Clean Recipe - Chocolate Goji Berry Benefits

Clean Goji Berry Recipe and Benefits

Goji Berries are a pleasant new addition to my diet. I had been seeing them included in recipes, read many articles and seen a few documentaries that mentioned that goji berries are considered a superfood and that they are highly beneficial for multiple reasons. Being that I am constantly on the hunt to expand the selection of clean natural foods in my pantry I decided to pick some up at my local health food store. Goji berries are about the size of a raison and, as seen in the above photograph, are a beautiful rich reddish-orange color. When eaten on their own they are sweet with a slight bitter quality. I have been experimenting with them over the past few weeks sprinkling them on smoothie bowls, salads, adding them to trail mixes and most recently I modified my Raw Chocolate Energy Bar recipe to include goji berries. I have enjoyed them every way I have tried though I do prefer them as and addition to other foods rather then on their own. Here are just some of the suggested benefits of adding goji berries to your daily diet.

"A remarkable concentration of antioxidants that help combat premature aging, with 10 times more antioxidants than red grapes and 10 to 30 times the anthocyanins of red wine.

A synergy of monounsaturated (healthy) fats, dietary fiber and phytosterols to help promote cardiovascular and digestive health.

An almost perfect essential amino acid complex in conjunction with valuable trace minerals, vital to proper muscle contraction and regeneration.

The fatty acid content in Goji berries resembles that of olive oil, and is rich in monounsaturated oleic acid. Oleic acid is important for a number of reasons. It helps omega-3 fish oils penetrate the cell membrane; together they help make cell membranes more supple. By keeping the cell membrane supple, all hormones, neurotransmitter and insulin receptors function more efficiently. This is particularly important because high insulin levels create an inflammatory state, and we know, inflammation causes aging."

For more detailed information on goji berry benefits visit this site: http://www.gojiberrieshealthbenefits.com

                          And now for the recipe:

Ingredients

12 pitted organic Dates

2 Tbsp Flaxseed Meal

1 Tbsp Goji Berries

4 tsp organica Cacao Powder (+ additional 2 tsp for topping)

3 tsp Maca Powder

2 tsp Carob Chips or Cacao Nibs

2 tsp raw organic Honey

2 tsp organic Coconut oil

Blend all ingredients together in a food processor. Roll a full tablespoon of dough into a ball. Sprinkle  2 tsp cacao powder on cutting board and roll balls until fully coated. (this last step is optional but I it is a great way to add more superfood qualities and helps the balls to not be so sticky when storing and holding them) Store in refrigerator for up to a week and Enjoy!!

            

 

Raw Recipe - Chocolate Energy Bar

Raw Chocolate Recipe

Im sure by now it has become apparent to those who have visited my site before that I have a major sweet tooth. Im constantly trying to find new ways to get cure my sweet tooth and ensure that my body is still fed with the proper nutrients it needs to look and feel its best. I love baked goods. Brownies, cakes, muffins, mmmmm. But the longer I go sticking to a mostly clean diet the harder it is for me to eat the versions of those things I can find in a store. So instead I make my own. These bites (which can also be made into a bar) are close to being a 100% raw food, gluten free and are infused with several superfoods! They taste as though I rolled brownie batter into a ball, The perfect healthy sweet tooth cure that can be eaten as a snack or dessert. Best part is they only take 10 minutes to make and are ready to eat immediately!

Ingredients

12 pitted raw Dates

3 Tbsp Cashews

3 Tbsp raw un-sweetend Coconut Flakes (2 for batter, 1 reserved for topping)

1 Tbsp Coconut Oil

4 Tsp raw Cacao Powder

4 Tsp raw Maca Powder

2 Tsp raw organic Honey

Place all ingredients into a food processor.

Once all ingredients are well blended together (dough will be coarse and have small chunks) take a full tablespoon full of dough and squeeze and roll into a ball using your hands.

Once all dough is rolled sprinkle the remaining coconut flakes on a cutting board and roll the balls in it until well coated (optional step)

Yields about 12 balls.

Store in refrigerator for up to a week.

Clean Recipe - Overnight Oats - Peanut Butter and Jelly

Overnight Oats Recipe - Peanut Butter and Jelly

If you have yet to try overnight oats, I highly recommend you remedy that real soon!! :)

Overnight oats have become a standard addition to my refrigerator. Once you try them it is easy to tell why these are my go to breakfast. With no more then five minute of prep time, endless flavor possibilities, and the ability to "grab and go" overnight oats will quickly become a busy body's best breakfast companion!

This recipe is a great standard base for overnight oats. You can add just about any fruit or flavor addition and it will taste delicious.  The other morning as I was running out the door to a hike I grabbed a jar of the peanut butter oat base, added banana slices and a drizzle of honey.... All I have to say is Yum!

Oat Ingredients:

1 cup Organic Rolled Oats

1 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk

1 cup Plain Greek Yogurt

2 tbsp Fresh Nut Butter (or 2 tbsp PB2)

2 tsp Honey

2 tsp Maca Powder

Place all ingredients in a medium jar stir well and store overnight or up to 5 days in refrigerator. Makes 2 Servings

Jelly Ingredients:

1/2 cup Strawberries

1/2 cup Frozen Rasberries

Puree together add to oats and Enjoy immediately!

Want to try other delicious overnight oat recipes? Here are more of my favorites.

Lemon Chia Overnight Oats Recipe

Simple Overnight Oats Recipe