Category

Snacks

Category

Guest Post: Pina Colada Bars

To give you a mental picture as you are staring at the photo…OH, the succulent taste of ripe pineapple. OH MY, the decadent flavor of coconut. The natural sweetness of plump Madjool dates. Don’t forget the creamy finish of rich cashews…. Ok I had better stop, I am drooling all over the place, Aren’t you? The best thing about this treat is that although it is simple in the ingredient list category, it is bursting with flavor. These will not only satisfy your craving for something tropical and sweet; it will keep you on track with your healthy eating plan! Yes you heard right, these are HEALTHY! You would never know by the taste nor the look of them, but they are. So no matter if you are raw, vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, paleo or just want a healthier treat; we can ALL enjoy these PINA COLADA BARS. Just be…

Fruit Parfaits

Every single time I’m in Whole Foods I am forced to walk by the damn fruit parfaits. They’re right by the kombucha so I really can’t avoid it. Those delicious looking, soybean oil and sugar laden fruit parfaits. I’m not big on sweets, but something about fruit parfaits really does it for me. Fresh fruit on top of vanilla pudding? Amazing. I also think it’s hilarious that McDonald’s convinced people that fruit parfaits are an acceptable breakfast meal. I mean, mine is because it’s actually really healthy. But adding fruit to an otherwise unhealthy dessert does not a breakfast make. Unless you’re making my fruit parfait. Then you can get away with it. . Paleo Fruit Parfaits These dairy-free paleo fruit parfaits make the perfect healthy breakfast, snack or dessert! These can be made ahead of time! 1 can coconut milk1/4 cup raw honey (use raw, organic honey, like THIS…

Caramel Brownies

Who doesn’t love a good brownie? Especially brownies that are free of: gluten grains dairy refined sugars vegetable oils Pretty sweet, right?   Now I’m not saying this is a health food that you should eat all the time. But sometimes you need a brownie. Sometimes it’s someone’s birthday, a graduation, an anniversary. These are definitely a healthier option than boxed or store bought brownies. And they’re not even difficult to make. You just add all of the ingredients to a blender, blend, bake. You can find the caramel recipe HERE.   Paleo Caramel Brownies These paleo caramel brownies are definitely a healthier option than boxed or store-bought brownies. And they’re not even difficult to make. You just add all of the ingredients to a blender, blend, bake 1.5 cups almond flour  (see notes)1/2 cup cacao powder1/2 cup raw honey (see notes)1 tbsp vanilla3 eggs1/2 cup chocolate chips  (see notes…

Banana Carrot Cake with Coconut Frosting

I recently saw a recipe for a “healthy” banana carrot cake. Unfortunately, the ingredients consisted of wheat, sugar, canola oil and low-fat cream cheese. Somehow this was being classified as healthy. This ain’t the 80s! Low-fat does not equate to health! So I decided to make my own. And thank God I got a picture of it, because immediately after I set it down on my counter, my cat did this: Thanks, Sadie. You’re a pal. Healthy Banana Carrot Cake with Coconut Butter Frosting Most healthy cake recipes are not healthy, just fat-free! This is not the 80s, guys! This Banana Carrot Cake is my idea of a healthy cake! Perfect for Easter, Mother’s Day or any special occasion. Cake:1 banana4 medium carrots (peeled and diced)2 eggs1.5 cups almond flour (I use THIS almond flour)1/3 cup honey (find organic, raw honey HERE)1 tbsp vanilla (I like THIS brand)1…

Potato Nachos

I’m kind of in love with the white potato. It’s taken a lock of flack over the years; people said it was unhealthy, it didn’t have a good nutrient profile, that it would spike your blood sugar, that it wasn’t as healthy as a sweet potato. You can read my article on white versus sweet potatoes HERE. But the humble white potato will always be my favorite. For all the guff its taken, most of it is unfounded. The white potato isn’t just delicious, it actually is a healthy food! It’s a vegetable after all. It comes from the earth, it has vitamins and minerals, and it’s pretty damn healthy if you’re not frying it in vegetable oil. So I combined my two loves: the white potato and Mexican food. I don’t love corn, and I don’t eat corn. So corn chips were definitely out. And potatoes worked out beautifully.…

