love

Valentine’s Day Cookie Sandwiches

Valentine’s day is just around the corner. You’re probably imagining a romantic day filled with love, teddy bears, flowers and chocolate. That’s right, mouth watering, stomach ache inducing amounts of chocolate. Americans will purchase around 58 million pounds of chocolate during the days leading up to V-day. Oh my goji, that’s a lot of chocolate! Instead of going the traditional route of store bought truffles in heart shaped boxes, branch out and make something healthy and delish!

These gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, vegan bite-sized treats provide healthy plant-based fats, natural sugars, macronutrients, and tons of flavor that will satisfy your sweet tooth, give you a little burst of energy, and keep you away from the truffles! Oh, and did I mention… No baking required?!

If you’re short on time, skip the filling and just make the outer cookies for a fun dessert!

Valentine's Day Cookie Sandwiches
Valentine's Day Cookie Sandwiches
Valentines Day Cookie Sandwiches
Makes about 24 one inch heart shaped sandwiches

1 cup pitted Medjool dates (pitted)
1/2 cup unsalted sunflower seeds
1/2 cup walnuts
3 Tbsp raw cacao powder (or 4 Tbsp cocoa powder)
1/2 tbsp pure vanilla extract

Filling:
1/2 cup raspberries
2 Tbsp coconut flour
1 Tbsp coconut oil
1 Tbsp honey or agave
1 tsp vanilla

Blend the sunflower seeds and walnuts in a food processor until finely ground but not a nut butter consistency. Add the cacao powder and vanilla extract and blend again until mixed evenly. Remove pits from dates. Add the the dates and process until a dough like mixture is formed. You should be able to sculpt the dough without crumbling. Remove the dough from the food processor and transfer onto a large piece of wax paper. Cover the top of the dough with wax paper, and flatten with a rolling pin. Place the flattened dough in the freezer (with both sheets of wax paper) while you make the filling. For the filling, combine raspberries, coconut flour, coconut oil, honey, and vanilla in a food processor and blend until smooth. Transfer the filling mixture onto a large piece of wax paper. Cover the top with another piece of wax paper and use a rolling pin to flatten. Transfer the filling (with wax paper) to the freezer. While the filling is setting, remove the outer dough from the freezer and remove the top layer of wax paper. Using a 1 inch heart shaped cookie cutter, cut the dough into hearts. Remove the filling from the freezer and remove the top layer of wax paper. Using the cookie cutter, cut the filling into hearts. Place one heart of filling over one cookie heart, and top with another cookie heart to form a sandwich. Store in the freezer until served.
Note: I used frozen raspberries in the filling to expedite the setting process.

Valentine's Day Cookie Sandwiches

Love Spell

Today, my heart is heavy. This past weekend, I lost one of my best friends, and heaven gained another angel. This angel being extremely goofy, sarcastic, and creative!
This has been a reminder of just how precious our days are. As my world has turned completely upside down, I am left with so many amazing and funny memories that we spent together. In the spirit of Valentine’s day this week, make the best of every moment with your parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends and tell them how much you love and appreciate them. Show them your love not only on Valentine’s day but everyday, for life is entirely too short.

This week has just begun, and it has already been so challenging. I’ve noticed my eating behaviors changing, but I am trying to stay strong because I know that is what he would want. Instead of isolating myself and crawling into a hole, I want to celebrate his life and continue doing what makes me happy: creating new recipes and blogging!

With that said, it’s time for some Monday motivation.
Motivation Monday: “Your stomach shouldn’t be a waste basket.”

This Valentine’s Day, love yourself and your body.
Love everything you have been given, and love your life.
Show your body some love with a fresh Love Spell juice!
This juice is sweet, highly nutritious, and absolutely gorgeous.
Make a juice for you and your sweetie this Valentine’s day, cheers!

Love Spell Juice
Love Spell Juice
Love Spell Juice
Love Spell
Serves 1

4 carrots
1 fuji apple
1/2 medium beet
1/2 lemon
1/2 inch piece of ginger

Rinsee the carrots, apple, and beets. Cut beet in half. Cut the lemon in half and remove rind.Cut ginger into a half inch section and chop off the skin. Juice, and enjoy! I also adorned my juice with heart shaped slices of beets!
Note: I like to refrigerate all of my ingredients before juicing so my juice is nice and cold!
ANother Note: I recommend using organic fruits and veggies for juicing. No one wants wax from a shiny apple in their juice, EW!

Love Spell Juice