Peanut Butter Cups. Quick and Easy.

It’s like clockwork every month! Our hormones go amok, and we’re hit with PMS and the accompanying sweet tooth cravings. Why does this happen? Our body’s natural response to hormonal changes around our period can cause a drop in blood sugar levels. And this can lead to cravings for foods loaded with sugar. Also, if you are specifically craving chocolate, that’s your body yelling at you that you need magnesium.

Sure, it’s nice to treat yourself during this time. Heck, you deserve it! But you should still be mindful to not overdo it with junk food that can sabotage your health goals. You may enjoy it for a moment, but once the sugar rush dissipates, you’re right back to craving sweets again.

There’s more. Sugar, particularly refined sugar, is an inflammatory that causes your body to retain water and sodium. This may cause you to experience more bloating, cramping, and mood swings. No, thank you!

So, what’s a girl in the throes of PMS to do? Don’t worry, I have a special treat for you to satisfy these cravings when they hit.

Ingredients to Beat Those Period Cravings

It’s my recipe for a healthier version of your traditional sugar-laden peanut butter cups. These quick and easy homemade chocolate peanut butter cups are the perfect treat to nip those pesky PMS cravings we get every month. Made with all-natural good-for-you ingredients, they’re delicious AND nutritious. All you need are three simple ingredients: dark chocolate, coconut oil, and peanut butter. It’s that simple!

Now, let’s talk about those ingredients. You may be wondering, is dark chocolate really ok during your period? Surprisingly, it is! Not only can dark chocolate satisfy your sweet tooth during that time of the month, but it’s high in potassium. This nutrient can stop you from retaining water and feeling bloated. Potassium also helps your muscles to function, which is ideal for when period cramps hit.

Then there’s peanut butter, which can benefit your health in many ways. It contains healthy fats, fiber, and protein that can help you feel fuller longer. And it’s full of nutrients and vitamins like vitamin E, which reduces inflammation and can help with cramping. Plus, peanut butter is a complex carbohydrate, so it breaks down more slowly in your system. This means you don’t experience the big spike in blood sugar levels that can come with refined sugar.

For our third and final ingredient, we have coconut oil. This superfood can actually help balance your hormones, which can go all sorts of crazy during your period. How? The fatty acids in coconut oil can help hormone functions that support the creation, processing, and elimination of estrogen and progesterone. This can lead to the hormonal balance your body needs.

Ok, enough chatting. Here’s everything you need to know to make these bad boys!
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Healthy Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

A quick and easy recipe for that time of the month.

No-Bake, Raw, Gluten-free, grain-free, low carb, low sugar, vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, egg-free, Paleo, Keto
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chilling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients:

• 8-12 ounces dark chocolate
• 1 cup all-natural creamy peanut butter, with no added sugar (almond butter if Paleo)
• 6 tablespoons virgin coconut oil, melted

Directions:

1. Line a 24-cup mini muffin pan or spray with coconut oil cooking spray and set aside.
2. Chop chocolate into small pieces. Place in a medium glass bowl and add 3 tablespoons of coconut oil.
3. Place the bowl over a pot with simmering water. Continually stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until chocolate is completely melted to avoid burning the chocolate.
4. Once the chocolate is melted, set heat to low.
5. Pour 1 tablespoon melted chocolate into each cup. Place cups in the freezer for 5 minutes or until chocolate is set while making the peanut butter layer.
6. Add peanut butter and 3 tablespoons of coconut oil to a medium bowl. Stir until incorporated evenly.
7. Take the muffin pan out of the freezer and scoop 1-2 teaspoons of the peanut butter mixture to each cup. Place in the freezer for 15 minutes.
8. Take the muffin pan out of the freezer and pour the remaining melted chocolate on top of the peanut butter. Return to the freezer for 30 minutes.
9. Once set, pick up the muffin pan and shake and tap to help release the chocolate cups.
10.  Optionally, sprinkle a pinch of Himalayan sea salt on top.
11.  Enjoy!

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Storage:

Place them in a freezer-safe container, store them in the fridge or freezer and enjoy anytime you need a healthy treat! They should last about 3 months or longer.
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Consistency:

If the peanut butter cups are too thick, add an extra tablespoon of coconut oil or peanut butter.
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Note:

 If you’re allergic or sensitive to peanuts, you can sub any nut butter (almond, cashew, hazelnut).
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Guilt-Free Treat to Calm PMS Cravings

I hope you love these nutritious treats to calm your PMS cravings. What’s your favorite sweet treat or guilty pleasure snack when you PMS? Let us know in the comments.

Did you make this quick and easy recipe? Don’t forget to share a picture and mention @reallifeoutlawblog and #reallifeoutlaw.

Be Well & Thrive!