Cassava Flour Mug Cakes

I am a sucker for a great mug cake. Usually I make them with almond flour and/or coconut flour, but I wanted to try something different. My oldest child’s birthday is coming up in October so wanted to try a new version of a mug cake.

I have an awful sweet tooth so when it comes to making desserts in the house I try not to make a lot as I would go to town on it! So mug cakes are amazing for portion control. I spit them in half or even into thirds. Now I don’t have to worry about extra cake/dessert laying around the house.

This mug cake is a definite winner in my household. Plus I can make it nut-free by substituting in sunflower seed butter. Let me know what you think!

Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 tbsp melted coconut oil
• 1 tbsp maple syrup ( I use grade B)
• 2tbsp Chocolate Coconut Peanut Butter-Wild Friends (any other butter or sunflower seed butter)
• 3tbsp Otto’s Naturals Cassava Flour
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• pinch of himalayan salt
• pinch of cinnamon
• Sprinkle of chocolate chips
• 1 mug

Directions

1. Whisk egg, vanilla, melted coconut oil, and maple syrup together in mug.
2. Whisk in chocolate coconut peanut butter 
3. Add in baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Mix until combined.
4. Add in Cassava Flour. Mixed until combined 
5. Mix in chocolate chips.
6. Microwave for 1 minute 20 seconds (depending on your microwave)

Eat it plain…Top it with fruit…Enjoy with some vanilla ice cream!

My go to snack right now-LARABAR

When I think of a snack for myself, I think of something quick and satisfying. As I have discussed before I enjoy snacking on LARABAR. An enjoyable fruit and nut bar. I am a busy and active momma. I usually have them in my purse or hiking bag. Having food in my purse is a must. If I am out running errands and it took longer then expected (which is common) I know I have something healthy to snack on to hold me over until I get home. It beats picking up junk food while out and about. I have pretty much tried every LARABAR! Our go to LARABARs are: blueberry muffin, key lime pie, lemon bar, apple pie, carrot cake, cashew cookie, and mint chip brownie (target only). Phew! I don’t think you could go wrong with any of them really!

I like to get creative with my LARABARs. I crumble them up on top of yogurt, crumble them up on top of my Acai Bowls. If you haven’t tried Acai Bowls you must. Check out my recipe I made here. Now my new obsession is topping them with nut butter. Specifically, Barney Butter Smoothed Almond Butter, or Barney Butter Cocoa & Coconut. It has put a new twist on my favorite snack.  One of my favorites is Cashew Cookie Larabar with Smooth Barney Butter Almond Butter. I totally did the happy dance at Costco this past weekend because they had a box of cashew cookie and apple pie 18ct combo box for $14.99 plus another $4 off! I usually get them at my local Sprouts because they are between $0.88-$1.00 a piece.

Yes you can say I am a LARABAR-aholic. I now need to go and try the Larabar Organic with Superfoods. I have been eyeing the Tumeric, Ginger, and Beet combo since I love me some ginger.

Now get to snacking and don’t forget to be healthy and creative!

Mini Banana Muffins

I enjoy making muffins for my family. Usually it is only during the winter months because that is when pumpkin is in season. I typically only make ones in which they can also take to school as part lunch or snack. This is my favorite pumpkin muffin recipe. When I make muffins I make them into mini muffins since there is no reason to have an entire large muffin in one sitting. Plus the mini muffins are easy to pack and take along if I need to (less messy too).  So I was in search of making an easy nut free muffin recipe when I had the idea to turn one of our families favorite donuts into muffins. Donuts are a special treat in my house. I hardly ever make them because they are time consuming and I don’t enjoy the clean up from them.  My recipe is below, but was based off this recipe.

Mini Banana Muffins (paleo/gluten-free/nut-free/refine sugar free)

Ingredients

• 6 eggs
• 4 tbsp coconut oil,  melted
• 4 tbsp coconut milk
• 4 tbsp Grade B pure maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 3 ripe bananas, diced
• 1/4 cup Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips

Mini muffin tin and mini muffin baking cups. Bake at 400 degrees for 12 minutes. Made 51 mini muffins.

Grab all your ingredients except for the bananas and chocolate chips. (not picture is my nutmeg and salt I forgot to add them to the picture. I have also made them without both of these and they turned out just fine)

Crack 6 eggs and beat until frothy. Add in coconut oil and beat again. Add in the maple syrup, coconut milk, and vanilla and beat until just combined. Add in the remaining ingredients except for the bananas and chocolate chips.

Next grab the chocolate chips and bananas.

Dice up the bananas and add to the mixture. 

Add in the chocolate chips and fold in until combined.

Grab your mini muffin tin and liners. There are my favorite muffin tin liners. Fill the liners almost to the top. I used a mini scoop.

Bake in the oven at 400 degrees for 12 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. Made 51 mini muffins. Keep leftovers in the fridge. Mine have lasted up to a week in the fridge no problem.  

