Bethany And Rachel

Healthy Oatmeal Raisin EASY French Toast Muffins

September 20, 2015 by Bethany And Rachel 25 Comments

Looking for a healthy breakfast option that you can grab and go? Make these Healthy Oatmeal Raisin EASY French Toast Muffins!

You know those days when you set your alarm to wake up super early to have enough time in the morning? But the alarm doesn’t happen to go off? Or you’re such a heavy sleeper that not even the loudest of alarms in the world won’t wake you up? Welcome to my world.

I like waking up to not have to rush at the door, but at the same time I really like sleeping( so the struggle is real). I’m a fan of making a nice, satisfying breakfast before leaving the door to feel energized for the day ahead. The chances of that happening are super slim.

Because of my heavy-sleeper genes (thanks Dad!), I need to make sure I have healthy breakfast options that I can eat on the go.

Don’t get me wrong, I would love to make french toast for breakfast every morning but its just not possible. I had an idea of making french toast muffins, the great taste of french toast that can be grabbed right before heading out the door. If you make it in advance and keep them in the freezer, your life will be right on track.

These muffins literally took me 5 minutes to prep and I had all the ingredients on hand and I’m sure you do to. And like any great food blogger, I wanted to make an innovative flavor that would want me to get out of bed asap.

Who knew that oatmeal raisin cookies and french toast went so well together?

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie French Toast Cups

Print Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings 12 muffins

Ingredients

10 slices bread cubed (gluten-free if needed)
2 cups oats gluten-free if needed
4 eggs beaten
1 cup almond milk
1/2 cup applesauce
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 cup raisins

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat eggs, milk, applesauce, maple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon in a large bowl.
Mix in bread, oats and raisins and combine well.
Place muffin liners in muffins tins and spoon on mixture into 12 slots.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until done.

*can use flax egg if vegan

[Tweet “These #healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookie French Toast Muffins are the perfect make ahead breakfast!”]

Paleo Maple Bacon Pancake Bars

September 13, 2015 by Bethany And Rachel 7 Comments

Oven Baked Maple Bacon Pancake Bars that are healthy, gluten-free and paleo

I have been living a lie my whole life.

Turkey bacon is nothing like real bacon and I figured that out the hard way. My parents are attempting to eat a more paleo-based diet and cut down on preservatives (which include the ones in turkey bacon)

Funny thing is, we actually believed that turkey bacon was healthier because it had less fat. But since we started eating less unprocessed foods, my parent decided to give real, uncured bacon a chance.

Real bacon is unbelievable. My parents and I are hooked and have been eating it at least 3-4 times per week. This is my first time baking with it, and wow, these maple bacon pancake bars taste amazing!

Pancake bars are pretty much like pancakes cut into squares, minus the flipping and mess making (at least if you are me) . These are to-die-for with all the bacon and maple goodness. Short on time during the week to make a healthy breakfast? Make a batch of these on Sunday and you will have a delicious and filling breakfast for the entire week. You’ll never want to flip a pancake again.

EASY Maple-Bacon Pancake Bars

Print Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Servings 9 servings

Ingredients

4 eggs beaten
1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
1/2 cup water
1 tbsp coconut oil melted
2 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup coconut flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
3 pieces bacon cooked and finely chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat oven at 375 degrees and spray a 9x9 glass pan with oil
2. In a large bowl, mix together eggs,milk,water,oil,maple syrup, and vanilla
3. In a small bowl, mix together flour and baking powder, add dry ingredients to wet and mix well, add in bacon pieces and mix
4. Place batter in pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until done
5. Cut into 9 squares and op with more maple syrup and enjoy!

These pancake bars are paleo dairy-free and gluten free

Linking up with Sprint to the table for Strange but Good!

Healthy Nut Butter Recipes

September 11, 2015 by Bethany And Rachel 25 Comments

Buying Nut butter can be so expensive! Im not gonna pay $26 for a jar of almond butter! Thank goodness that it’s so darn easy to make your own nut butter! Check out these awesome and healthy nut butter recipes!

