Flourless Brownies and More… (with Energizing Cococeps)

Today’s post is sponsored by iHerb. All opinions are my own.

We all know chocolate is awesome, amiright? Well, it can get better. No really. I swear. Here’s what I mean:

I don’t know about you, but I know exactly what I want when I reach for something chocolate – I want a boost! A boost in mood, a boost in energy. It’s a pick-me-up in the middle of an afternoon slump.

The problem is when I end up reaching for some processed chocolate goodies that may give me what I want – but they don’t really nourish my body or actually give me what I need.

Enter CocoCeps. It packs the power of pure organic cocoa together with full-spectrum cordyceps and reishi powders. That means you get the chocolate you crave, but you’re also adding adaptogenic nutrients that support your energy and mood on a cellular level.

Why I Love CocoCeps

The dark cocoa powder in CocoCeps provides naturally-occurring theobromine and caffeine to give you that pep in your step. Dark cocoa fights free radicals and boosts brain function naturally, while also promoting heart health and healthy blood pressure levels.

Cordyceps is a mushroom native to China and Tibet. It increases immune function, fights fatigue, and improves exercise performance. Cordyceps is also known for supporting the health of your heart, liver and kidneys. It even helps you maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

Reishi is another mushroom commonly used in Chinese medicine. Reishi acts as an antioxidant and fights oxidation and inflammation in the body. It’s also been shown to relieve feelings of anxiety and depression. Reishi also supports the health of your heart, liver and kidneys.

Together, these three ingredients work to provide a natural boost in energy without the jitters and the crash, while supporting multiple aspects of your health at the same time. 

(There are about 14mg of caffeine in each serving of CocoCeps – which is slightly more than your average decaf cup of coffee. Although it’s a small amount, keep it in mind if you’re sensitive to caffeine. CocoCeps is best used in the morning to early afternoon.)

Enjoy the Chocolate without the Guilt

CocoCeps has no added sweeteners or flavors – its natural taste is deep just like you’d expect dark cocoa to be. You can simply mix it with hot water and your sweetener of choice (if you’d like), and enjoy it just like that. I’ll often put a scoop in my coffee just to give it a boost (and to prevent me from reaching for a second cup!).

But I wanted to share some more creative ways you can reap the benefits of CocoCeps. My three recipes below make enjoying CocoCeps even easier and more delicious:

Flourless Brownies with CocoCeps

Ingredients:

makes 10 servings

• 1 cup CocoCeps Instant Cocoa
• 1 cup coconut sugar
• 1/3 cup melted coconut oil
• 1/4 cup almond butter
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line a 9 x 13 inch glass pan with parchment paper. (I like to leave enough paper on each end to be able to pull the whole batch out of the pan at once. It makes cutting so much easier!)
3. Add dry ingredients to a medium glass bowl and stir until well mixed.
4. Add eggs, coconut oil, almond butter, water, and vanilla.
5. Gently stir ingredients until just mixed. Careful not to overmix.
6. Pour batter into the parchment-lined pan and spread evenly with a spatula or spoon.
7. Bake 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees F, or until a knife or toothpick comes out mostly dry with crumbs attached.
8. Cool for at least one hour before cutting removing from the pan and cutting.
9. Serve cooled and store in an airtight container.

Dairy-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie with CocoCeps

Ingredients:

makes one serving

• 1 cup ice cubes
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 1 scoop CocoCeps Instant Cocoa
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Add ice and almond milk to a high powered blender. Blend for 20-30 seconds.
2. Add peanut butter, maple syrup, CocoCeps and vanilla.
3. Blend for 20-30 seconds until smooth.
4. Add a straw and enjoy!

Chocolate Almond Oatmeal with CocoCeps

Ingredients:

makes one serving

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1/2 cup rolled or quick oats
• 2 tablespoons almond butter
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or coconut sugar
• 1 scoop CocoCeps Instant Cocoa
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt
• Chocolate chips and sliced almonds for topping (optional)

Directions:

• Add oats, water and almond milk in a small saucepan. Stir together.
• Add almond butter, maple syrup, CocoCeps, vanilla and sea salt.
• Cook on medium heat, stirring often until oats are cooked (3-5 minutes depending on the type of oats used).
• Spoon into a bowl. Top with chocolate chips, sliced almonds, and a little more almond milk if desired.

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