Five Ingredient & Five Minute Chocolate Mousse

This easy healthy Chocolate Mousse recipe is paleo, dairy-free and refined sugar-free and comes together in 5 minutes using only 5 ingredients! Dessert win! Elevate your dessert game with this Healthy Chocolate Mousse recipe!  My husband loves chocolate mousse! It seemed like a simple enough dessert to make. However, it usually involves a double broiler, separating the yolks from the whites, beating the whites, and some chocolate mousse recipes even calling for baking it. I suck at baking. This is why I have to come up with the easiest and quickest desserts possible. And healthy, obviously. I love to cook, but I find baking really boring. I didn’t really think double boiler and beating eggs was necessary to get perfectly silky and smooth chocolate mousse. Turns out, I was right. Why you should try this healthy Chocolate Mousse recipe: This healthy chocolate mousse recipe was the easiest dessert to make…

Five Ingredient Eggplant Dip

I love dips. There’s something about setting out dips, homemade bread, olives, raw cheese and cured meats that makes me feel very European, and I’m into that. Even though I’ve only been to Europe once. Also, I’d just like to say that I’m so excited for the farmers market to come back next month. My favorite farmer has amazing, gigantic, organic eggplants. Only one more month until that awesome market is back in my life! And eggplants are super healthy. Eggplants contain: vitamin C beta carotene phosphorous potassium magnesium niacin copper thiamin vitamin B6 This dip is super easy to make and goes over well at parties. Sources: http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/3010?fg=&man=&lfacet=&format=&count=&max=25&offset=&sort=&qlookup=eggplant 5 ingredient Eggplant Dip I love easy healthy dips like this 5 ingredient eggplant dip! All you need to do is roast some eggplants and a whole head of garlic and you have yourself the best healthy appetizer ever! Perfect for…

Vanilla Salted Caramel Cups

I’m not a huge chocolate fan. Or a caramel cups fan… most of the time. I know it’s nuts but chocolate just doesn’t really do it for me. I much prefer vanilla, and I love vanilla with caramel. These make great candies and are the perfect little treat. Caramel recipe HERE. Vanilla Salted Caramel Cups These vegan and paleo Salted Caramel Cups make great candies and are the perfect healthy little treat. 2 cups cashews (I buy THIS brand)1/2 cup maple syrup (I buy THIS brand)1/2 cup coconut oil (melted (I buy expeller pressed, it has no coconut flavor))1 tbsp vanilla (I buy THIS brand) Soak the cashews overnight in filtered water.Drain the cashews and add them to a blender with all of the other ingredients. You will need a strong blender for this, like a Vitamix.Pour the mixture equally into 8 cupcake tins.Add to the fridge and make the caramel…

Easy Banana Bread (Grain, Dairy & Nut Free)

Not only is this bread gluten and grain free, it doesn’t have any dairy, nuts or added sweeteners. This makes it a safe option for breakfast or great as a quick and filling snack that won’t weigh you down or spike your blood sugar. It took about 5 minutes to throw together and 30 minutes in the oven, making this one of the easiest desserts ever (which I like). Just goes to show you don’t need to spend a lot of time in the kitchen to make tasty treats that are also healthy. It really couldn’t be easier, and you can freeze it too!   Easy Grain-free Banana Bread Not only is this banana bread gluten and grain free, it doesn’t have any dairy, nuts or added sweeteners.This makes it a safe option for breakfast or great as a quick and filling snack that won’t weigh you down or spike…

5 Minute Paleo Chocolate Pudding

I’m not even a huge chocolate fan and I L-O-V-E-D this pudding. And I hate coffee, but it had almost a mocha taste that I thought was really good, most likely because I also added a bit of almond extract. But if you don’t have almond extract, no worries, it still tastes great without it. Another thing I like about this dessert is that it is so easy to make, you can make in bulk, and it requires no baking. I am not a good baker. I hate measuring out every single ingredient. I want to do my own thang. Luckily, you can mix it up with this pudding. Add berries, add banana, add whipped cream. GO CRAZY! 5 Minute Paleo Chocolate Pudding I’m not even a huge chocolate fan and I L-O-V-E-D this easy paleo chocolate pudding. And I hate coffee, but it had almost a mocha taste that…