Recipe: Raw Cocoa Brownies

The kids asked for a baked (sweet) treat. We don't make cookies, pastries or brownies very often. I firmly believe in "moderation in all things"- especially once it comes to sugary foods.

There are so many people (adults and children alike) who are struggling with maintaining a strong immune system and healthy intestines (which ultimately go hand in hand with one another).

But I do love baking something yummy every now and then. I love having my kids breathe in the sweet aroma emanating from the oven. And, I'll admit, I love seeing them enjoy eating something utterly delicious.

I do believe that Heavenly Father blessed us with sugar though. The sugar cane plant was put on this earth by Him. I don't think he placed it on earth solely as a sweet treat only for animals to pleasure in.

But here are a few problems I see with sugar:

~The sugar most people use (white sugar) has been processed FAR too much - leaving it as an empty substance devoid of any nutrients or minerals.

~People don't live the principle of "moderation in all things" once it comes to sugar. Too much of anything is a bad thing. And most food companies pour sugar (or HFCS) into most of their products and because of that (depending on what our diet is like) - we shouldn't eat any extra sugary treats at all!

~In today's society, because of weaknesses passed down from our parents (mainly due to their poor eating habits) and because most of us have polluted bodies due to factors such as the chemicals, pesticides, etc. that are in the foods we eat, and because of the pollution from the air we breathe and the absence of yearly detoxifying or cleansing of our bodies, sugar should most definitely be eaten in moderation or even avoided nearly completely.

~Lastly, if eaten too much, sugar is addicting. More addicting than Cocaine.

But ... back to the brownies. :)

Here's our "healthified" recipe:

Raw Cocoa Brownies

1/2 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup butter (raw, if possible)

1 cup sucanat or rapadura (or 1/2 cup agave & 1/2 cup sucanant)

2 tsps pure vanilla

4 eggs (cage and hormone free)

1 cup sprouted whole wheat

2/3 cup raw cocoa powder

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Grease 13x9 square pan.

3. In a medium bowl, mix together the oil, sugar, and vanilla.

4. Beat in eggs.

5. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; gradually stir into the egg mixture until well blended.

6. Stir in nuts, if desired.

7. Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan.

8. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Let cool. Cut and enjoy ... in moderation of course. :)

* The brownies turned out to be more of a cake-like consistency. We'll be working on making some gooier brownies. Perhaps less cooking time? We'll see.