BALANCING PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE BARS W/ ADOPTAGENS
I'm gunna be real with you. These bars taste like snickers. At least what I remember snickers tasting like. Its been over half a dacade so I might not be the best judge. You might be wondering how they balance you out or reduce stress like their name suggests. The secret stress reducing sauce is made up of adaptogens.
Adaptogens are everywhere these days. These super herbs and fungi have made there way into just about everything. If you're anything like me then you spend a good portion of your day knee deep in an instagram scroll hole. There I've seen adaptogens put in soup, smoothies, coffee, tea, energy bites and now they are going in dessert.
If you've been following along for awhile then you know that I don't make sweet recipes that often anymore.
However back in the day when I started blogging it was all I made. If you scroll far enough down my IG feed you will see what I'm talking about. One of my raw vegan cakes was even featured on Mind Body Green once upon a time.
The first food blog I followed was Emily's from This Rawsome Vegan Life. Not only did she inspire me to start a food blog, one of her recipes was what I used to make my first raw vegan dessert. These bars are adapted from her recipe. Emily- cheers to you and all the people you inspire with your words, recipes and photography.
So back to the food.
I added some super herbs to the mix making them a lil more Caras Kitchen style. Who doesn't want roots and herbs in their fudge? Rhetorical question, obviously 'cause that sounds really gross but I promise you, you can't taste it at all.
These are nurturing, full of magic and just darn good.
So what did I put in these bars? Lets discuss!
Ashwaganda is the most praised herb in Ayurvedic medicine. It has specific adaptogenic properties that help your body respond to stress or a changing enviorment. It helps the body cope with external sressors like enviornmental toxins or internal stress like anxiety or insomnia.
Brahmi is another herb revered for its mind-enhancing properties. It has been found to claify the mind, improve memory, support a balanced emptional state and is great for healthy skin and hair. Ladies rejoice.
Pearl might be the best kept secret in skin care. It has been used in Asia for centuries and regarded by the hard core health gurus as a top tonic for beauty. However I adore it for is spirit-building qualities which help relieve nervousness, anxiety and tension- not ironically things that contribute to aging.
Mucuna is an herb commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine as well and it too supports the bodies ability to handle stress. Its also is great for libido supporting female and male reproductive systems. Just an FYI.
Passion Flower not only has an emotionally charged named it has the ability to effect our moods and emotions as well. According to Dr. Axe "Studies have shown that passion flower may be just as effective as synthetic drugs for generalized anxiety disorder." The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry found that it can help lower blood pressure.
And dont worry you dont have to go out and buy all those herbs on their own. I use a pre-made mix called Mellow Mood from Lifehouse Tonics and Elixirs- one of my favorite places to get healthy potions and tonics in
Los Angeles. CCCCheck it.
So why might you want to add adaptogens to your diet?
For many of us, myself included, stress and anxiety are real and prevalent in our daily lives. If you are looking for a natural and proven way to get a handle on your energy then try adaptogens. They help keep my hormones in check and in a general state of calm and bliss. I put them in my morning coffee as well to help counter act the caffeine which can give me carzy brain if I drink too much.
Keep in mind that they work over time, its not like popping a xanex and 15 minutes later you're so zen buddah would be jealous. Encorporate them daily as they work over time.
Feel free to eat as much of these as you please because they are made with 100% wholesome, raw, real ingredients. No fake stuff ever, you know the drill.
Think:
protein & fiber rich almonds
brain boosting coconut oil
energizing caoca
anti-parasitical dates
PH balancing Himalayan sea salt
and peanut butter cause peanut butter. Duh.
Ingredients
FOR THE CRUST:
1 heaping cup dates, pitted
1 Cup hot water, not boiling
1 Tablespoon coconut oil, melted
2 Teaspoons Mellow Mood Herb Mix
1/8 Teaspoon pink salt
1 Cup almond flour
1 Cup shredded coconut
PEANUT FUDGE LAYER
1/3 Cup peanut butter, smooth or crunchy
3 Tablespoons coconut oil
1/4 Cup maple syrup
1/8 Teaspoon pink salt
TOP CHOCOLATE LAYER
1/4 Cup coconut oil
1/4 Cup cacao powder, scant measurement
1/4 Cup maple syrup, scant measurement
1/4 Cup nut milk, I used almond
pink salt
Instructions
For the Crust: In a large bowl, pour hot water over dates and coconut oil and let sit for 10-15 minuites.
Then add everything for the crust ingredients including the water into a food processor and blend everything into a smooth thick paste.
It will resemble a thich cookie dough recipe.
Press into the bottom of a small lined bread pan. Put in the freezer.
For the Peanut Fudge layer put all ingredients into a small suace pan over low heat and using a whisk stir everything together.
Pour this over the crust layer and put in the freezer to cool. It should take about 15-20 minutes.
Chocolate Layer: Put all ingredients except the milk in the same sauce pan used for the peanut layer and heat over low heat. Whisk everything into a smooth mixture.
Slowly stir in the milk. Once peanut layer has cooled, pour the chocolate on top and sprinkle with some pink salt if desired. Leave the in fridge for an hour or over night.
Slice and serve.
It probably keepss well in the freezer for a long time, but I wouldn't know because I ate them all in a week... Opps.