The desire for change is strong, this need to explore and grow roots somewhere that will make the next stage of our lives fall into place. Eric and I are searching and questioning where that should be. Maybe it’s the process of searching that makes life fulfilling; the constant quest to grow, explore, and see more of the world. To make more of an impact and step outside of our comfort zone. Or maybe it’s the opposite – feeling content wherever you are and loving it anyway.
Moving is by no means a foreign concept to me. Growing up, my family moved around a lot due to my dad’s ever changing jobs and I often wonder if that’s why I have a personality that loves to be in constant motion. The first 4 years of my life were spent in Riverview, New Brunswick living and breathing everything that snow forts and a snowsuit could offer.
From New Brunswick, we ventured to Florida (Oldsmar and Palm Harbor) to North Carolina (Charlotte) to Georgia (Woodstock) to Ontario (Cambridge) back to New Brunswick (Riverview) and finally back to Ontario (Milton, Guelph, Toronto, Milton, Oakville). Each move brought about a lot of anxiety, but it also promised adventure, new experiences, and new friends. In my case, it also resulted in a strange mixture of accents, or at least that’s what my friends told me. The Maritimer with the southern accent! She talks funny!
When we sold our house and moved last spring, we decided to rent for the time being because we had no idea where we wanted to buy. Well, we still have no solid idea. It’s probably safe to stick around nearby, but something seems to be nudging us to explore other parts of Canada and beyond. Do we take the leap and try something new or do we stick with what feels safe and familiar? Whether we end up making a big move is yet to be seen, but we’re keeping our eyes open, evaluating options, and listening to our hearts. In the meantime, we’re trying to appreciate life right now as directionless and unsettled as it may seem at times. Really, what else can you do?
I found myself with a macaroon craving this weekend, but the thought of turning on the oven just didn’t appeal to me after a marathon cupboard clean-out session earlier that day. Maybe it’s because spring is just a couple days away (can you believe it?), but I’ve been looking to get outside more and enjoy simpler foods. Well when the sun is shining, that is.
I don’t know about you, but I’m a bit tired of winter produce. It’s a bit like how I feel about pumpkin at the end of November. I don’t want to even look at it. So I couldn’t bring myself to peel the darn butternut squash that’s been sitting on the counter for way too long. Maybe in a few days, I tell the squash. For now, chocolate seems like a good alternative to peeling squash as I eagerly await spring produce. Even better if I can throw it into the freezer and head outside for a brisk walk.
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No Bake Chocolate Macaroons
Yield
12 macaroons
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Chill time
20
Total time
Fast & easy macaroons! All the taste without turning on the oven.
Ingredients
- 1 banana, finely mashed
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (or other liquid sweetener)*
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 6 tbsp cocoa powder, sifted
- 1.5 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 tbsp chia seeds (optional)
- small pinch of fine grain sea salt, to taste
Directions
- In a medium mixing bowl, mash the banana until most of the clumps are gone. Stir in the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla.
- Sift in the cocoa powder and stir until combined. Now stir in the coconut, optional chia seeds, and fine grain sea salt to taste.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a non-stick mat. Using a spoon or retractable ice cream scooper, scoop rounds onto the sheet. Place sheet in the freezer for around 20 minutes, or until macaroons are firm. Store in the freezer until ready to enjoy. They will soften at room temperature.
Tip:
Note: 1/4 cup pure maple syrup results in a lightly sweet macaroon. Feel free to adjust the sweetener to your own taste buds, especially because some cocoa powders may be stronger than others.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
I believe we were both on our third macaroon when this picture was taken. Thankfully it’s blurred or you would’ve witnessed chocolate spread all over my mouth and face. That’s the sign of a good dessert!
Move to the west coast of BC, it’s where I’ve lived almost my whole life, and it’s amazing! There are lots of people from Ontario here too.
My husband just applied to the Canadian Armed Forces as a mechanic. We are super excited (with a touch of the normal anxiety) about all of the changes and opportunities to explore it will provide!
Wow, all kinds of love for Halifax! Come out East…..you’ll love it here!
I made these last night, and I have to say that I was finding it difficult to NOT eat all the “dough” right out of the bowl. I added a couple of tablespoons of peanut butter because it’s next to impossible for me to not pair chocolate with peanut butter. The banana in the mix made the decision even easier!
