cinnamon

Easy DIY Kitchen Staple: Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce

January 15, 2015 by Bethany And Rachel 15 Comments

I don’t know about you all, but applesauce is a staple in my apartment. I mix it with oatmeal, plain yogurt, bake with it, or just eat it by itself! I only realized a few days ago that I could make it myself with little to no effort at all! All you basically do is chop up apples, add a dash of cinnamon and a little water and place in your slow cooker on low for 4-6 hours! Thats all there is to it! And did I mention it tastes like apple pie filling? No joke, this stuff is literally the bomb! Keep the skin on for added fiber and a chunkier texture, or leave them out for a smoother texture.

Plus, this applesauce is MUCH healthier then the store bought stuff! Just look at the ingredients in Mott’s Cinnamon Applesauce:

INGREDIENTS: APPLES, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, WATER, CINNAMON, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), NATURAL FLAVOR

What? High fructose corn syrup listed as the second ingredient?? Apples are sweet enough, they really don’t need that added fake sweetness! And 24 grams of sugar per 1/2 cup serving? You might as well eat cake instead of this!

Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce

8 apples, cored and sliced (you could use any type, I like fuji or golden delicious best!)
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup water

Throw all ingredients in a crock pot and place on medium heat for 4-6 hours, or until sauce like.
Let cool and enjoy!

Health Benefits:

All-natural
No preservatives
No chemicals
No sugar added
Gluten-free
Grain-free
Dairy-free
High fiber
Low calorie
Vegan
Vegetarian
Paleo
Whole-30

Spiced Winter Fruit Compote

December 25, 2014 by Bethany And Rachel 1 Comment

One of my favorite winter dishes is this winter spiced fruit that my mom makes every year. Its seriously so good and a nice change from pies and cakes for dessert. The recipe calls for canned peaches, cherries, and cranberries in syrup. It’s full of added sugar and unnecessarily sweet, so I wanted to make my own version. I used a little honey in place of the syrup and its just as good, if not better! Using fresh fruit instead of canned makes all the difference! This is perfect stirred in oatmeal, yogurt, drizzled on top of angel food cake or simply eaten by itself! So easy to make and very healthy, you have to make it!

Spiced Winter Fruit Compote

2 apples, chopped
2 pears, chopped
1 cup frozen cranberries
1 cup frozen peaches or apricots
2 cups frozen black cherries
1/2 cup orange slices ( or about 1 whole orange)
1 cup grapes
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup honey/maple syrup or 2 Tbsp. Nunaturals simple stevia syrup
1 lemon, sliced
1 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 cinnamon sticks, optional

1. Add all ingredients in a large saucepan over medium-low heat and let simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until apples are soft

2. Serve on top of ice cream, yogurt, toast or simply enjoy a bowl on it’s own

Health Benefits:

All-natural
Refined sugar-free
Full of fiber
No preservatives
No added sugar
Tons of antioxidants and vitamins
Vegan
Vegetarian
Paleo
Primal
Whole 30
Gluten-free
Grain-free
Dairy-free
Egg-free

Vegan Caramel Snickerdoodle Cupcakes

December 23, 2014 by Bethany And Rachel 21 Comments

Making cupcakes for a christmas eve family party has been a tradition of my ever since I knew how to use an oven. I usually like to get creative and come up with cool unique flavors. This year is going to be a little different because I’m making healthy cupcakes. I’m sacrificing artificial ingredients, added sugars, and

artery clogging fat, without sacrificing flavor. And I’m 99% sure my family will not even notice it. They will only be focused on the dense doughy texture, the sweet caramel inside and the cinnamon-sugary glaze on top!

Vegan Caramel Snickerdoodle Cupcakes

Makes 12 cupcakes

2 cups gluten-free oat flour
1/2 cup coconut sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup water
2 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted
1/4 cup applesauce
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar

Filling

The Vegan 8’s Sweet Potato Caramel (doubled the recipe)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium bowl, combine oat flour, coconut sugar,baking soda and cinnamon. Mix well.
In a separate bowl combine water, coconut oil, apple sauce, vanilla and apple cider vinegar. Mix well and stir into dry ingredients.
Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners and spoon batter into 12 muffin slots about 2/3 full.
Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until done.

Cinnamon-Sugar Glaze

2 tbsp melted coconut oil
2 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla
Coconut sugar for sprinkling

1. Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl and spread on cupcakes, sprinkle with coconut sugar

Health Benefits

All-natural ingredients
No artificial ingredients
No processed ingredients
No preservatives
Refined sugar-free
Gluten-free
Dairy-free
Egg-free
Vegan
High in fiber
Vegetarian

Thanks to Jenn for linking up! Merry Christmas!

