Showing posts with label peanut butter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label peanut butter. Show all posts

Monday, October 24, 2011

REECES PB TWINKIES



No wonder Hostess Twinkies can sit in a pantry for years and never mold!

Hostess Twinkies Ingredients: Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour [Flour, Reduced Iron, B Vitamins (Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate (B1)Riboflavin (B2)Folic Acid)Corn Syrup, Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Water, Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable and/or Animal Shortening (Soybean, Cottonseed and/or Canola Oil, Beef Fat)Whole Eggs, Dextrose. contains 2% or Less of: Modified Corn Starch, Glucose, Leavenings (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Baking Soda, Monocalcium Phosphate)Sweet Dairy Whey, Soy Protein Isolate, Calcium and Sodium Caseinate, Salt, Mono and Diglycerides, Polysorbate 60, Soy Lecithin, Soy Flour, Cornstarch, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sorbic Acid (to Retain Freshness)Yellow 5, Red 40.

The Twinkie was created during the Depression and contains 39 ingredients! One of those ingredients is a preservative, sorbic acid. Sorbic acid actually comes from natural gas. AND...5 ingredients come from rocks.

If that isn’t gross enough, ingredients like cellulose gum, Polysorbate 60, and calcium sulfate are also used in sheet rock, shampoo, and rocket fuel. Oh, and...what make these treats so "light and fluffy?" It is limestone! And the creamy filling? What is that? It's not cream, it is partially hydrogenated vegetable oil...TRANS-FAT. So instead of pumping our kids with junk that NEVER gets moldy, try this adaptation instead.



2 cups peanut flour
1/2 cup Just Like Sugar (or erythritol)
1 tsp stevia glycerite
3 1/2 tsp aluminum free baking powder
1 tsp Celtic sea salt
1/8 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 cups vanilla or chocolate almond milk
1 tsp vanilla
3 extra large eggs (or 4 medium eggs)
OPTIONAL for Chocolate Twinkie: 1/4 cup cocoa powder
FILLING:
1 cup heavy cream OR coconut cream (if diary allergy)
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup Just Like Sugar (or Truvia)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease Twinkie pans with coconut oil or butter. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix at low speed for 30 seconds while scraping bowl. Mix at high speed for 3 minutes, scraping bowl every minute.

Spoon batter into tin until they are 2/3 full (click HERE to find a Twinkie pan on amazon.com). Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pans then move to wire rack to cool completely.

Chocolate Filling: Whip the cream until fluffy, add in the cocoa powder and sweetener. Fill the Twinkies with chocolate whipped cream using the piping tool. Makes 12 servings.

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
Hostess Twinkies = 150 calories, 5g fat, 1g protein, 25 carbs, 0 fiber
"Healthified" Twinkie = 113 calories, 7g fat, 8g protein, 6 carbs, 3g fiber

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Nutter Butters


Do you love Nutter Butter Cookies? Check out the ingredients: TRANS-FATS and High Fructose Corn Syrup! FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE {VITAMIN B1}, RIBOFLAVIN {VITAMIN B2}, FOLIC ACID), SUGAR, PEANUT BUTTER (PEANUTS, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, HYDROGENATED RAPSEED AND/OR COTTONSEED AND/OR SOYBEAN OILS, SALT), SOYBEAN OIL AND/OR PALM OIL, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, GRAHAM FLOUR (WHOLE GRAN WHEAT FLOUR), PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED COTTONSEED OIL, SALT, LEAVENING (BAKING SODA AND/OR CALCIUM PHOSPHATE), CORNSTARCH, SOY LECITHIN (EMULSIFIER), VANILLIN - AN ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR.

Imagine this...your brain conducts routine daily maintenance on your dopamine and serotonin receptors (both essential for mood and concentration). These receptors are composed of Omega-3 fatty acid called DHA. If you consume TRANS-FAT (hydrogenated oils) instead of healthy DHA, your brain molecules use this as a construction material instead. They problem is that trans-fats are shaped differently than DHA: they are straight while DHA is curved. Dopamine receptors becomes mis-shaped and don't work very well. Repeat this scenario meal after meal, day after day, year after year, and you could wind up with problems like ADHD, problems concentrating, anxiety and depression. What is more bothersome to me is when we give our children these so called "treats" because they are entitled to have them when they are young, but it is even more detrimental because children's brains are still developing.

The typical American diet is almost devoid of these essential omegas; they are called "essential fatty acids" because your body can't make them...you must consume them. In fact, over 60% of Americans are deficient in Omega-3 fatty acids, and about 20% have so little that test methods can't detect any in their blood. Omega-3 deficiencies are also linked to dyslexia, memory problems, weight gain, cancer, heart disease, acne, eczema, allergies, inflammatory diseases, arthritis, diabetes, and SO many other conditions. Your brain is more than 60% structural fat, so it is no wonder why if we don't serve our children this essential brain food, they will have a hard time succeeding in school. To read more on Serotonin and Dopamine, try this book: Secrets to Controlling Your Weight Cravings and Mood.




1/2 c. vanilla whey/egg white protein
3/4 c. peanut flour (or almond flour)
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp Celtic sea salt
1/4 c. peanut butter (or almond)
1/4 c. Just Like Sugar (or erythritol)
1 tsp stevia glycerite
2 TBS water (to hold dough together)

FILLING:
1/2 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. cream cheese
1/4 c. Just Like Sugar
1/2 tsp stevia glycerite



Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a medium bowl, stir together the whey, peanut/almond flour, baking soda and salt. Cut in the peanut butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the butter lumps are smaller than peas. Stir in the water and sweetener to form a stiff dough. On parchment paper, roll the dough out to 1/8 inch in thickness. On a cookie sheet, place 1/4 inch balls 2 inches apart. Flatten balls into circles (I used a measuring cup). Bake for 10-12 minutes in the preheated oven, until edges are lightly browned. Cool in oven to crisp up.  FILLING: Mix together and use to hold cookies together. Makes 12 servings.

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
Traditional Nutter Butter = 160 calories, 8g fat, 2g protein, 20 carbs, 1g fiber

"Healthified" Nutter Butter = 160 calories, 11g fat, 10.5g protein, 5 carbs, 2g fiber

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Chocolate PB Swirl Ice Cream


Are you grabbing Weight Watcher's Ice Cream off the shelf while trying to lose weight? THINK AGAIN!

Ingredients = Milk Fat and Nonfat Milk, Sugar, Fudge Revel (Maltitol Syrup, Water, Maltitol, Cocoa Processed with Alkali, Butter, Nonfat Dry Milk, contains 2% or Less of: Pectin, Salt, Potassium Sorbate as Preservative, Sucralose)Peanut Butter Base (Peanuts, Peanut Oil, Salt, Mono and Diglycerides)Peanut Brittle (Peanuts, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Molasses, Butter, Sodium Bicarbonate, Salt, Vanilla)Polydextrose, Maltodextrin, Cellulose Gel, Mono & Diglycerides, Cellulose Gum, Carrageenan, Polysorbate 80, Vitamin A Palmitate.

