Tag: healthy

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Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Peanut Butter Protein Balls

I try to convince my kids to eat somewhat healthy snacks occasionally. However, I have two super picky eaters. I tweaked a recipe for Protein Balls to make it my own in hopes my kids would eat it….and it worked my kids loved it! Let me tell you how to get this amazingly healthyish kid approved Peanut Butter Protein Balls snack!

Chia seeds are a regular in our house but my kids rarely choose to eat them because of the texture. While my husband and I love our Chia Seed Breakfast Bowls, the kids will not touch them. So this recipe is great to get some nutrients into their bodies while they think they are eating dessert.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Rolled Oats
  • 1/2 cup Chocolate Chips (I like dark chocolate but the kids prefer semi sweet…use whatever you have on hand)
  • 1/4 cup Chia Seeds
  • 1/2 cup Peanut Butter (or whatever nut butter you prefer)
  • 2 TBSP of Honey

Directions:

1 cup Rolled Oats
1 cup Rolled Oats

Start by adding your 1 cup of Rolled Oats to a large mixing bowl.

1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips
1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips

Add 1/2 Cup of your Chocolate Chips of choice to the Rolled Oats.1/4 Cup of Chia Seeds

1/4 Cup of Chia Seeds

Next, add 1/4 Cup of Chia Seeds to the mixing bowl.1/2 Cup of Peanut Butter

1/2 Cup of Peanut Butter

Next, add 1/2 Cup of Peanut Butter to your mixing bowl.

2 TBSP Honey
2 TBSP Honey

Add 2 Tablespoons of Honey to the mixing bowl.All of the Ingredients Mixed Together

All of the Ingredients Mixed Together

Finally, mix all of the ingredients together with a spatula until everything is well incorporated.Scoop out Protein Balls onto Parchment

Scoop out Protein Balls onto Parchment

Using a small cookie scoop, scoop the Peanut Butter Protein Balls onto parchment paper. Store in the fridge and enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

If you decide to use a different nut butter such as Almond Butter, Cashew Butter, or All Natural Peanut Butter you may have to add more or less honey depending on the consistency. The honey is the binder in this recipe and helps the balls stay in their natural form.

A variety of healthy options could be added to these balls to make them amazing such as toasted coconut, nuts, or dried fruit!

If you are looking for a healthier alternative to dessert or a mid day pick me up then you definitely have to make these amazing Peanut Butter Protein Balls!

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Chia Seed Breakfast Bowls

I am always looking for something sustainable and healthy to eat for breakfast to get me through the day. My husband came to me and expressed his desire to go back on a lower carb diet. I always make our Easy Sausage, Cheese, and Potato Egg Cups. Although the egg cups are amazing, I needed to incorporate a new breakfast dish into our rotation to keep things fresh. I decide to go with a dish that was vegan and keto friendly, Chia Seed Breakfast Bowls.

Chia seeds are chalk full of nutrients and are great for you! I always have a bag of chia seeds on hand that I buy in bulk at the grocery store. Generally, I use chia seeds when I make Peanut Butter Energy Balls. I decided to branch out and make Chia Seed Breakfast Bowls also known as Chia Seed Pudding. Here is the super simple recipe!

Chia Seed Breakfast Bowl Ingredients
Chia Seed Breakfast Bowl Ingredients

Ingredients:

  • 2 Cups of Coconut Milk (almond, oat, cow milk can be substituted here…use your milk of choice!)
  • 1/2 Cup of Chia Seeds
  • 2 Tsps Vanilla
  • 4 Tbsps Syrup
  • Fruit/Toppings of Choice

Directions:

Combine all of the ingredients into a glass bowl and mix well.

Portion the mix evenly into 4 glass jars with lids.

Chia Seed Bowls Portioned and Ready for the Fridge
Chia Seed Bowls Portioned and Ready for the Fridge

Place in the refrigerator and let it set overnight.

