Healthy Snack - Raw Carmel Apples

Raw'kin Snack of the Week

Once in a while, you need to indulge. But indulging doesn’t mean you have to reach for the nearest fried or artificially-covered piece of junk food you can find!

We found this recipe for amazing raw, vegan caramel apples – just whizz up a few ingredients in your NutriBullet and you’ve got a gooey caramel topping perfect for a healthy, decadent dessert or snack.

Thanks to Emily from This Rawesome Vegan Life for the recipe!

CRAZY Raw Caramel Apples: makes 2, but you can effortlessly make more

as soon HERE - http://www.thisrawsomeveganlife.com/2012/02/oh-my-raw-caramel-apples-recipe.html#.UtSNCPRDvW-

2 Apples on skewers (try to get organic!)

1/4 cup dates   

2 Tb melted coconut oil

Cinnamon, salt & mesquite if you have it

Water, as needed

1/4 cup finely chopped nuts 

2-3 Tb cacao

2-3 Tb agave/honey/maple syrup 

2-3 Tb nut butter

3 Tb melted coconut oil

Blend dates with coconut oil, cinnamon, salt, mesquite and water to get a smooth, thick consistency. You can add more sweetener if you want. Cover the apples completely with the "caramel" and then dip them in the chopped nuts so they stick. 

Then mix the cacao, sweetener of choice, nut butter and coconut oil until smooth. Drizzle it all over the apples and VOILA! Om nom nom. 

Eat More Fruit

I found this on the Nutribulletblog.com and it says to EAT MORE FRUIT!

Shelf Life of food

I'm reposting this from the NB blog - good to know!

Layered Smoothie for Summer

 This recipe was shown on Bobby Flay's BBQ Addiction on the food network.  I used my Nutribullet of course instead of a blender.  Turned out so yummy!!  :) 


Ingredients
*NOTE:  I did not use the same amounts as he did as all my fruits were frozen.  I used the same ingredients, just not the same amounts.  But it turned out really good.  I'd say for NB, cut this recipe in half?  

Mango-Peach:
2 very ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted and diced
2 very ripe peaches, peeled, pitted and diced
1 cup mango or peach nectar
1 cup 2-percent Greek yogurt
Lime juice
Honey

Strawberry-Banana:
2 pints ripe strawberries, hulled and halved
2  tbsp nectar
2 frozen ripe bananas
1 cup 2-percent Greek yogurt
Lemon juice (I used lime since I had already cut one in half)
Finely diced mango and peach, for garnish
Finely diced strawberries, for garnish

Directions
For the mango-peach smoothie: Add the mangoes, peaches, nectar and yogurt to a blender and blend until smooth. Add lime juice and honey to taste if needed. Pour into a pitcher and refrigerate until very cold.

For the strawberry-banana smoothie: Combine the strawberries, nectar, the frozen banana and yogurt to a blender and blend until smooth. Add lemon/lime juice to taste if needed. Pour into a pitcher and refrigerate until very cold.

Fill each glass half way with the mango-peach and then fill to the top with the strawberry-banana. Mix together the finely diced mango, peach and strawberries in a small bowl and top each glass with some of the fruit for garnish.

Frozen Yumminess! Zipzicles *Ü*

Wow!!  These are delicious, you have to try these!  I ordered some of these zipzicle bags and they are awesome.  

                      

I made 2 kinds of frozen pops!  

The first one is Mango/Pineapple/Banana..

 1/2 frozen banana

1/2 cup frozen mango

1/2 cup frozen pineapple

1/2 cup - 3/4 cup coconut milk

ooooh awesome!  I like how that is a pyramid!!

The second one is just a Strawberry/Banana

1 frozen banana

1 cup strawberries

1/2 cup - 3/4 cup coconut milk

Blend ingredients in small cup, then using a funnel, spoon or baster pour into zipzicle bags and freeze upright!! 

 I might have to order more of these!  Awesome find.  

Breakfast Muffins to Go! (Not a NB recipe)

Breakfast Egg Muffins To Go ... as seen at
 https://www.facebook.com/groups/FitandHealthyFriends/?directed_target_id=0

Eggs are one of the most versatile breakfast foods around, but few of us can spare the time to cook them in the morning. These eggs muffins are designed to be cooked ahead of time, then grabbed on the go. Egg muffins will keep one week in the refrigerator. Microwave 30 seconds to reheat.

Just add a variety of different goodies to your tin. Maybe 6 with bacon, onion & cheese and 6 with spinach, mushrooms and ham. You can't mess this up! In the morning, just grab a couple from your ziploc and nuke them and away you go! No unhealthy trip to Micky D's. ;

Lots of variations Enjoy!


