chocolate chips

Breakfast, Desserts, Lunch, Recipes, Snacks, Treats, Vegetarian

Girl Scout Cookie Smoothie

Motivation Monday: “Suck it up now and make healthy choices so you don’t have to suck it in later.”

The other day, I was organizing files on my computer and came across this photo. I was speechless to say the least. Although I strongly dislike seeing photos of myself at my heaviest, I cannot hide what I looked like for many years of my life. This is what shaped me and my character, and gave me a completely different outlook and goal in life. I thought I would share this photo as a reminder of all of my accomplishments. Even if I fell off that wagon a few times, I have come such a far way and love my new lifestyle! Take a moment to acknowledge all of your healthy accomplishments, whether it’s taking the stairs instead of elevators, switching from refined grains to whole grains, or hitting a milestone on your weight loss journey. You should be so very proud of yourself. As I always say, all of the little things help you reach your goal!
Before & After

With that being said, it’s time for a healthy version of a not-so healthy favorite! Ahhhh yes. ‘Tis the season of Girl Scout Cookies. It seems as though this year those adorable little ladies have made it even easier to find those scrumptious cookies with their cookie finder iPhone app and “find cookies” locator on their official website. Refrain!
PUT DOWN THE THIN MINTS!
Coookies. why. must. you. be. so. addicting?

I thought I would bring back one of my favorite smoothie recipes to help you guys get through this cookie season sans weight gain! As usual, this one has an extra special ingredient: spinach! A tasty take on the green monster!

Thin Mint Protein Smoothie
Girl Scout Cookie Smoothie: Thin Mint
Serves 1

1 cup frozen spinach (or 2 cups fresh)
1 cup almond milk
2 scoops chocolate protein powder
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/8 tsp peppermint extract

Toppings:
1 Tbsp walnuts
1 Tbsp 70% dark chocolate chips

Combine the almond milk, spinach, protein powder, rolled oats, and peppermint extract in a high powered blender and blend until smooth. Transfer to a glass and top with walnuts and chocolate chips and enjoy with a spoon!
Note: If your blender has a hard time blending certain things, start by blending the milk and frozen spinach first and then add in the oats, followed by protein powder and peppermint extract.

Thin Mint Protein Smoothie
The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: spinach
Whole Grain: rolled oats
Protein: protein powder
Plant Based Fat: walnuts and dark chocolate chips

What healthy accomplishments have you made? Let me know in the comments! xo
Thank you so much for all of your awesome veggie restaurant suggestions for me while I’m here in Denver! I am so excited to try them!

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Desserts, Recipes, Snacks, Treats, Vegan, Vegetarian

Campfire Kisses

Motivation Monday: “You are always stronger than you think you are.”

UPDATE: LAPTOP IS BACK! YESSSS!
Today and tomorrow are super busy days for me as I am trying to get together a new part of my blog, Sam’s brother is here visiting, and two of my best friends are moving to Denver! It’s been kind of bittersweet this week… but I do have some really sweet giveaways and recipes coming up for you guys, yayyy!

If you didn’t get a chance to see my guest post on Wonder Forest a couple of weeks ago, you can read my original guest post on here! The author, Dana is an incredible artist with a gorgeous blog full of pretty type and imagery that you will just adore!

Here is the recipe for my Campfire Kisses from my guest post! The perfect healthy alternative to S’mores for your summer camping, hiking, or backpacking adventure!


Campfire Kisses
Makes 10 kisses

2 graham crackers + 1 for outer “crust”
1/2 cup unsalted cashews
1 cup Medjool dates – pitted
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 tbsp mini chocolate chips (or carob chips for a vegan option)
Optional: 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed for a boost of healthy omega-3s

Place 1 graham cracker in a food processor or blender and process until finely ground. Empty the graham cracker contents into a bowl and set aside, as it will be used to roll the kisses in later. Combine cashews and 2 graham crackers (and flaxseed if desired) in a food processor and grind until they become very finely ground, but not a butter. Remove pits from dates. Once pits have been removed, add the dates and vanilla into the food processor. Process until the contents are evenly chopped/combined and form a sticky dough. Remove dough from the food processor and fold in chocolate chips by hand or mixing spoon. Using a 1tbsp measuring spoon, scoop the dough into balls and roll evenly in your hands. Roll the ball through the bowl of ground graham cracker, coating it evenly (this will add flavor and prevent the kisses from sticking to the foil!). Wrap each ball separately in a 4x4in piece of tinfoil and twist off the tops like Hershey Kisses.

Take your Campfire Kisses on your next hiking trip or store in the refrigerator for 1 week, or freezer for up to 1 month.