Healthy Pumpkin Apple Butter

December 15, 2014 by Bethany And Rachel 29 Comments

I am totally obsessed with all kinds of fruit butters, peach, pear, apple, pumpkin, you name it, I love it. But the downside of these sweet condiments is that many of them contain more than fruit, they contain sugar and other additives, with the exception of Kauffman’s.

They can also be pricey, reaching up to 4-5 dollars for a small jar. Good thing I decided to make my own, not only is it healthy, clean and no sugar added, It’s dirt cheap as well. This butter is the perfect topping to almost anything, toast, waffles, pancakes, ice-cream, yogurt (I Love mixing it into plain greek yogurt!)

Pumpkin-Apple Butter

1 cup pumpkin puree
1 baked apple (chopped then cooked in microwave for 3-4 minutes or until soft)
2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp Nunaturals stevia simple syrup or 1 tbsp maple syrup, honey, agave

1. Place all ingredients in a small sauce pan over medium-low heat

2. Constantly stir and keep on the stove for 10 minutes

3. Take off stove top after mixture is hot, let cool and place in a mason jar, if desired

Be sure to check other amazing meals at Peas and Crayons!

Clean eating Cinnamon Sugar Mango Jam

November 30, 2014 by Bethany And Rachel 8 Comments

This delicious and healthy Cinnamon Sugar Mango Jam is the perfect spread on toast, waffles, pancakes or swirled in yogurt or ice cream!

Did you ever like something so much that you buy more of it than you can actually eat? Yeah I made that mistake more than once. I LOVE mangoes so when there was a sale I bought 5 too many and well, 3 ended up in the trash. The others were super ripe, so I knew I needed to make something with them pronto! I’ve been wanting to make jam, but never thought I was gonna make mango jam. But I did, and it turned out super awesome! The cinnamon and coconut sugar make it out of this world! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Clean eating Cinnamon- (Coconut) Sugar Mango Jam

Print Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups ripe mashed mangoes you can also puree them if you prefer
2 Tbsp. coconut sugar
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a larger bowl. Mix well.
Add mixture to a saucepan and place on low heat. Let simmer for about 20 minutes , stirring mixture every few minutes.
Let cool and Enjoy!

Health Benefits:

All-natural
No preservatives
No processed ingredients
No refined sugar
Fiber
Grain-free
Dairy-free
Gluten-free
Vegan
Vegetarian
Paleo
Whole 30

Jem Raw :Amazing Nut Butter Review

November 20, 2014 by Bethany And Rachel 4 Comments

If you follow my blog or have seen my posts before, you can kinda of understand that my love for nut butter is unreal. Whether its peanut butter, almond butter, hazelnut butter or any nut butter, I love them all. I was super excited when I received a package from Jem Raw and when I opened it my eyes lit up with joy. All Different flavored nut butters galore! Unique new flavors that I have never seen before! Not to mention all ingredients are certified organic, are stone ground, and are raw and sprouted! Let me break it down for you:

What I received:

Superberry Maqui Camu Sprouted Almond Butter

Taste: Wowzers this is unlike any almond butter I’ve tasted! The flavors of the berries Maqui and Lucuma are super unique tasting! The berry flavor blends perfectly with the coconut sugar without being too sweet! The texture is super creamy and perfect for spreading!

Cinnamon Red Maca Sprouted Almond Butter

Taste: Basically tastes like a cinnamon rolland I am in love! This results in a hefty cinnamon taste without being too overpowering! The flavor is warming, but also packs some serious fire! The maca lends to a butterscotch taste which helps balance out the cinnamon, Perfect for spreading over cinnamon raisin toast, or stirred into oatmeal!

Coconut Cardamom Sprouted Almond Butter

Taste: If christmas were a nut butter, it would be this flavor. The cardamom spice blends beautifully with the creamy texture of this nut butter! The cardamom flavor lends to a Christmassy taste that is unreal! Perfect for spreading over a piece of pumpkin or gingerbread!

Hazelnut Raw Cacao Sprouted Hazelnut Butter

Taste: This is nutella’s healthy sophisticated cousin! You can really taste the amazing quality of the ingredients in this flavor; The raw organic hazelnuts, the raw organic cocoa nibs and the coconut crystals with leave your mouth wanting more! Not too sweet yet just the right amount of flavor packed into each spoonful ! Perfect drizzled over ice cream, filled in a crepe or added to a smoothie!

