The first one I will present is another version of my energy ballZ… Raw Sugar Cookie Dough Bites meet Raw Brownie Batter Bites!

Recipe:  in a food processor mix…

1 cup dried dates

1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

1/2 cup walnuts

1 tbsp honey

1 tbsp maca powder

2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa

2 tbsp golden flax meal

2 tbsp chia seeds

(brands of each product I use will soon be posted under the vittles tab – stay tuned).

And, the next to share: DRAGON FRUIT!

Clearly I need to perfect my slicing skillZ.  This fruit is very interesting to cut as it is slippery and the skin is rough to cut through.  Dragon fruit does not have much taste – slightly sweet, but the flavor is very mild.  The skin is very bitter and does not add much taste, perhaps it detracts from the overall flavor.  My husband suggested removing more of the pink skin before slicing it into pieces – I agree!  I have to watch some youtube videos to teach myself how to make this fruit even more beautiful when prepared; I will get back to you with some tips.  I paired this fruit with coconut whipped cream I made.

Finally, I perfected the paleo whipped cream after a failed first attempt with use of the entire can of coconut milk.  To prepare this topping I opened 2 cans of coconut milk, scooped out the top layer (this thick mixture is the coconut cream) and left the liquid coconut milk in the can.  Instead of wasting the byproduct I poured it into a Fred & Friends silicone ice cube tray and placed it in the freezer.  These frozen coconut cubes will be great to pop into a smoothie instead of ice cubes – richer flavor!  Back to the coconut whipped cream preparation – after I had removed all of the coconut cream I placed it in the mixing bowl of a Kitchen Aid and added the whisk attachment.  I began whisking the cream and poured in 1 tbsp of coconut palm sugar.  I skipped the vanilla extract for this batch, but contemplated adding it since I am basically addicted to vanilla flavor.  I thought the mixture would need to be whipped for quite some time, however, unlike heavy cream the coconut cream is already thick and just needs a little fluffing up!

Before you sweet on folks get in a quick ab workout after a brisk walk with the baby:

Fitness Blender HIIT Workout for Abs & Obliques (this websites gives you a breakdown of the workout)

and as always:

peace. love. paleo.