Packed with good fats and proteins, this delicious, nourishing treat is perfect for a quick breakfast that will keep you going strong until lunch or a decadent, yet nutritious, pick-me-up to avoid the afternoon slump.

Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Custard Smoothie

Servings: 2–3
Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups raw milk, plain kefir (preferably homemade) or coconut milk*
• 2 tablespoons organic cocoa powder (or more to taste)
• 2 tablespoons Virgin Coconut Oil, melted (or more to taste)
• 2–4 soy-free pastured egg** yolks – See Note below.
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• 1/2 teaspoon organic vanilla extract
• dash sea salt
• 1 1/2 cups organic frozen raspberries
• 1 frozen banana (for additional creaminess, optional)

**Note – This recipe contains raw or undercooked eggs. Please make a substitution if you have concerns about consuming raw eggs.

Directions:

Blend all but the frozen ingredients until smooth, add fruit, and blend to desired consistency. All ingredients may be adjusted to taste. Enjoy!

*For the freshest coconut milk, make homemade coconut milk. (See video at this link.)

Lydia from Salem, VA just won $50 for this recipe and photo! Submit yours here.

Grain-Free Cracked Pepper, Cashew Crackers

Servings: 20–30
Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 generous cups raw cashews
• 1 pastured egg
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper

Ingredients:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a food processor, grind the cashews into a flour. Make sure not to over blend into cashew butter, but you want it as fine as possible. Add in the salt and pepper and pulse to combine.

In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg and oil together and stir in the flour mixture until combined.

Place the ball of dough in the center of a large piece of parchment paper with an additional piece of paper over top.

Roll out to desired thickness, about 1/8–1/4 inch. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut into desired size. You may want to sprinkle additional salt and pepper over top of crackers

Bake In preheated oven for 12–15 minutes or until a bit brown. Store in an airtight container.

Kate From Highlands Ranch, CO, just won $50 for this recipe and photo! Submit yours here.

Healthy Blueberry, Coconut Balls

Servings: 20–25 coconut balls
Preparation Time: 20–30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup or 5 soft Mejool dates, pitted
• 1/2 cup or 5 figs, cut the stem and gently open like a flower
• 4 tablespoons organic unsweetened natural cocoa powder
• 1 or 2 tablespoons almond butter
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup organic fresh or unthawed frozen wild blueberries
• 2 cups unsweetened coconut, shredded or flakes
• 3 or 4 tablespoons Virgin Coconut Oil

Optional: Additional unsweetened shredded coconut or coconut flakes to roll the balls in.

Directions:

Place all ingredients except blueberries, coconut oil, and flakes/shredded coconut in a food processor and blend until smooth. If you do not have a food processor, cut dates and figs into little pieces with a knife and mix together with the other ingredients.

Add blueberries and flakes/shredded coconut in a food processor and mix on low, just a little, until blended. Pour Virgin Coconut Oil and blend on low for another 10 seconds.

Remove from food processor and roll into 1 1/2-inch balls. Roll in extra shredded coconut if you desire.

Refrigerate for 30 minutes before eating.

Sometimes when I do not have time, I just spread all the mixture 1/2 inch thick on a plate and cut into inch by inch pieces after refrigeration.

Enjoy!

Note: I created this recipe to decrease the glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) of the fruits in order to minimize insulin increase (GI) and to keep the carbohydrate intake low (GL).

• Dates: GI – 103; GL – 42.
• Figs: GI – 61; GL – 16. (Figs offer a better choice than dates.)
• Blueberries: GI – 40; GL – 3. Moreover, berries have the highest ORAC ratings per 100 grams among fruits for antioxidant level.

Recipe and photo submitted by Galina, Hudson, NH. Submit your recipe here!