You may think the key to weight loss is "Calories In, Calories Out"...It is WAY more complicated than that. If you want to lose weight one main ingredient to steer clear of is trans-fats. As you look through the ingredients, you may think, "Maria, there are no hydrogenated oils in the list." BUT manufacturers have become aware that people know "hydrogenated oils" are a bad word so the FDA allows them to call it something different now! Manufacturers are now using mono- and di-glycerides--which are also hydrogenated oil products.

Once you become a savvy consumer, you will be amazed at the number of places that this detrimental little plastic molecule shows up.

WHY TRANS-FATS ARE SO BAD? Well, for MANY reasons, but one thing is that it slows metabolism. The oils are most likely a partially hydrogenated soybean oil. Soy blocks the absorption of zinc and iodine from the thyroid, which depresses the thyroid. A snowball effect happens: this will lower your energy levels, you don't feel like exercising, and your body can't process the food as efficiently and eventually makes you fatter! To read more on which foods enhance our thyroid go to the HORMONE chapter in my book: Secrets to a Healthy Metabolism.


Making low sugar ice cream is tricky. If you use an erythritol-based sweetener (like Organic Zero, Truvia or ZSweet), it hardens to a ROCK! BUT if you use Chicory Root (AKA "Swerve": click HERE to find), it stays nice and creamy! Another trick is to always add a pinch of salt to the mixture.



VANILLA ICE CREAM:
5 egg yolks
3/4 cup Swerve (or Just Like Sugar)
1/4 cup erythritol (or Swerve)
1 tsp stevia glycerite (omit if using Swerve)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup unsweetnened vanilla almond milk
1 tsp Celtic sea salt

In a medium saucepan place the egg yolks and sweeteners in to mix on high with a hand mixer (TIP: Since the Just Like Sugar is all a fiber, it will "gum" up if you don't constantly stir while adding it to the yolks). Whip yolks until light in color and double in size. Stir in the whipping cream. Place the saucepan onto medium heat on the stove and cook, stirring constantly (I used my hand mixer, see photo). Stir until thickened into a custard. Remove from heat and stir in the almond milk and salt. Let cool completely (I cooled overnight...it was hard to wait!). Place into your ice cream machine (click HERE to find the one I love AND it is 1/2 off the original price!!!) and watch the magic happen within 45 or according to your ice cream maker's directions. Freeze until set for vanilla ice cream or stir in your favorite swirl flavor to mix it up. Makes 5 servings.

PEANUT BUTTER SWIRL:
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or coconut oil
1/4 cup erythritol (or Swerve)
1/2 tsp stevia glycerite
1/4 cup vanilla almond milk
CHOCOLATE SWIRL:
2 TBS butter or coconut oil
1 oz unsweetened baking chocolate
10 TBS heavy cream
1/4 cup Confectioners Swerve (or erythritol ground in a coffee grinder)
1 tsp stevia glycerite

CHOCOLATE SWIRL: Place the butter and chopped chocolate in a double boiler (or in a heat safe dish over a pot of boiling water). Stir well until just melted (don't burn the chocolate!), add in the cream and sweetener. Stir until smooth and thick. Swirl into finished ice cream.

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per 1/2 cup serving)
Ben & Jerry's Vanilla Ice Cream = 230 calories, 23 carbs, 0 fiber, 4 g protein
"Healthified" Vanilla Ice Cream = 137 calories, 1.3 carbs, 0 fiber, 3.4 g protein

Ben & Jerry's PB Ice Cream = 360 calories, 27 carbs, 1 fiber, 6 g protein (26 effective carbs)
"Healthified" PB Ice Cream = 338 calories, 5.4 carbs, 1.6 g fiber, 7 g protein (3.8 effective carbs)

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Whatchamacallit Candy Bar



At my baby shower, we played the "poopie" diaper game...where you melt different candy bars in diapers and you pass them around to guess what candy bar it is. One of them was a WHATCHAMACALLIT. That game gave me a great idea! I could make these with Whey Crisps! WHATCHAMACALLITs have a peanut-flavored crisp inside with a layer of caramel and a milk chocolate coating.

WHATCHAMACALLITs are a old-time favorite of mine, but now that I know what trans-fats and fructose does to my cells, I won’t touch that stuff!

Ingredients: Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Crisp Rice, Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Palm Kernel and Soybean Oil), Vegetable Oil (Cocoa Butter, Palm, Shea, Sunflower and/or Safflower Oil), Partially Defatted Peanuts, Nonfat Milk, Chocolate, Partially Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Corn Syrup Solids, Whey (Milk), Contains 2% or Less of: Dairy Butter (Milk), Milk Fat, Salt, Mono- and Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin, Molasses, Barley Malt, Vanillin (Artificial Flavor), Disodium Phosphate.


Peanut Butter Crispy Center:
3/4 cup Swerve (or erythritol and 1/2 tsp stevia glycerite)
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup natural Peanut Butter
3 cups whey crisps

Combine the first 3 ingredients in a saucepan and warm until melted and mixed well. Add the whey crisps and mix. Form tinfoil into candy bar shapes. Pour batter into the tinfoil shape. Let cool in fridge or freezer until set.

Caramel Layer:
1/2 cup xylitol (or Just Like Sugar)
3 TBS butter
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Before you begin, make sure you have everything ready to go - the cream and the butter next to the pan, ready to put in. If you don't work fast, the xylitol will burn. You may want to wear oven mitts; the caramelized sugar will be much hotter than boiling water. Heat xylitol on moderately high heat in a heavy-bottomed 2-quart or 3-quart saucepan. As it begins to melt, stir vigorously with a whisk or wooden spoon. As soon as it comes to a boil, stop stirring. You can swirl the pan a bit if you want, from this point on. As soon as all of the xyltiol crystals have melted (the liquid should be dark amber in color), immediately add the butter to the pan. Whisk until the butter has melted. Once the butter has melted, take the pan off the heat. Count to three, then slowly add the cream to the pan and continue to whisk to incorporate. Note than when you add the butter and the cream, the mixture will foam up considerably. Whisk until caramel sauce is smooth. Let cool in the pan for a couple minutes, then pour into a glass mason jar and let sit to cool to room temperature. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Add a layer of 1 TBS caramel on top of the whey crisp mold. Set in freezer to set up.

CHOCOLATE SAUCE:
2 TBS grass fed butter or coconut oil
1 oz unsweetened baking chocolate
10 TBS heavy cream
1/4 cup Swerve (or erythritol)
1 tsp stevia glycerite

Place the butter and chopped chocolate in a double boiler (or in a heat safe dish over a pot of boiling water). Stir well until just melted (don't burn the chocolate!), add in the cream, and sweetener. Stir until smooth and thick. Take frozen whey crisp mold out of the freezer and roll in the chocolate. Set the candy bar on parchment paper to cool and set. Makes 12 servings.

