How has your weekend been, bloggie friends? Hopefully you didn’t do too much running around in search of the ever-elusive “Perfect Holiday Gift” for that special someone. And hopefully you stayed warm! It’s plenty warm where I am. If you’re just tuning in, I’m in Aruba. Things have been awesome here! In my post yesterday I recapped everything from some Beach Pictures
To Trips and Goodies from the Local Grocery Store
Banana Cake and Pineapple Cake
Muesli Bread
To Some of the Chocolate I’ve both Seen…
And some Fruits & Veggie Plates, Too
Mango…yum!!!
But since I mentioned a few days ago about my Love of Chocolate, with Tons of Recipe Links, including my recipe link for my Raw Vegan Peanut Butter Cups..
…it’s so fitting that my Guest Poster today, the awesomely creative and ever-inspiring Diana from Soap & Chocolate, tweaked my PB Cup Recipe and came up with her own Amazing Dessert Recipe! Enjoy and I will chime back in at the end…
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Averie very kindly did a guest post for me while I vacationed in Japan recently. She is the ultimate raw and vegan dessert master–did you see her raw-veganized peanut butter cups from a while back? I was so impressed by that post that I half-jokingly suggested she do the same for my favorite candy, peppermint patties. She then came up with a recipe for raw vegan chocolate-peppermint donut holes for her guest post on my blog, and I was so excited that she’d indulged my favorite flavor combo that I made them right away. Delish, obviously!
When Averie mentioned that she’d be away at the holidays and would need guest posts for her own blog, I knew I wanted to return the favor. I must still have had peppermint patties on the brain, though, because I ended up making a vegan-and-healthified version for my guest post here. It was really no big deal, actually–Averie did half the work coming up with the peanut butter cup recipe!
2. Melt in the microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Sweeten to taste, if desired (a few teaspoons of agave would probably do it). Stir until smooth.
3. Distribute chocolate among four paper cupcake liners on a plate, coating the bottoms evenly. Transfer plate to the fridge.
4. Meanwhile, mix your filling:- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut shreds
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp agave
- 1 tsp peppermint extract
5. Remove the cupcake liners from the fridge (they should have set fairly solid by now) and top each with a small blob of filling, about 1/2+ tbsp (you will have a little filling leftover, what for instant gratification and such).
6. Melt another two squares of Baker’s chocolate as per Steps 1-2. Distribute melted chocolate overtop each blob of pattie-guts, covering the filling entirely.
7. Return patties to the fridge to set completely, or do like I did and freeze for 15 minutes so dessert comes sooner!
8. CHOMP.
Next time, I will probably sweeten the Baker’s chocolate. I’m all about intense dark chocolate, but apparently I’m not man enough for 100% just yet! 1/2 cup chocolate chips would also work in place of Baker’s chocolate as well, as Averie noted in her PB cup post.———————————————————————————————
Averie again~
Thank you soooo much, Diana, you rock, this recipe is off the hook, and I cannot thank you enough for sharing it! Muah!!!!!!
Yoga Today is Supta Virasana (Reclining Hero Pose). Great for runners or anyone who just wants to get in for a deep quad stretch. Also, this pose is excellent for letting go of things mentally & emotionally, for relaxing, and just letting your mind release. Love this pose for that!
Continuing with the relaxing, releasing, and letting go theme (and if you missed my Tip of the Day yesterday, that’s another one for stress relief)…
Today’s Tip of the Day: Feeling stressed? I recently read that the physical act of lighting a candle is soothing and stress-reducing. So next time you need a little breather, go light up. No, not that kind. Candles!
And for a little extra relaxation, scented candles are awesome. Relaxing and mellowing fragrances/essential oils include:
Lavender, Jasmine, Vanilla, Ylang Ylang, Chamomile, Sandalwood, and Rose.
Here’s a site I stumbled on if you want to read more about calming scents.
Stay Tuned For A Sweet Give Away…
That "Mac and cheese" will have to be made pronto ;-)
Delish! I cant wait to try out that mac and cheese recipe!
Great post! I love those twins, they are so fun and make the best treats, YUM! :)
Oh my goodness! All their goodies look soo delicious and beautiful! Yet another blog I have yet to stumble upon. Aahh the bloggie world is so big. :)
I hate mac n' cheese, and seriously, that looks amazing. Tahini+coconut milk+nooch? Ahh yum. :)
Great guest post!
OMG heaven yum! Quinoa mac & Cheese- what a genius idea! I wonder what the arrowroot is for- a thickener perhaps?? I bought some (it was on sale- DOH) and now I don't know what it's for. Silly me.
I have a weakness for biscotti. Perhaps a raw sugar free version might be a splurge I can handle.
You're 5'11? Me too! My spider senses are tingling for some far off blogging/yoga meet up of tall yoginis.
I didn't know those pretty ladies were guest posting, too. Good choice.
Love the quinoa mac and cheese. I definitely have to try that one. It is right up my alley. Quinoa is my favorite grain. Thanks girls.
Merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah (didn't want to forget your hubby; didn't you say you have a dual household? Pretty cool and very well-rounded).