healthy dessert

 This month’s challenge from The Recipe Redux (a recipe development community I recently joined) was to think back to when you were a kid and share a recipe you cooked early on or one that you cook now with the kids in your life. This apple crisp recipe checks off both of those boxes! As a kid, I wasn’t much for cooking (read more about that here). In fact, the only type of food I was interested in learning how to make (like many kids) was dessert. One of my favorites to make with my mom was apple crisp. This was for two reasons: 1) it was a beloved dessert and 2) I’ve always found peeling apples to be incredibly satisfying (weird, I know). Over the years, my mom and I have tinkered with the crisp’s topping and this version is truly my favorite because it has a satisfying crunch and lots of flavor, thanks to the use of nuts and nut flour in the place of all-purpose flour. The nuts and nut flour also add protein making this not only a fantastic dessert but...

I gotta be honest, the last two weeks of summer vacation were a bit tough as I tried to balance kids at home with trying to get work done. By the end, I was pretty short-tempered, tired, and ready to send my kids back to school so that I could get back to a more regular schedule. Now that they are back and launched, I am turning my attention to work but also to self-care.Self-Care Through FoodMany of us have tried different forms of self-care, whether it be exercise, meditation, sleep, manicures and pedicures, massages, or time with friends. Whatever speaks to you is a great form of self-care and I fully encourage you to make space for it. But I have been thinking recently about how we rarely talk about food as an instrument of self-care. First, the basics. A well-balanced diet (or even a relatively well-balanced diet) helps us in so many ways—from having enough energy and focus to get our daily tasks done, to helping to ward off illness, to improving sleep, to keeping...

The other day, my son came home from a birthday party and was starving and cranky. I was taken aback because this was a celebration that he had been really looking forward to. When I asked why he hadn’t eaten he said, “I didn’t think you would want me to eat too much junk food.” Given what I do for a living, you might think that this was a moment of pride for me—that he was able to determine which foods were healthy and which weren’t and had avoided the unhealthier options—but, in fact, it made me deeply sad. Sad because instead of just living in the moment and enjoying the celebration with his friends, my son had spent time thinking about which foods I would approve of and had chosen to skip certain snacks and treats because of what he thought I might think.Why I Believe Snacks and Treats are ImportantAs someone who struggled to build a healthy relationship with food for much of my life, my goal has always been to raise kids who have a positive relationship...

I think I might have a problem. I pretty sure that I am addicted to apple picking. Every late Summer I am overjoyed when my farm share enters into apple season. But even with the 6 (!) pounds of apples that I get from the farm share each week, I am still powerfully drawn to apple picking. It feels like a seasonal right of passage. It is a family outing that I refuse to pass up. Why is this a problem, you might ask? Well, because every year I end up with a fridge packed with apples that then I have to use up, right when our schedules are at their busiest. I thought this was a problem that I alone struggled with, but this year when we went picking with friends, I realized that many of us find ourselves overwhelmed by the apple onslaught, so I thought I would share some of my favorite Scramble recipes that will help you to use up some of those apples.4 Recipes to Use Up Apples

Microwaved Baked Apples

ABC (Apple-Bacon-Cheddar) Frittata

Apple & Brie...

Whether it's summertime and you want to fill yourself with something nutritious before putting on your bathing suit and heading out to the pool, or there's a chill in the air and you're trying to fit into those jeans from a few years back, this healthy green smoothie is a perfect option for a quick breakfast, a grab-and-go snack, or even a light meal replacement.  Chock full of fruits, veggies, and herbs (and no added sugar!) you'll feel satisfied and virtuous after drinking this delicious, healthy green smoothie. Watch the video and subscribe to the YouTube channel: Healthy Green Smoothie:  Cucumber Lime Mango Green SmoothiePrep Time: 10 minutes 4 servings 2 cups plain kefir (or use almond or coconut milk) 1 Tbsp. chia seeds 1 banana 1 cucumber, cut in thirds 1 - 2 cup baby greens (kale or spinach work well) 2 cups frozen mango chunks 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks 1/2 lime, juice only, about 2 Tbsp., or use 1/4 lime with skin if your blender is...