1. Pumpkin Salted Caramel Almond Butter from Athletic Avocado

2. Oatmeal Cookie Nut Butter from The Healthy Foodie

3. Almond Joy Butter from The Healthy Maven

4. Pumpkin Spice Walnut Butter from Desserts with Benefits

5. Pistachio Cashew Butter with Maple Syrup from Slim Sanity

6. Honey Sunbutter from Pancake Warriors

7. Banana Bread Nut Butter from Athletic Avocado

8. Roasted Sweet Vanilla Pecan Butter from Strength and Sunshine

9. Strawberry Peanut Butter from Sinful Nutrition

10. Maple Cinnamon Sunflower Seed Butter from The Lean Green Bean

11. Mexican Chocolate Almond Butter from the Spicy RD

12. Chocolate Coconut Walnut Butter from Cupcakes and Kale Chips

13. Birthday Cake Cashew Butter from Fitfoodie Finds

14. Raw Blueberry Muffin Batter Almond Butter from Fragrant Vanilla Cake

15. Red Velvet Cookie Butter from Athletic Avocado

16. Chia Peanut Butter from De Jong Dream House

17. Honey Roasted Almond Butter from Diary of a Semi-Health Nut

18. Turtle Butter from Healthy Slow Cooking

We hope you enjoy these healthy nut butter recipes!

5 Ingredient Pumpkin Gluten-free Naan Bread

September 8, 2015 by Bethany And Rachel 32 Comments

It’s officially the start of pumpkin Season! Start it off right by making this 5 Ingredient Pumpkin Gluten-free Naan Bread that takes pumpkin to a whole new level! Eat it plain or spread it with nut butter for a tasty Breakfast, snack or dessert! Also #vegan and #healthy!

To be honest, a lot of my recipes don’t turn out as I hope, but sometimes thats actually a good thing! A lot of the times my expectation vs. reality is completely off (but hey I’m only human right?).

It’s like when you see an advertisement for Big Macs then go to McDonalds and get a Big Mac, it doesn’t look anything like the picture (am I right or what?). Or like when your New Year’s Resolution is to run a marathon and you realize you can’t even run a mile (yea it burns your soul! ). But thank God this recipe didnt turn out like that!

Pumpkin Gluten-free Naan Bread

My goal was to make pumpkin tortillas, but they were a little too thick to be rolled out in a thin dough, so I went with naan bread instead. No matter the thickness though, they are still a tasty fall flatbread that can be topped with any sweet (or savory) topping!

5 Ingredient Gluten-free Pumpkin Naan Bread

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Total Time 25

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

1 3/4 cup Gluten-free Flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
1 1/2 Tbsp. coconut oil ,melted

Instructions

In a large bowl mix together flour and cinnamon. Add remaining ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
Separate dough into 6 equal balls. Flatten each ball with your hands until it's flat.
Spray cooking spray on a skillet and place on medium heat. Add one flatbread. Flip over to other side when first side is browned. Repea (about 3-4 minutes each side)ith remaining flatbreads.
Enjoy!

This recipe is adapted from She Know’s Recipe found here.

[Tweet “This #glutenfree Pumpkin Naan Bread goes perfect with any sweet topping for a fall-inpsired breakfast!”]

Salmon Bacon Avocado Salad

September 7, 2015 by Bethany And Rachel 16 Comments

This Salmon Bacon Avocado Salad is a quick lunch or dinner that can be thrown together in less than 10 minutes!

Fun fact: Bethany and I used to be Cake/Cupcake experts.

Yes it’s true, we went from making cakes to healthy food. We were even in a cake decorating competition with Mauro from Cake Boss as the judge. On top of that we always made cupcakes for every family party/bridal shower/birthday (pretty legit, I know).

I thought I was going to be a baker when I was older, but then I realized something. Making cupcakes/cakes for a living is too much work, not that it’s that hard, but time consuming.

