My husband, Cody, loves treats. To him, a baked good or an ice cream is more than sweet flavors. They embody the joy of food — a rush of excitement and comfort.

And that's important. Enjoying food is the fun part of eating. There's even evidence that when we enjoy our food and are less stressed, we absorb more of the nutrients.

The problem is that many desserts are made with processed grains and refined sweeteners. Not only are ingredients stripped of their nutrition, but the macro-nutrient balance often leads to an energy spike, and subsequent crash.

These pecan brownies are made with whole foods, and have a mix of carbs, proteins, and healthy fats. The chocolatey bars taste good, give sustained energy, and satisfy a sweet tooth.

We have them as a dessert, pre- or post-workout snack, or a midday energy boost.

Raw Pecan Brownies