How-To: Crush Your Chocolate Cravings

Mmm…chocolate…drool…(so, if you’ve ever heard me say that I’m a runner, basically the image at the right is what’s going on).  I just LOVE chocolate.  I mean, who doesn’t love chocolate?? (Okay, I know you people are out there.  Identify yourselves at your own risk.  You probably don’t really need to read this post, but on second thought, you probably should anyway so that you’re prepared to deal withhelp the chocolate lovers in your life.  Let’s face it; you’re in the minority.)  I’ve literally been talking about chocolate all week on my Instagram video series (and for a double dose, I’m on Facebook as well).  I’ve basically been PURPOSEFULLY trying to get you to crave chocolate all week, just so I can share with you how to crush your craving.

Let’s be clear…when I say “crush” your chocolate craving, I mean honour it.  Respect it, meet it, FILL it.  I don’t mean ignore it or use mind-Jedi tricks to pretend that those celery sticks are really rich, luscious chocolate.  I’m a firm believer that our cravings are our bodies’ ways of telling us things.  Important things. Things like, “FEED ME CHOCOLATE!”

Of course, fitting into your favourite jeans or crushing your back squat PR in the gym or playing with your kids or just plain having energy and confidence for life are important, too.  Don’t worry; I got you boo.  I’m sharing my favourite HEALTHFUL chocolate choices to help you meet those NEEDS and stay on track with your goals.  I even made a FREE E-BOOK for you!

SHOW ME THE CHOCOLATE! (/Jerry Maguire)

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Whipped Chocolate Protein Frosting

Whipped Chocolate Protein FrostingA thick, rich and creamy chocolate frosting that is delicious?  Easy.  But what about one that is HEALTHY, HIGH IN PROTEIN, and FREE OF REFINED SUGAR and this-can’t-be-good-for-me-but-it-really-is?  Yes, oh yes. This is the perfect topping for any of my cakes, and especially my latest and greatest Healthy Single-Serving Mocha Microwave Mug Cake.  But of course, no one would be the wiser if you just wanted to eat it straight off of the spoon.  And I certainly wouldn’t blame you.

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Healthy Single-Serving Mocha Microwave Mug Cake (Gluten-free, Grain-free, High-fiber, High-protein, Refined sugar-free)

Single Serving Mocha Microwave Mug Cake with Whipped Chocolate Protein FrostingIf you’re anything like me, you have a hard time sharing desserts.  Now you have the perfect excuse NOT to: this is, by definition, a single-serving dessert.  A.k.a. – one person!  Never mind that this recipe actually creates three perfectly moist, fluffy mini-mug cakes.  That just means three times the dark chocolate and subtle coffee flavour all for little ol’ you!  And when it’s free of gluten and refined sugar but high in fiber and protein, you can eat it all down to the very last bite!  Use the modern miracle of the microwave to whip this up in mere minutes!

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Low-carb Mint Chocolate Protein Smoothie (Vegan option)

Mint Chocolate Protein Smoothie MugA creamy protein smoothie with the classic flavour combination of rich dark chocolate and cool mint.  Instead of a piece of chocolate or peppermint pattie that runs the risk of melting or being squished, you can safely drink this mint chocolate concoction to get your fix AND do it with more protein and fewer carbohydrates, calories and fat than almost any blended frozen drink!

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Double Chocolate Cheesecake Protein Muffins (Gluten-free, Grain-free, Refined sugar-free)

Double Chocolate Cheesecake Protein MuffinsI have reached muffin nirvana: chocolate and cream cheese pair up in a magical muffin that is high in protein, low in carbohydrates, AND free of gluten, grains and refined sugar.  What happens when you take my favourite Quest bar flavour EVER and work it into a similarly high-protein, low-carbohydrate muffin?  BOOM!  There are no words.  Just eat and enjoy.

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No-bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Protein Balls (5-ingredients, Dairy-free, Gluten-free, High-protein, Vegan option)

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Protein BallsApparently, it’s THAT time of year (no, NOT Christmas – the other “THAT” time of year): back-to-school!  (I say “apparently” because I’ve been out of school for longer than I care to admit.)  Or it’s back-to-work or back-to-the-gym or maybe even Back to the Future (!) for you.  Wherever (or whenever) your day takes you, these balls make a perfectly portable pick-me-up.  And in this more hectic time of year, what’s more magical than hearing that a recipe is no-bake, and only requires five wholesome ingredients?  Much easier than homework, I promise!

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(High-Protein) Dark Chocolate Almond Coconut “Almond Joy” Overnight Oatmeal

Dark Chocolate Almond Coconut Almond Joy Overnight Oatmeal BowlPieces of rich, decadent dark chocolate.  Slivers of slightly-sweet, crunchy, nutty almonds.  Flakes of coconut adding taste and texture to every bite.  Am I describing the famous Almond Joy chocolate bar or breakfast?  Guess what?  With my new “Almond Joy” Overnight Oatmeal, the answer is both!  Except that the oatmeal version packs the goodness of whole grain oats, extra protein to fuel your day and no added sugar.  But you can still pretend you’re having a candy bar for breakfast and no one will be the wiser.

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(High-Protein) Dark Chocolate Cherry Overnight Oatmeal

Dark Chocolate Cherry Overnight Oatmeal SpoonfulCherry blossom season in South Korea is BEAUTIFUL.  Streets and countrysides are lined with trees whose branches are clouds of pink and white blossoms.  As the season progresses, these blossoms drop away and float down like a soft, warm wonderful kind of snow and blanket the shoulders of the roadways.  But what’s even more beautiful, in my mind, is the bounty of fresh, ripe cherries that follows.  Rich, deep-red cherries with shiny, glossy skins are currently lining the shelves of grocery stores, fruit stands and markets everywhere.  Their fresh, tart sweetness is begging to be eaten and I am eating them in abundance!  I eat them by the handful, the bowful, the bagful, and the whole darn boxful!  And guess what happens to pair perfectly with juicy cherries?  Rich, complex, oh-so-slightly bitter deep-dark chocolate!  I was literally mid-drizzle with my chocolate syrup* poised over a bowl of fresh chopped cherries when my latest idea for Overnight Oatmeal sprang to mind.  Dark Chocolate Cherry is decadently delicious and still as healthful, high-protein and wholesome as ever!

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Skinny Chocolate Zucchini Protein Muffins (Gluten-free, Grain-free, Low-fat, Refined sugar-free)

Chocolate Zucchini Protein MuffinThese are NOT your everyday muffins.  These “skinny” muffins are seriously sensational.  At only 65 calories per muffin (and no, they’re not mini-muffins!) and super low in fat (dare I say “fat-free”?) but packed with protein, there is some serious macro magic happening in this healthy muffin recipe.  Plus, they’re downright delicious, with rich, moist chocolate flavour and the added bonus of high-fiber, nutrient-rich zucchini.  Oh, and they’re free of gluten, grains and refined sugar, too!  Perhaps I should call them “Freedom Muffins”?

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Whole Wheat Banana-Walnut Muffins with Dark Chocolate Chunks (Dairy-free option, Refined sugar-free)

Whole Wheat Banana Walnut Chocolate Chunk MuffinThese scrumptious, moist muffins start with a better-for-you banana bread base featuring whole wheat flour, unrefined sugar and “super-fat” coconut oil and then add in chopped walnuts and decadent dark chocolate.  The whole wheat flour gives them just a little bit more texture and the walnuts and coconut oil mean that they are unbelievably moist and packed with a generous serving of healthy fats to give you lasting energy and satisfaction.  Sweet bananas counter with the sophistication of not-so-sweet dark chocolate chunks – just enough for a taste in each bite.

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