Easy, Nourishing & Delish Recipes

healthy, easy, simple and tasty recipes for busy people

chocolate

Gluten-free Chocolate Banana Swirl Cake

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I’ve  been wanting to bake so badly lately!  I didn’t have much homework today and I was beyond bored and it was cold outside, so it was the perfect baking day.  I recently got a gluten-free flour blend from Ross and have been itching to use it and I had some super ripe bananas that I needed to use up so by popular demand, banana cake/bread it was.  But not just any banana bread, one that is healthy and swirled with chocolate because chocolate makes everything better!  Not to mention that it is gluten-free, dairy-free, clean and capable of being vegan!

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Chocolate Banana Swirl Cake

  • 1 1/2 cup Gluten-free flour
  • 1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 2 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 3 Tbsp. agave nectar/maple syrup
  • 3/4 cup almond milk
  • 2 eggs, beaten or 2 flax eggs
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. cocoa powder
  • 1/2 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted
  • 1/2 Tbsp. agave nectar/maple syrup
  • 2 Tbsp. of coconut sugar, optional
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and cinnamon.
  3. In a separate bowl combine banana, vanilla, agave, milk and eggs.  Mix well. 
  4. Add banana mixture to flour mixture, stirring well and scraping the bottom of the bowl to make sure all the flour is combined.
  5. Divide batter equally into 2 bowls.  
  6. In one bowl, add the cocoa powder, coconut oil and agave.  Mix well.
  7. Spray cooking spray in a loaf pan.  Pour 1/2 of the chocolate mixture on the bottom of the loaf pan and pour 1/2 of the other mixture on the other 1/2 of the bottom.  Repeat for the remaining batter, except pouring the chocolate mixture on top of the other mixture and vise versa. 
  8. Using a tooth pick, swirl the batter, mixing the chocolate and banana layer together.
  9. Bake for about 3o minutes, or until done.
  10. Sprinkle coconut sugar evenly on top of cake and place in oven for another 5 minutes.
  11. Enjoy!

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Health Benefits:

Bananas:

  • Contains many vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B6, manganese, vitamin C, biotin, potassium and  copper
  • High in fiber
  • Low-glycemic

Recipe as a Whole:

  • All-natural ingredients
  • No refined sugar
  • No preservatives
  • No processed ingredients
  • No artificial ingredients
  • Clean
  • High fiber
  • Natural sugars
  • Gluten-free
  • Dairy-free
  • Low-glycemic
  • Chockfull of vitamins and minerals
  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan (if using flax egg)

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Amazing Almond Butter Brand: Barney Butter

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I think its known to the world that I love my nut butter.  I mean about 80%(if not more) of my recipes include it as an ingredient.  I’m always open to try different brands and flavors that my fellow bloggers are raving about.  While reading another blogger’s post, I came across Barney Butter.  I instantly started drooling when I read the flavors; vanilla bean & espresso, honey & flax, raw & chia, cocoa & coconut? It sounded like a winner to me, and they definitely were!

Barney-Butter

Image Source:  The Roxx Box

Here’s a break down for you:

Nutrition Facts:  Similar to that of almond butter, about 180-200 calories and 15-18 fat grams for 2 Tbsp.  6 grams of protein and no more than 3 grams of sugar per serving.

Ingredients:  Very short ingredient list even for the flavored ones.The plain flavors contain blanched roasted almonds, evaporated cane juice, palm fruit oil and sea salt.  Other flavors add a bit more ingredients;

  • honey &flax adds flax seeds and powdered honey
  • raw & chia has raw almonds and chia seeds
  • vanilla bean & espresso adds natural vanilla flavor and ground espresso beans
  • cocoa & coconut adds chocolate chips, EV coconut oil and natural coconut flavor

 

Flavors:  All flavors were amazing!  Vanilla bean and espresso was definitely my favorite by far (you can never go wrong with a little caffeine ). 

