Tag Archives: chocolate

hazel-bites

I saw this recipe and knew immediately that I needed to make it.  So here it is, with my adaptations…

Ingredients:

Bites:
120 g dates
240 g hazelnuts
40 g chocolate chips, melted
40 g cocoa
1/2 c maple syrup plus 2 tsp
1 t vanilla
1/4 t salt

Icing:
20g cocoa powder
1/4 c maple syrup
120 g avocado

Toasted Hazelnuts
40 g hazelnuts
1 T maple syrup
pinch of salt



Directions:

Pulse 240g (2c) hazelnuts in food processor until it’s finely ground, like a flour. Add dates, 1/2 c maple syrup (plus 2 tsp extra if dough seems dry), 40g (1/2 c) cocoa powder, melted chocolate chips, vanilla and salt (to taste). Process dough until it become sticky and thick.

Transfer dough into an 8 x 8 pan and spread out into an even layer. Cut into even pieces so it will be easy to layer with the icing.

Mix 40g (1/3 c) chopped hazelnuts with 1T maple syrup and a pinch of salt. Place in 300 degree oven until slightly toasted. Keep an eye on these, they will burn quickly once they are done. Set aside to cool while making icing.

To make the icing blend the avocado (1 medium) with 20g (1/4 c) cocoa powder and 1/4c maple syrup and 1/4 t vanilla. Blend until smooth.

Assemble the bites by spreading icing on bottom layer, adding the second bite, layering more icing and finally topping with the toasted hazelnuts.

Enjoy!


Om,
Renata

mOMent: What’s your favorite nut? What’s your favorite nut-butter?

homemade peanut butter cups

These delectable little treats were created by my hubster and I one fun day in the kitchen. I don’t know the exact ingredients, but if you’d like to know how we created them just email me and I’ll let you know. They were so fantastic!

Om,

Renata

mOMent: Yummy things come in small cups…

peanut butter pie

Yep, that is a delicious piece of peanut butter chocolate pie.  It was like a GIANT peanut butter cup!  I used this recipe.  It has tofu and peanut butter so it is packed full of protein and will definitely fill you up…

 

Ingredients:

1 C cooked oatmeal
1 piece of peanut butter chocolate pie

Directions: Mix and mash all ingredients together and enjoy!

Om,

Renata

mOMent:  Have you ever seen a peanut bush?  What did you think of it?

larabar – peanut butter chocolate chip

One of my favorite new discoveries is the peanut butter chocolate chip Larabar. I try to work one into my daily routine lately…just ‘cuz they are soooo yummy!

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
1 peanut butter chocolate chip Larabar
1-3 t agave (if desired)
sprinkle of salt

Directions: Chop or break apart Larabar, mix with other ingredients in oatmeal and enjoy!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Does the moon seem to change your moods? Do you notice different things at different parts of the month? Are you a believer in astrology? Tell me, I want to know…

beach cookie crumble

Yesterday I decided to try a new recipe from one of my favorite vegan chefs, Chloe Coscarellli.  She named these bars beach cookies, and they are fantastic.  Enjoy at your own risk!
Ingredients:
1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
1 T coconut milk
agave to taste (I used a tablespoon and it was a bit sweet)
1 beach cookie (recipe here)
Directions: Mix oatmeal with coconut milk and agave.  Garnish with chewy coconut bar! Mmmmm…
Om,
Renata
mOMent: Are you ambidestrous?  If you aren’t…try to be, just for a few moments.  Switch it up and write your name with your non-dominate hand, or perhaps brush your teeth.  It’s fun, funny and good for your brain.

chocolate strawberry

Two of my favorite sweet-makers joined in an om of the day.  Magnificent!

Ingredients:

1 C cooked oatmeal
1 T kozlowski strawberry sauce
1 T lydias chocolate kreem
Directions:

Mix all ingredients together and enjoy!

mOMent: Have you ever been faced with an experience where you had to ‘fight or flight’?  What did you do?  Looking back, would you do the same given the circumstances?  It’s amazing to observe how the body intuitively knows what is best to keep you safe.

beach cookie crumble

Yesterday I decided to try a new recipe from one of my favorite vegan chefs, Chloe Coscarellli.  She named these bars beach cookies, and they are fantastic.  Enjoy at your own risk!
Ingredients:
1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
1 T coconut milk
agave to taste (I used a tablespoon and it was a bit sweet)
1 beach cookie (recipe here)
Directions: Mix oatmeal with coconut milk and agave.  Garnish with chewy coconut bar! Mmmmm…
Om,
Renata
mOMent:  Emphasis on spirituality can often lead one to forget about the importance of our physical nature.  Do something today to celebrate your body and notice how great you feel!

peanut butter oat blondies

The original recipe came from Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero.

I altered the recipe to include some oats and I substituted chocolate chips for the peanuts.  See my changes in parentheses.

  • 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (I used chunky)
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 non-dairy milk (I used soy milk)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1  cup all purpose flour (I used 1/2 cup AP flour + 1/2 cup oats)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/3  cup peanuts (I used half a bag of chocolate chips)

Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a metal 8×8  baking dish.

In a mixing bowl, use a fork to vigorously mix  together peanut butter, oil and sugar. Stir in milk and vanilla. Stir in  flour, salt and baking powder. Once you get the flour somewhat mixed  in, it’s easier to just use your hands to knead the dough until soft. It  will be very very thick and won’t spread on its own. Transfer to baking  pan and press it into place. Sprinkle on the peanuts and lightly press  them into the top.

