Cocoa-Kissed Chia Energy Bombs

I’m always looking for healthy portable snacks and bite-sized goodies I can take with me when I’m on-the-go. With candy and treats surrounding me ALL DAY at work, it’s nice to bring something sweet to munch on so I don’t give in to all the tempting yet processed stuff staring at me in the face when my afternoon sweet tooth hits

You know, that chocolate monster that just won’t go away unless you feed it a little something? Some people have will power…I just trick my taste buds instead!

These no-bake energy bombs are the perfect homemade snack or treat and can be adapted to your liking! Add your favorite dried fruit, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, nut or seed butter or even mini chocolate chips or unsweetened carob chips for a little more decadence! If chocolate isn’t your thing, you could even omit the cocoa powder for a “blond” version.

Cocoa-Kissed Chia Energy Bombs
Gluten-free, Egg-free, No-Bake, Dairy-Free, Vegan Option, Nut-free Option 

Ingredients

3/4 cup gluten free oats (I used Bob Red Mills) — could even try quinoa flakes for a change!
5 Tbsp ground flaxseed (I grind mine in my Magic Bullet using the “S” blade)*
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (I used finely shredded but regular works too)**
1 Tbsp unsweetened raw cacao or cocoa powder
1 Tbsp black or white chia seeds
rounded 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon (can omit but I love the flavor and health benefits of cinnamon)
4 Tbsp honey, agave or maple syrup (do not use honey if strict vegan)***
1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp creamy or chunky peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter or sunflower seed butter (use sunflower seed butter for nut-free)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Add-ins (Optional)
1/4 cup chocolate chips, raisins, dried cranberries, chopped dried fruit, cacao nibs, chopped nuts/seeds
or even add in your favorite extracts or spices

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, combine all dry ingredients.
2. In a large bowl, combine all wet ingredients. Next, add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until wet combined.
3. Chill for 20-30 minutes in the refrigerator. Use a spoon or your hands and scoop into rounded tablespoons then rolls into balls. Store in a container in the fridge and enjoy!

Makes 14-16 energy bombs (unless you eat the dough like me!)

*If you don’t have flaxseed, you could probably sub the flaxseed meal with a nut meal like almond flour or even a protein powder for added protein (if you try this let me know this works, I like the added fiber and nutty flavor from the flax).

**I’ve made these sans-coconut as well, just increase the oats by a 1/3 cup

***You might be able to use date paste in this recipe but you may need a little more to help hold everything together, or increase the nut butter a bit…depending on the consistency of the date paste and nut butters. I use natural nut and seeds butters (just nuts/seeds and salt) so you may have to add a little more oats or sweetener to help hold the mixture together depending on the ingredients used. If it’s too crumbly, add more sweetener, if the mixture is too runny then add a bit more oats or flax.

Pot Pie Soup (Grain-Free)

Pot pie is one of those comforting meals that I could eat in any form – casseroles, hand-held, soups, mmmm. Fresh vegetables, diced chicken, creamy potatoes and a soothing base combine for a one-dish meal that screams YUM in my book. I lightened up this dish without sacrificing taste and included options for multiple dietary needs  I’ve had my mind set on making a version of chicken pot pie soup for months. After too many chilly winter days, I finally got the time (and energy) to cook this homemade meal that was just as delicious as I’d hoped it would be. I had planned to make some almond flour biscuits alongside the soup, but time got away from me so I opted for crackers instead. Next time I whip up this dish, a batch of biscuits will be on the agenda! 

Pot Pie Soup
Gluten-free, Grain-free, Nut-free, Dairy-Free Option, Vegetarian Option

Ingredients

3 Tbsp arrowroot starch or tapioca starch (can sub your fav gluten free flour & increase to 4-5 Tbsp but wouldn’t be grain-free)
2 Tbsp butter, ghee, Earth Balance or olive oil (use Earth Balance or olive oil for dairy free)*
2-3 cups chicken broth or homemade stock, divided (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option) – depends on how thick you like it
4 cups milk of choice (cows, unsweetened soy, coconut, rice, almond or a combo)
2 celery stalks, small diced
1 medium sweet onion, diced
8 oz sliced mushrooms
2  carrots, peeled and diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper plus more to taste
1/2 tsp sea salt plus more to taste
1 tsp dried thyme
pinch of dried rosemary
1 1/2 tsp dried parsley or 2 Tbsp fresh parsley
4 yukon gold potatoes, diced small
3-4 cups cooked chicken or turkey breast, diced small (for vegetarian could sub 2 cup cooked lentils but may need to adjust seasoning)
1/2 cup frozen peas

Directions

1. Combine 1/2 cup of broth with the arrowroot (or tapioca) in a small bowl and stir until blended. Set aside.
2. In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, heat 1 Tbsp butter/ghee/oil over medium heat. Add celery, onion, mushrooms, carrots and sweat until onions and vegetables are cooked through, about 5-6 minutes.
3. Toss in garlic, salt, pepper and herbs and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
4. Add broth, milk and potatoes and bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce to a simmer and cook until potatoes are tender, about 10-15 minutes depending on the size of your potatoes. Add chicken and cook another 5 minutes.
5. Add the frozen peas and let cook for 1-2 minutes.
6. Whisk the arrowroot-broth mixture again and slowly add to the soup, and cook for 3 minutes until soup is thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve and enjoy!

