Paleo Desserts
by Guest Contributor Shoshana Ohriner

Over the past few years there has been a rise in the popularity of a paleo diet. So what is the paleo diet? A paleo diet primary consists of meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, and healthy fats. It gets its name from the fact that the majority of these foods could have been available to early humans before the agricultural revolution changed the way in which humans eat.
Excluded from the paleo diet are grains, legumes, dairy, processed sugars, and all of the highly processed foods that make up much of the standard American diet. The reason behind removing these things from the diet is not simply to revert to an earlier time. Many of these foods have elements that cause inflammation in the body that can lead to a whole host of health problems, from autoimmune diseases to obesity and heart disease. Many people who adopt a paleo lifestyle (myself included) report significant improvements in their overall health and energy. It may sound limiting to avoid entire categories of food but once you start eating a whole host of fresh, delicious, nutrient dense foods it becomes clear just how delicious and satisfying wholesome nutritious food can be.

That being said, even within a healthy paleo lifestyle, there are occasions that call for a little bit of a treat. These healthy Banana Almond Ice Cream Sandwiches are a truly delicious way to beat the summer heat. They are sweet, creamy, and refreshing, everything an ice cream sandwich should be. My kids absolutely adore these, but I have to admit the adults love them just as much.

Another treat that I like to keep on hand are these delicious Black Forest Coconut candies. The candy has a texture that is kind of a cross between a coconut macaroon and a piece of fudge and a small serving is totally satisfying. The combination of chocolate, cherry and coconut is utterly delicious, and it is lightly sweetened with maple syrup. Even better, the candy can be made in less than ten minutes so it is easy to whip up a batch whenever a craving arises.

Although I am pretty content eating eggs and veggies for breakfast, most days my kids get a bit bored with that and want more variety. I make these pecan muffins as a special treat and they are always a hit. They are great as a quick breakfast or a snack on the go. I always have a bag of these in the freezer ready to throw in a lunch box or snack bag.

Shoshana Ohriner is the creator and author of the popular blogs Couldn't Be Parve (specializing in naturally delicious dairy-free desserts), and Paleo Kosher Kitchen (providing delicious kosher recipes for a Paleo lifestyle). Her recipes and articles have been published in a variety of newspapers, magazines, cookbooks, and websites. She lives in California with her husband and three little boys.

For more great paleo recipes, including healthy gummy candies check out her blog Paleo Kosher Kitchen.

Enjoy these Paleo Dessert Recipes from Shoshana:
Healthy Banana Almond Ice Cream Sandwiches
Black Forest Coconut Candy
Maple Pecan Muffins