Paleo / Sugar-Free Nanaimo Bars

Paleo / Sugar-Free Nanaimo Bars

by | May 17, 2020 | Recipes, Wellness

Awhile back, a reader asked me if I could make a sugar-free version of Nanaimo bars, and she sent me this recipe. I hadn’t heard of Nanaimo bars before, but as soon as I saw that original recipe, I was very excited for the task.

I can’t believe I had never heard of Nanaimo bars before – they are so up my alley. This is just another reason why I should spend more time in Canada. Traditional Nanaimo bars are made of: a bottom crust with graham crumbs, cocoa, coconut, sugar, and butter, a middle custard layer, and a top layer of chocolate.

Just from reading the description, you’re probably already sold on why you need to make them. These bars have everything I love in a good dessert – multiple flavors & textures, layers, chocolate, and coconut!

While traditional Nanaimo bars are made with gluten, dairy, and sugar, this healthier version is completely paleo and sugar-free! And when I say sugar-free, I mean sugar-free. There are no sweeteners added at all – no xylitol, erythritol, monkfruit, stevia, coconut sugar, or any other “healthy” sugar alternative. These bars are “sweet” from the natural flavors of food, which makes them better for your blood sugar and easier on your gut.

Plus, you’ll actually feel satisfied after eating them. Sometimes sweeteners trick our bodies into thinking we want more food, even when we’re full. These Nanaimo bars are high in healthy fats, so they’ll keep you satiated and help you avoid the sugar rush.

To make these bars, make one layer at a time, starting with the bottom “graham” crust, and pour each layer on top of the other. All you need is a sauce pan and a blender! Once all layers are made and placed on top of each other, simply refrigerate or freeze the bars until they’ve hardened.

If you love chocolate and coconut but you’re watching your sugar intake, then these are for you! The chewy graham-crumb bottom, creamy center, and rich chocolate on top are truly the perfect trio. This dessert is paleo, keto-friendly, completely sweetener-free, and something you can store in the freezer for months so you always have a healthy, sweet treat!

Sugar-Free Nanaimo Bars (Paleo / Keto)

Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 12-16 thick Nanaimo bars

Ingredients: 

Bottom Layer:

  • 3/4 cup coconut butter
  • 1/4 cup almond butter
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 4 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1 3/4 cup almond flour
  • 1 cup coconut flakes
  • 1 egg

Middle Cream Layer: (cut measurements in half for thinner bars)

  • 1 cup cashews, soaked
  • 1 cup coconut butter, melted
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil
  • 4 tbsp almond flour

Top Chocolate Layer: (cut measurements in half for thinner bars)

  • 12 oz dark chocolate (100% dark or baker’s bar to make it sugar-free)
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp coconut butter
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 2 tbsp vanilla
  • 3/4 tsp salt

Instructions: 

  1. Line an 8×8 pan baking pan with parchment paper or grease with coconut oil.
  2. Put a small saucepan over medium heat and add in all the ingredients for the bottom layer of the bars, leaving the egg for last. Mix together thoroughly until everything is well incorporated.
  3. Put the mixture at the bottom of the baking pan, pressing down on top to create an even layer.
  4. Add all of the middle cream layer ingredients into a high-powered blender or food processor. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth.
  5. Pour the cream layer on top of the bottom layer in the baking pan. Spread the top to create an even layer that reaches all sides of the pan.
  6. Put the top chocolate layer ingredients except for the vanilla in the small saucepan over low-medium heat. Allow the chocolate to melt, and stir everything together well. Once everything is melted and well-mixed, turn off the heat. Mix in the vanilla.
  7. Pour the chocolate layer evenly on top of the cream layer.
  8. Place the baking tray in the freezer for about 1-2 hours, or the fridge for 2-4 hours.
  9. Once the bars have hardened completely, cut them into squares the size of your liking. Store extras in the fridge or freezer!
Sara Bradley Heals from Disordered Eating, Body Dysmorphia, and SIBO

Sara Bradley Heals from Disordered Eating, Body Dysmorphia, and SIBO

by | May 12, 2020 | Wellness

Sara Bradley

Age: 23
Location: Western Massachusetts

My story started all the way back in elementary school. I remember being in the cafeteria and this cute boy coming up to me. He asked my to be his girlfriend, and I said, “yes!” Of course, reflecting on this now, we had no idea what that meant. However, at the time I was so happy he liked me. Not long after that, he ended up breaking up with me. That wasn’t what hurt me, but what did is knowing that he was actually dared to ask me out. This is when I started to think that something was wrong with me. Is it my face? Is it my hair? Is it my body? I wasn’t sure until middle school.

I was at my best friend’s house and I was talking about this boy I liked. As you can tell, I definitely have a thing for boys…lol. Anyways, I was nervous about telling the boy I liked him and so on. My best friend’s brother came in and said, “Maybe he won’t like you because of your oversized belly button.” At the time, I didn’t make the connection that “oversized belly button” meant overweight. This is when I started thinking that my body was what was “wrong” with me. Through high school, I struggled with eating disorder behaviors, body dysmorphia, poor relationships with boys, and eventually poor gut health. It wasn’t until college that I started to see that I could change my gut health.

I wasn’t making the connection that my poor relationship with myself was a root cause. I started diving into possible causes of where my symptoms came from. What’s funny is I found Christina’s Instagram way before I was truly ready to begin healing. I remember disregarding her content. Through therapy, I know that was a defense mechanism because I was not ready for what Christina had to share. However, through her and other women she has connected me with, I was finally able to find the root cause to my gut issues (hello methane SIBO) along with other co-infections. I learned about the power of real food, the tests to have done, and so much more. I am happy to say I am finally SIBO-free! I am on the last leg of my journey (as of 1-22-2020) in getting my period back, learning to release my eating disorder tendencies, and being a badass woman. Through this journey, I learned so much about myself and how I treat others. Christina not only inspired my drive to heal, but my passion for coaching other women. No woman deserves to fell less than her highest self.

Christina’s podcasts and blog posts have helped me the most. Her content has connected me to other modalities of healing and other women I connect with. If you want to start anywhere, I would grab yourself a cup of tea and read her blogs!