Healthier Brownie

Who doesn't like sweets? And if you think that because I'm doing this rather intense program with the whole timed nutrition thing, I can't have any sweets... think again!

Last week was week 2 of phase 2 of the program that I am doing called 80 Day Obsession.  The beauty of phase 2 is that every other week on Wednesdays, we get to have REFEED DAY.  It's when you have to replenish the glycogen levels in your muscles so you HAVE to eat some sugar.  It is not a cheat day. I still follow timed nutrition, but we add a few extra servings of fruit, some white carbs, and even dessert.  As I said, it isn't cheat day so it's not an all out junk food binge.  So the desserts are a little bit on the healthier side.  For refeed day, I baked BROWNIES!!

They're the FIXATE Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Brownies.  Yes, it's one of Autumn's recipes from her cooking show and cookbook so it has to be good, right? The secret ingredient? GARBANZO BEANS (chick peas).

Don't knock it till you try it.  I have had people try it before and they liked it.  Except for my neighbor but she's particular with her food textures. So if you're like her, you might not like it, but I urge you to give it a try.  It doesn't hurt to try food once!  OK, here's the recipe:

FIXATE Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Brownies
Ingredients:
1 (15 oz) can of garbanzo beans (chickpeas).  Rinsed and drained.
1/4 cup of grass fed butter (or ghee, or extra virgin coconut oil)
2 large eggs
1/2 cup of maple syrup
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 pinch sea salt
1/4 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used EnjoyLifeFoods mini chocolate chips).
                                                                Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Line a 9x9 inch banking pan with parchment paper and set aside.*
3. Place all ingredients, except for the chocolate chips, in the food processor. Cover and blend until smooth.
4. Add chocolate chips and mix by hand until blended.
5. Evenly spread batter into pan.*
6. Bake for 28-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted to the center of brownies comes out clean.
7. Cut into 16 even squares.

*I used my silicone squares and my mini brownie pan instead of 9x9 inch baking pan.  I then distributed the batter evenly into 16 tiny squares.  If you use this method, baking time is about 22-25 minutes.


My next REFEED is a week and a half away.  I froze a couple of these for that day.

If you decide to make this, I'd love to know if you liked it or not.  And if you didn't like it, was it the texture?  I think that is the only issue for people who say they don't like it.  Please leave a comment and give me your honest feedback on this.

Until next time...

<3,
Marie

Game Day Recipes (2018)

It’s that time of year again!  In less than two weeks, millions of Americans will be watching the biggest game of the year.  THE SUPER BOWL!!  I remember the first time I ever heard about the Super Bowl.  I was in 8th grade.  It was the Dallas Cowboys and the Buffalo Bills, and Michael Jackson on the half-time show.  I remember this because my parents held a Super Bowl party in our house.  My dad loved (and still loves) to cook and had a great spread for us.  I don’t remember what we had.  I just know there was a lot of food, and a lot of beer (for the grown ups), and we had a party ON A SUNDAY.

 

I have some friends that could care less about football, but are Super Bowl enthusiasts.  What’s not to love?  FOOD, FRIENDS, HYSTERICAL COMMERCIALS, AND A KICK BUTT, SOMETIMES JAW DROPPING, HALF-TIME SHOW.  Thanks to my husband, I enjoy watching football.  And on football season, you can count on finding us eating hot wings and maybe other game day food EVERY SINGLE SUNDAY.  It’s our thing.  I’ve been able to find healthier options.  With the power of GOOGLE, we really don’t have a reason not to try healthier options.

On Super Bowl Sunday this year, I will be on day 21 of the 80 Day Obsession, so I have to make sure I plan my meals accordingly even for Super Bowl Sunday.  I’ve rounded up some new game day recipes that you can perhaps try on Game Day, even if you’re not on doing 80 Day Obsession.

