Decadent Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream

Ingredients:

* 1 cup of cashew pieces. (soak them for 4 or 5 hours)
* 1/4 cup of packed, pitted dates cut in half. (soak for 30 minutes )
* 1/2 cup of reserve water from soaking the dates
* 1 1/4 cups of pitted and coarsely chopped fresh cherries
* 1 cup of firm young Thai coconut meat (I used one large coconut)
* 1 cup of coconut water
* 1/2 cup and 1 tablespoon of agave syrup
* 1 scraped vanilla bean
* 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract (or 2 vanilla beans)
* 2 pinches of sea salt
* 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
* 1 capful of cherry extract (Boyajian brand)
* 2-3 tablespoons of raw cacao powder

Add all the ingredients into the Vitamix and blend until smooth. Pour into a container and chill in the fridge until nice and cold (several hours or overnight).

Pour the mixture into the ice cream maker (according to the manufacturer’s directions). It takes about 30 minutes to reach a nice soft serve consistency. Stick ice cream into the freezer for a couple hours for a firmer texture that you can scoop with an ice cream scooper.

Quicker Than Instant Chocolate Pudding

Servings: 4-6

They (I don’t care who!) say it is beneficial to eat a little dark chocolate every day, so here is my “go to” recipe when the need for something chocolatey arises. A Vitamix will allow you to whip up this delectable dessert in less than 1 minute, but if you haven’t made the investment in this powerful machine yet, any high speed blender or food processor will do. I know there are many pudding recipes out there but what makes this recipe so unique is the Grade B maple syrup. Although agave and other grades of syrup will work, Grade B maple syrup gives the pudding a richer, almost caramel-like, flavor. Prepare to be amazed!

Ingredients:

2 medium avocados (about 1 pound)
1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons Grade B maple syrup
2 Tablespoons filtered water*
2 Tablespoons chocolate powder*
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Preparation:

Remove avocado pits and scoop avocado into Vitamix or your preferred blender/food processor. Add remaining ingredients and blend. This pudding freezes well. Just thaw, stir, and serve.