White Chocolate Pretzel Peanut Butter

February 3, 2011 Arielle

Everything else is going to be just not of an importance to you.

Because the recipe I am about to share...will most likely change your life.

And although I say that often...

aka

I really mean it this time.

So even though I really want to share with you the fact that if life were like the movie Toy Story, then Tickle Me Elmo would probably not be as loyal to Baby Boo as Woody or Buzz Lightyear was to Andy...

(I mean, I'm just WaItIn' for that little laughing fire ball to shout, "ha ha ha...ha ha ha...NOT FUNNY!")

And although it's NOT FUNNY that I drag out probably the greatest thing that you will ever eat in your life...

You should know that at first I wasn't going to share this life changing recipe with you.

For starters, I had just posted a "live a little," recipe, and right after that posted a grass colored smoothie that had carrots in it.

Call me crazy, but I was concerned people were gonna start thinking that all I do is eat chocolate and drink green drinks...

And although that might be right

But then as I watched Baby Boo tickle Elmo to the point of "Shaken Elmo Syndrome," I realized that life is about having fun...

And if I just so happened to post another "live a little" recipe then I knew you would most likely forgive me.

If not?...Then maybe I should introduce you to Baby Boo's friend Elmo.

Tickled Peanut Butter

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups roasted peanuts, unsalted/lightly salted

1/2 cup melted white chocolate

1/2 cup small chopped pretzles

1/4 cup (heaping) finely shredded coconut

1 TB melted coconut oil

*Note*

You cold probably use pre-made store bought peanut butter. Just use the all natural kind that just includes peanut butter. (no additives like sugar and oil.)

Directions:

1. In a food processor, add your peanuts, and blend until creamy. (If using store bought PB, just mix all the ingredients together minus the oil.)

2. Scrape down sides, and add oil. Blend.

3. Scrape down sides again, and add melted chocolate.

4. Remove peanut butter from processor and pour into bowl.

5. Stir in pretzels and coconut.

6. Keep in air tight container.

You WILL thank me for this recipe =]

I figured it was best to chop up some greens to dip into this snack...

I soon realized a spoon just did a much better job.

Here is the PB in a little different lighting:

Yup..still life changing.

Stay tuned for tomorrow.

I am going to try and convince you that I have the most amazing life changing recipe for a Quinoa Burger...

Don't believe me on this one.

Ask Elmo...He's tickled about this one!

Planned Protein Power Cookies

January 21, 2011 Arielle

Today I planned.

I planned on waking up around 730, maybe 8.

We woke up at 530.

I planned on taking Baby Boo for a walk.

Ya...didn't happen.

I planned on drinking a delicious cold busting smoothie after learning the top 3 foods to fighting colds.

And I planned on photographing and drinking that cold buster smoothie while Baby Boo took her morning nap...

But since Baby Boo has protested sleeping the past few days, a photograph and a sip was all I could get...

I think it was good..

But I don't really know because by the time I could drink it...

it was freakin' warm.

I then began to think, maybe I should throw out all my plans of Baby Boo sleeping.

Even though she seems exhausted...

How many airplane rides does MaMa have to do to make this girl tired?!?

I can't blame Baby Boo though. There has been too many sneezes...

She is snot cool with that..

Catch my drift.

I decided that if Baby Boo was snot going to sleep, then she would be my partner in crime in the kitchen.

I planned on making enchilades.

Instead, all I made was a smoothie I didn't get to enjoy.

And all I consumed through out the day was a cookie, crackers and hummus, a granola bar, and a sip of greens.

Now, since I planned on sharing an enchilada recipe...

We all know that didn't happen...

So instead, here is a cookie recipe...

Because It's the one out of 4 things I ate today.

