…………..
Free From Everything But Flavor….
Gluten-free, Refined Sugar-free, Dairy-free, Paleo, Whole 30 and Digestive Supporting.
My inspiration for these treats came from my need to have a quick snack before the usual morning workout. Stuck in the situation of not having enough energy training on an empty stomach but feeling uncomfortable working out after eating, so before heading off to gym in the morning I down two glasses of water (read my post on the importance of drinking water first thing in the morning for digestion and metabolism), I munch on a few blocks of my healthy homemade chocolate and have the perfect cup of coffee. This combination hits the spot for my early morning training session.
Even though I eat these blocks as a pre-workout snack, they are not high in carbs or proteins, quite the opposite actually since they have just the right amounts of both to give you that energy required to power through anything. Having said that, they’re also great as an in between meals snack or even as an after dinner treat.
About This Healthy Homemade Chocolate Recipe:
The base for these delicious treats is butternut, which is low in calories and even has the ability to stop the body from producing new fat cells, therefore effectively aiding weight loss. It also enhances skin and hair texture due to its high vitamin A content. This wonder veggie is also a good source of fibre, potassium, and magnesium while being fat, cholesterol, and sodium-free.
Raw cacao powder is added giving these treats their chocolatey taste as well as a whole host of other health benefits. Cacao actually increase fat metabolism and improves the body’s ability to metabolise fat, using it up as energy. Don’t get confused with cacao vs cocoa powder, in short, cocoa is the term used for cacao that has been roasted at high temperature, changing the chemical nature of the bean and lowering its antioxidant capacity and nutrients. Cacao has a caffeine-like effect due to theobromine, a molecule similar to caffeine, in spite of the fact that It only makes up about 1-2% of the cacao, it can act as a mild stimulant.
To give the chocolate its firmish texture, I introduced hydrolyzed collagen peptides into it. (you can get this from amazon-link comes up shortly). Collagen is the most abundant type of protein in our bodies (made up of amino acids glycine, proline, hydroxyproline, and arginine). It plays a huge role in rebuilding our joints and tendons, improving gut health, strengthening hair and nails and improving the skins appearance.
Servings:
30+
Cubes
Ready in:
30 Minutes
(+1 hour setting)
Calories:
1500 Total
80 per slices.
Good For:
Snack
Dessert
Nutrition
one cup of cooked butternut (205g) contains
82 calories,
1.8 grams of protein,
0.18 grams of fat and
21.50 grams of carbohydrates.
A cup of cubed butternut squash also provides 582 milligrams of potassium, which is more than the amount present in a banana.
Amounts per serving:
- Protien 6g 18%
- Carbohydrates 17g 53%
- Fibre 5g 16%
- Fat 3.5 10%
The Ingredients Needed:
-
1 cup Butternut
-
1/2 cup Cacao powder
-
1/2 cup Collagen Protein
-
2TBSP Coconut and
-
2 TBSP Nut butter (1/4 cup coconut oil if not using the nut butter)
-
2TBSP Flax powder
-
2TBSP Gelatin (agar agar for vegetarians/vegans)
- Sweetner of choice (molasses, honey, maple syrup, date sauce)
Shop for Equipment and Ingredients Needed:
Step by Step Instructions:
1. Prepare All Ingredients
2. Simmer And Cook Butternut Until Tender
3. Prepare Butternut In Blender
4. Add Cacao Powder to Butternut Along With All Remaining Ingredients.
5. Blend Together While Still Hot.
6. Pour Into Container Lined With Plastic Wrap. Refrigerate Till Set.
11. Remove From Fridge And Cut Into Squares, Dust With Cinamon.
Who would’ve thought butternut could turn into such a delicious chocolatey (health) treat.
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