Sweet-tooth Fixes...for when you can't fight cravings
Delicious Date Balls - Total time 10 mins -1 packet of dates (needs to = 2 cups) -2 heaping tbsp almond butter (or nut butter of choice) -1 cup ground almonds -2 heaping tbsp cocoa powder *Makes approx 17 medium sized balls* - First place the dates into food processor (best options) or blender until soft and sticky - Add remaining ingredients and blend until combined - Remove from blender and place in a bowl or work out of food processor either but remove blade first please! - Roll into balls - Place in the fridge in a sealed container and enjoy for up to 7 days! *In truth you can put everything in all at once and blend but you will get small chunks of dates...personal preference really. Cheater Chocolate Chip Cookies - Total time 15 min max -2 ripe bananas -2 heaping tbsp peanut butter -¾ to 1 cup rolled oats -Handful or 2 of chocolate chips -Pinch of cinnamon *Makes approx 9 cookies* -Preheat oven to 360 degrees -Mash it all ingredients together in a bowl, add more oats or nut butter as needed to get a not too wet or dry consistency, - Grease a baking sheet with a small bit of butter (please don’t use sprays or FryLite...butter is not your enemy) - Bake 7-10 min until cookies look a little brown - tops may not look done but bottoms will be brown and cookies are best chewy. -Keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. Chia Chocolate Pudding - Prep 5 min Set 2-3 hours -½ cup chia seeds -1 can of full fat coconut milk -2 heaping tbsp of cocoa powder (I personally use Organic Cacao powder from Lidl as it's packed with protein and minerals) -3 tbsp of honey (this is optional but I find it gives a slight sweetness) *Makes 5-6 servings* - Mix all ingredients in the container you wish to store it in, I find a whisk is best and then a spoon to get out any clumps of chia that may have stuck together. -When all the chunks are mixed in a smooth, drizzle honey over top and mix again. -Let sit in fridge 3-4 hours or until desired consistency, enjoy for up to 5 days. *This recipe also works well if you substitute the cocoa powder with vanilla protein powder (I've used Vega Greens Vanilla) and add in 1 banana or blueberries* Super Simple Protein Pancake - Total time 10 min -1 ripe banana -1 medium egg -2 tbsp of milled linseed or flax (I use Lidl’s Crownfeild Milled Linseed with sunflower/pumpkin seeds, goji berries and chia seeds...30g contains 6.7g protein and 6.8g of fibre, plus iron, magnesium and zinc) *Makes 1 pancake or 2 very small ones...approx. 12g protein per pancake if using above linseed mix, 6g with egg alone* -Heat frying pan on 5 with a tsp of butter -Mix ingredients together, make sure to really mash the banana -Pour into pan and cook approx 5 min or until you can lift it and see a golden brown base (keep them to flipper size or may have scrambled pancakes) -Flip and cook the other side until you can press the center and it springs back, again approx 5 min -Eat as is, or with nut butter, syrup, butter, whatever you choose, I find them delicious as is and better for you without additives. *You can use 2 tsp flour instead of flax or linseed but you may choose just add a drop of milk if you go this route*