Protein Power Cookie

Although it's called a cookie, it's actually full of healthy fiber and protein. The secret ingredient is quinoa which contains tons of protein and antioxidants.There is no unhealthy fats or ridiculous amounts of sugar. It's a great pre/post-workout snack as well.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup oats

1/2 plain cooked quinoa

2/3 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. cinnamon

dash of nutmeg

1/8 cup finely shredded unsweetened coconut

1/3 cup golden raisins

1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

1 tsp. baking powder

4 TB freshly ground flax seeds

1 TB chia seeds

3 1/2 TB almond/peanut butter

1/4 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 cup agave nectar

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 TB canola oil

*note*

* Can use 5 TB of ground flax seeds if you can't find chia seeds.

* Buy whole flax seeds and blend in processor until fine.

Directions:

1. Combine oats, flour, salt, cinnamon, coconut, raisins, and chocolate chips into a bowl, then sift in baking powder.

2. In a separate bowl combine ground flax, chia seeds, syrup, agave, almond butter, and vanilla. Mix in oil.

3. Combine wet ingredients to dry ingredients, but DO NOT over mix.

4. Use a pan coated with parchment paper, scoop cookies with a ice cream scoop evenly apart and flatten tops with fingers slightly.

5. Bake in a pre heated 350 degree oven for no longer than 11-12 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet for 1 minute, then transfer to cooling rack.

These are amazing. You don't even miss the butter!

Did I just say that?

I planned on sharing these with everyone in the family...

So far, that hasn't happened. It probably won't either.

I'm just being honest.

Now I plan on doing something about these bad boys...

But considering the fact I've been sporting them for the past two days, tells me that it's really not a plan I'm intending on fixing anytime soon.

Chocolate Maple Almond Butter

January 16, 2011 Arielle

Sometimes people think I'm wierd.

Actually it's more than sometimes...

it's like a lot.

It might be that when it comes to picking a restaurant, everyone looks at me because I'M usually the picky one.

And then when we finally agree on a restaurant, I'm giving the waiter a run for his tip because I am practically creating my own item on the menu.

Ya...I'm one of those people.

Although...maybe it isn't those restaurant outings that make me look weird. I mean, there are lots of picky people who like their foods prepared a certain way, right??

But if it isn't about the restaurants, then what is it?

It could be that I buy Organic Vegetables and some Organic Groceries.

Because if I buy Organic...

That means I am a tree hugging organic hippy born again vegan freak right?

(**note**Been called all of the above)

But if the reason that I buy organic vegetables and groceries is because I like my foods made with out chemicals, don't want to eat foods that may be contaminated with e-coli or salmanella, enjoy supporting local farmers, think animals deserve to eat grass, and care about what I put into my body because I believe it's a temple...

Is that so bad?

But if it isn't the restaurants OR the Organic groceries than what could it be?

Well maybe it has something to do with the fact that when I am in the kitchen I am most likely cooking with "abnormal" ingredients.

Things like, "whole grains, almond/soy milk, flax seeds, and vegetables." Then to top it off, I am secretly throwing avocados into pudding, adding beans into mashed potatoes, rarely cooking with butter, licking a tub of hummus, eating tons of goat cheese, and continuing to sneak pieces of chocolate every 5 minutes.

Now, maybe, just maybe...I am starting to understand why people think I am so wierd.

Not just wierd...

A "Tree Huggin' Organic Born Again Vegan Freak" weird...

But I am here to say this...

For a freak...I eat Dang Good Food =]

Chocolate Maple Almond Butter

Ingredients:

2 Cups raw almonds

3 TB 100% pure maple syrup

2 TB 100% pure maple syrup

1 tsp cinnamon

dash of salt

Melted together: 1 TB coconut oil with 1/2 cup dark chocolate

Recipe adaped from: Edible Perspective & Ohsheglows

Directions:

1. Pre-Heat oven to 325

2. Place a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet and pour almonds on top.

3. Coat almonds with 3 TB of maple syrup.

4. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes so they don't burn.

5. Once done, remove from oven and let cool for about 10 minutes. (You can even just eat these as a snack! =])

6. Once they are cooled, place almonds in a food processor.

7. Now this is the part that requires a lil patience =]. Start to blend the nuts together. For a while your just going to get fine crumbs, but keep blending.

8. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to keep it moving smoothly.

9. Pretty soon those crumbs will start to look nice and creamy!

It will go from this,

To this,

10. Once it turns into BuTtA', THEN it is time to add the rest of the ingredients.

2 TB maple syrup, cinnamon, melted chocolate + coconut oil, and a dash of salt.

11. Combine all the ingredients into the food processor until creamy.

12. Place in a sealed container, such as an old peanut butter glass jar.

Use on top of toast, sandwhiches with jelly, on oatmeal, ice cream, on cookies, in baked goods, on top of marshmallows, on your finger...

You get the idea.

I used to be obsessed with peanut butter.

Until now...

I'm ALL about that creamy delciousness!!

(spoonful ONE of THIRTEEN)

Now if you will excuse me...

I'm going to go sit out side hugging a tree while eating a jar of Chocolate Maple Almond Butter.

And if I feel like it, you may hear me sing...

KOOMBYAAA MY LOOORDD...

KOOMBYYYAAAA!

Green Drinks & Nut Butter Coated Fries

January 14, 2011 Arielle

I have been feeling AmAzInG lately.

Ever since Baby Boo was born, I have kind of been a homebody...

She was always too little to take places, and since I was her only source of food, I couldn't really leave her with anyone for too long.

BUT NOW...

She is old enough to go for walks and ENJOY it! She loves to be outside and play. She is easy to take places because I know if she gets hungry I can give her a bottle. (She also isn't eating ever hour.) And she is easy to leave with the hubby if I need to go to the grocery store/gym.

So recently we have taken walks, I have gone to the gym, and we have played for hours. She is happy and so is mamma.

In other Baby Boo news, I have had to do alot of this lately:

This fearless little angle just arches her back and practically falls out of each thing she is placed in. Luckily mamma has reflexes like a cat...Powers which I didn't know I had until I had to use them.

Little dare devil.

Also, to keep up with my New Year's Goals, I have been aiming at training for a half marathon. I have been running and trying to build up my endurance, and have felt awesome! I have a program on my I-Phizzle that helps you train. It teaches you to run a little, then walk a little, and eventually you will be able to run that half marathon. Last night I ran 5 minutes, then walked one minute. Your supposed to repeat that 10 times. Not easy, but I know that I must keep it up if I want to reach my goal =]

Now, I don't know if your like me, but when I work out, I am more likely to make better choices about the food I am eating. I am SuPeR excited to share with you a NEW green drink that I think many of you will like. I'll reassure you again...

You cannot taste the spinach =]

My brother and sister in law always bring by boxes of oranges from the house. I love it because I am obsessed with fresh squeezed OJ.

The only thing I don't know if I like is pulp...

It makes me...uncomfortable =]

That's ok...pulp or no pulp, your still my lover fresh squeezed orange balls of juice.

And as I sqeezed that precious juice into my glass, I couldn't help but think of those ice cream bars I used to have as a kid...So creamy, so orangey...

And then I knew I just had to try and recreate...

In a green drink form...

Creamsicle Green Drink

Ingredients:

1 Cup fresh squeezed OJ

3/4 cup Vanilla almond/soy milk

2 cups fresh spinach

1/2 (heaping)cup frozen peaches

1 medium banana

ice

Directions:

Blend in blender until smooth and creamy.

Oh MY Lanta!

I couldn't believe something SO good, was a benefit to my body.

It definitely reminded me of those yummy ice cream bars.

If you want to turn this into a protein drink I'm assuming you could add vanilla protein powder too!

I think this drink brought me luck today, because as I was stumbling through recipes, I found one that rocked my slippers off (I don't wear socks...I wear Snooki slippers)

Nut Butter Coated Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients:

1 tsp. Almond Butter

1 TB Peanut Butter

1/2 TB. Olive oil

Dash of Salt

1 Medium Sweet Potato (or LG. Parsnip)

Recipe by:Diet, Dessert, & Dogs and Ohsheglows

Directions:

1. Gather your ingredients:

2. Mix Nut butters, oil, and salt into a bowl and set aside.

3. Peel and wash potato or parsnip and slice into fries.

4. Coat with Nut butter mixture.

5. Spread onto baking sheet covered with parchment paper or baking sheet. Bake at 400 for 50 minutes.

I didn't think I was going to be able to wait that long...

