DISCLAIMER: This post was developed in sponsored partnership with LIVA; however, as always, all opinions are genuine.
I am so excited that summer is *officially* here. I don’t know about anyone else, but summer is one of those times of year where I like to socialize more with friends and family, and usually extra treats/meals/drinks are involved. I do try my best to eat nutritious meals 80% of the time, but any chance that I can cut down on excess sugar, fat, sodium, etc. to help keep a balanced diet with my favourite indulgences, I am all about it.
Many health organizations and health professionals, including the Heart and Stroke Foundation, tell us that consuming too much sugar can be detrimental to health. So, reducing sugar in the diet and/or finding better alternatives for those sweet treats is a lifestyle change that many are trying to make – including yours truly.
I have previously talked about LIVA Date Sugar – a whole food sugar alternative that has fewer net carbs than sugar, one gram of fibre per tablespoon, and therefore is a lower glycemic index option.
LIVA date sugar is a pure, organic, all natural and versatile whole food sugar alternative to
traditional sweeteners. What I love the most about it is that it is made from just two
ingredients according to the manufacturer – whole dehydrated raw organic dates and love.
I am all about balance. I don’t believe in completely restricting anything from the diet – including sugar – sometimes we’re going to eat a slice of cake at a birthday party or have a freaking cookie or a margarita occasionally. However, I do understand the value of reducing free sugars and refined sugars in the diet, as well as trying to incorporate healthier alternatives when we can.
The more I have used LIVA the more I love to try it in my favourite recipes – even in my coffee! Not only does it taste great, but it dissolves extremely well too. What’s even more great is that all recipes have been kid approved! My kids call themselves my ‘taste testers’ and absolutely loved both recipes below! Check out a delicious Vegan Chocolate Mousse and Baked Strawberry Oatmeal using LIVA!
VEGAN CHOCOLATE PIE PUDDING
This is a delicious go-to summertime (and all year round) treat that the whole family will love! You can use more or less cacao. In the first picture above, I used more cacao, and with the second picture I used less, which gave a lighter colour.
(*Adapted from a recipe from LIVA’s website, which has tons of delicious recipes)
Ingredients:
3-4 heaping tbsp LIVA date sugar
1 can coconut whipping cream
3 tbsp cacao powder
2 tbsp coconut oil or cacao butter
1 tbsp vanilla
Directions:
1) Blend all ingredients. 2) Freeze 1-2 hours. 3) Put into serving dishes.
Optional - top with cacao nibs or chocolate chips
BAKED STRAWBERRY OATMEAL
Even though it’s baked, it can still act as a warm comforting treat on chilly mornings or rainy days. You can also add everything to a mason jar and refrigerate as overnight oats instead, if you prefer cold instead of warm!
Ingredients:
¾ cup rolled oats
½ scoop vanilla protein (optional for added protein)
1-2 tbsp LIVA Date Sugar
2 tbsp whole or ground chia
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup almond milk or milk of choice
Fresh or frozen strawberries
Directions:
1) Mix the oats, LIVA, chia, cinnamon, baking powder and optional protein in a medium sized bowl. Add milk. 2) Pour mixture into a ramekin and top with strawberry (or any fruit! I also cut up small bits of strawberry to add while baking) 3) Bake for 15 minutes in oven at 350 degrees. Top with fresh cut up strawberries and another tap of cinnamon.
Enjoy!
LIVA works brilliantly for baking. We suggest starting with a 1:1 LIVA/sugar substitution ratio, which can be adjusted according taste or the type of baking.
LIVA is lower in calories than many other sweeteners like refined white sugar. It contains 15
calories and 3.6g of carbohydrates per 4g serving.
LIVA is solar dried for 2 days and grinned into a powder. It retains most of the nutrition dates offers except Vitamin C is depleted. Its whole fruit sugar with nothing added or stripped, the biggest benefit is it has fibre and antioxidants properties.
LIVA is a Canadian – family owned, and operated business passionately dedicated to creating a product that tastes great and leaves the earth a little better along the way.
Enjoy life’s sweet moments in a delicious and healthy way. Check out
https://livafoods.com for more information and tons of delicious recipes.
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