Satisfyingly Sweet Seasonal Substitutions

        The holiday season is a time for togetherness (family, friends, significant others, etc), spreading Christmas joy, gift giving & receiving, reminiscing on the fond memories of the past year, New Year's resolutions, festive decorations and throwing caution to the wind (aka overlooking every dietary rule & commandment we've so strategically written for our nutritional intake). While I, myself, have gotten caught up in the enchanted spell of the holiday season... My favorite jeans do not feel the same and every year, without fail, I have managed to sabotage my own self-esteem momentary. Though hard work, much effort and more hours of cardio than I care to admit, those extra pounds do fade away; but it may be months before I can easily slip on my favorite jeans again. My point? Is it really necessary to put my body through such a vicious cycle Every Single Year? Is that pecan pie, cheese cake, carrot cake, gingerbread house, 20 peppermint candy canes and chocolate chip cookies really worth the hassle? The answer is simple - no, but the struggle is real. Oh, how truly difficult it is to be in the same vicinity and not indulge in such splendid sweetness! You must admit, it is definitely a challenge, even for the small majority of us that have mastered self-control. Something about sweets during the holidays has us all considering the multitude of decadent delights all around us and even if you successfully remove yourself from the situation, it seems taughting. So what is there to do? Nibble on a piece of fruit and wait for the craving to pass or munch on some less-than-satisfying alternatives? It seems as if the holidays can, at times, carry the heavy weight of the inevitable question - "should I stick to my diet or abandon ship"?
         Maybe unaware that there is a middle ground... This Christmas I will finally be making a stand and, yet, not sacrificing a single savory or sweet thing. Having prepared myself for months, while many were are far more concerned with last minute shopping and deals of a lifetime, I have practically completed my Christmas shopping by October (though I may be considered somewhat odd you will soon thank me). That being said, I have been searching for health-nourishing delicious and sweet-tooth satisfying seasonal substitutes for some of my favorite goodies; which by the way, I have only named a percentage of and I came up with a few that are just as desirable. Whether you're a chocolate, chocolate-cherry, caramel, coffee/espresso, coconut, peanut butter, cashew, hazelnut, almond, vanilla, or cookie fanatic; I have a just-as-appealing alternative. After months of contemplating, I am sure I have included one or more fantastically festive sweet-tooth satisfying seasonal substitutes for everyone in the house/at the party. Feel free to comment and tell me how each and every holiday delight helped you concur cravings this Christmas.

Cocomels Coconut Milk Caramels - Available in original, vanilla, sea salt & espresso.

Eat-Guilt-free chocolate rainbow crush cookie which is not only gluten-free but individually wrapped deliciousness (available in many in variations).

Chike - mocha iced coffee, vanilla iced coffee (both high protein shakes made with real espresso), chocolate powered peanut butter and regular powdered peanut butter (which can be used in substitute for the average peanut butter).

Coco Polo chocolate candy bars (a yummy substitute for sugar-packed candy) - Available in dark chocolate almond, dark chocolate hazelnut and  dark chocolate cherry chocolate. 

Seva Foods Space Ice Kream (a creamy vanilla and cashew sweet) - Available in vanilla (which even my 5 year old son adores) and savory Coconut Jerky ( a salty-sweet personal choice).

ALL Vegan-friendly and absolutely delicious!! I dare you to try!!