Turtles, but make it healthy(er).

It’s been just shy of a year since I (Denise) got the phone call from Nicholas that he had watched the Game Changers documentary. If you know one thing about him, you know he has two settings… Zero and One Hundred, there is no middle ground with this one. We then watched the Forks Over Knives documentary, and here we are, eating a predominantly plant based diet.

Disclaimer: We still have our non plant based meals, an occasional steak (that we split), donuts (that we don’t), or Chik-Fil-A (every man for themselves). This is just a decision we’ve made to better our eating habits and health over all. This isn’t a “faith based” or “save the world” decision. Sorry, I (Nick) am a selfish vegan, I did this for results and better health. When we began this lifestyle change, I (Nick again) had bloodwork done for the fire department and the results spoke for themselves. We can dive into that a little later, for now, lets talk CHOCOLATE!

Surprisingly, I (Denise) am doing really well with this, shocking, I know! However, the one area I struggle with is the post meal sweet! Holler if you hear me!!

Sometimes I can get by with some fresh fruit, but there are other times that I just neeeeeeed the sweeeeeet. {said in my best Marilyn Manson voice}

We did some research and found a recipe for some healthy(er) Turtles. We did some tweaking and made them our own. We keep these bad boys around all the time so we can quickly grab and go when those sweet cravings when they hit.

To be honest, I thought I would absolutely hate these and I don’t. I have a struggle with Vegan/Vegetarian foods that are supposed to “taste like” or mimic something else. Nick made an “eatloaf” basically just a wannabe meatloaf and I had to dry heave my way through that one.

Here’s what you’ll need…

Ingredients

• 2 cups of dates (pitted) or figs (stems removed) *Dates=sweeter Figs=healthier

• 1/2 cup of Enjoy dark chocolate chips

• 1/4 tsp Himalayan pink salt

• raw pecan halves

In The Kitchen

• food processor

• cookie sheet

• parchment paper

Here’s the part where Nick tells us how you do it. Ok, thanks. Bye.

Put me in coach! Hey guys, Nick here now. This recipe will be the simplest thing you’ve ever created, seriously!

Start by putting all your dates (or figs) into your food processor and add your Himalayan salt. Process on low. After the dates begin to break up bring the speed up to high and process until all the dates turn into a ball.

Then, remove date ball from processor and split into two. Take each half and roll into a 1-1.5” log on your parchment paper.

Cut the roll into 1/2” pieces, set them on your cookie sheet, and press three pecan halves into the disks angling them outwards from the center (like a peace sign)!

Bring on the chocolate! Take the Enjoy Dark Chocolate chips and heat for 45seconds in the microwave and stir. Continue to heat in 15-30 second increments, stirring after each interval, until smooth and spoonable. 

Spoon chocolate on the date and pecan cluster, about 1TBS on each (or more)!

Let cool and eat!!

Seriously, that easy and you’re snacking! Honestly one of the best things we’ve ever created in our kitchen for dessert, and the easiest!

These vegan clusters will keep for a few days on the counter in an air tight container (we think, because they never actually last that long around here)!

We’d love to know if y’all give these a try. Tell us what you think! Enjoy!!