{Sugar Free 'Truffles}

A new and beautiful friend dropped these around to me and they hit the spot when you are banning sugar from the house. Thanks Sarah!
I asked her what she put in it and have played around with the amounts of ingredients so I can replicate them at home. And I have made many batches.

My 3 year old is "clock-lat" (chocolate) obsessed. These are the perfect treat for him to curb the sweet tooth. He actually really loves dates too (as they are giant "tarnees" / sultanas) so he loves these a lot!


Batch makes 36 bite sized 'truffles':::

Ingredients:
2 cups of pitted dates (the softer they are the better)
1 cup of macadamia nuts (can use cashews, almonds or a combination of any of these 3)
1/3 cup coconut (I prefer using the noisy coconut flakes pictured, but dedicated would also work)
1 heaped teaspoon of Cacao powder (or cocoa if you have that)
2 tsp of coconut oil (melt the pot/ jar of solid coconut butter for a minute in simmering water first)
Extra coconut for coating


Method:
1. Place everything in your food processor and blitz together.
2. If too dry, add a little more coconut oil. If too wet add more dates.
3. Using your hands roll bite sized balls and roll in some extra coconut.
4. Chill before serving with a good cuppa!


Lauren x

{Things I am learning not to miss}

For this year we decided to have a few friends around for New Years Eve. Most of us have kids and trekking into the city with overtired kiddlets in toe doesn't spell fun to us. AT ALL. So, amidst all of the festivities two weeks ago, it turned out that our microwave wasn't working. The part that heats up the food. I may have had a slight panic. Much to my surprise now (due to debating over repair vs replace debate) it has been sitting out of the kitchen and in the laundry. Awaiting the verdict on it's fate. The biggest surprise to me is that in the last 2 weeks, I haven't missed it. I know, I shocked myself as I was first thinking about I use this thing all the time. 

Another thing that I am not missing a lot of, is certain foods.   

As a lot of you know by now, I start every year with a 'Daniel fast' for 21 days. This is basically a plant based diet that I do for health benefits and a spiritual purpose {I have talked about this more here in the past}. 
So I started this year with the usual plan, but I am considering keeping the no-sugar rule slightly longer in a hopes to help me deal with a medical problem I have {I don't talk about it much but here, but it is something that I have been dealing with for ages - click here for more on that}. When I tell people about my fast and sugar free considerations...I am often met with looks of pity and sorrow. 
 
However, once you kick over the first few days which are notorious for lethargy, headaches etc...as your body cleanses itself, the benefits are amazing! I absolutley love the change in my energy, my clarity and I am starting to loose some cm's too! 

You could be forgiven thinking that giving up sugar and processed food {and for me meat - part time} means you are left with a plate of over steamed veggies or a bowl full of lettuce at every meal. But truth is, once you start, the variety is actually quite large. You just have to be creative and plan ahead. 

This year I think I will stick with this eating plan for a bit longer due to my newest cookbook to my collection for Christmas: 'I Quit Sugar' by Sarah Wilson {click here}. If you want to improve your health and do it in style, check her e-book bundle out and for under $30 you will not be sorry!

                                                            

Lauren x

Q: Have you made any changes to your eating so far this year?