Barney Butter is perfect for:

  • your morning oats 
  • dipped in your favorite fruit
  • mixed in with plain greek yogurt
  • spread on whole wheat/ ezekiel bread
  • mixed in a smoothie
  • or even eaten by the spoonful!
  •  

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Try it in my Paleo Nut Butter Filled Chocolate Coconut Flour Munchkins and Mixed in with my Coconut Flour Breakfast Porridge!

 

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Totally Clean and Delish:Sun Warrior Protien Powder

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I have finally found a protien powder that i‘m satisfied with, nutritionally and tastefully! It’s called Sunwarrior! 

Let me break it down for you, All Sunwarrior Protein Powders are

  • Gluten-free
  • Soy-free
  • Dairy-free
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Raw vegan
  • Non-GMO

The Flavors are

  • Natural (80 cals, 0 fat, 1g sugar, 15g protein)
  • Vanilla (100 cals, 2g fat, 0g sugars, 19g protein)
  • Chocolate (100 cals, 1g fat, 0g sugars, 17g protein)

I absolutely love the macros in these protein powders, unlike most protein powders, sunwarrior blends are not loaded with sugar, they all contain 1 g or less! Plus, they are naturally sweetened with stevia! And most of them have no fat! plus, a lot of protein in just a small amount! 

The ingredients in the natural blend are as follows:

Proprietary Protein Blend ( Raw Organic Pea Protein, Raw Cranberry Protein, Raw Organic Hemp Seed Protein), Medium Chain Triglycerides

I LOVE that you can pronounce every single ingredient, so you know what’s going into your body! Absolutely NO CHEMICALS OR PRESERVATIVES! How Awesome is that!!!?

Use your protein powder to make this amazing smoothie!

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Vanilla Apple Pie Smoothie

Serves 1

  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 frozen apple, sliced
  • 2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 scoop Sunwarrior Vanilla Protein Powder
  • 1/2 tsp. xantham gum, optional
  • handful of ice
  1. Combine all ingredients in a blender.  Blend until smooth.
  2. Enjoy!

Paleo and Vegan Oatless Oatmeal: Coconut Flour Porridge

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Sometimes you can get bored with the same old, same old breakfast. For me, that’s oatmeal, which I love dearly, but today I just had to change it up. So I came up with this beauty, coconut flour porridge, which is both vegan and paleo! It is oh so fluffy and tasty, with all the sweetness coming from the banana!  Totally clean, healthy, and not to mention, delicious! It’s perfect for any morning and will fuel your body so you can have the right start to your day!

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Coconut Flour Porridge 

  • 5 tbs coconut flour
  • 1 1/3 cup water
  • 2 tbsp ripe banana, mashed
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp pumpkin puree
  • 1 tbsp chocolate chips
  • 1 tbsp chopped nuts
  • 1 tbsp nut butter
  • Chopped apple

1. Place coconut flour, water, banana, cinnamon, vanilla and pumpkin in a microwave-safe bowl, mix until combined

2. Place in the microwave and microwave for about 3-5 minutes, checking every 2 minutes, or until thick.

3. Top with chocolate chips, nuts, nut butter and a chopped apple!

4. Enjoy!

 

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Health Benefits

COCONUT FLOUR:

  • Gluten-free
  • Wheat-free
  • High in fiber
  • High in protein
  • Healthy fats
  • High in manganese

Recipe as a whole:

  • Vegan
  • Paleo
  • Gluten-free
  • Dairy-free
  • High Fiber
  • Protein
  • Healthy fats
  • All natural
  • 100% clean
  • No-added-sugar
  • Full of vitamins and minerals such as Beta carotene, potassium and vitamin C

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An Ode to a Legend: Elvis Peanut Butter Banana Pies

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I really wanted to make pop tarts , so I adapted a recipe to use.  Halfway through the making I realized   I had an itching to make something a little different, hand pies.  Thank God the poptart dough worked perfectly for the pies!  This kind of thing happens on a regular basis, I set out to make one thing, but while making it I decide to do something else ( thats just how my mind works)!  Point aside, you can thank Elvis for the heavenly combo of peanut butter and banana (no bacon YUCK)!  I’m sure the King would be proud of this creation and he would not feel guilty eating it!

