Satisfy your sweet tooth!

I have been craving sweets all week and the worst time is right after dinner. Usually I will have a piece of dark chocolate and a yummy medjool date but tonight I tried something different! The idea sparked when I noticed we had an abundance of ripened avocado. I remembered seeing a number of recipes for avocado chocolate pudding! Why not try it! The advantage of having a well stocked pantry is being able to throw recipes together!

All I can say is ‘wow, where have you been all my life!’

Creamy and chocolatey and packed full of nutrients! Try it, you will love it!!

[sc:glory-g text=” Creamy avocado chocolate pudding recipe” ]

(Makes 2 generous portions, you can easily double or triple the recipe for more servings)

Ingredients:
1 ripe avocado
2 tablespoon coconut oil
1/4 cup agave
2 dates soaked in warm water for 15 minutes and chopped
1/4 cup 100% organic cacao powder
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup almond milk

1. Add ingredients to a blender or food processor.
2. Blend until smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add additional almond milk until the pudding is the consistency you want.
4. Spoon into bowls, cover and chill.
5. Top with your favorite chopped nuts, unsweetened coconut or raspberries. Or swirl in natural peanut butter or smashed ripe banana! The possibilities are endless!

 

Avocados contain 20 vitamins, minerals and beneficial plant compounds that can enhance the nutrient quality of your diet. The fat in avocados is unsaturated (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats), making them a great substitute for foods high in saturated fat. They contain beta-sitosterol a natural plant sterol which may help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Avocados contain lutein and  zeaxanthin, carotenoids which research suggests may help maintain eye health as we age.

Coconut oil contains a lot of medium chain triglycerides, which are metabolized differently and improve our body’s ability to absorb important minerals. The medium chain triglycerides in coconut oil have been shown to increase 24 hour energy expenditure by as much as 5%. Coconut oil contains lauric acid and monolaurin which kill harmful pathogens like bacteria, viruses and fungi, helping to prevent infection.

And of course besides the yummy taste of chocolatey cocoa, it may actually have significant health benefits. An analysis of 21 studies conducted by Harvard researchers shows that cocoa consumption is associated with decreased blood pressure, improved blood vessel health, and improvement in cholesterol, among other benefits.

We saved some for tomorrow but I am going back for more! – Kimberly Joi Cohen