Sugar-Free, Naturally Sweet Recipes

The sweet taste is essential to our well-being. Sweet foods are good for building and strengthening the body and improving circulation. They also act as a mild laxative and promote compassion and contentment. Unfortunately, many of the sweet foods in the markets today are made with processed sweeteners that are lacking in vital life force (prana) and nutrients. Incorporating the sweet taste into your diet using natural foods means you are getting nourishment and pleasure! To satisfy a sweet craving naturally, try one (or both!) of the following recipes. Dates and almonds are considered rasayanas, or rejuvenating foods in Ayurveda.

Guilt Free Fudge Balls

Yields about 20 servings

Ingredients:

• 6–7 large Medjool dates
• 1 cup walnuts
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon mineral salt

Directions:

Place all ingredients in the work bowl of a food processor. Pulse on high until smooth.

Remove from food processor and roll into little balls.

Serve!

Note:

The type of dates you use in this recipe can greatly change the result. If using smaller dates (such as Deglet Noor), increase the number to about 10–14 dates. If your dates are very dry you may want to add a tablespoon of water. Large fresh Medjool dates work best if you can find them.

Fruit & Almond Breakfast Muffins

Yields 12 muffins

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups blanched almond flour
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon mineral salt
• 2 carrots, finely grated
• 1 large apple, peeled and finely grated
• ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• ½ cup raisins
• ½ cup chopped dates
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 ripe banana, mashed
• ½ cup coconut oil, melted

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line or oil a muffin tin.

In a large bowl, combine everything except the eggs, banana, and coconut oil, and stir to combine. In a smaller bowl combine remaining wet ingredients and beat until combined. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir well.

Pour batter equally into 12 muffin cups and bake 30–40 minutes, or until a fork inserted into the center comes out clean. Store these in an airtight container in the fridge.

Recipes courtesy of "The Mindbody Cleanse" by Ronly Blau and Adrian Nowland.