What better way to show someone you love them than through their stomach? And that doesn’t just mean romantically. After all, it’s important to love yourself too. And with February being known as Heart Health Month, what better way than with heart-healthy desserts?

Have you ever wondered why we associate love with the heart? Love is associated with emotional bonding, emotion is connected to blood pressure, and blood pressure is associated with heartbeats. Seems logical enough.

Whether you are a party of one or are dining with your main squeeze, these heart-healthy desserts are sure to hit the bullseye—no need for Cupid. And if you end up eating them all by yourself, it’s all good! These recipes all use ingredients that have been deemed heart-healthy. Plus, they’re waistline-friendly.

4 Tasty Heart-Healthy Desserts

Blueberry Crisp

Ingredients:

• 4 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
• 1 ½ Tbsp stevia
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 6 Tbsp grass-fed butter

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Combine berries and stevia and add as a bottom layer to your pan.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the remaining ingredients except for the butter.
4. Add butter tablespoon by tablespoon into the dry ingredients and slice in until it is in crumbles.
5. Sprinkle the crumbles evenly over the berries.
6. Bake for roughly 25 – 30 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned.
7. Enjoy!

Chef Note: You could also use coconut oil instead of butter.

Chef Note: If you want to kick these up a notch in the protein department, you could add a scoop of BioTRUST Low Carb Protein Blend in with the crumble topping. I highly suggest this.

Chef Note: If you prefer a thicker mixture, you can add a little bit of cornstarch to your berry mixture.

Chef Note: I have found that this tastes even better the longer it sits after coming out of the oven.

Blueberry Crisp Nutrition Facts:
8 servings

• Calories: 183
• Total Fat: 9.25 g
• Total Carbohydrate: 25 g
• Fiber: 2.4 g
• Protein: 2 g

Berry Bark

Ingredients:

• 2 cups plain yogurt
• 1/4 cup agave
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp lemon juice
• pinch salt
• strawberries, sliced
• blueberries
• raspberries
• chopped pecans

Directions:

1. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or wax paper and set aside.
2. Whisk yogurt, agave, vanilla, lemon juice, and salt until combined.
3. Add yogurt mixture to the baking sheet and spread into an even layer.
4. Top with berries.
5. Garnish with nuts (optional).
6. Freeze for two to three hours or until firm.
7. Cut/break into pieces.
8. Enjoy!

Chef Note: You could also use maple syrup or honey in place of agave if you prefer.

Berry Bark Nutrition Facts:
6 servings

• Calories: 150
• Total Fat: 6 g
• Total Carbohydrate: 22 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 3.7 g

No-Bake Walnut Espresso Brownies

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cup raw walnuts (divided)
• 1 cup raw almonds
• 2 ½ cup Medjool dates
• ¾ cup cocoa powder
• 2 tsp espresso powder
• 1 pinch sea salt

Directions:

1. Add 1 cup walnuts and almonds to a food processor until finely ground.
2. Add cocoa powder, espresso powder, and sea salt. Pulse until combined.
3. Add dates to the food processor and process until it resembles crumbles.
4. Remove from bowl and set aside.
5. Add nut and cocoa mixture back into a food processor, and drop small handfuls of the date pieces in. Process until the combination is a dough consistency.
6. Add the brownie mixture to a cake pan and add remaining (roughly chopped) walnuts.
7. Toss until the nuts are evenly distributed, and then press down into pan until flat and even.
8. Refrigerate until solid enough to cut with a knife.
9. Enjoy!

Chef Notes: You can use finely ground coffee instead of espresso powder.

No-Bake Walnut Espresso Brownies Nutrition Facts:
10 servings

• Calories: 252
• Total Fat: 18 g
• Total Carbohydrate: 24 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 6.5 g

Cherry Vanilla Pudding

Ingredients:

• 1 large avocado
• ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 15 cherries, pitted
• 14 drops liquid stevia
• 1 pinch sea salt

Directions:

1. Put all ingredients into a blender.
2. Top with any berries, nuts, seeds, or an extra cherry.
3. Enjoy!

Chef Note: You can use any type of milk you prefer in lieu of almond milk.

Chef Note: You can also substitute the liquid stevia with maple syrup.

Chef Note: You can also add a scoop of your favorite BioTRUST Vanilla Protein Blend!

Cherry Vanilla Pudding Nutrition Facts:
2 servings

• Calories: 203
• Total Fat: 15 g
• Total Carbohydrate: 17 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 2.7 g