APPLE PIE cookie dough bites!

Its never the wrong time of year for Apple Pie right?

 Who cares if its not late july picnics or beautiful fall weather, I'm going to enjoy Apple Pie ANYTIME!!

(for more apple pie fun try Easy Apple Pie or Apple Pie Oatmeal)

I have to say,  my kids L.O.V.E.D this! 

I mean - couldn't stop asking for them. 

Which made me happy. All I have to do is make a huge batch, freeze, and remove for after school snacks. SOooo easy! 

I can even throw them into a lunch for a healthy sweet treat!

Go ahead and try these!!! Let me know what you think!

1 C Regular Oats (gluten free if possible) 

1/3 C Boiling Water

1 tsp Coconut Oil

1/2 tsp Sea Salt

1/4 tsp allspice

1 Tbsp Cinnamon

pinch of Nutmeg

1 tsp Vanilla

1/4 C Walnuts

1/4 C Pecans

1/2 LARGE Apple (honey crisp, pink lady, fuji) (or one small one)

1 Packet of Nunaturals Stevia (or 1/2 tsp) - to taste (or 1-2 Tbsp honey, for not sugar free)

Directions:

1) Put Oats in Blender or food processor and make Oat Flour

2) Mix in salt, allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon with oat flour

3) Mix Oil into boiling water, and stir into oat mixture until it clumps together. Let sit a few minutes.

4) In food processor pulse nuts until chopped VERY small (almost a butter consistency, but not quite). Add in Apple with skin and pulse until apple is chopped. Add in Vanilla and Stevia.

5) Mix Oat mixture and apple mixture together. Either by hand or very lightly with food processor. You don't want to over process!

6) Roll into balls with hands (you may want to refrigerate a bit before doing this, but I never do). Roll into Oats.

7) Store in Fridge or Freezer for long term. I love microwaving for a few seconds to make them warm!

 It seriously tastes like Apple Pie Cookie Dough!!

(If you are a fan of Candied Ginger, this would probably taste great in these! 

I'm not a huge fan, but the flavors would be awesome! 

Pin It

Creamy Dreamy Macadamia Nut Icecream -Dairy/Sugar Free

I LOVE the 4th of July - mostly because of Summer Food!

If I had more time in my life right now, 

I'd be sharing the best Portobello Burgers with you, but I think a sweet treat is just as good. Right?

 I love a thick creamy treat. 

This would be divine over my gluten free peanut butter chocolate brownies (stay tuned ;-))

But for a cool, yummy treat - Eat up!!

3 Large frozen bananas, chopped before freezing.

1 - 1 1/2 C Macadamia Nut Creme

1 tsp Good Quality Vanilla

Pulse bananas in Food processor until creamy. Add the remaining ingredients. 

Eat immediately or put in container and freeze for amazing ICE CREAM!

Macadamia Creme:

1 C Macadamia Nuts  and 3 large dates (soaked in 1 cup of water for about 15 minutes)

Place in vitamix or high speed blender and blend until almost frothy. 

Add a little almond milk if it seems too thick. 

Add 1/8 C Maple Syrup if desired, for more sweetness.

This is so yummy as a fruit topping, cake frosting, or on pancakes or waffles!

Pin It

COCONUT BUTTER - Tips and Ideas

I am Excstatic that I have finally figured this out! I've seen it all over the web, and was dying to try it. I've tried to make it with so many failed attempts, but finally figured it out!

All you need is a big bag of unsweetened coconut and a vitamix! 

THAT'S IT!

And you have a creamy, sugar free dream!

You can spread this on waffles, pancakes, or muffins, add to a smoothie to get a 'pina colada' result, blend with fresh pineapple and make frozen popsicles,  spread on graham crackers and sprinkle with mini choco chips for a treat, make a sugar free fudge (see below), place in freezer conatiners and make a frozen treat that's delightful (see below), or mix with Date Honey for an amazing fruit dip!
SO MANY OPTIONS!

Here are my no fail tips:

1) You have to have a vitamix, I haven't been able to make it work with my processor :( But some have been able to run it for 10 minutes and make it work. I just haven't been able to.

