Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

If you’re like me, you never like waiting for cookies to bake. Here is a healthy recipe for chocolate chip cookie dough that you can indulge in right away! No baking needed and great for a post-workout snack!

1 ¼ cups chick peas

2 tbs natural peanut butter

3 tbs maple syrup (or mix of maple syrup and honey)

1 tbs coconut oil 

1 tsp vanilla extract

1-2 tbs chocolate chips

Blend everything but the chocolate chips in a blender or food processor. Add in the chocolate chips and shape into balls or just dive in a with a spoon. The “dough” can be stored in the freezer - just let it thaw for a few minutes before eating.

Sweet Potato Brownies

Here is the ultimate guilt-free snack! Low in calories, high in vitamins. Gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free. Absolutely delicious. 

2 medium sweet potatoes or 1.5 large ones

2/3 cup almonds (I used a mixture of almonds and hazelnuts)

½ cup quinoa flakes

½ cup dates

3 tbs cacao powder

3 tbs maple syrup

2 tbs shredded unsweetened coconut

Pinch of salt

Splash of almond milk

Peel and chop sweet potatoes and boil until soft. Soak the dates in water to soften then add them to the almonds, quinoa flakes, cacao powder, coconut and salt in a blender or food processor. Add a splash of almond milk to help it blend as much as possible. In a large bowl, mash the sweet potatoes and mix in the rest of the ingredients. Pour in a square baking dish and bake for approx. 30-40 minutes or until the top becomes darker and crispy. They will be very moist so let them cool for a few minutes before cutting into squares. They can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. 

Bring back the Holidays! Gingerbread Balls & Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

I always say I love the snow because it reminds me of Christmas. But once Christmas and New Years have passed and we are back into our daily routines, I wish all that snow would just disappear. This gloomy weather has inspired me to bring back the smells and flavours of my favourite holiday season. If you're like me and love everything gingerbread and pumpkin, you will enjoy these recipes. I'm lucky that my mom shares my love for healthy, gluten free treats so I have her to thank for these ones.

Side note: Medjool dates and regular pitted dates differ significantly - in taste, texture and even in baking. I'd recommend getting the large Medjool dates with pits that are found in the fresh produce section. Once you try them you will never go back to the regular "baking dates".

Gingerbread Cookie Balls 

2 cups raw almonds, pecans or a combination of both6 Medjool dates, pitted3 tablespoons blackstrap molasses1 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/2-inch fresh ginger, peeled or 1/2 teaspoon ground gingerdash ground clovesdash ground nutmegpinch of salt

For rolling: shredded unsweetened coconut or almond meal 

Simply add all ingredients to a food processor or Nutribullet. Once everything is processed, take small handfuls and roll into little balls. To make them look picture-worthy, roll the balls in shredded coconut or almond meal which gives the illusion of powdered sugar. You can make your own almond meal by processing raw almonds until a very fine powder forms.Place the balls on a cookie sheet with parchment paper and leave in the fridge for an hour or so to harden or eat them right away if you can't resist. 


Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

1.5 cups almond milk (or lactose free milk)
1/2 cup canned pumpkin (I use E.D. Smith)
1 very ripe frozen banana
1 tsp cinnamon
dash ground cloves
dash ground nutmeg
2 medjool dates or 1 tbs maple syrup to sweeten it
4 small ice cubes

Blend all ingredients together (I highly recommend the Nutribullet) and enjoy the sweet taste of Christmas!