Chocolate dipped dried plums

Who has never ever had hunger cravings?! We all did... In my everyday life I observe people prioritizing work more than anything else: health, family, friends, yourself... Unfortunately we get in a trap trying to prove the best performance at work, unbelievable productivity etc. And then having no time to eat is a usual thing you can hear from as an excuse. But that is not the way to survive. We deserve having time for ourselves, enjoying nice friends' company, taking care of our family. Moreover, we always have to reserve time for our eating habits as this has the biggest impact on the other spheres: work, ability to think, analyze, being productive, happy etc. I can write the list much longer... But is it worth to?! We just have to understand one thing: Taking care about our nutritional habits will make a much bigger outcome than working overtime months through. Now back to the recipes :)

As I already mentioned, hunger cravings are a common thing. But taking them into everyday life will only cause a lot of health problems, weight gain and stress. To avoid them: STOP eating sweets-crackers-bounty-mars-twix-whatever-unhealthy-staff instead of lunch. BEGIN cooking for your body and taking care!

The recipe of this post comes actually from my motherland. A widespread and typically from regional manufacturer these sweets became one of the most favorite things I usually ask for when someone visits us and asks what to bring from Ukraine. Today I decided to prepare piece of my motherland at home. Easy, quick and tasty! I bet these sweets will not live until tomorrow even :)

Ingredients: (outcome: 12 sweets)

12 dried plums, pitted

12 pieces of greek nuts

30 g dark chocolate (I chose 85% cacao)

Stuff each plum with small piece of nut. Shape to form round shape. Set aside. 

Tip!

Instead of nuts, you may always be creative and use marzipan, dried ginger, dried cranberries. It's up to you.

Now let's melt chocolate. Place it into small bowl, set in pot of hot (not boiling) water over low heat; allow to melt, stirring until smooth.

Remove chocolate from heat. With the help of a fork, dip dried plums into chocolate; drain excess. Put them on the baking sheet and place in the refrigerator immediately until set.

When chocolate is set, you may finally enjoy the perfect taste combination. Sweet, yet in moderation, healthy.

Sweet date candy-balls

You are working hard and find no time for yourself, time is running crazy and you wish a day had at least 48 hours so that you could stop and enjoy for a while? Welcome to our world full of crazy rushing faces. And now think of one thing that will keep you aside and blow you away to an island of your dreams.... What could be better than a sweet treat?! It is a little tiny things ready to conquer your heart. And in moderation brings you no harm.

Food processor makes miracles from simple ingredients, so just grab it and get ready. The result - 20 sweet candy-balls - the best alternative to chocolate bars and sweets full of sugar and harmful saturated fats.

Ingredients:

200 g oat flakes

200-250 g pitted dates

1 tbsp molasses (or rice syrup)

1 tbsp bran

coconut, grounded nuts, sesame

Grind the oat flakes in a food processor, add pitted dates and go on grinding.

Tip!
I used molasses to provide the balls with some extra flavor and sweetness. If you can't find one, put the same quantity of organic honey of our choice.

You will get a sticky mixture ready to be rolled into mouth-sized balls. Go ahead and use your creativity. You can make any shape you like and roll it in coconut, grounded nuts or sesame... Whatever tasty you can find in the kitchen.

And now stop, sit, and enjoy! Because you've earned a little bit of relaxing. Leave bad energy and negative thoughts behind. Think positive and eat healthy. Because it is easy, tasty and always a good idea ;)