A few weeks ago, I shared my favorite healthy eating books of 2008, and all three of those books inspired me to change my eating habits in one dramatic way for 2009: I committed myself to eating more fruits and vegetables, and fewer animal-derived foods.

Bookstores are already one of my favorite places for weekday outings; my two-year-old can entertain herself with the giant Thomas the Train "choo-choo" set, and I can browse cookbooks for yummy recipes. So we have spending a lot of time there recently, and I have come across some easy and surprisingly yummy vegan food recipes. Based on my nephews' positive reactions to it, I just had to share this chocolate mousse recipe with you.

The recipe is taken from Raw Foods Made Easy for 1 or 2 People by Jennifer Cornbleet. So far, my husband, sister, daughter and nephews love this treat, and they have been begging for more of that "chocolate dish," which happens to be packed with loads of vitamin C, fiber and folate!

Chocolate Mousse

Ingredients:
1/4 cup pitted medjool dates, (soaked for 15 mins in a bowl of water to soften)
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup mashed avocadoes (1 1/2 avocadoes)
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 cup water

Directions:
Place the dates, maple syrup and vanilla in a food processor fitted with the S blade and process until smooth. Add the avocado and cocoa powder and process until creamy. Stop occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Add the water and process briefly. Store in a sealed container. Chocolate mousse will keep for three days in the refrigerator or two weeks in the freezer.

If you decide to make this at home, try serving it chilled with berries on top. And if your family enjoys this dessert, try freezing it and present as ice cream. You will feel so good about giving them this healthy dessert!

ZRecs.com cover photo by Kate Pugh, shared via Flickr