Category: Healthy Snacks

Banana And Coconut Skinny Muffins Scream Summer!!

Sometimes we need an easy to make, low fat, healthy muffin… that reminds us of vacation! Because summer is so close we can taste it, literally. One of my favorite baking opportunities occurs when super ripe bananas are staring at me. I can’t help but think about the delicious possibilities!!

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Usually a healthy muffin is hard as a rock, because of the wheat flour, and dry, because we take out all of the fat and sugars. These muffins are sweetened with honey and the natural sweetness of the super ripe bananas! A little brown sugar and cinnamon even out the sugar profile and add a pop of flavor! They taste totally tropical! Hmmm… maybe some rum next time 😉

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Guilt Free and Fabulous! Here is the Recipe!

Banana Coconut Muffins
(Makes 12 muffins)

Ingredients:
2 cups flour- 1/2 whole wheat and 1/2 white or all white (If all whole wheat they will be hard)
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 cup honey
1 tbsp. vanilla
2 super ripe bananas- smashed
1/4 cup almond milk or cow’s milk
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 cup shredded coconut + 2 tbsp. for sprinkling on top

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Grease and flour your favorite muffin tin. Mine is USA Pans! They are fabulous!

In a mixing bowl, sift flour, baking soda, light brown sugar, and cinnamon.

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Add the honey, vanilla, mashed bananas, egg, and coconut.

Slowly and gently fold in the ingredients, breaking and chunks apart.

Add the milk. It will thin out the batter, but it will still be a nice, thick consistency.

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Fill muffin tins 3/4 full.

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Bake 15-17 minutes. Rotate pan and sprinkle with coconut after 10 minutes.

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Bake until the toothpick test shows a clean toothpick. Insert into center to test.

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Enjoy!
Ciao!

Gondola Veggie Snacks : For Adults and Kids!

These gondolas are adorable and the perfect colors- red, white, and green!

Dreaming of a romantic gondola ride in Venice ? Prepping your bod for the pool at the Venetian in Las Vegas? Either way- these snacks are fun and healthy!
Dreaming of a romantic gondola ride in Venice ? Need a healthy after school snack for the kiddos? Either way- these snacks are fun and healthy!

Having a pizza themed party? Wouldn’t these be a great veggie side?

Use this snack opportunity to explain the significance of a gondola to the kids! Here is a very brief description…

A gondola is a flat boat with a lifted stern that carries people along the canals in Venice, Italy. The person who rows is called a gondolier.

Photo Courtesy of http://www.ItalyTravel.com
Photo Courtesy of http://www.ItalyTravel.com

For centuries gondolas were the primary means of transportation in Venice. Today, gondolas are used to give tourists rides along the canals. Lovers kiss under every bridge for good luck in love during the romantic rides.

Enjoy this fun snack!
Enjoy this fun snack!

Gondola Veggie Snack:

Ingredients:
1 avocado
1 red pepper
1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
6 spinach leaves

Directions:

Wash and take the seeds out of the pepper.

Slice horizontally in half and then 4 more times to create 6 gondolas.

Cut and scoop out the green avocado. Mix the fresh avocado with a spoon until smooth and spread a layer on each gondola.

Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese, salt and pepper.

Lean a spinach leaf against the gondola as the oar.

Chill and Serve!
Chill and Serve!

Enjoy!
Ciao!

Don’t Fumble Your Game Day Menu! Let’s Go Steelers!

Here we go. A chill is in the air for the start of football season. Friends and family gather to watch football and your menu is in the game!

Here We Go!  Image by Rant Sports
Here We Go!
Image by Rant Sports

Play good defense and block those polyunsaturated fats, hydrogenated oils, and hefty calories! Football food does not have to be unhealthy!

Football Favorites Healthy Plays:

Snacks:

Vegetable tray– The crunch eases game time nerves! Tackle the dip. Lower calories by opting for a light avocado or bean based dip.

Warmed, flavored Chex Mix– instead of potato chips, run a healthier option. There are many flavor comninations!
Garlic Parmesan Chex Mix via Julie’s eats and treats

Photo by Julie's Eats and Treats
Photo by Julie’s Eats and Treats

Fresh Guacamole or a hummus bean dip is always a touchdown. Serve with vegetables, tortilla chips, or cucumber chips!
Fresh Guacamole By Parmesan Princess

The halftime lineup:

Instead of pizza, wings, french fries and fried chicken, how about pulled chicken/pork, grilled skewers, turkey burgers, and a big salad!

Crockpot Pulled Chicken By Dashing Dish

Serve with BBQ sauce and avocado spread to give variety! Photo by Dashing Dish
Serve with BBQ sauce and avocado spread to give variety! Photo by Dashing Dish

 

Grilled Shrimp Skewers By Parmesan Princess

Mexican, turkey chili or grilled skewers are always a healthy and easy play!
Mexican, turkey chili or grilled skewers are always a healthy and easy play!

Pesto Turkey BurgersBy Parmesan Princess

Serve on wheat buns or without bread! Leaf lettuce is a great burger wrap!
Serve on wheat buns or without bread! Leaf lettuce is a great burger wrap!

