Category Archives: Going Healthy

2016 NuttZo Ambassador + 5 Healthy Recipes

Exciting news in the Going household, I’m on for my second year as a NuttZo Ambassador! If you’ve followed the blog or any of my social media pages, you’d know we’re all NuttZo Fanatics over here, and I am looking forward to sharing the #NuttZoLove with everyone in 2016!

nuttzo, fanatic, healthy, peanut butter

Sure, peanut butter is good, but why choose good when you can have out-of-this-world awesome with organic nuts and seeds providing a host of healthy benefits? It’s delicious and something I feel good about giving to my precious little girl, Avery. She definitely has no complaints either.

Breakfast with NuttZo

Actually, I often have trouble getting it back from her.

Holding NuttZo Up

It’s almost a daily stand-off. Guess it’s no surprise when she hugs the jar and proclaims her love for NuttZo.

Since we’re all busy in midst of the holiday season, I wanted to kick off my renewed role as a NuttZo Ambassador by sharing 5 of my favorite quick and healthy recipes I shared this past year. These are perfect for entertaining or making just for yourself.

Microwave NuttZo Banana Bread

nuttzo, healthy recipe

Sweet & Spicy NuttZo Carrot Dip

NuttZo Carrot Dip_Close up

NuttZo Cinnamon Banana Frittata – Perfect Christmas morning breakfast!

NuttZo, healthy, recipe, frittata, breakfast

No-Bake Mini NuttZo Pumpkin Cake

NuttZo No-bake cake

Single Serving NuttZo Oatmeal Cake

Oatmeal Cake with Yogurt Frosting

It’s also good in savory meals like soup. Just stir a little in for that flavor *pow* that’ll have everyone asking for the secret recipe. Or at least saying they like it. 🙂

Annnddddd, there’s always Plan B for those not into putting something together. I even made a little rhyme…

If you’re in the mood for snacking,

but your time is seriously lacking,

just grab NuttZo and a spoon

and you’ll be happy really soon.

Hey, I’m no Robert Frost, but you get the point. Eat NuttZo, be happy and healthy.

Can’t wait to share more NuttZo goodness in 2016! Have a wonderful Christmas (or other holiday) season!

Do you plan on having NuttZo as part of your holiday eats?

What’s your favorite way to use NuttZo or other nut butter?

Healthy Sugar Cookie Protein Dip Recipe + Food Tips

Hello there! Are you frantically running around trying to get everything ready for Thanksgiving or are you all set / not celebrating? Whatever the case, I have a couple healthy things to share.

Since I’m in the “frantically running around” department, today’s post comes directly from my old healthy foodie blog, Just Add Cayenne, with the help of my good friends Copy and Paste. Seriously, I’m even keeping my pre-parenthood talk as well as carrying over the same font from the original posts. Hey, these are my blogs, so why not?

This is from two posts, here’s the original for the squash dip recipe, and the original for my healthy food tips.

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Yeah, I know, plenty of you probably have to work today, the eve of Thanksgiving, but I’m complaining on behalf of all of us. Couldn’t you use the day before to prep food do a little extra exercise to prepare for tomorrow’s feast, and just be away from school or work? I’ll go ahead and answer for all of us again….YES!

I’ve seen so many healthy Thanksgiving feast recipes that I want to try but have no time before going to our family gathering. Most of the food is stuff I can’t (gluten reasons) or won’t (health/picky reasons) eat, and I like to bring things I know I will enjoy.
See? I’m ready for the pumpkin famine! Or maybe I just use it a lot.

Confession – I brought roasted brussels sprouts and mushrooms one year knowing that just one other person and myself would eat them. Sorry, but I don’t want premade mixes cooked from a box or food with poor ingredients for Thanksgiving….or ever for that matter!

So I prefer to make my own gluten free, non store bought bread (maybe just a personal Microwave Chocolate Protein Cake) and side dishes. I think I only end up eating an undressed salad and the turkey at most gatherings. Anyone else run into this issue? I don’t mean to complain (even though I am), or tell others what to eat, but I just want to have what I prefer and enjoy.

