In the spirit of Valentine’s Day’s descent, I thought it would be appropriate to write about all things sweet for the February column. Sugar is something with which we’re all very familiar, and most of us likely have a love-hate relationship. We know that the processed, refined, crystal-white, poisonus and drug-like table sugar is, well, bad news, so how are we supposed to satiate that ever-more-annoying sweet tooth?
Not to fear. I’ve done my fair share of searching, and found that my cravings for sugar are squashed by many things you can pluck from nature: Dried fruit, raw cacao, raw fruit juice, and raw honey. Naturally super sweet, and not the least bit dangerous. For more, read the column here!
Speaking of raw, holy Mother Nature! Have you ever eaten something so full of nutrients that you felt a sort of divine energy just coursing through your veins? If not, pay closer attention the next time you eat a piece of fresh fruit and I’m sure you’ll know what I’m talking about. It’s the beauty of raw foods, my friends. It’s the beauty of the heavenly bliss-nuggets at the end of this post.
I’m no specialist (yet), but I have always loved the way food tastes in its purest state of being. Of the many cookbooks in my collection, a handful of them feature inspiring ways to prepare meals without using animal products or high temperatures. I’ve dipped my toes into the pools of raw foodism over the years, read many articles, and learned as much as I could about the pure, potent power of unadulterated foods and why they help us prevent disease. This quest for knowledge is never-ending. While I’m an advocate of the balance is key ideal, I do believe that eating this way on a regular basis is very beneficial. In my opinion, food is medicine. When we eat fresh, nourishing food straight from the earth, we feed more than just our empty stomachs. Whatever your beliefs about diet, the point is that I love raw fruits and vegetables and I can’t help but share my enthusiasm with you.
By keeping nutritional integrity in mind, I think it’s possible to have our cake and enjoy it too. As I said, I am not a nutritionist, and everything expressed here is simply my well-researched opinion. If you’re curious, here are some great posts I’ve read recently about sugar and the benefits of raw food. Check back for more posts on this, and I'll try to compile a list of useful books and tidbits for you. What follows is a recipe I’ve played with for quite some time, and found it perfect for mid-afternoon or dessert-hour munchies. Of the many versions I’ve tried, this one spices things up with chili powder and cinnamon for circulatory benefits and exceptional flavor. They require less than 15 minutes from start to finish, and are well worth the time they take to chill in the fridge. If you’re looking for something to replace processed sweets, these are the way to go.
Spiced Hazelnut Cacao Balls :: Makes about 15
Full of enzymes, healthy fats, protein and vitamins, they satisfied my cravings for chocolate all week long. You could technically use unsweetened cocoa powder instead of raw cacao, however nutritionally speaking it’s not quite the same. Word to the wise: I could never have just one.
1/2 cup almonds
1 cup pitted dates
2 tablespoons hazelnut butter
3 tablespoons raw cacao powder
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Roughly chop the dates. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a food processor, grind the almonds until fine. Add the remaining ingredients and process until fully incorporated. When well-mixed but still crumbly in texture, stop processing.
Shape small handfuls into balls or squares. Roll in more cacao powder (optional) and place on baking sheet. Chill for one hour before serving, and store in the refrigerator for about one week.