2) You must FILL your vitamix to the top!! I know its a bummer to have a large batch, but this is the only way to make it work. It also lasts forever in your cupboard and can be melted to spread again.
3) The unsweetened coconut chunks, instead of shredded coconut, works better!!

4) Don't let it get too hot, Let it run for about a minute or two, then stop and let it cool down, and do another 1-2 minutes. It should end up creamy. If it still doesn't get creamy, add another cup of coconut.

5) Use the damper the whole time while it runs to keep things going through.

6) Don't let your vitamix overheat, if its just not happening, you may need more coconut.

7) I just use unsweetened shredded coconut, you can a little bit of the sweetened stuff if you want.

Coconut Butter Bites:

Mint Chocolate Chip-

Mix about 1/2 C of Coconut Butter with about 1/8 tsp of Peppermint extract, 

place in freezer molds (or ice cube trays)

and sprinkle with cacao nibs or mini chocolate chips. Freeze until firm.

Cinnamon Raisin-

Mix about 1/2 C Coconut Butter with about 1/2 tsp of cinnamon and chopped raisins.

Place in molds and freeze until firm.

Cinnamon Vanilla-

Mix 1/2 cup of coconut butter with roughly 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/4 tsp vanilla.

Place in molds and freeze until firm! YUM

For more fun ideas visit CCK

I also made a variation of CCK's Sugar Free Chocolate Fudge:

Salted Chocolate Sugar Free Fudge

Ingredients:

4 Tbl Coconut Butter

2-3 Tbl Creamy Peanut Butter (all natural)

2 Tbl Cocoa Powder

1 tsp Vanilla

pinch salt

1/2 VERY RIPE Banana

You may need about 1/4 cup of Almond milk for a creamy consistency

If you want to add some stevia, feel free.

Pour into parchment lined plate or ice cube trays. Sprinkle with Kosher Salt and Dark Chocolate chips if desired. (or melt it and drizzle it on top!)

(I would have used mini chips if I wasn't all out!)
Take out of freezer and slice into pieces.
Store in fridge for a soft fudge, or freezer for a harder fudge.

Pin It

Simple NO BAKE - Cookie Dough Bites!

Sunday is my day I allow myself to cheat! 

I believe there is nothing better than the taste of Cookie Dough! 

 Here's what I came up with.

Ingredients:

1/4 C Pecans

1/2 C Cashews

1/3 C Oats

1/8 tsp Salt (only if your nuts are unsalted!!!)

1 Tb Raw Honey or Pure Maple Syrup

1 tsp Vanilla

1/4 C Dark Chocolate Chips, or Mini Chocolate Chips

Put first four ingredients in food processor. Pulse until well combined and ground fine. 

Add honey and vanilla. Pulse until you get a dough like consistency. Fold in chocolate chips.

Store in between wax paper in the freezer for a quick grab and go treat! 

That is, only if you have leftovers!! 

 ENJOY!!

Pin It

Sugar Free Easter Treats

I've been off sugar (except for one or two hershey kisses) this week. Its killer and I feel like I binge just trying to get rid of the craving! Is this worth it?? Why is it so DANG hard!!???? Anyway - here a few fun treats we tried this weekend.

Sugar free Lemon Almond Sugar Cookies

(-these were ok, I wish I blended it, instead of processed it, and I wished that I roasted my almonds to get a stronger flavor. They still turned out a little dry, but my kids LOVED Them! Surprisingly!! They were a fun little thing to decorate. - I'll be experimenting more with this recipe for sure!)

Click HERE for the recipe

(make sure to soak your almonds overnight and then let dry, or roast in oven)

I didn't make her frosting recipe, Here's what I did:
Lemon (Dairy Free) Cookie Frosting

3/4 C Raw Cashews (Soaked overnight or at least 3-5 hours)
2 Dates (soaked for an hour or so - optional, but helps)
1 tsp Vanilla
pinch Salt 
Juice from 1 lemon
little lemon zest
1/2 tsp Stevia powder
1/4 Water (add more if you want a thinner consistency)Taste it - you may want to add some Agave/Honey

Blend for quite a while, it thickens as it blends. Add in desired food coloring and enjoy! 