But Baby Boo kept me preoccupied by wanting to play my her favorite game...

dress up...

When the fries were done...

I may have wept a little.

They were damn good.

And I may have drizzled a little agave on top...

I don't remember much after that...

Peanut Butter Bars

January 11, 2011 Arielle

My husband goes through phases with food.

He will fall in love with a certain product, and for a couple weeks our house must always be stocked with his flavor of the month.

But a phase means that it doesn't last forever.

Which is pretty frustrating because I will usually run to Costco to stock up on whatever he's obsessing over, and when I come home he will say,

"I don't like those anymore."

Which means I, the lovely wife, am stuck eating 3 boxes of unwanted crap cereal.

Or cheese crackers.

Or a certain type of juice that taste like butt.

That! Is true love =]

Do you want to know what he's crushing over this month?

Fiber One Peanut Butter Bars.

I myself must admit that they are amazingly delicious, and when I was pregnant, I ate a lot of them.

But I wasn't about to run out and stock up our pantry full of fiber, because Hubby will probably be over them in a week, and then I am left eating Fiber bars for every meal...

And we all know that can cause more than one problem.. =]

So I decided to make some of my own, that way I didn't buy 457 of them...and instead end up with 8.

I wasn't really sure what was in Fiber One Bars so I looked up the ingredients to get some what of an idea.

fiberonechewybarsoatspeanutbutter105-1.ashx

(Source: Fiber One website)

To be honest, I know what all of those ingredients are.

Some are real, some are fake, and some are crap.

That's why I was all the more intrigued to make my own version.

For the better of my wallet, my pantry, and my husbands body... =]

And I have to admit...

They were quite delicious!

Peanut Butter Bars

2 Cups oatmeal

2 Cups puffed brown rice cereal(i used honey flavored)

2 TB Chia Seeds or Flax Seeds

1/2 Cup whole wheat pastry flour

1/2 tsp. Baking soda

1 cup Brown Rice Syrup

2 TB peanut Butter

2 TB margarine or butter

1/4 Cup organic sugar

1 tsp. Vanilla

Dash of salt

2 TB mini Chocolate chips

Recipe adapted from: PeasandThankyou

Directions:

1. Combine oats, cereal, seeds, and flour, and soda in bowl.

2. Then add syrup, butter, vanilla, peanut butter, and salt into a saucepan and melt on low heat, mixing constantly.

3. Let the mixture come to a boil as you continue to stir. Let it thicken, and then remove from heat and let cool a little bit.

5. Once it has cooled slightly, add wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir until combined.

6. Then Press into a GREASED 9x9 pan and smash chocolate chips on top.

7. Then bake at 325 for about 15 minutes.

8. Let Cool COMPLETELY before cutting into the bars. I know it's hard =]

These are so chewy and yummy!

Once they were cooled I wrapped them individually so they would stay fresh.

And I also made two matches and wrapped and froze the other half so when hubby is going through one of his "Phases..."

...I'm prepared.

Let's hope Baby Boo doesn't get that trait. She's already drooling over them...

Chocolate Avocado Pudding

January 10, 2011 Arielle

About a year ago, before Baby Boo came into our lives, I used to spend evenings cooking and baking away in the kitchen trying to kill time while my Hubby studied his little heart out for school.

Occasionally I would experiment with different ingredients, and when Hubby got home I would test them out on him. A lot of times he would humor me as I tried to force feed him black bean brownies, but I knew that if he didn't like it, NO body would.

Then one day I stumbled upon a recipe. A recipe like no other. I wasn't to fond of this kind of food, and I didn't really know what to expect, but the ingredients sounded AMAZING. I knew I had to try it. So that day I did just that. I went to the store, got my ingredients, threw it together, tasted it...and fell on the floor.