Bake for 22 to 25 minutes , the edges should  be just barely coloring. The top will appear soft, that’s okay. Remove  from oven and cool completely before slicing.

Yields 12 Blondies

ufos

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
5 ufos (trader joes dark chocolate mint chips)
1/4 C milk (I used almond)

Directions: Mix until melted completely…Add milk, enjoy.

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Do you believe in aliens?  If so, I want to hear about it…please comment.

cranberry chocolate chip

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
2 T chocolate chips
2 T dried cranberries
1-2 T agave

Directions: Mix 1 T agave with oatmeal well, add chocolate chips and
cranberries.  I like to keep it unmixed so I can have the chocolate chips
intact, but it’s your om of the day…eat it how you love it!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Take a moment to sit still today and imagine that your heart is a glowing ball of energy.  Imagine that the glowing ball of energy fills up your entire body with love and warmth.  Then I ask; What color is it?  Does it have a sound?  What are the feelings associated with this energy?

chocolate orange

Two of my favorite things…Chocolate and orange, together in a bowl of om.  Seconds please?

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
3 slices of chocolate orange
1 t butter
2 t agave

Directions: Mix agave and butter with oatmeal.  Add chocolate to the top of the oatmeal.  If you prefer melted chocolate, mix it up. If not, let it sit on top and eat chunks of it with each bite.  Yum!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Feelings of joy can be overwhelming, sometimes bringing tears to a person’s eyes.  When was the last time you felt joy that was over-powering?

dark chocolate pomegranate

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
1/3 C pomegranate seeds
1 T dark chocolate sauce
1 t agave
salt to taste

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together and a bowl until the chocolate is fully melted and the seeds are dispersed.  Enjoy your anti-oxidant rich breakfast!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Forcing a thought is like twisting open a jar in the wrong direction, it only gets tighter and even less possible to open up…

everything oatmeal cookies

This recipe was originally from a VegNews recipe. The only alteration I made was that I added more salt (because I like my cookies salty).  They were a huge hit!

Makes 8 large or 16 small

What You Need:

* 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 2/3 cup unbleached sugar
* 2/3 cup non-hydrogenated shortening
* 2 tablespoons molasses
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
* 1 tablespoon flax meal + 3 tablespoons water mixed together
* 1 cup rolled oats
* 2/3 cup dried cranberries
* 2/3 cup chopped pecans
* 1/2 cup chocolate chips
* 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

What You Do:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a thin layer of oil.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, cream together sugar and shortening. Add molasses, vanilla, and flax mixture to creamed shortening and mix well. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet and mix together.
3. Fold in oats, fruit, nuts, chocolate chips, and coconut. If dough is too stiff to stir, add as much as 1 tablespoon of water.
4. Measure cookies out with a heaping tablespoon and flatten slightly. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until lightly brown at edges. Store in a covered container to keep chewy.

Om,
Renata

mOMent: If all possibilities were available to you today, what would you choose?

chocolate almond delight

For the chocolate in this I used Lydia‘s raw chocolate sauce, it is so delectable!  However, I’m sure that any chocolate sauce would do.  I’ve left the agave as optional here.  If you prefer your oatmeal sweet add a squeeze or two…

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
2 T chocolate sauce
2 T almond butter
Agave to taste, if you like it sweet!

Directions:

Combine almond butter and chocolate sauce in a small saucepan over low heat.  Stir until well mixed, be careful not to over cook and burn the chocolate.  stir oatmeal and half of the mixture together, add agave if you like.  The rest of the mixture can be added, or used as a delicious topping for something else. Yum!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: The art of creating delectable chocolate is truly amazing.  As with any creation, the more love that goes into the project, the better it is.  Today, add an extra dose of love to whatever it is that you’re doing, and see how the results change.

cashew ‘n chocolate caramelitas

carmelitas

carmelitas

These bars are chewy, gooey and irresistible.  Adapted from this recipe, I used homemade caramel chews, bittersweet chocolate and chopped cashews.  This is perhaps a more decadent way to get in your om of the day…

36 bars

Ingredients

Crust
2 C all-purpose flour
2 C rolled oats
1 1/2 C brown sugar
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 1/4 c Earth Balance, softened

Filling
12 oz thick caramel sauce (I used homemade caramel chews, click here for the recipe)
6 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 cup)
1/2 cup chopped cashews

Directions

1.      Heat oven to 350*.
2.      Grease 13×9 inch pan.
3.      In large bowl, blend all crust ingredients at low-speed until crumbly. (I used my hands)
4.      Press half of crumb mixture, about 3 cups, in bottom of greased pan.
5.      Reserve remaining crumb mixture for topping.
6.      Bake at 350* for 10 minutes.
7.      Meanwhile, in small saucepan heat caramel until fluid.
8.      Sprinkle warm crust with chocolate chips and nuts.
9.      Drizzle evenly with caramel; sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.
10.      Return to oven and bake an additional 18 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. (Mine took an extra 10 minutes)
11.      Cool completely.
12.      Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours or until filling is set.
14.      Cut into bars.
15.      Enjoy!

mOMent: Modern machinery has taken the place of doing many things we used to do by hand.  Is there anything that you prefer to do by hand? Why? And, what do you get out of doing things in this way?