Remove the lid, add your favorite toppings, and enjoy! Personally I enjoy it with strawberries but it would be great with any nut or fruit you have on hand. Make it decadent by adding chocolate!

Chia Seed Bowl with Strawberries and Bananas
Chia Seed Bowl with Strawberries and Bananas

Mix it Up!

The toppings are literally endless for this amazing breakfast item! I generally like to add something naturally sweet, strawberries are my go to. However, I use whatever I have on hand.

The other morning, I took the kids leftover peeled apple slices and transformed them into baked apples. I simply cut the apples into small chunks, added a teaspoon of cinnamon, a teaspoon of coconut sugar, and a 1/2 teaspoon of butter into a microwave safe bowl. Next, I microwaved the apples for 2 minutes, stirred them, then microwaved them for another two minutes. Then, I let the apples cool before adding them to my cold Chia Seed Pudding. This was literally the best combination I have tried yet!

Chia Seed Breakfast Bowl with Baked Apples
Chia Seed Breakfast Bowl with Baked Apples

While these tasty treats are generally enjoyed as a breakfast item for me, they can be easily transformed into a dessert dish! Whatever the day and whatever the craving may be, you have to try this amazing low carb, vegan friendly, keto treat!

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Two Ingredient Greek Yogurt Bagels

I love recipes that are simple and budget friendly! My last recipe was my delicious and easy three ingredient banana bread. This weeks recipe is even better and dare I say easier! Two Ingredient Greek Yogurt Bagels are delicious, simple to make, and are a healthier bagel option than the bagels you will find in stores.

I stumbled upon two ingredient doughs while on Weight Watchers. Even though I am no longer following a strict Weight Watcher routine, this easy dough is used in my house every week because it is just that good!

Ingredients:

  • 1 Cup Self-Rising Flour
  • 1 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
  • Optional Toppings of your choice!

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  • Lay parchment paper onto a baking sheet
  • In a mixing bowl mix 1 Cup of Self Rising Flour with 1 Cup of Plain Greek Yogurt until the mixture becomes a sticky dough
Plain Greek yogurt and self-rising flour combined to form a sticky dough.
  • Split the dough into 4 equal portions
  • Roll each dough piece into a snake shape with your hands and connect the two ends. If needed you can sprinkle some extra self-rising flour onto the dough to help shape it and make it easier to work with
  • Place each formed bagel dough onto the parchment lined baking sheet
Bagel Shaped Dough
Bagel Shaped Dough
  • Optional: This is the point in the process where you will add your toppings if you so choose. My go to topping is Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend. I brush the top of the bagels with egg and sprinkle it with the Everything Bagel Seasoning.
Everything bagel seasoning and egg wash
Everything bagel seasoning and egg wash
  • Place the Two Ingredient Greek Yogurt Bagels into a preheated 375 degree oven and bake for 20-22 minutes. Once the bagels are done cooking, switch the oven to broil and bake for an addition 1-2 minutes. Make sure you keep a close eye on your bagels because you do not want them to burn.
Finished Two Ingredient Greek Yogurt Bagel
Finished Two Ingredient Greek Yogurt Bagel

There you have it, easy and simple Two Ingredient Greek Yogurt Bagels. Eat them warm fresh out of the oven or toast them up and add your favorite spread and enjoy!

Don’t Be Basic:

This bagel is great how it is; however, I love to experiment in the kitchen and try different flavor combinations.

Swap out the Plain Greek Yogurt in this recipe for a Vanilla Greek Yogurt or a Strawberry Greek Yogurt for a sweeter bagel.

Get creative with your toppings! Any bagel you see in a bagel shop can be made with this dough. Jalapeño and cheese, pesto and cheese, Asiago, sesame, and cinnamon sugar are among my favorites.

This dough is very versatile! I regularly use it to make pizza and my kids love it! Simply roll the dough into a pizza shape with a floured rolling pin. Bake the dough for 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Take the dough out of the oven and add your sauce, cheese, and toppings. Return the pizza to the oven and cook for approximately 15-20 more minutes.