Play clean. Eat clean!
Let’s go Steelers!!
Ciao!

Gluten Free Super Chocolate Chip Cookies! A Healthy Snack!

Can't get enough!

I am always looking for healthy, delicious, easy snacks for my family! Lots of chia seeds, kale, Greek yogurt, sweet potatoes…Anything that is really healthy and tastes great! We are not into the hold-your-nose-and-drink bitter green juices!!

Throw in the chia when baking anything!! Chia seeds are tasteless and have enormous health benefits!
Throw in the chia when baking anything!! Chia seeds are tasteless and have enormous health benefits!

Here is a great healthy snack recipe! Definitely not a chewy gooey, rich chocolate chip cookie recipe. Kid and mommy approved! Packed with chia seeds, fiber and a bonus, they are gluten free!

 

Just can't get enough!
Just can’t get enough!

 

Super Chocolate Chip Snack Cookies

Recipe makes 24

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups oat flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup chocolate chips
2 tbsp. chia seeds
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 cup Almond milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix all dry ingredients, except chocolate chips, in a mixing bowl.

Add Greek yogurt and mix well.

Add Almond milk little by little and mix thoroughly with each addition until a dough forms.

Make sure the dough is forming but not too sticky or wet! If so, easy fix! Add some more flour a little bit at a time until it gets stiff.
Make sure the dough is forming, but that it is not too sticky or wet! If so, it can easily be fixed! Add some more flour, a little bit at a time, until the dough loses its shine.

Stir in chocolate chips.

Scoop tablespoon-sized scoops onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

Space them about 1 inch apart!
Space them about 1-2inches apart!

Bake for 12 mins.turning cookie sheet at 6 mins. for even baking.

Bake until golden! Approx. 12 mins!
Bake until golden! Approx. 12 mins!

Enjoy!
Ciao!

Spring 2014 Hot Food Trend…Gourmet Toasts! Salute!

Hot right now for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between, are the quickly trending gourmet toasts! Chefs are getting extremely inventive with a new spin on what was mainly a traditional totally boring breakfast staple.

http://theenglishkitchen.blogspot.com/2012/08/slushed.html?m=1

Started in 2012, the toast trend is picking up momentum and is showing up in big city hotspots like The Shakespeare in New York City! They offer an afternoon toasts menu!
Started in 2012, the toast trend is picking up momentum and is showing up in big city hotspots like The Shakespeare in New York City! They offer an afternoon toasts menu!

Consider it the melting pot of appetizer and small plate chic, you cannot go wrong with a meal on a piece of toast. Call it portion control! For breakfast, indulge in almond butter on top of toasted whole grain bread smothered in bananas, a drizzle of maple syrup and a sprinkle of coarse salt!

Avocado screams Spring!!

http://www.thebittenword.com/thebittenword/2012/03/avocado-toast-with-chile-flakes.html

Avocado, mayo, and lemon is becoming very popular too!
Avocado, mayo, and lemon is becoming very popular, too!

Blue cheese and pears are amazing…drizzle honey and I am in love!!

http://myfancypantry.com/2012/11/18/pear-honey-and-blue-cheese-appetizer-toasts/

Served on a toasted baguette!
Served on a toasted baguette!

 

Julia Turshen, chef and coauthor of Gwyneth Paltrow’s “It’s All Good” cookbook shared her faves in People magazine’s April 28 issue!

BUFFALO
Toast country bread
Spread blue cheese
Top with celery
Drizzle with hot sauce

TAPAS
Toast country bread
Rub with garlic and a halved
tomato
Add slices of Manchego cheese
Top with a slice of prosciutto

Serve toasts as an appetizer or small plates for dinner while entertaining. Have kids? There are so many endless ideas with Nutella, peanut butter, almond butter, veggies, raisins, etc.  Maybe even cookie cutter the bread into cool themes or seasonal shapes!!

Enjoy!!
Ciao!!

Super Chips! Garlic Parmesan Baked Kale Chips!

Healthy. Superfood! Delicious. Superfood! Bonus, Kid friendly! Superfood!
Kale chips can be a healthy snack or a side dish served with paninis for lunch! Whether dressed up or dressed down, kale chips can be accessorized with salt, garlic salt, freshly grated cheeses, hot pepper, hot sauce, taco seasoning…their styling possibilities are endless!! Experiment!

Garlic Parmesan Kale Chips

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

Separate kale leaves from thick stems.

I buy bunches of curly kale! Wash well!
I buy bunches of curly kale! Wash well!

Rinse and dry well.

Rip kale into chip size.

I have found that the kale chips bake the best on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet!
I have found that the kale chips bake the best on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet!

Place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

Brush or spray with olive oil.

Use any flavors you like! Sea salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, etc!
Use any flavors you like! Sea salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, etc!

Shake on freshly grated Parmesan cheese and garlic salt.

Bake for 10 minutes or until chips are brown around the edges.
(There is a fine line between crispy and crumbling. You might need to experiment!
10 minutes seems to be perfect!

