Snacks

Snacks

Vegan Cookie Dough Bites

If you’re craving something sinful, there is always a healthier alternative to satisfy your craving. These Vegan Cookie Dough Bites are made with cashews and oats and don’t contain any refined sugar, butter, or eggs. Just 100% plant based ingredients that not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but provide nutrients and energy as well!

I posted a picture of the dough on Instagram last week and promised a recipe by the “next week.” Well ladies and gentlemen, that did not happen. You see, I loved it so much that I ate the entire bowl before I could even photograph it! Actually, I didn’t even roll it into bites at that point!!! It was just one of those days, and healthy vegan cookie dough solved all of my problems, haha. As promised, here’s the recipe!

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Vegan Cookie Dough Bites
Makes 8 bites

1/2 cup raw unsalted cashews
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
3 Tbsp pure maple syrup
2 Tbsp dark chocolate chips

Combine cashews, oats, flour, and salt and grind in a food processor until becomes fine. Add maple syrup and vanilla and process until well combined and dough starts to form. Transfer the dough to a bow and fold in the chocolate chips. Form the dough into 1 tablespoon size balls. Store in refrigerator.

Date & Olive Tapenade

Ok my little bun buns, here it is. The tapenade you’ve all been waiting for! The salty sweet spread I have been bragging about for days. My favorite thing from the Natural Delights Medjool Dates Summit. The recipe I have been craving twenty four seven. DATE OLIVE TAPENADE! Vegan, gluten-free, no added salt, and no added sugar! 100% om nom nom worthy. Spread it on top of a crostini with a slather of goat cheese, and you will be in heaven! You must make this for your next party. Best appetizer. The end. Enjoy!

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Date & Olive Tapenade
Recipe By: Bob Nidiffer

1 cup chopped Medjool dates
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup pitted Kalamata olives, chopped
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp drained capers, chopped
1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts – I actually loved it without them!

Goat Cheese
1 log soft goat cheese

Crostini
1 whole grain or French baguette
Olive oil cooking spray

Combine chopped dates and 1/3 cup water in a saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat until liquid evaporates and dates are soft, about 5 minutes. Transfer dates to a food processor. Mix in olives, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, capers, and chopped thyme and process into a spread.
Optional: Fol chopped walnuts into the date & olive spread.
Crostini: Preheat oven to 350. Slice baguette into thin slices and place on a cooking sheet. Generously spray the bread with a coat of olive oil cooking spray. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden and crispy.
Note: Can be made up to 3 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate, but bring to room temperature along with cheese before serving.

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The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: dates (fruit)
Whole Grain: baguette (50g serving)
Protein: goat cheese (1/4 cup serving)
Plant Based Fat: olives & olive oil (2 Tbsp serving of tapenade)

Baked Eggplant Fries

I’ve never been a fan of potato french fries. I’m actually not a fan of potatoes in general, with the exception of the occasional sweet potato. I decided that I wanted to make a healthy french fry alternative with a purpose. No oils, frying, or heavy starchy ingredients here!  These healthy eggplant fries are baked to perfection in a crispy golden flax-almond breading. Now I know what half of you are thinking. “Ewwwww eggplant!” I think a lot of my friends are turned off by the mushy texture of cooked eggplant, but trust me this is totally different! Even if you HATE eggplant, I am almost positive you will love these fries! You have to give them a try, pretty pretty please! Of course if you’re super anti-eggplant, zucchini would be a great alternative as well.

They’re perfectly crispy, delicious, and nutritious!
Made from flaxseed, almond, whole wheat flour, and spices, these oil-free baked fries deliver tons of micronutrients, healthy plant-based fats, and fiber. So good for you, you can eat them alllll without any worry!

Baked Eggplant Fries
Baked Eggplant Fries
Baked Eggplant Fries
Baked Eggplant Fries
Baked Eggplant Fries
Baked Eggplant Fries
Baked Eggplant Fries
Baked Eggplant Fries
Baked Eggplant Fries
Baked Eggplant Fries

Ingredients:
1 small eggplant
1/4 cup egg whites

Breading:
1 Tbsp ground flaxseed
1 Tbsp almond meal/flour
1 Tbsp whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp pepper
pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine all of the breading ingredients in a bowl and mix together. In a separate bowl, beat 1/4 cup of egg whites and set aside. Cut eggplant into 1/2 inch thick fries (I removed the skin but you don’t have to). Transfer the breading mixture to a plate. Dip each piece of eggplant individually into the egg whites, and then roll in the breading mixture. Place the breaded fries onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10 minutes, flip fries, then bake for an additional 10 minutes until golden and crispy.

Excellent when dipped in fresh marinara!

