Cocoa Bar In a Jar

Weekend recap. Tacos 🌮 and pretzels 🥨 are a must, Just me?

Feeling grateful and revitalized🙏

How was your weekend? 🤍

She’s back! Berry Birthday that is 🍓🥳

The Pre-sale starts tomorrow 6am PST!🎂🥳
and I are so excited to bring this perfectly Summer spread back! ✨ Think spreadable Strawberry Shortcake vibes 🍰🤤 😍

Comment BERRY BIRTHDAY and I’ll DM you the link so you grab yours tomorrow!

💕 This is a VERY limited edition spread and once it sells out, that’s it this year and possibly for good! 🫣We can’t wait for you to try this one or restock for the devotees!🫶

👈The left photo was is the Fall of 2022.
👉The right photo is now.

Same sunglasses, two entirely different women🤍

Despite my knowledge and experience, on the left I continued to struggle with my body, my confidence, bouts of binges, drinking more than I had in years, emotional overeating, negative self talk and limiting beliefs and I was obsessively counting macros and working out 5 days a week. I was a stressed out single momma who felt the weight of the world 🌎 on her shoulders constantly and I was tired and burnt out.

✨On the right, I stopped counting macros, started eating way more carbs, started trusting my body, learned how to feel not eat or drink my emotions, work out only 3 days a week strength training, 10k steps focused, created my personal standards, became the CEO of my brain and evolved my self image to that of a naturally healthy fit woman. Now, I’m inspired, happy, healthy and nourished.

🖤There’s only about a 10 lb difference here, but the emotional and mental weight that lifted was decades heavy and a relief beyond words. This is what I teach my clients. How to let that drama go and become empowered in their bodies rather than remain a victim and see their body’s as the enemy that needs to be conquered.

✨We tend to only focus on food and working out to lose weight. In my opinion and experience, 50% of weight loss is mental. The other 40% is diet and 10% is exercise. If you’re stuck or at a standstill with your weight loss, it’s because you’re missing that 50% mental piece 🧩.

✨If you want to learn more about my program and these concepts, comment CURATE and I’ll send you the link to my free class UNLOCKING SUSTAINABLE WEIGHT LOSS. After you watch, make sure to fill out my application at the bottom of the page to book your free 20 minute coaching consult and let’s talk about cultivating your next beautiful chapter.

XX,
Monique

It’s a vibe. ✨

Thoughts on this? Let me know! 👇👇 Or if you’re ready to take the leap and go all in on you to build your next beautiful chapter, comment CURATE and let’s connect🤍

It’s been a beautiful few days. How was your long holiday weekend?
❤️🤍🩵

Berry Birthday Time starts tomorrow 6am PST!🎂🥳
and I are so excited to bring this perfectly Summer spread back! ✨ Think strawberry cake batter with sprinkles🤤 😍

Comment BERRY BIRTHDAY and I’ll DM you the link so you grab yours tomorrow!

💕 This is a VERY limited edition spread and once it sells out, that’s it! We can’t wait for you to try this one or restock for the devotees!🫶

The food is always delicious, but the memories are even better🥰. Looking forward to this weekend’s new adventures. That last picture had me in uncontrollable crying laughing tears l. He had no idea till I told him 🤣

I used to live to eat, but now…I love what I eat and eat to LIVE🥰. Are you living fully today? What’s ONE thing you could let go, that would make your life more full so you can live a more present, naturally, healthy fit AND beautiful life?🤔🤍

Have you tried this Lightened Up Coconut 🥥 Cake yet? Unreal, truly. I literally hid in the fridge to keep all to myself. 🤭

Low in sugar, fat and a good dose of protein.