You do need to eat rather soon once frosted, (they didn't store well frosted).

Peanut Butter filled Chocolate Eggs

These were pretty tasty! I did the sugar free version, which wasn't bad! It would taste way better if you wanted to use the real stuff, or even honey would be fine
(might need to add in flour to thicken it).

I froze the peanut butter egg shapes for a couple hours, this made the chocolate harden right as I dipped it! It was so yummy! Just store in fridge or freezer, cause it will melt and get soft, 

and they were way tastier with a hard shell! :)

Click HERE for the recipe

Pin It

Lucky Green Food!

Have fun tomorrow with some great "green" options!

Green Eggs! (the Healthy Way!)

Shown here with yummy (gluten free!) Sunflower Millet Bread

1 Handful of Spinach

1 or 2 Light Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges

1/4 C milk of choice

Blend in food processor or blended until smooth. 

In a separate bowl mix:

 4 eggs (I prefer free range organic), the spinach mixture, 1 tsp Italian Seasoning, 

and salt and pepper to taste. 

Scramble over med- high heat.

Parmesan or cheddar cheese for garnish. (optional)

Lemon Broccoli Pesto

Large Head of Broccoli and Stems roughly chopped 

(or two small heads) (reserve some for topping pasta)

1 C Sunflower Seeds (soaked for an hour if possible)

1/4 C Pine Nuts

Large Handful of Fresh Parsley or Basil

1/2 Lemon, Juice and Zest

1 Large Clove Garlic

Small Handful of Parmesan Cheese (optional - put how much you want!)

1-2 tsp Sea Salt (to taste)

Put all ingredients in food processor, and blend until combined.

While in processor, drizzle in 2 Tbl Milk, 1 Tbl Olive Oil, and about 1/4 C water. Watch it closely until you get the consistency you want.

Mix with Whole Wheat Pasta and top with Some Broccoli And optional Parmesan Cheese and/or Pine Nuts.

I mixed my pesto with Zunchinni Noodles, made with a sprilalizer. YUM!

Diary Free Mint Chocolate Chip Ice cream!

2 Frozen Bananas (make sure to slice before freezing)

3/4 C Coconut Milk or Almond Milk (frozen in ice cube trays)

1/4 tsp Mint Exctract

Couple Drops of Green Food Coloring

handful cacao nibs

2 Dates - soaked for 1/2 hour

1/8 tsp stevia or Agave or Honey - whatever sweetener you prefer

1/4 C Dark Chocolate/Mint Chips - or just chocolate chips

Put Bananas and milk cubes in microwave for about 30 seconds. Puree in processor until smooth consistency. Add the rest of ingredients and puree until smooth. Sprinkle with some mini chocolate chips or sprinkles if you like. :)

HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY!

Pin It

Valentine Treats

Oh man  - keep that dove chocolate away, cause it will be devoured fast if it comes in my view! 

I have to be prepared with some new, fun ideas! So I thought I would share. 

Coconut Date Butter

This really was SO good!

1 C Dates:

(Soaked for about 1 hour or just simmered in water over small pot for about 20 minutes)

1 Bag of Unsweetened Coconut

THATS IT!!! Can you believe it??

Throw the bag of coconut into your vita-mix or food processor. And GO TO TOWN. You may have to scrape sides every once and while, but it should start to form a pureed coconut butter. (sometimes this doesn't work - it may take a little patience) If it doesn't totally puree - thats ok! 

Add in the dates and a little of the water ( I just see if it needs more  - depending on your desired consistency) And blend until combined. Spread on toast, dip fruit in it, sweeten baked breads, on pancakes - whatever you can think of! YUM!

Raw Almond Joy Candy Bars!

Yum - these are seriously amazing and REALLY taste like an Almond Joy!!!

Who knew a candy bar could be good for you???

This is the coconut before being dipped in chocolate. 

(I freezed in between stages)

CLick HERE for the recipe. 

note: If you can't find coconut butter, just use coconut oil. You can also sub Honey for Agave.

 (or make your own coconut butter in blender like I described above)

Or some Simply Sweet No Bake Cookies 

Easy to make and fun to package up!!