Yield - 12 muffins

1/2 pound ground Italian pork or turkey sausage

4 ounces frozen chopped broccoli florets

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

12 eggs

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

12 parchment paper muffin wrappers or 12 silicone muffin cups

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Heat skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until no longer pink.

In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave frozen broccoli florets until thawed (approximately 4 minutes) and drain.

If using a muffin tin, line tin with parchment paper wrappers. If using silicone muffin cups, place cups on a baking sheet lined with foil (to catch any egg overflow and making clean-up much easier!).

In a large bowl, combine sausage, broccoli and cheese. Spoon mixture into cups, filling them 2/3 of the way, leaving room to add the egg mixture.

In another bowl with a pour spout, beat together 12 eggs. Add salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture into each muffin cup, being careful to leave a little room (1/4 inch or so) at the top.

Bake 25 minutes, or until muffins have risen and are firm.

Variation: Instead of Italian sausage, try diced bacon, Canadian bacon, ham, chorizo or crumbled breakfast sausage. Try other veggies such as diced red pepper, spinach, zucchini, mushrooms, etc. Mix and match at will!

Lunch Smoothie

Howdy!  Here's another smoothie I made for lunch today:)  Sorry I keep forgetting to take pics of the ingredients and the finish product...I will remember to do that next time!

Here's what you'll need...
1 large handful spinach
1 handful kale
1 frozen banana
1/2 - 3/4 cup fresh pineapple with a bit of juice
1/2 cup frozen raspberries
2 dates
coconut milk to max line

Blend in tall cup and mix well!  So yummy and full of nutrients!

Delicious Fruit Smoothie

Hey I'm back with a new smoothie that's so yummy!  It's perfect for a warm sunny day,  here's what you need...

1 1/2 frozen bananas
1/3 cup fresh strawberries
1/3 cup fresh pineapple
1/3 - 1/2 cup coconut milk
half packet sweetener (I used stevia)  honey will also work, 2 tsp.

Place ingredients in small cup and blend well.  It's so good.

Tips and Tricks

Hello again everyone!  I just wanted to post some tricks and tips that I have come across over the past few months.  I was chatting with Kris this morning and we were talking about chia seeds.  One tip that I've learned is if you soak them in water they expand and are easier to blend!

Another awesome tip is that frozen fruit (bananas, pineapple, mango ect) is fantastic in a smoothie so you don't have to use ice and have it watered down.

Almond butter is a great substitute for recipes that use almonds, makes it creamier and delicious :)

I know there are tons of other great tips but that's all I can think of at this moment.  Don't worry, I will post others when I think of them...stay tuned, I'm gonna post a great fruit smoothie Maddy!  You're gonna love it.

Almond Banana Oat Pancakes!

Good morning!  Today I want to share a recipe for the most delicious pancakes ever :)  Here's what you'll need....

1 cup oats (I used old fashioned)                 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup almonds                                           1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. baking powder                                 1 ripe banana
1/2 tsp. baking soda                                      1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg                                                              1/2 cup almond milk

First put dry ingredients in your tall cup of the nutribullet. (oats, almonds, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg).  Use the milling blade and grind until powder form.

In seperate bowl mash the banana, add 1 egg and beat together til combined.  Add the vanilla and almond milk.  Mix dry ingredient into the wet and mix.  Batter will be thick.  Cook on hot griddle or fry pan.

I found this recipe while watching a you tube video from greenlitebites...you can see pics of these pancakes on her blog here.  Enjoy!!

Mango/Raspberry Freeze

Hello all!!  Kathy here with a recipe for those who ♥LOVE♥ sorbet.  I came across this recipe a few months ago and thought I would give it a try...it's delicious!!  I've made this sorbet probably 4 or 5 times already, it's just a great treat on a warm, sunny day!  I've actually made it with frozen cherries and mango and it's super yummy!

Here's what you'll need....

1 cup frozen mangoes
1 cup frozen raspberries (you can substitute frozen cherries also)
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 TBSP.  sweetener

You'll want to mix in the small cup and you might need to stop and shake a few times.  Enjoy!!

Nutri-Pops!

Hey, Hey! Maddy speaking......this little contraption was given to me for my 13th birthday and I'M OBSESSED! I've used it for 5 days and have already made some amazing/delicious recipes. most of the ingredients that I use come from the produce aisle or at Costco. The nutriblasts that i've made were quite filling. since the five days i have snacked smaller and had more energy (as its supposed to do). Just recently I made nutripops. These treats take a while for you to eat them, so, if your kids like to snack a lot....this is a perfect snack.

What You Need:
                                                                    
frozen or fresh fruit                                                                                        
low fat greek yogurt
water

mix in your nutribullet and pour into little Dixie or small cups. freeze for a good hour and peel back the paper cup or pull it off. enjoy!