Keep it simple…Keep it clean.  Baking with purpose…living life to its fullest…on this beautiful journey!

Larabar and Yogurt for snacks

It’s Friday and I am ready to enjoy the weekend with my family.  Looking forward to hitting the mountains for a hike if all goes as planned. When we go hiking it calls for lots of water and of course some healthy snacks.

One of our favorite snacks to take along with us is a Larabar. It is a great energy stabilizer. They are made from 100% real food. Made up of fruit and nuts. Some of the bars do have chocolate in them, but it is Fair Trade Certified chocolate. The Larabar has simple ingredients, is minimally processed, and GMO free.

One of our number 1 favorite go to Larabar is the Blueberry Muffin, which you can find here. It only has 6 simple ingredients: Dates, cashews, unsweetened blueberries, blueberry juice concentrate, lemon juice concentrate, and vanilla extract. The Blueberry Muffin Larabar is Kosher, Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Soy Free, and Non-GMO. They are several different flavors, so I am sure you will find one you will love! You can read more about Larabar and their story here.

So I was hitting up Target today grabbing a few things that were on sale thanks to the cartwheel app. A couple a our favorite yogurts were on the cartwheel app. Organic Stoneyfields YoKids squeezers was 50% off and Chobani Kids Tubes 5% off today. My kiddos enjoy having yogurt for snack, and I feel comfortable providing them these options.

 

I really try to just sticking to my grocery list and that is it, but as I was walking out something caught my eyes. I usually have great will power, but when it comes to certain types of mints…maybe not so much. Mint Chip Brownie Larabar….Say WHAT! So of course I had to pick up a box up to try. What can I say, they are simply amazing. They are Gluten Free, Non-GMO, Vegan, Dairy Free, and Kosher. They are made with dates, almonds, semisweet chocolate chips (unseated chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla extract), cashews, cocoa powder, and peppermint oil. They sure are dangerously good! So good in fact, I had the hubs pick up a couple of boxes for me to have on hand! After looking into it further since I have not seen this kind anywhere (and I know and tried almost every one) I found out this kind is actually Target exclusive only. Note to self…So if you are out and about at Target you should keep a look out for these. A nice healthy treat for oneself from time to time! 

Happy snacking! Remember keep it simple…Keep it healthy. Enjoy your journey, wherever it may take you. Enjoy your beautiful weekend.

Wednesday Food for Thought

When I started this journey to making a healthier lifestyle for my family and I, I turned to Paleo for a place to start.  I needed a starting point to help me with an elimination diet.  I liked the strict confines of the Paleo diet because it gave me exactly what I could and couldn’t have. I needed the simplicity of that to help me with dealing with everything else in life. A daughter with allergies/food intolerances, recent birth of twins in which I was feeding and pumping constantly for, and taking care of the older three children.

I remember when I first started on Paleo I saw my milk supply decrease and about freaked out. My body was digesting food more rapidly instead of holding and storing it. I needed to add in more calories since I was feeding 2. Being overwhelmed was an understatement. So Paleo was a starting point for me and gave me the direction I needed, along with a very supportive husband. I remember when I was struggling I decided to reach out to Stacy and Matthew at The Paleo Parents.  I went on a whim and emailed them for some direction on trying to increase my breastmilk supply while on the Paleo diet. She provided some advice on smoothies and foods that would help.  I also started making their lactation cookies. I seriously swear by these, and love making them for my friends with newborn babies.  You can find the recipe here. I was also able to adjust what we were eating even more based on what I was seeing. For instance, with Charlotte’s allergies/food intolerances I resorted to an Autoimmune Protocol for her. I found the guidance on this from The Paleo Mom.  Along the way I have learned so much about food and how it affects our bodies.

In comes today. I am so thankful for the amazing people that have shared their recipes and stories because they have helped me out along my journey as well. Although we follow a lot of the paleo “diet” I have also started introducing more foods into our clean eating lifestyle. Which brings me adding quinoa, white rice, and some raw milk cheeses. Some corn in the from of organic kernels for making our own popcorn.  Usually these are in smaller quantities. Although, there are foods I am still not able to tolerate. For instance, dairy. Even if it is organic and raw it still causes me to break out and bloat. I can tolerate goats milk so I will enjoy some goat milk cheese or goat milk gouda. Goat milk has a different protein structure and smaller fat molecules making it easier to digest.

Today’s lunch is picture below. For next school year I will be upgrading my older kiddos lunch boxes to something that can hold more as they are growing! So these bad boy, lunchbots, will be handed down to my younger 2!

It isn’t often I do cinnamon rolls, but the kiddos have been asking for them for some time now. So afternoon snack consisted of The Urban Poser’s Almond Flour Cinnamon Rolls. I made ours with cinnamon, walnuts, and raisins. These are the one and only cinnamon roll recipe we make. They are yummy and my kiddos like to top theirs with some nut butter or coconut butter. You can find her fabulous recipe here. You will not be disappointed!