Nutrition Facts: Each nut butter is similar nutritionally wise: About 150 calories and 9 grams of fat per two tablespoon serving. Around 11 grams of sugar and 4 grams of protein as well. Tons of nutrition bonuses as well:

USDA Certified Organic
Raw, Vegan, Superfood
Made from Fair Trade
Non-GMO
Good source of Vitamin E
Healthy fats
High in Iron
Gluten-free
Dairy-free
Low-glycemic
No preservatives
No artificial flavors
No processed ingredients

Ingredients: All nut butter ingredients are certified organic and contain only a few ingredients:

Superberry Maqui Camu: Almonds, Coconut palm sugar, Maqui berry, Lucuma, Camu, Vanilla.
Cinnamon Red Maca: Almonds, Coconut Palm Sugar, Maca, Ground Cinnamon, Vanilla.
Coconut Cardamom: Almonds, Coconut, Coconut palm sugar, Lucuma, Vanilla, Cardamom, Spices.
Hazelnut Raw Cacao: Hazelnuts, Coconut palm sugar, Cacao nibs, Vanilla.

Click HERE to get these AMAZING Products!

Gingerbread Spiced Almonds

November 16, 2014 by Bethany And Rachel 6 Comments

With Thanksgiving and Christmas quickly approaching, I am always looking for new and unique gifts to give out to my family and friends. I always love making some kind of holiday food in a healthy way! I decided to adapt a gingerbread spice almond recipe that I found on the internet, making it with whole and better-for-you ingredients. I am sure that everyone from young to old will enjoy these gingerbread spiced treats! No one will know that they are the least bit healthy because they are so delicious! These are the perfect treat to bring to your Thanksgiving/Christmas parties or are a great gift!

Gingerbread Spiced Almonds (recipe adapted from Crosby’s)

1 tbsp Earth Balance Organic Coconut Spread
2 tbsp Molasses
1 tbsp coconut sugar
1.5 tsp ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
2 cups unsalted almonds

1. Melt Coconut spread, molasses, sugar and spices in a small sauce pan on low heat, about 5 minutes, or until sugar dissolves

2. Toss in almonds and mix well to combine

3. Cover a jelly roll pan with wax paper and spread almonds in a single layer on pan

4. Bake at 300 degrees for about 20 minutes or until

5. Enjoy

Health Benefits

Whole Recipe:

Paleo
Vegan
Protein
Refined sugar free
Gluten-free
Clean
Healthy fats
Vitamins
Minerals
Fiber
All natural
No Preservatives

Almonds:

Vitamin E, B2, Biotin, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Manganese, Copper
High in Healthy Fats
High in fiber

Cinnamon Apple Flaxseed Bread

October 31, 2014 by Bethany And Rachel 34 Comments

Apples taste the best during the fall season, so what to do with a surplus stash of them? Make this bread. Made entirely of ground flaxseed, this bread has an amazing nutritional status, full of fiber and healthy fats, not to mention gluten-free and clean. Cinnamon and chopped up apples really make this bread taste like fall! You have to make this! Have it with peanut butter for breakfast, topped with coconut cream for dessert, or simply for an afternoon snack! Cinnamon-Apple Flaxseed Bread (adapted from The Healthful Pursuit)

2 cups ground flaxseed
1 tsp baking soda
4 eggs or 2 eggs and 3 egg whites
1/4 cup honey
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla
3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
1/2 cup water
1 apple, finely chopped
2 tbsp coconut sugar

1. In a medium sized bowl, mix together ground flaxseed and baking soda 2. Add in eggs and mix throughly 3. Add in the rest of the ingredients except coconut sugar and combine well 4. Coat a loaf pan with cooking spray and place oven at 350 degrees 5. Place batter in pan and sprinkle the top evenly with coconut sugar 6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until top is golden brown. Health Benefits Flaxseed

Omega 3 fatty acids
Fiber
Protein

Apples

Fiber
Vitamin C

Whole Recipe

Paleo
Healthy fats
Fiber
Clean
Protein
Vitamins, Minerals, antioxidants
Gluten Free

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Caramelized Banana-Cranberry Baked French Toast

October 12, 2014 by Rachel 1 Comment

Who doesn’t love french toast, especially on a crisp fall sunday morning. Ain’t nothing better, especially when you make Caramelized Banana-Cranberry French Toast, now where talkin’. Bananas and cranberries go so well together, perfect for a sweet fall compote. This french toast is super healthy and super clean, nothing artificial, it’s made with the best ingredients possible, including the best sprouted grain bread ever , Silver Hill’s Bakery Bread, you can’t go wrong. After taking one bite of this luscious breakfast, my mouth was in heaven, make this, and yours will be too.

