counter old-age and weakness. Black sesame seeds are a Chinese herb (Hei Zhi Ma). Black foods, in Chinese medicine, are knows as longevity foods. This recipe uses tahini, which is a paste made from sesame seeds and oil (I buy this ready-made in a can or a jar).

Peanuts, contrary to what some believe, are actually good for many things in your body. I don’t often let myself eat them because they sometimes contain mold and it’s really hard to find reasonably priced organic healthy peanuts. But, these popular nuts are great for lessening edema; they act like a diuretic. They can also help you if you have insomnia or if you are breast feeding. An old-time remedy is to made peanut tea and drink it for bed to promote sleep. And, peanut shells used to be used to help with high blood pressure.

In Chinese medicine, we use coconut to strengthen the body, reduce swelling, and stop bleeding. Coconut kills viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It’s good for all types of infections and viruses in the body, including the flu, bronchitis, tapeworms, urinary tract infections, and herpes. And perhaps most importantly, it helps you keep your mind sharp and it makes it easier for you to focus. These cookies contain coconut flour, coconut oil, and coconut sugar.

flourless chocolate walnut cookies

Paleo Chocolate Walnut Cookies
Print
Recipe type: cookies, dessert, chocolate
Cuisine: grain free, gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 13
These Flourless Chocolate Walnut Cookies are the perfect grain-free dessert. They are delicious and they are good for you.
Ingredients
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • ¼ cup coconut flour
  • ½ cup coconut sugar
  • 2 Tbsraw cacao powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ¼ cuptahini
  • ¼ cup peanut butter
  • ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
  • 1 egg
  • 5 Tbs non-dairy milk (I used oat milk, but be aware that oats are a grain so if you want to keep these cookies completely grain-free, use almond milk, or hemp milk.)
  • ¼ cup roughly chopped walnuts
  • ½ cup plus 2 Tbs dark chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the almond flour, coconut flour, coconut sugar, cacao powder, and baking soda and whisk until well mixed.
  4. In a small bowl, stir together the tahini, peanut butter (I melted mine a bit in the microwave to make it easier), coconut oil, egg, and oat milk.
  5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
  6. Fold in the nuts and chocolate chips.
  7. Form the dough into golf-ball-size balls (I got 13 balls out of mine) and arrange them on the lined baking sheet, leaving as much space between them as possible. Gently press down to form cookies -- I used my fingers, but you can use the bottom of a glass or a fork.
  8. Bake 15 mins or until the edges are starting to crisp up a bit. Remove the pan to a rack to cool for a bit. Then, when the cookies are mostly cooked, use a spatula to place the individual cookies on the rack to cool. Eat some now and store the rest in a container in the fridge for later. Enjoy!

flourless chocolate walnut cookies

6 Nuts You Should Be Eating For Your Health

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Nuts truly exemplify the expression Food Is Medicine.  Read ahead to learn about the 6 nuts you should be eating for your health…6 nuts you should be eating for your health

Nuts Are Healing… Are You Eating The Right Ones?

In Chinese medicine, nuts are known to be good for your brain, heart, skin and reproductive system. They truly are medicine. There’s been a lot of research recently about the health benefits of all different kinds of nuts. Like anything else, there are good ones and their are great ones… and there are the not so good ones.

Eating the right kinds of nuts can help protect you against heart disease and cancer. So, I want you to eat nuts. But, in the right amounts — after all, too much of anything can be a bad thing — and I want you to stick to the varieties that are best for your needs.

Nuts have always been a popular snack, but an even better way to reap the rewards of the healing power of nuts is by cooking with them and adding them to your everyday recipes. It may take some thinking outside of the box, but it’s really easy. Start by keeping a few jars or packages of nuts out on your counter where you can see them. Then, the next time you are having a bowl of soup or stew or chili, just sprinkle some nuts on top. The texture and crunch will really add great taste to your food and you will be getting the healing powers too.

