The Food Blog
Peanut Butter Cookies with Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies (gluten-free) (0 Comments)
With only four ingredients to create these soft, chewy and delicious cookies. They are made with good quality ingredients of organic creamy peanut butter, certified organic (free-range, pasture raised) egg, pinch of brown sugar and organic dark chocolate chips. These cookies are flour-less which are wonderful for individuals who are gluten sensitive. A delicious dessert that you are able to whip up in matter of minutes. They sure didn’t last long in our household. Not only is it yummy but, a good amount of protein to satisfy, antioxidants and very high in vitamin B6 type of treat. A perfect crowd-pleaser!
YIELDS: 12
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, organic
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg, free-range and pasture raised
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips, organic
sea salt, dash
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment if not using a silpat.
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl; blend well together by hand with spoon or electric mixer.
Once blended, form the dough into about tablespoon size or so and drop the dough on sheet; about 1-2 inches apart and shape before placing in the oven. You may add more chocolate chips, if needed.
Place sheet in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown on the bottom. Don’t over bake.
Allow to let cool before placing on a rack. And voila! homemade yummy cookies for the whole family.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE: calories 95; total fat 6.7g; sodium 55mg; potassium 79mg; total carbohydrates 7.3g; dietary fiber 0.8g; sugars 4g; protein 3.5g and iron 7%. These treats are very high in vitamin B6.
Pumpkin Spice Power Bites (0 Comments)
Tis’ the season for good for you pumpkin! Pumpkin, the simple super food, has many numerous benefits to promote overall health. It’s such a staple in our household and easily versatile in many recipes. I have for you today a yummy, no-bake treat that is nutrient dense, gluten-free and a vegan style creation. So fun and easy to make these energy bites in matter of minutes. And, once again, no oven required. You may add a special touch by rolling them in powdered cocoa, coconut, or crushed nuts for a bit of flair. A great snack for the whole family and the perfect pre or post workout treat!
SERVES: about 20
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup pumpkin puree, organic or fresh
1/2 cup rolled oats, organic
3 tbsp maple syrup, organic
1/2 cup oat bran
2 tbsp flaxseed meal
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, raw
1/4 cup raisins
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
sea salt, dash
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Then place bowl in the refrigerator to chill and set: about 20-30 minutes.
Remove bowl from the refrigerator. Scoop mixture out about a tbsp and roll between the palms of your hands to form a ball. Place balls in a covered container or cookie sheet will be fine. If you like a truffle style, roll them in coconut, nuts, or cocoa powder at this time. Once finished, keep in the refrigerator until ready to snack. That’s it! Enjoy.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE: Calories 37; Sodium 13mg; Potassium 80mg; Dietary fiber 1.5g; Sugars 2g; Protein 1.5g; Vitamin A 38%; Calcium 1%; Vitamin C 1% and Iron 5%. This has no cholesterol, low in sodium, high in dietary fiber, iron and magnesium, and very high in vitamin B6, A and manganese type of treat.
Maple Cashew Power Bites (0 Comments)
This was super yummy!! These power bites are packed full of nutrients, with real food ingredients, and a wonderful creamy flavor that your taste buds will be fond of. The best part is that there is no oven required in this recipe. A recipe easy to whip up in matter of minutes. I love and enjoy creating these fun type of snacks which give a healthy dose of energy while on-the-go. A perfect snack for the whole family, great for outdoor sports enthusiasts, in between meals and everywhere in between. They are so irresistible that it’s hard to just have one but, no guilt trip here due to nutrient levels. I hope you go ahead and give it a whirl.
You may ask, Is cashew butter healthy? It is when eaten in moderation. Cashew butter contains about 3 grams of protein in one tablespoon. A high source of magnesium and copper which help with bone, muscle and joint health. Another great source of riboflavin, thiamine, niacin and vitamin. The healthy fat called oliec acid in cashews improve cholesterol levels in the system. Basically, regular consumption of nuts and nut products, even cashew butter, can improve your overall diet. Include this simple super food in your natural diet.
SERVES: about 20-24
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup organic rolled oats
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup cashew butter, unsalted
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1 tbsp coconut butter, or unrefined oil
3 tbsp raw chia seeds
1 tsp ground ginger
sea salt, dash
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a bowl, combine all ingredients and blend well together almost like a paste consistency. Once blended, place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set.
