Peppermint Patty Truffles

Greetings wellness lovers!

I hope you have all been having a great month! My apologies for being MIA... it's been quite a busy month, well year... actually! My husband and I, omg... "husband" is so cool so finally say that, after almost 7 years!... just came home from our week-long honeymoon, and officially tied the knot just before that!

Photos to come...

Anyways... today I have a fun holiday recipe to share with you, by my lovely sister Alyssa, to surly put you in the mood for holiday decorating and preparations!

Peppermint Patty Truffles
by Alyssa Craft, Pure Living for Life

Hello there!

I have a special recipe to share today: peppermint patty truffles!

I decided to get a head start on my holiday recipes this year... and I have a confession. I LOVE York Peppermint Patties. I always have. However, as I am sure you can relate... I am not exactly a fan of the fact that they contain high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavoring and who knows what else...

These peppermint patty truffles are made with only four ingredients: coconut oil, honey, peppermint extract and dark chocolate. (For the maximum health benefits, make sure all these ingredients are organic.) I topped mine with crushed traditional candy canes, but if you are feeling extra healthy feel free to omit this or substitute with your own topping... get creative!

 

Prep time: 30 mins

Total time: 30 mins

Serves: 15

Ingredients

• ½ cup coconut oil
• ¼ cup honey
• ½ tsp peppermint extract
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 2 candy canes, crushed

Instructions

1. Combine coconut oil, honey and peppermint extract in a bowl. Mash until well-mixed.
2. If mixture is not easy to form into balls, then put in the freezer briefly.
3. Scoop out 1.5 to 2 tsp of mixture and form into balls.
4. Place in the freezer while melting chocolate in a separate bowl over the stove.
5. Let chocolate cool a little bit.
6. Dip the frozen balls into the chocolate, sprinkle with candy cane topping. Let cool.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, and feel free to stop by and say hello anytime!

 

Happy holidays!

Alyssa

Pure Living for Life

Peppermint Dessert Freeze

Greetings!

Today I wanted to share with you a favorite new treat! It is perfect for this most wonderful time of year! And, it can be enjoyed by everyone! It's dairy-free, soy-free, and gluten-free.

Peppermint Dessert Freeze
(makes about 4 small servings)

Ingredients:
1. 2 frozen bananas (in halves)
2. 1.5 cups almond milk
3. 1 cup ice
4. 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (natural)
5. 4 tablespoons chocolate chips + more for garnish, optional

Directions:
Blend frozen bananas, almond milk, ice, until smooth. Add 4 tablespoons of chocolate chips (I used dairy-free). Blend on low, just enough to break the chips into smaller pieces. Serve in adorable glasses.. and garnish with additional chocolate chips if desired.
















Disclaimer: I am not saying that chocolate chips are healthy. I live by the 90/10 % diet. 90% percent of the time I eat amazingly healthy. 10% of the time I eat chocolate... well maybe only 2%. ;) Learning about the importance of not depriving yourself in my studies this year at Integrative Nutrition this past year has inspired me to start enjoying (organic, dairy-free) chocolate more!

I hope you are enjoying the beginning of the holiday season!

P.S. 'Taste for Healthy' now has a Facebook page! I am so excited to connect with like-minded wellness and nutrition enthusiasts!

Elana's Peppermint Patties!

Greetings!

Do you ever feel like you are keeping a secret, because you know how to create better, healthier versions of favorite childhood treats? I feel that way sometimes... well, actually, right now! ;)

Because of this...

Remember those York Peppermint Patties?













I remember my great grandma would always have a bag handy, and she would never have my sister and I leave without a handful each. :)

However... do you know what ingredients are in those?! Sugar, corn syrup, semi- sweet chocolate (chocolate, sugar, cocoa, milk fat, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate (PGPR), emulsifier, vanillian, artificial flavor), invert sugar, egg whites, and oil of peppermint.

Yikes! Chemicals, preservatives, artificial flavors, & animal by-products. No thanks... these days we know better!

Anyways, you can probably imagine my excitement when I came across a healthier version of these mints via Elana's Pantry. Her recipe is amazing!

What are your favorite treats from childhood? And, have you made a healthier version of them? :)