Yes, it’s still January. And I’m still easing myself into a healthier lifestyle – I’m worried if I’m too strict my body will go into shock and I’ll be found wandering around town in some kind of fugue state. I’m in awe of my friends who can cut everything out completely and enjoy the extreme health kick in this, the most depressing of months. Oh what it must be like to have that kind of motivation!
At the weekend, I love to sit in my reading nook with a good book, coffee and a sweet treat. So, as I’ve made my boyfriend hide all the sugar-filled sweet treats leftover from Christmas, I’ve decided to get back into sugar-free baking.
A few years ago I was really into my sugar-free creations. At first, researching a sugar-free vegan diet was like turning vegan all over again. EVERYTHING seemed to have sugar in it. But as soon as I got into the swing of it, my world changed. I started to recreate my favourite sweet treats using refined sugar-free ingredients. I made cacao peanut butter cups, raw chocolate bars, coconut macaroons and an assortment of flapjacks. I used agave, maple syrup or fruit as a replacement for refined sugar.
Sometimes I miss those days, but life is short and Vego bars are delicious. But if I couldn’t find my Christmas presents, I won’t be finding my precious sugar-filled sweet-treats any time soon. So I prevail with the sugar-free creations once again. And to be honest, a lot of these recipes are surprisingly quick and easy to make. This one takes 15 minutes to prepare, 25 minutes to bake and only has four ingredients. It will satisfy your sugar cravings and make you forget how masochist your January diet is. Enjoy!
Resolution Flapjacks
Ingredients
- 250g gluten free oats
- 300g dates
- 50g desiccated coconut
- 75ml extra virgin olive oil
Method
- Firstly, wash the dates and dry with some kitchen roll. Then place them in 150ml water and heat gently for 10 minutes. Leave to cool before placing them in a food processor and blend for 10-15 seconds.
- Add the oats, coconut and olive oil and mix with a spoon until combined.
- Transfer the mixture into a baking parchment lined tin, roughly 25cm x 18cm. Smooth the top of the mixture until it’s even and bake for 20-25 mins.
- Cut into squares while the mixture is still warm from the oven. Let them sit in the tin for 10 minutes before letting them cool on a cooling rack for a further 30 minutes.
Health Benefits
Oats are a fantastic food. They’re a great way to start the day, gently stimulating your digestion but also keeping you full for longer than other carbohydrates. They also make a great snack to keep you going. Their nutritional value is very high; containing manganese, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, phosphorus and various B vitamins. We need these nutrients and vitamins to maintain healthy brain, bone, blood cell, muscle and nerve function.
Dates are rich in fibre and antioxidants. They contain potassium, which we need to keep our blood pressure and the acidity levels in our bodies balanced. They also contain manganese, magnesium, iron, copper and B vitamins.
Coconut is full of healthy fats, keeping our brains bones, skin and hearts healthy. If you’re looking to lose weight, coconut also reduces hunger and increases fat burning. However it is still high in calories, so don’t go eating jars of coconut oil.
Olive Oil, especially extra virgin olive oil, is packed full of antioxidants, reduces inflammation and contains properties which can help protect against heart disease, alzheimer’s, cancer, strokes and type 2 diabetes.
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