This sweet and creamy Chocolate banana “ice cream” is completely satisfying even with no added sugar. Cool and creamy, you won't miss traditional ice cream nor any guilt that goes with it!  Add chocolate, peanut butter or strawberries to create your favorite custom flavors.

Watch the YouTube video:Chocolate Banana “Ice Cream”Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes Total Time: 5 minutes     Makes 4 servings 4 bananas, peeled and frozen 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 cup milk or almond milk (optional) Peanut butter, cocoa nibs, chopped nuts (optional) Blend the frozen bananas and the cocoa powder in a standing blender. Add the milk, if desired, for easier blending. (You can also add a spoon of peanut or other nut butter, maple syrup, and/or a touch of vanilla extract.) Blend until smooth.Nutritional Information Per Serving (% based upon daily values) Calories 129, Total Fat: 1g, 2%; Saturated Fat: 1g, 3%; Cholesterol: 1mg, 0.5%; Sodium: 19mg,...

How to Do a Sugar Cleanse and Healthy Green Smoothie RecipeI'm engaging in a sugar cleanse to hit the reset button on my eating in the new year.  After a delicious but not-so-healthful holiday, it's time for me to get back to eating mindfully.  A year ago, I created a sugar cleanse challenge Surviving a Sugar Detox: Anyone Want to Join Me?  and started a Facebook group to have a month-long sugar cleanse.  It was so popular and successful, that our group continues to support each other.  We have found so many positive benefits, including (but not limited to) weight loss and increased energy.  Please join our Facebook group for this January's sugar cleanse and healthy eating challenge to get your sugar addiction and sugar cravings under control by eliminating added sugar for 7 – 30 days. In the meantime, here are some of my favorite recipes to start your day or power your afternoon or evening with healthy, filling, no sugar added creamy smoothies. Watch the...

Edible Holiday Gift Ideas and More for Food Lovers

When it comes to holiday gift giving, it may not surprise you that I enjoy sharing my favorite foods (or food related gifts) with friends and family. Generally, I think most of us have more than enough possessions filling up our homes, so the idea of giving consumable gifts is very appealing to me.  Giving an edible gift almost guarantees that it won’t sit on a shelf collecting dust.

There are a number of Scramble gems tucked away on the site that would be ideal for whipping up, putting in mason jars or decorative tins and giving as gifts to those you care about.

These are some of my favorite edible holiday gift ideas:

Peanut Butter Bites (Needs refrigeration)Molly’s Chocolate ChewiesQuick Dill Pickles (Needs refrigeration)Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Corn MuffinsFudgy Figgy Balls (Needs refrigeration)Quick and Spicy CashewsChocolate...

How to Use Cacao Nibs

Have you ever wondered how to use cacao nibs and why people might eat them instead of chocolate?

Last year I got involved with an anti-sugar film called Fed Up! and in the process I learned a lot about how we’re eating too much added sugar, which is causing obesity and diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and possibly cancer.

I’ve always had a problem with sugar, especially sugar cravings, and even a mild to sometimes severe sugar addiction.  I didn’t like the cravings and wanted to eat a healthier diet, so I decided to get most of the added sugar out of my diet.  I even created a Facebook group of 1,000+ people who want to reduce or eliminate added sugar in their diet.

But I love chocolate, and I didn’t want to completely lose it from my diet.  Happily, I discovered an ingredient called cacao nibs.

Cacao nibs are made from chocolate or cacao beans and they have no added sugar.  They are very chocolaty, but they are a little bitter if you...

We all know that we should try to limit the amount of sugar we eat each day and research shows that added sugars, even the natural ones like honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, and coconut sugar, can contribute to inflammation, disease, and weight gain. But we still want food to taste good, right? So what do we do? One approach that I like to take is to use the naturally occurring sugars in fruit to sweeten my dishes since they are accompanied by fiber and other nutrients that help to reduce the sugar spikes and slow down the processing so our bodies aren't overwhelmed. These banana oatmeal breakfast bars are a perfect example! They are a big hit with kids and adults and make an awesome high fiber and protein make-ahead breakfast, snack, or healthy dessert.  They’re easy to make, and the batter tastes like a healthier version of chocolate chip cookie dough.

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A note...