This Valentine’s Day, I’m pushing you to think outside the chocolate box. Forget the tacky gifts, the overpriced heart-shaped boxes, and crowded restaurants. This Valentine’s Day, focus on you, your health, and what matters most….the ones you love in your life.
I firmly believe in never depriving yourself, or banishing certain foods from your diet. Instead I believe in listening to your hunger signals and nourishing your body with real whole foods.When are mindful of what we eat and actually taste our food, our digestion improves, are cravings disappear and our mood balances.
Speaking of real foods and not ‘Frankenfood’, I was inspired to make my own homemade Valentine’s day treat after reading the ingredients list on a box of chocolate from a well-known company.
Ingredients: Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, Milk Ingredients, Cocoa Mass, Palm Kernel Oil, Lactose, Palm Oil, Soya Lecithin, Natural Flavour, Barley Malt Extract, Artificial Flavour, Vanilla.
As you can see, there is very little actual chocolate and mostly lots of sugar, artificial fillers and refined ingredients. Do your loved one a favour by tugging on their heart string and providing a heart-healthy, hormone-balancing delicious alternative instead. This brownie will not disappoint even your pickiest eaters. As a bonus, it is raw, vegan, gluten-free, and paleo friendly.
If you make it, please take a picture and share the love!
Two Layer Double Chocolate Raw Brownies
Bottom Later
- 1 cup raw walnuts
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 2 cups pitted medjool dates
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- Pinch sea salt
Top Layer
- 2 medium avocados, ripe
- ¼ cup canned coconut milk
- ½ cup chopped dark chocolate (min 70%, ideally 85%)
- 1 tsp vanilla
Directions
- Combine all ingredients for bottom layer in food processor and puree until smooth. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides a few times. I do not recommend using a blender as you will have a sticky mess.
- Line 8” square baking pan with parchment paper. Press down with hands until flat and evently divided.
- Melt dark chocolate in microwave until smooth.
- Combine all ingredients for top layer in food processor and puree until there are no more visible lumps of avocado.
- Pour onto bottom layer and use the back of a spoon to spread evenly.
- Store covered in fridge until hardened, approximately four hours.
- Cut into squares and enjoy! This recipe also freezes well if you need to prepare in advance.
Yours in health, Dr, Laura von Hagen, ND
