This post is for my sweets lovers. It’s that certain time of day, when you have a hankering for something sweet. But you want to eat the best quality sweets that are available to you- so plan ahead and make sure you have some of my favorites in stock.

Strawberries Dipped in Dark Chocolate

Yeah, this never gets old. It just doesn’t. And now that we are in strawberry season you can get those amazing strawberries with the old fashioned flavor- it’s like a little slice (or bite) of heaven.

Make sure you are using organic strawberries and organic dark chocolate. Don’t know how to easily melt the chocolate? Make a double boiler by doing the following. Bring a small pan of water to boil. Remove from heat. Place a smaller bowl inside or on top that pan so that they are nesting. Place the dark chocolate chips or pieces in the top bowl and let the heat work its magic. As the chocolate melts, stir it. Voila! Dip your strawberries and enjoy!

Coconut Bliss Dark Chocolate Ice Cream Topped with Fresh Blueberries

Dairy free, soy free, gluten free, low glycemic, certified organic ice cream- Hallelujah! I’m there! In fact, I’m there with organic, fresh blueberries. Need I say anything more?

Gluten Free Fudge Brownies

Yes, you can have gluten free brownies that are amazing. I promise you these brownies are delicious. I swap traditional sugar for coconut crystals and honey and wheat flour for either sorghum or coconut flour and almond meal. But don’t let the batter trick you as you are making it! At first the consistency will seems like cake batter, but keep beating it!

My Recipe

(Use all organic ingredients)

20 ounces high quality 100% dark chocolate (Sunspire)

2 cups expeller-pressed unrefined coconut oil

3 cups coconut crystals sugar

¼ cup raw local honey

1/2 cup almond meal

1/4 cup sorghum flour (or coconut flour)

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

8 organic free-range eggs, beaten

4 tablespoon bourbon vanilla

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.

Melt the dark chocolate and coconut oil, sugar and honey in a saucepan over low heat, gently stirring. (Or melt in a microwave safe measuring cup and stir together to combine.)

Beat the eggs

In a mixing bowl whisk together the almond meal, sorghum flour, fine sea salt and baking soda. Make a well in the center and add the beaten eggs, and vanilla extract. Slowly add the melted dark chocolate mixture. Beat on low-medium for two minutes, until the batter begins to come together.

At first it will seem thin, like cake batter, but keep beating until it thickens and becomes smooth and glossy. If you are adding nuts, stir in the nuts by hand and spread the batter into the prepared baking pan. Even out the batter with a silicone spatula. Stud the top with some dark chocolate chips and press in slightly.

Bake in the center of a preheated 350ºF oven for 32 to 35 minutes, or until the brownies are set. Cool on a wire rack; and remove the cooled brownies from the pan by gripping the parchment edges and lifting the brownies out as a whole. Chill for an hour before cutting. (They are good warm and gooey.) Yield: 16 servings

Fresh Fruit

Everyone has their favorite fresh fruit. Depending on the season, the sweetness and quality of the fruit can really be hit or miss.  Strawberries out of season, from across the country, can sometimes be really disappointing. The same goes for stone fruits like peaches or plums. My most beloved fruits to snack on when I really want something sweet and juicy are grapes and rainier cherries.

So, the next time you have a taste for something sweet, step away from the high fructose corn syrup whatever it is, and dig into one of these real food sweet treats!

-Dr. Norton

#GetSunEatCleanBeWell

Dr. J. Renae Norton is a clinical psychologist, specializing in the outpatient treatment of eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder (BED), as well as obesity. 

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Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship. This information is not necessarily the position of Dr. J. Renae Norton or The Norton Center for Eating Disorders and Obesity.

©2017, Dr. J. Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr. J. Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible. Please credit ‘© 2017, Dr. J. Renae Norton. http://www.eatingdisorderpro.com/