Rose Maca Truffle Recipe
Hey Friends,
Have you ever wanted to make your own chocolate truffles but didn't know how?! This recipe is super easy (almost fool proof) and uses only five ingredients and one pot!
We love these truffles for a few different reasons. First off, they are the perfect texture - soft, super rich, creamy, and magically melt in your mouth in the most decadent way. They are the perfect combination of rich dark chocolate and subtle rose. We think they'd make the perfect Valentine's day dessert for a romantic dinner or just shared with your gal pals or co-workers for a mind blowing treat that is packed with nutrients! They can be stored at room temperature which make them easy to give as a handmade gift wrapped in foil or in a pretty box.
Did you know rose essential oil is the highest frequency food of any natural substance? What does that mean exactly?! To keep it simple, every thing has a frequency because everything vibrates (because everything is made of atoms!). You, me, plants,etc. The human body = 62-72 MHz (unit of measurement), rose = 320 MHz! Think of it as concentrated life force. Consuming it or smelling it can helps raise your vibration (which improves health and immunity). Rose oil is known to be a natural antidepressant, aphrodisiac, and anti-viral and more. We use a teeny tiny bit in a whole batch of chocolate, so don't worry, you wont vibrate away but we do hope you enjoy the health benefits and uplifting qualities of rose.
These truffles are:
magical
decadent
rich & creamy
Ingredients:
1 Rose Maca bar - finely chopped
1 TBS coconut oil
1 TBS + tsp coconut butter*
1 TBS maple Syrup
1 TBS raw cacao powder (Plus extra for dusting)
Instructions:
1. Start by getting all the ingredients prepared, chop the chocolate bar and measure out the ingredients. The next process uses the heat from the coconut oil in step 2 to melt the rest of the ingredients. So you'll need those ready to go, in order to not have to reheat the chocolate (which can compromise the integrity of the chocolate).
2. Melt the coconut oil over low heat until it is melted and hot 1-2 minutes.
3. Take the coconut oil off the heat completely and in the same saucepan add the coconut butter and mix quickly until completely integrated.
4. Immediately add the chocolate and stir until melted.
5. Add the cacao powder and stir until combined.
6. Add the maple syrup and stir until combined. Immediately place in fridge.
7. Take the chocolate out after it is in solid form (not liquid). Use a tablespoon to scoop out a ball. Form bar with hands until you form a truffle. Place on plate and repeat until all chocolate is used. Place chocolate back in fridge for a minute.
7. Optional: Dump some raw cacao powder into a bowl. Take out the balls from the fridge and toss with the raw cacao powder until coated.
Serve at room temperature. Store in the fridge covered (chocolate can take on other flavors easily) up to 14 days.
*you can alternatively just use 1/4 cup coconut oil total. The truffles will be much softer so be sure to keep them in the fridge until you serve them.
We hope you love this recipe. Keep in touch with us @notyoursugarmamas (instagram) or @notursugrmamas (twitter) #notyoursugarmamas
Keepin' it real,
Ky & Bennett
P.S. We are excited to announce that we will be a part of health expert Robyn Youkilis's Go with Your Gut book launch party with best selling author Gabrielle Bernstein! If you are in the area, its going to be a great event! You can sign up here.
P.P.S. Don't miss out on our Valentine's Day limited edition bark.
NYSM Spotlight on Nicole Ferraro: “YOU CAN DO ANYTHING"
We recently had the opportunity to catch up with Nicole Ferraro, 28, who is the definition of a “NOT YOUR SUGAR MAMA”. This girl doesn’t stop! She is committed to her community, working as a wellness coordinator with Boston Public Health Commission, and is currently enrolled in an intensive yoga teacher certification course. She’s traveled all over and dreams big - and can’t help but inspire those around her to do the same!
What keeps you busy Monday through Friday?
Encouraging people to live active lifestyles and creating/implementing systems and programs to support healthy living in Boston, lots of communication, yoga, cooking and catching up with friends, usually over food.
Coolest experience?
Probably spending a year in Juneau, Alaska. In addition to being absolutely breathtaking, it was a very new, unfamiliar place that gave me exactly what I needed at that phase of life. I had the opportunity to figure out who I was outside of the system and structure of life in my hometown and in college. I learned (was forced) to slow down and appreciate the beauty in simplicity, that is so apparent if you take the time to look for it. I caught and filleted salmon, hiked to glaciers and inside ice caves, had encounters with bears, whales and lots of porcupines and most importantly, made some really great friends and felt supported and encouraged by the warm, close-knit, quirky Juneau community.
Biggest challenges?
One of my AmeriCorps years as a recess coach at a Boston elementary school. It was long hours that required me to be very high energy and "on" the whole time. Nine year olds can be pretty mean, and I had a hard time not taking all of the kids "stuff" home with me at night. That being said, it was one of the greatest learning experiences and one of the most rewarding and fun jobs I've ever had.
What do you do to give back?
I'm pretty involved in my community through my job, working in Community Health. I work for the city government and am learning more and more each day how small of a world this city really is. For the last few years I've volunteered my time to work at a week long camp for kids with disabilities in Western NY and to lead High School Sophomores in MA through a weekend long leadership conference called MassSTAR. They are both super life giving experiences that I look forward to all year long.
Favorite healthy snack?
Avocado mashed up with a hard boiled egg on toast.
Favorite healthy meal?
Brussel sprout, apple & leek veggie burger from howsweeteats.org. I make them every couple weeks and keep them in the freezer for really exciting lunches. Exciting lunches are a real game changer.
