Easy, Nourishing & Delish Recipes

healthy, easy, simple and tasty recipes for busy people

healthy eating

WIAW: Why I eat healthy

by 8 Comments

So this WIAW post is a tad different then the norm.  Why you ask?  Because I feel the need to explain to people why I eat the way I do.

So Why Do You Eat Healthy??

1. Well, it’s sorta simple, because eat healthy makes me feel good.  Sure I can have a bowl of ice cream now and then, but after eating it I feel disgusting.  I would much rather eat a giant bowl of plain greek yogurt with a spoonful of pumpkin, cottage cheese and natural PB and in my opinion it tastes much better!

photo-24

2.Because I eat so healthy, I have so much more energy than I did before.  It’s crazy how much different I feel, from always being tired from processed foods, to have tons of energy with whole unprocessed foods!  I feel so much stronger than ever before!

10635960_10204318444943133_6677585792590677532_n

3. This may seem weird but I don’t crave unhealthy foods!  Seeing a commercial for McDonalds makes me want to through up!  I actually crave healthy unprocessed foods like broiled salmon or roasted butternut squash!  And believe it or not, there are times that I crave vegetables (yes you read that right) like roasted brussel sprouts and steamed broccoli.

photo-22

4.  I love how I eat and I don’t care what people think!  You can judge me all you want!

photo 2

Thanks to Jenn for hosting!

Why do you eat healthy?

Sticky Salted Caramel Oatmeal

by 13 Comments

This Sticky Salted Caramel Oatmeal is an amazing breakfast! You would never guess that it’s healthy!

All I can say is WOW! This oatmeal is unlike any I have ever tasted before! So yummy and rich, this may be your new favorite breakfast! Not to mention all natural and fueling goodness! You won’t believe that it is made with prunes! This oatmeal is so comforting and is a hearty way to start your day!

This Sticky Salted Caramel Oatmeal is an amazing breakfast! You would never guess that it's healthy!

Sticky Salted Caramel Oatmeal

Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 2 prunes
  • 8 cashews
  • 1 tsp. coconut oil melted
  • 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup oatmeal
  • 1/8 tsp. flaked salt

Instructions
 

  • In a food processor, add all ingredients except oats, and pulverize until it forms a smooth mixture
  • Cook oats in microwave with 3/4 cup of water for about 2 minutes.
  • Add caramel mixture to oats.
  • Enjoy! Top with pecans and a prune heart if desired!

[Tweet “#healthy Sticky Salted Caramel Oatmeal?? Say what!?”]

This Sticky Salted Caramel Oatmeal is an amazing breakfast! You would never guess that it's healthy!

Health Benefits

  • Healthy fats 
  • Protein
  • Natural sweetness
  • Antioxidants, vitamins and minerals
  • Fiber
  • No preservatives

 

WIAW: Brinner

by 2 Comments

Happy Wednesday! Welcome to my wonderful day of eats! Hope you enjoy! Thanks To Jen for hosting! 🙂

IMG_3130

Breakfast today was some plain greek yogurt mixed with pumpkin, apple sauce, agave, cinnamon and granola, perfect for fall.

photo 1

Lunch was a good ole’ taco salad, my favorite thing to get from the Hub. Shredded lettuce, tomatoes, onions, olives, roasted veggies, salsa, grilled chicken and of course, guacamole. This is the best!

photo 2

Made a new recipe  for dinner. Well, brinner. Pumpkin Apple Pie Stuffed French Toast, nuff said.

IMG_3177

Night Snack was Vanilla-Maple Arctic Zero (literally the best stuff ever!) topped with some chopped nuts, chocolate chips and Earth Balance Crunchy Coconut Peanut Butter, This was the most amazing combo ever! 

Have a great day!

Cinnamon-Pecan Pumpkin Granola Bars

by 7 Comments

 

It’s officially the pumpkin season and you all know what that means, pumpkin-flavored everything! Woo-hoo! I just love pumpkin, I just don’t actually eat it in fall though, I literally have it all year round! What’s not to love about this versatile and delicious squash!? It can be added to virtually almost every type of dish: oatmeal, pancakes, yogurt, chili, pie, wraps,lasagna, you name it, and there is a pumpkin version. Packaged granola bars seem really easy and convenient, but most of the time you are actually doing yourself, and your body a disservice when buying them! First of all they can be uber expensive, loaded with sugar and preservatives, and can be heavily processed. On average, a granola bar typically can cost 75 cents or more per bar, doesn’t sound like much, but when you are buying 12, it really adds up. The good news is that you can make your own for dirt cheap! Plus these ones are pumpkin filled!!! These granola bars taste like fall, cinnamon, crunchy pecans and pumpkin, and such a quick and easy grab-and-go snack or quick breakfast!

photo 1

Cinnamon-Pecan Pumpkin Granola Bars

  • 2 cups dry oats
  • 2 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 3 tbsp sliced almonds
  • 2 tbsp sunflower seeds
  • 2 tbsp pumpkin puree
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 10 whole pecans