Making a snack out of nuts has always been popular. The problem that a lot of people have when choosing nuts as a healthy snack, is portion control. I guess nuts are no different than anything else that way. I use different varieties of nuts to heal different conditions in the body — some nuts are even considered Chinese herbs (like walnuts — see info below).  Yes, they are that healing.

Some nuts are awesome when you are eating a dairy-free diet but you love your cream sauces. Cashews make The. Best. Cream. Sauces. Period. I’ve got some great recipes for you at the bottom of this post — shhhhhh…. nobody knows that the Cheeseburger Soup I feed them is made from cashews…

Some nuts are great for your digestive issues.

Some nuts are great for your brain and your heart.

I recommend different nuts to my clients based on what their specific concerns are.

But, for my clients who come to me for weight management, portion control can be a problem. Just because something is good for you and has healing properties, that doesn’t mean you can go hog-wild and eat a whole bag. Nope — 7 smallish nuts makes a snack. And, by the way, regular everyday trail mix that you buy in the supermarket, is not necessarily a healthy snack. Certainly not if you eat the whole bag!

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Download your free copy of my Radiant Skin Ebook now!

If you eat the right foods and herbs for your unique body and circumstances, you can heal yourself. All you need is the correct information. And I’m here to give it to you. So, read on and learn more ways you can easily start to heal yourself with nuts. And, if you want to learn more about healing whatever your specific concerns are, I’d love to help you create a healthy lifestyle plan specifically for your unique needs, so sign up for a free phone consultation and we can chat about it.

Keep reading to learn about the health benefits of my 6 favorite nuts. These are the 6 nuts you should be eating for your health.

First off, let me say that whenever possible, you should buy raw nuts. And, if you can buy organic raw nuts, even better.  When you buy toasted, roasted, salted, or flavored nuts, you are not getting the same benefits. Raw nuts are nuts in their purest, healthiest form, with no additives and no processing. Many markets carry lots of varieties of raw nuts — sometimes they are more expensive, but they are worth it.

Okay, now you’re ready to pick the nuts that with heal what ails you…

Here Are The 6 Nuts You Should Be Eating For Your Health

1. Brazil Nuts

To me, brazil nuts have always been those big nuts that nobody wanted to eat in the mixed nuts can. When I was a child, everyone would pick out the cashews and the almonds and the peanuts and brazil nuts were always left on the bottom. Who knew that brazil nuts are incredibly good for you!? Well, they are! Brazil nuts contain high amounts of selenium and antioxidants. They can lower inflammation and have been shown to lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol. These big beauties have also been shown to be effective in fighting off some types of cancers.

I like to eat 2 brazil nuts a day — whenever I need a little something.

2. Cashews

Cashews are really a multi-tasking nut. I use them all the time so I say it all the time: Cashews have a lower fat content than most other nuts. Most of the fat in cashews is unsaturated and is made up of oleic acid; this is the same acid that is found in olive oil, making these nuts a heart-healty choice.

I use cashews in cream sauces and faux cream soups. I also love cashew yogurt… this is one of the greatest inventions since sliced bread…

3. Almonds

Almonds had their 15 minutes of fame a few years ago when the news reported that every night before bed President Obama would eat 7 almonds. This is a smart choice!

Almonds are particularly nutritious. They are a good source of protein and they give you energy. And, they are gluten-free. Almonds will help relieve a cough and asthma and are also good for constipation.

One of my favorite ways to incorporate almonds into my regular diet is to use almond-based pastas. The world is a better place for having almond fettuccine, lasagna noodles, and gnocchi.  And they taste like fresh pasta. Yum.

4. Walnuts

Walnuts are a Chinese herb called He Tao Ren. I recommend them to clients who are suffering with chronic constipation. They are also good for some types of weaknesses in elderly people — like chronic coughs and wheezing.  Walnuts are good at helping to combat inflammation and they are also good to boost brain function.

I love walnuts on top of my warm smoothie bowls and hot cereals.