Remove from refrigerator, scoop mixture by about tbsp and roll in between the palms of your hands to form a ball. Place on a cookie sheet or a air tight glass container to set in refrigerator.
When ready for an energizing snack, pull them out and enjoy. You may garnish them with coconut flakes, nuts, seeds or cocoa powder before placing them in the frig to set.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE: Calories 60; total Fat 4.0 g; Sodium 12mg; Potassium 47mg; Total Carbohydrates 5g; Dietary fiber 1.4g; Protein 2g; Calcium 1% and Iron 2%. This treat has no cholesterol, low in sodium and sugar, and high in manganese.
Pumpkin Spice Creamer (Dairy-Free) (0 Comments)
It’s time to break out those pumpkinlicious recipes! I love my coffee whether it’s in the morning, afternoon or early evening. Yes, I admit I AM a coffee addict. Nothing like the a robust smell of coffee when first rising out of bed, right?! I am quite adventurous when it comes to different styles of coffee from espresso, latte, cappuccino and flavored coffee. Since it’s pumpkin season I would like to share my homemade pumpkin spice creamer. A recipe with only 4 ingredients and takes about 5 minutes to whip up. This can be made with slight variations for more of a vegan or dairy-free blend. You may also add different spice blends as well. It’s super simple, tasty, and customizable unlike many store bought varieties that are chemically laden on most store shelves. Most brands incorporate emulsifiers to keep the product smooth and other additives to keep it fresh for much longer. Here is my homemade simple, flavorful and tasty condiment. plus you may probably have some of these items in your kitchen pantry already. So if you can handle a bit of shaking or stirring, this is right up your alley! Hope you enjoy it.
YIELDS: about 16 tablespoons
With only four ingredients and five minutes to to create a natural and delicious pumpkin flavored cup of coffee!
INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup brown sugar, or preferred sweetener
1/2 cup filtered water
2 tbsp organic pumpkin puree
2 cinnamon sticks
2-3 whole cloves
1/2 tsp ground ginger, or essential oil
1/2 cup almond milk, or preferred (whole milk, rice, half & half, coconut)
sea salt, dash
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a small saucepan, over medium heat, whisk together the sugar, water, pumpkin and spices; stirring occasionally. Bring to a slow rolling boil and let cook until the consistency has slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Set aside and allow to cool for a few minutes before adding the milk.
Add the milk to the ratio of your liking. Normally 1:1 ratio. Blend well. Taste it as you go for best flavor.
You may serve right away, or place in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE: Calories 18; Total Fat 1.8g; Sodium 17mg; Potassium 27mg; Total Carbohydrates 0.7g; Protein 0.2g; Vitamin A 9%; Vitamin C 1% and Iron 1%. This has no cholesterol, high in manganese and very high in vitamin A.
Farm Fresh Apple Crisp (0 Comments)
” An apple a day keeps the doctor away”.
Besides being delicious, apples are a simple super food for better overall health. An array of wonderful varieties from sizes, colors, shapes, textures and taste. There is no doubt a favorite for everyone. Apples are loaded with antioxidants and fiber. It helps to reduce the risks of variety of cancers, hypertention, diabetes, heart disease, diabetes, stroke and inflammation. Apples promote a healthier neurological functions in the body as well as lowering the bad cholesterol. With that being said, there is no excuse for you NOT to grab that apple for better overall health and lifestyle.
Easy breezy apple crisp is the route to go when you are pressed for time, especially when making homemade pie dough. It’s super simple to create in your kitchen. I had gathered our hand picked, farm fresh empire apples into slices without the skin: tossed them with flavors of spice and sweetness, then placed into a baking dish. For the streusel, I utilized good for you rolled oats with a mix of flour and unsalted butter. Once blended well, sprinkle the topping over the apple mixture and place in the oven to bake. And that’s it! The best part besides tasting it, are the flavors that permeate throughout the home. It just smells so good. A heavenly and delicious dessert for the whole family to enjoy.
INGREDIENTS:
6 farm fresh apples, medium, peeled, cored and about 1/4 thick slices ( Empire, Granny Smith or Golden Delicious are best)
1/4 cup brown sugar, or preferred sweetener
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup flour
4 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, plus a coating for baking dish, about half stick
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat baking dish with butter. Arrange rack in the middle.