1. In a large bowl, mix everything together except pecans, mix until thoroughly combined

2. Spray some cooking spray in a jelly roll pan and place oven at 350 degrees

3. Spread mixture evenly in the pan and press one pecan where each granola bar will be cut after baked

4. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until golden

5. Let cool and cut into 10 even bars

6. Enjoy!

photo 4

Health Benefits

  • Vegan
  • Gluten-free
  • Dairy-free
  • Protein from nuts
  • Healthy fats from nuts
  • Fiber from oats and pumpkin
  • All natural sweetness
  • No preservatives
  • Non-GMO
  • Vitamins, Antioxidants, minerals
  • No-sugar-added

 

photo 3

 

photo 1 photo 2

Yammy Breakfast: Sweet Potato Cinnamon Oat Pancakes

by 7 Comments

Pancakes are popping up everywhere, protein pancakes, banana-egg pancakes, chocolate chip pancakes………the list goes on forever. I decided to join the madness and create my very own healthy, clean, and most importantly delicious version of my favorite breakfast! There is absolutely no added sugar, the yam/sweet potatoes does the job! you can feel good about eating these as they satisfy your nutritional needs, as well as your cravings! Oh and if you are still not convinced, they are only 227 calories per serving! I think I won you over now!

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 presetSweet Potato Cinnamon Oat Pancakes

  • 1/2 of a large sweet potato/yam or 1 small
  • 1 cup oat flour (pulverize 1 cup of oats)
  • 1/3 cup almond milk
  • 1/4 cup of water
  • 1/8 tsp baking powder
  • 2 egg whites( use 2 tbsp apple sauce or mashed banana for vegan option)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp peanut flour or peanut butter

1. In a food processor, puree sweet potato/yam until smooth. then add the rest of ingredients and blend until mixed throughly

2. Heat a griddle/pan on medium heat and cook pancakes until browned on each side

3. Top with Healthy chocolate sauce, chocolate chips, nuts, yogurt, etc

Makes 2 servings

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

Healthy Chocolate Sauce

  • 1/2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
  • 1 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tbsp honey or agave

1. Mix all ingredients together and drizzle sauce on pancakes!

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

Health Benefits

  • Fiber
  • Low Glycemic Carbs
  • Protein
  • Healthy fats
  • Vitamins and minerals
  • Antioxidants
  • All-natural
  • No added sugar
  • Vegan
  • 100% clean
  • Low Calorie (227 calories per serving not including sauce)

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

Fast Fix: Low Calorie Microwaved Zucchini Bread

by 1 Comment

Who doesn’t love zucchini bread?  Its so moist and delicious and an easy way to sneak in an extra serving of veggies.  But what most people do not know is that it is laden with extra fat  and sugar from 1 cup oil and 2 cups of sugar for one loaf!  Thankfully, this recipe is just as delicious, but only sweetened with a little bit of honey and a dash of cinnamon.  You won’t find any added fat in this recipe either , because it has barely any.  Not to mention this recipe is only about 173 CALORIES (meaning you save about 150 for a regular slice).  Plus its made in a mere 5 MINUTES!  Whats not to love about this?

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

Fast Fix: Microwaved Zucchini Bread

  • 1/4 small zucchini, chopped
  • 1 egg white (can substitute 2 tbsp applesauce or mashed banana for vegan option)
  • 1/3 cup oats
  • 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp. honey
  • 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp. baking powder
  • 3 walnuts
  1. Place all ingredients in a food processor.  Blend for about 30 seconds, or until mixture is smooth.
  2. Spray cooking spray in a small mug or ramekin.  Add mixture and microwave for about 4 minutes (or until fully cooked).
  3. Top with chocolate-hazelnut cream,  if desired.
  4. Enjoy!

Recipe for Hazelnut cream is on the link below!

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

 Health Benefits

  • Protein
  • Fiber
  • Vitamins
  • Minerals
  • Gluten-free
  • Can be vegan if applesauce is subbed for egg white
  • Vegetarian-friendly
  • no added sugar
  • no preservatives
  • all-natural

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

What’s your favorite healthy quick bread???

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

Cinnamon Peach Pie Layered Yogurt Parfait

by 4 Comments

I went to the farmer’s market today to grab some fresh summer produce.  To my surprise, the peaches were on sale and just beautiful looking!  I had to get them, and quickly came up with this awesome and easy recipe!  This is so EASY and taste exactly like a peach pie or peach crumble (the healthified version of course)!  It takes a whopping 2 1/2 minutes to make and so filling it will keep you full for a while.  Not to mention, ITS DELISH!!

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset

Cinnamon Peach Pie Layered Yogurt Parfait

  • 1 small peach, chopped
  • 1 tsp. honey
  • 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 Tbsp. oats
  • 1 Tbsp. chopped pecans
  • 1 cup plain greek yogurt (low fat or fat free)
  1. Combine peach, honey, oats, pecans and cinnamon in a bowl.  Mix well and microwave for 2 minutes.
  2. Layer peach mixture with greek yogurt in a wine glass.
  3. Enjoy!