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Enjoy!
Ciao!

Super Breakfast!! Chia Kale Egg White Super Muffins!!

Why not add superfoods to our breakfast? Whether it is a quick healthy smoothie, a super muffin or a grab and go breakfast bar, the addition of superfoods gives us more energy for the day! This super breakfast gets us going!! Especially on Mondays!

Start healthy Monday mornings!! No excuses!
Start healthy Monday mornings!! No excuses!

Chia Kale Egg White Super Muffins

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. egg whites per muffin
(3 egg whites for 6)
1/2 cup chopped kale

Don't have kale? Use broccoli, spinach green pepper or any other veggies  you have!
Don’t have kale? Use broccoli, spinach, green pepper or any other veggies you have!

2 tbsp. chia seeds
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella/cheddar cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven 350*
Spray muffin tins with Pam.

My kids love to help! Let them add the veggies, cheese and chia seeds! Are your kids not big on veggies? When kids get involved they will eat their masterpieces!!
My kids love to help! Let them add the veggies, cheese and chia seeds! Are your kids not big on veggies? When kids get involved they will eat their masterpieces!!

Add kale, cheese and chia seeds to each.

Pour egg whites over top!
Pour egg whites over top!

Pour 2 tbsp. of egg whites on top of each tin.

Bake 20 mins or until egg is cooked.

20 mins was perfect for my 6 tins! Watch as soon as the egg muffin forms and the edges turn golden!
20 mins was perfect for my 6 tins! Watch as soon as the egg muffin forms and the edges turn golden!

Of course we sprinkle ours with freshly grated Parmesan cheese! Enjoy!

Make a whole pan and refrigerate for quick, healthy grab and go breakfasts for the week! Slice a super egg white muffin in half and enjoy between wheat toast!  Add hot sauce for a little kick!
Make a whole pan and refrigerate for quick, healthy grab and go breakfasts for the week! Slice a super egg white muffin in half and enjoy between wheat toast! Add hot sauce for a little kick!

Want more superfood breakfast recipes?  www.parmesanprincess.com
Blog Posts:
No Bake Health Bars
Chia Blueberry Muffins
Ch Ch Ch Chia!!!

Ciao!

Easy No Bake Health Bars! Traditional Peanut Butter 190 Calories/145 From Fat VS. PB2 54 Calories/25 From Fat…Really?

Health bars, granola bars, oat bars…we try, but what are we really buying? Often times, we are buying a way fattier version of what we think, and might have been better off with a bag of potato chips!  Reminds me of Mean Girls, when Lindsay Lohan’s character gives Regina the “Caltine” bars that were supposed to taste amazing and help her burn calories and lose weight. Remember this? They were 1000 calories each!  Poor thing!

Know exactly what ingredients are in your bars! Make them yourself in minutes! And refrigerate!
Know exactly what ingredients are in your bars! Make them yourself in minutes! And refrigerate!

So lets talk peanut butter!  High in fat, but a staple protein source for athletes,  vegetarians, and many others!  Delicious and creamy, a definite staple for my kids!  What if you could trim the fat down by 85%? Have you heard of PB2? PB2 is a powder form of dry roasted peanuts that have been stripped of extra fats.

Pile creamy PB2 almond milk homemade peanut butter on fruits and veggies for a fresh, fabulous snack!
Pile creamy PB2 homemade peanut butter on fruits and veggies for a fresh, fabulous snack! Just add almond milk and Mix!

Some common everyday uses:

Add almond milk and make a homemade peanut butter!

Add to smoothies and protein shakes for flavor!

Bake with it, substitute PB2 when making homemade health bars instead of regular peanut butter!
Read more!! http://www.bellplantation.com/nutrition

Did I mention there is also PB2 chocolate? Yes, chocolate peanut butter. Mmmmmmm…

I whipped up my own, no bake, easy health bars using healthy ingredients in my pantry!

Easy No Bake Health Bars With Chia Seeds and PB2

Ingredients:

2 cups oats
2/3 cup honey
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup chia seeds
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup shredded coconut flakes
1/3 cup PB2
(2 cups of oats and 2 cups of any other mixable dry ingredients you would like. Try dried fruits, nuts, chocolate chips, etc.)

Directions:

Heat Honey and Coconut oil in a small saucepan.

Get creative! Substitute any dry ingredients your family enjoys!
Get creative! Substitute 2 cups of any dry, healthy ingredients your family enjoys!

Add all other ingredients and coat. DO NOT COOK , just warm.
(If adding chocolate chips, you need to cool the mixture before adding or they will melt!)
Press into the bottom of a glass 9X13 pan or for 1/2 recipe 8X8 dish cover and refrigerate for 4 hours.

Cut the recipe in half if you want to bake approx. 6 -4inch bars! Press into 8x8 dish!
Cut the recipe in half if you want to bake approx. 6 -4inch bars! Press into 8×8 dish!

Cut into bars or spoon onto yogurt!

Enjoy!!

Ciao!