*I recommend using butter, ghee or Earth Balance to give a richness and buttery flavor to this dish Feel free to use the olive oil if you prefer though!

Quick N Easy Valentine’s Day Caprese Salad

I have a speedy post for you today. Nothing fancy, but I was playing around with Valentine’s Day cookie cutters and I had to share:

How fun is that? I could have taken better photos…but these were with my iPhone using Hipstamatic on the fly and I couldn’t resist

If you are looking for a creative yet EASY Valentine’s dish, this may be something that you could throw together in less than 10 minutes. If your better half likes cheese and tomatoes, this just might be the recipe for you!

All you need are the salad ingredients plus the heart-shaped and/or X’s and O’s mini cookie cutters (I bought for $2 at Hobby Lobby) and you are good to go!

Waaalaaaa, I present you with a Valentine’s Day Caprese Salad!

Valentine’s Day Caprese Salad
Gluten-free, Grain-Free, High-Protein, Quick, Vegetarian, Nut-Free

Ingredients

1 log of presliced fresh mozzarella OR 1 ball of fresh mozzarella, sliced evenly into 1/2 inch slices (you may have leftover cheese depending on how many cutouts you make)
grape or cherry tomatoes (about 1/3 cup per salad)
freshly ground black pepper
pinch of sea salt
Fresh basil leaves, rough chopped (not pictured, I got too excited and snapped the photo before sprinkling!)
A drizzle of balsamic vinegar (I use about 1-2 Tbsp per salad or to taste)
A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil (I use about 2 tsp per salad or to taste)

Directions

1. Cut out shapes carefully with mini cookie cutters (hearts, X’s, O’s, I <3 U’s all etc all work). Cut out as many as you want in your salad…and have fun eating the edges or save them for another use (like melting in another dish).
2. In a small bowl, toss tomatoes with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
3. Place cut-out mozzarella pieces in or on a serving dish or plate. Add tomatoes. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and basil. Enjoy!

5-Minute Cheesecake Mousse

After making my Apple Pie Cheesecake Smoothie as well as my no-bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake, this easy recipe can be whipped up for a quick dessert, breakfast or snack. Plus, the flavor combinations are endless – add your favorite fruits, nuts, spices, citrus, juices, chocolate, coconut etc to make it your own – this stuff is yummy!

If you find yourself dessert-less when your sweet tooth hits and you’re short on time, this cheesecake mousse is a great way to go. It’s creamy and rich-tasting but doesn’t sit heavy in your tummy AND it will keep you full from the high-protein ingredients — bonus!

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Mousse (see variation below)

Use your favorite fruit as the main flavor in this mousse, or combine a few like strawberry-mango for a tropical treat! I even listed a chocolate-peanut butter combo below if you aren’t in a fruity mood

5-Minute Cheesecake Mousse
Gluten-free, Grain-free, High-Protein, Vegetarian, Nut-free, Sugar-free

Basic Ingredients 

3/4 cup cottage cheese
1/4 cup frozen or fresh berries* or fruit of choice  (could try 2 Tbsp all-fruit preserves too but you may want to eliminate the sweetener)
1/4 – 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp honey, coconut nectar or agave OR 1 packet of stevia or to taste (Feel free to adjust sweetness to your liking, will depend on your fruit and ingredients)
optional add-ins: lemon zest, orange zest, lime zest, ground cinnamon, ginger, cocoa/cacao powder

Garnish ideas, optional 
Fresh fruit
Chopped nuts or seeds
Shredded or flaked coconut
Cacao nibs, chocolate shavings or chocolate chips
Citrus zest
Granola or cereal
Chia seeds

Directions 

1. Add all ingredients to the bowl of a small food processor or high-powered blender. Process or blend until smooth, about 60-90 seconds. Garnish (if desired) and serve immediately or pour into a serving dish and chill for 30-60 minutes, then garnish and enjoy!

*To make a chocolate-peanut butter version, substitution 1 Tbsp cocoa or cacao powder and 2 Tbsp peanut flour OR 1 Tbsp peanut butter for the berries/fruit. If you are allergic to peanuts, use almond butter or sunflower seed butter.

Some of my favorite combinations:
1. Chocolate covered strawberry mousse (pictured) – use strawberries as the fruit, garnish with dark chocolate chunks and fresh raspberries or strawberries
2. Tropical Dream – use mango chunks as the fruit, add a drizzle of orange juice when blending (1-2 Tbsp), garnish with shredded coconut and fresh pineapple (or more mango chunks)
3. Blueberry-Lemon Crunch- use blueberries as the fruit, add a bit of fresh lemon zest (1/2 tsp), garnish with almond granola, sliced almonds and fresh blueberries