You have to make the batter, bake the cupcakes, let them cool, make frosting, pipe the frosting on the cupcakes, make some kind of fondant design and put that on the cupcakes. Then clean up which takes twice as long as making cupcakes since I always make a mess. That is wayyyy too much work for me (maybe because Bethany never helped me clean up)!

Here at Athletic Avocado, we try to make really simple and easy recipes that are not only healthy and delicious but don’t require an eternity to prepare.

Prime example: This Salmon Bacon Avocado Salad which is fresh, simple, healthy, and so darn delicious. No slaving in the kitchen, no oven, one bowl, no mess. This is a tasty lunch either in a sandwich or all by itself.

I’m pretty sure this salad is the most epic combo I have ever dreamed of because, Salmon, diced avocado, sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, . After eating this, you will be dreaming about this too!

Salmon Bacon Avocado Salad

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

2 cans of Wild Alaskan salmon
3 pieces of cooked bacon
1/2 avocado chopped
1/4 large red onion chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
1 cup fresh or roasted corn
1 bunch cilantro chopped
salt
pepper

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl

[Tweet “This Salmon Bacon Avocado Salad can be your new go-to lunch!!”]

This salad is paleo, gluten free, and dairy free

Do you have any hidden talents?

Healthy Labor Day Recipes

September 6, 2015 by Bethany And Rachel 2 Comments

Looking for easy and healthy Recipes to make for your Labor Day cookout? Well you’ve come to the right place! Enjoy these easy-to-make, simple and versatile Labor Day recipes that can please everyone on a dietary restriction like GF, DF, Paleo and Vegan.

Appetizers

Paleo Sriracha Almond Crackers

Caprese Eggplant Dumplings

GF Ginger-Carrot Veggie Pizza

Super Easy Guacamole

Sides/Salads

Cilantro-Lime Sweet Potato Salad

Lemon-Cilantro Potato Salad

Papaya-Avocado Slaw

BBQ Spiced Sweet Potato Fries

Easy Grapefruit, Corn and Mint Salad

Spinach and Garlic Potato Stuffed Portobellos

Labor Day Recipes

Mains

Baba Ghanoush Turkey Burgers

Salmon-Zucchini Burgers

Lemon-Rosemary Greek Yogurt Chicken

Burrito Bowl Stuffed Peppers

Spicy Bruschetta Stuffed Zucchini

Vegan Mango-Lime Meatballs

Desserts

Paleo Nutella Fudge Bars

Blueberry-Lemon Pie Bars

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Banana Ice Cream

PB&J Frozen Greek Yogurt Bark

Blueberry Muffin Peach Cobbler

Easy 5-Ingredient Blueberry-Peach Skillet

We hope you and your family will enjoy these Healthy Labor Day Recipes!

Spicy Bruschetta Stuffed Zucchini Boats

September 1, 2015 by Bethany And Rachel 18 Comments

Looking for an easy and quick dinner that your family will love? Make these Healthy Spicy Bruschetta Stuffed Zucchini Boats!

Fact: I love all things about zucchini. I actually used to grow it a few years ago but lets just say that gardening wasn’t my forte. Of course I loved the plethora of zucchini and other veggies we had in stock, but the bugs were the death of me. I’m terrified of all things with multiple legs and I’m that girl that will scream when I see one on my shoe (yep, that girl).

Every time I went in the garden I wore long-sleeve shirt , long pants, a hat and glove just to make sure none of the creepy-crawlers went on my skin. But honestly, is there anyone that actually likes bugs? If people like bugs, its equivalent to someone who’s favorite color is beige, am I right (yes I am).

Getting back to the zucchini part, I love it so much and its probably one of my top favorite veggies. When one of my coworkers brought in 3 giant zucchini along with tons of juicy organic tomatoes from her garden, I was overjoyed to say the least.

I celebrated this wonderful gift by making these incredible Bruschetta Stuffed Zucchini Boats for dinner, and a celebration it t’was. Spicy Bruschetta + Sausage + Zucchini = Perfect late summer dinner!