IT...WAS...INCREDIBLE!

I couldn't believe something could taste so good.

Later that night my Hubby's friends were coming over and I KNEW I just HAD to share it with them. They too were a little skeptical since I had already tried to feed them Vegan Cookies the last time they came over, but I knew that if they just tasted ONE bite...they would be in love.

When they walked into our house I told them I had made something, and I wanted them to tell me what they thought. They looked at me a little frightened and said, "what's in it?"(Oddly I always get that kind of response when I cook something for someone) I told them to just try it, and they so kindly did.

They took one bite...

Then they took another...

Then they looked at me in amazement, and licked their bowls clean.

It was love at first sight.

And to this day, they still talk about it.

So what is this most delicious recipe that I have talked so much of??

Meet Chocolate Pudding

Now I know a lot of you may not like pudding. I would say it isn't the dessert of "choice" for many, but you are going to really have to trust me on this one.

I feel like I am always saying that.

Anyways. The ingredients may shock you, as they did to me. But it makes this dish all the more enticing and amazing.

For starters,

peanut butter. You can NEVER go wrong with peanut butter...

in my eyes at least =]

Now the second ingredient may surprise you,

Avocado??

Shhhh...

Just trust me...

Chocolate Pudding

1/4 cup Peanut Butter

1/3 cup Agave Nectar

1/8 cup Cocoa Powder

1 Medium Avocado

1 Tablespoon coconut oil

1 tsp. Vanilla

Dash of Salt

recipe adapted from Fitnessista

Directions:

Throw all ingredients into food processor or high speed blender. Mix until combined and creamy.

It really is that simple..

Another reason why you should make this..ummm...

Now!

shop this recipe

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Nog Scones

December 21, 2010 Arielle

Let me take a second to complain.

Dear Rain,

You have ruined what was supposed to be an aWeSoMe winter break. I no longer can take Baby Boo for a walk,(which equals no exercise for mamma), driving anywhere is completely unsafe and crazy, (that's also a jab at last minute shoppers), and your constantly going all night keeping me, and MORE importantly, baby boo awake.

I would also like to blame you for the sickness my hubby has which has him in bed sleeping all day, and therefore can't play with Baby Boo and I.

So with that being said,

I hate your stinkin' guts.

Sincerely,

Pissed off.

Moving on...

When mamma is cranky, mamma bakes.

Eggnog Scones

by, Peas&ThankYou (Love Love Love Her!!)

3/4 cup Silk 'Nog 1 tsp. lemon juice 1 cup organic unbleached flour 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour 1/2 cup organic sugar 1 TB baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/4 t. cream of tartar 1/2 tsp. salt 3/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg (or 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg) 1/2 c. vegan margarine (i.e. Earth Balance)

Directions

1. Combine 'Nog and lemon juice and set aside.

2. Combine Dry ingredients (flour, sugar, BP, BS, tartar, salt, and nutmeg)

3. Then add margarine in 1TB. chunks and cut into batter until coarse.

4. Place dough on lightly floured surface and form into found circle about 1 inch thick.

5. Cut into 8 slices.

9. Place scones on cookie sheet and bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for about 20 minutes. (Mine took about 15-17 minutes in a convectional)

10. Once done, remove from baking sheet and let cool, and prepare the drizzle.

Eggnog Drizzle

1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

3 TB Silk 'Nog

1/2 tsp. nutmeg (+ or less depending on preference)

Directions:

Milk all ingredients together and drizzle over scones.

I have never made scones before because I thought they would be hard, but these were SO easy.

I was only going to eat half since I had already had a pound of bark for breakfast, but I devoured the whole thing...

It almost made me forget about how pissed off I was at the stupid rain...until I saw this sunshiney yellow plate.

Yup...Still mad

Pumpkin Rosemary Crackers

November 18, 2010 Arielle

I'm sure this looks very tasty...

Well let me just up the appeal by mentioning it has swiss chard, kale, leavy greens, spinach, grapefruit, apple, agave, and flax seed...

