5/20/2015 3 Comments No Bake Almond Joy BarsIf you know you are going to crave something sweet, why not be prepared? These are so easy* to make ahead and keep in the fridge for when the sweet tooth strikes. *You need a food processor. Its worth the investment..it will make every future baking experience more enjoyable! Ingredients:Bottom Layer: 1.5 Cups Dates (I used pitted deglet) 1 Cup Nuts (I used almonds) 4 T Cocoa Powder 1 T Vanilla Extract Pinch of Sea Salt Top Layer: 1.5 Cups Shredded Coconut (unsweetened) 1/3 Cup Almond flour 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil (melted) 3 T Honey Pinch of Sea Salt Optional Top top layer: (I'd recommend because it holds everything together and looks fancy) 1/4 Cup Chocolate Chips Directions:1. Double check that your dates don't have pits, even if they say pitted. It's a stupid, painful surprise when you bite into a date pit.
2. Food process all bottom layer ingredients. 3. Press bottom layer into parchment lined 8x8 pan 4. Mix all top layer ingredients (if its not sticking together use more honey) 5. Press top layer over bottom layer 6. Melt chocolate over stove or in microwave and drizzle over top layer. 7. Leave it alone! Place in fridge for at least 30 min (or if desperate freezer ;) ) Protein Style: I have substituted vanilla protein powder for the almond flour in top layer and it was delicious
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Sometimes I'm surprised how much I love healthy food - veggies, meat, water...they actually taste amazing. BUT that doesn't mean I have a foolproof diet. When I am not prepared and something not so healthy is within reach, I will often indulge. They key is to stay prepared! Take the time when we have it to get those healthy foods ready to grab and eat. Below are some of my favorite prepare ahead meals and snacks.
Vegetables Roast Brussels Sprouts, Sweet Potatoes, Zucchini, etc Cut into similar size pieces. Lightly toss (or spray with misto) in Olive Oil Bake at 400 for 15 minutes. Add on top of salads or alongside meat and rice. Steam Broccoli, Cauliflower I have a rice cooker with steamer on top, so I can take care of both simultaneously Veggies could also be steamed on the stove Blend Leafy Greens Blend greens with water and freeze in ice cube trays Use for smoothies, sneak into chili or other soups Meat Salsa Chicken in Crockpot Buy fresh salsa, dump in crockpot with chicken, cook on low 6-8 hours. It's that easy. I love it on salads, with my eggs, or made into tacos Trader Joes or Aidells sausage Brown and pack with veggies and rice for tomorrow's lunch or add in soup I haven't had one yet I didn't like, but my current favorite is Chicken Sausage with Spinach, Fontina & Roasted Garlic Snacks/Treats DIY Trail Mix Buy you favorite nuts, dried fruit, seeds, cacao nibs, etc. Place in a container and shake 'em up! Much less expensive than store bought and you get to customize. DIY Larabars Endless options and you can add protein powder Chocolate bark Melt dark chocolate and mix in your favorite nut, dried fruit, or shredded coconut (the best) Drop onto parchment paper and put in the fridge (or freezer, if you just cant wait) I tried to keep these ideas as simple as possible. I've been making a lot of recipes in the crockpot that have a few more steps, but are still prettty easy. Coming soon :) 7/10/2014 0 Comments Protein Yogurt aka "proyo"I love food. Especially simple, delicious food. Food that I can throw together, pack to take with me on the go, and that can multitask as a meal, snack, or treat. Protein yogurt is a post workout snack I get REALLY excited about, it's what I eat when I'm trying to control my sweet tooth, and sometimes I even have it twice a day (crazy, I know...). It is basic, yet the variations are endless! I seriously look forward to eating my Proyo creation from the moment I mix it up and lick the spoon each morning. Breakfast Protein Yogurt 1 Cup 2% Greek Yogurt 1/2-1 Scoop Protein Powder 1/2 Banana sliced 1/4 Cup Walnuts or Pecans 1 tsp Cinnamon 1 tsp Maple Syrup(optional) Milk (optional, as needed) NOTES: I use various Protein Powders, but always try to purchase those without soy and artificial flavors I often cut these recipes in half to eat as snacks If you don't like greek yogurt, use whichever kind you do like I use PLAIN yogurt, always & forever ;) What's your favorite PROYO creation?! Post Workout Protein Yogurt 1 Cup Nonfat Greek Yogurt 1 Scoop Protein Powder 1/4 Cup Blueberries 1/4 Cup Granola (My current fave is Udi's Gluten Free) Milk (depending on thickness of yogurt/preference) Protein Yogurt Treat 1 Cup 2% Greek Yogurt 1 Scoop Chocolate Protein Powder 1/4 Cup Shredded Coconut 1-2 Tbsp Dark Chocolate Chips 1-1 tsp Honey (optional) Milk (optional, as needed) The name and the lack of any flour didn't convince me at first, but after I tried these bad boys I was hooked (This recipe is adapted from Fast Paleo, with my own touch!) The zucchini gives the brownies a moist texture along with an easy way to sneak in veggies. And they have NO FLOUR of any kind! Give them a shot...I think you will love the final product!
