Tag: healthy living


May
2014

Gluten Free Super Chocolate Chip Cookies! A Healthy Snack!

categories: Desserts, Fun for Kids, Gluten Free, Healthy Living, Healthy Snacks, Recipes
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!


May
2014

Sautéed Broccoli- A Grilled Entrée’s Perfect Side Dish!!

categories: Healthy Living, Recipes, Sides

Nothing beats grilling outside in the warm air! Yay, it’s that time of year again!! I have been grilling for the past few weeks and trying new Spring side dishes!

This sauté is amazing ! The sunflowers add a nutty flavor to the mix!
This sauté is amazing ! The sunflower seeds add a nutty flavor to the mix!

Have you ever tried cooking with sunflower seeds? Like pine nuts, sunflower seeds have incredible health benefits! They are a great source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants!

Here is one of my family’s favorites!

Be careful not to overcook the broccoli! Keep the crunch!
Be careful not to overcook the broccoli! Keep the crunch!

 

Sautéed Broccoli with Sunflower Seeds

Ingredients:
1 lb. broccoli, peeled and chopped
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 garlic cloves pressed
1 small onion chopped
1/4 cup raw, shelled sunflower seeds
Salt and pepper

Directions:

Warm oil over low/medium heat.
Add garlic and stir. Be careful not to burn! No brown!

I think I use garlic in every recipe!!
I think I use garlic in every recipe!!

Add onions and cook until tender.
Add broccoli and sunflower seed.
Mix well to coat all.

Make sure your heat is at a low/medium temperature! You don't want to brown the broccoli just heat through and mix the flavors together.
Make sure your heat is at a low/medium temperature! You don’t want to brown the broccoli just heat through and mix the flavors together.

Add sunflower seeds salt and pepper to taste and mix well again.
Let it cook 10 minutes or until broccoli is hot but crisp!
Serve with your favorite grilled entree! Enjoy!

Ciao!


Mar
2014

Ch Ch Ch Chia!!! Remember When Chia Pets Were All The Rage? Check Out The Hottest New Superfood… Chia Seeds!

categories: Healthy Living, Recipes, Shopping
This Native American seed can be sprinkled on anything! Or make it into a gel and add to soup, salad dressing, smoothies or protein shakes!
This Native American seed can be sprinkled on anything! Or make it into a gel and add to soup, salad dressing, smoothies or protein shakes!

Chia seeds are a weight loss dream! One ounce of chia seeds contains 11g of dietary fiber! High in phosphorus, protein and omega 3 fatty oils, they help you feel full!

Need more stamina and energy? When eaten, chia seeds slow the conversion of carbohydrates to sugar giving us more strength and endurance!

Chia can be added to anything! It is a healthy lifestyle choice and I started today by incorporating chia into our breakfast routine!

I sprinkled 3 tbsp chia seed on Greek yogurt with some fresh raspberries!!
I sprinkled 3 tbsp chia seed on Greek yogurt with some fresh raspberries!!

 

Even though the seeds are tasteless…if you don’t want a gritty feel, make a gel and add it to any liquid!

Chia Gel:

Add 1/3 cup of chia seeds to 2 cups of water in an an airtight container. Shake vigorously for 90 seconds. Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks!

In a PreventDisease.com article “Are Chia Seeds the Perfect Superfood?” Some benefits of chia are:

Lose weight without starving
Balance blood sugar
Add Omega-3 oil to your diet
Nutrition
Feel more energized
Bake with less fat
Add age-defying antioxidants
Cut food cravings
And many more!!
Hair and skin products containing chia are popping up everyday!! This really is a superfood for the mind, body and soul!

Buy some seeds!
Where can you buy chia seeds? Whole Foods for sure!
I found mine at Pennsylvania Macaroni in Pittsburgh’s Strip District! www.pennmac.com
Another step toward our quest for youth!! Count me in!

Ciao!

 

I did my research!
Sources:

Mychiaseeds.com
PreventDisease.com
Dr.Oz.com
Living-foods.com
nytimes.com