Dark Chocolate Mints (Healthy Andes Copycat)

I will fight for an Andes Mint. Not even joking. Not a throw-down, fists-up kind of fight. Not even a hair-pulling, nail-breaking fight (well, maybe). But...

When the server sets those mints on the edge of the table, all bets are off. First come, first serve. You know what I'm talking about. Okay, so I don't eat at this particular establishment anymore. But when I did, it was mostly for the mints. Never mind that I could just buy the mints from the store. Apparently there was something special about the ones you receive after chowing down on bread sticks.

Keep reading or print recipe here.

No Bake Coconut Banana Cream Bites (Grain-free, Paleo, Autoimmune, GAPS)

So yeah...there's this:

I made these coconut tarts and after all the testing, I was ready to give up sweets for good (I actually gave away dried mango, so I think that's it for the sweets for awhile). Then a family member gave me some ripe bananas that needed to be used. My obsession to make the perfect coconut butter left me with, well...tons of coconut butter. (The first time I discovered coconut butter, I made this peppermint bark.) And a banana version of the coconut tarts was born. I'm not calling these tarts because it doesn't seem right. Cream pies, maybe. But I don't want to disappoint anyone looking for a real banana or coconut cream pie, so I'll calling them "bites." Yeah, it might take two bites to eat one of these, but you get the idea.

No Bake Mini Coconut Lemon Tarts plus berry versions (paleo, autoimmune, GAPS)

This recipe was created because of these Hail Merry Lemon Tarts. Have you heard of them? Seen them? I was in Earth Fare almost a month ago picking up a few things. While I was concentrating on picking out some greens...There. They. Were. In the produce section. Enticing me. Telling me to drop my kale and chard and eat a lemon tart. I can't turn down a lemon tart (or anything with lemon).

Five Minute Freezer Fudge: Nut & Nut-free versions (paleo, gluten free, dairy free)

If you are familiar with coconut oil, you are aware that it melts at about 76° F. The cool thing about coconut oil's ever changing state is that frozen coconut oil makes for great candies and other goodies. I usually make candies out of coconut oil to keep in the freezer. I prefer these little frozen treats to baked goods, because it's easier to control how much I eat (and measuring is not absolutely necessary...and that is always a plus for me). If I see a batch of cookies staring at me every time I walk through the kitchen, I'll probably chow down on 3 or 4 a day. The candies are tucked safely in my over-packed freezer. If I really, really have to want some, I have to shuffle things around, potentially dropping jars on my toes, in order to grab a bite. (Truthfully, this has gotten a lot easier since my last Whole30. While I definitely enjoy some dark chocolate, this fudge, or something sweet occasionally, I don't indulge every night like I used to do. Now, I usually just eat some fruit. I love me some fruit.)

Dairy Free Double Layer Peppermint Bark

I'm not going to talk much today -- mostly because I'm stuffing my face with peppermint bark. I love Christmas, but I can't wait until the New Year. Then I will be able to replace all this sugary indulgence with alcohol. Just a little. Champagne is a requirement for bringing in the New Year. For me, it is. You don't have to agree.