Chocolaty Coconut Mini Tortes
These super fudgy, hard-to-resist nibbles get a healthy conversion with a few smart switches. For starters, we use whole wheat flour instead of white. For the clincher, we swap the usual stick or two of butter with a healthier fat: canola oil. By using omega-3 eggs, we also up the ante on nutrition.
 INGREDIENTS:
8 oz. semisweet chocolate chips (about 1¼ cups)
½ cup canola oil
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup whole wheat flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
¼ cup shredded, unsweetened coconut
5 large omega-3 eggs, beaten
Confectioners’ sugar
METHOD:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Lightly oil or coat 24 mini muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
3. Stir the chocolate chips and canola oil in a medium saucepan over low heat until melted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
4. Whisk the sugar, flour, cocoa powder and coconut in a large bowl until well combined. Whisk in the eggs until well blended.
5. Add the melted chocolate mixture and stir to combine. Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups.
6. Bake about 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and cool for 5 minutes. Remove the tortes and cool.
8.
To add “snow” to the top of each torte, sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar.
Yields 2 dozen
Per serving: calories 150, fat 9g, protein 2g, carbohydrate 18g, fiber 1g, sodium 15mg
Can’t get enough? Peruse all of our holiday recipes, right here.
Also while you are on our site, we updated our Featured Articles. Check it out! To learn how to lower your heating costs, click here.
Read about how to keep fit and have fun during the winter months.
KIWI has a wonderful Eco-Craft section. Check it out here.
Fleece Blanket Craft by Anne Uff
 It’s getting chilly all over, so almost everyone can use an extra blanket (or 12!). Stacey Bridgeman, our production coordinator, and her mother teach us how to make a no-sew double fleece blanket. Here is what you need:
2 yards of desired fleece- fleece A
2 yards of another fleece- fleece B
A good pair of scissors
*KIWI recommends using organic or recycled fleece.
1. Trim the outer edges of the fleeces to be relatively straight.
2. Lay fleece, with the designs on the outside and the edges matching up.
3. Cut the corners out of fleeces A & B, about 4X4” square will do.
4. Cut into fleece A at 1” intervals, however long you would like your fleece fringe. 4” is a good length. Repeat on all four sides.
5. Repeat step 4 for fleece B.
6. Double knot the fringe from the fleece A to the fringe on fleece B around all four sides.
TA-DA! A warm blanket to keep you and your kids nice and cozy-- perfect for snuggling up on the couch with some hot chocolate and a good movie!
|
by Laurie Krebs
Ever wonder where all the green people are? Or the best way to make healthy changes in your life? A new online community is committed to addressing both. 
