Healthy Fudge Brownies

Can I just say yum?! I have this thing for brownies and since I started eating healthier (I've since been not so good at it) I haven't had any because I feel too guilty. BUT on this blog- Chocolate Covered Katie- She has many delicious healthy dessert recipes And these brownies are my FAVORITE!! Tyson even likes it.

Recipe here

This is her picture.

In the recipe it calls for tofu, but I don't really do Tofu so I subbed very ripe bananas in there.

I doubled the recipe and used almost a whole banana and I thought it was too banana-y so I'll do less next time.

And I wasn't feeling really experimental so I just used white sugar *gasp* but next time I'll try a healthier sweetener.

PS This is not for those that like their brownies very cakey. So fudgey and gooey. mmmmm

Debbie’s Granola

Debbie's Granola

 

6 c oats (whole or rolled)

2 c shredded coconut (unsweetened)

½ c wheat germ

¾ c sesame seeds

1 c slivered almonds

1 c cashews

 

In a separate bowl mix together

1 c oil (I use coconut)

1 c honey

 

Pour over granola mixture and stir altogether. Put on to 2 cookie sheets and cook at

300 degrees for 30 min, mix ½ way through cooking time.

 

Put back in bowl, add

 

2 tsp almond extract

2 tsp vanilla

 

Stir together, it may sizzle that is ok

 

Cool and add cranberries

Healthy Almond Balls

These little beauties are not only healthy and good for you, they are delish. That old add that says, "bet you can't eat just one" applies to these tasty morsels!

Nut Balls
1 cup of dates (pitted)
3/4 cup of almonds
1/2 cup of oatmeal (I use oat bran)

optional: cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate chips, dried cranberries
unsweeten cocconut

Place almonds in a good blender or food processor and chop fine. Add dates and oatmeal and also chop fine. Add any other ingredients and pulse a couple of seconds. Make balls in your hands, roll in cocconut if you choose. Place on wax paper for an hour. They will most likely dissapper before you have to find a container to put them in.

Stir and Bake Sugar Cookies

This is a very simple, easy, quick sugar cookie that my mom used to make. I love the flavor and crispness of the cookie. Stir and Bake Sugar Cookies Beat with fork until well blended: 4 eggs 1 1/3 cup oil 2 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. lemon extract Add: 1 1/2 cups sugar 4 cups flour 4 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt Drop by teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten with greased bottom of glass dipped in sugar. Bake at 400 for 10 to 12 minutes.

Quinoa Tabbouleh

In our quest to eat more healthy, quinoa really stands out as a boost for our tastebuds. It is healthy, low in calories, high in protein, and really tasty. I noticed this recipe awhile back in a magazine and had decided to try it last sunday. It really was a hit with everyone. I should also mention quinoa has a low glycemic level and is gluten free. We had Kelly Ridley with us for dinner on sunday and she has to eat gluten free, so that was a bonus. I wish I had taken a picture before we ate this, it was really pretty. Also, there was nothing left at the end to photograph! I didn't have cucumbers so I steamed asperagus and chopped into bite size instead. I should'nt be saying I in all of this since Angelee and I did this together. Quinoa tabbouleh (recipe by Laura Kelsch) 1/2 cup quinoa 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 1/8 tsp. pepper 1 clove of garlic, minced 2 tbs. each extra-virgin olive oil and lemon juice 1 bunch curly parsley, chopped 1 small tomato, chopped 1 cup chopped English cucumber 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese Cook quinoa according to package directons. Transfer to a bowl to cool slightly. Mix remaining ingredients in a large serving bowl. Add quinoa and stir gently to combine. Per 3/4cup serving: 177 calories, 5 G Protien, 10 G Fat

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Soup

I just ate this after church and Mmmmm-mmmm-yumm was it good. My favorite part is that it was easy on top of it. I started out following a recipe but made so many changes that it made something else: soup (of course). It turned out great, though, so I thought I'd share, especially since it's winter and we could all use some warming up.

Ingredients
1 lb. chicken tenderloins
1 small onion, chopped
1 small bag baby carrots, halved
1 large potato, diced
2 chicken bullion cubes
3 cups water
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (or milk if you're being good...I was naughty today :)
1 tsp dry basil
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic salt
cornstarch (to thicken)

Directions
1. Add all ingredients into a slow cooker except for whipping cream and cornstarch. Add water and veggies first and place chicken on top, dunking just beneath water's surface. Cook covered on low for 6-7 hours.
2. Take out chicken and shred. Put cornstarch in a cup and add some water until it is smooth. Add to crock pot and stir. Place shredded chicken back into crock pot.
3. Add whipping cream (transfer into a soup pot if necessary. . .I have a small crock pot). Add more cream, milk, or water until it is the right consistency.
Enjoy!

Chicken Corn Chowder

This soup will be served in heaven, I am certain of it. We had it at a "Soup-er Sunday" meal at the Branch and this was served: it is definitely as homemade, country-like, and delicious as it gets. It's a bit labor intensive, but corners can be cut here and there (I'm wondering how chicken cooked in the crock pot instead of roasted would work?).

Ingredients
5-6 lb. chicken--roast until golden crisp
1 pint corn
2 cups carrots, sliced
3-4 potatoes, cubed
2 cups celery, sliced
3-4 med. onions, diced
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 Tbs ground sage
1 tsp thyme
kosher salt to taste
2 cups milk
2 cups heavy cream

Directions
1) Roast whole chicken until golden brown and set aside to cool. When chicken is cool enough to handle, remove meat from bones. Set chicken meat aside or refrigerate.
2) Boil the remains (bone, skin) in water until it falls apart. Remove skin and bones from broth.
3) Cook cut potatoes, onions, celery, and carrots in broth until tender. Add salt, sage, thyme and corn. Add milk and cream.
4) Bring to a boil and add cornstarch to thicken. Add cut up chicken meat and chopped parsely.

*Note: as you probably imagine, this makes a lot of soup. Cut back as desired, but better yet invite over some friends and it will be gone in one sitting. Definitely a new favorite.