With Easter just around the corner, thoughts are turning towards chocolate. Unfortunately, the negative effects of milk chocolate are rife:

• The added sugar in chocolate can cause weight gain, heart disease and tooth decay
• Sugar is highly addictive and overconsumption can cause mood swings and fatigue
• Refined carbohydrates, like sugar, can cause spikes in your blood sugar, which can make your body resistant to insulin over time and may lead to Type 2 diabetes
• Chocolate contains caffeine which, when over-consumed, can cause rapid heartbeat, anxiety, depression, restlessness, sleep problems, tremors, nausea and vomiting

Add Annique’s delicious Chocolate Lifestyle Shake to this recipe for a healthy twist on a popular Easter treat!

Annique’s Lifestyle Shake contains vitamins and mineral and other ingredients that promote health, including:

• Calcium and phosphorus for strong, healthy bones and teeth and maintenance and growth of muscle.
• Vitamin B-complex for increased energy, stress management, good night rest and ideal for hyper active kids.
• Vitamin C for resistance against infection and the formation of collagen that is part of skin, bones, muscles, tendons, teeth and connective tissues,
• Vitamin D for adequate absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the blood.
• Vitamin E to prevent body tissue from breaking down.
• Protein for the formation of muscle tissue, blood cells and tendon structures.
• Rooibos extract – Annique includes their internationally awarded Rooibos extract in the Lifestyle Shake formula for its anti-allergic, anti-spasmodic and antioxidant properties.

Dark Chocolate Coconut Easter Nests
Makes about 12 nests

Ingredients

1 cup unsweetened coconut shreds – chill in the fridge (add a few sprinkles more as needed for handling)
1 ½ cups dark chocolate chips (70%+ cocoa solids, which is a much healthier option than milk chocolate)
1 tbsp Chocolate Lifestyle Shake
¼ cup of coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
½ tsp salt

Method

1. Add the coconut oil and dark chocolate chips to a microwavable bowl and heat in short intervals – stirring well at each interval to ensure the chocolate does not burn. You can also melt over a double broiler. Stir chips into melted oil until creamy.
2. Stir in salt, vanilla and Lifestyle Shake until dissolved.
3. Fold in the chilled coconut.
4. You can either shape the nests and place on parchment paper – or place dollops of the mixture in greased or lined muffin tins – and punch a tiny hole in the centre for nest shape.
5. Place nests in the freezer for at least 20 minutes. They should be ready to serve! You can store in either the fridge or freezer. Thaw a few minutes before serving.