*Ahem* I've been wheat-free for about two years or so now; and I also have a host of other things I should be staying away from. My mom's newest idea is to go on a sugar-free diet.
And I'm like... "What about chocolate?? And all these delicious dessert recipes I found on Pinterest that I want to try out??"
Yes, I like sugar as much as the next person. But lately, I've been really interested in health foods. I mean, I'd way rather skip the donuts, cake, and Butterfingers than enjoy them for a moment, and then have a stomach ache from their wheat content. And I would just as soon not drink soda and chew gum if it's going to help my teeth stay decay-free. And have you ever read about how much sugar causes problems in your body?? I'm realizing more and more how important keeping our bodies healthy is. We need to take care of our temples!! -Feel good, and stay strong and fit to serve God and our fellow people!
Going on, I decided to try out some fun (crazy), sugar-free recipes. I'm craving chocolate. I'm craving sweet.
So I made Garbanzo Bean Fudge.
Yep. That's right. Fudge made out of beans.
The original recipe didn't call for cocoa and honey, but I added some anyway. (They actually called for chocolate chips, so I figured it was a fair trade, *smiles*)
Chocolate Freezer Fudge
Ingredients
- 1 can garbanzo beans (chickpeas) *drained and rinsed*
- 1/2 cup smooth almond butter (or any other nut/seed butter)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 8-10 pitted soft dates
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Sprinkle or two of sea salt
Instructions
Mix all ingredients together in a food processor, until well blended and smooth.
Spoon batter into muffin tins and let sit in freezer for about four hours.
*Yields about 12 fudge pieces (of the size below)*
Yes, I was a little wary, but they actually turned out to be quite good! Of course, if you're used to eating sugary things, these aren't going to taste very sweet. But overall I find them to be a yummy snack. So healthy, good protein, and it satisfies my sweets craving.
Just make sure you use smooth nut/seed butter. My almond butter wasn't smooth, so my batch turned out a little grainy. But still good. Kind of has an almond butter/dark chocolate-y taste. Not a hint of garbanzo beans... :P :)
Yay to yummy, (weird), and healthy foods! :)
I feel like I can survive just fine sugar-free now.
How about you all? Anyone gluten-free or needing to change to a sugar-free lifestyle?
I'm not gluten- or sugar-free, but I'd like to get all corn byproducts out of my house. The goal was to eliminate corn syrup by the second weekend of January, which did not happen (the elimination, I mean. The second weekend of January definitely occurred). I try to cook with as many whole grains and veggies and local/organic products as possible, but laziness and a very strong sweet tooth often win out. And fresh veggies in the middle of winter just don't sound as appetizing...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspiration! Maybe I'll try harder to get all this junk food out of my house now. I could just take it all to work and let my coworkers eat it for me. :)
Haha, yeah, I definitely understand!! It is hard to ignore the unhealthier things when we have them in our house and everyone around us eats them!
DeleteYou're like, veggies? Who wants those? How 'bout a triple chocolate cake? :D That's me anyway, :P
It really helps to have some fun, yummy recipes to try though. And if you take it slowly. I still plan to indulge in a piece of dark chocolate or something now and then, :) Even making this fudge with natural chocolate chips...
Anyway, glad to encourage you!! May we all make healthier choices this year! :) :)
Oh, and I shall be trying to post new, healthy recipes that I found to be good on here often!
Oh cool! My mom is working on gluten-free these days; I don't know how people survive like that! o.o I NEED MY BREAD ETC. Ahem. And chocolate. XD But if you do post some gluten-free recipes, I may have to let my mom know about them since she keeps looking for new things like that. :) We don't do an awful lot of sweets either, and when we cook we use honey or a sweetener called Sucanat which I think is dehydrated cane juice, but it's better for you because they didn't take all the minerals etc. out like in white sugar. :) Best of luck in your food/health journeys! ...Except now I want chocolate. XD
ReplyDeleteHaha... yeah it's pretty hard going off wheat... and especially gluten (I occationally use spelt flour because I'm just wheat-free), the first few months or so. I'm pretty used of it now, although I do feel sorrowful once and awhile when I watch my family eat pizza, ;D Haha.
DeleteOf course! I will hopefully be posting lots of gluten-free recipes here. :) :) I hope they will be of help to your mom.
Yeah, we're trying to use honey a lot too. Hmm, that's interesting. Sounds good, glad that's working for you.
Thank you!! I'm doing quite good so far! :)
Don't speak of chocolate. You're tempting me to break my rules. Hahaha! :) Chocolate is great. I don't think I could ever completely ban myself from it!!