Valentine's Day Recipe - Chocolate Love Bites

Cooking has never really been my "thing" but lately I've been having a blast creating healthy, delicious, EASY, recipes to share with you! While you won't catch me slaving over a hot stove all day, it's so much fun to whip up delicious food, FAST, and share it with you.

I won't slack on using quality, nutrient dense ingredients though, even when it came to making a sweet, chocolate Valentine's Day treat!

Instead of buying chocolates for yourself or your sweetie this year, make these Love Bites instead.
They're rich, delicious, sweet, and satisfying, AND TOTALLY HEALTHY! So treat yourself, love your body, and (if you're pregnant or breastfeeding) love your baby, too, by giving them nutrients they need through you, instead of sugar they don't.

CHOCOLATE LOVE BITES

• 1 cup organic medjool dates, soaked overnight and pitted (Get the best price with Thrive Market's brand HERE)
• 1/2 cup organic cacao powder (Get Thrive Market's brand HERE)
• 1/2 cup chocolate plant protein powder (Get it from my nutrition partner HERE)
• 1 cup organic virgin coconut oil (Get Thrive Market's HERE)
   
• 2 scoops berry flavor greens blend (Get it from my nutrition partner HERE) *optional for a subtle raspberry taste and a superfood boost*

Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth and completely combined.

Line a 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paper.

Spread brownie batter evenly into lined pan with a rubber spatula

Place pan in the fridge for an hour to set.

Cut brownies with a heart-shaped cookie cutter.
SERVE!

If you want to give these Love Bites as a gift for Valentine's Day, keep them chilled or they will melt.

*** Store covered in the fridge or freezer ***

The ingredients matter!
If you want to make sure your chocolate treats are truly healthy and taste good, that is.
I have linked the exact brands I used above.
If you can't use these brands, use what's available to you but seek out the highest quality and cleanest sources you can!

Love your body, love yourself, love your baby. 

XOXO,
Maggie

"Instant" Bone Broth

I made real, honest to goodness bone broth for the very first time!

I've had incredible bone broth from Pasture Bird but I had never made it myself. I was too intimidated, and I felt like it would be a big hassle that I didn't have time for as a new mom. I had visions of a messy kitchen and a fussy toddler, so I just didn't even seriously consider making it myself... until now.

Since I got my amazing Instant Pot (click for Amazon listing) , I feel so much more confident cooking delicious meals with some of my tougher cuts of meat (when you buy a full 1/4 beef once a year like we do, you get cuts you aren't too sure how to cook). 

I was able to throw everything for a great bone broth into the pot, turn it on, go for a walk with my son, and come back to fully cooked, nutrient dense and delicious broth ready to be strained and stored in jars.

Did you know bone broth is full of collagen, minerals like calcium and magnesium, can help reduce inflammation and joint pain, helps you grow gorgeous, strong hair, nails and skin, can help you look and feel younger, and can help boost your immune system?! It's so easy to make is it will save me a boatload of money compared to buying it pre-made.

There was no complicated prep, no standing over the stove, no entire days in the slow cooker. All I had to do was push buttons and leave it alone.  SO EASY! If you don't own an Instant Pot yet, it's one of the few appliances I can wholeheartedly recommend to help make your life easier, and more nutritious.

Easy Whole Healthy Bone Broth:
• Bones of 2 chicken carcasses (3-5 lb chickens)
• 2 leeks
• 2 large carrots
• 2 medium/large stalks of celery
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tsp sea salt
• 2 tsp black peppercorns
• 1-2 TBSP apple cider vinegar
• fresh herbs as desired (optional)
• fresh, filtered water

Put the chicken bones into the stainless steel pot. Add chopped carrots, celery, leeks (see how to chop leeks here), and remaining ingredients.

Fill the pot with water to about 2/3 full. Close the lid.

Using the manual setting, set time for 120 minutes on high pressure.

When the Instant Pot time is finished, wait for it to fully depressurize before trying to open the lid. This may take close to an hour. Just wait, it will be worth it.

LOOK AT THAT BROTH!

When the pot is cool enough to handle, strain the broth into a big glass or stainless steel bowl, straining out all the chicken bones and other chunky ingredients. Throw this stuff away.
When the broth is cool enough, pour from the bowl into clean glass mason jars and freeze or refrigerate for later use.

Voila! You just made your own bone broth! *Does a happy dance for you*

When you make this, make sure you come back and tell me how it went! I can't wait to celebrate with you. 

XO Maggie

This post contains affiliate links which means I make money on purchases made via these links, which helps support this blog. I never recommend anything I don't use and love myself. All opinions are my own.