Recipe Archives - Page 3 of 16

Easy, Healthy Stovetop Granola

March 23, 2016 by Jenna

Granola. I love it. However, I don’t let myself buy it. I love it too much and when I have it in my cupboard I risk bingeing on it. Not ok. Store bought granola tends to be sold in large quantities with high amounts of sugar and it’s just not what I need.

Luckily, when I have that granola craving, this recipe for easy, healthy stovetop granola comes to the rescue. It’s makes a small batch and is low in sugar, simple to make, healthy, and super delicious.

This is what I need, but is also what I want.

Not only is it healthy and easy to make – it’s ready in under 10 minutes! – but it also is super customizable both in terms of mix-ins and serving suggestions. So many possibilities.

Get the recipe over at Minneapolis Running and start enjoying this easy, healthy stovetop granola immediately!

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Chocolate Cherry Almond Pistachio Date Bars

February 17, 2016 by Jenna

You know when you get hangry and it’s the absolute worst? Yeah, me too.

Let’s prevent future hangry episodes with these chocolate cherry almond pistachio date bars.

They are…

Easy to make – just a few minutes!
Very portable – take them with you anywhere!
Super healthy – full of whole, good-for-you ingredients!
Way delicious – chocolate chips, cherries, almonds, pistachios, dates, what’s not to love?!

So why wouldn’t you make them?!

Get the recipe on Minneapolis Running!

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Cherry Beet Smoothie

February 9, 2016 by Jenna

I’m all about the smoothies right now. Also, I’m all about tart cherries, beets, and pretty red things. It is, after all, almost Valentine’s Day.

Let’s get festive with this cherry beet smoothie!

Smoothies are one of my favorite weekday breakfast items. Not only are they delicious, but they are quick to make, super healthy, and keep me full through the morning. Plus, they never get boring, because you can easily swap the ingredients.

My morning smoothies always contain the following:

Nut milk – usually almond milk, but sometimes cashew milk
Seeds – chia seeds or flax seeds
Greens – usually kale
Protein – usually protein powder, but sometimes nuts or nut butter
A frozen banana – sometimes half of one, sometimes a whole one

Often times that is just what it is, but other times I like to switch it up and experiment with new flavors. Some days I’ll add carrots or spices or both. Some days I’ll sub half of the banana with other frozen fruit, like pineapple or mangos. Some days I will have this apple ginger cucumber green smoothie and some days I’ll have this pineapple ginger turmeric protein smoothie. There are just so many flavor combinations to try!

This cherry beet smoothie was inspired by Valentine’s Day. It’s pretty and I love it. In it are all the things I already listed along with a few others: a beet, frozen tart cherries, and apple cider vinegar.

Beets are packed with nutrients like manganese, vitamin C, betaine, fiber, and potassium and have detoxification and anti-inflammatory benefits. Beets can also help prevent heart disease and boost energy. The only downside is that they are super colorful and can stain your hands red. It’s ok though, the beets are worth it.

Cherries boast many of the same health benefits, but they also help with post-exercise muscle soreness and sleep. I love having frozen cherries in my freezer with a couple of dark chocolate chips when I need to satisfy my after dinner I-need-something-sweet craving.

I also added in some apple cider vinegar (ACV). I love this stuff. It helps support a healthy immune system, promote digestion, and aids with weight loss. The acidity of the ACV pairs well with the earthiness of the beets.

With all that said this an extremely delicious and healthy concoction.

I hope you try this cherry beet smoothie! It’ll make you feel healthy, beautiful, and loved from the inside out.

Cherry Beet Smoothie

Prep time

5 mins

Total time

5 mins

A bright red, beautiful, delicious smoothie full of healthy things like beets, tart cherries, apple cider vinegar, chia seeds, and greens.

Serves: 1

Ingredients

1 cup almond milk (or cow, soy, cashew, etc)
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 medium beet, peeled and cut into large chunks
½ cup frozen tart cherries
½ frozen banana, sliced
1 tablespoon almond butter*
1 handful greens (spinach, kale, beet greens)

Instructions

Add everything into a blender and blend until smooth. Top with extra cherries and chia seeds. Enjoy!

Notes

*The almond butter can be replaced with any nut butter, a ¼ cup of whole nuts, a scoop of protein powder, or ½ cup Greek yogurt.

