Naturally Sweet Summer Treats!

I cannot be convinced that eating nutritious food means sacrificing time, flavor, or happiness! It's merely a lifestyle shift that leads to creativity in the kitchen and much more energy to pursue your passions! During summer (and really all year round, to be honest) I can be found making large batches of dairy-free ice cream ("nice cream"), dark chocolate, and refreshing frozen treats. I very rarely make these desserts the exact same way twice, but that's the beauty of them! They are dairy-free, gluten-free, and naturally sweetened because that is how I roll and that is when I feel my best, but you do you! From my kitchen to yours, enjoy! If you love these naturally sweet summer treats and their versatility as much as I do, please share the good word with your loved ones!

Chocolate Nice Cream:
4 frozen bananas
1/3 cup cacoa
1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Use a high-powered blender or a food processor.
2. Blend all ingredients together, stopping to scrape down sides as needed.
3. Top with fresh berries or make an ice cream sandwich.

Berry-Banana Nice Cream
3 frozen bananas
3 cups of frozen berries (you choose!)
1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Use a high-powered blender or a food processor.
2. Blend all ingredients together, stopping to scrape down sides as needed.
3. Top with fresh berries or chocolate chips.

Pineapple-Mango Nice Cream:
2 frozen bananas
3/4 cup frozen mango
1 1/2 cups frozen pineapple

1. Use a high-powered blender or a food processor.
2. Blend all ingredients together, stopping to scrape down sides as needed.
3. Top with fresh pineapple and coconut.

Chocolate-Coconut Crunch Bars:
9 oz dark chocolate chips (I use stevia-sweetened chocolate chips)
1 Tablespoon nut butter (to taste)
1 Tablespoon coconut oil
1/2-1 teaspoon sea salt (to taste)
1/3 cup sunflower seeds
2/3 cup shredded unsweetened coconut 
*add maple syrup to taste if desired
*add flax or hemp seeds for an extra boost

1. Melt chocolate chips, nut butter, and coconut oil together on stove or in microwave.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients.
3. Scoop onto parchment paper lined pan.
4. Spread mixture evenly.
5. Put pan in fridge.
6. After a couple hours, remove from pan and chop chocolate into squares.

Chocolate-Covered Bananas:
3 bananas
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup shredded unsweeted coconut

1. Peel and slice bananas.
2. Place all slices on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and place in freezer.
3. Melt chocolate chips on stove or microwave.
4. Use a spoon or fork to dunk slices into chocolate, coating all sides.
5. Place back on cookie sheet and sprinkle with coconut before chocolate hardens.
6. Return cookie sheet to the freezer until hardened.

Did you try one of these recipes?

Let me know how it went! Comment below and share a picture on Instagram a tag @restorerachel.