Not a bad “personal” Thanksgiving treat if you ask me!
If there was no work today, I’d be cooking all sorts of things I’ve wanted to try. Lately, sweet potato, pumpkin, and banana are all ingredients sticking out to me. And of course peanut butter would be in one or all of the creations. Maybe a spin on a no-cook pumpkin banana peanut butter pie? Hmmm, I’ll keep brainstorming and maybe have something to post on for the Christmas feast!
But really, a peanut butter pumpkin pie sounds pretty darn good any time. I have been using unflavored gelatin to make some easy and tasty dips lately, and suggest you try. Still need to get the recipe down before I post it, but here’s another quick, easy, and healthy dip for you to try in the meantime.

Delicata squash is my number one favorite squash (you can use any kind you’d like), and making it into a puree is simply delightful! Have you seen or tried Celestial Seasoning’s Sugar-Cookie Sleigh Ride Tea? It’s a good, caffeine free tea to drink, but throw it in with squash puree, vanilla protein powder, and a little stevia and you will be on Cloud 18. That’s Cloud 9…..squared; because it’s that good.

Delicata Sugar Cookie Protein Dip
(Sugar and Gluten Free)
Ingredients

2 medium delicata squashes, microwave steamed or roasted until the skin is soft
2 big scoops stevia sweetened vanilla protein powder; I used Vitol Vanilla Egg White Protein
1 T natural peanut butter
2 Celestial Seasoning’s Sugar-Cookie Sleigh Ride Teabags
Liquid or powder stevia to taste
1t pure vanilla extract

Directions
Once you have your cooked squash (I microwave steam mine), remove any really hard parts like the stem and throw everything else in a food processor. Yes, include the skin, it’s soft.
Add the rest of the ingredients (just cut the teabags and dump the contents) and process until really smooth. I let my processor run for 2 – 3 minutes. Let chill for the flavors to “intensify” and help everything firm up.
I love having a giant bowl of this to go to when my sweet tooth hits, which is every night. This recipe is very versatile and you can sub your favorite ingredients as you see fit. I think coconut flour or cocoa powder would make for some extremely delicious versions. Try it, eat it, enjoy!

Hello and welcome to WIAW in December! I saw another blogger mention how the first Home Alone movie is now 22 years old!  That hit me like a semi-hard brick.  Only semi-hard because I’m already a little aware of the aging process.  Anyway, who else is in awe at how time flies?
Sooo, I have little time to write today, so I want to share some of my past blog posts on Healthy Food Tips and Ideas.  As far as what I ate, it’s been nothing different from past weeks, so please forgive me for not posting.
Healthy Travel Tips – This is good info for those that are traveling for the holidays
Easy and Healthy Food Swaps – This was around Easter, but applies year round
How to Survive Vacation as a Health Food Fanatic – A follow up from my other vacation post; this lists things I ate while on vacation
Veggies Don’t Need Ranch Dressing! – The title says it all; just my views on Hidden Valley’s “healthy” advertising
5 Healthy Ways to Add Protein to Salad – This was a summertime post, but again, salads are great all year!
What’s the Next Fad Diet and Why? – In sum, fad diets are pointless, dumb, and, well….fads
Top 5 Healthy and Tasty Dip Substitutions – My favorite savory dips; good for any dip lover!
Pumped Up Protein Staples – A list of my favorite protein dips and baked items with a link to all of my recipes at the end. Trust me, making these are worth your while!
How well are you managing time for the holidays?  I’m already not a fan of going out to eat, but with social gatherings and whatnot, I’m not going to escape it.  Speaking of, I’m heading out for dinner at a nice seafood place with co-workers.  As a fan of seafood, I’ll get over my dislike of going out if there’s fresh crab on my plate!
Hope you all have a great week and get any shopping done soon; it’s only getting crazier!!

