Banana Chunk Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have a sweet spot for Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. But the one thing that keeps me from scarfing down a whole batch is not only the sugar content, but the calories. So it was a no-brainer to try out my own recipe concoction when Truvia decided to send me some of their Brown Sugar Blend to try.

 

I was thoroughly surprised that it had the texture, moisture like brown sugar, but with 75% fewer calories

Nutrition per Serving ( Serving size: 1/2 teaspoon (2g))

Calories per serving 4 

Total Fat 0g

Sodium 0mg

Total Carbohydrate 2g

Sugars 1g

Erythritol 1g

Protein 0g

If you're wondering how this is possible, well Truvia is made with Stevia, a plant, which has been used to sweeten foods foods and beverages naturally.

 

This is by far one of my favourite recipes and with half the calories of brown sugar, it may introduce itself as a treat more often!

Banana Chunk Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 cups Quick Oats
1/2 Cup Truvia Brown Sugar Blend
1/2 stick of butter
2 eggs
Splash of Vanilla 
1 cup Mini Chocolate Chips
1 Banana

Directions:

1. Heat over to 350. 
2. Warm butter, mix in eggs and vanilla. 
3. Add in Truvia Brown Sugar Blend until it is mixed well.
4. Mix the mixture with oats.
5. Then add in chocolate chips and banana.

The mixture will be sticky and may look a bit separated but dont worry, it will hold! Get a bit messy, use your hands and scoop them onto a cookie sheet. I did not have any wax paper left so I used foil.

Bake for 15-20 minutes based on how chewy you like them.  Mixture should yield about 20-22 small cookies!

Would you use Truvia Brown Sugar Blend in your baking?

Kale & Chic Pea Salad

January means most people try to go back to eating a more balanced diet It can get difficult to find new recipes, that are quick, easy, healthy and tasty. The following salad takes 15 minutes to make and has very few ingredients. I dare you to try it. 

Ingredients: 

One bunch Kale (washed and chopped)

1/2 fresh lemon

1.5 cups cooked chic peas

1 cup cooked lentils 

1 tbsb Spicy mustard or mustard of your choice 

Salt and Pepper to taste 

Chocolate Coconut Protein Cookies

I have a big sweet tooth. There I said it. If I could, I would eat sweet stuff all day, every day, except for the fact that refined sugar is terrible for the body, has no nutritional value, and always makes me feel sluggish after. But that doesn't mean I give up my sweets all together! In fact, I've concocted my best recipe yet and you chocolate lovers will thank me for it. It's that good!

Ingredients:

Dry:
1/3-1/2 cup Oat
1-2 scoops Protein Powder (I use Vanilla Sun Warrior, but you could use chocolate!)
2 tbsp cocoa powder (I usually eyeball it - I use Organic Cacao with Maca Powder)
2 servings of Chocolate Stevia Powder (I use Flavour Blasters)
1/3 cup Organic Unsweeted Coconut
And the Double Chocolate Part - ADD CHOCOLATE CHIPS! or Cacao Nibs :)

Wet:
1 Banana (a bit browned) cut up into small chunks/slices
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup egg whites

Mix wet ingredients together. Do the same with the dry, and then combine. You will get a sticky gooey consistency...If you fien the mixture is still too dry, add a bit of water, or almond milk. Scoop Onto baking sheet. and Place in the over at 350F for 15 minutes.

Once they're out of the oven, try to let them cool before devouring. I dare you! OH SO YUMMY.

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Pear and Pecorino Pasta with Avocado "Cream" Pesto

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I have a weakness for pasta. I don't eat it very often but when I do, I feel guilty from the rich laden cream sauces I am drawn to.I was super excited that at a dinner party I hosted, my guests were open to trying something new, tasty and raw too! This recipe is perfect for those of you hosting a green St. Paddy's Day themed dinner without too many of the calories consumed by other green tinged things (i.e beer)!

Pre-dinner snacks (olive tempanade with veggies)

We made a creamy Avocado sauce for our delicious Pear and Pecorino (Italian Cheese) Ravioli.
What you will need:
1-2 Medium Avocados 
1 bunch fresh Basil
1/2 tsp of Garlic
Fresh Lemon Juice to Taste
Salt and Pepper
Put it all in a blender until smooth and Voila! Your creamy, avocado pesto is ready for cooked pasta.By the way, I got this amazing pasta from Costco.

Creamy Avocado Pesto Plated on Pasta (also Our "Garlic Bread Cheese was Lactose Friendly - we used Daiya cheese - made from Coconut)

add a few fresh slices of pear to finish off your plating!

Are you willing to try new things?

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Coconut Sugar Almond Cookies

Nothing screams holidays more than baking. Though they may be over I wanted to share one of our “healthier” modified holiday cookie recipe that I borrowed from A Second Glance's Browned Butter Almond Cookie Recipe. 

What you will need:
1/2 cup almond butter
2 cups almond flour
1/3 cup Coconut Sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup vanilla Almond milk
splash of vanilla
Slivered almonds (for garnish)

Mix almond milk, egg, vanilla and coconut sugar together. Combine with almond butter and almond flour. Mix well together. Note cookies will be sticky and wet. spoon batter onto wax paper on cookie sheet. Sprinkle slivered almonds on top for garnish (you can add fruit, jam whatever you like).

Bake these delish treats at 350F fro 20 minutes. This batch made approximately 30 cookies, which were gobbled up with post dinner tea and breakfast.

  

We also reuse our wax paper to reduce waste and frankly they work just as well the second and third time around as well. 

Do you have baked goods recipes that you make during the holiday season?

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Vanilla Protein Egg Oats

One of the things I absolutely love is making up my own concoctions in the kitchen that are healthy and leave me feeling satisfied. Best of all, making something in one dish that I can pop a lid on after for easy storage, no clean up, and perfect for taking to work in the AM. This is by far, one of my most eaten (and favourite protein enriched recipes).

You all must be thinking, “what are protein egg oats”, and its just that.  Oats, protein powder and eggs whites to be exact.

What you will need:

Heatable dish (I used a Pyrex dish that has a lid on it for easy transport and storage)

1 scoop of your favourite protein powder (Right now I cannot get enough of this vegan Sun Warrior Protein Powder in Vanilla)

¼ cup Oats

1 tbsp. Chia Seeds

¼ cup egg whites

1 tsp. Flax meal

½ ripe banana (for sweetness)

¼ cup of unsweetened almond milk

Mix all the ingredients together. You may wish to add some water as well.  Pop in the oven at 350F remove after 20 minutes and stir pop in again for a final 10 minutes and VOILA! A no mess healthy and tasty breakfast. I know it doesn’t look appealing but let me tell you this is so delish! You can make it as sweet as you want as well (Sometimes I add stevia for a little more of a dessert treat).

Have you tried protein egg oats before?

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