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Desserts, Recipes, Snacks, Treats, Vegan, Vegetarian

Chickpea Cookie Dough Dip

I am always looking for the healthiest alternatives to my favorite foods. One of my favorite things to do with friends is bake. You know… typical girls! Most of my “girls baking nights” used to consist of Funfetti cake mix, a package of break and bake cookie dough, and more “sampling” than actually baking. I love doughs and batters, in fact I cannot get enough! When my sister and I used to make cookies and cakes with my mom, we would both argue over who got to lick the bowl and who got to lick the spoon. So glad we never ended up with salmonella! Yikes!

I have come to the conclusion that I love vegan baking because it’s challenging and fun, but really because you can eat all the batter you want without getting sick from raw eggs! On top of using only plant based products for baking (with the addition of natural salt), I try not to use any refined sugar, making my treats pretty much guilt-free.

While eating hummus the other day, something struck me. Why not use chickpeas as a base for a sweet treat? My friend and I made cupcakes from chickpeas before, so I thought it was worth a try to master another dessert. Not only is this a fun appetizer or dip for a party, but these fabulous little legumes are a great source of fiber and protein to keep you full and satisfied.

Now let’s talking about some dipping action!
Apple slices, whole-grain pretzels, graham crackers, toast, the possibilities are endless!
Question: What would you use to dip into your bowl of Chickpea Cookie Dough?

My recipe is an adapted version from Chocolate Covered Katie’s Cookie Dough Dip. To make the dip as healthy as it could possibly be, I made a few adjustments to the original recipe:

omit baking soda
only 3 Tbsp almond butter
2 Tbsp rolled oats
no extra milk

Chickpea Cookie Dough Dip
Makes about 2.5 cups of dough
keep servings to 2Tbsp per person/snack

1 15oz can of chickpeas
1 + 1/4 cup pitted medjool dates
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup chocolate chips (of your choice, you could use carob chips for a vegan option)
3 Tbs almond butter
2 Tbsp rolled oats
1 Tbsp + 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp baking soda

Remove pits from the dates and place in a bowl or jar with 1/2 cup of water. Cover the bowl or jar and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours (or overnight). Strain and rinse the chickpeas. After dates have soaked, combine the chickpeas, dates (including their soaking liquid), almond butter, oats, vanilla, and salt in a food processor, excluding the chocolate chips. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides with a spatula as needed. Remove dough from the for processor and gently mix in the chocolate chips. Refrigerate and serve cold.

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Desserts, Recipes, Snacks, Treats, Vegan, Vegetarian

Raw Bites

Hoppy Easter healthy little bunnies!
I hope that everyone is having a fantastic weekend and enjoying time with their family and friends!

We all know that along with Easter, comes the oversized brunch portions, chocolate bunnies, and those darn Cadbury eggs… We might as well just call it Feaster. Instead of reaching for typical Easter candy and cookies filled with refined sugars, preservatives and saturated fats, have a raw bite! They can be made in 10 minutes, require no cooking or baking, and your family and friends will love them because they taste just like cookie dough! This is a great fun recipe to make with kids too!

When you consume raw unprocessed that are not cooked above 104° F, your body metabolizes them much more efficiently, allowing your body to focus energy on other parts of your system, other than digestion. These gluten-free, raw, vegan bite-sized treats provide healthy fats, natural sugars, and macronutrients that will satisfy your sweet tooth, give you a little burst of energy, and keep you away from the candy dishes!


Raw Bites
Makes 10 bites

6  pitted medjool dates
¼  cup unsalted almonds
¼  cup unsalted cashews
¼  cup unsweetened shredded coconut
2 Tbsp mini vegan chocolate chips or carob chips (optional)
1 Tbsp water

Combine almonds, cashews, and coconut in a food processor or high powered blender (I used my Vitamix). Pulse or blend until ingredients break down into small pieces but not into butter. Add dates and 1 Tbsp of water for moisture. Blend until a thick dough is formed. Remove the dough from your blender and stir in chocolate chips. With a measuring spoon, divide the dough into 10 balls, at 1 Tbsp each. Place in mini cupcake liners and store in a container in the freezer. Cool for 20 minutes before consuming.

Nutritional Information
Serving size: 1 bite
Raw Bites (Without Chocolate Chips)
Amount per serving: Calories, 80, Fat 4g, Carbohydrate 11g, Sugars 8g, Fiber 1.5g, Protein 1g

Raw Bites (With Vegan Chocolate Chips)
Amount per serving: Calories, 95, Fat 5g, Carbohydrate 12g, Sugars 9g Fiber 1.5g, Protein 1g

Recipe adapted from TIU 

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