1 C Peanut Butter (I prefer crunchy) 1 1/2 C grated Zucchini 1/3 C honey 1 Egg 1 tsp vanilla 1/4 C Cocoa powder 1 tsp baking soda 1 heaping tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp allspice 2/3 C Dark chocolate chips Mix wet ingredients in a large bowl and then add dry ingredients. Pour into a greased 8x8 baking dish and bake for 25 minutes at 350. *Leave out the cocoa powder and you will have delicious blonde brownie/chocolate chip cookie bars
8/26/2013 2 Comments Rise and Shine MuffinsTrying to eat healthier, but still need on the go options? Want to lose your muffin top, while still eating muffins? Then this recipe is for you! Rise and Shine Muffin Recipe
1/2 C Almond Flour 1/2 C Gluten free flour mix 1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder 1 C rolled oats 1/2 Brown Sugar or honey 1/2 t Baking Soda 1/2 t Baking Powder 1/2 t Salt 1/2 t Nutmeg 1 t cinnamon 1/2 C raisins 3 T oil (olive or coconut) 2 Eggs 1/3 C Milk (of your choice) 3 Carrots, Shredded 1 Banana, Ripe & Mashed 1/4 C Walnuts, chopped 1. Mix wet ingredients in one bowl 2. Mix dry ingredients in another. 3. Mix everything together and pour into muffin cups. 4. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes Cookies, candy and cake taste great, but most of them don't have any nutritional benefits. They leave me wanting more and contribute to my sugar monster! So, I've been throwing healthy & delicious recipes together and hoping for the best. For the most part I've been successful. Let's call it skills rather than luck ;) The measurements below are somewhat estimates. I'll make this again soon and edit if needed. Btw, this recipe was inspired by Max Shank. Thanks for sharing your love for pumpkin! Single Serve Paleo Pumpkin Pie 1/4 C Almond meal 1 Tbsp butter 3/4 C canned pumpkin (cold) Handful frozen blueberries Handful shredded unsweetened coconut ~10 pecan pieces Sprinkle of cinnamon 1. Melt the butter 2. Add almond meal, mix, and press into bottom of a small bowl to form a crust 3. Scoop pumpkin into crust 4. Top with blueberries, coconut, pecans, and cinnamon 5. Enjoy! Let me know if you like it, love it, hate it or completely changed the recipe. Comments appreciated! 6/6/2013 0 Comments Sweet tooth struggles!Craving something sweet, but don't want to ruin all that hard work you've been putting into eating well?! Welcome to my life. I developed my sweet tooth and love for baking at an early age. It was inevitable. I grew up in the house all my friends were excited to hangout at because of the unlimited supply of sodas, candy, crackers, cookies...I know what you are thinking, poor poor Holly ;) BUT I am an adult now and I am responsible for choosing what I put in my body. While I do indulge in treats, I believe there are different tiers in the sweet world of deliciousness. My secret is to eat something somewhat nutritious, while satisfying my sweet tooth! Keep these ideas in mind when your sweet tooth strikes... Sweet snacks: Plain greek yogurt with fruit, nuts, cinnamon & honey (any combo works) my pick: 2% plain greek yogurt, walnuts, 1/2 banana, & cinnamon Pumpkin puree with nuts, fruit (fresh, frozen or dried) my pick: 1/2 pumpkin, 1/2 yogurt, shredded coconut, walnuts, and dried cranberries Fruit (check out what's in season...berries, mango, pineapple, so many choices...) my pick: banana with almond butter. Find a store where you can grind your own almond butter. AMAZING Trail mix - pick one without much added sugar (ie M&M's, "yogurt" raisins, etc) or make it yourself my pick: Made it up myself! Roasted almonds, shredded unsweetened coconut, and dark choc chips Sweet drinks: Shake it up! Protein shakes are multitaskers my pick: 1 scoop MRM vanilla protein powder, spoonful PB, spoonful cocoa powder, 1/2 C milk, water Fruit/Veggie smoothie my pick: 1 scoop MRM vanilla protein powder, water, handful spinach and/or kale, 1/2 banana, frozen berries, ginger root, flax seeds, and spoonful of greek yogurt (optional, depending on your texture preference) If one of those won't do the trick I try a homemade treat... Homemade goodies: Making something yourself is always better than buying from the store because you know what you put into it! Dark chocolate covered...