Something Tasty {Skinny Pumpkin Pie}

Ahhhh...Pumpkin Pie. A little piece of heaven on earth. If left to my own devices I could scarf down a whole pumpkin pie by myself! INSTEAD of doing that, I try to keep my cravings for the real thing to a minimum by substituting with Pumpkin Spice Yogurt. I only JUST found this in the grocery store a few weeks ago. I know there are TONS of pumpkin spice this and pumpkin spice that out there but I haven't really fell for any of it until now. I love greek yogurt and eat it anyway so I figured why not. It was good on it's own but....

I add just a few little ingredients to it to take it to the next level!

I added a crushed graham cracker, sometimes two, and a dollop of whipped cream. I sprinkled a little bit of pumpkin pie spice or nutmeg on top too. 

This version of Skinny Pumpkin Pie is only 175 calories!

Something Tasty {Two Ingredient Carrot Cake Bites}

I ran across a two ingredient spice cake recipe from Hungry Girl and I loved the idea of making something to satisfy my sweet tooth but making it more of a bite size treat instead of a whole cake. 

I decided to just see how many muffins I could get out of the recipe. Turns out I got 12 muffins and 6 donuts.

I used a carrot cake mix instead of spice cake because spring is the season for carrot cake and I had been seeing it everywhere!

I'm calling them carrot cake bites because there are so many options ways that you could make these. Muffins, donuts, small cake squares, cake pops, whatever!

The ingredients you will need are:

*Carrot Cake Mix (or any boxed cake mix!) 15 oz - 18.25 oz (mine was 20 actually)

*Can of Pumpkin (not pie filling, just pumpkin) 15 oz

The box of cake mix I picked up happened to be around 20 ounces but it still worked fine for this recipe. 

First, just add the pumpkin puree to the cake mix 

Mix well

Be prepared for your batter to look like dog poo. But it tastes great! Never tasted dog poo so I can't say it tastes better but just take my word on it :)

Since I had so much more batter (since I had a bigger box of cake mix) I was able to get 6 donuts piped out. I also didn't fill up the muffin tins as much as I could have. I didn't know if they would rise. They do not rise.

 Now donuts look like little mounds of dog poo FOR SURE! HA! If you will just use a knife to smooth them out, then they will lose that "piped" look. 

EXCUSE my terrible ugly muffin pan!!! It's well loved I guess.

I baked the muffins at 350 for about 25 minutes. I checked the batter with a toothpick and it came out clean at that point. For the donuts, I started out just letting them bake at 350 for 5 minutes, did a toothpick check, and then another 5 minutes. They were done at that point.

The donuts really were the best, in my opinion. I believe next time I will just make several batches of donuts. You can sprinkle powdered sugar on top if you want a little pizzazz!

I used My Fitness Pal to see what the calories were and I came up with 134 calories each. Not bad! 

They are very moist and dense like a pumpkin bread or banana bread is. Very good! We've been having one...or two each night after dinner! I put them all in the freezer and we just take a few out each day to thaw. This has kept me from eating more than I should in one day. 

You can do the same thing with a devils food cake mix. That's next up on my list!

Something Tasty {Cauliflower Rice}

So cauliflower is NOT my favorite veggie. But I can handle it "riced" and not get angry. It's ok mashed but still not my favorite. If I do make mashed cauliflower then I have to stir in just a little bit of real mashed potatoes...just to make it right. I mean if I am being REALLY strict like I was when I was eating Paleo then I would add several steps like squeezing the mashed cali through cheesecloth to get rid of all of the moisture to make it more potato-y like. So laborious!

Now that you can find cauliflower already cut up, making rice with it is just...easy.

Here's how I do it:

I used light butter this go around. Sometimes I use coconut oil. Sometimes I just spray the pan with a little bit of cooking spray. I add a little bit of garlic, salt, pepper and parsley.

Cauliflower Crumbles are AWESOME! I hate chopping cauliflower! It flies everywhere!

I let it get a good sizzle in the pan. After about 5 or 6 minutes I turn off the heat. I like it to still have a little bit of a bite to it. Don't cook it to long or it will be mushy.

That's it! I put it under chicken and gravy for a low carb dinner!

Something Tasty {Paleo Muffins}

As of right now I am still eating a Paleo diet. I have been adding a safe starch maybe once or twice a week to pick up more carbs because I feel so fatigued all the time. So I guess it could be argued that I'm not eating Paleo! Oh well. Until I can get tested for adrenal fatigue or get further testing on hormone imbalances I have decided I might just be the kind of person that needs a little bit more than just 10% (or lower) of carbs a day.

 I found this recipe on Fed & Fit for Paleo Scones. They are made with cashew meal and taste SO much better than an almond meal scone (I think). When I made these scones the first time I loved the texture but I wasn't fond of tasting the coconut oil in the final product. I let them sit in the fridge for a day or so and the flavor mellowed out a bit. The second time I made them I used olive oil instead of coconut oil. Personally, that really made them great right out of the oven. But hey, if you like the taste of cooking with coconut oil then more power to ya! 