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Click HERE to get your all-natural unrefined Cane Sugar!

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Elvis Peanut Butter Banana Pies

Make 14-18 pies

  • Recipe adapted from Foodie Fascio
  • 2 1/4 cups brown rice/gluten-free flour
  • 2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 5 Tbsp. apple sauce
  • 3/4 cup almond milk
  • 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup all natural unrefined cane sugar ( I used Chancaca)

Filling

  • 1 banana ,sliced
  • peanut butter

Chocolate sauce

  • 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
  • 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
  • 1/2 Tbsp. agave/honey
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. In a large bowl, combine first 4 ungredients.  Mix well.
  3. Add applesauce to mixture and use a fork to smash it into the mixture until flour is coarse.  Place in fridge for 10 minutes.
  4. Once out of fridge, add remaining ingredients (not filling) and mix well, or until a dough forms.
  5. Turn dough onto floured surface and knead a few times.  Divide dough into 28-32 equal sized pieces.  Roll each piece into a ball. 
  6. Press each ball down with your fingers.  On half of them add a banana slice.  On the other half add about 1/2 tsp. peanut butter.  Combine halves together until you have 14-16 pies.
  7. Place pies on cooking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Press sides down with fork.
  8. Bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until pies are done.
  9. For chocolate sauce combine all ingredients in a bowl and drizzle over pies.
  10. Enjoy!

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Health Benefits

Brown rice flour

  • High in fiber
  • Rich in B vitamins
  • Gluten-free
  • Whole grains
  • Contains selenium, manganese and magnesium 

Recipe as a whole

  • All natural
  • No refined sugar
  • No preservatives
  • No processed ingredients
  • 100% clean
  • Vitamins
  • Minerals
  • Antioxidants
  • Protein
  • Fiber
  • Healthy Fats
  • Gluten-free
  • Dairy-free
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian 

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Paleo Donuts:Peanut Butter Filled Chocolate Coconut Flour Munchkins

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I used to love going to Dunkin Donuts when I was a kid to get munchkins!  So sweet and yummy, you could pop ten in your mouth in a minute no problem.  There is a big problem with that,  because one baby munchkin contains between 60-70 calories and 3.5 grams of fat ( Yes this the nutrition facts for only one)!  I missed these guys so much but not the extra baggage that came along with them, so I knew I had to do something.  So glad I came up with this recipe!  In my opinion they are so much tastier  (not to mention healthier)  than munchkins!  Chocolate and nut butter is the perfect combo, and in these donuts they are even more heavenly!  So go ahead, make these and eat a few,  you don’t have to feel guilty eating munchkins anymore!

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Click HERE to get your all natural unrefined Cane Sugar!

Nut Butter Filled Chocolate Coconut Flour Munchkin (adapted from Healyeatsreal.com)

Makes about  15-20 munchkins

  • 1/3  cup coconut flour
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 3 Tbsp. coconut oil
  • 1/4 tsp. baking soda
  • 2 Tbsp. raw cane sugar  (I used Chancaca)or honey
  • 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
  • nut butter ( I used Earth Balance Creamy Peanut Coconut Spread)
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Blend all ingredients in food processor until a dough forms.
  3. Roll dough into half circles ( should make about 30-40).  Make an indent with finger in the middle and add a 1/4 tsp. peanut butter( make sure you don’t over flow it).  Place another half circle on top.  Repeat with remaining ingredients until you make about 15 munchkins.
  4. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until done.
  5. Enjoy!

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Health Benefits

Coconut Flour

  • High in fiber
  • Wheat-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Healthy fats
  • Packed with Protein

Coconut Oil

  • Healthy fats
  • Unrefined
  • Rich in vitamin K and E

Recipe as a whole

  • All-natural
  • Protein
  • No preservatives
  • No refined sugar
  • All natural
  • Gluten-free
  • Dairy-free
  • Wheat-free
  • Non-GMO
  • 100% clean
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Whole 30
  • Paleo

Click HERE to check out my review on the most AMAZING Peanut Butter!

