"Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first." - Ernestine Ulmer

Hi, I'm Jennifer Trecartin and I'm a chocoholic.

Yes, it's true: a holistic nutritionist and a chocolate addict all wrapped into one and I am not afraid to show it. Luckily, I have figured out a way to feel guilt-free when I discovered the magic of raw chocolate. Raw chocolate is a whole world apart from the cooked chocolates you find in candy bars, cakes and cookies. It is also known as Therobroma Cacao, which literally means "Food of the Gods".



Chocolate Cream Pie

This is the creamiest, richest, AND healthiest pie I have yet to create. There are over 25,200 antioxidants in every spoonful of raw cacao powder so you don't have to feel guilty when asking for seconds!

Crust:

1 cup almonds
1 cup pecans OR walnuts
1 cup Medjool dates, pitted (approximately 10) OR 1 cup raisins
1 tsp cinnamon OR 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground cardamom and 1/4 tsp ginger powder

Place the nuts and spices in a food processor fitted with the "s" blade and process until finely ground. Add the dates and process until well combined. Press the mixture into a deep 9 inch pie plate evenly along the bottom and sides. Once you have sculpted the crust, chill it in the fridge of freezer to set while you make the I've-died-and-gone-to-heaven chocolate cream filling.

Filling:

2 avocados, pitted and diced
1 banana, peeled and sliced
18 Medjool dates, pitted
2 tsp of real vanilla extract OR powder
1/2 cup cacao powder

Place the filling in the pie crust and use the back side of your spoon or a spatula to spread it around and to make it look pretty. Put it in the freezer to set for about an hour. While you wait, give me a call and I will be over to enjoy a slice ASAP!

Hugs and chocolate,
Jennifer xo

Cookie Heaven

These protein rich cookies are a dream! You will most likely have all of the ingredients on hand and they take about 20 mins to make from start to finish. Bonus points- they are free of gluten, eggs, and dairy and still taste like a real cookie! I think the Cookie Monster will even approve of these little morsels.

Ingredients:
(makes 8 cookies)

1 cup ground nuts (I used almonds today, but pecans and walnuts also work well.)

½ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp cloves
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp allspice
**Use any or all of the spices listed as you see fit. I am the kind of girl that does a sprinkle of this and a dash of that. Let me know if you come up with any great combinations!**

¼ cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract or a ½ tsp of real vanilla powder

Method:

Mix dry the ground nuts and spices together in a bowl. Add the maple syrup and vanilla and stir until everything is well combined. Drop in teaspoons on a baking sheet. Bake at 300’ for 12-15 minutes. Be sure to let the cookies cool before attempting to move them or they will just crumble and fall apart.

Also, for my dear friends with nut allergies: I have tried these using sunflower and pumpkin seeds instead and they were equally as tasty. Hooray! Life is good.

Enjoy, and don't worry about feeling too guilty if you end up eating the whole batch!

Health and happiness,
Jennifer xo

Laughter is the best medicine

"A day without laughter is a day wasted." -Charlie Chaplin

Research is suggesting scientific truth to the age old adage, "Laughter is the best medicine". Scientists are examining how laughter can help:

Protect the heart Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems. It has been shown to improve your HDL (good cholesterol) levels and reduce inflammation.

Support Immune System Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.

Soothe Stress A study by Loma Linda University revealed that laughter helps lower the stress hormone cortisol by 39%. It also triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals promoting an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

And so much more!

So, my edible advice of the week is to call up your friends and get together for a healthy feast (visit myedibleadvice.com for recipes) and lots of laughter!!!

One love,

Jennifer xo