My Paleo Valentine

My friend, Kindra, is a paleoista and an amazing blogger.  With Valentine's Day around the corner, this is perfect timing.  I'm super grateful.  Thanks, friend!

My Paleo Valentine! 12 Chocolate Recipes to Melt Your Lover’s Heart!

Standard Warning: CHOCOLATE ON THE BRAIN!

Let’s talk Valentine’s Day, shall we? It’s about a week away, and since my hubby will be gone the 13th and 14th, we’ll be celebrating even earlier. Never too soon to be thinking of your one true love on a completely manufactured, made-up, marketing scheme of a holiday. All skepticism aside, I will be making him some fun goodies to take to the fire station to share. Here’s a few ideas I gathered that could all be thought of as Valentine treats, which dials down to “chocolate covered.”

Chocolate Covered Strawberries!


Chocolate Covered Bacon


Paleo Chocolate Magic Shell


Dark Chocolate Covered Hasselbacks!


Gingerbread Cake Pops with Dark Cacao Frosting


Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies!


Paleo Mug Cake


Gingerbread Pumpkin Doughnuts with Chocolate Glaze


Best Ever Paleo Lava Mug Cake


Dark Cacao and Bulletproof Coffee Nutella


Almond Flour Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies


Nutella Croissants

Breakfast Cookies

My kids were super excited to have cookies for breakfast and you don't have to feel guilty. These are a great addition to your breakfast repertoire.  Don't let the name fool you, though.  They are a great after school snack, too!

Paleo Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies by The Girl Who Went Paleo 

Ingredients:

¼ C pureed pumpkin

½ C almond butter

½ C honey
1 t vanilla
1 C almond meal/flour
1 t cinnamon
¼ t baking soda
½ C walnuts or pecans, or whatever you'd like 

 ½ C dark chocolate chips or any dried fruit, optional

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350˚ F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper
• Combine all wet ingredients together
• Add dry ingredients and combine thoroughly
• Scoop batter onto prepared cookie sheet
• Bake approximately 10-15 minutes, according to thickness
• Cool 2 minutes and transfer to cooling rack  

"Peanut Butter" Cookies

I've been on the hunt for a good cookie recipe that fits in with our new way of eating.  I came across a blog and instantly liked Tara because she was so honest about how her "peanut butter" cookies turned out.  She didn't like them and she told her readers not to make them.  I felt challenged and inspired.

Here is my version of "Peanut Butter" Cookies: 

Ingredients: 

• ½ cup chunky, organic, raw almond butter*
• ¼ cup coconut oil 
• 3t stevia (we use NuNaturals brand NuStevia powder) 
• 1 egg 
• 1 ¼ cups Bob's Red Mill finely ground almond meal/flour 
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• Trader Joe's 73% dark chocolate candy bar, cut into big chunks

• Directions:

1. Cream together 1st four ingredients
2. Stir in flour & salt
3. Drop spoonfuls on ungreased baking sheet
4. Add a chunk of chocolate to the top and press it in a bit 
5. Bake at 350º for about 8-10 minutes

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• The cookies got two thumbs up from the whole family.  Carly, my 12-year old, said they tasted like almond butter.  I take that as a compliment.
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• And in spite of how her cookies turned out, you should check out Tara's blog, Always Underfoot.
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• *we don't eat peanut butter (or peanuts) anymore for a few reasons: they are one of the most common food allergens, they contain anti-nutrient lectins, and are especially susceptible to a mold that produces a mycotoxin called aflatoxin.  Read more about toxic peanuts here.
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