We all love yummy food. But it often seems that we have to choose between yummy and healthy. I’m here to tell you that is a diet mentality falsehood. Yummy food can be healthy. How, you might ask? Editing.

This is a food term coined by my son. He loves the magic of Harry Potter, but doesn’t like anything dark or violent. So I edited the Harry Potter films for him so they were full of the magic and the fun but had nothing that bothered him. He liked that concept so much that he started asking me if I could “edit” food. He is well aware of how I feel about “junk food,” which by my own definition is anything that acts as garbage instead of fuel in our bodies. The concept of editing opened up a whole new world: food with all the fun and yum factor without anything that weakens our bodies.

Edited fudge? Absolutely. Edited cupcakes with chocolate frosting? You’ve got it. Edited cotton candy? That was where I had to draw the line. There’s no way to save that stuff. But for almost every treat you crave, there is a way to make it in harmony with the principles of Simply Divine Eating.

Let’s start with fudge. These are craveable treats that are half way between the consistency of fudge and fudgy brownies. Call them what you will, they are awesome! They are gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, and can be made raw.

Simply Divine Fudge
2 c Medjool dates
3 T coconut oil
1/2 c cocoa (use raw cacao for a raw brownie)
2 T raw honey
1 t vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
A handful of nuts, coconut, or dried fruit (optional)

Put the pitted dates in the food processor and process into a paste. It is fine if it is a little chunky. (If the dates aren’t soft, you may have to soak them in water first.) Put the date puree in a bowl. On the stove, gently melt the coconut oil. Add the honey, vanilla, and salt. Quickly whisk in the cocoa and pour the mixture onto the date puree. Enjoy the fact that you will get a little exercise mixing the chocolate mixture into the dates with a sturdy spoon. Stir in the nuts, coconut, or fruit if you choose. Press into a pan (smaller if you want thick pieces, larger if you want thin pieces) and chill in the fridge or freezer. Turn out the fudge and cut into pieces once it is solid. You can also roll it into balls or logs if you prefer. If needed, use paper towels to absorb any oil coating the outside. Enjoy a completely divine indulgence!

Angie