Best way to use those mashed bananas!

Flourless Brownie Bites

3 ripe bananas, mashed

3 TBSP maply syrup or honey

1 cup natural peanut butter

3 TBSP cocoa powder

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp baking powder

Protein Frosting:

½ cup Greek Yogurt

1 TBSP peanut butter

½ scoop protein powder (vanilla)

·      Combine bananas, syrup and peanut butter. Mix well

·      Add in baking soda and baking powder

·      Divide in mini muffin tins and bake at 350 for 13-15 mins.

·      Allow to cool and top with frosting and fruit of choice

·      Makes 16. These freeze really well!

Healthy Chocolate Recipes...Just in Time for Valentine's Day

Those who know me well, know I have a killer sweet tooth. Like for real, I want chocolate 24/7. Here's the thing, depravation doesn't work. Bad habits (or food) need to be replaced with good ones. Very rarely can folks use the 'cold turkey' method. That is why I wanted to share with you healthy treats to spoil your Valentine with!

Superfood Strawberries

1 lb strawberries, washed and dried

¾ cup dark chocolate chips ( I like to use 70% or higher)

1 tsp coconut oil

½ tsp vanilla extract

·      Make sure strawberries are dry and leaves still intact.

·      Lay out parchment paper or silicone baking mat

·      Melt chocolate and oil in glass bowl in 20-second increments in microwave (a double broiler can also be used) Stir after each time until chocolate and oil and completed melted. Add vanilla

·      Dip strawberries into chocolate. Tap gently to get rid of excess chocolate.

·           Immediately roll strawberries in topping of choice.  Some ideas might include: chia seeds, slivered almonds, pumpkin seeds, oats, raw sugar or stevia, unsweetened coconut, or chopped dark chocolate.

·      Place on parchment or silicone mat.  Place in fridge until set. Strawberries will be good for 24 hours.

 Salted Chocolate Almonds

Raw Almonds (as many as needed)

6 ounces of dark chocolate (I like to use 70% or higher)

1 tsp of coconut oil

Coarse sea salt

·      Place chocolate and oil in glass bowl. Microwave in 20 second increments until mixture is melted, stirring after each one.

·      Dip almonds into melted chocolate using a fork, grouping them together in clusters. Tap fork to release extra chocolate. Place carefully on wax paper or silicone baking mat.

·      Sprinkle with desired amount of sea salt

·      Allow to set in fridge

·      Will keep up to 3 days in fridge in airtight container

 Healthy Peanut Butter Cups

1 10-ounce bag dark chocolate chips (I like to use 70% or higher)

½ c natural chunky peanut butter

¼ c coconut oil

½ tsp vanilla

2 drops liquid stevia

·      Melt half of the chocolate chips in microwave using 20 seconds increments. Stir after each time. Continue until chocolate is completely melted. Place chocolate in a mini muffin tin until the bottom is covered (usually about 1 TBSP). Place in freezer to harden for 10 minutes.

·      Mix together peanut butter, coconut oil, vanilla and stevia. Layer mixture on top of frozen chocolate (again, usually about 1 TBSP). Place in freezer for 10 minutes to harden.

·      Melt the remaining chocolate in microwave using above method. Once it is melted, layer on top of the peanut butter mixture to finish out the peanut butter cup.

·      Allow to freeze for 10 additional minutes.

·      Pop peanut butter cups out of tins with knife. Before eating, allow to soften on counter for a few minutes. Store in freezer for up to three months

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Vegan Cookies

I have been making these cookies for years, and over time have made little tweaks here and there. Vegan cookies can be tough to make and not be dry and crumbly. However, these have a few unique ingredients that make them super moist. Also try to follow the baking steps closely, if you mix the batter too much, the cookies will become dense and dry.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp pink himalayan salt (or 1 tsp regular salt)

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

*mix together in bowl and set aside

*in separate bowl combine

1 cup natural, chunky peanut butter ( I use Adams from Costco)

3/4 cup maple syrup

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350. Add dry ingredients to wet all at once. Stir until just combined. Wait 5 minutes and then five a few more stirs to the batter. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto parchment or silicone baking sheet. Press down on the top gently to flatten a bit. Bake for 9-10 mins. Do not overbake. Allow to cool on wire rack and store in a ziplock bag or airtight container. These are even healthy and yummy enough to eat for breakfast or take to a cookie exchange

XO,

Veggie Lisa

Protein Berry Crunch

Have you ever had something so good, you crave it every meal of the day? For the past few days, this has been my go-to post workout meal, but I find myself craving it for lunch and at night. It's that good!

Being vegetarian, I am always looking for little ways here and there to sneak in more protein in my diet. I try to eat 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight. So that's...one hundred and...c'mon you didn't really think I would tell you how much I weigh, did you? But yes, that is a good rule to go by when it comes to protein macro numbers. 

After the gym, I come home starving. Like hangry starving. I am always in a rush because that is when I'm getting my kids out the door for school, so I need something quick and easy. This tasty little parfait does the trick. It also contains some healthy carbs which is SUPER important post workout. You need to replenish those muscles with protein and healthy carbs. Plus fiber is an essential part of a healthy diet. The cereal I use in this parfait contains loads of fiber. Fiber helps you stay fuller longer. Whenever I eat this parfait, I am always full for at least 4 hours. This is very helpful when you are looking to lose weight.

Protein Berry Crunch

First thing you will want to do is make some Protein Pudding. 

Protein Pudding

1/2 cup plain greek yogurt

1/2 scoop protein powder (any flavor will work, I chose to use vanilla)

1 tsp of water to thinn it out into a pudding consistency

Cut up strawberries and wash any other berries you want to use

Layer:

Protein Pudding

Berries

Handful of Fiber One Cereal

Pudding 

Handful of Fiber One Cereal

Berries

You can also drizzle some natural nut butter on top. 

Toasted Coconut is also really yummy too. Get creative!

Enjoy!

XO,

Veggie Lisa