Shrimp Ceviche (not for me because I’m allergic to shrimp, but for my shrimp loving family)

Image Credit: BeachbodyonDemand.com

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Guacamole

Baked Buffalo Wings

Image Credit: Skinnytaste.com

Pulled Chipotle Chicken with Cilantro Slaw
(this is delicious, but I made and used this adobo sauce)

Image Credit: BeachbodyonDemand.com

Slow Cooker Beef Chili (you can also sub the beef for venison)

And one of my FAVORITE dishes:

Loaded Plantain Nachos  *I make my own plantain chips (see recipe below).

EASY PLANTAIN NACHO CHIPS

3-5 Green Plantains (or more depending on how much you want to make), sliced into thin circles

3 tsp melted coconut oil or EEVOO (just enough to coat the plantains)

Sea Salt

1     Preheat oven to 350F.

        Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

        In a bowl, toss plantains with oil. Sprinkle with sea salt.

       Layout (single layer, don’t overlap) on your baking sheet.

5      Bake for about 20 minutes.  You will need to repeat this process until you have baked all your plantains.

6       ENJOY!!!

      Will you be watching the game for the GAME or for the commercials?  I would also LOVE to get some more game day recipes, so please share your favorite HEALTHY game day recipes below!

Apple Recipes

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away," unless of course it's a caramel apple. It is apple picking season.  You don't have to stick to the same old apple pie recipe.  If you have to or choose to eat gluten free or paleo, there are so many recipes out there to help you enjoy all that apple that you picked this weekend. Here are some apple recipes.

RPM Apple Crumble (two recipes that I shared).

Apple-Spinach Chicken

Clean Eating Pumpkin Spice Apple

Gluten Free Dairy Free Apple Crepes 

Homemade Applesauce

Paleo Apple Banana Muffins

Recipe: Steak and Mushroom Omelet

We had left over steak the other day. I love my steak medium rare and sticking leftover steak in the microwave just doesn't sound appealing to me. Depending on how much steak I have leftover and what kind of steak it is, I would either use it for an omelet for breakfast or make a Filipino dish called adobo out of it. I didn't have enough for adobo so I made steak and mushroom omelets for breakfast today.

It's pretty easy and great for breakfast and even lunch!  Here is the recipe:

1 tsp coconut oil, divided into (2 1/2 tsps) (you can also use butter or oil of your choice)
1/4 cup left over steak (cut into small bit size pieces)
chopped tomatoes
chopped mushrooms
chopped onions
(you can use bell peppers or other vegetables you want)
(sorry i didn't measure, just eyeball how much you'd want in your omelet)
1 egg and 1 eggwhite (scrambled together)
Salt & Pepper to taste




Directions:

1. In a small pan, heat 1/2 tsp coconut oil in medium heat .
2. When oil is heated, add onions and mushrooms. Saute for a few minutes until onions are transparent.
3. Add tomatoes and steak. Saute for a few minutes.
4. Place the vegetable and steak mix on a plate and set aside.
5.  Heat the other 1/2 tsp coconut oil in the pan.
6. Add the egg, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
7. While the eggs are firm on the bottom, but still slightly runny on top, sprinkle all of the fillings over the egg. Add salt & pepper to taste. Continue cooking until the eggs bubble on top.
8. Use a spatula to gently flip the omelette to the other side. Keep cooking for another minute or two, it is no longer runny.
 

Easy Recipe: Chicken and Kale

What I love about summer in New York is being enjoy Farmer's Markets.  At this time of the year, the markets have my family's favorite fruits and vegetables for sale.  Berries, kale, watermelon, zucchini, cucumbers!

This Sunday, I cooked up a quick and easy to make dish with chicken, and kale and carrots which I purchased from a local Farmer's Market on Saturday. It was something I put together and I don't exactly know what to name it so I'll just name it

RPM Approved Chicken and Kale Dish

Ingredients:
Approximately 2lbs of chicken cut up in 2 inch boneless pieces.
16 oz of kale
8 carrots, peeled and cut about 1 inch long
6 cloves of garlic (add or subtract cloves according to your preference)
Smoked Paprika
Salt
Pepper
Garlic Powder
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (or Coconut Oil if you are doing Paleo)

Directions:

1. Season the chicken with paprika, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
2. Heat up the oil in the pan in medium heat.
3. Add garlic into the pan.  Cook until golden. Do not let it burn.
4. Add the chicken and sautte until it is brown.
5. Add the carrots.
6. Cover the pan. Cook carrots and chicken in medium heat. Stir occasionally, until chicken is cooked thoroughly.
7. Add the kale and add seasoning as needed.
8. Continue to cook in low heat for about 10 minutes.