My husband raved about these as well, saying how fudgey and creamy they were, unlike traditional macaroons which are sort of candy-like and crumbly (in texture and sweetness). I definitely prefer a more chocolate/less sugar type macaroon, and will probably be making these “monthly”, when those chocolate cravings can’t wait for an oven! ;) It took me less than 10 minutes to throw together, aside from letting them chill. You’re a gem!
Yum! And would you ever consider coming back to the states? I’m a Chicago fan, through and through :)
[ Smiles ] Okay, this looks as though it would add on some pounds. But, it looks very tempting!
These wonderful little gems are the first thing to go in my new freezer! I can’t wait to taste one. But from scooping out the bowl I can already tell they are going to be amazing!
It’s not good to be hungry and be reading this. Lol. Looks great. Thanks for the ideas.
I definitely love me a good macaroon!!! I’m so happy all these need is a little freeze time — I love these no bake varieties, but they often call for a dehydrator and I’m WAY too lazy to pull that out LOL!!!
Good luck in all your decision making. My husband likes comfort and familiarity and I love adventure and change, so while I would love to move to somewhere new and exciting, our homebase will probably always be close to where we are now —- not that that’s a bad thing; it just means we have lots of travelling to do in our future!
Can I put in a plug for Virginia? BEST move of my life with the friendliest people!
These macaroons looks so awesome! Making them for my dad this week!
You are brilliant, Angela! This no bake macaroon recipe is di-vine. The banana is a really nice touch! I find I have to add a little more of the ingredients as I go along, just so there is enough of the mix for me to “sample” as I’m spooning the rest on to a baking sheet. Thank you! :)
I just stumbled on your site for the first time last night while trying to find a dehydrator-free recipes for some raw buckwheat I bought earlier. Let me tell ya – I’m soooo happy I found your blog. It’s amazing. And funny.. and pretty. Really looking forward to trying out some recipes.
Thank you!!
EZ Williams
Aw thanks, that means a lot to me!!
Locke st. neighbourhood in Hamilton Ontario!
Beautiful brick houses, and an amazing community where all of your basic needs are within close walking distance. We are surrounded by waterfalls, trails and a thriving art scene.
It is definitely worth a look:-}
P.S. Thank you for your recipes; they are delicious and inspiring!
We have lots of friends there so we’ll have to take a closer look perhaps. :)
You are killing me with these posts; first the shells and now these little bundles of chocolate goodness! Macaroons are my all time fav dessert.
Ooh, thank you for posting this! I have been buying these constantly because I’m a little bit addicted, but I will save so much money making them myself. :)
Move to sunny western Australia where the beaches are endless the weather is warm & the skies are blue! Loved reading this post, enjoy the spirit of being directionless
Holy crap, these sound delicious! One can never, ever go wrong when chocolate and coconut are involved (IMHO, of course).
I can completely relate to the feeling of restlessness and the need for change, even if you don’t know what exactly that change will involve or where it will take you. It’s great that you and Eric are taking such a wait-and-see approach; keeping your options open and listening to your hearts is the pefect way to go. It’s sure to lead you to a beautiful and amazing adventure, and I can’t wait to see where life takes you guys!
These look so good! I’m going to have to buy ingredients today to make them! Can’t wait. Thanks for posting. I have never made a recipe from your blog that I didn’t love.
Thank you, that makes me so happy to hear :)
I just made this.. IT’S SOOOOOO GOOD! Super easy to do! It literally takes, like, 7 minutes to make!
Thanks for the recipe Angela!
I can totally relate to your current seemingly directionless and unsettled life. My husband and I have been renting for a good long while and we have no plans to buy anything. Neither of us are interested in settling anywhere and we want to do a good amount of traveling (long-term traveling – like 6 mos. at least!) so it wouldn’t even make sense to buy anything. In fact, right now we’re living in a furnished, rented townhouse. It’s great and low-maintenance and we can pick up and leave whenever we need to (which looks like it’s going to be in about a month), but it’s still a little difficult trying to live with so much in “limbo.”
Anyway, good luck with sorting through everything, and great outlook on just trying to maintain a sense of appreciation for your life and how flexible it is :)
That last picture doesn’t even look like you…even though we can only see your smile. I thought maybe it was a friend.
My husband and I are in the same boat as far as where we would like to “settle down.” Do you stay put or do we explore a new state. Colorado??? Hmmm..