Seriously - I was in love with both of these!! Will be making these quite often!

Hopefully you can click on the picture to enlarge and print? 

Let me know if you want me to email this to you!

The second recipe was from chocolatecoveredkatie!

no sugar, no dairy added - 

Chocolate Cherry Ice cream! 

YUM!

2 VERY RIPE Bananas - cut into chunks and frozen

3/4 C Frozen Cherries

2 Tbl Dried Cherries

1/4 C Cocoa Powder

1/4-1/2 C Almond Milk

Cacoa Nibs or Mini Chocolate chips

Feel free to add some fresh cherries in at the end as garnish. 

Place Bananas in Food processor. Pulse until they begin to melt and combine. (like in this post). Once they are mostly combined add cocoa powder and frozen cherries and continue to pulse for about 30 seconds. Add dried cherries and turn machine on until they are chopped pretty small. While machine is running add milk just small bits at a time until you reach desired consistency. Add in nibs or chips and pulse once or twice just to combine. 

ENJOY immediately!!

Top with coconut or nuts if desired. :)

Pin It

Need a 'Pick me up?" - SUGAR/WHEAT/DAIRY Free Peanut Butter Cookie

Here is a little "cookie" to enjoy! Sugar/dairy/wheat free! 

NOTE: Please do not go making these for your friends dinner party! People who are used to sugar will HATE them! But if you love peanut butter - (who doesn't?) This ones for you!

1 C Oats

1/3 C Almond Flour (almonds ground in blender)

1/2 C Peanut/Almond Butter

1/2 C Applesauce

1/2 C Date Honey

1/2 C Dried Coconut (or coconut butter)

1 t Vanilla

2 Tbl Raisins

1/2 tsp Sea Salt

1)Date Honey: Place 5-6 Dates in pot and barely cover with water. Bring to boil and simmer for about 15-20 minutes until soft. Then Blend it all.
2) Place about 1 C of Coconut in a blender and process until almost solid. This will take awhile, and no biggy if it doesn't change. Just add 1/2 cup shredded coconut to the mixture.
3)Add all of these ingredients in a food processor and lightly pulse to combine. Don't over mix. If you want a baked cookie feel free to bake at 350 for about 10 minutes. Flatten down with fork before  hand.
4) You can also add a little cocoa or carob powder to the dough for a chocolatey twist. :)

 I put half in balls and froze them and baked half, and the unbaked ones tasted better to me! You decide. :) Or you could just eat straight out of the bowl!! hahah

Pin It

No Time

I have SOO badly wanted to try some new holiday cookies this year. Never got the chance - which is probably good considering how many sweets came to our door anyway! Ugh - hard to resist all day! That's part of the reason I want something a little better for me, to ease that temptation! 

But now time is up.

Oh well, so here is a list of things I WANTED to try!! 

Let me know if you try them and how they turn out!

1)Mint-Cacao Truffles!

2)Skinny Snickerdoodles

3)Buckwheat Gingerbread Men

4) Spiced Carrot Cake Cookies

5)Vegan Macaroon Truffles

Pin It

More Cookie Bites? - Peanut Butter Sweets

I know - I'm a little obsessed with these! I love just a tiny little bite for a quick pick me up and 

sugar craving smasher!

For others, try: Cocoa Drops, Sweet Dots, Carrot Cake Bites (a Favorite!), Coconut Banana Bites

Well, I found another one I LOVE! 

It really feels like a boost of energy and I don't feel guilty eating them!

(they would also be a PERFECT after school snack!)

No Flour, No Sugar, No Bake! (raw)

1 Medium RIPE Banana

2 Cups Old Fashioned Oatmeal

1 C Almond Butter and/or All Natural Peanut Butter (I did half Sunbutter and 1/2 Almond Butter)

1/4 Honey (raw if possible)

1 tsp Vanilla

1 tsp Ground Cinnamon

1/4 C Raisins (optional) you could do mini choco chips too!

Put everything into a food processor and blend until smooth. Stir in raisins. Roll into balls (with wet hands) and place on plate lined with wax paper. Put in freezer to set. 

ENJOY!

Pin It