What is Mardi Gras?
Also known as Carnival (or Carnaval), the worldwide celebration of Mardi Gras began thousands of years ago in Europe. Translating from French phrase to “Fat Tuesday,” Mardi Gras begins on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, preluding the Christian tradition of Lent. However, in many places Mardi Gras celebrations last a week long.
The first Mardi Gras in America took place over 200 years ago, and has become a trademark event in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mardi Gras celebrations now take place across the nation, with local and regional events to celebrate the festivities, featuring the iconic Mardi Gras parades, masks, and, of course, plenty of beaded necklaces.
Want to join the fun? Check out these easy at-home Mardi Gras activities to get in the spirit this year!
DIY Mardi Gras Date Necklace
Wearing and sharing beads and festive necklaces is a classic Mardi Gras tradition. Did you know that you can create your own environmentally friendly, plastic-free Mardi Gras necklaces out of date seeds? This activity is simple and fun for the whole family!
First remove the outside thin white layer of the date seed. Next add a line of glue down the center crack of the date seeds and add a piece of string or twine, horizontally into the crack. Once dry, tie the ends together to create a necklace, and enjoy your DIY Mardi Gras creation!
Pro Tip: Paint the date seeds purple, green, or gold, the traditional Mardi Gras colors, for some extra festive flare!
Date King Cake Truffles
As a favorite treat of party goers, King Cake is an essential part of any Mardi Gras celebration! Check out these gluten-free, paleo truffles for a healthy alternative to this iconic desert, perfect for the whole family!
Ingredients:
Truffles
- 12 Coachella’s Best Organic Medjool Dates (you can buy them in bulk HERE!)
- 2 cups shredded coconut
- ⅓ cup coconut milk
Icing
- ¾ cups coconut butter
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp matcha powder
- 1 tsp acai powder
- 1 tsp turmeric
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325°F
- Evenly place the shredded coconut onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Lightly toast the coconut shreds for about 5 minutes, monitoring to ensure the coconut does not burn or over crisp.
- Cut your Organic Medjool Dates in half and remove the pits.
- Soak your dates in hot water for 5-10 minutes or until soft.
- Strain water and add the dates to a food processor, pulsing until smooth.
- Add the coconut milk into the food processor and continue mixing until there are no visible chunks of date.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl and combine with the toasted coconut.
- Using a spoon, scoop out the mixture and shape it into small spheres, placing on parchment paper lined plate.
- Chill in fridge for approximately 10-20 minutes.
- While truffles are chilling, melt the coconut butter and coconut oil together.
- Divide the mixture into 4 small bowls.
- Add matcha powder, acai powder, and turmeric separately to the three bowls creating green, purple, and golden colored mixtures and leave one uncolored.
- Remove truffles from the fridge and coat in the uncolored mixture.
- Then, use spoons to drizzle the different colored mixtures across the truffles, until desired designs are achieved.
- Return the decorated truffles to the fridge for about 45 minutes until coating is hardened.
- Serve chilled and enjoy!
We hope you have a fantastic Mardi Gras celebration this year, and enjoy these festive activities! Make sure to share your DIY Mardi Gras creations and tag us on Instagram @coachellasbestdates!