Caramelized Banana-Cranberry Baked French Toast

Banana-Cranberry Compote:

1/2 tbsp coconut oil
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
2 ripe bananas, sliced
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp honey

1. In a small sauce pan, melt coconut oil on medium-low heat

2. Add slice bananas, cinnamon and honey, stir until bananas reach a sauce-like consistency

3. Add in cranberries and stir continuously until the cranberries “pop” and make a sauce.

4. Remove from heat

French Toast:

8 slices of Silver Hill Farms Bread or gluten-free bread
2 eggs (or flax eggs)
1.5 cups of almond milk (or any type of milk)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp coconut oil, melted
Banana-Cranberry Compote (recipe above)
1 ripe banana, thinly sliced

1. Spray a cookie sheet/ jelly roll pan with cooking spray and preheat oven at 350 degrees

2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and coconut oil

3. Dip bread slices into egg mixture and place in a single row on the cookie sheet.

4. Pour remaining egg mixture onto bread slices

5. Spread bread slices evenly with compote

6. Place banana slices on top compote

7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until done

8. Top with maple syrup, whipped cream, or whatever you desire! Enjoy! 🙂

Health Benefits:

Cranberries

Vitamins A & C
good source of the flavonoid quercetin, which can prevent breast and colon cancer
Great source of antioxidants which can fight against disease and cancers
Decreases plaque and bacteria in the mouth

Bananas

Potassium
Vitamin B6
Great for digestion
Low Glycemic carb
Help replenish body and restore energy

Whole Recipe

High in Fiber
Low in sugar
Made with only natural sugars
Full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals
Made with Sprouted Grain Bread which provides more nutrients and health benefits than regular non-sprouted bread
100% clean
Nothing artificial
Vegetarian

Peanut Butter and Banana French Toast Roll-ups

August 15, 2014 by Bethany And Rachel 18 Comments

I love french toast, it may be better than pancakes! I have made so many healthy pancake recipes that I decided it was time to try something different, french toast roll-ups! These babies have been going viral through Pinterest and other social media websites lately, but if course they are not healthy. My mission was to create the same lovely recipe, but clean it up a bit nutrition wise. The cinnamon-sugar is a key part in making this dish, so I added all natural unrefined cane sugar that I got from Karis Naturals! To make it even better, I added peanut butter and banana because who doesn’t love that combination?

Peanut Butter and Banana French Toast Roll-ups

Slices of bread are rolled thin, filled with peanut butter and banana, rolled up and dunk into egg mixture, then coated in a cinnamon sugar mixture. If you like french toast, you love these peanut butter banana french toast roll-ups even more!

Peanut Butter and Banana French Toast Roll-ups

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Makes 10
10 slices ezekiel bread/whole-grain bread
1/4 cup natural peanut butter
1 cup mashed banana about 2 large bananas
2 eggs or 1 egg and 1 egg white, beaten (or 2 flax eggs)
1/4 cup almond milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup coconut sugar

Instructions

Take crusts off of bread and roll each slice with a rolling pin until flat.
Spread peanut butter on each slice then spoon on mashed banana. Roll the slices up and repeat for all.
In a shallow bowl, combine eggs, almond milk, and vanilla. Mix well.
In another bowl, mix the cinnamon and sugar together.
Heat a skillet on medium-low heat with coated with cooking spray.
Dunk rolls in egg mixture, then add to skillet, cooking them until golden them turning over to the other side. Repeat with remaining roll-ups.
Once out of the skillet, immediately roll in cinnamon sugar mixture.
Enjoy!

Health Benefits

Protein
Fiber
Healthy fats
Vitamins
Minerals
All-natural
No preservatives
No processed ingredients
No refined sugar
No artificial ingredients
Gluten-free
Dairy-free
Vegetarian
Vegan
Low-glycemic

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cinnamon

Clean eating Cinnamon- (Coconut) Sugar Mango Jam

Ingredients

Instructions

Peanut Butter and Banana French Toast Roll-ups

Peanut Butter and Banana French Toast Roll-ups

Ingredients

Instructions

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