If you follow us on Instagram, you know that our 30 Day Refined Sugar-Free Challenge left us feeling healthy and inspired to eat healthier sweet treats. During the 30 days of abstaining from sugar, we noticed that our energy levels increased, our minds felt clear and focused and our skin looked healthier than ever! Before starting the challenge, we were both chocolate addicts! We both love dark chocolate and would eat 4 squares per night. After completing the challenge, we conquered this habit and can now eat it in moderation. During the challenge, we each saved 2,370 calories, 180 grams of fat, and 90 grams of sugar just by cutting out chocolate! With results like these, we both realized that a sugar-free life is a healthy life. However, we have adapted our refined-sugar free challenge into what we’re calling a “sugar conscious lifestyle.” Part of living a balanced life is eating in moderation and being realistic about your goals.
So, we strive to eat an abundance of fresh vegetables, fruits in moderation, healthy sources of protein, and good sources of fat. When we need something sweet, we make a conscious decision to choose a healthy, yet satisfying option such as a Chocolate Fig Cookie with Coconut and Sea Salt, which, by the way, contains only 5 grams of sugar!
These little treats are the perfect solution for when you’re craving something sweet but still want to stay healthy. They are cute enough to serve for a party yet easy enough to make and keep on hand for when your sweet tooth strikes. The fiber in the figs and the protein in the nut butter allows the sugar from the figs and chocolate to be absorbed slowly. That’s why it’s always smart to consume something that contains sugar with something that contains protein and fiber.
This a more glamorous way to eat figs than the fig newtons that we all remember from childhood. Not to mention, they contain much fewer ingredients, are vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free. The best part about these treats is that they are ridiculously easy to make. Since there are so few ingredients in these treats, it’s important to use quality ingredients. We suggest Olympiana Jumbo White Figs, Endangered Species 70% dark chocolate and MaraNatha Crunchy Raw Almond Butter or Peanut Butter. Chocolate can sometimes contain gluten either because of an ingredient used to make the chocolate or because the company makes it on shared equipment with other products that contain gluten. Endangered Species Chocolate is safe since it doesn’t share equipment with gluten-containing products. Additionally, Endangered Species insures that their chocolate contains less than 10 ppm of gluten in their chocolate which is less than the 20 ppm that is required for a product to claim that it is gluten-free and safe for people with Celiac Disease and gluten sensitivities. If you cannot consume soy products, use Enjoy Life’s dark chocolate instead.
Fresh figs are available June through September but dried figs are available year round. Figs provide a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin B6, copper, potassium, manganese, and pantothenic acid. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants, nut butter contains healthy fats and protein and coconut contains lauric acid which helps your body use calories for energy instead of storing them as fat. Basically what we’re saying is that these treats are as good for your body as they are for your soul.
- 8 Figs
- ¼ cup almond, peanut or other nut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- 8 walnut halves
- Shredded coconut
- ⅓ of a 70% chocolate bar, melted
- Sea salt
- Soak the figs in warm water for about 5 minutes to make them easier to eat.
- Mix the nut butter with the vanilla.
- Drain the figs and pat dry.
- Melt the chocolate in the microwave. Start with 30 seconds, stir, then microwave for 20 seconds at a time until the chocolate has melted.
- Place figs on parchment paper and place a nickel-sized amount of nut butter mixture on top of each fig.
- Place one walnut halve on the top of each fig.
- Dip just the top of each fig cookie into the melted chocolate, place on the parchment and top with a sprinkle of shredded coconut and sea salt.
- Place in the refrigerator for at least ten minutes to allow the chocolate to set.
- Before serving, allow to sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes before eating.
We hope you enjoy making these cute little cookies as much as you enjoy eating them!
As always, we send you LOVE and PEACE without grease!
XO, The Glisten Girls