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
Traditional Whatchamacallit = 222 calories, 28.5 carbs, 0.9 fiber
“Heathified” Whatchamacallit = 210 calories, 3.8 carbs, 1.5 fiber

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Peanut Butter Chicken Strips and JIFF "Omega 3"


Are you really fooled by this marketing? I hope not! I want to throw this down the aisle when I see people grab it off the shelf. The "hydrogenated oils" trump the fish oils that are added to the plastic tub...I should also mention that you can make healthy fish oils rancid by overheating them so they don't smell or taste "fishy," which you know they do because who wants a fish flavor in their peanut butter? BUT this is also why I nag my clients to spend the money on a quality fish oil. Cheap fish oil from SAM'S club is going to do more harm than good.

TRANS-FATS How they are made...
1. Manufacturers begin with the cheapest oils-soy, corn, cottonseed or canola, already rancid and full of free-radicals. Not to mention filled with ROUND UP!
2. Mix it with tiny metal particles - usually nickel oxide.
3. Put into hydrogen gas in a high-temperature machine.
4. Next, soap-like products and starch are added into the mixture to give it a better consistency.
5. Again subjected to high temperatures when it is cleaned by steaming.
6. This removes its unpleasant odor. Margarine's natural color, an unappetizing grey, is removed by bleach.
7. Dyes and strong flavors are then be added to make it look like butter.
Squashed and packaged in blocks or tubs and sold as a “cholesterol-lowering” health food.

This is also how they make peanut butter. It keeps the oil from separating and good for aesthetics and ease of use, but terrible for our health. It becomes a plastic that changes the structure of our cells...our bodies basically become "partially hydrogenated!" Your body focuses on fighting the free radicals from clogging your bloodstream and it can’t focus on up-taking nutrients in your “food” to build, repair, and replenish; which is the main purpose of eating. When this happens, we constantly crave food, our brain is smart, it will tell us to eat until we fill it with the vitamins and minerals that we need. Are you constantly hungry? Could this be the culprit? To read more on "Trans Fat and Weight Gain," check out the book, Secrets to a Healthy Metabolism.

So, if you make this recipe, make sure to use a natural peanut butter! Click HERE to find the one I love!



2 TBS coconut or sesame oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken sliced into strips
2 tsp minced ginger
2 tsp Organic Tamari sauce (soy sauce)
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup Natural Peanut Butter OR Almond Butter
1 tsp cayenne pepper
Optional: 1/2 cup scallions, chopped

CHICKEN: Heat oil in large skillet and cook chicken until it is no longer pink, about 2-3 minutes. Set aside.

SAUCE: Reduce heat to low and in a medium pan add ginger, Tamari sauce, peanut butter, coconut milk and cayenne pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until sauce is bubbly and warm, 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and sprinkle with scallions. Serve immediately. Makes 5 servings.

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
Traditional Dish = 360 calories, 17 carbs, 2.6g fiber
"Healthified" Dish = 290 calories, 3.2 carbs, 2.1g fiber

FYI: The McNuggets only have 2g protein per serving! There's barely any meat in them!

Chicken McNuggets: White boneless chicken, water, food starch-modified, salt, seasoning (autolyzed yeast extract, salt, wheat starch, natural flavoring (botanical source), safflower oil, dextrose, citric acid, rosemary), sodium phosphates, seasoning (canola oil, mono- and diglycerides, extractives of rosemary). Battered and breaded with: water, enriched flour (bleached wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), yellow corn flour, food starch-modified, salt, leavening (baking soda, sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium aluminum phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, calcium lactate), spices, wheat starch, whey, corn starch. Prepared in vegetable oil (Canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil with TBHQ and citric acid added to preserve freshness). Dimethylpolysiloxane added as an antifoaming agent.


Sunday, April 3, 2011

Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs and TBHQ

Reece's Peanut Butter Eggs were one of my weaknesses in my past life. But now with understanding on what certain chemicals do to our cells and brain, I have no problem walking by them in the grocery store. Instead, I enjoy every bite of my homemade eggs without any guilt.

Ingredients in REECE'S Eggs: Peanuts, sugar, dextrose, vegetable oil (cocoa butter, palm, shea, sunflower and/or safflower oil), chocolate, nonfat milk, contains 2% or less of milk fat, lactose, salt, whey, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, corn syrup, soy lecithin, cornstarch, glycerin, TBHQ & PGPR, vanillin

TBHQ comes from petroleum (think "lighter fluid"). It is applied either to the carton of fast food items or sprayed directly onto them, as well as in various other prepackaged food items. TBHQ is banned in other countries.

TBHQ keeps fats from going rancid, so you see it in a lot of foods that they want to have a long shelf life. It is considered an "anti-oxidant" BUT it can itself be oxidized into harmful molecules, like tert-butylquinone...causing a TIRED TOXIC LIVER (see chapter on the liver in Secrets to a Healthy Metabolism).

But it also promotes production of quinone reductase, which is linked to cancer. TBHQ can cause a full range of reactions from asthma to anxiety, ADHD, insomnia, depression, tiredness, learning difficulties and children's behavior problems. This chemical is also found to effect estrogen levels...are you trying to get pregnant? or dealing with menopausal symptoms? I would avoid this like the plague.

In pre-packaged foods, if you see the words "no trans-fats," look for TBHQ in the ingredient lists. Some manufacturer's, such as Kellogg's, are using this "trickery," and are using TBHQ instead of trans-fats. Is it better than trans-fat? No. BUT what is even scarier... if you don't see it, that does not mean it is not there. Manufacturers are not required to list "secondary" ingredients. If you don't believe me, call the company and ask if their oil now contains TBHQ. Thank you FDA!

Oh, AND always make sure you use NATURAL peanut butter...Jiff has trans-fats!



"Healthified" Peanut Butter Eggs:
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese or coconut cream, softened
1/2 cup butter or coconut oil, softened
1 (18 ounce) jar creamy NATURAL peanut butter (or almond butter)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup powdered erythritol* and 1 tsp stevia glycerite (or 1 cup Swerve)

Using a coffee grinder, grind the sweetener until a fine powder to resemble powdered sugar. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Beat in sweetener. Form rounded tablespoonfuls into egg shapes. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Chill for 30 minutes.

CHOCOLATE COATING:
2 TBS grass fed butter or coconut oil
1 oz unsweetened baking chocolate
5 TBS heavy cream or coconut milk
1/4 cup powdered* erythritol (or Confectioners Swerve)
1 tsp stevia glycerite

Place the butter and chopped chocolate in a double boiler (or in a heat safe dish over a pot of boiling water). Stir well until just melted (don't burn the chocolate!), add in the cream, and sweetener. Stir until smooth and thick. Dip eggs until coated; place on waxed paper to harden.

For more decorative eggs, place about 1/4 cup melted chocolate in a small plastic bag. Cut a hole in the corner of the bag; pipe chocolate over tops of eggs. Store in the refrigerator. Makes 16 eggs.

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
1 Reeces PB Egg = 90 calories, 9 carbs, 0 fiber
1 "Healthified" Egg = 79 calories, 2.9 carbs, 2 fiber

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Peanut Butter Noodles and Facts on XYLITOL


Xylitol is a naturally occurring low-calorie sweetener found in fruits, vegetables and certain hardwoods. Our bodies can produce up to 15 grams of Xylitol per day from the foods we consume. Xylitol produces a lower glycemic response than sucrose or glucose so it has minimal side effects on blood sugar and insulin. It is not as low as erythritol, but some people prefer the taste of Xylitol as compared to erythritol.