Spicy Bruschetta Stuffed Zucchini Boats {8 Ingredients!}

Print Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 50

Total Time 1

Servings 6 boats

Ingredients

3 zucchini sliced in half
4 precooked sausage links ,sliced (can be vegan sausages)
1 onion finely chopped
2 cloves garlic finely chopped
1 large tomato finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh basil or 2 Tbsp. dried basil
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
shredded mozeralla cheese (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Drizzle zucchini halves with olive oil and place on a cooking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the middles are soft.
While zucchini is in oven, place a skillet coated with cooking spray on medium heat. Add sausage, onions, and garlic. Let cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Combine sausage, onion and garlic with chopped tomatoes, basil and red pepper flakes. Mix well.
Scoop out the middle of the zucchini halves to create a hollow center. Add in filling and top with cheese if desired.
Bake for 20 minutes.

*to make these vegan, use a vegan sausage alternative and cheese alternative*

[Tweet “Spicy Bruschetta Zucchini Boats are the perfect late-summer dinner!”]

Looking for more Healthy and Quick Dinner Recipes? Check these out:

Spicy Bruschetta Stuffed Eggplant

Burrito Bowl Stuffed Peppers

Healthier S’mores Mug Cake {Vegan + Gluten-free}

August 30, 2015 by Bethany And Rachel 30 Comments

2 minute Healthy S’mores Mug Cake will be your new go-to dessert! It tastes exactly like the campfire favorite but made a little healthier!

I can honestly say that I love eating healthy, I usually choose healthy foods over other foods because I want to, not because I have to. The keyword here is usually. Which means I eat healthy most of time and give myself a little lee-way for things that I enjoy like S’MORES.

When I eat S’mores, I always want S’more (lol). S’mores aren’t the healthiest kind of food, but they are darn sure delicious. Making everything homemade for s’mores requires too much work. Think, making your own graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate. It may be healthier to make that stuff from scratch, but when you don’t have them that often, it’s much easier to buy the store-bought stuff.

So what do you do when your craving S’mores and you don’t have a fire? Make a S’mores Mug cake! It takes even less time that making an actual S’more. You may never want to make a normal S’more again!

S’mores Mug Cake

No need for a campfire to enjoy your favorite summer sweet! All you need are a few simple ingredients, a mug and a microwave to create this Healthy S’mores Mug Cake! You won’t believe it’s vegan and gluten-free!

Healthy Smores Mug Cake {2 Minutes to Make!}

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 2

Total Time 7

Servings 1 mug cake

Ingredients

Cake
1/4 cup oat flour
1 Gluten-Free Graham Cracker Sheet finely crushed
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1 egg or flax egg
1/2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp almond milk
Filling
1 tbsp marshmallow fluff
1/2 tbsp chocolate chips
Topping optional
graham cracker crumbs
chocolate chips

Instructions

Grease a ramekin/mug with oil/butter
Mix all ingredients for cake in a small bowl and spoon 1/2 batter into ramekin/mug
Spoon filling on top of batter and fill with remaining batter
Microwave for 1-1:30 minutes, be careful it doesn't overflow
Top with crumbs and chocolate chips

Like This Recipe? Pin For Later!

Easy Grapefruit Mint Salad with Corn {5 Minutes to Make!}

August 27, 2015 by Bethany And Rachel 16 Comments

It takes only 5 minutes to make this refreshing Grapefruit Mint Salad with Corn!

I feel bad for grapefruit. It always had a bad reputation in my household. When I was younger, my mom tried to get me to eat it by sprinkling sugar on top. I still wouldn’t eat it.

A few years ago when my older sister wanted to drop a few pounds, she went on the grapefruit diet. Yes it is as bad as it sounds, pretty much grapefruit for every meal. I refused to touch one all the way up until like 2 months ago, due to the fact that I was traumatized when I was a kid.

Now I can saw that me and grapefruit have reconciled our friendship. Now I love the stuff just like my imaginary boyfriend (because I’m lacking a real one). Just call me the Miley Cyrus of the grapefruit world because I can’t stop won’t stop.