Combine prepared apples, sugar, spices and salt in a large bowl; toss to coat thoroughly. Place mixture in a baking dish. Set aside.
In a bowl, mix together the streusel topping of oats, sugar, butter and 1/8 tsp sea salt for flavor; incorporate well. Blend the butter pieces, by using your hands, until small clumps form.
Once the streusel is combined, sprinkle over the apple mixture. Place in the oven and bake for about 50-60 minutes, or until the streusel is crispy and apples are tender. Let cool on the rack, for at least a half hour, before servings. You may garnish the apple crisp with French vanilla ice cream. It’s so delicious! Enjoy.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE: Filling – calories 80; sodium 33mg; potassium 150mg; total carbohydrates 21g; dietary fiber 3.5g; sugars 16; vitamin C 17% and iron 4%. Streusel topping- calories 89; total fat 6g; cholesterol 15mg; sodium 41mg; potassium 46mg; total carbohydrates 7.4g; dietary fiber o.7g; protein 1.3; vitamin A 4%; calcium 1% and iron 3%.
Creamy Banana Ice Cream (0 Comments)
This dessert is delightfully dreamy and allergen free. The best part is that you don’t even need an ice cream maker.
Do you ever have extra bananas just sitting on your counter in a bowl, especially those with all the brown spots and look way past their prime? Well, you may want to think again. That is the absolutely best time to make tasty treats from smoothies, breads, pancakes and more.
With just one simple ingredient of this beautiful banana, the possibilities are endless with flavoring that is fresh and natural. Today, I decided to infuse fresh ginger and cinnamon that I had already in my kitchen. A simplistic great way to elevate the flavors in your personalized ice cream. You may use whatever your heart desires from nut butters, cocoa, syrups or spices. It’s easy, fun and creative. A wonderful idea to get kids involved in the kitchen with this yummy treat. So, I hope you try this and have fun with it.
We all know that bananas are good for us right? But did you know, that if you are trying to quit smoking this is the fruit for you. Bananas help in this area due to the nutrient levels of potassium, vitamins and magnesium. It also helps to improve menstrual disorders which raises a hormone called progesterone which can reduce bleeding. Bananas improve intestine disorders, brain function, nervous systems, good for blood, healthier bones and eyesight, an energy booster, great for anemia and helps with hangovers, consipation and diarrhea.
I always say “A banana a day keeps the doctor away”. I am a huge fan of bananas. I have at least one or two on a daily basis. Besides coffee, it’s the one item i couldn’t live without. You can never have enough bananas, especially in our household. Bananas are so versatile to create in snacks and other tasty meals.
So, if you are looking for a chilled treat that is practically allergen friendly and nutritious try the Banana Ice Cream.
Scroll on down for the recipe……………………………….
SERVES: 4 (about 2 cups)
INGREDIENTS:
2 over ripe bananas, medium
1/4 tsp ginger, fresh
pinch of ground cinnamon
1/4 cup almond milk, or coconut, rice, cashew, hazelnut, etc. (optional)
EQUIPMENT:
cutting board
knife
air tight container (freezer safe)
food processor, or blender
spatula
INSTRUCTIONS:
First thing is to Peel the banana. Then slice the bananas into coin size pieces. Place in an airtight container and pop in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
Remove from the freezer. Have your blender, or food processor ready to go.
Place bananas, ginger, spice and milk into the machine. Blend the ingredients together past the crumbly and gooey stage of the process until creamy consistency. It may start to look like oatmeal – keep going. And before you know it, will start to look like creamy, soft serve ice cream texture. Blend for a few more minutes to create an airy affect. At this point, you may serve right away for a softer texture, or place back in freezer for more of a traditional style. And voila! It’s ready to enjoy.
MIX-IN IDEAS:
Create your own style with these simple items from your pantry. The possibilities are endless! Give it a whirl.
Spoonful of peanut butter, almond, walnut,or cashew butter
maple or honey
cocoa powder
spices or citrus blend
chopped berries
NUTRITIONAL VALUE: Calories 53; Potassium 213mg; Total Carbohydrates 13.6g; Dietary Fiber 2g; Sugars 7.0g; Protein 0.6g; Vitamin A 1%; Calcium 1%; Vitamin C 9%; Iron 1%. This is very low in sodium, saturated fat, no cholesterol, high in dietary fiber and magnesium, and very high in vitamin B6 and C treat.