5. Pecans

Pecans are good for energy and they can also help you get rid of a cough. They are also good to help combat constipation, lower back pain, low libido, and erectile dysfunction.

There’s nothing better than a 2-ingredient pie or tart crust made out of pecans and dates.

6.  Pistachios

First, let me be completely clear — I’m not taking about those red shelled pistachios that used to be popular. Ugh… nothing is naturally that color. I’m talking about raw whitish-green pistachio nuts, in the shell or out. Pistachios are good for you. Studies have shown these delicious nuts help with cholesterol, inflammation, and motor function. They are rich in minerals and are lower in calories than some other nuts.

Nuts Are Not Only For Snacking — Make Them A Part Of Your Meals

I love to cook with nuts.  Cashews make incredible cream sauces. Almonds and walnuts are great toppings for smoothie bowls, soups, and stews. Pecans are great to bake with or to blend into smoothies. Here are some of my favorite recipes using nuts.

 

The World’s Healthiest Nut Butter

6 nuts you should be eating for your health

I know the title of this recipe means this nut butter better be fantastic. It is. Not only does it contain healthy nuts, but it also contains healthy seeds. And it is, by far, the best nut butter you will ever have. Feel free to make it your own by using any nuts that make you smile.

Flourless Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies

6 nuts you should be eating for your health

These cookies are incredible. Truly. The base is made from walnuts and dates. Nobody will know they are grain-free and healing, but everyone will ask you for the recipe.

Paleo Vegan Caesar Salad

paleo vegan caesar salad

This Caesar dressing is made out of cashews. Make a big batch. No, make a huge batch. It keeps really well in the fridge and it is delicious!

If you have any questions about these 6 nuts you should be eating for your health, or really, about anything else… just ask me in the comments below. I love to hear from you!

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Download your free copy of my Radiant Skin Ebook now!

 

Flourless Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies

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Looking for a grain-free cookie that’s as good as the original? These flourless chocolate chip walnut cookies fit the bill… Read more

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal

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peanut butter banana oatmeal

Last week here in New York we were freezing our tootsies off. It was so cold outside! And, unfortunately, it was really cold inside our apartment as well. If you’ve ever lived in an old pre-war apartment, you know the “Three Little Bears” type of frustration with the heat.  It’s often too hot or too cold. I have to say, too cold is most often easier to deal with than too hot… but last week we had to break out every blanket we had to stay warm. So, I did something to make me feel nice and toasty — from the inside-out — I made a big batch of peanut butter banana oatmeal. You just can’t hate the cold while you are eating this…

You can make this oatmeal with quinoa or with a grain-free blend if you prefer. On this cold, snowy, day, I went for the real thing and it was soooooooo good. Oftentimes, if I’m making a flavored type of oatmeal, I will make it the night before in my slow cooker. Honestly, I haven’t cooked a pot of oatmeal on the stove in a really long time, but this was so easy and so delicious, I won’t wait very long to make it again.

I used what I had in my fridge and pantry, but this is so easily customizable that I want you to just have fun with it. Go into your fridge and your pantry and remove everything that might taste good on a hot bowl of oats. Go ahead… I’m waiting…
Now, pick several of these things that you think will compliment each other. Now, grab some honey or maple syrup. Now, you are ready to cook your oats.

The recipe below shows you what I used and, I will tell you, it was truly awesome. Yup, this combo is a keeper!

For another great warming breakfast try my recipe for Paleo Pumpkin Pancakes!

peanut butter banana oatmeal

peanut butter banana oatmeal

Here are some of the awesome healing ingredients in this peanut butter banana oatmeal:

Oats are great for the digestive system — they make you feel better if you are feeling bloated or have indigestion. This ancient grain can also help reduce some types of swelling in the body and, a little known tidbit: they can be eaten to help stop lactation.

Bananas are good for your intestines (an old Asian remedy was to eat a banana every day to relieve hemorrhoids) and your lungs, and they even help relieve the effects of overindulging in alcohol.

