I don’t know what it is with me lately, but I have an overwhelming sweet tooth. Like an addict I have to sit on my hands not to reach into the clear, finger-print smudged cake dome that houses my son’s occasional treats like his chocolate, butter cream frosted birthday cupcakes or banana bread that I made so the sad, browning bananas wouldn’t go to waste. I recently pulled the Halloween candy out of the garage freezer because my chocolate cravings were so strong. Sigh. Can you relate?
Something needed to be done…fast. I’ve eaten reduced sugar for years and I feel strongly that it is the key to weight loss/management and also reducing oxidative stress. And sorry but sometimes an apple just doesn’t cut it.
I started making this chocolaty treat at night so I’d have it to snack on throughout the next day whenever a sugary treat started flirting with me. Thing is, not only does it satisfy a sweet craving, it is good for you. Low sugar, dairy-free, high calcium, high omega-3, high fiber, high protein, and a bump of antioxidants from the unsweetened cocoa. Chia seeds are miraculous. They have a laundry list of health properties, but they also expand in whatever they are added to, including your stomach. So you stay full and satisfied, which is a welcome bonus.
- 1 cup unsweetened cashew milk (feel free to sub unsweetened almond or coconut milk)
- 1/4 cup quick oats (to make the recipe GF use certified gluten-free oats)
- 1 1/2 Tbs of organic chia seeds
- 1 1/2 Tbs unsweetened cocoa
- 1 Tbs PB2 peanut butter powder
- liquid stevia to taste
- pinch of Himalayan sea salt
- raspberries as garnish (optional)
- Combine all ingredients in a blender until well mixed.
- Divide into two ramekins or dessert bowls and cover.
- Place in refrigerator overnight.
- Right before serving, top with fresh fruit or shredded unsweetened coconut.
- If you have a nut allergy, swap the PB2 for 1 Tbs of low sugar protein powder (I use chocolate Vega powder).
- Make sure you leave the parfait in the fridge for at least 5 hours so it forms a pudding texture.
- If you don't want to use liquid stevia sub for coconut sugar or agave.
Easy, quick ingredients with a great shelf-life that you can gather in under 2 minutes!
Dump everything in your blender and buzz for 10 seconds.
Place blended mixture in a ramekin and cover with plastic wrap.
I’ve seriously eaten this almost every day as a treat for the past two weeks (creature of habit). Oh and if you want a creamier texture, add 1 tsp of whipped cream or Truwhip to each dish right before serving (yes it takes it out of the dairy-free realm, but it is really wonderful). Please let me know what you think and I’d love to hear some other healthy suggestions to help with manic-like sweet cravings. – CC