This recipe changed my life! And I don't say that often. I love trying new recipes but I tend to stick to baked goods because I love mixing batters and seeing the changes in the oven!


However, after making these I am on a mission to make more similar recipes! If you have any good please let me know!

All you NEED  for this recipe is:

Almonds

Dates

Hazelnuts

Maple Syrup and Lemon Juice

Coconut Oil

Vanilla 

Raspberries


I adapted this from Jess at Choosing Chia who is one of my favorite food bloggers! You can see her recipe here. You should check out her site for some more awesome recipes and lifestyle posts.
These raspberry tarts are vegan, gluten free, free of refined sugars, paleo, and the list goes on! They also happen to taste absolutely amazing, sweet, and creamy! Make them for a healthy treat or dessert!
Raw Raspberry Tarts
Adapted from here

Ingredients

Base
1/2 cup almonds
4 Medjool dates
pinch of Himalayan pink salt

Raspberry Topping
1 cup blanched hazelnuts*
1/4 cup almond milk
3 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp lemon juice
3 tbsp melted coconut oil
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup raspberries

Directions

1. Blanche hazelnuts if desired (see note below)
2. In a food processor, blend the almonds, dates, and salt until it sticks together.
3. Press dough into the bottom of a silicon muffin pan (I also made a couple mini tarts in a regular muffin pan and this worked well too!). Let this set in the fridge.
4. Blend hazelnuts, almond milk, maple syrup, lemon juice, coconut oil, and vanilla extract in a food processor or blender until smooth and creamy. Add raspberries and blend until smooth
5. Take base out of fridge and smooth the raspberry topping on top.
6. Place in freezer and freeze for 2-4 hours until set. 
7. Carefully take tarts out of your pan, allow them to de-freeze a little, and serve! Leftovers can be stored in the fridge

*I wanted to use blanched hazelnuts so that they would mix nicely with the raspberries for the topping. Blanching hazelnuts requires boiling them in water for about 5 minutes then straining them and peeling off the skins in a paper towel. If you want these 100% raw then you can forgo blanching the hazelnuts in boiling water. Letting them sit in warm water overnight then taking off the skins could also work.

I'm not always one to want to make no-bake treats, simply because I love turning on the oven and seeing what I've mixed up turn into something new. I have to say though that these no-bake candy bars are changing my mind. They are probably my most favorite thing I have created in a while!




These candy bars are packed with all the good things. They have no processed sugar, can be made paleo, are gluten-free, and vegan! and they are so so so good!! I really suggest that you make them stat!



If you wish to make these paleo, you can substitute the peanut butter with almond butter




I find that the peanut butter taste gets more prominent once you let the bars sit overnight so try not to eat them all at once!

Everything in the pan

Chocolate on!

After setting

Chocolate Quinoa Candy Bars
Adapted from here 
Makes 12 small squares

Ingredients
For bars:
12 pitted dates (or a little bit more than 1 cup, let soften in water if needed)
1/2 cup cooked quinoa, cooled
1 cup walnuts
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
For chocolate:
2 tbsp coconut butter
1/4 cup coconut oil
3 tbsp honey
3-4 tbsp cocoa powder


Directions
1. Place all bar ingredients in a food processor and blend until the mixture comes together and everything is combined
2. Line an 8x8 baking dish with wax paper and evenly press the mixture in
3. Place in fridge while you make the chocolate
4. Place coconut butter and coconut oil in a bowl and microwave for 30 second intervals until melted
5. Add in honey and stir vigorously
6. Add in cocoa powder and carefully stir until mixture is combined and looks thicker
7. Pour chocolate layer over bars
8. Place in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes until chocolate mixture is hardened
9. Take out of freezer and remove bars from dish by gently picking it up by the wax paper
10. Cut into bars and eat!
11. Store in fridge

I have been gone for so long! I wish I could tell you that I was on some amazing adventure but sadly I was busy with school, work, and my extracurricular activities.

It was fun but busy!


If you have been busy as I have I'm sure you'll appreciate today's recipe as its easy, quick, and requires no oven. In my opinion the best thing about these is that you can eat them right away! This is a perfect summer treat to nourish you through day and keep you cool. They are also raw and deliciously healthy so really you have no reason not to make them!



Spiced Raw Chocolate Oat Spheres
30-40 spheres depending on size

3 cups oats
2 cups shredded coconut
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 tsp fresh orange zest
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cinnamon
Pinch salt
1/4 cup agave syrup
1/4 cup warmed coconut oil
1/2 cup water

1. Mix dry ingredients into a bowl
2. Mix agave with coconut oil and water and pour over the dry ingredients
3. Mix well until coated
4. Using your hands, form balls with the raw oat mixture and set onto a tray or plate
5. You can let the balls set in the fridge or eat right away! They taste great if you let them set

I also added some chocolate chips but that's completely optional

I know that many of you out there have made a resolution to be healthier in 2012. Popular resolutions always include eating better, exercising more, and losing weight. I think these are great resolutions which can help you live a healthier life. The trouble is many people lose sight of these goals as the year moves forward.