BY SANDRA GUY

With the holidays quickly approaching, it’s time to get serious about finding healthy desserts that you can bring to this year’s long-awaited get-togethers.

Going paleo is one option so you can steer away from grain, legumes and dairy. Just beware that you don’t overdo it by eating too much protein and saturated fat, which is itself a health risk.

Let’s start with the basics, and what’s more basic than a chocolate-chip cookie? And you don’t even have to bake these.

Thanks to Paleo Running Mama: https://www.paleorunningmomma.com/no-bake-banana-chocolate-chip-cookies/

• 1 medium very overripe banana
• 2/3 cup pitted and chopped dates [if anyone eating this has diverticulitis or cannot eat hard kernels, you can omit this ingredient.]
• 1/3 cup plus one Tablespoon creamy cashew butter
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup plus one to two Tablespoons organic coconut flour
• ¼ cup plus one-and-a-half Tablespoon mini dairy free chocolate chips

1. Blend the dates in a food processor on the high setting until a paste begins to form.
2. Add the remaining ingredients except for the chocolate chips and process until a cookie dough forms. Once you have a thick cookie dough, stir in the chocolate chips.
3. Chill the dough for 20 minutes. If dough is still sticky after chilling, stir in another 1/2 tablespoon coconut flour.
4. Form the mixture into balls and flatten into a cookie shape if desired.
5. Store in the refrigerator. Makes 12 cookies.

If you’re more of a cheesecake person, this delicacy comes courtesy of My Whole Food Life. Again, be sure to warn your guests that this recipe contains nuts.

https://mywholefoodlife.com/2014/03/27/mini-vegan-cheesecakes/

The crust:

• 1 cup gluten free rolled oats
• 1/4 cup flax meal
• 5 medjool dates (pits removed)
• 2 Tablespoons coconut oil (measure after melting)

The cheesecake

• 2 cups raw cashews soaked overnight
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp sea salt

Instructions

1. Combine the ingredients in a food processor for the crust.
2. Press a little bit of dough into each lined muffin cup. Muffin pans with silicone liners, or paper liners both work.
3. Put the muffin pans into the refrigerator as you make the filling.
4. Drain and rinse the cashews.
5. Place them into a food processor with the rest of the filling ingredients and blend until smooth.
6. Spoon the filling into each muffin cup.
7. Put into the refrigerator for two hours.

Now, search for yourself at https://acleanbake.com/paleo-desserts/