Stuck for a gift this Valentines Day?

Whether or not you reserve this day to spend with your significant other or choose to spend it with family and friends, Valentines Day is about showing the love to all those special people in your life.

It doesn't have to be all about expensive chocolate and roses.

Why not make some of this divine raw Chocolate Raspberry Fudge?

Photo sourced from Instructables.com

You can package it up in a beautiful box or pretty bow and give to your loved ones. Not only will brighten up their day, you are also giving them the gift of health.

Its all about the heart baby!

Why This Recipe is So Good for You!

-Cashews have a lower fat content than most other nuts, approximately 82% of their fat is unsaturated fatty acids, plus about 66% of this unsaturated fatty acid content are heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, similar to those found in olive oil.

-Coconut oil has an unusually high amount of medium-chain fatty acids or triglycerides (MCFAs or MCTs), which are harder for our bodies to convert into stored fat and easier for them to burn off than long-chain fatty acids or triglycerides (LCFAs or LCTs).

-Dates not only keep your colon healthy but may reduce both "bad" LDL and overall cholesterol, perhaps by binding with cholesterol particles in your digestive system and moving them out of the body before they’re absorbed.

-Healthy fats found in raw cacao are similar to the monounsaturated fat found in olive oil. It is also a known Aphrodisiac – A mood-enhancing compound found in cacao is PEA or phenethylamine, which triggers the release of endorphins and pleasurable opium-like neurochemicals. These often release naturally when we fall in love and during sexual activity.

- Increasing your intake of flavonoid-rich foods like raspberries is associated with a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease,even small amounts of flavonoid-rich foods may be beneficial! One flavonoid in particular, anthocyanins, have been shown to suppress inflammation that may lead to cardiovascular disease.

Raw Chocolate Raspberry Fudge

Ingredients

• 1 c. raw organic cashews

• 1/2 c. organic coconut oil

• 1/4 c. honey (rice malt syrup can be used)

• 4 dates - pits removed

• 1/2 vanilla bean

• 3/4 c. organic cacao powder

• 340g organic raspberries (fresh or frozen and thawed) (blend into puree)

Recipe

1. In the bowl of a food processor add cashews and process until you have cashew butter.

2. Add coconut oil, honey, dates and vanilla bean and pulse several times until dates are finely chopped.

3. Scrape down sides as necessary. When mixture starts to separate add the cacao powder and pulse to combine until you have a smooth consistency.

4. Add in raspberry purée and whiz until mixture looks like thick rich frosting.

5. Spoon mixture into a 9x9 inch baking dish lined with parchment paper and smooth to an even layer.

6. Freeze four hours or overnight. Remove parchment from pan onto a cutting board and cut into desired sized squares.

7. Eat and enjoy!!

Store leftover fudge in the freezer for the best texture.