Superfood Chocolate Elixir

You know when midday hits and caffeine and/or a snack is calling your name? Well, for me, this delicious concoction satisfies both.

It’s warm, indulgent, filling, and gives an all natural boost. And it doesn’t come from a packet that you shake into a mug. This is the real deal. The secret to it’s benefits lies in the ingredients: the superfoods. Cacao and maca.

Cacao is one of the most powerful antioxidants on the planet. The list of wonderful things it can do for your health goes on and on, but here are just some of the reasons to add it to your regular diet:

  • Increases mood
  • Reduces hunger
  • Creates energy
  • Prevents heart disease

I don’t need reasons to eat chocolate, but this information definitely encourages me even more.

Keep in mind, to get these benefits it must be in its raw, naturally fermented state, not chocolate with sugar, milk, and other ingredients added. When milk is added, the dairy actually blocks the absorption of the antioxidants.

Maca powder is an ingredient that I love to add to my smoothies and baked goods, especially ones containing chocolate because I love the combination.

Like cacao, the benefits for consuming maca is extensive, but here is the short list:

  • Increases libido
  • Improves mental and physical energy
  • Helps skin health
  • Balances mood and hormones

This food is highly nutritious, but consume it in small amounts. Starting at just 1/2 teaspoon and working your way up to about a tablespoon per day is recommended.

Now for the recipe!

Serves 2.

In a small pot:

  • 2 cups almond milk
  • 2 tbsp cacao powder
  • About 1 tbsp cacao butter
  • 1 tsp maca powder
  • Sweetener of your choice (I used stevia, but honey would also be a great natural option.)

Continue to stir over medium heat with a whisk until all ingredients are incorporated together. Pour into mugs and enjoy!

Xo. Brittany

Double Chocolate Nutter Butter Muffins

I love chocolate. Especially dark chocolate. It’s the one treat that I crave practically everyday. And with so many health benefits, I am happy to give my body what it wants.

These muffins are filled with nutritious ingredients that’ll leave your belly full and your face smiling. Chocolate, peanut butter, bananas…I’m already drooling.

 

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Ingredients you’ll need:

2 ripe bananas

1 cup old fashioned oats

3/4 cup almond flour

1/4 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar .

1/2 cup cacao

2 flax eggs (2 tbsp flax, 5 tbsp water, let sit for 5 min)

3/4 cup almond yogurt (I used @kitehillfoods plain)

1/4 cup avocado oil

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

2 tbsp maca powder

1/2 cup cacao chips

Method:

Preheat oven to 375°.

Blend all ingredients in high-speed blender, except for chocolate chips.

Add chips to blender and stir with a spoon.

Spoon batter into a 12 cup muffin tin (lined or greased).

Bake for 20 minutes.

Eat, enjoy, repeat 🙂

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*I crumbled mine on some banana ice cream for an extra special snack. (ripe bananas in an ice cream/sorbet maker for 20 minutes)

Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

My kids love sweets – especially anything with chocolate – so I am constantly trying to make recipes that get them excited to eat, while not sabotaging their health. By taking a plant based approach to baking, swapping conventional flours for more easily digestible whole grains, and adding in power packed superfoods, commonly unhealthy options can transform in to nutrient rich meals!

As a mom, I also have limited time and energy. I want quick and simple recipes that do not require a ton of clean up. This recipe requires one appliance – a high powered blender. Once you’re done, simply add a little soap and water and blend your blender clean. It’s that easy!

These muffins are a crowd pleaser at my house – we eat them for breakfast and also enjoy them as snacks. Batches are gone within a few days, so I find myself making them over and over again! They are also great for play dates 🙂

Here’s what you need:

  • A blender
  • 2 bananas
  • 1/2 cup coconut yogurt (dairy yogurt could also be substituted)
  • 2 cups old fashioned oatmeal, or steel cut oats for heartier muffins (gluten free if necessary)
  • 2 vegan “eggs” (I currently use Namaste foods egg replacer, but you could also use flax eggs – 1 tbsp flax to 2.5 tbsp water per egg – let sit 5 mins)
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 4 tsp Maca Powder (the secret superfood ingredient – optional, but gives a unique nutty flavor, while also packing a nutritious punch)
  • 1/4 cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
  • 6-8 medjool dates
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (for highest nutritional benefit be sure chocolate doesnot contain milk, as milk interferes with the absorption of the great antioxidants found in cocoa)

Place all ingredients in blender, exceptthechocolate chips. Add those last and incorporate into batter with spoon.

