Healthy Holiday Treats

It’s hard to believe that it’s that time of year again! Yup, the Holidays have snuck up on us and with Thanksgiving just around the corner goodies and desserts seem to be everywhere in the stores, and everyone gets in the mood to bake treats (me included!).  I try to be a good example to my co-workers of eating clean and following a healthy diet, but as winter and the holidays draw close, it seems that their enthusiasm for anything health related dwindles and they are easily enticed to those jars and plates filled with goodies.

Now you may think that it’s impossible to not give in to a treat every once in a while, we are human and for the most part love sweet treats, but there are ways we can help us help ourselves not cave into temptation. For instance, I do have a candy jar sitting on my desk, but, instead of filling it with goodies that I might be tempted to indulge in; I fill it with candy that has no appeal to me whatsoever. That evil eye can stare at me all day and I will not give in. 

Another thing I do is make sure I have some WOW drops or peppermint strips at hand, not only does it keep my breath fresh when talking to clients, but nothing tastes good when you already have a mouth full of minty freshness!

And lastly, my love of cooking comes into play and I have created a variety of sweet healthy bites and bars that I will occasionally bring to my office to share with my co-workers and if my cravings for sweet ever get strong, at least I know that what I am eating is healthy and won’t kill my diet. Below are some of my favorite healthy bites which are high in protein, gluten free, have no added sugar and will be a small sweet treat to enjoy without all the sugars, fat and calories of regular sweets. Hope you enjoy!

The key to these bites is to keep them small, and only allow yourself a few. They keep very well in the fridge or freezer and will last you a while.

CHOCOLATELY PEANUT BUTTER BALLS : 

Makes about 20 balls

Ingredients:

• • 1 cup pitted dates
• • ¼ cup unsalted organic peanuts
• • 2 scoops Level-1 Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup protein powder
• • 2 tablespoons natural chocolate peanut better
• • 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• • Dash cinnamon
• • Dash cloves
• • 3 tbsp water*

Topping

• • ½ scoop of Level-1 Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Protein powder
• • ¼ cup unsalted peanuts
• • 1 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions:

• • Grind the dates and peanuts in food processor until nutsare coarsely ground.
• • Add the protein powder, peanut butter, cocoa powder, vanilla, cinnamon and cloves and process until ingredients are thoroughly combined and uniform. Slowly add in the water.

*add more water a tbsp. at a time if needed until the mixture is one uniform ball. Consistency will be similar to dough.

• • Set mixture aside and combine all the topping ingredients in food processor and grind until peanuts are finely ground.
• • Take the dough and roll into small bite sized balls

  and place on plate. If the dough is too sticky add a little protein powder to the dough.

• • Place the topping on a plate or tray and roll the balls in the topping to coat them evenly
• • Refrigerate the balls overnight or until firm and enjoy as you wish. 

CRAZY 4 CARROT CAKE BITES : 

Ingredients:

• • 1 cup pitted dates
• • 2 tbsp.  Stevia
• • 1 medium peeled carrot (chopped)
• • Dash of nutmeg
• • Dash of ginger
• • Dash of clove
• • 1 lemon ( zest entire lemon)
• • 1 tsp. pure lemon extract
• • 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
• • 2 scoops Level-1 Vanilla Ice Cream Protein Powder
• • 1 tsp. honey
• • 3 tbsp. water *

Topping:

• • ½ scoop Level-1 Vanilla Ice Cream Protein Powder
• • ½ tsp. ginger
• • 1 tsp. stevia

Directions:

• • Grind the dates and carrots in food processor until carrots are coarsely ground. Add the protein powder, lemon zest, vanilla, lemon extract, honey, stevia, ginger and cloves and process until ingredients are thoroughly combined and uniform. Slowly add in the water.

*add more water a tbsp. at a time if needed until the mixture is one uniform ball. Consistency will be similar to dough.

• • Set mixture aside and combine the topping ingredients together.
• • Take the dough and roll into small bite sized balls and place on plate. If the dough is too sticky add a little protein powder to the dough.
• • Place the topping on a plate or tray and roll the balls in the topping to coat them evenly
• • Refrigerate the balls overnight or until firm. TOTALLY DELISH!!

DARK CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY BITES :

Ingredients

• • 1 cup pitted dates
• • 4 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• • 1 tbsp. raspberry extract
• • 1/3 cup dried unsweetened cranberries (optional)
• • 2 scoop of Level-1 Milk Chocolate Protein Powder
• • 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
• • 1 cup fresh raspberries *
• • 6 tbsp. Stevia (divided)
• • 2 tbsp. water

*place cup of raspberries on a plate in microwave for about 3 min plus until slightly dehydrated- set aside.

Directions:

• • Grind the dates and cranberries (optional) in food processor until dates are finely ground. Add the protein powder, raspberry extract, dehydrated raspberries, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, and 4 tbsp. stevia and process until ingredients are thoroughly combined and uniform. Slowly add in the water.

*add more water a tbsp. at a time if needed until the mixture is one uniform ball. Consistency will be similar to dough.

• • Take the dough and roll into small bite sized balls and place on plate. If the dough is too sticky add a little protein powder to the dough. Sprinkle 2 tbsp. Stevia on top and refrigerate the balls overnight or until firm. ENJOY!!