Week of Love: Chocolate Granola Cookies and Dandy Blend Espresso Frappe

Valentine's Day is coming! And what does that mean, Sweet Readers? It's time for the Week of Love, a week full of recipes dedicated to Valentine's Day. And today we are starting off with a tasty pairing...

These cookies and herbal coffee frappe make for a healthy snack or yummy breakfast.

I just so enjoy Dandy Blend. It's an herbal coffee made from extracts of barley, rye, chicory, dandelion, and beet root. It contains no gluten - all gluten is eliminated in extract process. It's also caffeine free! So I feel confident drinking it while nursing or letting my four-year-old have some "tea that has the flavor of coffee," as she calls it. Also its instant, which is super convenient!

A little glimpse of our little boy as I wear him around while drinking my snack. I am so thankful for Moby Wraps and Ergobaby carriers! Who else is a baby-wearer?

 

I buy my Dandy Blend from Amazon in two pound bag because it is the best cost. I put it in two jars, freezing half for later and leaving the other half on the counter to enjoy now.

Here's to Love and Chocolate!!!

Chocolate Granola Cookies
1 cup heaping walnuts
2 cup oats
3/4 cup evaporated cane juice sugar
1/4 cup flaxseeds, ground

1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup applesauce

1 TB vanilla
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup chocolate chips

 

1. In a mini food processor (or regular), grind oats and walnuts until like fine sand.

2. In a large bowl, mix first six ingredients. Add in oil, applesauce, and vanilla then fold in chocolate chips.

3. Drop large tablespoonfuls on cookies sheet or stoneware and bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes (I use stoneware but if using baking sheet might want to check at 12-15 minutes).

Dandy Blend "Espresso" Frappe

1 cup coconut water

1 large scoop coconut cream

1 banana, frozen or add ice if not frozen

1/2-1 tsp spices (cinnamon and allspice or cardamom for Turkish flavor), optional
Seeds from 1/3 vanilla bean

1 heaping TB Dandy Blend herbal coffee

1. Blend in a blender.

Enjoy!

And a Happy Valentine's Day!

Come back tomorrow for a craft!

 

This post contains affiliate links. Buying through these links may help to support Sweet Roots! I thank all my sweet readers for your support!

 

Week of Love: Chocolate Fig Pudding

Oh my figgy darling!

The fig was well-known in ancient times as an aphrodisiac and was thought to encourage fertility. And no wonder... when broken, the soft, plump skin erupts into a million edible little seeds.Their rich colors offer a sweet taste and an enticing texture.

Figs are a good source of Vitamins A, B6, K, and E and are rich in calcium, iron, manganese, and potassium. These plump fruits are also a good source of fiber.

Fiber isn't a word usually associated with Sexy but if we are being blunt, neither is bloated. Fiber can improve performance (in more arenas than you think *wink wink*) and help relieve bloating.

Before we get to the recipe, don't forget to enter the Massage Lotion Bar Giveaway!

Chocolate Fig Pudding
1/2 banana (I used frozen)
3 Tb cocoa powder
1 1/2 cup non-dairy milk of choice
1 tsp vanilla extract or beans from 1/3 vanilla bean
Pinch of Salt
16 dried figs

1. Cut off fig stems if needed. Soak figs in milk (in fridge if you want cold pudding) for one hour or up to overnight.
2. Blend all ingredients in a high speed blender. Serve, refridgerate (or freeze in popsicle mold).
3. Enjoy!

Week of Love: 2 Ingredient Lotion Bars + Giveaway

These two ingredient massage bars are one of the easiest and best gifts a gal or guy can get for Valentine's Day (love massage optional).

The cacao butter lends a rich, white chocolate smell mixed with the sweeter coconut oil. No fragrance is needed although feel free to add whatever essential oils strike your fancy. Try mint for a refreshing bar or orange for rejuvenating. Ylang ylang, jasmine, and rose geranium are all well-known aphrodisiacs.

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These bars are an average ratio of 2 parts cacao (more commonly known as cocoa) butter to 1 part coconut oil. They may seem pretty solid but these little bars warm quickly to our bodies. Feel free to substitute shea butter for cocoa if it's not available.

I used a small heart mold from Target to make mine mini (great for my two year old's hands who loves one after her bubble bath). There are several heart molds on amazon. Or you can line a loaf tin with parchment paper and after they are solid, cut them with a wire (like you would soap) into bar slices).

I buy all of my cocoa butter and essential oils from:
.

You can choose to weigh instead of measure as this is more accurate (I totally eyeballed it).

1 cup coconut oil
2.5 cups cocoa butter wafers

Directions:
Melt in double boiler until completely melted. Stir. Add 30-60 drops essential oil if desired. Pour into molds (or parchment lined loaf tin). Refridgerate until solid (at least four house) or freeze 20-30 minutes.

To gift, place in cellophane bag, empty tins, or in a mini paper box.

I'm giving two sets of three of these little bars away to two lucky winners! Comment below with one of your Valentines Day plans or favorite memory before midnight Tuesday the 12th to enter!

Week of Love: Heat it up with Mango Chili Smoothies

Introducing Sweet Root's Week of Love! Sweet, sweet love!
7 Days of Valentines-inspired recipes (and one craft thrown in there) for you my Sweetlings! Recipes will include figs, chili (today), asparagus, chocolate (of course) and so much more! And we'll even have a recipe for the kids out there!

How does one heat it up with a cold drink? It's a trick raw foodists use - add spices!

And whats a wonderful warming spice that also happens to be an aphrodisiac? Chili with its ability to raise the heart rate and get the blood flowing.

This smoothie can be made with any sort of fruit - raspberries, peaches, and even bananas would be delicious. Frozen fruit can also be substituted for fresh. This would also make a tantalizing ice cream; used canned coconut milk and prepare according to your ice cream machine (I own this cuisinart one) or pour in popsicle molds for an easier alternative.

The smoothie really depends on the ripeness and flavor of the mango. If you end up with a very flat tasting mango, odds are your smoothie will taste flat as well.

Mango Chili Smoothie
1/4-1/2 tsp chili powder (or more for spicier)
1 1/2 Mango (can use frozen if you like)
Squeeze of Lime (or Lemon)
1 1/2 cups coconut milk (or milk of choice)

Add all ingredients to blender (with handful of ice - optional). Process til smooth.

This serves two.

Stay tuned for more sweet, sweet-loving recipes the rest of the week!