Indulging Healthfully...in Nutella!
Mmmmmmmm….Homemade Nutella!😋
Being healthy doesn't mean being deprived! I mean, who in good conscience could deprive their kids (or themselves!) of nutella??
I believe that learning to indulge healthfully in our favourite foods is key to a healthy lifestyle. How can we be successful when deprivation exists? If we’re constantly feeling deprived, that means we’re constantly unsatisfied, and if we’re constantly unsatisfied, that means we’re constantly relying on our willpower to keep us on track (and we all know how that story ends….knee deep in a tub of ice cream at 3AM).
BUT, if we learn how to indulge in our favourite foods while at the same time nourishing our bodies from the ingredients we use, then the excess weight, the cravings, and the binge eating all go away. Our bodies change dramatically when they are fed foods that allow them to thrive.
That's why I love finding recipes that allow me to indulge in my favourite foods while at the same time, allow me to nourish my brain and my body.
This is one such recipe. Healthy “Not-ella”. Not only is this nutella recipe delicious, but hazelnuts are incredible little things that are very nourishing to your body.
Hazelnuts :
are a great source of fiber
they promote heart health (contain a large amount of monounsaturated fatty acids, which help to reduce LDL cholesterol (the “bad” kind) and increase HDL cholesterol (the “good” kind))
they’re filled with anti-oxidants and therefore, help prevent cancer
they’re a great source of vitamin E, which helps to fight aging and disease by reducing inflammation.
one serving of hazelnuts can also provide almost an entire day’s amount of manganese
they’re excellent brain foods because of their high levels of vitamin E, manganese, thiamine, folate, and fatty acids, and can help keep your brain sharp and working at its best. They can improve brain and cognitive function and they help prevent degenerative diseases later in life.
they combat obesity as they are great stimulants for a healthy metabolism
they contribute to maintaining healthy skin and hair by improving moisture and elasticity (due to their high vitamin E content).
Amazing little things, right? And they’re delicious to boot! Try this recipe and I promise you, you won’t be reaching for anything but your blanket at 3AM.
This recipe is from "Chocolate Covered Katie”, and if you're not familiar with her website, you should check it out, she puts a healthy spin on a ton of traditional treats and the recipes are really easy to follow.
Recipe:
Ingredients
• 2 cups raw hazelnuts (240g)
• 1 1/2 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp plus 1/8 tsp salt
• optional: 2 tsp coconut oil (for extra smoothness, but it's still very smooth if you leave out the oil)
• 1/2 cup milk of choice
Instructions
Roast hazelnuts for 6-8 minutes at 400 F. Rub them together in a paper towel to get the skins off. (It’s ok if a few stubborn skins won’t come off.) In a Vita-mix or food processor, blend the nuts until they’ve turned to butter, then add all other ingredients and blend a long time until it’s smooth like Nutella! Spread on toast, rice cakes or a simply a spoon, and enjoy (with none of the guilt)!