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There’s no post for Thanksgiving, and I’m not sure when the next one will come around, but hope you find value in the healthy food tip links and get to give the recipe a try. I’ve made it for Avery and she asks for more before finishing the first bite. Speaking of, she’s finally getting over her sickness and should be back to her old crazy toddler self just in time for our little family Thanksgiving gathering.

For more healthy recipes, check out the tab on the top appropriately named, *gasp* Healthy Recipes.

Do you plan on trying the recipe?

Were the links to my healthy food tips/thoughts of any help to you?

Healthy Single Serving NuttZo Oatmeal Cake Recipe

It’s pretty clear that the Going Family loves both NuttZo and Oatmeal, so it only makes sense to combine the two into a healthy, tasty and transportable treat. I’m not trying to win any creativity awards here, just make something the whole family will love and won’t take forever to put together.
And that’s just what I did. Voila!
The unfrosted version is better for transporting. Trust me.
The unfrosted version is better for transporting. Trust me.

Nothing fancy, but damned delicious. If you’re enjoying at home, why not put some healthy Greek yogurt frosting on that NuttZo-atmeal cake?

Oatmeal Cake with Yogurt Frosting

Need a better view?

Oatmeal Cake with Yogurt Frosting 2
Topped with cinnamon and looking lovely. Make it go away…….via eating

I wanted a recipe for a super peanut buttery and healthy oatmeal cake, and am very pleased with the end result….so are Kelley and Avery!

NuttZo Oatmeal Cake

Ingredients

– 1/2 cup rolled oats
– 1 T melted NuttZo
– 1/4 tsp baking powder
– 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
– 1/2 tsp cinnamon
– 2 packets or 1 T stevia powder, 8 – 12 drops liquid stevia, or, if you want to use sugar, 1 – 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
– 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce, pumpkin puree, or mashed banana (Plain yogurt works well too)
– 1/4 cup unsweetened almond or other milk of choice
– Small dash of salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Mix all ingredients together until well incorporated. Let sit 5 – 10 minutes to allow oats to absorb liquid
Pour into one of the muffin molds in a muffin tin, 1-cup ramekin (or use a glass baking dish like I used), or just spread flat on a baking sheet for a crunchy treat. Make sure you use non-stick bake ware, spread coconut oil, or non-stick spray before pouring batter into device of choice.
Cook for 25 – 30 minutes; the top should have a nice light brown and the whole cake will feel firm. You can set your oven to broil and let cook about 3 – 4 minutes for a crispier crust; reduce baking time by 5 minutes if you do this. 
Allow to cool for 10 minutes before removing.
For a quicker version, use a microwave-safe container and microwave mixture for 5 minutes. 
What happens when you let your wife/kid try a "bite"
What happens when you let your wife/kid try a “bite”

This cake is bliss on its own, but try smearing more NuttZo or nut butter of choice on top for extra nuttiness! Or, get a little more creative with a banana and peanut butter mashed together and smeared on top. 

Try your favorite spread and let me know what you come up with. Have fun with the flavors and making this cake.

What?  You want to try the Greek Yogurt Icing?  Ok, it’s extremely easy; just like this recipe…..
Greek Yogurt Icing

Mix 2 cups plain Greek Yogurt (non, low, or full fat will work) with one of the following to suit your preferences:

          1/2 cup melted NuttZo, other nut butter, or peanut flour for peanut butter icing
          1/2 cup vanilla protein powder (preferably organic and sweetened with stevia) and 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
          1/2 cup chocolate protein powder (preferably organic and sweetened with stevia), 2 tsp cacao powder, and 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
          1 very ripe mashed banana and 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
          1/2 cup pumpkin puree, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger and nutmeg, and 1/4 tsp cloves
I love the single serving recipes, but just double, triple, or quadruple the measurements to make more. This would be a perfect Thanksgiving breakfast you make in a hurry since we all know the rest of the day can get hectic fast! Try making the entire mix the night before so you can cook first thing in the morning.