So for the THIRD time I made these puppies I thought....why not try mini muffins? YES! This is the final result that is finally...my favorite. 

The changes that I made were I used blackberries and raspberries instead of blueberries and swapped out olive oil for the coconut oil. I did reduce the time in the oven by 5 minutes for the mini muffins. 

These are so delicious. You do not need to grind the cashews yourself if you live near a Trader Joes. They have Cashew Meal in a bag. Easy!

I have used just blueberries before and they have tasted wonderful. I have used frozen and fresh and the only difference that I can find is that the frozen fruit will change the batter color slightly because of the juice. 

Even if you're not on a Paleo diet these little guys are a great way to get your healthy fats in through your cooking oils! 

#LoveYourGuts H2PRObiotics AND Gingerbread Cookie Smoothie Recipe!

I don't know about you, but I have a tendency to pack those fun little holiday finger foods in my mouth like a chipmunk storing food for the winter. It's fun while it's happening, but my gut suffers the next day or so. We won't even mention all of the coughs and sniffles that go around at those parties too. That's why when H2PRO contacted me to ask if I was interested in trying their probiotic + vitamin supplements, I was immediately on board! It's time to get my gut back in order AND fight off all those holiday germs!

Just what are probiotics and why should you care? You should read this!

According to Dr. Baumgarten, family physician and founder of H2PRO Probiotics + Vitamins:

"The good bacteria living in your GI tract support many important body functions including digestion, metabolism, immunity and some functions of your brain. They assist in the breakdown of the food, support the absorption of important nutrients, and can even influence your metabolism, thereby helping you maintain a healthy body weight.

The GI tract is also responsible for up to 80% of your immune function to fight infections.”

H2PRO has released the first of its formulas, which was designed specifically to support immune health. It comes in packets of flavorless probiotic and vitamin powder that can be added to any beverage or food of your choice that's under 102 degrees and an Acai Berry powder that can also be mixed into water or other drinks. H2PRO is a gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, 100% vegan and zero calorie option for making probiotics a no-hassle part of your daily routine.

I eat a majority Paleo diet. I may cheat once a week on a special meal but I'm mostly gluten free, dairy free and legume free. The H2PRO formula fits my requirements perfectly. I was able to sample both the flavorless as well as the Acai Berry, which is lightly sweetened with Stevia. I mixed the Acai Berry with about 12 ounces of water and added some frozen raspberries for a little extra sass. I am not a huge alternative sweetener fan, but this was very refreshing without being too bold. You could mix it with only 8 ounces of water if you wanted a bit more flavor, or go up to 16 ounces for a more watered down taste, which is kind of how I like it.

I can definitely tell that I do get a ever so slight energy boost from the mixes. It's not like a jolt you would get from drinking coffee, but definitely a subtle, healthy way to shake off the afternoon blahs. The good bacteria that has been added to my gut with this supplement does not leave me in the bathroom like yucky food does. 

I love supporting local businesses, and if you're here in Asheville or the surrounding areas and want to give it a try, H2PRO is available bottled and in packet form in nearby stores, yoga centers, pharmacies! Cool, right?

You really need to take time out and #LoveYourGuts, and I’ve created a tasty Gingerbread smoothie recipe to get you started. It is a great way for you to incorporate probiotics into your diet!

I have been craving gingerbread cookies so I thought this would be a great way to tackle that craving! 

Here's what you will need:

1 packet of H2PRO Probiotic+Vitamins flavorless

1 cup almond milk

1 Tbsp almond butter

1 frozen banana

1 Tbsp honey

1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground clove

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp ground ginger

pinch of salt

(you can add more or less spices to suit your taste level)

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Serve in a festive glass and garnish with cinnamon or nutmeg.

Delicious! It was nice and spicy! Just what I was hoping for. Not only was it tasty to drink it was packed with wonderful vitamins and healthy probiotics!

Shop for H2PRO products locally with this store locator or online at their Amazon Store: H2PRO


*As always, all reviews and opinions are my own. Samples c/o H2PRO*

Something Tasty {Paleo Banana Breakfast Cookies}

 I think I have mentioned here and there on facebook or instagram that I am trying to transition to the "Paleo Diet". Some people call it "Primal Diet" or "Caveman Diet". This whole thing got started when my husband was reading about The Whole 30 Challenge and Wheat Belly. Of course Whole30 has been making waves in the nutrition world for quite a while now. I had heard about it and seen it all over the internet but I was never interested. I was like - no way will I ever do the Whole 30 Challenge. It's too restrictive! I can't even have chocolate! WHAT? I'm still not really interested in the challenge. Maybe one day. But it was the Wheat Belly info that really got me thinking. I had been complaining for the last 6 months or so of always feeling so bloated all the time. I could pass for 3 months pregnant at any moment. It was just how I always looked. My belly always looked like I had just finished a big buffet lunch. Even if I had just had something very small.  I read this statement from the author of the book, William Davis:

"Over 200 million Americans consume food products made of wheat every day. As a result, over 100 million experience some form of adverse health effect, ranging from minor rashes to high blood sugar to unattractive stomach bulges preventative cardiologist William Davis calls "wheat bellies." According to Davis, that excess fat has nothing to do with gluttony, sloth, or too much butter: it’s due to the whole grain wraps we eat for lunch."