Here are some of the Benefits:
1. 40% fewer calories than sugar.
2. Researchers found that kids who consistently chewed Xylitol gum had 40% fewer ear infections than those who did not.
3. Pregnant women benefit from Xylitol to keep their teeth healthy especially during the third trimester, when teeth are especially soft.
4. Eating Xylitol gum or mints stimulates saliva flow. This will protect your teeth because it brings the PH levels close to neutral. (diet soda has a pH 2.2)
5. Reduces tooth decay: If you drink acidic sports drinks frequently, eat carbohydrates often and spend hours dehydrated and breathing through a dry acidic mouth, such as athletes and teenagers, these are risk factors for tooth decay. Xylitol can help.
6. Studies show that a consistent use of at least 6-8 grams if Xylitol daily can reduce cavities as much as 80%. If you already have gum disease or cavities, these problems can be reversed. Regular use of Xylitol can stop things from getting worse (along with a grain-free diet and increased consumption of fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K).



1/2 cup chicken broth
1 1/2 TBS minced fresh ginger root
3 TBS organic tamari (soy sauce)
3 TBS natural peanut butter or almond butter
1 1/2 TBS NATURES-HOLLOW xylitol honey
2 tsp hot chile paste (optional)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 head of cabbage
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup chopped peanuts

Cut cabbage into long noodle-like strips. Combine chicken broth, ginger, tamari sauce, peanut butter, xylitol honey, chili paste, and garlic in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until peanut butter melts and is heated through. Add cabbage "noodles", and toss to coat. Stir fry cabbage until they are soft like noodles. Garnish with green onions and peanuts. Makes 4 servings.

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
Traditional Peanut Noodles = 330 calories, 12g fat, 47 carbs, 1.9g fiber, 10.7g protein
"Healthified" Peanut Noodles = 160 calories, 12g fat, 8 carbs, 1.8g fiber, 10.1g protein

Monday, March 7, 2011

Brownie Cut Outs

I know we all prefer convenience food...it is hard to take the time to bake, but when you dig deep and look at the ingredient list of common items, you realize the importance of making your own food. One popular American diet program has a so called "diet" brownie that has an ingredient list that fills the side of the box. Steer clear! Anything with maltodexterin, high fructose corn syrup, and other unhealthy products are not going to help with weight loss, no matter how low in calories they are. Do not be fooled by marketing!

NO one wishes harm on their children, but if you feed them trans-fats, you are unknowingly setting them up for severe health issues. This is because trans-fats in foods are like BIG SUV's trying to park into a "compact" parking spaces of our cells that are reserved for healthy Omega 3 fats (DHA). When this happens, our neurotransmitters responsible for focus, mood, and memory have a hard time finding and recognizing their receptors due to the inflammation of the membranes on the brain cells caused by the consumption of trans fats.

Brain levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine (important for mood and focus) are lowered by 95% when you ingest trans fats. BUT what is even more disturbing, is that when you switch to eating 100% trans-fat free our brain remains unable to produce normal amounts of dopamine in
the hippocampus (the part of the brain most responsible for consolidating memory). This is one reason for the high rates of ADHD and depression. To read more on Brain Chemicals, check out my book: Secrets to Controlling Your Weight Cravings and Mood.

Children who start at age 3 or 4 eating a steady diet of fast food, pop tarts, commercially prepared fish sticks, stick margarine, cake, candy, cookies and microwave popcorn can be expected to have a harder time focusing, an increase risk of depression, have heart disease and strokes at earlier ages. BUT even if you avoid typical "junk food," you must remain a detective! I have seen trans-fats in refrigerated SALSA!

Hostess Brownie Bites Ingredients: Sugar, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Whole Eggs, Corn Syrup, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (Sugar, Chocolate Liquor, Dextrose, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Vanillin), Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour (Flour, Barley Malt, Ferrous Sulfate (Iron), "B" Vitamins [Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Folic Acid)], Cocoa Processed With Alkali, Cocoa, Contains 2% Or Less Of: Water, Salt, Milk Protein Concentrate, Nonfat Milk, Sweet Dairy Whey, Mono And Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Natural And Artificial Flavor. Contains Egg, Wheat, Milk And Soybeans


"HEALTHIFIED" BROWNIE
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 tsp instant espresso (optional)
1/2 cup plus 2 TBS boiling water
2 oz unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
4 TBS butter or coconut oil, melted
1/2 cup plus 2 TBS macadamia nut oil or more butter
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups Chicory Root Sweetener(or erythritol and 1 tsp stevia glycerite)
1 3/4 cups peanut flour
3/4 tsp Celtic sea salt
2 ChocoPerfection Bars, cut into 1/2" pieces

Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 350°. Ling 13x9" baking pan with foil, pushing foil into corners and up sides of pan with excess overhanging pan edges. Grease foil. Whisk cocoa, espresso powder (if using), and boiling water together in large bowl until smooth. Add unsweetened chocolate and whisk until chocolate is melted. Whisk in melted butter and oil (mixture may look curdled). Add eggs, yolks and vanilla and continue to whisk until smooth. Whisk in sweetener until fully incorporated. Add peanut flour and salt and mix with rubber spatula until combined. Fold in ChocoPerfection pieces. Scrape batter into prepared pan and bake until toothpick inserted halfway between edge and center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, 30 to 35 min. Transfer pan to wire rack and cool 1 1/2 hrs. Using foil overhand, lift brownies from pan. Return brownies to wire rack and let cool completely, about 1 hr. Cut into 4" squares and serve. Makes 12 servings.

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
Traditional Brownies = 243 calories, 39 carbs, trace fiber, 2.7g protein
"Healthified" Brownies = 243 calories, 3.6 carbs, 1.9g fiber, 19g protein

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Peanut Butter Twix and SEROTONIN

Have you ever heard of tryptophan? It is the amino acid blamed for sleepiness after a Thanksgiving meal. Tryptophan can also increase our serotonin levels. Serotonin is used in your gut extensively (80% to 90% is found there) but in your brain it does various things like control of appetite, mood and anger.

Serotonin natures are happy, sensory, and live in the moment. Despite being calm they can be very impulsive and like to seek a wide variety of exciting new activities.

Serotonin deficiency is a primary cause of mood or depression disorders. Other symptoms can include carbohydrate-craving, allergies, arthritis, backache, constipation, diarrhea, headache, migraines, insomnia, premature ejaculation, tinnitus, yawning, lack of pleasure, being a loner, OCD, perfectionism, rage, shyness, lack of concentration, and slow reactions. *Note: You need more serotonin during your menstrual cycles!

HOW TO INCREASE YOUR SEROTONIN LEVELS
In order to increase your serotonin, you need more tryptophan. Tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin. Here is a list of the best food sources for tryptophan. The list is basically in descending order of how much you get from a typical portion.

