Dark Chocolate Fall Bark

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This may be the easiest recipe I’ve ever posted on here and really doesn’t even need a recipe to follow, but I still wanted to share it because of how great of a treat it is! This fall bark uses dark chocolate, nuts, seeds and dried fruit to create a healthier treat that is easy to store and grab a bite of when you’re in the mood for a little something sweet. For this recipe, you can easily get creative and make a bark that fits with your preferences and what you might already have in your pantry. The possibilities are endless, but I’m sharing what I used to make mine below.

Health Benefits:

  • Dark chocolate is the healthiest option when it comes to choosing your chocolate, as it is full of antioxidants and other nutrients that have benefits. I started using Enjoy Life chocolate chips because they are made from sustainably harvested cocoa beans, are free from 14 allergens, including dairy, and are certified vegan and FODMAP friendly.
  • Nuts like pecans and walnuts are healthy fats that support hormone balance and regulation, while also offering nutrients like vitamin E, magnesium and selenium.
  • Pumpkin and sunflower seeds are a great source of protein, phosphorous, monounsaturated fats, omega-6 fats, vitamin E and more.
  • Cranberries are high in antioxidants and also provide fiber. Raisins are similarly packed with energy, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Dark Chocolate Fall Bark

  • Servings: 2 cups bark, broken
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This fall bark uses dark chocolate, nuts, seeds and dried fruit to create a healthier treat that is easy to store and grab a bite of when you're in the mood for a little something sweet.

Ingredients

  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1/8 cup cranberries
  • 1/8 cup golden raisins
  • 1/8 cup pecans
  • 1/8 cup walnuts
  • 1/8 cup pumpkin seeds
  • 1/8 cup sunflower seeds

Directions

  1. Melt chocolate with coconut oil in 30 second intervals, stirring together each time. I only had to heat it for 1 minute total, then stirred until all melted together.
  2. Pour onto a greased pan or piece of parchment paper and tilt pan to let spread out evenly.
  3. Sprinkle topping of your choice on top of chocolate. I only estimated the amounts of these toppings to give you an idea, so do what you think fits and looks good!
  4. Refrigerate or freeze until solid, then break into pieces. Enjoy at room temperature, or store in the refrigerator or freezer and eat pieces whenever you want. I like to keep them in the freezer, but that’s just me!

This is such a simple idea for a tasty treat that is on the healthier side and I’d love to hear what you think of the idea, especially if you give it a try! A final tip, mix together the toppings to make your own trail mix for an easy snack!!

–Brit

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pumpkin Shake

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Though it’s only the very beginning of fall, pumpkin spice and everything nice is already popping up everywhere! Though I’m not sure if I’m fully ready to embrace all of this until the weather cools off a little more and the leaves start to change, I still decided to stock up on pumpkin and get creative with this recipe. Also, I know pumpkin puree is sold out everywhere right now, so pro tip: check the health market section of your local Hy-Vee and you might find some hiding out from the masses there!

This is a “recipe” that I started making the other week as only a chocolate peanut butter shake, but then when I thought about posting it on here, I got the idea to add a little bit of pumpkin in for some added nutrients and fall flare! The pumpkin is subtle (you can always add more if you want more flavor), but I think it goes great with peanut butter and chocolate.

Health Benefits:

  • fairlife chocolate milk is a great refueling option, as it has 50% less sugar than regular chocolate milk, provides 13 g protein per 8 oz (1 cup), 350 mg of calcium and is also lactose free.
  • Peanut butter is another source of protein and healthy fat. I suggest using a natural peanut butter that does not have added sugar or palm oil.
  • Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A, minerals and beta-carotene, which your body is able to turn into vitamin A.
  • Oats are good source of carbohydrates that provide you with energy.
  • Protein powder is an optional addition to this shake, but adds protein. Make sure you know what is in your protein powder and how much you are getting per scoop/serving.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pumpkin Shake

  • Servings: 2 1/2 - 3 cups
  • Print

A great breakfast or refueling option for fall that tastes as good as it sounds and is quick and easy to make!

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups ice
  • 1 cup fairlife chocolate milk
  • 1/4 cup oats
  • 3 tablespoons pumpkin puree
  • 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter
  • 1 scoop protein powder

Directions

  1. Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
  2. Add ice as needed until desired consistency is reached.
  3. Pour out and enjoy!

–Brit

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Balls

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These are my classic, tried and true protein balls that are easy to make, good fuel for your body and most importantly, they taste great!

I started making these protein balls my freshman year of high school to bring to track meets for easy snacks after races. It wasn’t long before bringing a few for myself turned into making a whole batch to bring for my distance teammates. By my senior year I was doubling this recipe every day before a cross country or track meet to bring and share with my teammates. It became a fun ritual and the protein balls felt like a good luck charm for me!

Flash forward a couple years and now these protein balls have become an easy snack staple, especially during this time at home in quarantine. I like to have these ready in the fridge so that I can grab one after a run to refuel, to tide me over until dinner in the late afternoon, or as a healthier treat for dessert!

Health Benefits:

  • Oats and flax seed are a good source of fiber, which is important for our digestive health.
  • Peanut butter is a healthy fat and a great plant-based source of protein, which is needed to build and repair our tissues (important post-exercise).
  • Oats are also a carbohydrate, which means that they provide our body with essential energy (carbs are important in a balanced diet, something that “diet culture” often tries to change).

Easy Substitutions & Additions:

  • Any nut butter of your choice can be used to replace peanut butter
  • Maple syrup can be used to replace honey
  • Chocolate chips can be left out or replaced by dried fruit such as raisins or cranberries.
  • For added protein, include a scoop or two of your protein powder of choice (if consistency becomes too dry, add a little more peanut butter- this isn’t a perfect science)

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Balls

A delicious and healthy snack to fuel your body at any time of the day!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup flax seed
  • 1/3 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix until combined
  2. If consistency appears to be too dry or moist for your preference, simply add a little more peanut butter or oats/ flax seed
  3. Refrigerate for 20 minutes to make it easier to shape into balls (if you don’t have the time or patience you can skip this step)
  4. Use a cookie dough scoop or spoons to shape into balls
  5. Store in wax/parchment paper lined tupperware in the fridge and enjoy!

If you try these out on your own, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! Thanks for taking the time to be here and if you have any questions, comments or feedback, I would love to hear it.

–Brit