Single Serving PB Cookie

Hoppy Fridayyyyy my little bun buns!

A few of you have asked me for more before and after photos because they help you to stay motivated and on track. I searched my computes for quite some time to find old photos, but noticed that I don’t have too many full body pictures of myself. I was usually very covered up or couldn’t stand photos of myself, so I deleted them. Anyways here is another before and after to show you guys what rabbit food can do for your body! I hope that this can inspire you guys to eat more rabbit food!
Before & After
So last week I said that I was going to go prop shopping for my kitchen/blog photos. That semi-happened, but I literally cannot get away from black and white props! It’s my fav! The Coco Chanel kitchen lives on!

I love love love dessert. I get my sweet tooth from my mom, who can literally eat candy and cookies like there’s no tomorrow and maintain her petite frame. I wasn’t blessed with that same gene, but man I love me some sugaaaa! I’m the kind of person that cannot live without dessert or a little something sweet every day. Instead of traditional store bought cookies loaded with oil, salt, refined sugar, and bad saturated fats (not to mention the totally addictive-cannot-stop-eating-one-after-the-other feeling that comes along with them!), I took to my kitchen to give an old fav a healthy spin! I wanted to make a super clean, healthy, peanut butter cookie that can be enjoyed with coffee and good conversation. Something that feels indulgent and naughty, but is actually quite filling and good for you!

Believe it or not, this recipe only calls for 7 ingredients that you probably have in your kitchen already!

Single Serving PB Cookie
Single Serving PB Cookie
Single Serving PB Cookie
Single Serving PB Cookie
Serves 1

1 Tbsp almond flour
1 Tbsp coconut flour
1 Tbsp creamy peanut butter
1 Tbsp unsweetened almond milk
1/2 Tbsp egg whites
1/2 tbsp chocolate chips (or 1 tsp mini)
1 packet stevia

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix until well combined. Spread the dough onto a microwave safe plate and flatten into a cookie shape. microwave for 1:15-1:30 minutes.

Single Serving PB Cookie

Guest Blogger: Kelly {Running Blonde}

Today’s recipe comes from guest blogger Kelly of Running Blonde! She’s created a protein packed granola filled with chia seeds, pecans, almonds, coconut, and dried fruit! She even broke down her recipe with the Rabbit Food Pyramid for you guys! I cannot wait to give this recipe a try! xo

Running Blonde

Hi! I’m Kelly. I’m a physician, athlete and blogger living in San Francisco, CA. On my blog I share recipes, DIY’s and travel stories. To learn more about me and what my life is like when I’m not wearing my white coat, check out Running Blonde.

chia pecan shredded coconut granola

Today I want to share a recipe for homemade granola with you. You’ve probably heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It’s true! An important part of your important breakfast is getting healthy protein so your body has energy to do everything you demand of it. Thanks to the pecans and almonds, this granola is protein packed. Plus, it features one of my favorite superfoods – chia seeds. These little wonders are rich in omega-3’s and fiber. This means they will help your heart and keep you feeling full all morning long.

Every time I share a granola recipe on Running Blonde, I give a little homemade granola spiel. It goes something like this – granola is one of the most flexible and most forgiving recipes ever. It’s easy to make substitutions based on your dietary needs and what you have around the home. If you are gluten intolerant, make sure you buy gluten free oats. If you are vegan, use maple syrup instead of honey. You can use any type of nut from pepitas to walnuts and any type of dried fruit. There are a few secrets to perfectly toasted granola – make sure you spread the granola out on your baking sheet evenly and not too thick. To get clusters of granola, after removing it from the oven when it is still warm, use your hands to press it gently into clumps.

chia pecan shredded coconut granola
chia pecan shredded coconut granola

Protein Packed Chia Granola
Makes about 6 cups

3 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup chopped almonds
3 Tbsp chia seeds
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup dried fruit (I used cranberries)
1/4 cup honey
3 Tbsp melted coconut oil
3/4 tsp vanilla
1 cup shredded coconut

Instructions

1. Combine the oats, pecans, chia seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large mixing bowl.

2. Stir in the dried fruit

3. Stir in the honey, coconut oil and vanilla

4. Spread evenly on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper and bake at 300F for 30 minutes, stirring halfway. Toss, sprinkle with the shredded coconut and bake another 5 minutes.

chia pecan shredded coconut granola

The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: dried fruit
Whole Grain: oatmeal
Protein: pecans, almonds, chia seeds
Plant Based Fat: coconut oil, chia seeds

Note from Catherine: Although I would usually put nuts and seeds in the “plant based fat” category, they are an excellent combined source of plant protein in this recipe!

Follow Kelly on:
Twitter: @RunBlonde
Pinterest: pinterest.com/runblonde/

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