• SLEEP (not a food, but important!!!)
• Wild game
• WHEY PROTEIN
• Avocado
• Egg
• Duck
• Cottage Cheese/Ricotta
• Turkey
• Sausage
• Halibut
• Beef liver
• Chicken
• Cinnamon (reduce carb craving)
• Chocolate (cocoa)




Ingredients in a Traditional TWIX bar = Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Milk Ingredients, Cocoa Mass, Lactose, Soy Lecithin, Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate, Artificial Flavour)Enriched Flour (Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid)Sugar, Hydrolyzed Palm and Palm Kernel Oil, Corn Syrup, Milk Ingredients, Dextrose, Salt, Cocoa Mass, Sodium Bicarbonate, Soy Lecithin, Soybean Oil, Artificial Flavour.


COOKIE:
1/2 cup vanilla whey or egg white protein
3/4 cup peanut flour
1/4 tsp Celtic sea salt
1/4 cup butter or coconut oil
4 TBS Just Like Sugar (or erythritol)
1 tsp stevia glycerite
2-3 TBS water (just enough to hold dough together)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a medium bowl, stir together the whey, peanut flour, baking soda and salt. Cut in the butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the butter lumps are smaller than peas. Stir in the almond milk and sweetener to form a stiff dough. Take about 2 TBS of dough at a time to roll out long biscuit shapes (resembling a Twix bar). Place on cookie sheet. Bake for 7 minutes, turn off oven. Leave in oven for 3 more minutes to cool to crisp up. Place in freezer to freeze (frozen biscuits will hold the caramel better).

Peanut Butter Layer:
6 TBS Natural Peanut Butter
6 TBS vanilla almond milk
Sweetener to taste

Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir until well combined. Add sweetener to taste. Place peanut butter sauce on top of the cookie and place in freezer to set.

Chocolate:
1 CHOCO-Perfection Bar
2 TBS vanilla almond milk

In a double boiler, combine ingredients, melt the chocolate (or microwavable bowl, microwave for 30 seconds). Stir well. Drizzle over the peanut butter covered cookie. Place in freezer to set. Makes 12 individual twix bars.

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per 2 Twix bars)
Traditional Twix = 290 calories, 5g protein, 15g fat, 37 carbs, 2g fiber
"Healthified" Twix = 195 calories, 9.1 g protein, 16.7 g fat, 2.9 g fiber, 3.3 g carbs

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins


Swerve = It is made from chicory root (oligosaccharides), calcium, vitamin C, and orange peel.
SWEETNESS/CONVERSION = Same as table sugar. Use cup for cup.
CALORIES = 0
WHY I USE IT = Swerve has none of the strong aftertastes of stevia or artificial sweeteners.
BENEFITS = Keeps ice cream soft, makes perfect caramel sauce, makes cookies soft on the inside and chewy on the outside, and it tastes great.
1. CHOLESTEROL: It decrease the levels of serum LDL cholesterol in the blood.
2. INFLAMMATION: It contains vitamin C, one of the most powerful antioxidants.
3. DIABETES: The inulin content is not digestible, so its lack of glucose can help promote optimal blood sugar levels while also increasing stool bulk and consistency.
4. CONSTIPATION: It provides soluble fiber, which improves digestion.
5. GALL BLADDER ISSUES: It builds your body's resistance to gallstones and liver stones. By increasing the flow of bile, it assists the body in digesting foods and liquids. The extra bile also helps break down fats in the body.Chicory root has a mild laxative effect, increases bile from the gallbladder, and decreases swelling.
6. URINARY INFECTIONS, KIDNEY STONES and GOUT: It has diuretic properties that provide protection for the urinary tract system and kidneys. Toxins are removed and the cleansing of the body is stimulated because of an increase in urine flow. It has been used to expel gravel, calcium deposits, and excess uric acid from the body, which helps to prevent gout and kidney stones.
7. WEIGHT LOSS: Chicory root benefits weight loss because of the effect it has on the digestive system. It is an excellent source of fructooligosaccharides which help promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract. It also increases the rate of the break down of fats. It also helps with weight loss because it helps keep insulin levels low while enjoying sweet foods.
8. NATURAL "Liver" CLEANSER: Chicory root also supports the body's detoxification system through the liver and kidneys, and is believed to help with calcium absorption. Chicory also helps prevent jaundice and an enlarged liver when mixed with water. Because of Chicory Root’s potential for removing contaminants from the digestive system, the liver does not have to work as hard to filter out toxins that may have escaped into the bloodstream. It also acts as a gentle laxative and diuretic for removing excess water and toxins, and this can also reduce strain on the liver.
9. ANXIETY: It is a natural sedative and anti-inflammatory for the nervous system. If you have anxiety issues and still drink coffee, this sweetener can help.
10: INDIGESTION: It acts as an herbal antacid, the root neutralizes acid and correct acid indigestion, heartburn, gastritis, vomiting, upset stomach. Because it stimulates bile production, this helps to speed up the digestive process after eating too much rich food.
11. SKIN: Used externally, the Chicory Root has healing properties for cuts, sunburn, swellings, hemorrhoids, and poison ivy. It reduces the inflammation of rheumatism and the pain of stiff and sore joints.
UNDESIRED PROPERTIES = It is expensive, but other than that it is perfect!

Glycemic Index of Sweeteners
Stevia Glycerite = 0
Erythritol = 0
Swerve = 0
Truvia/ZSWEET = 0
JUST LIKE SUGAR = 0
Xylitol = 7
Maple Syrup = 54
Honey = 62
Table Sugar = 68



1/2 cup butter or coconut oil
1/2 cup Swerve (or erythritol )
1 tsp stevia glycerite (omit if using xylitol)
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
3/4 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups peanut flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp Celtic sea salt
1 cup ChocoPerfection Bar, chopped


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cream butter and sweetener. Beat eggs in well. Mix in peanut butter, sour cream, and vanilla. Combine peanut flour, baking powder, soda and salt together and add to creamed mixture. Stir in most of the chocolate chips, reserving a few for the top. Spoon mixture into greased mini muffin tin. Place in oven for 10-12 minutes. Test with a toothpick for doneness. Makes 12 large muffins or 42 mini muffins.

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per 1 large cupcake)
Traditional Chocolate Chip PB Cupcakes = 396 calories, 49.5 carbs, 2.5g fiber
"Healthified" Chocolate Chip PB Cakes (making 12 servings) = 302 calories, 12 carbs, 6.9g fiber
"Healthified" Mini Muffins (making 42 muffins) = 86 calories, 3.6 carbs, 2g fiber

*Nutritional Info using ChocoPerfection Bar

Sunday, February 6, 2011

SNICKER'S Candybar!


Yikes! Now these are addicting! And MUCH healthier than a traditional Snickers! Trans-fat is SO bad for our cells!

Ingredients in Snickers = Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Chocolate, Skim Milk, Lactose, Milkfat, Soy Lecithin, Artificial Flavor)Peanuts, Corn Syrup, Milkfat, Skim Milk, Vegetable Oil (Partially Hydrogenated Soybean and/or Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil)Salt, Lactose, Egg Whites, Chocolate, Artificial Flavor.


