Holiday Chocolate Bark

I am not usually the type of gal that likes nuts and other things in my chocolate, but this boy oh boy is this good, and it makes a perfect gift, or easy fun treat to bring to your next holiday party.

Ingredients:

Dark chocolate chips

Chopped pistachios

Dried cranberries

Coconut flakes

Sea salt (optional)

Directions:

• Shuck pistachios from shells, and chop nuts (lightly) in a food processor. If you don't have a food chopper... try sticking them in a sealed Ziploc bag and roll with a rolling pin, or mash with mallet until crushed.
• Chop or cut cranberries into smaller pieces too.
• Melt chocolate chips ( I added a little coconut oil to the pan to prevent burning the chocolate) - you can also use a double boiler.
• Cover cookie sheets with wax paper.
• Pour melted chocolate onto wax paper, and spread it evenly and thinly - about 1/8 inch thick.
• OPTIONAL : Grind a little Celtic sea salt or Himalayan salt on top. (salt and chocolate is actually really good)
• Sprinkle pistachios, cranberries, and coconut over the chocolate.
• Place cookie sheet in refrigerator to harden.
• Once the chocolate has hardened you can cut or break into pieces.

Enjoy!!!!

Quick Tips for Healthier Holidays!

We are all tempted to indulge over the holiday season - there are sweets, treats and goodies all around. You don't have to be the person standing over the crudite platter and eating only carrot sticks and celery to be healthy this season, it is about making empowered choices, and the following tips are intended to help you with that.

1. Indulge in the foods you LOVE.... just make the portions smaller, and when you do eat, take time to savor each bite! Be thoughtful, and remember just because that morsel is small, one is plenty. Chew, chew, chew and make it last....

2. Drink up.... on water that is! Holiday drinks can be loaded with sugar and calories, so in between the 'eggnog latte' and pomegranate martini etc... be sure to drink lots of H2O. Dehydration is also a leading cause of cravings so keeping hydrated helps that "uncontrollable" hand reaching for another cookie.

3. Fill up... on healthier whole grains and veggies before going out to dinner or to the next holiday party. This makes it so much easier to enjoy in moderation because you won't be starving and gobbling up everything in sight.

4. Keep moving.... it is easy to throw it all out the window with so much going on, but keeping up your exercise routine is important even if it is as simple as going for a walk... exercise can really help keep you on track with what you are eating, and can help reduce holiday stress too.

5. Bring it... if you are not sure what type of food will be at a party - bring a healthier version of something that you know you will be happy to eat.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season, celebrating love, life, friends, family and most importantly you! Feeling good comes from within, so remember to acknowledge your awesomeness too!

Happy Eating!