Macros:
145 calories
20.3c/2f/10p

Comment COCONUT and I’ll DM you the recipe link 🔗 🫶🤍

cake

Refilling my tank this last weekend 🥯 ☕️ 🌮 🍪 ready for this weekends new inspiration😉. Swipe to see the soon to be new addition to the fam 🐱

Food, quality time and fun always ✨ Always looking forward to the adventure and quality time with my loves and the food is always a bonus😉🤍

What’s one non food pleasure you enjoyed this past week?🫶

Ps. If you’re feeling like it’s hard to be ‘present’ and truly enjoy life and foods because emotional overeating is keeping you stuck, comment EMOTIONS and I’ll DM you my guide How to Overcome Hormonal and Emotional Overeating. ✨

🍋🍋Lemon Poppyseed Cake🍋🍋

A fan favorite🤩

Butter and oil free, refined sugar free, high in protein and makes a perfectly mindful, healthy and delicious treat. Topped off with a little milk, and oh my word, this had Lemon Tres Leche Cake vibes. So good! 💛

Macros:
180 calories
22.6c/4.5f/11.9p

Want the recipe? Comment POPPYSEED and I’ll DM it to you✨

If you LOVE Strawberry Shortcake, then this recipe is for you!🍓🍰

Swipe for the amazing macros. Made with whole food, low sugar ingredients as always. Comment STRAWBERRY and I’ll DM you the recipe 🫶

Lemoncello is back for her last hurrah this year starting now! One of the MOST requested seasonal flavors she’s definitely a lemon lover’s dream! Don’t want to miss out, comment SHOP and I’ll DM the link💛.

Ps. After you get yours, RUN and make the Lemoncello Crumble Cheesecake Bars (posted yesterday), the Lemoncello Whoopie Pies and the Lemon Poppyseed Cake all recipes available on the blog 😮‍💨💛

If pictures could tell a story. This would be it 🤣
This is so us. Swipe to see 👉👉 He hams it up, I give him a hard time and laugh incessantly and we have the best time. Being present and fully in the moment. No calories, macros or food focus this evening.

🤍They say memories over macros. How about you get to the point that, that isn’t even something you need to think about because you’re so in tune with your body, you can still enjoy the cake, the bread, and yum, but you never overeat (this is key!) taking away from your fun and always allowing more than enough room for making memories. ✨

What if, right?🤔

✨Hello, I’m Monique a healthy chocolatier and dessert loving momma who also happens to be passionate about helping women optimize their nutrition and let go of the diet drama to lose the weight for good. Yes, it’s possible😉. After struggling for over 20 years with my weight, my health, emotionally, mentally, and physically, my self confidence along with a decade long eating disorder, I get it. But, I’ve come out the other side my strongest, healthiest and happiest self I’ve been ever. 47 years young and ready for the next chapter. Here’s your reminder it’s never too late or not worth it✨

🤍If you’re over struggling to lose those last 10 pounds and/or the constant struggle to maintain your weight loss, DM me and let’s chat. Or comment QUIT IT to apply for coaching details. If doing the same thing isn’t working for you. Maybe. Just maybe it’s time to try something different🫶

You’ve been asking and the time has finally come🍋🍋Lemoncello is finally back available NOW for pre-sale. One of the MOST requested seasonal flavors will be back for a limited time just in time for Spring💛. Comment SHOP and I’ll DM you the link🫶

Ps. After you get yours, RUN and make the Lemoncello Crumble Cheesecake Bars, the Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes, the Lemon Poppyseed Bars, and today’s Protein Cheesecake Tart😮‍💨💛

Too soon? Honestly, I just don’t want you to skip this Easter recipe. It’s just too easy to whip up and enjoy even the day of. Not to mention how it will help with the avoidable Easter sugar crash drama 🙃. Comment EASTER and I’ll DM you the 97 calorie (swipe to see) recipe 🔗🫶

Just looking at these pictures makes me miss mu oven that much more!😍 Have you tried my Lemoncello Crumble Cheesecake Bars yet?

“At first I’m like, this better be worth it cuz it was a few extra steps and when I tasted it I was in HEAVEN!! It’s so sooo delish! Gonna make it for Easter dessert!🙌🏼 -Dena”

Swipe for the macros and comment LEMON CHEESECAKE and I’ll DM you the recipe 🔗💛

Hello my beautiful friends…let’s make some healthy, high protein PB Banana Sandwich Cookies to snack on🍌🥜

An easy to make treat prep option that checks all the health boxes ✔️ and makes an excellent after school snack. Refined sugar free, gluten free and dairy free optional AND small batch so you can keep things interesting and make something new in a day or two.😉🙃

Ingredients:

Cookie Ingredients

80 grams quick oats
30 grams Cocoa Bar In A Jar’s Protein Peanut Butter (or regular PB but macros will vary)
150 grams ripe banana
20 grams honey (or sugar free alternative)

