Grasshopper Bars

GRASSHOPPER BARS

FOOD AS MEDICINE

Artificial food colorants are responsible for the bright colors of candies, sports drinks like gatorade and certain baked goods. They are even used in certain brands of pickles, smoked salmon and salad dressing as well as medications, oral hygiene products and beauty products! Artificial food dye consumption has increased by 500% in the last 50 years with children as the biggest group of consumers. Food colorants have been linked to nerve disorders as well as behavior conditions like ADHD and even cancer! Eating whole foods means choosing single, real ingredients and avoiding food-like product like artificial colorants and non-caloric sweeteners. These grasshopper bars get their bright green color from avocado and fresh mint and their sweetness from a small amount of honey for a worry-free treat! They also happen to be free of the major allergens including wheat, soy, eggs, dairy and nuts!

INGREDIENTS

For the mint layer:

2 ripe avocados, pitted

1 bunch fresh mint

1/4 cup local honey

3/4 cup coconut oil, melted

1/8 tsp peppermint extract, more to taste

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 generous pinch sea salt

4 cups shredded unsweetened coconut

For the chocolate layer:

1 bag bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate chips (no soy lecithin) like Equal Exchange brand

DIRECTIONS

Lightly grease and 8×8 pan with coconut oil. Place all ingredients for the mint layer except for the shredded coconut in a food processor and blend until smooth and uniform throughout. Pulse in the coconut shreds until just combined. This should form a dough. Spread into prepared pan and place in freezer for at least 2 hours, until hardened.

Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler. Once melted and glossy, pour over chilled bottom layer. Return to the freezer until chocolate layer is solid. Thaw slightly before cutting into bars.

Makes about 16 servings

Nutrition Per Serving: 308 Calories, 26g Fat, 15g Carbs, 3g Protein

For more delicious food-as-medicine inspired recipes, including an entire section on mindful indulgences, pick up a copy of our Naturally Nourished Cookbook!