Chocolate Banana Pudding

Finally success!  This recipe took me three tries to get it right.  But, I am proud to say this pudding is yummy and sugar free.  Plus, the bananas add potassium, which of course equals extra nutrition!

Chocolate Banana Pudding

2 cups unsweetened almond milk
1/3 cup liquid honey
2 bananas
1 free-range egg
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup arrowroot starch

Mix all ingredients in a blender until smooth.  Cook in a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat for 8 - 10 minutes, stirring constantly.  Chill and serve!

Better late than never

Alright, it looks like I need a little more time for my chocoate recipes.  I am now two behind schedule!  I am currently working on three chocolate dishes and will have them posted before the end of the month.  Please check back to find out what they are.  I am sure they will be worth the wait!

If at first you don't succeed

Try, try again!

Ok, that's what I have to do.  I am afraid my recipe of the week didn't turn out so great today.  And now it's late and I simply don't have the time, or energy.  So, this recipe will have to wait a few days.  Instead of posting something not-so-hot, I will make a few modifications and try it again.  But stay tuned chocoholics, because it's gonna be good!  :)

Chocolate Walnut Cookies

These cookies are super chocolatey goodness!  I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Chocolate Walnut Cookies

1 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup butter (softened)
1/2 cup agave syrup
1 egg
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder and baking soda.  Beat the coconut oil, butter and agave syrup with an electric mixer until smooth.  Beat in egg.  Mix in the flour mixture and walnuts.  Use a teaspoon to drop onto baking pan and bake for 10 - 12 minutes.

Chocolate!

February is chocolate month!  With Valentine's day coming, what better way to celebrate than with chocolate?  Valentine's day means love, and I loooooove chocolate!

With it's antioxidants and mood enhancing neurotransmitters, no wonder it makes us so happy! 

Most chocolate has added sugar and fat, that make it not so healthy for us, but I can show you that it doesn't have to be.  Yes, you can have your chocolate cake and eat it too!

Three Bean Salad

Who says you can't have salad in January?  This salad can be enjoyed all year round!  It is so wonderfully colorful and vibrant, it makes me feel good just to look at it.  :)

As with my other bean recipes, it is better to use dried beans, pre-soaked and pre-cooked.  However, for convenience, canned beans may be used.  Be sure to rinse them well.  Keep in mind that canned foods contain BPA, which is a toxic chemical.  Use canned foods in moderation.

Three Bean Salad

1 1/2 cups of kidney beans
1 1/2 cups of pinto beans
3 cups of green beans (frozen or fresh)
1 red onion
1 organic red bell pepper
1 organic yellow bell pepper
1/3 cup fresh chopped parsley

Dressing:

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp. honey
1/4 cup olive oil

Mix the beans, onion, pepper and parsley in a large bowl.  Whisk the dressing ingredients and mix together.  Refrigerate for at least one hour.

Black Bean Soup

Have I mentioned that I love soup!?  This soup is no exception.  With the protein and iron found in the beans, vitamin C in the zucchini, the anti-inflammatories of ginger and topped with healthy fat avocado, this soup has it all!

2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 zucchini, chopped
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp cumin
2 cups black beans (dried beans that have been pre-soaked for 4 hours and pre-boiled for one hour.  Or use canned beans that have been rinsed well.)
2 cups organic vegetable broth
1 avocado
1 green onion

Heat oil over low to medium heat and add onion, carrot, zucchini, garlic and ginger.  Saute for five minutes.  Add cumin, beans and broth.  Cover and let simmer for 20 minutes.  Allow soup to cool and puree in blender or food processor.  Re-heat and top with avocado and green onion.