Most cherished possession?
This is a tough one... my most sentimental possession is probably the tie dyed sweatshirt blanket that I got at camp in 9th grade. It lived on the end of my bed in high school, and has since came on many trips and adventures with me. It was my "comforter" for the air mattress I slept on during my year in Juneau and is currently my favorite blanket to cuddle up on the couch with in my apartment in Boston. It's a great reminder of different phases of life that led me to where I am today. I also really cherish my food processor and my camera "tripod" that screws onto a wine bottle.
Favorite beauty product?
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind under eye stick. I don't wear a ton of makeup so it's perfect for those inevitable bags under the eyes when you're on the go. And coconut oil, I put it in my hair overnight every few weeks and use it as lotion daily.
Latest splurge?
Yoga teacher training. And some Kate Spade Saturday/New Balance sneakers.
Vice?
Red wine.
How do you ‘treat yourself’?
I take the time to find a new recipe, go to the grocery store and spend hours in the kitchen with Van Morrison Pandora station in the background and glass of red wine.
What do you do for fun?
All things food related (cooking, eating, reading food blogs, cooking club that meets once a month), long city walks or hikes, quality time with family and adventures to see new places and/or catch up with old friends.
How do you keep fit?
Yoga, lots of walking and always taking the stairs.
Advice to young women?
Find a practice. Any practice. Whether it be yoga, writing, knitting, juggling... anything! Something that you do regularly, that you can grow in and that grounds you and makes you happier, healthier version of yourself.
Personal mantra?
"You can do anything" has been my life mantra for most of my adult life. I appreciate its positivity and simplicity. Recently the following quote has become a powerful daily reminder: "Unclench your fists, unlock your knees and also the door to your heart, take a deep breath, and begin to swim. Begin to let the waves do their work in you." -Shauna Neiquist
2015 Resolutions?
Unclench my fists (see above), do less (say no to more things/have less on the schedule so I can be a better version of myself when doing the things that matter most), do a handstand & bake bread!
Finding Peace
What in your life are you avoiding right now? Notice the energy that this feeling creates in your body. See if you can drop the urge to change whatever this thing is and just accept it for what it is (even if just for a moment) and send it love. Notice the energetic shift that this creates. Let us find peace in our lives by fully accepting what is in front of us instead of resisting and avoiding what is. When we are looking at our lives through the lens of fear, we create feelings of suffering and want things to be different, but through the lens of love, we remove the veil of illusion and everything feels lighter and just as it should be. This way of viewing things takes a little more conscious effort as we are collectively programmed for fear but this is not normal even though we've grown to believe that it is. Love is real, fear is not. In what ways can you be more loving and accepting of your life?
Gearing Up for RENEWAL in 2015 with Homemade SHRUBS & SCRUBS!!!
To Make: Combine all ingredients except apple cider vinegar in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Once a simmer is reached, lower heat and continue to simmer for an additional 10 mins. Remove from heat and let cool. Pour mixture into a quart-sized glass jar and add 1 C of cider vinegar. Shake and let sit at room temperature for 2 days. To use, simply strain the mixture and enjoy!
Make Merry with Holiday MOCKTAILS!!!
Pomegranate For Lunch
'Tis the season for pomegranate and my body has definitely been craving it. I love this juicy, superfruit. I used to be deterred by the process of pulling out all the pomegranate seeds but now I thoroughly enjoy it. It gives me a chance to handle the food and contemplate what a perfect whole food it is and how lucky I am to be eating it. It's one of the highest antioxidant fruits, great for lowering blood pressure and is thought to help relieve depression. I'll take it! On a salad, in a smoothie, in a chocolate bar, whole....any way I can get it! I made a delicious lunch today with pomegranate and can't help but share it, it was so beautiful and yummy! Here it is:
1 cup steamed broccoli
1 cup chickpeas, rinsed
2 tbs pomegranate seeds
2 tbs hemp seeds
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Sea salt
Place the broccoli in a pot and steam it for 5-7 minutes. Meanwhile, drain your canned (organic if possible) chickpeas and place about a cup of that into a bowl. When broccoli is done (you can easily pierce a knife through the stems) place in bowl with chickpeas. Sprinkle pomegranate and hemp seeds and drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar to your liking. Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top. Voila! This meal will leave you feeling nourished and satisfied I hope. If you want to get really crazy, sprinkle some cacao nibs on there too! Let me know how it turns out!
Our favorite lunch right now
Over in the NYSM Vineyard Haven kitchen space, we have a lot going on. There is production happening most days, all day, orders being shipped out, customers coming through the door for drinks and treats, phones ringing and meetings happening all at the same time. We are busy little bees back there. But we always like to slow it down to eat some lunch together. Pictured here is our go-to favorite and super easy meal. Each time we make it, it is always more beautiful than the last time. There are different ways that you can vary the recipe, using different beans, different greens or whatever calls to you. We thought we would share this with you for a little lunch inspiration if you are tired of your same old sandwich.
You will need:
1 head of kale
Fermented cabbage (optional...buy at your grocery store)
Organic chickpeas
Organic Tempeh
Hummus (optional)
Hemp seeds (optional)
Nutritional Yeast
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Sea salt
To make:
Steam the kale for 5-10 minutes.
Rinse and drain chickpeas
Saute tempeh in some coconut oil for about 5-10 mins or until light brown on each side
Combine all ingredients and serve with a dollop of hummus, drizzle olive oil and balsamic and sprinkle with sea salt and nutritional yeast (and hemp seeds if desired). Enjoy this amazing and nutritious meal!