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Whether you’ve been inspired by healthy foodies on Instagram or that friend who can’t stop RAVING about Whole30 and the Paleo diet, you’re likely doing a clean-eating reset of some sort right now. Well, more power to you! Everyone knows that eating unprocessed foods in as close to a natural state as possible is best. But if somewhere around your Week Two a craving for a little something sweet kicks in, there’s no need for you to derail all your good work. Whether you’re a newbie to healthy eating or just hitting the reset button, you’ll HEART these 19 grain-free cakes that derive their sweetness naturally from dates. There’s sure to be one to suit every type of healthy eating plan.
Sticky Date Pudding
Oh, em, gee — a completely vegan and gluten-free version of your grandma’s sticky pudding. Take that, you pesky cake cravings! (via Chronicles of Passion)
Date Bundt Cake
This cake is super moist, thanks to all the sweet bananas and dates in the mix. It’s also filled with lots of gingerbread spices that will waft throughout the whole house while it’s baking. (via Tuulia)
Apple Hazelnut Cake
This cake comes together quickly and easily, using ingredients you probably already have on hand in your pantry. Sweetened with dates and apples, it’s like the treat Mother Nature intended us to eat. (via Kitchen Hoopla)
Epic Chocolate Cake
This cake is like a dream come true for clean eaters. It cracks the code on the elusive tasty-but-compliant chocolate frosting recipe. (via Very Breakfast)
Paleo Maple Carrot Cake
It’s not too often that you come across a Paleo cake that’s this rich and delicious. The buttercream is light, not too sweet and wonderful to sink your teeth into. The recipe calls for butter, but you can substitute ghee if your eating plan calls for it. (via Eat, Drink, Paleo)
Pear Date Skillet Cake
This skillet cake could not be easier to make and the batter whips up easily in a blender. But it’s that drizzle of date sauce that’s the star of the show! Your taste buds will do the happy dance. (via Runnin Srilankan)
Cinnamon Roll Cake
Who doesn’t like cinnamon buns? If you thought they were off your plate forever, prepare to meet your new fave recipe. (via Put Your Heart in It)
Healthy Fruit Cake With Figs, Apricots and Dates
This cake is bursting with fruit, so it’s deliciously juicy, with hints of orange that complement the cinnamon and ginger. Break this one out with a nice cuppa when the four o’clock munchies come calling. (via Sprinkle of Green)
Flourless Chocolate Cake
This cake, sweetened with dates and made creamy with whipped avocado, is so tasty no one will ever guess it’s flourless and sugar-free. It would be perfect for a birthday celebration. (via Wake Up to Waffles)
Cinnamon Hazelnut Date Cake
A beautiful Bundt cake sweetened with dates and flavored with cinnamon is just the thing for a snowy weekend. A slice of this and a hot cup of coffee are the perfect pick-me-up after an afternoon of sledding. (A Calculated Whisk)
Chocotorta
If you can’t believe your eyes, this is a three-tiered layer cake that calls for no added sugar. One bite of that combo of chocolate with cashew caramel and you’ll be in dessert nirvana. (via The Wellbar Journal)
Paleo Lemon Coconut Bread
Lemon and coconut are a classic combo and, after a taste of this cake, you’ll see why. Take this one to your next game-day gathering and you’ll be everyone’s BFF. (via Sweet As Honey)
Spelt Flour Chocolate Cake With Date Frosting
This cake is drop your fork on the counter, shake your head and close your eyes good. Break it out when you have friends over who can catch you before you fall. (via The Scratch Artist)
14. Five-Ingredient Gluten-Free Healthy Date Squares: Even baking novices will have no trouble pulling together this simple but delicious cake. You know it’s 100 percent healthy when it only has five ingredients and you baked it yourself. (via Pure Ella)
Apple Date Cake
This cake is a bit like a quick bread, so you can bake it in a loaf tin or muffin pan. If you do the latter, don’t forget to add a little drizzle of walnut sauce to each little muffin — ’cause it’s the bomb! (via Primal Bites)
Paleo Zucchini Chocolate Cake
This cake is seriously dense, heavy, chewy and FUDGY. It’s like a shot of pure chocolatey goodness sent straight to your taste buds with every bite. (via The Healthy Foodie)
Pear and Cardamom Loaf Cake
If you love a loaf cake that’s full of warm winter spices, this recipe is for you. It freezes well, so put aside a few slices to take into the office and break one out when you need a healthy coffee break treat. (via Eighty 20 Nutrition)
Raw Vegan Date Squares
These date squares whip up in only 15 minutes, using just four ingredients. The combination of the oaty cookie base with a soft, chewy middle and crunchy crumble topping is triple delicious. (via A Sunshine Mission)
Raw Vanilla Coffee Creme Pie With a Chocolate Crust
Fair warning: This creamy confection is so good, it may be difficult to stop eating. Call a few friends over when you serve it, and share the burden. (via This Rawsome Vegan Life)
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Back in January, we introduced you to a feel-good cause to inspire your New Year's resolution: a walking challenge to help raise funds for the amazing cancer fighters at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I took part in the challenge with the Brit + Co team and ended up walking 105+ miles in January — it was awesome.
This spring, there's a new challenge on the horizon, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Big Climb. The ask: On May 15, 2021, you can step up to take cancer down by committing to climb 1,311 steps, walking 3.2 miles, or doing 440 chair step-ups at home as part of the Big Climb. If you need some motivation to bring movement back into your daily routine — look no further!
As always, it's free to sign up, but climbers are encouraged to set a fundraising goal to help beat cancer. We'll be organizing another Brit + Co team to step up, and I hope you'll join us too! Keep scrolling for a peek at where I'll be completing the challenge in my Los Angeles neighborhood around the hidden Silver Lake Stairs. Happy climbing!
Never underestimate the power of an accountability buddy! I asked my in-laws, my partner, and a few friends to join me so we can keep each other motivated and accountable in completing the challenge — virtual high-fives all around! Also, my dog Fox is a great climber, too.
An aesthetically pleasing backdrop is a huge motivator for me! I'm fortunate to have all sorts of painted steps around my neighborhood to keep the challenge interesting, but you can also keep cool inside with at-home chair step-ups.
Don't forget to share your progress on social — #BigClimb!
Feel free to break the challenge up if you need to by tackling half the distance in the AM and half at sunset. Here's me 1,311 steps later and ready for a break — but, think I earned this one!
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