Cream Filling

150 grams greek yogurt (or dairy free alternative)
14 grams Iced Oatmeal Cookie
7 grams vanilla pudding
Stevia to taste

To make:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mash your banana. Add your Protein PB and honey (liquid sweetener). Mix well. Stir in your oats. Place 2 TB scoops on on a lined cookie sheet making 12 cookies total. Bake for 14-16 minutes. While those bake, make your filling by combining all the ingredients listed above and mixing well. Let sit in the fridge till your cookies are done and cooled completely. Place 2 TB of filling on one half of your cookie and then sandwich with another to make 6 cookie sandwiches total🤸. Enjoy!

Macros (using sugar free alternative and greek yogurt: 129 calories/6.4p/18c/4f
Entered into MFP: Macro Minded Monique-PB Banana Sandwich Cookies 🍌

🫶

Are you a Butterfinger/Reeses Egg lover looking for a healthier alternative, sugar crash free treat? Here you go! A clean, Whole Foods based, low sugar candy swap option just in time for Easter 🐣

Healthy Butterfinger Eggs by
✨
Ingredients:
• 1 1/2 cup Organic corn flake cereal
• 1 cup Cocoa Bar Protein PB
• 1/2 scoop oatmeal cookie protein powder (or protein powder of choice)
• 1/2 cup Maple or agave syrup
• 1/2 tsp salt

Chocolate coating:
•Cocoa Bar PB CUP

👩‍🍳 Directions:
1. Grind the corn flakes until partially crunchy and smooth.
2. Mix in the remaining ingredients until a thick dough forms.
3. Shape into about 8 servings and freeze for about an hour.
4. Once hardened, coat each on with Cocoa Bar drizzles or spread with a spatula and place back into the freezer until chocolate is hardened.
5. Enjoy for a healthier treat!

Here’s to you and your health and avoiding any and all potential sugar crashes😉🫶

Save this for when you almost polish off your Lemoncello Cocoa Bar (shipping now!)💛.

Lemoncello Greek Yogurt Proats🍋🍋

Ingredients:

200 grams nonfat Greek yogurt (I used Fage)
14 grams Cocoa Bar Lemoncello
20 grams quick oats
5 grams sugar free vanilla pudding (I used vanilla )
30 ml unsweetened almond milk
Dash of vanilla and/or butter extract
Sea salt and stevia to taste

To make: Combine all ingredients in your almost empty Lemoncello Cocoa Bar jar and mix well. Let chill and set for at least 10 minutes or overnight and enjoy! Top with fresh berries and extra drizzles for even more yum if you please!

Macros (not including additional toppings):
calories 277
27.6c/7.8f/25.1p

✨Pro-tip: Each empty jar of Cocoa Bar weighs approximately 36 grams. To calculate how much CBJ goodness is trapped inside, simply weigh your jar and subtract 36 grams from that amount. For example. My almost empty jar weighed 50 grams. I subtracted 36 to get 14 grams of Lemoncello spread left inside☺️.

Entered into MFP: Macro Minded Monique-Lemoncello Greek Yogurt Proats
🫶

Lemon Obsessed over here…
You, too?!☺️ Let’s make a Lemoncello Creami for less than 250 calories🍋

Base:
10 ounces Nonfat Fairlife Milk
65 grams 2% cottage cheese
11 grams vanilla pudding mix (I use chocolate
1 tsp vanilla
1-2 TB erythritol
Stevia to taste
Sprinkle sea salt

Mix ins:
10 grams Lemoncello spread
Meyer Lemon Cookie Thins from Trader Joe’s (or 1 Lemon Oreo if you don’t have a Trader Joe’s)

*Topping: (optional) additional cookie crumbles and Lemoncello spread

To make:

Pour combined/blended base ingredients into your Creami container. Freeze for at least 12 hours or overnight. Blend on the light ice cream mode, then add 3 TB additional milk and spin again on “re-spin”. Now it’s time to add your toppings! Create a hole in the center of your ice cream and add your 10 grams of Cocoa Bar Lemoncello spread and cover with ice cream from sides to let that CBJ chocolate chill and harden for a minute. Top with crushed cookie pieces. Then spin on the Mix-In mode of your Creami. Drizzle and crumble to your hearts content on top!🤤

Swipe for macro details 👉👉

Saved in MFP: Macro Minded Monique-Lemoncello Creami

Ps. Lemoncello is back! Have you nabbed yours yet?