Grapefruit Mint Salad with Corn

Not only have I found out that grapefruit is good by itself, but its also great with other refreshing flavors. Combine it with summer corn, juicy tomatoes, ripe avo, fresh mint leaves, a drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper and you got yourself the most refreshing summer salad in the history of mankind.

Easy Grapefruit Mint Salad with Corn

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

2 cups corn kernels
1 grapefruit (peeled, segemented, seeds removed) finely chopped
1 large tomato finely chopped
1/2 avocado finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh mint finely chopped
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
salt and pepper

Instructions

Add all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix together well, making sure all ingredients are evenly combined.
Enjoy!

Want more Tasty Salad Recipes???

Lemon-Cilantro Potato Salad

Papaya-Avocado Slaw

Linking up with Sprint to the Table for Strange but Good

6 Ingredient Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Pretzels

August 25, 2015 by Bethany And Rachel 86 Comments

This Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Pretzels is another name for heaven. It’s naturally sweet, chocolatley, crunchy, salty and nutty all at the same time!

I love ice cream………..

No joke, when I was younger, I would have a huge bowl every night after gymnastics practice, at least ~~342432~~ 2 cups!

You know what else I love? Banana Ice Cream. Bananas are naturally sweet and delicious, and when partially frozen, make the perfect texture for a soft-serve-like texture! My favorite ice cream ever is a tie between Chocolate-Covered Pretzel and Peanut Butter Cup.

So guess what I did? I combined banana ice cream with my two favorite ice cream flavors, and the result is absolutely magical. This Chocolate PB Pretzel banana Ice Cream is absolutely creamy, sweet, salty, crunchy, chocolatey and life changing all at the same time! Not to mention it has only a few ingredients and it’s a breeze to make!

Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Pretzels

Now you can have your fabulous ice cream and eat it too 😀

6 Ingredient Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Pretzels

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5

Freezer Time 1

Total Time 1 5

Servings 1 serving

Equipment

Food Processor

Ingredients

2 ripe bananas frozen and partially thawed
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 tbsp natural smooth peanut butter
Toppings
1/3 cup crushed pretzels can be any kind such as GF or Vegan
1 Justin's Peanut Butter Cup chopped into small pieces
PB Sauce
1/2 tbsp natural creamy Peanut Butter
1/2 tsp coconut oil

Instructions

for ice cream, blend together all ingredients using a food processor or blender. Blend until mixture is smooth
Pour mixture into a long tupperware in the freezer until partially firm (about 1 hour), or until ice cream is desired texture scoop into a bowl. Add on toppings.
2. For sauce, combine ingredients and microwave for 30 seconds, drizzle over ice cream

This Banana Ice Cream is vegan, dairy-free and can be gluten-free

[Tweet “Check Out this awesome new way to enjoy banana Ice Cream! Chocolate PB Pretzel Nana Ice Cream!!!”]

Want More Ice Cream Recipes???

Paleo Honey Pistachio Ice Cream

Chocolate Mint Ice Cream

What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?

<br />

Bethany And Rachel

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie French Toast Cups

Ingredients

Instructions

EASY Maple-Bacon Pancake Bars

Ingredients

Instructions

Pumpkin Gluten-free Naan Bread

5 Ingredient Gluten-free Pumpkin Naan Bread

Ingredients

Instructions

Salmon Bacon Avocado Salad

Ingredients

Instructions

Appetizers

Sides/Salads

Mains

Desserts

Spicy Bruschetta Stuffed Zucchini Boats {8 Ingredients!}

Ingredients

Instructions

Looking for more Healthy and Quick Dinner Recipes? Check these out:

S’mores Mug Cake

Healthy Smores Mug Cake {2 Minutes to Make!}

Ingredients

Instructions

Like This Recipe? Pin For Later!

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Grapefruit Mint Salad with Corn

Easy Grapefruit Mint Salad with Corn

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Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Pretzels

6 Ingredient Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Pretzels

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Want More Ice Cream Recipes???

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