Juicer Pulp Sweets and Holiday Treats!

So, I got a new juicer for Christmas, and I couldn't be more stoked about it! After watching the documentary, "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead," I was sold. Juicing is the best way to get all those awesomely yummy micronutrients in fruits and vegetables. You would be too full to eat all that at once!   My mom got me an awesome Breville that I've been using every day, especially since I've caught this nasty cold. I've been making sweet veggie juices ever since. Usually I'll throw in some spinach, lemon, tangerines, carrots, celery, apples, mango, pineapple, and onion. Just kidding, no onion ! :P My Breville is my new baby! The only downside is all the fiber-packed pulp that you're left with. I can't stomach throwing it away.

I found this lovely, nutritious recipe for zucchini muffins from Heavenly Homemakers and decided to give them a go! Not too shabby!

Whole Wheat and Honey Zucchini Bread

3 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup honey
2 cups shredded zucchini (I use my food processor to shred zucchini, skin and all)
1/2 cup melted butter
2 eggs

In a large mixing bowl combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, sea salt, nutmeg and baking powder.  Stir in honey, zucchini, eggs and melted butter.  Mix ingredients until dry ingredients are moistened.  Pour into two well buttered loaf pans.  Bake at 350° for 45-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

There's the final product! Pretty similar to zucchini bread. The truffles in front are raw, organic cacao truffles. Chocolate heaven without the guilt? Um, hello bliss!

I finally got some raw cacao powder, so I headed to the local farmers market and got some of the most decadent organic honey dates EVER. Their creamy, sweet, richness always does the trick for my sweet tooth. After noshing on a few, I conjured up this recipe. It yields about 6-8 truffles.

Raw Cacao Truffles

-10 dates, pitted

-3-4 TBSP raw cacao powder

-1/2 tsp agave nectar

-1/2 tsp coconut oil

-handful of almonds, finely chopped

Blend the dates, cacao powder, agave, and coconut oil in a food processor until a sticky paste is formed. Add more agave or oil if needed. Form into truffle-sized balls and roll in chopped almonds. Stuff face, and enjoy!

My favorite part about these sorts of treats is that I don't have to feel bad about eating 4 of them! If you know me at all you know I have no sense of restraint around sweets. And truthfully, the richness of the truffles makes them satisfying after just one or two.

I hope everyone had an awesome holiday season, and I wish you all a beautiful new year. I am looking forward to being more consistent with my posts this year. 

Love and light, lovelies! 

Kristina XO