Chocolate Coating:
2 cups ChocoPerfection
1 cup Natural Peanut Butter
Nugget Layer:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup Organic Zero (or erythritol )
1 tsp stevia glycerite
1/4 cup vanilla egg white or whey protein
1 cup cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup salted peanuts, chopped
Caramel Layer:
1 cup Just Like Sugar OR xylitol
6 TBS butter
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

In a saucepan melt 2 cup of the milk chocolate chips, and 1 cup of creamy peanut butter. Spread HALF on bottom of cake pan. Then put in freezer to set up while next layer is prepared.

NUGGET LAYER: In a saucepan boil 1/4 cup of butter, 1/2 cup of erythritol, and 1/4 cup whey protein together for about 5 minutes. Take off stove and add 1 cup cream cheese, 1/4 cup creamy natural peanut butter, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1 1/2 cups salted and chopped peanuts. Pour over first layer that was chilling then place back in freezer.

CARAMEL LAYER: Using Just Like Sugar: Before you begin, make sure you have everything ready to go - the cream and the butter next to the pan, ready to put in. Work fast or the sweetener will burn. Heat butter on high heat in a heavy-bottomed 2-quart (2 L) or 3-quart (3 L) saucepan. As soon as it comes to a boil, watch for specks of brown (this is brown butter....so good on veggies!). Immediately add the Just Like Sugar® and the cream to the pan. Whisk until caramel sauce is smooth. Let cool in the pan for a couple minutes, and then pour into a glass mason jar and let sit to cool to room temperature. Store in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks. Drizzle all over the cheesecake just before serving. You can also top with pecan pieces.

Using Xylitol: Again have everything ready. Wear oven mitts; the caramelized sugar will be much hotter than boiling water. In a heavy-bottomed 2-quart (2 L) or 3-quart (3 L) saucepan, heat sweetener on moderately high heat. As it begins to melt, stir vigorously with a whisk or wooden spoon. As soon as it comes to a boil, stop stirring. You can swirl the pan a bit if you want, from this point on. As soon as all of the xylitol crystals have melted (the liquid should be dark amber in color), immediately add the butter to the pan. Whisk until the butter has melted.

Once the butter has melted, take the pan off the heat. Count to three, then slowly add the cream to the pan and continue to whisk to incorporate. Note that when you add the butter and the cream, the mixture will foam up considerably. Whisk until caramel sauce is smooth. Let cool in the pan for a couple minutes, then pour into a glass mason jar and let sit to cool to room temperature. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Spread over the top of the second layer that is chilling- place back in freezer.

Next you will want to cut into candy bar shapes...I like to make them "mini" for portion control. Warm the chocolate coating and roll the frozen bars in the chocolate to coat well. Place on parchment paper and chill. Keep in refrigerator. Makes 24 candybars.

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per bar)
Traditional Snickers = 271 calories, 34.5 carbs, 1.3g fiber, 4.3g protein
"Healthified" Snickers = 254 calories, 8 carbs, 4.6g fiber, 5.6g protein

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Peanut Butter Cookies


Are you really fooled by this marketing? I hope not! I want to throw this down the aisle when I see people grab it off the shelf. The "hydrogenated oils" trump the fish oils that are added to the plastic tub...I should also mention that you can make healthy fish oils rancid by overheating them so they don't smell or taste "fishy," which you know they do because who wants a fish flavor in their peanut butter? BUT this is also why I nag my clients to spend the money on a quality fish oil. Cheap fish oil from SAM'S club is going to do more harm than good.

TRANS-FATS How they are made...
1. Manufacturers begin with the cheapest oils-soy, corn, cottonseed or canola, already rancid and full of free-radicals. Not to mention filled with ROUND UP!
2. Mix it with tiny metal particles - usually nickel oxide.
3. Put into hydrogen gas in a high-temperature machine.
4. Next, soap-like products and starch are added into the mixture to give it a better consistency.
5. Again subjected to high temperatures when it is cleaned by steaming.
6. This removes its unpleasant odor. Margarine's natural color, an unappetizing grey, is removed by bleach.
7. Dyes and strong flavors are then be added to make it look like butter.
Squashed and packaged in blocks or tubs and sold as a “cholesterol-lowering” health food.

This is also how they make peanut butter. It keeps the oil from separating and good for aesthetics and ease of use, but terrible for our health. It becomes a plastic that changes the structure of our cells...our bodies basically become "partially hydrogenated!" Your body focuses on fighting the free radicals from clogging your bloodstream and it can’t focus on up-taking nutrients in your “food” to build, repair, and replenish; which is the main purpose of eating. When this happens, we constantly crave food, our brain is smart, it will tell us to eat until we fill it with the vitamins and minerals that we need. Are you constantly hungry? Could this be the culprit? To read more on "Trans Fat and Weight Gain," check out the book, Secrets to a Healthy Metabolism.

So, if you make this recipe, make sure to use a natural peanut butter! Click HERE to find the one I love!



1/2 cup butter or coconut oil
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1/2 cup Just Like Sugar (or erythritol)
1 tsp stevia glycerite
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup peanut flour
1/4 tsp Celtic sea salt
1/2 cup chopped salted peanuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Cream the butter, peanut butter, sweetener and vanilla together. Blend for 3 minutes. Add in the egg and mix well. Sift the baking soda, peanut flour and salt together. Slowly add the peanut flour mixture to the butter mixture. Stir well to combine. Stir in the chopped nuts (if using).

Take off 1 inch pieces of the dough, roll into a ball and place on an ungreased baking sheet. Press tops with fork tines. Bake at 325 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden but the center is still soft. Allow to cool for 2 minutes on the sheet then remove to a rack to continue cooling. Serves 24

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON: per serving
Using white flour and sugar = 120 calories, 13.2 carbs, 0.5g fiber
Using peanut flour and Stevia = 86 Calories, 2.4 carbs, 0.8g fiber

Friday, October 1, 2010

Peanut Butter "Rice" Crispy Treats

Harvard scientists studied Trans-Fat vs. Saturated Fat to determine the true cause of heart disease, they weren't even thinking about a weight gain being an issue.

•Group A and B consumed same calories and fat
–Group A = Trans-fat
–Group B = Saturated-fat

Surprised to find…Group A gained 3 times as much weight!!! A calorie isn’t just a calorie! They also found that saturated fat doesn't cause heart disease, trans-fats do!


Rice Krispies Treats Ingredients: Toasted Rice Cereal (Rice, Sugar, Salt, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Malt Flavoring, Niacinamide, Reduced Iron, Riboflavin [Vitamin B2]Folic Acid)Marshmallow (Corn Syrup, Sugar, Gelatin, Artificial Flavor)Fructose, Margarine (Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Water, Natural and Artificial Butter Flavor, Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides, Acetylated Monoglycerides, Vitamin A Palmitate, BHT to Preserve Quality, Vitamin D)Corn Syrup Solids, Dextrose, Glycerin, Salt, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)Thiamin Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1)

Here is a low sugar, trans-fat free, high protein snack for your kids that won't make them hyper like a traditional rice crispy treat! It is scary what marshmallows are made out of!



