Healthy Chocolate PB "Ice-cream"

It's Labor Day Weekend, and I just cannot believe how fast the summer has flown by. Seriously, it feels like July 4 was just yesterday! To celebrate the last real weekend of summer, I decided to treat myself to a refreshing bowl of "ice cream." 

I'm sure you've seen recipes before for the 2 ingredient "ice-cream," which is simply a frozen banana and peanut butter. I've made that and it's awesome, however today  I wanted to kick it up a notch.

I added some raw cacao powder to make the "icecream" chocolate-y. I also experimented adding Greek yogurt to give it the tang of froyo and make it a little more creamy and luxurious. The Greek yogurt also adds a healthy dose of protein making this the perfect snack to have post work-out!

Bananas are a superfood because they contain potassium which helps lower blood pressure and regulates sodium in the body. Bananas also contain soluble fiber which can reduce the risk of heart disease. Bananas can also help you feel energized with the healthy levels of carbohydrates and sugars they contain.

Ingredients:

1 frozen banana

1 tbsp. all natural creamy peanut butter

1/8 cup 2% Greek  Yogurt

1 tbsp. raw cacao powder

chocolate chips and peanuts for topping- optional

1) Add first 4 ingredients to food processor

2) Blend until creamy

3) Sprinkle toppings of your choosing and enjoy!

*Makes 1 serving

Mint and Watermelon Feta Salad

My inspiration for this post came from the huge mint plant that my father-in-law gave us a few weeks ago. I've been experimenting with new recipes involving the mint, and have obviously been making a TON of mojitos. ;) Today, I decided I would make a mint and watermelon salad because it sounded so refreshing on this hot and humid day.

Because it's almost halfway through the month of August already (sigh), I have been eating all of the delicious summer fruits like it's my job: strawberries, blueberries, plums, peaches, mango, watermelon...you name it!

I have always loved watermelon since I was a kid. In fact, this delicious fruit reminds me of summer camp when I would have a slice on a hot day and get the sticky pink juice all over my clothes. Yum!

This watermelon salad is extremely delicious and so easy to prepare. It's got a little bit of that salty/sweet thing going on with the sweet watermelon and the salty feta cheese. It's also got a little bit of crunch thanks to the cucumbers and great texture from the tomatoes. All in all, I must say, this is the perfect salad. Whip up a batch to bring to your next barbecue, make a big bowl for lunch this week, or serve it as a side dish to whatever you're cooking for dinner. 

Because watermelon is made up of 92% water, it helps to regulate the digestive system and keeps the body hydrated. Watermelon also contains the amino acid, circulline, which can help you exercise more intensely and prevent sore muscles after a workout. Watermelon is also great for your skin and hair as it provides Vitamin A which helps lock in moisture. 

Ingredients:

1/4 watermelon cubed

1/2 block feta cubed (about 4 oz.)

1/4 cup chopped mint leaves

1/2 English cucumber sliced

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes sliced in half

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 tbsp. balsamic glaze

1/4 tsp. sea salt

Directions:

1) Combine all ingredients  (watermelon through cherry tomatoes) in serving dish

2) Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze

3) Sprinkle top with sea salt

4) Enjoy!

*Makes about 4 servings

Protein Power Balls

I am pretty sure I've consumed my body weight in nut butter this weekend. ;) I made almond butter last week, cashew butter yesterday, and bought natural peanut butter from Whole Foods today. There are so many things you can do with nut butters. Make sandwiches, desserts, mix them into greek yogurt for a healthy breakfast, spread them on a banana or apple, or in this case, make protein power balls! I got the idea to make protein power balls from my Mom's friend, Carol. She brought them to a party we had a couple of weeks ago, and after I tried one, I knew I had to recreate them.

These make the perfect pre or post-workout snack, a yummy dessert for after dinner, or an easy on-the-go breakfast. 

These little babies are chewy and moist, salty and sweet at the same time, and just bursting with delicious flavor. What I love most about these protein power balls is the versatility. You can use any kind of nut butter you have on hand, and roll them in any kind of topping you want. In my recipe, I used the almond butter, cashew butter, and peanut butter I had in my pantry. For toppings I used chia seeds, chopped chocolate chips, and shredded coconut. Some other toppings you could try are dried cranberries, hemp seeds, sesame seeds or flax seeds. Believe me when I tell you, the possibilities are endless!

Oats are the superfood I chose to focus on in this recipe. Oats contain phytochemicals (plant chemicals) which are known to prevent many different cancers. Because oats contain soluble fiber, they can help reduce hypertension, or lower high blood pressure. Oats contain a fiber called beta glucan which is said to lower bad cholesterol and prevent heart attacks. 

Ingredients:

3 cups oats

1.5 cups nut butter

3 tbsp. honey/agave/maple syrup

2 tbsp. raw cacao powder (optional)

1/2 tsp. cinnamon (optional)

Toppings: I used 1/4 cup shredded coconut, 1/4 cup chopped chocolate chips, and 1/4 cup chia seeds

Directions:

1) Combine oats, nut butter, honey, cacao powder, and cinnamon (if using) in a mixing bowl

2) Wet hands with water and take tbsp of mixture and form into ball

3) Roll the ball in topping of choosing

4) Place protein power balls on a baking sheet sprayed with non-stick cooking spray

5) Refridgerate at least an hour before serving

*Recipe makes 24 protein power balls. 

*Keep refrigerated up to 3 weeks