One of my favorite sweet treats, loaded with nutrient-packed ingredients, like:
Coconut milk: While traditional ice cream can be a great treat for many, many people with sub-par health can have dairy allergies or sensitivities, making it more stressful to digestion and the immune system (not the best thing for boosting the metabolism and fat loss). Coconut milk as a base on the other hand is a very tasty alternative with some excellent benefits. Coconut milk is anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, stimulating to the metabolism, easy to digest, and full of antioxidants.
Chocolate: Dark chocolate is chock full of magnesium which is needed as an important cofactor for over 300 enzyme reactions in the body. Not only is magnesium lacking in the American diet (due to soil depletion & processed foods), but your body also wastes magnesium under stress. Magnesium helps to counter the stress responsive to support the metabolism. Chocolate is also high is copper, so if you have high copper levels, you may want to exclude this from the recipe.
Organic sugar: Not only is real sugar extremely easy to digest (especially when dissolved like here), it also provides your body with quick efficient energy to feed your cells and stimulate the metabolism! Did you know that your liver stores sugar (called glycogen), and that you NEED a steady flow of sugar to keep glycogen stores topped off? Without a healthy storage of glycogen, your liver won’t convert thyroid hormone T4 (inactive) to T3 (active form) — which FUELS your metabolism. As Dr. Peat puts it, “The liver provides about 70% of our active thyroid hormone, by converting thyroxine to T3, but it can provide this active hormone only when it has adequate glucose.” If you think your sugar free diet is doing you any favors, check in with your body temperature in the morning- a waking temperature of less than 97.8 degrees is a sign that your metabolism is lacking (and that thyroid conversion isn’t happening like it should).
Pastured egg yolks: According to Catherine over at the Butter Nutrition blog, eggs are like nature’s multivitamin containing everything needed to create life! Each egg contains about 6 grams of protein, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, B2,B5, B12, choline and cholesterol. The egg yolks in this recipe are optional, so exclude them if you have a risk of vitamin A toxicity.
Collagen: This is completely optional, but adds a little extra anti-inflammatory protein to support your liver and phase 2 detoxification. If you want to learn more about how and WHY to use it, read all about it’s amazing detoxifying and anti-aging qualities here.
Chocolate Coconut Milk Ice Cream via Butternutrition.com
1 can coconut milk (like this additive free brand without guar gum)
3 pastured egg yolks*
4.5 tablespoons pure cacao powder ( this one)
2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips (finely shredded)
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons organic cane sugar
1 tablespoons collagen hydrolysate (optional, like this)
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
Method:
1) Combine 1/2 can of coconut milk and all of the sugar in a saucepan on medium, and heat until dissolved (this inverts the sugar and makes it easier to digest, particularly for those on GAPS or SCD diets). Let this cool in the fridge for about 1 hour.
2) In a blender combine the chilled coconut milk/sugar mixture, the rest of the coconut milk, egg yolks, vanilla, & salt. Blend at a low-speed until combined.
3) Add cocoa powder, gelatin (optional) and eggshell calcium (optional). Blend.
4) Pour in ice cream maker and wait patiently.
5) Top this chocolate coconut milk ice cream with shredded chocolate chips or stir in to combine. Enjoy!
*Raw egg yolks can be lethal and are not appropriate for everyone, especially those with weakened immunity. Please do your own research and make your own choice on whether they are right for you. You may also view our disclaimer here.
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Sources:
Butter Nutrition
Photo Credit: Depositphotos.com/StephanieFrey