Holidays are often a time of “straying into the bike lane” as I call it. This means eating foods that aren’t generally on my menu, but also will not cause any symptoms that take me away from the gatherings and festivities.

“Bike lane” foods are those that I can have sometimes. And, as you can imagine, holidays can present many of those sometimes opportunities!

The good news is that not every sweet indulgence has to stray from your optimal diet, even if your daily food intake is a bit off the beaten path (mine is!) Today, I’ve asked a Functional Nutrition Alliance (FxNA) team member, Jennifer Baum&mdashone of our nutritionists in the FxNA Clinic— to share one of her favorite sweet treats.

It’s cookies and cream that nearly everyone can enjoy!

Here’s a hello from Jen (in her own words…)

Hi there! I have been a lead nutritionist at the Functional Nutrition Alliance (FxNA) since 2014. I work with clients in our nutrition counseling clinic to improve their diet and lifestyle to support their unique health journey by applying the principles of functional nutrition to their individual needs.

Jen’s recipe pick and why she loves it!

This is one of my favorite recipes from Andrea’s Sweet Tooth, Bitter Truth e-course. When I first found Andrea and the Functional Nutritionist Alliance, I was a busy mom with two kids with special needs struggling with blood sugar highs and lows and fatigue. I lived on sugar and chocolate to get me through the day. Sweet Tooth helped me understand how sugar impacted my body and brain plus provided practical types that helped me replace processed sugars with healthier alternatives for myself and my kids. Now I help my clients do the same!

These Cookies N’ Cream Nakayummies became one of my healthy replacements for those sugar-laden, store-bought chocolates so that I didn’t feel deprived. A sweet treat that helps balance my blood sugar for steady energy throughout the day. Yes, please!

Cookies N’ Cream Nakayummies

These candies are the perfect indulgence. Keep them in the freezer so there’s always a little sweet-something around.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup coconut oil, gently melted
  • scant 1/4 cup raw honey
  • 1/4 cup raw cocoa nibs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon good quality sea salt (or more, if you like the salty sweet) heaping 1/2 cup pecans (or other nuts), chopped medium-fine

Preparation

Mix all ingredients into melted coconut oil in a bowl. Incorporate ingredients well. Using a spoon, scoop rounded dollops into mini muffin or candy cups. I like to use flexible ice cube trays – which come in many shapes and sizes. Freeze for an hour
or until candies are hardened.
Serve these candies directly from the freezer. Yield depends on size of trays. Petite is perfect.

By:

Functional Nutrition Alliance provides the comprehensive online Functional Nutrition training in the Science & Art of the Functional Nutrition practice. Learn to address the roots of your clients’ suffering with client education, diet & lifestyle modifications.