Happy Healthy Mom: 2016-10-30

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Flourless Brownie Cupcakes with PB Frosting


The key to these brownies is the “flourless” part: Instead of processed white flour which has high glycemic load and can spike your blood sugar, we use chickpeas as a binder. The bonus? Chickpeas are rich in protein, fiber, and iron. So these brownies taste like a decadent treat and they’re packed with nutrition.

Flourless Brownie Cupcakes With Peanut Butter Frosting

Ingredients1 (15-oz.) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained, rinsed
3 large eggs
⅓ cup + ¼ cup pure maple syrup, divided use
⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
3 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
¼ cup all-natural peanut butter
¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
⅔ cup Vanilla Shakeology
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Prepare 12 muffin cups by lining with muffin papers or coating with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
3. Place chickpeas, eggs, ⅓ cup maple syrup, cocoa powder, baking soda, coconut oil, and extract in blender or food processor; cover. Blend until smooth.
4. Divide batter among 12 prepared muffin cups.
5. Top each cupcake with about four chocolate chips; push into batter.
6. Bake for 17 to 20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
7. Cool completely and enjoy!
8. To make frosting while cupcakes are baking, whip peanut butter in a medium bowl; beat on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes, or until creamy.
9. Add almond milk; beat until well blended.
10. Add Shakeology; beat until well blended, scraping bowl occasionally.
11. Slowly add remaining ¼ cup maple syrup while beating on medium speed. (If frosting is too stiff, add 1 to 2 tbsp. additional almond milk.) Set aside.
12. Once cupcakes are cool, evenly spread with frosting.

For my fixers: 1 yellow, 1/2 red, 1 tsp

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Three Cheese Macaroni Casserole

Three Cheese Macaroni Casserole

You could technically make this dish on the stovetop, and serve it right away, but I highly recommend baking it in the oven. The oven helps get the noodles piping hot, and makes the cheese turn golden brown and bubbly. You won’t need to call your family down to the table, because the smell of melted cheese is enough to make anyone’s mouth water!


Total Time: 1 hr. 18 min.
Prep Time: 20 min.
Cooking Time: 58 min.
Yield: 10 servings, about 1½ cups each
Ingredients:
1 lb. dry whole wheat macaroni (or penne pasta)
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1 medium yellow bell pepper, chopped
2 cups chopped broccoli
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2½ cups part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup Parmesan cheese
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
Sea salt (or Himalayan salt) and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)
Nonstick cooking spray
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
2. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
3. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add onion, bell peppers, and broccoli; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 6 minutes, or until onion is translucent.
5. Add garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Set aside.
6. Combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese in a large bowl; mix well.
7. Add macaroni, onion mixture, and basil; mix well.
8. Season with salt and pepper if desired; mix well.
9. Place macaroni mixture in a 13 x 9-inch ceramic (or glass baking dish) that has been coated with spray. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until cheese is bubbling.

For all my fixers:
Containers
½ Green
2 Yellow
1 Blue