Sweet Enough

Many of my friends who want to lose weight and ‘get fit’ say there is one stumbling block in their way - chocolate! And why, of course it is. Chocolate taste soooOoo good and in fact there are many reasons why we love it and don’t want to give it up.

1.    Chocolate has a melting temperature just below that of the human body, so when we eat it we get that melt in the mouth feeling that is pleasurable.

2.    Chocolate contains natural chemicals called opiods.  These chemicals are also found in Opium, they dull pain and increase the mood of a person adding to our overall feeling of wellbeing.

3.    Chocolate is associated with love!  We tend to receive chocolate as gifts at special times in the year, particularly from a loved one.   Advertising has also added to this psychological relation between chocolate and love, resulting in a feeling of being loved when it’s ingested.

4.    Chocolate is good for you.  The cacao bean that forms chocolate, in it’s natural form has many flavanoids and antioxidants that help fight cancer and heart disease as well as support good cardiovascular health.

5.    It taste great!
 

I have a particularly sweet tooth.  No meal is complete for me unless it is finished with something sweet. Here is one of my favorite recipes for that little something.  I was taught to make these from a dear friend of mine Gaynor Burton who runs ‘Fit Fish’ – weekend retreats for everyone who wants to get fit in body, mind and spirit. Check it out www.fit-fish.co.uk

Day 2: Chocolate Florentines:

This recipe makes about 6-8 Florentines.

4 level tbsp of Coconut Oil (this can be pricey; £6 a pot, but lasts for a LONG time)

4 handfuls of porridge oats

2 tbsp of Dark Cocoa powder (Bournville is best)

Dried fruit and nuts of your choice chopped into small pieces.

·          I like to use Cranberries (gives that extra sweetness)Almonds, Linseed and sultanas.

Method:

1.    Melt the coconut oil in the microwave for 45 seconds or until completely melted

2.    Add in the porridge oats and cocoa powder and stir until all ingredients are mixed together.

3.    Add in your dried fruit and nuts and mix in well.

4.    Empty onto a non stick baking tray and push down into the corners and until the mixture is flat and compact. Put in the freezer for a minimum of 15 minutes.

5.    Once the coconut oil has set, cut up the Florentines into 6-8 pieces and enjoy! (not all at once!)

 

A lovely tip if you are cooking with kids or friends is to each make their own Florentine. Reduce all the ingredients by ¼ and each person should mix their ingredients in a mug or cup.  Have a selection of dried fruit and nuts in bowls so that each person can then choose their own ingredients to add to the oats mixture.  Once mixture is complete, empty it out into a yoghurt pot lid, wrap in tin foil and leave in freezer for 10 minutes. J