Have you ever tasted Nutella? A few months ago was the first time I did. AMAZING! Nutella is not something you want hanging around the house. It is way too tempting to eat especially if you are a chocolate lover like me. This recipe has a similar taste to Nutella. The combination of hazelnuts and chocolate is out of this world! Raw cacao is a 100% organic, vegan, a delicious source of antioxidants, magnesium, iron and fiber. Cacao powder is a healthy alternative with all the chocolate taste, but without the sugar and processing. Cacao powder is very expensive($10-$15 per bag) so if you are on a budget you can also use cocoa powder. It won't have the same nutrients but works just fine. The good thing is you only need 2 tablespoons of cacao powder so the bag will last a while.  Adding a touch of cinnamon enhances the chocolatey flavor. Serve these on Thanksgiving Day so you are not tempted by all the pies, cakes and cookies. You can still enjoy a little sweet treat without the added sugar.

Chocolate Hazelnut Cacao Balls
Gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, Paleo

Ingredients

1 cup of hazelnuts
5 large Medjool Dates
1/4 cup Raw Coconut Cacao Bliss
2 tablespoons cacao powder or cocoa powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup 85% cacao chocolate(melted or chopped) or enjoy life chocolate chips
2 stevia or 1tablespoon raw honey

Directions

1. Soak dates in hot water for 3-5 minutes to make them soft then puree dates in food processor. 

2. To the food processor add the hazelnuts, cacao powder, salt, cinnamon, vanilla, stevia or honey and mix for 1-2 minutes.

3. Using parchment paper, line a cookie sheet. Scoop out 1 tablespoon of the dough and roll into a ball or use a mini silicone muffin pan, drizzle 85% cacao chocolate on top or sprinkle with enjoy life chocolate chips.

4. Refrigerate until firm. Eat and enjoy!

Each 1 tbsp size ball has approximately 75-100 calories.

I was inspired by Adrianna Harlan when creating this recipe.

Products I use for this recipe:

Enjoy Life Mini chips

85% Cacao Chocolate

Paleo, Gluten Free

 I am thrilled to share this new recipe with all of you. Some of my friends/clients know that I gave up almond butter and raw nuts about 3 months ago. As I get older I have realized my stomach cannot digest them the way it used to be able to. To be honest, I was eating too much almond butter. I was addicted. I would put it on my banana in the morning, on an apple in the afternoon. Too much! I have always had a sensitive stomach like my Dad. I would feel very bloated and NEVER hungry. Not good considering the intensity of my workouts.

Anyway, I went cold turkey one day and I have not had any raw almond butter out of the jar or raw nuts BUT I do use almond flour, almond butter and nuts in my cooking and that is perfectly digestible....Thankfully! My point is since giving up nuts I switched to sweet potatoes and eggs for breakfast. I feel soooo much better, stronger in my workouts and never bloated. Give this recipe a try, it is sweet and a little salty at the same time, easily digestible and extremely satisfying. Nothing better.

Ingredients

-1/2 pound chicken apple sausage sliced or any sweet sausage of choice
-12 eggs
-sweet potato mashed(recipe below) 
-1 tbsp olive oil
-salt and pepper to taste

Directions
1) cook sliced chicken sausage in pan with olive oil on medium heat til crispy, brown on both sides(3-4 min).
2) Using a muffin tin lined with parchment paper muffin cups or a silicone muffin pan place 1- 2 tbsp. sweet potato mashed in bottom of each muffin cup.

3) carefully crack eggs in each muffin cup.

4) add 2-3 slices of chicken sausage on top of each egg.

5) sprinkle each muffin cup with sea salt.

6) bake for 20-30 minutes in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees.

Sweet Potato Mashed Recipe

1) place 4-5 sweet potatoes individually wrapped in foil, in crock pot, on low for 8 hours or high for 4-6 hours.

2) take out when potatoes are soft, unwrap and place everything but skin in a large bowl.

3) add 1 tablespoon or more of cinnamon.

4) 4-5 tablespoons KerryGold unsalted grass fed butter.

5) sea salt to taste.

6) 2 stevia. 

combine all ingredients together when potatoes are warm. Stir well.

**I eat sweet potato mashed every morning with 2 over easy eggs. Absolutely delicious together! Adding the chicken sausage makes it even better.

PRODUCTS I USE FOR THIS RECIPE: Organic Eggs, Trader Joe's Sweet Apple Sausage, Sweet Potatoes, NuStevia and KerryGold unsalted grass-fed butter.

Check out Nicole doing her 2 minute ab-mat sit up test! Way to go Nicole! Nicole was diligent the entire 6 weeks. She worked extremely hard week after week, day after day. Check out the results below...

The number on left of the forward slash is the person's first score and the number to the right is after 6 weeks of working hard on making their core strong. PERFECT form Nicole!

Nicole 47/59

Trish 64/70

Ellen 53/61

Siobhan 53/59

Jillian 38/50

Jen 57/79

Carolyn 52/62

Pete 35/54

Erin 67/74 (not feeling well)

still waiting to test..

Lisa 59/

Mary 46/

Elaine 40/

Deanna 32/

Laura 35/

FANTASTIC JOB EVERYONE!!!!