Birthday Treats: Raw Chocolate Caramel Slices

Hello everyone!

Its June and even though the weather in Amsterdam isn't the most sunny at the moment I can't help but smile knowing that it's one of my favourite times of the year. I do have to say I am exhausted, the season at the Dutch National Ballet is coming to an end with only 5 more working days left and with 4 more performances in our last program "Transatlantic". I have had an adventurous season and have learned lots, and developed in ways of dancing and in everyday life. I am very happy and grateful for all the kindness that have been shown to me. With the end of the season being quite demanding both physically and mentally my body has asked numerous of time for some sweet treats, and of course how could I refuse myself of chocolate, and cake? It is the month of my birthday, and why not?!

On the day of my birthday I didn't really have the time to celebrate with stage rehearsals all day and night. So naturally I decided to scroll through both Instagram and Pinterest and find anything that I fancied... and truth be told I wrote down about 5 different choices. As of now I have already made 2 out of these 5 desserts, and I think I will make my way through them all eventually... but there is one that I must absolutely share with everyone... this is probably going to be one of my all time favourites for a very long time.

I don't remember why I almost started drooling when I saw this picture (probably because there was chocolate), I was literally almost late for a rehearsal because I was so excited and determined to make this for my birthday. I believe the picture of this dessert was floating about on Instagram, Im not a hundred percent sure which account, but it was beautiful. It was a Triple Layer Chocolate Caramel Slice... Ok if this doesn't make much sense, (so the first layer the Base, then the Caramel, and finally the Chocolate). Now what made this so exciting for me was because I wanted to figure out a way to make this recipe healthy... so that I could eat it for breakfast if I wanted, hahaha chocolate for breakfast YES PLEASE!

It took a bit of research, trial and error, but finally I can share my favourite version of these scrumptiously healthy chocolate treats. Did I mention its Raw, Vegan, Gluten Free, and most importantly super delicious. These slices won't be spiking blood sugars, in fact most of the sugar in this recipe comes from dates. So yup its super healthy, and will give you plenty of energy and happiness.

So lets get into the recipe!

Ingredients:

Base:
-1 cup Cashews
-1/3 cup Shredded Coconut
- 3/4 cup Soaked Dates
- Pinch of Sea Salt

Caramel:
-1 cup Soaked Dates
-3 Tbsp Coconut Oil
-3 Tbsp Tahini
-1/2 Tsp Vanilla Powder
- Pinch of Sea Salt

Chocolate:
- 3 Tbsp Cacao Powder
- 2 Tbsp Coconut Oil
- 3 Tbsp Maple Syrup
- 1 Tsp Carob Powder
- 1 Tsp Cacao Nibs (for sprinkling on top)

Directions:

1. Place the cashews and shredded coconut together into the food processor and process roughly together.
2. Drain the soaked dates (Don't throw away the date water, use it as a sweetener for other recipes) and add it along with a pinch of sea salt in the food processor along with the cashew and coconut and give it a few pulses until combined.
3. Press the dough into a lined square tin, (Mine is 23 cm (9") and place into the freezer to set.

4. For the Caramel place all ingredients into the food processor and blend until smooth. Spread this mixture evenly over the Base you just made, and place this back into the freezer.
5. Next for the Chocolate, melt the coconut oil, and add in the maple syrup. The heat should be quite low.
6. Whisk in the cacao powder and the carob powder. Keep whisking till the cacao and carob have dissolved into the mixture.
7. Now drizzle the Chocolate over the Caramel layer and sprinkle on the cacao nibs.
8. Cover with a plastic wrap and place into the freezer. This should set and be ready in less than an hour.

* If you don't like Cashew Nuts feel free to swap it with Almonds, or Walnuts, even Pecans would work very well.

* If you don't like Tahini, Almond butter, or Cashew butter, even Peanut butter would work too. (I personally love what the Tahini brings to this recipe)

* For the Chocolate remember to keep the heat of the saucepan on low and keep whisking to prevent it from burning.

So after waiting about an hour or so take it out of the freezer and just let it rest in room temperature for a few minutes. Now all you have to contemplate on is how you will divide up these slices. I managed about 9 squares... I had some left over ingredients from the base so I used two small oval ramekins as well. But the more the better in this case I say... It all comes down to the size of tin you use. Mind you my slices weren't exactly all consistent in size, the chocolate is slightly delicate to cut but the imperfection of the cuts just makes it look extra rustic and beautiful.

To really indulge myself even more I made a Raw Vanilla Cashew Mylk, and seriously a glass of this mylk with a slice of this Caramel square... is simply heavenly. (The recipe for the "Vanilla Cashew Mylk" will be up in a future blog post.) I had a really awesome birthday thanks to these little squares they were really better than any cake I could have asked for, not to mention they are much healthier. Please let me know if you end up trying this! I would love to know how it goes!!! 

xoxo

Coco

Heart-healthy bowl of Goodness

Good morning everyone! I hope you all are having a wonderful week. The weather has been beautiful the past week. Here in Amsterdam we had a few days where the temperature was 18 degrees, and we were hit with an abundance of sun, which I feel "O so grateful" for. I now write to you on a much less sunnier Thursday where I am at home free of work. On these days where I am free I really like to spoil myself with breakfast. Usually during working days because I mostly active all day I cannot exactly stuff my belly to the point of where my tutu doesn't close. Besides there is absolutely no time for that during work. But work aside on these free days I love to be spoiled and take the time to sit down to a warm bowl of my favourite "Superfood Oatmeal".  Seriously this stuff makes me feel like a princess, its one of those stay in bed and cozy sweaters all day kinda comfort foods, and it is super simple to make.