You’ve been asking and the time has finally come🫶Lemoncello is finally available for pre-sale tomorrow March 6th starting at 6 am PST. One of the MOST requested seasonal flavors will be back for a limited time just in time for Spring. Don’t want to miss out, comment INSIDER to stay connected and up to date on all the details💛.

Ps. After you get yours, RUN and make the Lemoncello Crumble Cheesecake Bars (2 posts back)!!😮‍💨💛

2.19-2.25 photo dump 🤍
Family, beautiful food and love✨

Many things don’t change around here…lots of carbs and always a daily green smoothie. I swear by it, and I know some you do now, too.

“I am way more satiated and I just feel better. I’m getting my greens in and it just works! I love it!” -Jennifer🫶

Why consider going green?
•A great dose of energy, minus the caffeine.
•Micro nourishment in abundance.
•Incredibly macro friendly.
•Easy to prep the night before, blend and enjoy the morning of.
•Filling but not taxing on the body to digest. Especially, important before a workout right after enjoying.
•Hydrating like crazy! Your skin and your body will thank you later.

My current version goes like this.
In your high speed blender combine:

•80 grams baby spinach
•140 grams of raw zucchini
•22 grams of protein powder (I use Smooth Vanilla-CODE MONIQUE saves you 15%)
•14 ounces of filtered water
•1 tsp vanilla
•1/4 tsp sea salt
•stevia to taste (I would use extra if using an unsweetened protein powder)
•1 ounce banana (I keep frozen pieces in my freezer to grab and pop in).
•8 grams of Cocoa Bar’s Protein Peanut Butter
•6 grams flax seeds
•175-200 grams of ice

Blend till VERY smooth and enjoy! Pro-tip: Prep the night before like mentioned above in the blender, minus the banana and the morning of add frozen banana on and some ice and voila. Enjoy!✨

📝To note: I have only made my smoothies in Vitamix or Blentec blenders which get things smoooooth, so I can’t vouch for any other blenders and consistency. I know many get things smooth-ish, but still chunky. Fingers crossed your blender does the job, otherwise you might want to skip this one if a chewable smoothie isn’t your thing (I don’t blame you 🙅🏼‍♀️).

I don’t encourage tracking greens, but if you do, this recipe runs about 245 calories with the above mentioned ingredients.
21c/7f/30p
and without, 201 calories
13c/6f/26p
🫶

We’ve been back on the Creami train these past few weeks and even with all this rain, we’ve been loving it. Especially using my new Protein Powder Free Vanilla Creami base for all our creations. I used that base, mixed in some black cocoa powder, crushed some honey wheat pretzels (I’m obsessed!) and drizzled with some Cocoa Bar PB Cup spread (swipe to see 👉👉). So, SO GOOD! Recipe for the Creami base is as follows:

In a blender or Ninja combine:
8 ounces organic nonfat milk
2 ounces nonfat Greek yogurt (I love )
30 grams nonfat cottage cheese (I get mine from Trader Joe’s)
7 grams vanilla pudding
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp sea salt
Stevia to taste
1TB Erythritol (*optional, but I find when paired with stevia it creates a more authentic sugar taste)

•Pour into your 16 ounce Creami pint. Freeze overnight (at least 10 hours). Prepare on the ice cream mode, then add 3 TB additional milk and spin again on “re-spin”. Top with all the goods. 🤌😍

Enjoy!

Macros:
143 calories
21.2c/0f/18.5p

Saved in MFP: Macro Minded Monique: Protein Powder Free Vanilla Creami

Hello! I have some new friends around here and I wanted to take a moment to re-introduce myself to those of you who are brand new✨.

