Tuesday, December 16, 2014

3 ingredient Clean Eating Chocolate



These little nuggets are like Doves dark chocolates.  I like these better.  I have been playing around with chocolate recipes on the web and have found a few things out: 
-If you are trying to make candy without white sugar, then Pure Maple Syrup makes a good replacement.  Honey sinks to the middle to fast and so the edges of the candy tasted BLAH. Agave wasn't sweet enough for it or maybe I should say for me.
-The type of cocoa powder you use makes or breaks this recipe.  If you don't like these the first time you make it try a different cocoa powder.  I use the stuff from the bulk bins at Winco.  Simple and it works well in this recipe.
-They have to be stored in the fridge. Coconut oil turns into a liquid at 76 °.  These are not M&M's, they will melt in your hand.
-Don't be fooled into thinking you can eat a lot of these since they are not made with white sugar.  Coconut oil and Pure Maple syrup are high in Calories so these are about 50-56 calories per chocolate.  It depends on how much you put into your mold.  My silicone molds are mini ice cube trays.  Each square is 1 ¼ inch by 1 ¼ inch,  I fill them ½ full.
-I bought my molds at the Outlet Malls in Park City.  I don't know the name of the kitchen store but it's right next to Mrs. Fields.  Don't ask how I know that, ☺  okay I LOVE cookies.   Ikea also has some molds that would work. 


3 Ingredient Clean Eating Chocolate
 by: Homerunrecipes.blogspot.com

1/4 Cup Cocoa Powder
1/4 Cup Coconut oil
3- Tablespoons Pure Maple Syrup


Put coconut oil in a microwave proof bowl and microwave for 30 seconds or till melted.  Stir in cocoa powder and syrup. Stir till it's all blended well.  (I stir for a good 2-3 minutes).
Next put into silicone ice cube trays or silicone muffin cups.
Put into freezer until they have set up, about 30 min.  Pop them out into a contain and store in fridge or freezer.
****I prefer to eat them from the freezer.  Try dipping it, or use manners and spread with a knife, almond butter or peanut butter on it, right before you eat one.  It's a little piece of heaven. 

Monday, December 15, 2014

Success and Failure

Is it becoming a rare thing to find people HAPPY for their acquaintances, friends, or family who've succeed or accomplished something?  


Something to think about ............ the last time you accomplished something.
-Did you hesitate to tell people for fear you'd make them feel bad?
-Did you hesitate to share your news because it wouldn't be celebrated?
-Did you share your great news to only have people respond with an excuse why they didn't do it too?

In college I took an interpersonal communication class and felt like a light bulb went off in my head when I learned this.  I still don't remember it all the time.  I feel like I should apologize to all those amazing people who shared their stories of success and I didn't make a BIG DEAL about it.  It is human nature to feel distress when others do amazing things and we feel like all our attempts turn into failures.  Just because we may have failed at something Does not mean we are failures.  Shut off that voice in your head that says you can't do it, or that should've been you, or why not me.


While I was thinking about this post I went to help in Art class at my children's school.  The teacher told a story that illustrates this perfectly.  Leonardo da Vinci was helping on a painting with his art teacher and other students.  Back then they could make more money by working together on paintings.  In the picture just below they can see signs of Leonardo's work through out the painting, but the story goes with the angel on the right.  When he finished painting the angel his teacher NEVER painted again.  He declared that Leonardo da Vinci was a much better painter.  HOW SAD to quit.  Think of all the other students he could have taught or paintings he didn't create. 


Let's be rare and practice our interpersonal communication skills by..........celebrating the success of others.