Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

Would it surprise you to know that having a chocolate treat can actually be good for you?!

Why yes, it is possible!!!

We are talking real-deal chocolate treat hear people; Homemade Chocolate Macaroons.

This recipe is packed with nutrition from raw cacao powder and is sweetened with unrefined sucanat. You could also use coconut sugar, which has a lower glycemic index. In fact I've made these with both and they turned out perfectly the same.

Please do yourself a favour and get yourself some raw chocolate cacao powder. It's out of this world chocolatey and oh-so-good! Cacao is actually an unprocessed form of chocolate. It has a wealth of antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals, such as:

• Magnesium, calcium, potassium, zinc, iron, copper, and manganese
• Vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B5, B9, E
• Flavonoids that have antioxidant properties
• Essential heart-healthy fat: oleic acid a monounsaturated fat
• Protein and fiber

How's that for a superfood packed with nutrients? Plus, there are no trans-fats or cholesterol.

The nutrients found in raw cacao have been linked to a number of health benefits. It can support a healthy heart by lowering blood pressure, improving blood flow, and lowering LDL cholesterol. So now you can have your chocolate and eat it too.

This is quite possibly one of the easiest dessert recipes you'll ever make. Score! 

Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

by Jennifer Trennum

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Keywords: bake dessert gluten-free grain-free nut-free soy-free cacao powder coconut chocolate cookie

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Ingredients (makes 9-12 cookies)

• 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chunks
• 2 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup raw cacao powder, or unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup coconut sugar, or sucanat
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
• 3 large egg whites
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Heat oven to 325˚F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Bring a small saucepan of water to a simmer. Place chocolate chunks in a small bowl heat-proof bowl, and set over saucepan. Stir until chocolate is melted, and set aside to cool.

In a large bowl or stand mixer with paddle attachment, stir together the coconut, cacao powder, sugar, and sea salt. Beat in the egg whites and vanilla until incorporated. Stir in cooled chocolate and mix until everything is well combined.

Using a large cookie scoop or ice cream scoop, drop about 2.5 Tablespoons of the batter onto prepared baking sheet - space at least 2 inches apart.

Bake for 15 minutes or until just set. They will take on a shiny look. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on the baking sheets to let the macaroons firm up. Store in a sealed container. These macaroons do very well in the freezer, where they will keep for up to 2 months.

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Homemade Ketchup

This homemade tomato ketchup will blow your socks off! Trust me. This is the good stuff!

You know, you could probably fool your own family into thinking that it's the real thing. But you'll be the only one that knows there's no unnatural ingredients in it.

Are you sold yet?

The best part is that it took me only about 5 minutes to throw together. It's really that EASY. What I love about it is that making it yourself allows you to control exactly what goes into it.

I think Ketchup goes back to pretty much almost everyones childhood. I am right? I can't say I was one of those kids that was obsessed with it, but it was always on the table when we had BBQ burgers and hot dogs or french fries. Oh, and my brother's specialty fried egg sandwiches that he showed me how to make; we always had ketchup on those!

This ketchup is clean and made with all natural simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand. It's amazing on scrambled eggs and many other things, but one of the best ways to enjoy it is dipping french fries and roasted potatoes in it. Oh-so good! That sweet + sour combination is just too irresistible. Most store bought ketchup brands are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup. Instead I used organic sucanat as a sweetener, which is unrefined. Coconut sugar or muscovado sugar (an unrefined brown sugar with a strong molasses flavour) work great as well. 

This stuff is so good you might just be tempted to eat it straight out of the jar. I won't blame you if you do ;)

Homemade Ketchup

by Jennifer Trennum

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Keywords: dips, spreads lunch gluten-free grain-free low-sodium soy-free vegan vegetarian tomatoes summer

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Ingredients (makes about 1 cup)

• 1 can tomato paste
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tbsp sucanat or coconut sugar or muscovado sugar
• 1/4 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together in a measuring jug or small mixing bowl. Store in a sealed mason jar or air tight container.

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