Healthy Valentine Love Bites

Do you celebrate Valentines Day or, like my parents when I was growing up, do you reject it as another way for chocolate and card companies to make money?

I was into it in my 20s, partly, I think, precisely because my parents wouldn't buy into it when I was growing up.  Adam and I would go out to a fancy restaurant each year and make it a celebration and I would usually buy chocolates and wine for us to indulge in...I don't think we've done any of that since we've had kids.  In fact, Adam has been away travelling for work for the last bunch of Valentines Days. 

Although he's here this year we have no grand plans.  I will just try to find a nice meal to prepare for us on Saturday.  Also, I concocted these little gems, which proved to be a big hit with the whole family.

Nothing like giving the people you love something that will make their tummies and their hearts happy, huh?

These are so super simple to make and really yummy.  They are also sugar-free, vegan, gluten and grain-free. 

You can roll them in cocoa powder, coconut or chopped nuts, but my girls aren't big on any of those things, so I left them plain.  The dough is sticky but if you moisten your hands a bit, they are much easier to roll.

Health Valentine Love Bites

100g bag roasted chestnuts
1 cup prunes (make sure they are soft)
1 cup dried cranberries (preferably juice-sweetened)
1 cup stevia for baking (that measures like sugar)
1/4 cup cocoa powder

Place chestnuts in food processor and pulse until ground to crumbs.  Add dried fruit and pulse until dough becomes a ball.  Add stevia and cocoa powder and pulse again until incorporated. 

Roll dough into small balls, roll in cocoa, coconut or nuts, if desired, and place on parchment-lined baking sheet.  Chill until firm.  Makes 20-22 Love Bites.  Keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

I have included this recipe in Urban Naturale's Healthy, Happy, Green & Natural Party Blog Hop.