Fill a 12 cup muffin tin and bake at 375° for 18 minutes.

These are so delicious as is, but sometimes I like to mix it up.

Some things I’ve tried:

  • top them with a nut butter you love
  • break them apart and throw in a smoothie or yogurt bowl
  • Cut in 1/2 and top with bananas or another favorite fruit

I hope that you enjoy!!

xo Brittany

Avocado + Herb Toasts

There is something so comforting about toast. And it is so versatile – it can be topped with literally anything to suit your cravings and needs, while also being perfectly suitable for any time of day!

Lately, I’m all about herbs. Herbs have so many health benefits, and there are many ways we can incorporate herbs into our daily lives. And it is highly encouraged since herbs are, in fact, small doses of medicine! They have disease preventing and health promoting properties, and can help with a variety of ailments and issues from fighting germs to relieving symptoms of inflammation. Mother nature is pretty flipping amazing!

Today I made two kinds of avocado + herb toasts because my body wants what is wants and I listen. These toasts are colorful, flavorful, loaded with vitamins, nutrients, antioxidants, and healthy fats, and combine many textures to completely satisfy those taste buds.

Here’s a list of all the ingredients you will need:

  • 2 slices of gluten free bread (you could also try a sprouted bread, sourdough, or another personal favorite)
  • Handful of arugula
  • 2 slices tomato
  • 1/2 an avocado
  • Red onion (to taste preference)
  • A couple slices of mango, diced
  • Fresh curley parsley
  • Fresh cilantro (coriander)

Method:

  1. Toast your bread to your preference (I like mine crisp + crunchy)
  2. Place ingredients on top of your bread in any order that you choose.
  3. Eat and thoroughly enjoy every bite 😉

It’s that easy! Now get toastin’!

Much love,

Brittany

Pecan Pumpkin Pudding

This is so thick & creamy, and packed with so many vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.

Pumpkin is a powerhouse fruit. It is high in vitamins A, C, + E, rich in minerals like copper, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus, and contains lots of fiber and antioxidants.

This recipe is so delicious, but feel free to play around with it and add different ingredients and superfoods that you like. Some that come to mind are maca, chia seeds, and greens! There are so many possibilities, and experimentation is how great recipes are born! Have fun and enjoy!

Method:

Blend all ingredients in a high speed blender

  • 1 frozen banana

• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree

• tsp honey

• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder

• 3 medjool dates

• A dash of pumpkin pie spice

• 1 tbsp pecans

• 1/2 cup almond milk (more or less depending on how thick you want it)

I topped mine with apples. Enjoy!!!

Chocolate Chia Parfait with Almond Butter Sauce

I love starting my day with a nutritious breakfast. It definitely sets me up for success, and gives me the fuel I need to power through all of my daily responsibilities.

Chia seeds are the small black or white seeds that come from the chia plant. They were rediscovered as a “superfood” in recent years, and have become quite popular in the health community.

Chia is the Mayan word for “strength”. In fact, ancient Aztec and Mayan cultures considered chia seeds to be a fundamental part of their diets because it gave them energy and endurance during battle.

They are a great ingredient to incorporate into your meals because they are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Chia seeds can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. I like to put them in my smoothies, yogurt, baked goods, energy balls, and I also turn it into pudding.

When chia seeds are soaked in liquid they turn into a gel and expand 12x their weight. Because if this, they are a great way to keep your body feeling fuller longer!

Now that you know the scoop on chia, I hope you enjoy this creamy, decadent, and delicious pudding recipe.

Chocolate Chia Pudding with Almond Butter Sauce – serves 2

  1. Chia pudding: Soak 1/4 cup chia seeds in 1 cup liquid. (I used almond milk, and put it in a recently emptied almond butter jar so the pudding would pick up all the yummy goodness plastered to the sides)
  2. Chocolate pudding: blend one banana with 1/2 of an avocado, 1 tbsp cacao, and stevia, or another sweetener (optional)
  3. Almond Butter Sauce: blend one banana, one heaping tbsp of almond butter, and 3 medjool dates.
  4. Layer each ingredient in glass (chia, chocolate, then almond sauce) until you reach the top, adding berries in between (optional)
  5. Enjoy!!!