Walnuts are actually a Chinese herb (He Tao Ren). They are used for some knee and back pain, some chronic coughs and for chronic constipation. These nuts are also good for infertility and sexual dysfunctions, and they have been used to help people with kidney stones.

Peanuts, contrary to what some believe, are actually good for many things in your body. I don’t often let myself eat them because they sometimes contain mold and it’s really hard to find reasonably priced organic healthy peanuts. But, these popular nuts are great for lessening edema; they act like a diuretic. They can also help you if you have insomnia or if you are breast feeding. An old-time remedy is to made peanut tea and drink it for bed to promote sleep. And, peanut shells used to be used to help with high blood pressure. Try to buy organic peanut butter if you can — sometimes the ground these nuts grow in isn’t filled with the stuff you’d want to ingest.

Honey is a Chinese herb (Feng Mi). It’s used to boost energy, quiet coughs, and lessen constipation. It can even help with ulcers.

peanut butter banana oatmeal

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal
Print
Recipe type: oatmeal, hot cereal, breakfast
Cuisine: grains, gluten free, dairy free
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 2
On the next cold day, make a bowl of this simple, healing oatmeal -- it will make you smile as it warms you from the inside - out!
Ingredients
  • ½ cup steel cut oats
  • 2 cups water
  • One banana, sliced
  • 1 tsp butter
  • ¼ cup raw honey, melted, or pure maple syrup
  • ¼ cup walnuts, roughly chopped
  • ¼ cup organic peanut butter, melted
Instructions
  1. Cook the steel cut oats in the water until they are done (follow the package directions); mine took 30 minutes.
  2. Heat the butter on low heat in a small saute pan.
  3. Add the sliced banana, and stir until the banana starts to melt.
  4. Scoop the oatmeal into 2 bowls.
  5. Top with the melted bananas, melted peanut butter, honey or syrup, and the walnuts.
  6. Smile and enjoy!

peanut butter banana oatmeal

Raw Chocolate Pomegranate Tart

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raw chocolate pomegranate tart

I was going to a friend’s house for dinner the other night and I wanted to bring a dessert. If you know me, you know that while I can cook just about anything, I am not a great baker. And that’s saying it very kindly… I’ve been known to burn slice and bake cookies. So, when I tell you that this raw chocolate pomegranate tart is the best dessert I ever made, that’s another way for saying this recipe is idiot-proof.

One of the reasons — and I can’t stress how important this reason is — that I was able to achieve such perfection with this dessert is because the original recipe is just genius. All of that genius-credit goes to Joscelyn at Wife Mama Foodie. I just love when I can take an existing recipe and have it come out perfect the first time, so a big thanks to you Jos!

Some people are fruity-dessert people. And some people are nutty-dessert people. I am a chocolate-dessert person. And if it’s a flourless, dense, rich, creamy, velvety chocolate dessert like this one… I’m all in.

The only downside to this tart is that because it’s healthy, I’m easily able to rationalize why I can and should eat WAY too much. I think it took me a maximum of 15 seconds to scarf down a good size slice… ugh.

Back to my friend’s dinner party — I brought this dessert. And it looked beautiful. Everyone expects whatever I bring to be delicious, so I was a little nervous because this was not something I could taste before I brought it there. Can I just say that this raw chocolate pomegranate tart is unbelievable! The chocolate filling is so creamy and fudgy and the pomegranate seeds are mixed into the filling AND they are shining pretty on top… it’s the perfect taste and texture, and it’s just so pretty!

I will be making this dessert for Thanksgiving too! Which is actually kind of laughable since my brother-in-law owns a bakery and always brings a ton of desserts… but, I rationalize that I can bring this because a) it’s a healthy option and b) he’s not a chocolate-dessert guy, so someone’s gotta bring it…

Anyway, if I haven’t convinced you to make this dessert yet, just trust me… please…

I’m on a big customized-recipe-creation kick right now (okay… always…), so let me customize a recipe for you that will work for whatever’s going on in your body now… I’m such a geek that I really do get excited about doing this. I’ve got a dessert recipe with your name on it…  So CLICK HERE to be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.

