Chocolate Truffles & Paleo Protein Bars

Whole foods can be luxurious treats to savor. The possibilities for living natural are endless when you discover all the options with whole food ingredients. Chocolate is a super food as long as it’s in it’s raw state or minimally processed. Nuts and seeds are some of the most nutritious foods on the planet, filled with B-vitamins that keep us calm when we’re stressed, Magnesium which helps relax our muscles and our mind, and of course protein which can balance our blood sugars and give us the stamina to keep on course. These nutritious nuggets would be perfect for a road trip or camping, filled with pure energy.

 Keep some in the cooler when you travel or next to your desk when you’re working and you won’t be tempted to load up on sugary treats because you’ll be prepared. You could call these truffles “mood food” because the ingredients are well known for their qualities to support brain and neuron support keeping you focused and clear thinking.

Luxurious dark chocolate truffles can pack a nutrient punch, it’s all in the ingredients you use. No processed sugars or maltodextrin chocolate coatings. The ingredients you use in your treats will either make it purely indulgent or luxuriously nutritious. I’ve chosen the latter in these recipes. Now you can have the best of both worlds, and without breaking any New Year’s Resolutions to eat healthier. There are plenty of ways you can be healthy and indulgent on a budget, in fact I think that using chemical loaded products or food actually ruins the experience for me whether it is a day at the spa or night out with my husband for a romantic dinner. If I know that what I am putting into or on my body is going to make me feel good then I find I really enjoy it much more.

We’re getting ready for Valentine’s Day in our home this week, the kids are making homemade valentines and we’ve been recycling crayons into heart shaped molds for friends.  But I have chocolate on my mind, chemical-free, dark chocolate truffles that are decadent and easy to make at home. You can decide how sweet they are and what type of sugar, though for the most organic treats I would definitely skip the white processed sugar. My favorite for this version is agave nectar which has a nice smooth consistancy for little luxuries that melt in your mouth.  These are definitely worthy of packaging up and gifting to your favorite sweetheart on the 14th. This recipe is an adaptation from KCsKafe.com. It’s really a great base recipe that you can adjust to fit the ingredients you have on hand and your flavor preferences:

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Chocolate Truffles & Paleo Protein Bars

Yield: 24 small truffles or 12 large

For Peanut Butter Truffles: exchange almond milk or coconut cream for 1 T organic peanut butter and add 2 tsp cacao powder. If needed, add more cacao powder or peanut butter until the mixture can be shaped into a ball. Refridgerate.

After chilled, dip in melted dark chocolate and cool on parchment paper. Add pure, food grade essential oils like tangerine or orange for a flavor variation.

Ingredients

• 1/4 C Raw cacao powder
• 1 T Organic coconut oil or ghee (clarified butter)
• 1/2 tsp Pure vanilla extract
• 1 T Agave nectar
• 1 tsp Coconut cream or almond milk

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients and mix well.
2. Shape into teaspoon size balls and roll in chopped nuts, chia seeds, shredded coconut, cocoa nibs, goji berries, wolf berries or cacao powder.
3. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

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Optional add-ins for variety:

• Fill each truffle with a single nut like hazelnut, macadamia or almond.
• Add chopped nuts to cocoa mixture before rolling in balls.
• Add dried fruit bits for a flavor boost.
• Add a drop of peppermint essential oil (dietary supplement only) for an energizing bit.

Add a drop of cinnamon or orange essential oil for a flavor boost

Make sure pits are removed from 2 C. of dates

Soak dates in 1 cup of pure water and 1 tsp vanilla or (optionally) 2 drops of Therapeutic, food grade pure orange or tangerine essential oil while preparing other ingredients.

Pour nuts & seeds into blender. I used 1/4 cup sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds. 1/2 C brazil nuts. 1 C walnuts & almonds. All organic

Add 1/4 C coconut flour to bind ingredients, then blend. After nuts are finely ground, add dates in a couple at a time. Adding some of soaked water as needed to form a stiff dough.

Scoop dough by scant 1/2 teaspoons. Using a scooper makes it easy with sticky dough.

Refridgerate and serve like this or dip in chocolate.

The best chocolate is organic, Fair Trade and Dark! Optionally add 1 drop of orange or cinnamon essential oil to the chocolate before dipping for a flavor twist

Sprinkle with finely chopped nuts while the chocolate is still moist. Store in an airtight container up to a week in the fridge.

You can get some more inspiration for truffle ideas at Intoxicated on Life where Trisha pulled together 35 gluten free treats for Valentine’s Day.

What healthy treats are you making for Valentine’s Day? Let me know how you adapted this recipe in your home, whether the ingredients you added or how you packaged it.  I’d love to hear your ideas. The sky’s the limit with this basic recipe: fun, easy and yes, a bit luxurious (especially if you get to eat a few!)

Would you like to reduce the amount of processed foods and chemicals in your life?  Are you looking for fun, creative ways to support a healthy body?  Have you invested in pure, therapeutic essential oils to round out your healthy living habits yet? Pure, therapeutic essential oils are a must for any natural home. They are the raw materials to help you DIY for everything from home and body care products to safe flavorings for your foods.  

Healthy Blessings to you!

Sue