I like treats just as much as the next guy (or gal). However, the lack of nutrients, inclusion of artificial ingredients, and empty calories in many sweet treats leaves me feeling less than my best. That’s why when I experiment with new recipes they have to meet two very important criteria: 1) they have to satisfy my sweet tooth (obviously!), and 2) they must provide my cells with the nutrients they need to thrive. In other words, I try to attain a high ratio of nutrients per calorie consumed (if you’re interested to know more about this concept read my post called Health = Nutrients/Calories). With that said, today I’m sharing my nutrient dense Caramel Latte Frappé recipe. Side note: I HAD to sample this recipe MULTIPLE times over the past week for quality assurance purposes. Some people say blogging is all fun and games, but I’m here to tell you it’s tough work! 🙂 [Read more…]
Caramel Recipe (Dairy Not Included)
If you haven’t already guessed, I have issues….. One of my (many) issues is an intolerance to dairy products. For years I continued to eat dairy regularly and live with the consequences of my decision, but in 2015 I decided it wasn’t worth the constant belly aches. Rather than give up the foods I loved, I took it as a challenge to find new dishes that I love just as much if not MORE than their dairy alternatives. As an added bonus these new recipes are more nutrient dense than the foods I used to indulge in AND I experience no ill digestive side effects. Whether you also avoid dairy, you are interested in a more nutrient dense version of an old favorite, or you just want to try something new, today I’m sharing my favorite caramel recipe. My family’s favorite way to eat the caramel is as a dip with sliced green apples and bananas. But I’ve also been known to add it to my caramel latte frappé and apple tacos! [Read more…]
The Three Wise Men
If you were to ask me what I did for fun when I was a kid, I would tell you that I enjoyed playing soccer, singing, jumping on my neighbor’s trampoline, chasing boys, and riding my totally cool pom pom handlebar bike (Can you tell I was raised in the 80’s?). In contrast, if you were to ask me what I LEAST enjoyed as a kid, I would have said (without hesitation) READING. Bleck! Seriously, if someone would have approached my eight-year-old self and given me the option to read a book or be thrown in a den of lions, I would have taken my chances with the lions (I mean Daniel survived the lion’s den, so at the very least I knew I had hope. But reading, I felt, was certain death.). [Read more…]
Naughty or Nice (Cream)?
As long as I can remember, I’ve loved the cold creamy texture of ice cream. As a kid, I preferred hand dipped peppermint ice cream. Then as an adult my tastes changed and I found myself gravitating towards butter pecan, java chip, and the decadent appeal of vanilla ice cream with chunks of cherry and chocolate (just thinking about these flavors makes my mouth water). Unfortunately, having struggled to digest dairy products my entire life (I’ll spare you the details), I’ve always regretted the decision to give into my sweet tooth….UNTIL NOW. [Read more…]
Sushi for Heaven’s Saké!
For Valentine’s Day we decided to enjoy a low key evening at home. No commercialized cards or obligatory chocolates. No overpriced flowers or jam-packed restaurants. Just us (and the dog). It was nice, really.
Seeing as how Valentine’s Day is a celebration of relationships, we decided to celebrate a very special relationship in our lives. One that neither of us could live without (literally). A relationship that many people take for granted, or even abuse. This relationship is so important to our well-being that each day it has the ability to build us up and make us stronger or, depending on our life decisions, it can also tear us down and make us weak.
Who doesn’t love a good date?
I’ve been playing around with tropical smoothie recipes for awhile and they always seem to come out bitter. How can that be when each individual ingredient is naturally sweet?!? Truth be told, making smoothie recipes that taste good SOUNDS easy, but getting the perfect blend of sweet and savory has its challenges. After talking it over with a friend, it was suggested that I add a natural sweetener like honey to counter the bitterness. Excited to see if honey was the missing ingredient I hurried home and tried this addition. [Read more…]
Puffed Millet Peanut Butter Balls
Warning: If you’re not already addicted to balls, you will be after trying these bad boys. They are not addictive in a destructive manner like drugs, Pokemon Go, alcohol, or the famous “Song That Never Ends” (yes it goes on and on my friends). Rather, they are addictive in an unsuspecting and pleasant way. We enjoy them so much that we often make a double batch. Lucky for us (and for you), these delicious treats take less than 10 minutes to make, including clean up. [Read more…]
Reefers with the Rents
Last week I could have SWORN that I overheard my mom and dad (the rents) discussing “reefers”. Since it is unlike them to discuss such taboo topics, I disregarded their conversation under the assumption that I must have misheard. Then, later that week I heard them talking about “reefers” a second time. This time I knew my ears didn’t deceive me. As I continued to eaves drop (because how else are you going to listen to someone else’s conversation of which you are not invited to participate?), [Read more…]
sMuQi Recipe
If you know me very well then you know I’m a HUGE fan of smoothies. Not a fair-weather fan like many NFL team so-called “supporters”, but a true die hard fan like my Nana was of the Dallas Cowboys. She rooted for them from the day they were founded in 1960 up until her passing in 2012. I imagine my commitment to smoothies being similar to how ABBA fans (such as my husband) are unwavering even though they are regularly ridiculed by mean-spirited bullies (such as my husband’s wife…whom shall remain nameless). [Read more…]
Cherry Limeade Recipe
There are a lot of things that I don’t miss from my old eating habits (soda, donuts, cappuccino, etc), but I do occasionally miss the refreshing taste of a good cherry limeade. I remember when I was 16 (oh to be sweet 16 again…) I decided to give up soda for lent. I typically drank 1 can of soda a day and thought I would use lent as a motivator to kick that nasty habit. Thinking I was being a good girl by avoiding soda while simultaneously getting some fresh fruits into my diet (cherries and limes), during the six week observance of lent I would go to Sonic daily and buy one of their famous cherry limeades. Did I order a Small? (Ummmmm no…) Perhaps a Medium? [Read more…]