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset

Health Benefits

  • Protein and calcium from the greek yogurt
  • Fiber, antioxidants and vitamin C from peaches
  • Natural sugar from honey
  • Healthy fats from pecans
  • Stabilizing blood sugar and lowering cholesterol with cinnamon

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset

Microwave Salted Caramel and Banana English Muffin

by 9 Comments

So it happened again, I got a little too carried away made another english muffin.  They are just so easy quick and delicious that I could not help myself!  But this time I made a more unique flavor. Bananas + Salted Caramel = HEAVEN!  Add some natural peanut butter and the rest of the banana, and you got yourself a beautiful, fiber-filling, tasty breakfast in a mere 4 minutes!

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset

 

  • 1/3 cup oat flour (1/3 cup pulverized oats)
  • 1/2 small banana
  • 1 egg white (2 Tbsp. applesauce for a vegan option)
  • 1 prune
  • 4 whole unsalted cashews
  • 1/8 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/8 tsp. flaked salt
  • 1/8 tsp. vanilla extract
  1. Add all ingredients into a food processor and pulverize for about 30 seconds (or until ingredients are fully mixed.
  2. Spray cooking spray in a mug and add mixture.
  3. microwave for about 2 1/2 – 3 minutes (or until fully cooked).
  4. Top with natural peanut butter and the other half of banana, if desired.
  5. Enjoy!

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset

 

 

Health Benefits

  • Fiber from the oats and prune
  • Vitamins B, E, and K  from oats
  • Protein from egg white
  • Potassium and natural sugars from banana
  • antioxidants
  • all-natural
  • no sugar added
  • 100% clean
  • no preservatives

Processed with VSCOcam with c1 preset

 

 

 

Easy Low Calorie Coconut Flour Donuts

by 6 Comments

 

Who doesn’t love donuts, there are so many different flavors to choose from, you can’t get bored. Too bad donuts these day are so processed and contain too much sugar. I rose to the challenge to create a 100% clean, sugar and preservative-free donut. I think this challenge was successfully complete once I bit into one of these coconutty and sweet treats, they are so delectable. Perfect for a grab-n-go breakfast, not to mention quick and easy to make, and really low calorie especially compared to other donuts. Krispy-Kreme donuts are gonna be jealous of these little guys, peace-out chemically processed donuts, hello all-natural, clean and even more delicious bundles of joy! 🙂

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

Easy Low Calorie Coconut Flour Donuts (recipe adapted from thecoconutdiaries)

  • 1/3 cup dry oats
  • 3 Tbsp coconut flour
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 tbsp almond milk
  • 1 egg white (for a vegan option, just add 2 tbsp more apple sauce or mashed banana)
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp honey

1. In a food processor, pulverize oats until they are similar to a flour

2. keep oat flour in food processor and add the rest of the ingredients and pulverize until mixed throughly

3. Spray a donut pan with cooking spray and place batter in the pan, bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until golden

4. Let cool for about 10 minutes and add toppings of you choice (melted peanut butter, cocoa nibs, coconut flakes, nuts, fruit, etc)

Makes about 4 donuts

  • 84 calories per donut (not including topping, but at 84 calories, top away ) 🙂

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

Health Benefits

  • No added Sugar
  • Healthy Fats
  • No preservatives
  • Protein
  • 100% clean
  • Vegan (if not using egg white)
  • Low Calorie

What’s your favorite donut flavor???

Vegan Chocolate-Strawberry and Hazelnut Tarts with Cocon ut Crust

by 1 Comment

So today my goal was to make coconut tortillas, but that FAILED.  It was my first time working with coconut flour so I didn’t really know how the texture was.  It is super-fine, so the tortilla dough was all crumbly.  That was clearly not going to work so I put my thinking cap on and came up with these babies.  They say when one door closes another door opens!  And I think this is even better than what I originally wanted to make!

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

Vegan Chocolate-Strawberry and Hazelnut Tarts with Coconut Crust

  • 1/3 cup hazelnuts (without skin)
  • 1/4 cup sliced strawberries
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp.  coconut oil
  • 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp. maple syrup

Crust

  • 1/2 coconut flour
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted
  • 1/4 cup warm water
  • 3 Tbsp. egg whites, beaten
  • 2 Tbsp. shredded unsweetened coconut
  • 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 Tbsp.  honey
  1. To make the crust, place all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and mix until it resembles a dough (will be crumbly).
  2. Spray five ramekins with cooking spray and press dough to bottom.
  3. Bake the crusts at 350 °F for about 25 minutes, or until slightly brown.
  4. While crusts are baking, add remaining ingredients to a food processor and mix until mixture is a smooth puree.
  5. Let the crusts cool for about 15 minutes before topping them with chocolate-strawberry and hazelnut puree.
  6. Add sliced strawberries, shredded coconut, cocoa nibs for toppings, if desired.
  7. Enjoy!

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

Health Benefits:

  • Vegan
  • Gluten-free
  • Paleo
  • no-added sugar
  •  dairy free
  • Fiber
  • Protein
  • Healthy fats
  • Antioxidants, vitamins and minerals!

Processed with VSCOcam with g3 preset

Have YOU ever had a failing recipe that lead to a success??

Show Buttons
Hide Buttons