Hot Chocolate

I have a serious addiction to chocolate. However, since I've been dairy and (mostly) soy-free, my palate had to adjust to the extreme darks; 75% cocoa is a treat, but I usually go for the 85% or even 90%. This recipe is for a slightly more bitter "dark" hot chocolate*

Ingredients:

About 1.5 cups unsweetened almond milk

2 heaping TBS unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 TBS stevia in the raw

Sprinkle of cinnamon 

Combine all ingredients in microwaveable mug, and microwave until hot. Stir and enjoy! 

*Using sweetened vanilla almond milk, and/or adding more stevia will up the sweetness of this treat 

Ginger, Kale & Rice Stir-Fry

Simple and delicious.

Ingredients:

1/2 T coconut oil

1 T fresh grated ginger 

1 cup kale (I used frozen)

1/2 cup cooked brown rice

Soy sauce

Method:

Heat coconut oil in skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add kale and cooked until thawed (or wilted if you use fresh). Add ginger a few minutes before rice so flavor can absorb. Once all ingredients are combined, add a bit of soy sauce to taste and you're ready to serve! 

About 215 calories is all you're at! 

Cookie Dough Filled Truffles

This is a revised recipe I found online - a must share! Modified to be slightly healthier ;) 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup dairy-free butter (we used Smart Balance) 

3/4 cup stevia in the raw (which we processed to powder-like texture)

1/4 tsp sea salt

1 TBS pure vanilla extract 

2 TBS water 

1 & 1/4 cup whole wheat flour 

10oz dairy free mini chocolate chips

10oz dairy free chocolate chunks

Method:

Combine butter, stevia, sea salt, vanilla and water in mixing bowl on low speed until combined. Add flour & continue to mix until dough forms. Fold in mini chocolate chips, cover batter and refrigerate for 1 hour. 

Roll (1 TBS each) dough into ball & place on parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Place cookie dough balls in freezer for 15 minutes. 

Meanwhile, melt remaining chocolate with double boiler or in microwave. Once cooled to room temperature, place dough balls in chocolate, roll until covered & remove using 2 forks; place back on cookie sheet & return to refrigerator for about 20 minutes or until chocolate hardens. 

Makes about 24 truffles at 175 calories each! A delicious guilt free treat :) enjoy!! 

Whole Wheat Banana Muffins

Ingredients:

2 cups whole wheat flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 cup stevia in the raw (or sugar)

1/2 cup chopped nuts (I used almonds and processed them to a flour)

2/3 cup melted coconut oil 

3 eggs

1.5 cup mashed ripe banana

-Preheat oven to 350 & grease muffin pan

-Mix dry ingredients in bowl, and wet in another, then combine. 

-Fill tins about 2/3, and bake for about 20 minutes 

Under 200 calories per muffin :);) enjoy!

Mayo-free Tuna Salad

My toddler recently decided she doesn't like mayonnaise, and I don't eat it anyway. So, as the cans of tuna piled up in the cabinet I decided to find a way - and this worked, for me and both my kids!

1 can tuna (in water)

Half of a ripe Hass avocado 

Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil (for moisture)

Sprinkle of garlic salt

Mash together and voila! Tasty, healthy, and kid/mom approved! ;)

Vegan Chocolate Pudding

Made this as a healthy dessert for the kiddos, and ended up making myself a bowl it was so delicious! 

Ingredients:

Half of a very ripe banana

1-2T unsweetened cocoa powder

1-2T all natural peanut butter

Splash of vanilla almond milk

Method:

Place all ingredients in bowl & mash with fork until mixed - makes for a yummy, healthy pudding that the kids (and myself) loved! Enjoy :) 

Quick Shrimp Stir-fry

4oz frozen shrimp

1 cup broccoli 

1/2 cup cut leaf spinach 

1 Tbs soy sauce

1/2 cup brown rice 

Steam shrimp, broccoli & spinach in water (just enough to cover bottom of pan/skillet). Once shrimp is pink & veggies are cooked, serve over rice, top with soy sauce, mix & enjoy. Under 300 calories, too!