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Chocolate- Peanut Butter Larabar Dumplings

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Larabars  are my favorite go-to snack.  They are all natural and only contain a few ingredients, and they fill me up really quickly.  I wanted to be creative so I took the larabar to a whole new level, and turned it into a peanut butter and chocolate filled dumpling!  So easy to make and so satisfying!  Replace this as your afternoon pick-me-up or for a light satisfying dessert!

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Chocolate-Peanut Butter Larabar Dumplings

Makes 2 dumplings

  • 1 cashew cookie larabar
  • 2 tsp. peanut butter
  • 4 vegan chocolate chips
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Split larabar into 4 equal pieces.  Using your fingers, press each piece into a flat circle.
  3. spread 1 tsp. of peanut butter on two circles and top with 2 chocolate chips.  Place other two circles on top of filled ones.
  4. Press sides down of top and bottom circles so it makes a dumpling.  Repeat with other dumpling.
  5. Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden.
  6. Enjoy!

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Health Benefits

Larabar

  • All natural ingredients
  • Only two ingredients: cashews and dates
  • No added sugar
  • No artificial ingredients
  • Rich in fiber
  • Naturally sweet from dates
  • Hearty protein from cashews
  • healthy fats from cashew
  • Gluten-free
  • Dairy-free
  • Soy-free
  • Non-GMO
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Kosher
  • 100% clean

Peanut Butter

  • Protein
  • No added sugar
  • Healthy fats

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Heavenly Product Review: Halo Top Ice Cream!

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Who doesn’t love ice cream??  Yeah Thats right every one does!  But what some of us don’t love is that is does nothing for our bodies, its all empty calories besides the little bit of calcium hidden in it.  Any ways, many of us eat more than a serving, some of us don’t even know what half a cup looks like ( you try to eye ball it, but it is less than you think).  Not to fear though, because there is an ice cream you can feel good about eating, and you could eat the whole pint if you wanted too with feeling guilty.

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 Its called Halo Top Ice Cream and it is as heavenly as it sounds!  With only 70-80 calories per serving and  7 grams of protein, its safe to say that this is the perfect ice cream.

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 Even if you eat the whole container, you are still only eating about 280-320 calories! Its so filling and taste EXACTLY like regular ice cream!  So rich and creamy, you will think you are eating there full-fat, unhealthy kind!  Try yours today!  Click HERE to get yours!

 

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Try it on top of our Microwavable Fudgey Brownie!

Low Calorie and Easy to Make Ice Cream: Chocolate Mint Ice Cream

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No other dessert beats ice cream on a hot summer’s day.  Whether you are at the beach, the park or sitting on your deck, there really is nothing better.  Mint and chocolate are the all-time best ice cream flavors (in my opinion), and I was thankful enough to receive peppermint extract from Swanson Vitamins!  This ice cream is beyond easy to make and tastes amazing!  And for  only about 130 CALORIES for the WHOLE RECIPE ( using fat-free plain yogurt and unsweetened almond milk), why not!  Try this NOW!!

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Click HERE to get you peppermint extract

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Chocolate Mint Ice Cream

Method adapted by Chocolate Covered Katie

Serves 1-2 people

  • 3/4 cup almond milk
  • 1/4 cup yogurt ( plain/greek/soy/regular)
  • 1 tsp. peppermint extract
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. cocoa powder
  • 1 Tbsp. agave/honey
  • pinch of salt
  1. Combine all ingredients in a blender.  Blend for about 15 seconds, or until every thing is fully mixed.
  2. Pour mixture in a  shallow container.  Let freeze for a few hours, or until fully frozen.
  3. Once frozen, take out of container  ( microwave for 30 seconds if too frozen) and place in blender for a few seconds, or until mixture softens up.
  4. Pour back in container and scoop out.
  5. Enjoy!

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Health Benefits

  • All natural
  • No artificial ingredients
  • No processed sugar
  • 100% clean
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Paleo
  • Whole 30
  • Gluten-free
  • Dairy-free
  • Nut-free
  • Vitamins
  • Minerals
  • Antioxidants
  • Low-Calorie

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