And, if you are more of a fruity-dessert person, you should try my recipe for Paleo Blueberry Cobbler.

raw chocolate pomegranate tart

raw chocolate pomegranate tart

Here are some of the ingredients that make this raw chocolate pomegranate tart a healthy dessert:

Raw cacao is a superfood. It is packed with magnesium, iron, zinc and other minerals. Not only is it packed with health benefits, but it actually has properties that help the body absorb nutrients better and it’s filled with antioxidants. Cacao can actually be translated as “food of the gods”… Raw cacao can help lower blood pressure, promote healthy heart function, improve digestion, and may even help increase the libido.

In Asian medicine, we use coconut to strengthen the body, reduce swelling, and stop bleeding. Coconut kills viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It’s good for all types of infections and viruses in the body, including the flu, bronchitis, tapeworms, urinary tract infections, and herpes. And perhaps most importantly, it helps you keep your mind sharp and it makes it easier for you to focus. The filling of this tart is made with coconut oil.

Dates are rich in potassium, dietary fiber and tannins. Fiber is good for your gut and tannins help the body fight inflammation and infection. Dates are also rich in vitamin A and iron. The most amazing thing about dates is that they can be used to replace sugar in almost anything. I stopped using sweetened protein powders in my smoothies and now I use unsweetened ones but I add a few dates.

Walnuts are actually a Chinese herb (He Tao Ren). They are used for some knee and back pain, some chronic coughs and for chronic constipation. These nuts are also good for infertility and sexual dysfunctions, and they have been used to help people with kidney stones.

Pomegranate seeds nourish the blood. In Chinese medicine, we know that many illnesses and conditions are caused by the body making poor quality blood. Pomegranate seeds are great at helping the body make good quality blood. They are also good to combat diarrhea, anemia and incontinence.

Pure maple syrup contains antioxidants that help reduce inflammation in the body (think inflammatory bowel syndrome or heart disease). It also contains zinc, calcium, and magnesium. It’s much lower on the glycemic scale than traditional sugar. Whenever possible, use a darker (grade B) syrup because the nutritional composition is better than that of lighter syrups.

raw chocolate pomegranate tart

If you make this Raw Chocolate Pomegranate Tart recipe, please be sure to let me know in the comments below. I love hearing how you like a recipe, and I love to answer your questions! If you make it, be sure to take a photo and tag me and post it on Instagram.

Raw Chocolate Pomegranate Tart
4.0 from 1 reviews
Print
Recipe type: dessert, chocolate, paleo, simple, tart
Cuisine: recipe adapted from: Wife Mama Foodie
Author:
Serves: 8
This is the creamiest, richest, most decadent simple chocolate dessert around. And it's raw. And it's idiot-proof. And everyone loves it! Oh, and it's healthy!
Ingredients
  • For crust:
  • 1 cup pitted dates
  • 1 cup walnuts
  • pinch of sea salt
  • For filling:
  • 1-1/2 cups raw cacao powder
  • 1 cup plus 2-Tbs pure maple syrup
  • ¾ cup coconut oil, melted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • pinch of sea salt
  • ⅓ cup pomegranate seeds
  • For topping: an additional ¼ to ⅓ cup pomegranate seeds
Instructions
  1. Make crust:
  2. Place dates, walnuts and salt in a food processor and process until the mixture is smooth and sticky.
  3. Press the mixture into a tart pan with a removable bottom. (I used a 9-in. round pan.)
  4. Place the crust in the freezer while you prepare the filling.
  5. Make filling:
  6. Combine all filling ingredients in a large bowl until smooth.
  7. Pour the filling into the crust and smooth it out.
  8. Sprinkle the top with pomegranate seeds.
  9. Place the tart in the refrigerator to set, and keep it there until you are ready to serve it.
  10. Slice and enjoy!

raw chocolate pomegranate tart