Low Carb Sugar-Free Haystacks

Sugar-Free Haystacks

These no-bake cookies are chock full of chocolate and coconutty goodness. For a cookie, they can be filling because of the coconut oil, so I like to make them bite-sized. I tried to make them without the erythritol, just using Splenda, since it's more readily available. However, they taste a LOT better with the powdered (not granulated) erythritol.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup powdered (not granulated) erythritol
• 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• artificial sweetener to taste (about 1/2 cup sugar equivalent)
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut

Preparation:

1) Melt the coconut oil. I use a microwave-safe bowl, and heat for 30-45 seconds. Then I mix the rest of the ingredients in the bowl.

2) Whisk in the vanilla, erythritol, and then the cocoa powder. Add the rest of the artificial sweetener (I like liquid sucralose, such as Sweetzfree) to taste. The amount will depend partly on the strength of the cocoa powder.

3) With a spoon, mix in the coconut.

4) Use a small melon ball scoop, or Tablespoon measure to form cookies. If desired, garnish with a sprinkling of coconut and pat into the top.

Chill before eating. Makes 20 cookies.

Nutritional Information: Each cookie has 1 gram effective carbohydrate plus 2 grams fiber, 1 gram protein, and 85 calories.

Frugal Skin Care

One great way to treat your skin is to give it a hot oil treatment. For this, all you need is some kind of oil, a towel and some hot water. Coconut oil can be used for this purpose, but it can be a little heavy.

Some people use extra virgin olive oil, while others will use walnut oil or almond oil. While these oils can be a little pricey, they last a very long time if you are only using it for this purpose and you can buy a small bottle.

Spread the oil into the skin of your face and massage it in thoroughly. You'll find that the oil catches the dirt that is in your pores and holds it.

Soak the towel in hot water and then wring it nearly dry before spreading it over your face for a minute, allowing your pores to open, before wiping the oil away.

This is one of the most thorough ways that you can clean your face of dirt and grime and it has been used in India for centuries.