Ingredients:
- 1 cup Water
- 1/3 cup Oats
- 1/4 cup Coconut Milk
- 1 tsp of Sweetener of choice
- 1/2 ripe banana (mashed)

Topping Ingredients:
- 1 Tbsp Chia Seeds
- 1 Tbsp Hemp Seeds
- 1/2 to 1 Sliced banana
- 1 large handful of Blueberries
- 1 Tbsp of Almond Butter
- 2 Tsp Maple Syrup
- few dashes of Cinnamon 



How To:

1. Start with a small to medium pot, and fill it with a cup of water, bring this water to a boil
2. Add in your 1/3 cup of Oats and let that cook
3. As the Oats cook pour in 1/4 cup of Coconut Milk (Optional)
4. Prepare 1/2 of a smashed ripe banana, and incorporate this into the oats
5. Sweeten with stevia, or coconut sugar, or maple syrup (Optional)
6. Keep stirring
7. Pour into your favourite cozy bowl and now its time to make it awesome

So now that we have our Oatmeal finished, we can really start to have fun... here is where you add all your favourite toppings. The possibilities are seriously endless. I personally love to top it off with some sliced bananas, an abundance of blueberries, a generous sprinkle of chia and hemp seeds, a heaping tablespoon of almond butter,  a drizzle of maple syrup, some goji berries, cocao nibs,  and sprinkles of bee pollen. Ofcourse I don't put all these topping on in one bowl, but these are just some of my personal faves. There is no limit. Oh and don't forget a dash of cinnamon!

With a cup of coffee on the side I'd say Im all set for the morning. I really hope you give this a try, it is super simple, and adjustable to your liking. Enjoy this "heart healthy bowl of goodness" and I send you all lots of love and happiness from my bowl.

xoxo
Coco

Happy Easter!

I guess I've never really celebrated Easter until this year, you see I grew up with Asian parents who never have celebrated this holiday. I do however always think of Easter as that holiday where parents hide eggs for their young ones to find, the supermarkets shelves are fully stocked with chocolate eggs, and there are displays of bunnies almost everywhere one looks. Though Easter has become more of a commercial holiday (just like all the other holidays) it is a holiday to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. I am not a Christian, but that does not mean that I don't believe in "God" and it also does not mean that I cannot celebrate Easter, I think everyday is a gift and it should be celebrated as you want. And so after 20 Easter's in my life I have decided this 21st Easter was one where I would celebrate.

To celebrate I decided to make a "Superfood Energy Balls", as a replacement for the traditional supermarket milk chocolate eggs, and I made some Sweet Potato Scones, my own version of those tea time Sunday scones.

Superfood Energy Balls

Both recipes are vegan, so it makes everything taste even just that much more amazing.

For the Sweet Potato Scones, I put a spread of Coconut Oil, and Blueberry Jam on as a filling, but they are really delicious on their own as well.

Sweet Potato Scones

Apart from cooking delicious food I also caught up on some much needed sleep... Happy Easter everyone!!!

xoxo
Coco

Coco's Pumpkin Porridge

Hello hello! So with it being the end of November I thought I would share an all time favourite winter recipe that can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, and or dinner. Seriously I could live off of this stuff this whole winter.  It is my incredibly simple, inexpensive, yet delicious "Pumpkin Porridge".



Ingredients:
- 1 cup of white rice
- 1 cup of pumpkin purée
- 3 cups of water

Steps:

1. First rinse your rice 3 times with water to make sure its clean
2. Place your rice into a medium sized pot along with 2 cups of water with the heat on Medium
3. Keep watch of rice and make sure to stir
4. Add water as needed to create "porridge" consistency
5. Add the Pumpkin Purée and stir constantly
6. Once the consistency is reached turn off the stove and serve

* If you do not have Pumpkin Purée on hand, (I personally always make mine) all you have to do is take a cup of Pumpkin or Butternut Squash (both works) and boil it till it becomes soft then mash it with a fork or pop it into a blender.

Growing up in an asian family we would have porridge for most of breakfast, and during sick days, or the winter times. I absolutely love porridge, and it is one of those super cosy and comforting foods to me. I hope you guys enjoy this one! This Pumpkin Porridge, just adds an extra warmth on those cold winter days, it's like a warm hug from the inside.

What's Happening Coco?

So it has been quite some time… Where has Coco been?

Well I haven't had much time over the past 200 something days as when my last post was. But things and I mean many things have happened… So what has been going on?

Well, I have been changing up my diet, while visiting different places for the summer, and touring with the ballet company and dancing a gala in Italy, heading home for summer holidays, and finally on top of all this I was looking for a new apartment for this new season.  *deep breath*  If some of you may not know I am a professional ballet dancer, I live throughout the year in Amsterdam due to work reasons, and during holidays I visit my home of 13 years in Canada. 

Anyways enough about my past, and a little more about the present, and future?

Diet… Before I decided to take a break from blogging, (I didn't really decide… time was a bit of an issue) I was always feeling quite sluggish, and tired. I depended on coffee a lot of the times, and just wasn't happy with how I was feeling overall. I'd get migraines, or upset stomachs often, and would easily catch any type of viruses that was floating around. With our demanding schedule of dancing around 8 hours a day, well I didn't feel like my body was up to the challenge and I was slowly feeling more fatigue and pain as the season progressed. Along with this because of the "Sluggish" feeling I didn't feel confident in my body and as a ballet dancer it is important to have a "In-shape/fit" figure. I wouldn't say I feel fat, or chubby, but I know my body is made up of what I feed it, and so sometime in April I decided it was time to change up my routine.

So thats whats been up… In the following post I will get into further details of my current diet, and how I made the switch, but for now here is a picture of me dancing and if you guys are interested stay tuned for what really helped me feel my best.

xoxo Coco