(insert your favorite fruit, nut, or nut butter) my pick: melt dark choc chips (at least 60%) with 1/2t coconut oil in microwave (30-60sec). Dip or cover your chosen treat in chocolate, set on foil/parchment paper & let cool in freezer until solid My favorite Coconut Chocolate chip cookie recipe No bake Coconut balls recipe ...and many more on my pinterest page Bottom Line - if you are going to eat something, do it and don't feel bad about it. Ain't nobody got time for that! Enjoy and feel free to share your thoughts. Comments encouraged! These is my favorite paleo cookie recipe yet! Becoming a keeper in my recipe box demands three things: simplicity, speed, and deliciousness. For now this recipe is #1. Most of these ingredients can be purchased in one visit at Trader Joes (minus the unsweetened coconut and coconut flour, so pick those up elsewhere). I would also suggest having people to share them with because you may be tempted to eat the whole batch. Unless you are unlike me and have some self control....pshh 4 eggs
1/2 cup honey 1/4 cup coconut cream concentrate 1/4 cup melted coconut oil 1 tsp vanilla 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut 1/2 cup coconut flour 1 cup almond flour 1/4 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt 1 cup chocolate chips Heat oven to 375. Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet. Drop cookies on and bake for 15 minutes. Enjoy! 4/5/2013 0 Comments What would Holly eat....I've had requests to share my typical daily diet and snack/meal ideas, so here goes.... Breakfast: *2-3 eggs scrambled with veggies or over easy over spinach - on less busy mornings I'll add bacon and potatoes *PLAIN Greek yogurt - add fruit, nuts, flax seeds, or cinnamon (oatmeal is also an option if you are non-dairy, but yogurt is my preference) *Green smoothie - spinach, kale, banana, water, ginger, protein powder Coffee or green tea - black or with a splash of half&half or coconut oil Don't forget to drink water! Lunch: *Build a salad! Start with spinach, kale, or spring mix and add your favorite veggies, fruit, nuts, and cheese *My favorite is Spinach, strawberries, almonds or walnuts, feta cheese, and balsamic (even boyfriends, husbands, and kids like it!) - add chicken, turkey, or fish if you please *Make extra portions of the dinners below and pack for lunch Water, water, water Dinner: *Salmon, sweet potatoes, steamed broccoli *Burger with sauteed veggies over salad *Chicken or beef and veggie kabobs. Bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, zucchini, anything else you like... Snacks: Red bell pepper and carrots with hummus Almonds, pistachios Lara bars (don't go crazy and eat these all the time, but they are great for a sweet tooth attack ;) ) Dessert! Dark chocolate (aim for at least 60%) Ice cream (find a brand with minimal ingredients like hagaan dazs chocolate peanut butter) Homemade sweets made with almond or coconut flour |
AuthorI love food and hope you do too! My recipes are simple - buy the highest quality ingredients you can afford and slow down to enjoy the food that is fueling you. CategoriesAll Breakfast Drinks Food Food Prep Goals Highland Games Hot Jeans Challenge Meal Meal Plan Outfits Paleo Protein Recipes Tips Treat Veggies Water Workouts Archives
May 2015
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Photo used under Creative Commons from Ewan-M