Sweet treats for a holistic holiday

By Mercedes Kay Gold, CNP, CPT

Holiday season can be a hustle bustle. From party planning and meal prep to hanging lights and decorating the tree, it’s ok to step back. Take time to snuggle under a warm blanket, finding calm by stepping away from the chaos.

Pick a movie, dim the lights, take a lavender infused Epsom salt soak, and get cozy with a decadent holiday snack.

Yes, popcorn is a standard cinema snack, and when homemade, heaps of holistic love. Nothing says bougie maize like melted dark chocolate and sprinkled with fleurs de sel. This holistic nutritionist is already over the snow and dreaming of sandy beaches. My holiday pick for snacking has a tropical twist.

Cocoa is cozy, but holidays aren’t a free pass to skip the slews of chemicals added to conventional hot chocolate mixes. From artificial flavorings and tons of added sugar to the scary sweeteners and cutesy marshmallows, love yourself and choose pure cacao. Why? Good question.

Cocoa is processed while cacao is raw and minimally processed, retaining the rich antioxidants or plethora of polyphenols.

Cocao elixir

For a soothing nighttime elixir with a tropical twist even Santa would love, heat canned coconut milk, and 1 heaping tbsp 100 per cent cacao or cocoa, and add a teaspoon of coconut oil.

Canned coconut milk is magical, but please label read and forgo the array of additives. Full-fat is fabulous. First off, healthy fats don’t pack on the pounds, but instead stabilize blood sugar and are super satiating when weight-management or weight-loss is the primary health goal. Choose extra-virgin cold-pressed coconut oil, the only option. Being the closest to Mother Nature, means skipping the overprocessed creamed or refined versions.

Snow balls

My stupendous snow balls are sure to be your next taste sensation, an easy one-bowl wonder. Yes, there’s sugar, but the fats help control blood sugar. Just a little FYI, eating just one or two may be tough. Coconut craziness is always a hit. This simple recipe requires one can of condensed coconut milk and two cups of sulfite-free unsweetened shredded coconut for some homemade goodness.

Place the can of coconut into the fridge overnight to separate the liquid from the fat. In a bowl, combine the coconut fat from the can of milk with the shredded coconut, reserving about 1/3 cup of the shredded coconut. Add a couple of tablespoons of raw honey, or to taste. For a sugar-free version leave out the honey. Combine well and roll into mini balls, and roll through the remaining coconut. Place into fridge to firm up.

Peanut butter balls

For my nut butter sugar-free lovers, combine eight ounces of softened cream cheese with one cup of all-natural smooth nut butter. Roll into balls and one more roll through sulfite-free unsweetened shredded coconut. Place in the freezer a few hours and ta-da.

Happy holistic holidays! Happy New Year!

Mercedes Kay Gold is a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Holistic Nutritionist who loves helping others live their best life when not spending time with her children and grandson, Theodore. She can be reached at mercedeskaygoldfitness@gmail.com