Category Archives: Going Healthy

Healthy Chocolate Protein Dip Recipe

How about a healthy chocolate dessert dip recipe that’s easy to make and perfect to enjoy this upcoming weekend? Loaded with protein and creamy goodness, it’s good just eating right from a spoon!

Healthy Chocolate Protein Dip

I’ll spare you the long talk and get right to it. Our time is precious, so why go on about…..never mind, I’ll do that again soon. 🙂

Topped with Greek yogurt and cocoa nibs, chocolate
Topped with Greek yogurt and cocoa nibs

Chocolate Protein Dip

Ingredients:

1 can of chickpeas or white beans, drained and rinsed

2 medium ripe bananas (the more spots the better to me!)*See note below if you don’t have bananas

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/8 tsp baking soda

rounded1/8 tsp salt

3 packets of stevia or about 2 tsp; it takes a while get the right amount since so many stevia products are different, so just adjust to taste. If you’re not into stevia, you can use 2/3 cup of brown sugar or honey, but this will detract a little of the “healthy” part.

2 Tbsp raw cacao powder

1/4 cup rolled oats, ground flax seeds, or chia seeds (you can omit this, it just helps to make it really thick)

*If you don’t have or like bananas, try using 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, pumpkin puree, or Greek yogurt as a substitute. I have tried all of these and still like the outcome. There’s no wrong way, just what you have on hand.

Directions:

Add everything in a blender or food processor and blend until you have a smooth, creamy consistency.

The dip will firm up a little more if you let it cool in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Or make a double batch so you can eat one right away like I do!

This is perfect to treat the whole family, and a wonderful way to get any picky eaters to think they’re getting away with something. Have it alone or smear it on a banana, you’ll be happy either way!

 

Have you ever made a sweet dip that’s healthy and delicious?

What do you think about using chickpeas as the main ingredient?

Are You Ready to ‘Sleep Smarter’?

I’m a long time subscriber to The Model Health Show podcast created by Shawn Stevenson, a health and wellness professional, author, and awesome dad. His new book, Sleep Smarter, is set to release mid-March and I have the opportunity to help share with you!

sleep smarter, shawn stevenson, healthy, health

For the longest time, I would put sleep way down on the priority list thinking I could get by with 5 or less hours of sleep. After reading and listening to podcasts like The Model Health Show, I learned just how important sleep is for our bodies. Not just for rest, but for happiness, success, and overall well-being.

As part of the Sleep Smarter Launch Team, I will receive a copy of the book before its release for me to review. It’s set to arrive in my mailbox this week and I can’t wait to start reading immediately. Even better, I can read as I settle down for the night and relax on our Naturepedic EOS Series mattress.

Here are the details about the book as listed on the Sleep Smarter book web page:

Sleep Smarter is a fun and entertaining look at how sleep impacts your mind, body, and performance, without skimping on the “how to’s”to get you the sleep you really deserve. Sleep Smarter includes a fresh 14-Day Sleep Makeover Plan to help you optimize your sleep each and every night. This critically acclaimed book is loaded with tips and tricks like.

  • How to optimize your body temperature to fall asleep faster
  • How to hack sunlight to regulate your sleep hormones
  • Which clinically proven sleep nutrients and supplements you need to take and why
  • Why your mattress may be the cause of more than just sleep problems
  • The specific time of day to exercise to unlock more rejuvenative sleep
  • How to properly use therapies like massage and acupressure to quickly eliminate sleep problems
  • How to instantly reduce stress hormone levels to fall asleep faster and wake up more refreshed
    Sleep Smarter is the ultimate guide to sleeping better, feeling refreshed, and living a healthier, happier life.

I know having a quality mattress like what’s provided by Naturepedic is an essential part to a good sleep, but there’s so much to sleep that I never considered before. Sleep Smarter has 21 strategies to attain a healthful, energizing sleep to improve your life. And the stress part? Ohhhh boy, I am ready to learn about that part for sure!

If sleep is something you know you need more of (as most parents do!) or don’t consider that important, I strongly urge you to pre-order the book here. You’ll  also receive several amazing bonuses if you pre-order before 3/14/16. I’ll be sharing more about Sleep Smarter and the overall benefits of getting good sleep in future posts, so be sure to check back frequently.

While you’re waiting, pre-order your copy and listen to Shawn on The Model Health Show to learn all about leading a healthy life for you and your family. Speaking of, Shawn is also part of a podcast on fatherhood called The Good Dad Project, another favorite I highly recommend!

Avocado Goat Cheese Cookies

Avocado alone is awesome. Goat cheese alone is awesome. With this logic, it only makes sense to combine the two and make a cookie, right? Oh, and these might make a perfect surprise for your Valentine’s Day sweetheart. 😉

avocado goat cheese cookies, healthy recipe

I’m not sure what made me think of turning these two awesome ingredients into cookies, but my belly sure is happy!

Even if you don’t like one or both of these, you might be surprised at how delicious they are and their versatility. Great served in place of flatbread along with a meal, or as an after dinner treat with a drizzle of honey and more goat cheese smeared on top.

Take a little time this weekend (hopefully you have an extra day from President’s Day) and make these to go along with your next meal or for a quick and healthy snack.

Avocado Goat Cheese Cookies

by RC Liley

Prep Time: 25 min

Cook Time: 20 – 30 min

Keywords: bake appetizer dessert snack gluten-free low-carb

Ingredients (12 medium cookies)

  • 1 cup coconut flour
  • 3/4 cup oat flour
  • 1/4 cup gluten-free rolled oats; or just use more oat flour
  • 1/2 cup Stevia-based Baking Blend, 12 drops liquid stevia, or 4 stevia packets; you can use 1/2 cup honey, agave, or sugar instead (add more sweetener if you want a sweeter cookie)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon rosemary
  • 4 ounces goat cheese; I used the creamy kind in log form
  • 1/4 of a soft avocado
  • 2 eggs

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a food processor, stand, or hand mixer, blend avocado, stevia or sweetener of choice, goat cheese, and egg until well combined.

Sift all dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Add dry to wet and process or blend into a wonderfully fragrant cookie batter.

Use a tablespoon to scoop batter and plop onto parchment lined cookie sheet.

Bake for 20 to 30 minutes and flip over halfway through. Each oven varies, so just watch (and smell) these cookies while baking.

Remove and let cool on wire rack for 10 minutes.

Eat and enjoy; sharing is up to you!

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Making cookies can be a fun experience as there are so many variables you can change to make it your own. Sure, you could throw some butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and chocolate chips together for a classic cookie, but that’s not unique at all, and definitely not the best as far as health is concerned. I know having them in moderation is perfectly fine, but c’mon, moderation is easily thrown out the window on any given day. I know from experience.

Hope you enjoy the day and these cookies with friends and family!