I do not have any health concerns but I was really intrigued with the idea that my belly was bulging because of what I was eating, not necessarily the amount of calories. I had heard about the Paleo Diet as well and the hubs and I thought it was time to give it a try. He had been doing Atkins for the second time in his life but was not having much success this second go around. I never did Atkins and never will. Yet again, like with the Whole30, it's just too restrictive for me. But I may give Whole30 a try....someday.

ANYHOO that brings me to this recipe! Eating a Paleo diet has been challenging. Why? Because there are no processed foods. I can't grab a bowl of granola for breakfast. I can't eat a cup of yogurt. You have to plan ahead. You have to cook. You have to combine, mix, bake and freeze things for later use. Think of yourself as a Pioneer lady...just without the cow you have to milk, the lard you have to render or the 9 million other things they had to do along with making EVERYTHING from scratch. I try to remind myself that even though I am spending a TON more time in the kitchen I still have lots of luxuries that make things go quicker. Kitchen gadgets are now important to me. My freezer and fridge space is important now. The cabinet that used to hold boxes of crackers, rice cakes and sugary 100 calorie snacks...not so much. 

These breakfast cookies are wonderful. They taste more like a muffin than a cookie. They do not have a cookie crunch or texture. I guess you could call them more of a muffin top. I had some fruit on the side and that really brought out the flavors in the "cookie". The recipe does call for baking soda which is technically not good to go for Paleo. I have some arrowroot powder that is a good substitution for baking powder. The more I transition the better I will be at using those substitutions. I think I will be able to do it next time I make these.

I took the recipe directly from here.  For my mix-in's I used organic shredded coconut. I am NOT a coconut fan really. But I am getting used to it. Plus the organic shredded coconut I get is really finely shredded and  doesn't have that much coconut flavor. I think the coconut I grew up hating was never really truly fresh, raw, coconut. It was the nasty artifical flavored stuff that was way to overpowering and looked like paper shreds. 

Even if you're not doing Paleo, these are healthy, easy to make and easy save in the fridge for fast snacking. I love that there is no added sugar. Just the natural sweetness from the banana.

Something Tasty {Homemade Granola}

Granola. Something that has been around for years but I never made any myself. It's so easy to make and I'm wondering why I never made it until now. I like this better than the store bought kind because it is less sugary and it's not super break-your-teeth crunchy.

I used this recipe and changed just a few things. Not much.

Here is her ingredient list with the changes I made noted on the side. I underlined which one I used when she gave a choice.

2 cups raw, whole rolled oats (aka old fashion oats) 

½ cup raw nuts, chopped (I used sliced almonds)

¼ cup raw seeds (sunflower or pumpkin seeds are great) 

½ cup unsweetened dried fruit, chopped (optional) (I used cranberries and waited until it was out of the oven to mix it in. I've heard the dried fruit gets too hard if you cook it in the oven)

2-3 tablespoons grade-b maple syrup or raw honey (or a combo of both) (I used local Sourwood honey)

2 tbsp virgin coconut oil or other healthy cooking oil

½ tsp vanilla extract or almond extract

1 large pinch fine sea salt

I added a Tbsp of chia seeds

Mix!

I lined a cookie sheet with aluminum foil. I need to get some parchment paper! Spread it all out. She instructs to bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes.

Add fruit after it comes out of the oven

I stored mine in a mason jar in the fridge because it's just too darn cute not to see all the goodness inside. It has endless uses! Eat it by itself, with yogurt, with almond/coconut milk, with berries and bananas, blended in your smoothies, make an apple crumble...feed some to your dog...feed the ducks...ok. not those last too...

Something Tasty {Trader Joe's Brownies}

I am so happy with Trader Joe's Guilt Free Brownie Mix that I had to share how much I loved it! Our little town finally got a Trader Joe's not long ago. I went one day just to poke around but I finally went back to shop because I knew they had a great mission statement. On their website and their wall in the store: 

Trader Joe's private label products promise great quality fare for exceptional, everyday prices. We taste everything before we put our name on it and offer only what we feel is extraordinary. We tried it. We like it. If you don't, bring it back for a refund or exchange — no hassles.

When you see our name on a label, you can be assured that the product contains:

• √ NO artificial flavors or preservatives
• √ NO synthetic colors
• √ NO MSG
• √ NO genetically modified ingredients
• √ NO partially hydrogenated oils (artificial trans-fats)
• √ NO "marketing" costs
• √ YES tasting panel approval
• √ YES quality ingredients
• √ YES great price

YES!!! I love all of that. So much more budget friendly than some of the other health food stores here! I'm not a TJ affialiate or anything - not getting paid for this. I'm just over the moon for their products! Including this one

You just need the mix and nf vanilla yogurt

takes a lot of arm power to mix but don't give up!

you have to spoon the batter in and move it around with the spoon and your fingers to get an even layer

They were delicious!!! Oh my goodness.

So yum.