Cinnamon, Walnuts, Raisins

Cheers to another day of clean eating and healthy recipes. Keeping it simple….Keeping it clean!

Kids in the Kitchen and Chocolate Avocado Pudding

From time to time I get asked how I got my kiddos to change their thinking on food. One, I am the parent. I am responsible for the groceries we buy in my household. Two, if they watch what I eat hopefully they will take note and do the same. Three, I allow my kiddos in the kitchen helping me out. The last one was a big one for me. I make messes in the kitchen so will they, and I needed to let go of that. I can always clean up the mess, but the lessons are vital. They are learning about food, how it affects our bodies, why we eat what we eat, and how to prepare it. So many life lessons can be taught in the kitchen.

In comes my kiddos in the kitchen. They help prepare the weekly menu, make a meal, and prepare a snack. They learn to wash dishes, set the table, clean up the table, and put things back where they belong. They learn to measure, read ingredients, and can’t forget to taste test! Of course we have had messes, broken dishes, arguments, and tears. But that doesn’t out weigh the learning, laughter, and the joy of watching them make their way around the kitchen.

I am a strong believer if they help in the kitchen, they will also eat what they make. They test foods they may not have ever wanted to try. Learn how food can taste differently depending on how we prepare it.

When I first made changes to our diet, I really focused on foods I knew they loved, but altered them to a healthier version. They know they must try everything because you never know when your taste buds will change. Ever watch Master Chef Junior? My kiddos love it. Even at the dinner table they try to prepare their own dishes as a contest 5…4…3…2…1…Hands up in the air. They will go around check each others out and grade them. Maybe even try each others out. What a great way to get them excited about the food that was prepared for them, and allow them to dish their own food onto their plate for perfection!

Looking for a healthier alternative to pudding. My kiddos love to make chocolate avocado pudding. One recipe I was hesitant to make, but so glad I gave it a try. The LOVE it!  I used  Lindsay’s recipe from Delighted Mommas.  You can find her recipe here. I now double the recipe when I make it. Also when Charlotte was allergic to bananas I just used avocados, but have since switch to 1 avocado and 1 banana. Super easy to make and my oldest daughter loves being able to make it herself.

Remember change doesn’t happen over night. I may take them some time to adjust and that is okay. Be willing to try new things with them and be patient. Stay consistent and positive, you may be surprised!

Peanut Allergy & Snacking on a Sunbutter ball

My youngest daughter, C-girl, has a peanut allergy so I wanted to find a great snack we could have.   I have chosen not to keep peanut butter in my house for this primary reason.  My snack of choice back in 2013 was the peanut butter cookie Larabar or the peanut butter chocolate chip larabar. I probably had one at least once a day!

Her diagnosis came on April 19, 2013. It is a day I will never forget. As usual I had stopped at the store to pick up a few items, and grabbed myself a Larabar to have later that
afternoon. The rest of the kiddos came home from school, and snacks were ready to be served.  One thing I try to have ready is snacks when they get home. No matter what they are ALWAYS hungry when they get home from school. I was snacking on my Larabar when my C-girl came up and asked for a bite.  So I gave her the smallest of bites ( I mean tiny, I am not big on sharing my sweets…)

It was only a matter of seconds before she started getting red. I yelled for Rob because I knew that she was probably reacting. Her body broke out in a rash from head to toe. She got red in the face, neck, and armpits.

I immediately called her pediatrician to explain what was going on. I gave her some Benadryl per her pediatrician’s request. We didn’t need to take her into the hospital as the benadryl was starting to work.  I just remember being so scared, and her not knowing what was going on.

So we always carry an epi-pen with us, and visit the allergist yearly. I was hopeful she would grow out of it.  Although, when we took her in this year to be tested she still has the peanut allergy.  Probably one she will not grow out of her Allergist said…

So in comes the making for a Sunbutter Ball.  I love taking these on our hiking trips, road trips, and camping adventures.  It is also great in lunches, after school snacks, and on the run!  I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.  Bonus, have your kiddos help you make them.  Always great to have children help you in the kitchen, and great way to get some math in! Feel free to cut the recipe in half if you don’t want to make so many at once.  Store extras in the fridge.

Sunbutter Balls

 

1 cup of sunbutter

2 handfuls shredded coconut 

5tbsp raw unfiltered honey

3tbs coconut flour – sifted

1/4 cup plus enjoy life chocolate chips

Handful of raisins- or more depending on your liking

Mix together the sunbutter and honey. Add in the coconut flour and mix.  Add in the shredded coconut and mix. Finally mix in the chocolate chips and raisins.  Take a mini scoop and make small balls.  I layer parchment paper between rows. Makes approx. 34 small balls.