Live to Shine: Coconut Whipped Cream

So today (and all week actually), I have been fighting off a ton of sugar cravings. Almost every day I have ended up on google at some point browsing desserts I could make and about to totally blow my healthier eating plan. I am actually shocked I have not given in and I know I can only credit God and thank friends who have been praying for me.

A few months ago I heard a paradigm changing truth in a documentary called "Hungry For Change" that God has firmly planted in my mind and brings up often. Paraphrasing, it said to stop trying not to eat bad foods and just start incorporating as much good food as you can...eventually the good will crowd out the bad. So tonight, after successfully denying myself the iced capp that I had already left the house for, I decided instead to go grocery shopping and put together a healthy dinner for my family. I fought a victorious battle in the grocery store where my willpower was repeatedly and ruthlessly assaulted (is it just me, or has the candy aisle mysteriously distributed itself all over the entire store? Can't seem to walk more than 6 steps without running into another stand of chocolate bars and bags of junk food). I survived and went home to barbecue salmon and grill some carrots and yellow peppers. I was so inspired after enjoying such a great meal that was also great FOR us, that I decided to treat us to a dessert that we could feel equally good about, and hopefully by adding in all this good food I would crowd out some of the less than healthy cravings I've been experiencing. So here is what I made - and let me tell you, desserts taste so much better when you leave out the guilt!

Strawberries with Coconut Whipped Cream

Ingredients:
1 can of full fat coconut milk (chilled)
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp of cinnamon

Directions:
1) Plan ahead and chill the coconut milk in the fridge overnight. I tried to short cut by putting it in the freezer for 15 mins and it did not whip up as nicely.
2) Chill a mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for a few minutes while you get ingredients together.

3) Scoop the thick cream at the top of the coconut milk into the mixing bowl. (The water at the bottom can be saved to drink, blend into a smoothie, or steam veggies with).

4) Mix with a whisk (electric is best) for a few minutes until it thickens and fluffs up.

5) Add in vanilla and cinnamon, or any other flavor enhancers you choose - I actually whipped in some cream cheese at this point because it was not thickening as much as I like.