Valentine's Raw Avocado Chocolate Mousse
Love Yourself To Life!
Yesterday morning I lead yet another early bird spin class full of hard-working, sweat-dripping FlyRiders at Fly and we were definitely feeling the love! As Valentine’s Day approaches, it can be a time of overwhelming emotion for many of us--some positive, and some negative. My playlist and message in class was that whether you have someone to share this holiday with or not, there should be no shortage of self-love!
Ultimately, you can't expect to be loved by anyone else until you learn to truly love yourself. Part of loving yourself is pushing yourself to try new things, face your fears, embrace your flaws, and accept your weaknesses. We are all perfectly imperfect!
The other part of loving yourself is treating yourself, and what better way to do that than with a guilt-free, yet incredibly delicious dessert?! It wouldn't be Valentine's Day without a little (or a lot) of chocolate! However, my Raw Avocado Chocolate Mousse recipe is anything but unhealthy--in fact, it's raw, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and packed full of antioxidants and healthy fats!
Feel free to jam out to one of my favorite songs from yesterday's ride while you peruse, and click here to visit my Spotify channel, where you can check out more of my favorite songs & playlists to work out and rock out to!
The breakdown
Avocados actually contain more potassium than bananas and are one of the few fruits that have a high fat content, but, it's the good kind! Healthy fats are actually good for our heart and cholesterol levels, so don't fear the fat! Avocado also does wonders for hair, skin, nails--you name it--this super smooth superfood is one you don't want to go without. Check out my simple Holy Guacamole recipe here!
Bananas are full of potassium, as we well know, but did you know that when a banana is leopard-spotted it is actually ripe and ready to eat? I used to eat my bananas even when they had a some green on them, until I learned that a fully ripe banana is so much sweeter and better for you, because all of the starches have converted into sugars that your body can then use for instant fuel and energy. It also makes for a super-sweet addition to a refined-sugar-free dessert! For more on the benefits of fully ripe bananas and the lowdown on Fruit vs. Refined Sugar, visit my blog post to read up on why fruit won't make you fat!
Cacao is virtually the same as cocoa, except that it is raw, whereas, cocoa has been roasted at high temperatures. Raw foods retain all of their living and active enzymes that aid in healthy digestion and antioxidants that fight off disease-causing free-radicals in the body. Raw! Raw! Raw! For more on the benefits of cacao, check out my top 10 superfoods blog post!
Dates are the sweetest of all the fruits, and are full of natural, unrefined sugars. I love to use dates as a replacement for other less healthy sweeteners like regular table sugar and syrup. They also make a great on-the-go snack, packing a good amount of calories into a small tasty package that you can bring anywhere with you! For another delicious date recipe, check out my Rad Raw Blackberry Cheesecake recipe here!
Sea Salt is simply evaporated salt water, and is an upgrade from regular table salt because it contains trace minerals that the body needs in order to thrive. Adding just a dash to a sweet dessert can help to really round out the flavor.
Raw Avocado Chocolate Mousse
raw, vegan, gluten-free, refined-sugar-free, oil-free
It wouldn't be Valentine's Day without a little (or a lot) of chocolate, however, my Raw Avocado Chocolate Mousse recipe is anything but unhealthy--in fact, it's packed full of antioxidants and healthy fats, and best of all, it is oh-so fluffy, smooth and sweet! Share it with a loved one or better yet, treat yourself without the guilt! This recipe also makes the perfect fruit dip or goes great spread on toast!
ingredients:
very ripe, speckled banana
very ripe, soft avocado
2 tablespoons cacao or cocoa powder
5-8 pitted & soaked dates (or other sweetener)
dash of sea salt
method:
Pit dates and soak in warm water.
Place peeled ripe banana in food processor or high speed blender along with avocado and blend for a minute or so, scraping the sides in between if need be.
Add in cacao or cocoa powder, sea salt, and pitted dates and make sure slightly mixed in before turning food processor or blender on again.
Blend for 2 minutes or so, scraping down the sides as you go. Give it a taste test and add more sweetener accordingly.
Dish up, top with fruit and a sprig of mint and enjoy!
options:
top with cinnamon, coconut flakes, a sprig of mint, and/or fresh berries
use as a fruit dip
use agave nectar, coconut nectar, maple syrup, or stevia for sweetener in place of dates
spread on toast or use as a fruit dip
Treat Yourself
This Valentine's Day, treat yourself and shower yourself with unconditional love! Release what isn't serving you and embrace what is!
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