1/2 cup Just Like Sugar (or erythritol)
1/2 tsp stevia glycerite
1 cup butter
1 cup natural Peanut Butter or almond butter
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups whey crisps

Combine the first 2 ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a rolling boil for 1 1/2 minutes. I then add the other three ingredients and mix until smooth. Place in a greased 9x9 pan, cool and enjoy! Optional: melt a Chocoperfection Bar with 2 TBS almond milk and swirl over the top. Makes 6 servings.

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON:
Traditional Rice Krispies = 457 calories, 70 carbs, 2.2 fiber
"Healthified" Rice Crispy Treats = 271 calories, 6 carbs, 2g fiber

Monday, September 20, 2010

"Apple" Dippers

Do you make your kids get the Apple Dippers at McDonald’s instead of the french fries? I would choose a different battle for the day. The Apple Dippers seem like a good option, but have you ever noticed that the apples never turn brown? This is because of all the preservatives they use. Check out the McDonald’s ingredients:

-Apple Dippers: Apples, calcium ascorbate (a blend of calcium and vitamin C added to maintain natural color), ascorbic acid, calcium chloride.

-Low Fat Caramel Dip: Corn syrup, sweetened condensed whole milk, high fructose corn syrup, water, butter, sugar, salt, disodium phosphate, artificial flavors (ethyl vanillin, vanillin), caramel color, pectin, potassium sorbate as a preservative.


...I think I will stick with my 4-ingredient dip recipe:)

Jicama is very low calorie and low carbohydrate root vegetable. It contains only 35 calories per 100 g. It is also very high in quality phyto-nutrition profile comprises of dietary fiber, and anti-oxidant. It is one of the best sources for dietary fiber and excellent source of oligofructose inulin, a soluble dietary fiber. The root pulp is 13% of fiber. Inulin is a zero calorie, sweet inert carbohydrate and does not metabolize in the human body, which make the root an ideal sweet snack for diabetics and dieters.



8 oz cream cheese or coconut cream, softened
1 cup peanut or almond butter
1/4 cup Just Like Brown Sugar (or stevia glycerite to taste)
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
Jicama slices

In a mixing bowl, combine the first four ingredients; mix well. Serve with apples. Store in refrigerator.

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per cup):
Apple = 21 carbs, 4 grams fiber and 95 calories
Jicama = 11 carbs, 6 grams fiber, and 46 calories

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Peanut Flour Pancakes



Here's is a yummy way to enjoy a relaxing Sunday morning.

1 3/4 cup peanut flour
1 TBS aluminum free baking powder
2 TBS Just Like Sugar (or a few drops of stevia glycerite)
1/4 tsp Celtic sea salt
2 eggs
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup softened butter or coconut oil

Preheat skillet. In a medium sized bowl, mix the dry ingredients together. In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients together. Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet and mix until smooth. Makes 8 servings.

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
Traditional Pancakes = 263 calories, 16g fat, 5.2g protein, 25.5g carbs, trace fiber
"Healthified" Pancakes = 181 calories, 15g fat, 8.5g protein, 4.9 carbs, 2.2g fiber

Serve with my "Healthfied" Syrup. Click HERE to find.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Thai Peanut "Noodles"


I love peanut butter! I ate this for a 3PM snack when I got home. I am usually very hungry and this totally satisfied me and I loved that the peanut butter gave me a little love to my sweet tooth!

I always have a batch of zucchini shredded into noodles in the fridge and I had the peanut sauce ready to go. All I had to do when I got home was put the two together! I enjoyed it cold, but you could warm it first if desired.

Noodles:
4 cups zucchini, cut into noodle-like strips
*I used my handy-dandy tool: The Spiral Slicer

Peanut Sauce:
4 TBS natural peanut butter
4 TBS hot water
2 TBS aged wheat free tamari sauce (fermented soy sauce)
1 1/2 TBS Swerve
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
Peanuts for garnish: I made chili lime peanuts...recipe to come:)

In a small bowl combine peanut butter and water; mix until a smooth paste forms. Stir in soy sauce, then Swerve, cayenne and lemon juice. Mix by hand until well combined and smooth. Mix with the zucchini and enjoy! Makes 4 servings.

Option: add chicken or shrimp to make this one hardy meal!

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)
Using White Pasta = 322 calories, 44 carbs, 3g fiber, 12g protein, 11g fat
Using Zucchini Pasta = 119 calories, 7 carbs, 3g fiber, 7g protein, 8g fat

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Healthy Kids Snack

http://astore.amazon.com/marisnutran05-20/detail/1451555946
These treats may be too high in natural sugar for those of you sensitive to weight gain, but for kids these are a great after school snack. Click HERE to order my book that has tons more info about Nutrition and even more healthy kids info.

High Protein Peanut Butter Balls
2 cups NATURAL crunchy peanut or almond butter
2 scoops Jay Robb chocolate whey or egg white protein powder
2 ripe bananas, mashed
2 TBS freshly ground flax seeds
1 tsp psyllium husks (optional thickener and fiber for the little tikes!)



In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients. Mold the mixture into small balls (like a large marble), and place them in a container lined with parchment to separate the layers. Freeze for at least 2 hours before serving.

Flaxseeds: You can’t hide a lot of super-healthy foods...I don't think I could disguise salmon in an ice cream and my nephew will never try "KALE CHIPS" again:) But flaxseeds have an agreeable flavor and texture for kids. Flaxseeds are great sources of omega-3s (proven to help with improved learning capacity as well as many other health benefits), they are also affordable and tasty. Try adding them to trail mix or making “healthy candy” by mixing them with xylitol honey and toast them on low heat. Once your kids get used to the nutty flavor, you can work them into other not-so-sweet recipes: salads, my waffle or flax muffin recipe:)
Makes 16 servings.

NUTRITIONAL INFO (per ball) = 216 calories, 18g fat, 10.8 carbs, 2.5 g fiber, 11 g protein


Did you know that if you gain 10 pounds of muscle, you will burn an extra 3500 calories per week? To burn that many calories doing cardio, you'd have to run for an hour each day of the week! To build 10 pounds of muscle, feed your body a high quality whey protein 1-3 times a day, and increase strength training. Whey protein is my favorite addition to my diet in the past few years. It provides me with the muscle maintaining protein I need when I work out or don’t consume the calories I need in a day.

Whey is a form of protein that is naturally-present in dairy products. Two issues I often see in athletic clients are they either do so much cardio that they tear down their muscles which kills their metabolism or they dip too low in calories which eats up their valuable muscle for energy (catabolic state). Whey protein is a popular protein supplement for fitness fanatics mainly because of its high concentration in the branched chain amino acids (BCAAs), leucine, isoleucine, and valine. BCAAs are the key players in maintaining muscle tissue and help to preserve muscle stores of glycogen and can help prevent muscle protein breakdown during exercise; again…let’s keep that metabolism humming. Consuming whey as a protein source for a post-exercise snack is awesome for our exhausted muscles.

Whey protein is also very low in fat and carbohydrates (some brands can be high in carbs so read the labels!). This is because the refinement process used to create whey protein powder removes nearly all of the fat and sugars in the liquid, leaving a final product that is almost 100% protein by volume. This makes whey protein great for dieters who want to hold onto their valuable muscle. Athletes, fitness enthusiasts and vegetarians find that whey protein helps them attain specific training goals and enhanced energy levels.

