Characteristics

This is an incredibly delicious and deluxe 100% superfood-packed creation that can be used as a snack or dessert anytime. Each of the ingredients offers its own unique health and nutritional benefits. These squares make a super healthy, fantastic treat for all ages. They are rich in protein and healthy fats, as well as antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are naturally low in sodium, have no refined sugars, and are full of nutrient-dense calories. And being raw (as opposed to baked or cooked) means that they maintain the best of their nutritional integrity.

PREPARATION: < 15 mins
SERVING: Makes 16 squares

  • 100% Plant-based (vegan)
  • Whole food
  • Raw
  • Grain-free
  • Wheat free
  • Gluten-free
  • Peanut free
  • Nut-free
  • Soy-free
  • Corn-free
  • Oil-free
  • Refined & isolated sugar-free

Goodies Needed*

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 cups Hemp Seeds (organic)
  • 1/2 cup Raw Cacao Powder (organic)
  • 2 TBSP Spirulina Powder
  • 4 TBSP Coconut butter
  • 4 TBSP Coconut Flakes (organic, unsulphured, unsweetened)
  • 8 - 10 Medjool Dates
  • 2 TBSP water

TOOLS:

  • Food Processor
  • Spatula
  • Glass 8-inch Square Dish

Preparation Steps

  1. Remove pits from your dates and place the pitted dates into the food processor.
  2. Add the water and coconut butter to the food processor and process with the dates until a paste begins to form.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients into the food processor and process on high speed until mixture begins to stick together, as relatively one piece.
  4. Remove from food processor and using a spatula, press into an 8-inch square glass dish.
  5. If desired for garnish, sprinkle the top evenly with some coconut, lightly pressing it down with a spatula.
  6. You can eat it immediately for a soft, chewy texture, or place in the refrigerator for about an hour to let the squares harden.
  7. Cut into 9 larger or 16 smaller squares and enjoy.

Tips

  • Store the squares in the refrigerator for short-term use (within a week), or in the freezer for long-term use.

  • For future batches, you can adjust the quantities (+/- tbsp) to experiment with the slight flavor variations that these offer.

  • This is a modified version of my Hemp Spirulina Superfood Squares recipe on Healthytarian.com.

Meal Nutritional Benefits

Hemp Seeds

  • excellent source of healthy fats (35%) and protein (25%)
  • provide healthy carbohydrates and fiber
  • excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, including an optimal omega-3 to omega-6 ratio (1:3)
  • provide phytonutrients, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits
  • provide vitamins, especially vitamin A and E, and some B vitamins
  • provide minerals, especially phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc
  • support optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • support healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
  • protect against heart disease, cancers, diabetes type 2, and other chronic diseases

Cacao (Powder, Nibs, Beans)

  • provides healthy fats, protein, some carbohydrates, and fiber
  • provides lots of phytonutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits
  • provides vitamins, especially most B vitamins
  • provides minerals, especially potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium
  • supports optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • contains euphoric properties (anandamide), aphrodisiac properties (arginine), anti-depressant properties (tryptophan), anti-aging properties, and helps to stimulate and balance brain activity
  • helps maintain healthy blood pressure and blood sugar
  • protects against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes type 2, and other diseases
  • Tips: This information applies specifically to pure cacao products and not any chocolate with added dairy, sugar, or other additives. Choose organic and raw pure cacao products for maximum nutrition and health benefits.

Coconut (fresh and dry)

  • provides healthy fats, protein, some carbohydrates, and fiber
  • provides antioxidants, phytonutrients, and anti-inflammatory benefits
  • provides vitamins, like vitamin C and some B vitamins, including folate and choline
  • provides minerals, especially potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, and copper
  • supports optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • supports healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and iron levels
  • can support proper bone health and protects against osteoporosis
  • can protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes type 2, and other diseases
  • Health Tip: Avoid dry coconut that has been sweetened, sulfured, highly processed, or found to contain other additives or preservatives.

Medjool Dates

  • provide healthy carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and are virtually fat-free
  • provide phytonutrients and antioxidants
  • have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties
  • provide vitamins, especially the B vitamins
  • provide minerals, especially potassium, copper, manganese, magnesium, calcium, and iron
  • support optimal health, energy, weight, healing, and prevention
  • support digestive, immune, and cardiovascular health

Spirulina

  • High-quality complete protein that is denser and more digestible than any animal-derived protein
  • Contains: all the known B vitamins, including vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, Beta-carotene, calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, and many others, as well as trace minerals
  • Source of omega-3 fatty acids including GLA, as well as nucleic acids (RNA & DNA)
  • Excellent source of chlorophyll
  • Contains phycocyanin, a potent anti-cancer phytochemical
  • Highly preventative and healing for numerous health conditions; boosts the immune system and enhances overall health

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