GIVE. ME. CHOCOLATE.

     A little bit ago I had not one, not two , but THREE people text me within one hour, struggling with temptation and wanted to shove all any any chocolate in their faces! This inspired a search for a healthier treat to feed that inner PMS demon without giving her the power to destroy your self esteem with guilt! TAKE THAT PMS! Bam! Not gonna make me cry, well, yes, you will, but not over dessert!!
     The benefit to following several healthy food blogs is that the answer to your cravings will surely pop up on one of their pages!

Behold these chocolate Beauties

They are chocolate cookies with chocolate chips! Score! The main ingredient is almond butter so you get some protein and healthy fats! I reduced the coconut sugar a little bit. And she is really right about needing runny almond butter! Mine was a little dry at the bottom of the jar so I added an egg white to the recipe which is HERE

 Confession time! My PMS favorite is ice cream! I love halo top ice cream because it's high in protein and fiber and low in calories. It's expensive so it's a rare treat. It went on sale and I got several coupons at checkout. It was bad! Please don't look at my stash in the freezer! I'm thoroughly embarrassed by the number of times I went back to the store to use the coupons! YIKES!! If you want a healthy ice cream treat, but the store is out because I have no self control, here is an idea another homemade blizzard!!

Banana Peanut butter chocolate chip cookie Dough Rough Winter Storm

Start by slicing and freezing some very ripe bananas. Then make some "cookie dough" using this recipe or a healthy recipe of your choice!

1c dates (I soaked them in hot water and then drained it to help my food processor)

3/4c all natural peanut butter

1c oats

1 TBSP chia seeds

1/3c chocolate chips

Chop up the dates in a food processor until it forms a paste. Add in the almond butter and oats. You may need to add more peanut butter, depending on how runny or dry it is. Stir in the chia seeds and chips. Form into little nuggets and set aside until you are ready to make ice cream. This makes quite a bit so you could make some larger ones for an afternoon cookie dough break!

To assemble the ice cream: Puree up the frozen bananas in the food processor with a little bit of almond milk (or milk of your choice) Once it's creamy, fold in the dough nuggets and ENJOY! If you want a harder ice cream, you can throw it back in the freezer for a couple of hours too! 

Every cloud has a Cinnamon lining

Wait, what? Yes! Cinnamon! In the last week of the fitness program I'm doing, they took away my carbs... I cried for a little (lot) and then got creative! I've tried cloud bread in the past to make myself a sandwich without using up all my carb containers, but this time I decided to use them as personal cake layers! I took the original recipe and folded in some cinnamon and vanilla. The possibilities are endless!!

 "Carrot Cake"

 

 I added about a 1/2c of finely shredded carrots(pat dry) to the bread mix before I baked it.

The icing is plain greek yogurt and cinnamon. You could add honey or maple syrup to make it sweeter.

I added pineapple, but you could add walnuts.

 "Fruit Shortcakes"

 For this I used plain greek yogurt again, but I stirred in Almond butter.

You can use whatever nut butter and fruit you like. I'm going for peach/almond next.

" Cannoli Cake"

 This filling is ricotta cheese, a teeny bit of orange zest, cinnamon and pure almond extract.

It you are not on a stricter meal plan, you could add honey and mini dark chocolate chips. 

Raw almonds would also give it a little crunch.

Craving a good old PB and J

Not cake, but I was coveting my kids sandwiches so I took all natural peanut butter and slices of strawberries. Even cut it into triangles like an overgrown kid ;)

Vacation Treat Withdrawal

    What happens in the Outer Banks, stays in the Outer Banks, right? Wait, that's Vegas so I guess that I should come clean. I started out with the best intentions that we would stay strong and eat healthy on vacation, but mommy got a little too relaxed by the beach life! I still made date oatmeal bars, muffins, and banana Popsicles. The road trip snacks were also things like cheese sticks, frozen organic yogurt tubes, and unsweetened applesauce pouches. I gotta admit though, I ended up saying yes to a lot more treats/junk food than I planned. We are having a little trouble adjusting.

Actually Good for you Ice Cream

The number one thing that I give into: Ice Cream! It's my faaaaavooorrritee!!! We had quite a bit of ice cream on vacation. Sure, we burned off all the extra calories digging in the sand and swimming in the pool and it was a special time, but we now need a little not so painful sugar detox. Throwing healthy ice cream into the mix sounded smart, right? I searched the Team Beachbody Blog for recipes and then I got REALLY brave. You see, one avocado managed to make it down to the beach and back without getting ripe enough to eat. It was finally ready and I had nothing to go with it. A recipe with avocado popped up. I decided that if I gave it a super cool, awesome name, they would love it. It worked for the most part. One stinkin bit of spinach made it out without being pureed and it ended up in Syd's bowl, psyching her out! Make sure you blend and then blend some more!!!

Hulk Ice Cream Recipe

Almost as exciting as Duck Donuts

For those of you poor, unfortunate souls who have never had Duck donuts, let me explain. They taste like Heaven with extra toppings! They are made super fresh and come with all sorts of delicious glazes and tasty bits. THEY ARE STILL WARM WHEN WE GET THEM HOME!  It is a family tradition (and the only time that I ever eat donuts anymore!) Breakfast is just not the same after experiencing a Duck Donut! Momma had to get really creative to make a fun Sunday morning breakfast! I found and saved this pancake recipe because it had a sneaky way to add protein. It used cottage cheese, which I always have on hand as a good protein source for myself! I'm pretty sure that the mutant banana faces and peanut butter hair where the real selling points, but both kids thoroughly enjoyed our Silly and Special Sunday Breakfast! (and because you mix it in a blender, it's way faster than waiting in line for a donut!)

cottage cheese banana oatmeal protein pancakes

So about the too sugary granola bars from a couple of blogs ago

I admit it! I let them eat the store bought granola bars at the beach and in the car. They have been bugging me for them and they were conveniently 100% sealed for your sand protection! Now I had to find something new to get them excited again. Oatmeal raisin and chocolate chips were old news! I also knew that I would get bonus points if it looked like cookie dough! I turned to one of the regular blogs I stalk and found these. I did it with dates but they didn't glue everything together as well, so I ended up adding a little maple syrup and more peanut butter! I used freeze dried strawberries because a lot of  the dried fruit I found has added sugar.

no bake pb&j energy bites