Treat Treats as Treats

This simple food rule from Michael Pollen reminds us how important it is to manage our sweet consumption. A big problem with our commercially prepared food is that sweet treats, for special occasions used to take time, and love, and special ingredients to prepare, now a cheap and dirty version is available in every corner store and vending machine. Sweet treats that were once eaten on occasion because they took time to prepare are now consumed daily! That’s just not a good idea when you’re trying to make lifestyle decisions that support health. Sugar is a tricky monster too, for some it can be frighteningly addictive so a bite here or there can be a slippery slope.

Now don’t get me wrong I love a good, healthy treat here and there myself, but after years of trial and error of experiencing how my body responds to sugar, gluten and dairy, and especially when this troublesome trio is combined, I have become very selective in what my treats are…and they are just as enjoyable as any other!

Favourite Healthy Treats

Right now my most favourite treat is a maple praline tigernut scone from DelishKitch.ca and my favourite dessert to serve guests is a bowl of fresh organic berries tossed in maple syrup with a square of dark chocolate. It’s surprising something so simple (and healthy) can satisfy the sweet tooth!

Let this serve as a gentle, loving, self compassionate reminder to treat treats as treats (as Michael Pollen would say)

Dr. Terry Wahls (The Wahls Protocol leaves us with this decadent treat she calls Wahls Fudge. It’s great if you are try to put weight on, but enjoy it sparingly if you’re trying to lose weight!

Wahls Fudge

Makes 20 servings

This is a marvelous sweet treat with raisins, but you can use any dried fruit, like plums, dates, or cherries. The coconut oil keeps the carbohydrates from entering your bloodstream quickly this is an excellent treat that will hopefully help you to adjust to a new of eating. For those of you who are reducing their carbohydrate intake, omit the raisins, though you will have to cut back considerably on cocoa to keep the fudge from being too bitter. (Start with ¼ teaspoon). This is ideal for people who are losing too much weight when they change their diet.

Ingredients

• 1 cup coconut oil
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup walnuts (soaked)
• 1 medium Hass avocado, peeled and pitted
• ½ cup dried unsweetened coconut
• 1–2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder

Put everything in the food processor and blend on high until smooth. Press mixture it to and 8 x 8 Glass baking dish and place in the refrigerator. Keep refrigerated. Makes 20 servings.