The responsibilities of being a single mom rarely leave time in the family schedule for making home-made goodies. Let's not even throw the need for healthy alternatives into the equation. Sometimes, it's next to impossible to find the time to put together a snack that's healthy and great tasting. Single moms and their kids who are "under the influence" of a monster sweet tooth can have an even greater challenge selecting healthy, nutrient rich snacks.
The biggest problems come in when you try to find ways to indulge your sweet tooth without adding in a lot of unhealthy junk. If you're anything like me, an apple or a banana just isn't going to cut it. When you try to avoid store-bought junk desserts and make your own, you run into what I call the "time and taste" factors. The more time you put into making home-made goodies, the better the taste. However, this often increases your fat intake and calorie count.
The biggest problems come in when you try to find ways to indulge your sweet tooth without adding in a lot of unhealthy junk. If you're anything like me, an apple or a banana just isn't going to cut it. When you try to avoid store-bought junk desserts and make your own, you run into what I call the "time and taste" factors. The more time you put into making home-made goodies, the better the taste. However, this often increases your fat intake and calorie count.
One snack that has been an old standby for the kids or even impromptu guests is this 5 Minute Fabulous Chocolate Fudge Recipe. The recipe uses only healthy, natural ingredients and the best part about it is that it there is no baking involved! This is a time and taste saver for you and your family.
Five Minute Fabulous Chocolate Fudge Recipe
2 - 4 oz extra dark chocolate bars (Try to minimize sugar content by looking for dark chocolate with a higher cocoa content. 70% cocoa content or higher works great.)
8 - Tablespoons of peanut butter (Any type of nut butter is fine. Almond, hazelnut or cashew butters are all good choices.)
1-1/2 cups of organic coconut milk
4 Tablespoons each of oat and rice bran (These are excellent sources of fiber.)
1 cup raw, organic nuts (Pecans, walnuts, almonds and peanuts all have great healthy fats and antioxidants.)
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
½ teaspoon of your favorite low-calorie sweetener (Flavored stevia is great!)
Optional: You can leave out the nut butter of your choice if you are a chocolate purist. Another tasty and healthy twist to this recipe is the addition of 1 cup of raisins, cranberries or any other dried fruit of your liking
Combine the nut butter, chocolate bars and coconut milk in a medium saucepan. Heat, stirring constantly over low heat until the chocolate bar is melted and the mixture is homogenous. You can even let the kids help you here. Add the remaining ingredients and mix together until thoroughly blended. Using a spatula spread the mixture evenly over waxed paper in a baking pan with raised edges. Place the pan in the refrigerator and chill until solid.
After about an hour, you will have a pan of easy to make, healthy chocolate fudge. You will find that even the most picky of your kids will love this healthy, low-sugar, highly portable snack.
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