My name is Monique Lawton and I am the creator of Cocoa Bar In A Jar. I am a healthy sweet treat recipe creator and ultimately it is my over all passion to support women on their health and sustainable weight loss journeys. It’s my goal to offer up chocolate and recipes made from only Whole Foods (no man made ingredients) that are macro minded for optimal nutrition, yet maximized indulgence. I am also the creator of The Mindful Macros Method where I help women take their knowledge of macro counting to the next level by elevating their minds to transform their body’s for good. The mind is the most powerful muscle in the body and if it’s not influenced intentionally, we can get stuck, feel confused or fall victim to self sabotage perpetually and makes sustainable weight loss a never ending feat. After almost a lifetime of struggling with a self image of woman who struggled with her weight and almost 2 decades of an eating disorder, hormone imbalances, thyroid issues and debilitating anxiety, at 46 years young, I’ve come out the other side stronger and healthier than ever and I want to help as many women as possible create that after story for themselves, too. So, it is my goal to continue to create only the best, truly all natural chocolate spreads, healthy treats that can double as a meal and continue to share mindset tools to inspire and fuel this sweet, sweet life of yours because you deserve only the best.🫶

Thank you for joining me! To celebrate, I’m giving away some goodies to one winner!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

✨2 jars of Cocoa Bar
✨A mini heart chocolate mold
✨A copy of my ebook, Macro Minded Bars, Bites, Cakes And Bakes
✨A copy of my guide: How to Create A Macro Minded Plate Without Weighing Or Tracking

To enter:
✔️Make sure you’re following me☺️
✔️Like this post and tag a friend to spread the love
✔️If you’re inspired, comment a sweet treat recipe request

Cheers to an amazing 2024 my friends🫶

This Lightened Up, Protein Powder Free recipe is just perfect.✨. I topped mine with some fresh strawberries 🍓, crushed honey wheat pretzel sticks from and a drizzle of Iced Oatmeal Cookie (currently sold out, but ANY Cocoa Bar spread of your choosing works out beautifully here☺️).

Bookmark and save for later🤍

Recipe is as follows:

In a blender or Ninja combine:
8 ounces organic nonfat milk
2 ounces nonfat Greek yogurt (I love )
30 grams nonfat cottage cheese (I get mine from Trader Joe’s)
7 grams vanilla pudding
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp sea salt
Stevia to taste
1TB Erythritol (*optional, but I find when paired with stevia it creates a more authentic sugar taste)

•Pour into your 16 ounce Creami pint. Freeze overnight (at least 10 hours). Prepare on the ice cream mode, then add 3 TB additional milk and spin again on “re-spin”. Top with all the goods. 🤌😍

Enjoy!

Macros:
21.2c/0f/18.5p

Saved in MFP: Macro Minded Monique: Protein Powder Free Vanilla Creami

If you aren’t magic shelling are you even living? Questionable😉

One of the most fun things about Cocoa Bar is it’s ability to harden when chilled. A drizzle can transform all your yogurt bowls, fresh fruit, and Creami’s in seconds. ✨ A little goes a long way, too. Depending on my mood, all the spreads have their place, but Pumpkin Spice is my daily lunch dessert go to on my apple 🍎 and yogurt bowl bowls. Are you team magic shell or drizzles?

Throwing it back to this goodie which just happens to be a perfect last minute, no bake Valentine’s Day treat to throw together💘 Have you tried this recipe yet? These are SO good!

Birthday Cake Power Bites🤩

Swipe for the macros. 👉👉

Easy peezy. Recipe here!

https://cocoabarinajar.com/birthday-cake-power-bites/

Cheers to you this Valentine’s Day and to never having to sacrifice sweets in the name of a healthy lifestyle🫶

Some of this week’s favorite things (which includes mostly my favorite meals lol) including my latest Creami recipe. Another lightened up vanilla Creami without any protein powder. It’s so good! Bookmark and save these recipe for later.

It goes like this…

In a blender or Ninja combine:
8 ounces organic nonfat milk
2 ounces nonfat Greek yogurt (I love )
30 grams nonfat cottage cheese (I get mine from Trader Joe’s)
7 grams vanilla pudding
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp sea salt
Stevia to taste
1TB Erythritol (*optional, but I find when paired with stevia it creates a more authentic sugar taste)

•Pour into your 16 ounce Creami pint. Freeze overnight (at least 10 hours). Prepare on the ice cream mode, then add 2 TB additional milk and spin again on “re-spin”. Top with all the goods. I did fresh strawberries and Iced Oatmeal Cookie magic shell drizzles here😍

Enjoy!

Macros:
21.2c/0f/18.5p