Bite Sized Power Bites

Bite Sized Power Bites

Adapted from Smashed Peas and Carrots (blog/recipe)  

Disclaimer: There are other blogs/sites online that have a similar recipe. I was first inspired by my friend who made these bites for her daughter's first birthday. She found the recipe from Smashed Peas and Carrots. 

Allergens: peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds, dairy

Ingredients are free of hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes, and aspartame

Ingredients: 

1 cup oats

½ cup of crunchy peanut butter

1/3 cup of organic agave nectar

½ cup of organic unsweetened coconut flakes

¼ cup of almonds roasted in cinnamon, sugar and water

¼ cup of ground organic graham crackers

¼ cup of ground flaxseed (or flax seed meal)

2 tbl of nutella (optional; replace with mini chocolate chips)

¼ tsp vanilla extract

¼ tsp. cinnamon

I blend all nuts, graham crackers, and flax seeds in my Vitamix first. Then using my Kitchen Aid mixer, I add one ingredient at a time while mixing on low speed. After all ingredients are added and it feels dry, add more agave nectar as needed (you want it slightly moist). Let it set in the fridge for about an hour. Remove. Make balls using your hands or if you have a small ice cream scoop or large melon baller then that will help shape the mixture into balls. (I doubled the recipe and made half into balls and the other half into bars.) Refrigerate up to a week or freeze until ready to use.

You can substitute anything you like in this recipe.

Have fun with it! Buon Appetito!! =)

S'mores

I had a craving for S’mores so I made some for my son and I. I know the traditional ingredients to make one of these yummy treats is laden with ingredients I wish to avoid like high fructose corn syrup (or corn sugar), artificial colors and hydrogenated oils/fats.

While in the Henry’s Farmer’s Market, I picked up some New Morning Honey Grahams (USDA Organic) and a bag of Elyon natural vanilla mini-marshmallows (certified Kosher). I already had some Ghirardelli all natural milk chocolate chips at home. 

We put several chocolate chips on the bottom of one graham cracker and a few marshmallows and placed them in the microwave for about 15-25 seconds just until the marshmallows puffed up a little. We put the other half of the cracker on top, smash it down gently and let it cool for about a half of a minute before we dug in. 

I know this is not the healthiest dish but you can still enjoy the treats from your childhood without sacrificing flavor. Choose products without high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, hydrogenated oils/fats or aspartame. It would be an awesome experience if I could go back in time and read the labels of these same products 20 years ago to see if they included 'shelf extender' ingredients in them. Always read labels - not just package details. 

Let's talk cost for the treat pictured

Cost for graham crackers: $3.99. Marshmallows: $2.99. Chocolate Chips: $1.99. One serving (2 full crackers (total servings in graham crackers box is 13)) costs roughly: 69 cents. We ate half of a serving. Costs even less to satisfy a sweet tooth. Don't let prices on the packages of better foods/ingredients scare you. Shop smarter. Be well!

Ingredients of graham crackers: organic wheat flour, organic graham flour, organic dried cane syrup, organic vegetable oils (safflower or sunflower), organic honey, organic molasses, leavening, sea salt, and cream of tartar [Other than honey graham crackers from Trader Joe's, I have yet to find a non-organic brand of graham crackers that do not include high fructose corn syrup.]

Ingredients of marshmallows: sugar, corn or tapioca syrup, water, kosher fish gelatin, corn or tapioca starch, and natural vanilla flavors

Ingredients of chocolate chips: milk chocolate (sugar, unsweetened chocolate, whole milk powder), cocoa butter, soy lecithin – an emulsifier, vanilla)

Sunday Dessert

I’ve had a taste for chocolate pudding for a minute now but nearly, if not all, pudding packages and pre-made in the cup types have controversial ingredients that I’m not willing to bake from (i.e. high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), hydrogenated oils, and artificial dyes). I know there’s the “in-moderation” factor but that usually comes in the territory of eating at someone else’s house (a restaurant, etc) and not pigging out. Ha!

Before I knew about HFCS, I used to make a dirt cake. Its main ingredients I’m sure you’re familiar are cream cheese, pudding, and of course, Oreos!

I’d like to share a new version of the dirt cake below. It varies a bit from the traditional dirt cake. You’re welcome to substitute or add ingredients to your liking.

Dirt cake, new version:

Crust:

9 Graham Crackers, finely crushed (Trader Joe's brand is a good option)

6 tablespoons of melted butter

1/3 cup of organic cane sugar

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

Mix together. Spread in pan of your choice, bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes.

Filling:

Organic chocolate pudding (Dr. Oetker's brand is a good option) - cooked on the stove top.

Toppings:

16 Newman-O's chocolate sandwich cookies, divided; finely crushed and coarsely chopped (filling removed and not used)

Whipped Cream

Recipe for whipped cream:

1 pint of heavy whipping cream

6 tablespoons of confectioner’s sugar (you can use cane sugar but may have a grainy taste)

2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

While preparing ingredients, put the mixing bowl in the freezer to facilitate the mixing process of the cream.

Mix on medium 1 pint of the whipping cream until peaks form. Do not over mix. Stir in sugar and vanilla. Refrigerate until ready to use.

After Graham Cracker crust cools, spread pudding on top, apply a dusting of finely crushed cookies then spread whipped cream on top. Finally, sprinkle coarsely chopped cookies over cream. Cover with foil and chill 3-4 hours. (Note: You can use serving dishes or whatever fancies you.) 

Buon Appetito!