PEANUT BUTTER, BANANA, ROLLED OAT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES - GLUTEN FREE

I found this recipe while looking for a good healthy dessert recipe as a reward for a job well done on my post Christmas diet. I originally found this recipe on MyRecipe.com (ill post the link below) and made some adjustments for what I liked/had in my pantry. I was a little worried when making them that they wouldn't come out to my high 'flour based' cookie standards (these are gluten free) but they are actually quiet delicious! Don't be worried - as i was - at the end when you have mix all the ingredients together and it seems kinda runny; once backed the cookies maintain their structure/hold. Did I mention that they are also under 100 Cal a pop?? ENJOY!

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 a Cup of Flax seed meal
1/2 a Cup of Almond Flour
1.5 Cups of Rolled Oats
1 TSP of Baking Soda
3/4 Cup of Peanut Butter
2 TBSP Butter (you can use non dairy butter substitute)
1/3 Cup of Granulated Sugar
1/3 Cup of Brown Sugar
2 Mashed Ripe Bananas
1/2 TSP Vanilla Extract
2 Eggs (lightly beaten)
1 Cup of Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
1/4 Cup of Unsalted Roasted Sunflower Seeds

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium size bowl add in your flax seed meal, almond flour, rolled oats and baking soda. Whisk together until fully blended.

In a large bowl mix your butter, peanut butter, granulated and brown sugars. Blend with a electronic beater on medium speed until smooth.

Add in your eggs, bananas and vanilla extract to the large bowl! Keep beating till they are incorporated.

Start to add in - bit by bit - the contents of the medium bowl followed by the chocolate chips and sunflower seeds. Fold the mixtures over one another till they are fully incorporated.

Scoop cooking dough out of bowl and place on a lined baking tray about 2 inches apart. Place in oven for 12 minutes or until edges are brown.

Remove from oven and let cool on cooling rack for a couple minutes before eating.

 

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!

 

Original Recipe -> http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/pb-banana-oat-cookies

TURKEY CHILI - GLUTEN FREE AND PALEO

Turkey Chili makes a great winter dish. Its not only full of protein from the turkey and the kidney beans but tomatoes have a lot of antioxidants and are a rich source of vitamins A and C - great for anyone suffering from heart disease, diabetes and cancer. I found this recipe originally on all recipes.com.  I made it at home because I was looking for something hearty and low fat to eat for dinner and thought I would pass it on. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:

1.5 TSP of Olive Oil
1 LB of Ground Turkey
1 Large Yellow Onion (chopped)
2 Cups of Water
1 Can of Crushed Tomatoes (28 Oz Can)
1 Can of Kidney Beans - drained and rinsed (16 Oz Can
2 Cloves of Garlic (chopped finely)
2 TBSP of Chili Powder
1/2 TSP of Paprika
1/2 TSP of Dried Oregano
1/2 TSP Ground Cayenne Pepper
1/2 TSP Ground Cumin
Salt and Pepper (as desired)

DIRECTIONS:

Heat the olive oil in a pot on the stove on medium heat. Place turkey in the pot and cook until it is evenly brown (about 4-5 minutes)

Stir in Onion and let that continue to cook until the onion becomes soft and tender.

Add water to pot before adding in the rest of the ingredients! Bring to a boil then reduce heat and cover. Let simmer for 30 minutes till sauce is thickened. If sauce hasn't thickened enough remove cover and continue to let simmer until it is.

 

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!

SMOKE SALMOM SANDWICH ON PUMPERNICKLE

I love lox bagels but I sometimes feel guilty about all the calories in bagels. Who needs all that calories, right? Pumpernickel bread is made with coarsely ground rye flour and therefore it has a much lower glycemic load then white bread. That means that when you eat pumpernickel your body which turns carbs in the bread to sugar doesn't have as much carbs to turn to sugar as regular bread which is great if you have diabetes. Salmon is a great source of Omega 3 as well as protein, B vitamins, vitamin D, magnesium and selenium which is essential for daily body functions. Enjoy guilt free.

INGREDIENTS:

100 Gr Of Smoke Salmon
Light Cream Cheese
2-3 Branches of Chives (diced)
1 Small Red Onion (sliced)
1 Vine Ripe Tomato (sliced)
2 Pieces of PumperNickle Bread (toasted)


DIRECTIONS:

Take both of your toasted pumper nickle bread and cover in light cream cheese.

Sprinkle your cut chive on either side of the bread you just dressed with cream cheese

Next start to build up your sandwich with tomato slices and onion and lastly with smoke salmon.

Next add more tomato and onion and the other sandwich, cream cheese side down. Serve!

 

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!

GRANOLA YOGURT PARFAIT WITH HONEY AND BERRIES

Granola is a great thing to eat in order to stay full for a long time. It helps you stop from snacking and reaching for those unhealthy treats. Mixing granola into your breakfast is a great way to get the benefits of all the plant based protein and omega 3 fatty acids you can find in granola that are great for heart health. Meanwhile the yogurt gives you a good daily dose of calcium and the berries - antioxidants. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:

1 Cup of Granola - I have posted a 'Maple Syrup Granola Recipe' if you want to make it at home.
1/2 Cup of Plain Yogurt
1 TBSP of Honey
Handful of Mix Berries - I used raspberries, blueberries and blackberries

DIRECTIONS:

Layer the yogurt, then honey, then granola and lastly the berries. REPEAT until cup is full and SERVE

 

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!

TOMATO, CUCUMBER & FETA SALAD WITH A TWIST - VEGETARIAN

Salads are great if you are trying to lose weight. This is a extended take on a Greek Salad but with a much less complicated dressing. Its super easy to make and can be customized however you like however this salad allows you to get a vast amount of healthy minerals and nutrients you body needs to be provided while dieting.  Enjoy!!

Yields 2 Salad Servings

INGREDIENTS:

Salad
2 Vine Ripe Tomato (chopped) - anti inflammatory properties
1/2 An English Cucumber (chopped) - hydrate
1/2 a Cup of Feta (Chopped) - optional - calcium
1/4 Cup of Red Onion (Chopped Finely) - calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese and vitamins C
Hand full of Fresh Basil (chopped roughly) - High in vitamin K - essential to building strong bones and preventing heart disease
1/2 an Avocado (chopped) - good fats and oils
1/4-1/2 a Cup of berries (I used blackberries and blue berries) - antioxidants
1-2 TBSP of Hemp hearts - protein, fatty acids, iron and vitamin E
1 TBSP of Pine Nuts (Garnish) - protein and oils

Dressing
2-3 TBSP of Olive Oil
1-2 TBSP of Balsamic Vinegar
Salt and Pepper (as desired)

DIRECTIONS

Place all ingredients for the salad in a bowl, mix dressing ingredients in a cup and drizzle on top of your salad. Serve.

 

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!