Eat Beauty: Chocolate-dipped Pecans and Almond-filled Dates, with a little candy cane sparkle THAT DISH OUT SKIN BENEFITS!

The holidays are almost here and I’m excited about all the great food I get to enjoy, but I’m also worried about the inevitable holiday weight gain. I think it’s already started! Moderation is one way of keeping the pounds off, but eating holiday foods shouldn't always be about cakes and cookies and other “unhealthy” treats. So is it possible to make something healthy that’s delicious too? Of course it is! That’s how these chocolate and candy cane coated gems came about. 

At first, I was thinking ” is it even possible to make something good for your skin with candy canes?” After all, they are mostly sugar. But, after a few experiments in the kitchen, I came up with chocolate-covered pecans and chocolate-covered dates with almonds, both coated with crushed candy canes for a fresh minty flavor  The candy canes aren't the star of the recipe, but they certainly do bring some crunch and a pop of freshness to the dessert. How’s that for a healthy treat?

Ingredients


(amounts as needed)
Dark chocolate (70%)
Pitted dates
Roasted almonds (unsalted)
Toasted pecans
Crushed candy canes



Step 1: Melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler or microwave. 

Step 2: Place an almond inside each pitted date and then coat with the dark chocolate. Lay the chocolate-covered date on a silicone baking mat. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes. 

Step 3: For the pecans, dip one end of the nut into the melted chocolate. Lay the pecan on a silicone mat and sprinkle with the crushed candy canes. 

Step 4: Allow the dates and pecans to cool in the fridge until the chocolate hardens (~20 minutes). Keep refrigerated until time to serve.

Don’t believe me that this yummy treat can actually dish out skin benefits? Ok fine, maybe not the candy cane bit, but check out the other rock star ingredients…

Dates: High in dietary fiber, dates will keep you fuller longer. Just think – it’ll help you resist that tempting urge to reach for another slice of Christmas cake! Compared to other dried fruits, dates also have the highest concentration of polyphenols, a powerful antioxidant that keeps skin looking youthful. 

Dark Chocolate: Rich in flavonoids, dark chocolate will load you up with antioxidants while giving you your chocolate fix. Trust me, with this extra infusion of antioxidants, your skin will not complain. 

Almonds: Did you know that almonds are considered one of the most ‘nutritionally-dense’ nuts? Yup, with flavonoids and skin-healing Vitamin E, you’ll be happy they made their way into this sweet indulgence. 

Pecans: Pecans are a good source of protein and fiber, which can help you flush out toxins that could lead to breakouts. What’s more? The Vitamin B thiamine and essential fatty acids in pecans can help skin look smoother and suppler.