Serve with cauliflower rice (for Paleo or RPM friendly), brown rice or whole wheat pasta or gluten free pasta. 

I served the chicken dish with gluten free pasta and ended the meal with refreshing watermelon.

Afterwards, the boys roasted marshmallows outside. Yes, marshmallows aren't exactly healthy. However, I believe it's ok to allow children to have sweets in moderation. Besides, in the case of the marshmallows, my boys DID work hard on making the fire pit with their cousin.  They also worked hard getting wood for the fire and even splitting the wood with an ax. What's a campfire without marshmallows??


A little bird told me that my friend Christa Cordova is sharing another delicious summer recipe over at the Read, Pray, Move Ministry Page. Be sure to hop on over there to check out this summer must have! Especially if you've overindulged during the Fourth of July weekend. <3

Delicious (and clean eating) Fourth of July Recipes

What is clean eating?  

There are various definitions of clean eating. And here’s mine.  It is simple really. Instead of counting calories, you focus on cutting out processed foods and eating WHOLE foods.  This means staying out of the center aisles of the grocery store and sticking to (if possible, organic) fresh fruits and vegetables, (if possible, grass fed) meats, and (if possible, organic) full fat dairy.  Try sticking to organic, but I know that this isn’t always available.  Clean eating also means reading labels of EVERYTHING.  

Just remember, healthy and clean eating does not equal unpleasant food.  Here are some delicious healthy, clean Eating Fourth of July recipes. 

SIDE DISHES

Caprese Skewers 

Grilled Zucchini Slices Who doesn’t love zucchini? (skip the parmesan for diary free option) 

Pesto Caprese Penne Pasta Salad (I personally prefer gluten free pasta over whole wheat pasta.) 

Dairy Free Pesto (use this in place of the pesto recipe above) 

Also, you cannot go wrong with your good old fashioned salad. I like mine with spring greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, some sweet peppers with Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing.

MEAT, MEAT, MORE MEAT

Beer BBQ Chicken

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

Green Chile Burgers (it says pan fried but you can totally grill these) 

Sometimes, you just have to have hot dogs.  I love Applegate farms products, my boys do too!

DESSERT

You cannot go wrong with fresh fruit.  The best part about summer is local fruit is in abundance- cherries, berries, watermelon are everywhere!  You can also have pineapple and mango.

And of course, who doesn’t love cake? 4th of JulyWatermelon Cake 

DRINKS

OK. OK. So alcohol isn't exactly "clean eating." However, what's a BBQ without a little drink? My dear family and friends can tell you that I am the lightest drinker on the planet.  I opt for water (and maybe a cup of coffee) on get togethers- yes, even when we're out to eat. I turn heads when I hold alcohol in my hand. I don't like beer. I enjoy white wine, specificially Moscato. I also enjoy Sangria. Here are some not so bad for you drinks if you'd like to make some festive drinks.

Fruit Cocktail Sangria

Mason Jar Margarita (because I have a pack of Mason Jars that I bought from a JoAnn Fabric sale)

AND FINALLY

If you are hosting a 4^th of July BBQ, you can now offer gluten free burger and hot dog buns for your guest with Udi’s brand.  When my son first started on his gluten free journey six years ago, hardly any of the supermarkets sell gluten free products.  Thank God, it is now easy to find these gluten free products.

If you are looking for Auto Immune friendly recipes, please check out my post in Read, Pray, Move (readpraymove.org).

These recipes can also be used throughout the summer for any of your backyard barbecues!  As always to key to healthy eating is moderation and balance! Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

What are your favorite summer recipes? Please share them in the comment section!