4-Ingredient Low-Carb "Nutella"

In the week before my period, my food preferences change to more decadent and grounding foods. This includes DARK CHOCOLATE! Sometimes I bake or buy bars sweetened with honey or coconut sugar, but this week I was spending time with my family and wanted something more fun and shareable.

I had tried making this before over the holidays, but it came out WAY too thick with coconut oil. This time, I used MCT oil instead, which is liquid at room temperature. It produced a much more spreadable result. 

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4-Ingredient Low-Carb “Nutella”

Yield: 20
Author:
Prep time: 5 MCook time: Total time: 5 M
Great with fresh fruit, drizzled on yogurt, or by the spoonful. Lasts one week unrefrigerated or up to one month in the fridge.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 c hazelnuts
  • 1/2 cup MCT oil
  • 1-3 T raw honey (If you like really dark chocolate or are using with sweet fruits, 1T is great. If you are sharing with kids, use closer to 3T.)
  • A pinch of sea salt

Instructions:

How to cook 4-Ingredient Low-Carb “Nutella”

  1. First, blend hazelnuts and MCT oil in a high-speed blender or food processor for three minutes or until smooth. Then add cacao powder, honey, and sea salt. Blend until incorporated.

Notes:

I made the first batch with only one tablespoon of honey. My dad and I loved it, especially with the apples and berries. However, it was too bitter for my two-year-old nephew - so I will use more honey next time when sharing with kids.

Calories

115.56

Fat (grams)

11.25

Sat. Fat (grams)

4.92

Carbs (grams)

3.38

Fiber (grams)

0.89

Net carbs

2.50

Sugar (grams)

2.18

Protein (grams)

1.42

Sodium (milligrams)

6.69

Cholesterol (grams)

0.00
This is with for about 1T of the nutella when made wtih 2T honey
Created using The Recipes Generator

Morning Elixir: Adaptogenic Hot Cacao

Most days, I wake up calm. These days, I might go straight to a yoga class or workout. Everything seems to flow. I might feel like putting on makeup while listening to a podcast. On these days, I whip up a matcha or chai tea on my way to work. These are the days I take on more of everything. I say yes to more. I push myself mentally and physically. I am more social and talkative.

Even though I am generally able to manage my emotions and stay in alignement, some days I still wake up with a feeling of unease. When something doesn’t feel quite right. This usually happens during trasitions - of which I’ve gone through many recently. It feels like fear, and so I limit things that heigten that fear state (i.e. caffeine, intense exercise, social commitments, news, and social media). These days, I lay in bed longer. I meditate or walk - but don’t immediately get in the car or on the bike. I listen to music instead of podcasts.

I move s l o w l y.

Because of the global climate and my concurrent fragile inner environment (as I nagivate aforementioned personal transitions), these mornings have been somewhat more common lately. I will return to my beloved matcha soon (and even to the occasional coffee someday!) - but right now, I’m opting for something much more soothing. So, here it is folks - my adaptogenic hot cacao. It’s calming yet energizing, feminine yet masculine, sweet yet savory. With only around 12mg caffine + calming herbs, it does not overstimulate my sympathetic nervous system or adrenals, but definitely gets me going in the morning. I usually drink this around 8am, and it keeps me full until around 10-11am when my body is ready for something solid.

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Adaotogenic Hot Cacao

Makes about 16oz

  • 1 T coconut butter

  • 1 T cacao powder

  • 1 t manuka honey

  • 1 t gelatnized maca

  • 1 pack Four Sigmatic Lion’s Mane (Includes Lion’s Mane for focus with Rhodiola for adrenal/mental health)

  • 1 scoop collagen

  • 14oz hot (near boiling) water

Put all ingredients in high-speed blender. Blend until frothy. Sip slowly & enjoy :)

Herbal Bliss Balls

These are one of my favorite ways to get supportive herbs in on a daily basis. The herbs used are the ones I have found support my mood and energy when taken regularly. Feel free to sub for other herbs, but keep the amount of dried ingredients about the same for best results.

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Herbal Bliss Balls

Makes about 10 large balls 

  • 1/3 cup dried fruit (raisins, dates, or dried mulberry - soaked for a few hours in warm water, then strained) 

  • 1 cup sprouted seeds*

  • 1 cup shredded toasted coconut

  • 10 Brazil nuts

  • 3 T almond butter

  • 1 t ashwagandha

  • 1 t rhodiola

  • 1 t reishi powder

  • ½ t vanilla powder

  • 1 t cinnamon powder 

  • 1 t gelatinized maca powder

  • 1 t lucuma powder

  • optional: ½ cup cacao nibs or 100% chocolate chips 

Blend all ingredients (besides cacao, if using) in a food processor or high-speed blender until incorporated. Then add cacao/chocolate chips if using, and pulse for a few seconds. You can leave some chunks for texture. Form into balls and place in fridge to set. You can store them in fridge for a week or freezer for up to a month. 


Note for menstruating women: For seed cycling, use pumpkin seeds during menstrual and follicular phases and of your cycle and sunflower seeds during ovulation and luteal phases. Learn more here: http://www.leefromamerica.com/blog/seedcycling