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Healthy Chocolate Chip Almond Coconut Bars

January 26, 2016 by Jenna

I’m really into these healthy chocolate chip almond coconut bars right now.

They are basically all of my favorite flavors combined into one delicious treat: chocolate, almonds, coconut. Then there’s the fact that these are healthy, so I love them even more. I’ve been eating them morning, noon, and night and I don’t feel bad about it at all.

There is no butter, flour, eggs, oil, or refined sugar in this recipe. They are gluten-free and vegan (if you use vegan chocolate chips). The surprise ingredient is chickpeas. I get that it sounds weird. It’s like that time I told you to put cannellini beans in your blondies. But hey! That worked and so does this.

Trust me.

In these healthy chocolate chip almond coconut bars we have the obvious ingredients: chocolate chips, roasted chopped almonds, and unsweetened coconut flakes. However, those are just the mix-ins. The base of the bars are built with chickpeas, almond butter, almond meal, and coconut sugar with a little vanilla extract, salt, and baking powder. The batter comes together in a food processor within minutes.

It’s ridiculously simple.

This was my first time using coconut sugar. I’ve read about it quite a bit, so when I saw it on sale at the grocery store I decided to finally buy some and try it out. Coconut sugar is basically boiled and dehydrated sap from coconut palm and has a caramel-y flavor like brown sugar. It is similar to granulated sugar, but offers a lower glycemic index, less fructose, more vitamins and minerals, and some prebiotics. I wouldn’t say it’s good for you, but is a worthy refined-sugar replacement, like honey.

With that said, if you don’t feel like splurging (because it is a tad more expensive) on coconut sugar, you can replace it with honey in this recipe.

Don’t worry, these healthy chocolate chip almond coconut bars don’t taste like chickpeas. And if they did, would that be so bad? Chickpeas are delicious! The chickpeas, however, do give these bars an almost butter-y texture. They are soft, not too sweet, and have hints of chocolate, almond, and coconut. I added a sprinkle of sea salt over the top for a nice contrasting flavor.

These are great for those moments you need a sweet treat and don’t want to feel guilty about it. I recommend baking up a batch and storing them in the freezer, so that you are prepared for when your sweet teeth wants control.

Try them out and let me know what you think!

Healthy Chocolate Chip Almond Coconut Bars

Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

25 mins

Total time

30 mins

These healthy chocolate chip almond coconut bars are made with a secret ingredient - chickpeas! They are a delicious, guilt-free treat to help satisfy your sweet tooth.

Serves: 12 bars

Ingredients

15 oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
⅓ cup creamy almond butter
¼ cup almond meal
¼ cup coconut sugar*
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking powder
¼ cup roasted almonds, roughly chopped
½ cup dark chocolate chips (vegan, if needed)
½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8x8 baking pan and line with parchment paper
Add the base ingredients (chickpeas -> baking powder) into the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the chopped almonds, dark chocolate chips, and coconut flakes and pulse a few times until everything is combined.
Spread the mixture into the prepared pan, sprinkle with chocolate chips, coconut flakes, and sea salt, then bake for 25 minutes.
Let cool completely before slicing. These will last a few days in the refrigerator and a few months in the freezer.

Notes

*The coconut sugar can be replaced with brown sugar or honey.

Healthy Chocolate Chip Almond Coconut Bars

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Pineapple Ginger Turmeric Protein Smoothie

January 19, 2016 by Jenna

I’m on a major breakfast smoothie kick right now and am obsessed with drinking this pineapple ginger turmeric protein smoothie for my morning meal.

The great thing about smoothies is that you can load up your blender with so many healthy, delicious things, then in 30 seconds you have a tasty breakfast that keeps you full and energized until lunch.

I love experimenting with different flavor combinations and came across one that I needed to share with you -> pineapple + ginger + turmeric.

It’s kind of amazing.

Not only is this pineapple ginger turmeric protein smoothie extremely delicious, it is also packed with so many health benefits.

Let’s review.

Pineapples are filled with bromelain, which helps with inflammation and digestion, but it is also a strong source of vitamin C to help keep your immune system strong.
Ginger and turmeric are both fantastic anti-inflammatory agents.
Bananas are full of potassium and give the smoothie a creamy texture.
Chia seeds are tiny magical things packed with protein, fiber, omega-3’s, antioxidants, calcium, and manganese.
Protein powder gives us that extra dose of protein to keep you full throughout the morning.
Almond milk is a great dairy alternative that is filled with vitamins and minerals.

