Ok, maybe that is a little dramatic!  However, if I can win over my man, the staunchest of sweetaholic traditionalists {more butter + more cream + more sugar = good}, then this recipe really might have changed my life.  My former employee, Jen, turned me on to the blog My New Roots, and that is where the Raw Brownie was born.  Holistic Nutritionist and Certified Nutritional Practitioner Sarah Britton started My New Roots to share the knowledge she had received through her education in Holistic Nutrition.  Simply put, Sarah has an immense amount of knowledge about food and nutrition and put this platform together to educate and inform all of us!

And now on to the brownie!  These brownies have 5 simple ingredients that all pack a punch, and thankfully they are also simple to make!  The brownies include:

Medjool Dates – our sugar substitute, are a good source of fiber and also contain high levels of potassium, magnesium, copper, and manganese.

Cacao {not Cocoa} – a superfood that is one of the best sources of magnesium found in nature, in addition to containing high amounts calcium, zinc, iron, copper, sulfur, and potassium. Cacao contains many chemicals that enhance physical and mental well-being, including alkaloids, proteins, magnesium, beta-carotene, leucine, linoleic acid, lipase, lysine, and some neurotransmitters such as dopamine and anandamide

Walnuts – high in Omega-3s which reduce cholesterol, lower the risk of heart attack and stroke, boost the immune system, control viral infections, improve brain function, and relieve symptoms of inflammatory condition such as arthritis.

Almonds – High in essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, almonds also are a very good source of healthy, monounsaturated fats and vitamin E. Almonds also contain two important trace minerals, manganese and copper – essential co-factors of a key oxidative enzyme called superoxide dismutase, which disarms free radicals!

The recipe is below and there is a ton more information on My New Roots about each of these ingredients along with loads of other interesting recipes.  Be warned, you might end up in the rabbit hole!  Enjoy!

The Raw Brownie
Ingredients:
2 cups whole walnuts
2 ½ cups Medjool dates, pitted (buy more than you think you will need, I always get too few!)
1 cup raw cacao
1 cup raw unsalted almonds, roughly chopped
¼ tsp. sea salt

Directions:
1. Place walnuts in food processor and blend on high until the nuts are finely ground.
2. Add the cacao and salt. Pulse to combine.
3. Add the dates one at a time through the feed tube of the food processor while it is running. What you should end up with is a mix that appears rather like cake crumbs, but that when pressed, will easily stick together (if the mixture does not hold together well, add more dates).
4. In a large bowl (or the pan you plan on putting the brownies in), combine the walnut-cacao mix with the chopped almonds. Press into a lined cake pan or mold. Place in freezer or fridge until ready to serve (it is also easier to cut these when they are very cold). Store in an airtight container.

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