Ya, now your like...YUM!!

OK! I'll cut the crap. But I promise you, it IS amazing. I buy a huge bottle of this

crap

drink at a local farmers market. I like it...I don't care what you think =]

You may be disgusted by my "Green Drink," but guess what caught my eye when I was spending

hundreds

a couple bucks at Target this morning...

Christmas came EARLY this year! I had no idea there was a DARK chocolate flavor!

I wonder what it would taste like mixed with the green drink...??

I kid I kid...

Today was a good day. I was off to a good start, and full of energy. Especially with tons of "Green" in me. I was craving crackers and hummus. A usual for me. I LOOOVEE crackers. It's a delicious carb. Problem is, alot of times, crackers are full of crap that's unecessary, as is most processed food. So, why not make homemade ones!

You should have seen the look on my family's face when I told them...They think I am very very strange.

It is definitely time consuming, but a great challenge and experiment for me.

Pumpkin Rosemary Crackers by:

Oh she glows

Ingredients:

1 Cup Flour

1/2 Cup Whole Wheat Flour

1/2 tsp. Salt

1/2 tsp. Baking Powder

1 TB Brown Sugar

1 TB. Rosemary

1 tsp. Nutmeg

(could add a dash or sage OR Pumpkin Pie spice)

1/4 Cup Flax Seeds

1/4 Cup Ground Flax Seeds

2 TB. Sesame Seeds

3/4 Cup Milk (I used almond...no not chocolate =])

1/4 Cup Olive Oil

3 TB Pumpkin Puree

1/4 tsp Chopped Garlic

Top with:

Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin Butter (3 TB butter melted with 3 TB pumpkin Puree)

Note: For a sweeter version use pumpkin pie spice and add maybe 1 TB. of agave, then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Gather all your dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking powder, spices, sugar, flax seeds, ground flax, and sesame seeds.)

I love rosemary. It goes so well with pumpkin. I would have used sage as well but I didn't have any.

I may have a slight obsession with sesame seeds...

Then add dry ingredients into a bowl and mix until well blended.

Then take a separate bowl and add your liquids. (Milk, oil, pumpkin, garlic, and agave if your using it for sweetness)

Pour onto dry mixture and get prepared to get dirty =]

Get your hands in that bowl and work with dough till well blended then form into ball and place on floured surface. You don't want alot of flour, because then the flour would be too dry, but you want just enough so it isn't sticking to everything.

Then cut into cute little cracker squares. I used square cookie cutters for about 5 of them, and then said, Screw it! Using a pizza cutter is MUCH easier.

Then place on baking sheet with parchment paper or Silpat. (Silpats are AMAZING)

Press pumpkin seeds onto crackers so they stay in. I had a handy roller that worked really well.

Then take your pumpkin butter and brush onto crackers.

Notice the thickness of my crackers. A little too thick. Next time I will roll them out thinner so they are more crackery like...That's a word right? Crackery?

Then sprinkle cinnamon sugar if you desire. I used plain cinnamon, and I couldn't really tell the difference. That's why I would recommend cinnamon sugar.

Then place in the oven for about 20 (+) minutes. I did 25 minutes on a convection oven, and I wish I would have done a little less time. Convection ovens always seem to cook quicker.

As I patiently waited, I played with my angel and sipped away my green goodness.

I really enjoyed the crackers. It was a fun challenge, and something I had never made before. I would definitely like to think of other flavors, but for now I'll stick with the one I got.

Pumpkin Butter

November 2, 2010 Arielle

Have you ever heard of pumpkin butter?

Neither have I...

Well until recently.

Apparently if your a big pumpkin fan, well then you probably will go into a pumpkin coma.

You see, pumpkin butter, or BuTtA', is a creamy blend of seasonal flavors. You spread it on toast, put in on pancakes, add it to your oatmeal, top it onto ice cream,

smear it all over your face...

So you start with very simple ingredients... Easy Easy

(you will notice I used bottled lemon juice...I didn't have any lemons. Don't judge)