Sometimes cleanse participants are shocked when we share our weakness for chocolate brownies.
It’s as if we don’t deal with cravings, negative self-talk or aches and pains. It’s as if we are somehow spared the normal stress of daily life. We’re here to assure you … that’s not the case! But let us go back to the chocolate brownies.
Although not a food we recommend you eat during your cleanse, raw brownies, made from 100% raw cacao, make an excellent choice when you are transitioning or craving something sweet. You can feel good enjoying a small raw brownie because of the amazing benefits of cacao, things like increasing the neurotransmitters in the brain that produce feelings of euphoria, happiness and bliss. Yes, please!
This recipe is our go-to pot luck dessert! It’s always a crowd-pleaser — if they last long enough to make it out of the house, that is. Easy, quick, and delicious! But for real, don’t eat the entire tray, as cacao does contain caffeine and can spike your blood sugar levels just like good ‘ole fashion chocolate.
With love and chocolate,
Decadent Raw Brownies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup walnuts (or cashews)
- 1 cup dates, pitted
- ¼ cup raw cacao (add another ¼ cup for more decadence)
Directions:
In a high-speed blender, mix walnuts and dates together until smooth. Add cacao powder. Press mixture into an 8×8 dish lined with wax paper. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Everyone looks like they are in their 20’s or 30’s—can a 62 year old do this? I’m 20pounds overwight, do bikram yoga, take Body Balance, True greens and vitali-c, but I am still not over the hurdle of understnding how to eat like my 3 grown children are eating?? I’m considering the HCG drops—but my youngest called and said —try your “Conscious Cleanse”.
You started 3 days ago, so I guess it is too late?
Hi Becky,
Yes, you can definitely do this! It is too late to sign up for the current cleanse but the next one is likely going to be September 30th. Hope you and your girls can join us then.
This is awesome on Super Bowl Sunday. Do you think it’s possible to substitute dates with raisins or dried prunes? I hope to improvise… Thanks.
Hi Sue, I would think raisins would be fine but I would not do prunes! Hope they were at hit for your Super Bowl watching!
Is the Hershey’s Cacao the type I should get for this recipe?
Hi Margaret, I don’t know Hershey’s cacao but I do know that Navitas Naturals is excellent! Just read the label. Should be one ingredient. :)
I’m not familiar with Navitas Naturals. Is this available in health food stores?
Hi Arlynn, Yes, you can get Navitas Natural from health food stores, online health food sites, and even Amazon.
Does this recipe call for fresh dates or dried? TIA
Dried dates!
Do you think I could try this with almonds instead of walnuts or cashews? My baby has severe allergies to both those kinds of nuts but not almonds and I am breastfeeding so needing to avoid walnuts and cashews as well.
How about pecans or macadamia nuts? The softer nuts would work best. Let me know how it turns out! :) xo
I had signed up for the cleans but it seems the info didn’t arrive in my mailbox. You’ve mentioned there is another in about a month i want to make sure i dnnt miss that one either …. what do i need to do to be sure i am on the list? i have bee told i was …
thanks
Hi Doris! Did you sign up for the September 9 live cleanse with us or for the clean eating challenge through Gaiam TV? Please email us at connect@consciouscleanse.com so we can help you get it all figured out! We’re so happy to have you as a part of the Conscious Cleanse community. :)
Hi,
I just signed up for the challenge through Gaiam TV, I’m excited to get going. I’ve looked at a few smoothie recipes. All of them say to use a high speed blender. I have a basic blender, Black and Decker Cyclone, I don’t think that is a ‘high speed’ blender like the Vitamix. Can I use this blender to make the smoothies? I know this seems like a dumb question but since the directions state ‘high speed’ specifically it makes me wonder if my smoothies will come out as these recipes intend.
Thank you for any help you can give!
Bea :)
Hi Bea,
While a high speed blender does make for a smoother consistency of the smoothies, your blender should work just fine. if you find your smoothies aren’t quite getting smooth enough though, you may want to look into an upgrade. However, if you’re looking for a more affordable high speed blender than the Vitamix (which we love) the Ninja Ultima is also a great, and more affordable, choice.
Please let us know if you have any other questions!
Happy cleansing,
Jo
I really like these brownies, they are more like a ‘Lara Bar’. I added a tsp. of vanilla and a tbsp. honey and small amt. of nut butter so they weren’t as dry. So easy too! Thank-You!
Yum! Love the variation Jenny. If your dates are on the dry side, the mixture could be less sticky, so adding a sweetener is a great idea.