2 in 1: Healthy Chocolate Hard Shell & Fudge Cups

Yes, you read the title right! I'm afraid that I have stumbled across something truly addicting! Especially during these long, hot, summer days!

One of my FAVORITE treats before going sugar free was ice cream. If we had ice cream in the house I would have a bowl of it every single night. Moose Tracks and Cookie Dough were always tied for favorite. Even better was when my Mom would splurge and buy us the Reese's Magic Hard Shell. I would literally drown my ice cream in the stuff! So good, yet so not good for my health!

I still love ice cream, and chocolate, but I am pleased to announce that there is a MUCH healthier alternative to satisfy your cravings!
We have been making homemade "fudge cups" at my house for several months now and just recently I made my first batch of magic hard shell to pour over some coconut milk ice cream...it too was a huge hit...and I suddenly thought to myself " why not combine the two recipes?!".
It is sugar free, dairy free, and loaded with health benefits!

One of the main ingredients is coconut oil. Coconut oil is getting a lot of attention right now, and there is probably a good reason why! Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil is filled to the brim with beneficial Medium Chain Fatty Acids and Lauric Acid. Coconut oil is one of the best sources to get saturated fats from! Your body NEEDS healthy saturated fats!! Since the fat composition in cells in the body is mostly saturated fat, it is important to get enough of it from healthy sources!! This recipe solves that problem for you! Coconut oil does not oxidize easily at high temperatures or go rancid easily, this makes it an excellent choice for cooking and baking!

 Hard Shell & Fudge Cups

You Will Need:

• 1/2 Cup Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil
• 1/2 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• 1/2 Cup Natural Nut Butter ( peanut, almond, etc. Make sure it contains no added sugar/oils!)
• 1/4 Cup Local Raw Honey ( plus additional to taste if you want it sweeter!)
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 1 pinch Sea Salt

Directions:

• Gently heat the coconut oil, cocoa powder, sea salt and honey in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir all ingredients until well blended. Do not overheat!!
• Add mixture to a food processor or blender.
• Add in your nut butter, vanilla, and salt.
• Pulse until everything is blended into a smooth mixture.

Pour directly over cold ice cream ( As a special treat, I sometimes purchase the So Delicious Dairy Free Coconut Milk Ice Cream in Vanilla Bean, or you can make homemade ice cream!) or chilled dessert of choice ( must be COLD for the hard shell to work!)  and enjoy!

With the leftover mixture, prepare a muffin tin with muffin liners. Fill the liners with as little or as much fudge mixture as you like! Then place the muffin pan in the freezer for 10min ( or refrigerator for 30min ) and TA DA! You have healthy fudge cups! Store in the refrigerator, and if you decide you are tired of fudge cups and want more hard shell, then simply reheat the fudge cups in a sauce pan and there ya go!

SO delicious. SO simple. SO good for you!

What's your favorite summer treat?

Detox Water

Hello Warriors!
Wow, June was a whirlwind of a month for me. I spent a lot of time out of the house and away from home during the month of June...hence why things have been so quiet around here.

Anywho, I have a little recipe to share with ya!

I recently made ( for the first time) a batch of infused detox water!
I quit drinking Soda and Gatorade a couple years before I went gluten & sugar free. Let's just say the the more I learned about what Soda and Gatorade does to your body, the less I wanted it IN my body. So I gave up the sports drinks and soda ( I was a Dr. Pepper gal before making the switch to Sprite, for some reason I thought Sprite was a "healthier" soda! ha ha) and replaced those types of drinks with water and hot tea. But drinking plain water can get old after a while, especially during the summer when I am drinking a lot more! I need a little variety! So I decided to give this infused water thing a try. Infusing water with fruits, veggies and herbs allows the nutrients in these foods to slowly be released and flavor the water. The end result is a lightly flavored chilled water that not only taste refreshing, but is loaded with cleansing/detoxing properties!

You will need:
- good clean water and a glass pitcher or mason jars! I did not measure the water, but used  2 different sized glass jars so I could test out the flavors. The amount of water you use will determine how strong your water will taste. 
-Fresh fruit, thoroughly washed! I used  a combination of: watermelon ( rind and all!), cucumber, and lemon. The possibilities are endless though! Fresh berries would be AMAZING!
-A handful of fresh mint leaves
-ice cubes

Directions:
Slice up all your fruit and add to your glass container, then add your fresh mint. Add your cool water, filling the container all the way to the top. Let it sit in your fridge overnight so all the yummy nutrients and flavors can infuse the water. When you are ready to drink, simply pour into a glass with ice and enjoy! Keep in fridge all week to quench your thirst!

Disclaimer: This water is flavored with fresh produce, nothing else. So it will not taste like a smoothie, juice cocktail, lemonade, or any other type of fruity flavored drink. It's light and fresh, take it or leave it!

Happy Saturday!!