I realize that a cold smoothie might not be what you want on a chilly January morning, but pair it with a mug of hot coffee and you’ll be alright. Plus, it’s so healthy and delicious that the extra chills are totally worth it.

If you love smoothies, don’t forget to check out this apple ginger cucumber green smoothie that I posted last year!

Pineapple Ginger Turmeric Protein Smoothie

Prep time

2 mins

Total time

2 mins

This pineapple ginger turmeric protein smoothie is full of vitamins, minerals, anti-inflammatory agents, and delicious ingredients that will keep you full and happy until your next meal.

Serves: 1

Ingredients

1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 tablespoon chia seeds
½ teaspoon fresh grated ginger
½ teaspoon turmeric
1 scoop protein powder*
½ frozen banana
1 cup frozen pineapple chunks

Instructions

Add all the ingredients to a blender, blend until smooth, and enjoy!

Notes

* If you don't have protein powder feel free to replace it with ½ cup Greek yogurt. It will help keep the smoothie thick and filling.

Pineapple Ginger Turmeric Protein Smoothie

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almond tahini protein bites

January 5, 2016 by Jenna

Welcome to 2016. We are all about the healthy food and working out now, right?

I figured.

So let’s hit the gym and have these almond tahini protein bites as a delicious pre- or post-workout snack.

These little balls are made up of almonds, protein powder, dates, and tahini. That’s it.

Let’s review the benefits of each ingredient real quick, because there are a lot of good things to be said.

Almonds. Not only are these nuts are full of vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, and potassium, but they are also a great source of fiber, protein, and healthy fats. Oh, and they are delicious.
Protein Powder. This stuff is– you guessed it – a great source of protein. #surprise
Dates. These little things are rich in fiber, potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants. They also serve as an awesome natural sweetener.
Tahini. This sesame butter is packed with fiber, protein, calcium, and B vitamins and adds such a unique flavor. This stuff isn’t just for hummus!

As you can see these almond tahini protein bites are full of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Plus they are super easy to make, delicious, vegan, gluten free, and paleo (depending on your protein powder and stance on tahini).

These protein bites are great as a running-between-errands-and/or-meetings type snack, but are absolutely perfect as a pre- or post-workout boost – before the workout to supply your body with the energy it needs to perform and after the workout to help repair the muscles you just wore out.

Sooo…uh… why wouldn’t you whip up a batch?

Before you go break out your food processor, I want to give a quick word on protein powders.

If you don’t have/use protein powder, you can totally leave it out of this recipe. However, if you work out and lift weights on a regular basis I would strongly recommend purchasing a one. General guidelines recommend only 10-35% of your daily calories to come from protein, but it is shocking to see how many people simply do not get enough. The amount you need varies person-to-person depending on your age, weight, sex, activity level, and goals, but having a protein powder to supplement your diet is a good idea.

There are a bunch of different types out there – milk, whey, egg, casein, soy, rice, etc. Try out different options to find the one you like best. Lately I’ve been leaning towards the plant-based powders like Vega and Sunwarrior.

I’m not recommending that you down a protein shake morning, noon, and night, but rather to use one as a supplement if you don’t fulfill your protein needs through whole foods. I’m not a registered dietician. That’s just my opinion.

Was that a rant? Idk.

Anwaysssssssss these are good, make them!!

almond tahini protein bites

Prep time

10 mins

Total time

10 mins

These almond tahini protein bites full of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them perfect for a pre- or post-workout snack.

Serves: 8 bites

Ingredients

⅔ cup almonds
½ cup vanilla protein powder
7 dates, soaked in water
¼ cup tahini

Instructions

Process almonds for 3-4 minutes until it looks like a coarse powder. Add in the protein powder and pulse for a few times. Put in a separate bowl.
Add dates and 2 tablespoons water to the processor. Process for a minute, then add the tahini and process for 2 more minutes, stopping to scrap down as needed. It will form a thick paste.
Add back in the almond and protein powder mix, process until well combined.
Form into balls and store in an airtight container in the freezer.

Notes

If you don't use a protein powder you can omit it from the recipe; however, you may want to add honey, maple syrup, or vanilla extract to sweeten them up a bit.

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