brownies

Raw Peppermint Superfood Brownie Bites [gluten, dairy, refined sugar-free]

 Raw Peppermint Brownie Bites | Alo Wellness Updated November 2017

These puppies have been on my recipe "To-Do" list for months! I finally decided to make them for an essential oils class I hosted a few weeks ago. In spirit of essential oils, I used pure Peppermint Oil in the recipe, rather than peppermint extract, and they turned out beyond delicious! It was hard to keep my hands off of them!

You see, I am a long time sugar addict.

There, I admitted it.

Did you know that sugar is more addictive than cocaine? No wonder the thought of going cold-turkey gave me the chills and had me day-dreaming about my next chocolate indulgence when I first endured a sugar detox, 6 years ago.

Sugar is highly addictive and is linked to numerous health problems like insulin-resistance, Diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol and triglycerides, weight gain, cancer growth, mood imbalances, digestive issues and so much more. There are many different types of sugar and it is found in countless food items on your grocery store shelves. It is important to read food labels [the ingredient list, specifically], this is the best way to avoid hidden sugar sources and processed junk.

Here's the deal my friends, if you are a sugar addict like I was 6 years ago and like so many of my dear clients, the best thing you can do to start the journey toward breaking that sugar craze [therefore, improving your health] is to begin eliminating processed sugars of all forms. Look for these words and if you find them, drop that package and walk away...quickly!

  • Agave Nectar
  • Barley Malt Syrup
  • Beet Sugar
  • Brown Rice Syrup
  • Brown Sugar
  • Cane Crystals (or, even better, "cane juice crystals")
  • Cane Sugar
  • Corn sweetener
  • Corn syrup, or corn syrup solids
  • Dehydrated Cane Juice
  • Dextrin
  • Dextrose
  • Evaporated Cane Juice
  • Fructose
  • Fruit juice concentrate
  • Glucose
  • High-fructose corn syrup
  • Invert sugar
  • Lactose
  • Maltodextrin
  • Malt syrup
  • Maltose
  • Molasses
  • Palm Sugar
  • Raw sugar
  • Rice Syrup
  • Saccharose
  • Sorghum or sorghum syrup
  • Sucrose
  • Syrup
  • Treacle
  • Turbinado Sugar
  • Xylose

If you've got a sweet tooth, choose a low-glycemic fruit like organic berries or an apple, a homemade sweet treat made with real-food sugar sources like honey, maple syrup, dates, or coconut sugar and always combine it with some kind of protein or fat source to help lower the overall blood sugar reaction. 

Alo Wellness 

Most importantly, eating sweets sparingly is always the best choice, no matter how "pure" or "real" the sugar source. Our bodies are not meant to take on large amounts of sugar so it is best left to special occasions.

This recipe is the perfect sweet-fix and is also full of healthy fats to keep you satisfied. These would be great to take to a holiday party, bridal shower or family picnic [I promise you'll be everyone's favorite guest]!

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Try them and let me know what you think! 

Happy eating friends!

 

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