Whey protein has other properties that have health benefits, including the presence of certain biologically active nutrients that enhance the immune system and even stave off muscle wasting.

Whey Protein Benefits:
 Whey Protein is not stored as fat as easily as carbohydrates.
 Whey Protein decreases your hunger between meals.
 Whey Protein helps strengthen your immune system.
 Whey Protein increases energy levels, especially during low-calorie dieting and helps shorten recovery time between exercise sessions.
 Whey Protein helps repair and build new muscle.

Each type of protein has a specific biological value. The higher the value, the better it works. Whey protein has the highest biological value (bv) of any protein, 104. Beef has a bv of 80 and soy protein with a bv of 74. That means whey protein is 23% more effective than beef and 29% more effective than soy protein at helping you body build lean muscle! Unlike other proteins, like casein, which is another form of protein in milk, the speed at which whey protein is digested makes it an ultimate source of protein following exercise when your body requires amino acids promptly to aid with recovery.

Top 10 reasons to consume WHEY:
1. Boost Immune System – Whey protein includes high levels of the amino acid cysteine, which produces glutathione, a potent antioxidant that maintains immune health. One of the first indications in patients with autoimmune diseases is a decrease in glutathione levels. Many studies have proven adding whey protein to patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer, and HIV can greatly enhance their immune system. Scientists discovered that whey proteins stopped the growth of breast cancer cells in test tubes. It was also proven that when patients ingest at least 24 grams of whey a day they had a noteworthy reduction in the size of cancer tumors.
2. Enhance Infant Formula– Whey protein contains alpha-lactalbumin and is the main nutrient in human breast milk. This makes whey protein a very important nutrient to include in infant formulas and should be the first protein consumed by babies. Good news to mothers, the Journal of Pediatrics, found that formulas with whey protein have been shown to help reduce the length of crying spells in babies with colic. Always check the ingredients list on your infant formula, not all contain whey because it costs more.
3. Benefit Cardiovascular Health –Adding whey along with your doctor’s prescription can be a great balance to help your heart. Clinical research discovered that whey protein reduces blood pressure in individuals who are borderline hypertensive.
4. Increase Lean Body Mass– Our muscles need branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) during long periods of exercise and added stress; which can also have a negative effect on the immune system. Whey proteins are naturally high in BCAAs that are easy to digest. It immediately supplies the muscles with high quality protein it is screaming for; which directly correlates to an increase in physical performance and enhanced body composition.
5. Contribute to a Positive Mood– Stress is a well-known cause of a decrease in serotonin levels in the brain; which can cause depression. Clinical studies found that including whey protein is helpful in enhancing moods and in boosting serotonin levels because it is high in tryptophan, a natural relaxant. Whey is great for people with high stress lifestyles and elevated cortisol hormones.
6. Superior Protein Source for Lactose, Casein or Gluten Free Diets- Whey protein isolate is the purest form and is over 90% protein. Whey protein isolate contains only trace amounts of lactose, therefore people with lactose allergies can safely enjoy whey. It is also a great protein source for people with Celiac disease who are on gluten or wheat protein-restricted diets.
7. An Appetite Suppressor – One of the nutrients in whey protein, glycomacropeptide, stimulates the release of cholecystokinin, which is an appetite suppressing hormone.
8. Stave off Osteoporosis – Osteoporosis affects over 25 million Americans. We have the highest rate of hip fractures, yet we have the highest intake of calcium in the world, next to Sweden. Studies show that low protein intake, including low levels of animal protein consumption, was directly related to increased levels of bone loss. Impact exercise, such as walking, and sufficient amounts of protein in the diet can enhance bone health and may help to reduce the frequency of osteoporosis.
9. Help Protect against Ulcers and Acid Reflux – Lactoferrin, a nutrient in whey protein, is a known inhibitor of many forms of bacteria that is responsible for digestive problems; such as gastritis and ulcers. In addition, recent animal studies show promising results that it also kills the bacteria responsible for acid reflux.
10. Aid Wound Healing – People who have burns or are recovering from surgery require additional protein in their diet. Exciting new studies indicate whey protein nutrients promote the growth of new body tissue.

When buying a whey protein product, “Whey Protein Isolate” is the highest quality you can buy; which has at least 90 percent protein with only trace amounts of fat and lactose. Also check the sugar count; some brands add way too much sugar to make whey taste like candy and get you hooked on their product…and that sugar isn’t going to help our waist line! If you do decide to try whey protein powder, it’s important to read the ingredients on the product closely. Some whey protein powders have added ingredients that can be counter-productive to your goals. For example, whey protein “gainer” powders have tons of extra calories added to them in the form of sugar in order to increase their calorie content for people who are trying to gain weight. Jay Robb is a superior weight loss brand that uses stevia to sweeten their whey. Whey protein can be purchased in health or nutrition stores, in many large grocery stores, or directly from suppliers on the Internet.

There are many ways to consume whey protein as it can easily be added to water, unsweetened almond milk, or coconut milk. It can also be added to softer solid foods, such as cottage cheese, or used as an egg replacement in many baking recipes.

I'm not one to "drink" my calories...I like to eat! So, I use whey in many of my recipes, including chocolate chip cookies, animal crackers, bread sticks, cinnamon bread...

I always use Jay Robb Whey because:
1. Sourced from grass fed cows not treated with rBGH (Growth Hormone)
2. 25 grams of protein per serving!
3. No sugar, No aspartame, No fat
4. No artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners
5. No casein, msg or gluten
6. Made with stevia

Friday, March 5, 2010

Chocolate PB Stuffed Teddy Grahams


I made these for my friend's little boys. They were a fun little project on a snowy Sunday. They are WAY healthier than Nabisco's Chocolate Teddy Grahams. Just look at all these ingredients...trans fats, white flour and sugar!

Ingredients: UNBLEACHED ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE [VITAMIN B1], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], FOLIC ACID), SUGAR, GRAHAM FLOUR (WHOLE GRAIN WHEAT FLOUR), SOYBEAN OIL AND/OR PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED COTTONSEED OIL, COCOA (NATURAL AND PROCESSED WITH ALKALI), DEXTROSE, MALTODEXTRIN, CALCIUM CARBONATE (SOURCE OF CALCIUM), SALT, BAKING SODA, SOY LECITHIN, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CHOCOLATE, ZINC OXIDE (SOURCE OF ZINC), REDUCED IRON. CONTAINS: WHEAT, SOY.

1/2 cup Jay Robb vanilla whey or egg white protein
3/4 cup peanut flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp Celtic sea salt
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup NATURAL almond or peanut butter
4 TBS Just Like Sugar (or erythritol and a drop of stevia glycerite)
2 TBS water (just enough to hold dough together)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). In a medium bowl, stir together the whey, almond flour (*doesn't need to be blanched), cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in the peanut butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the butter lumps are smaller than peas. Stir in the water and sweetener to form a stiff dough. On parchment paper (lightly greased), roll the dough out to 1/8 inch in thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart onto cookie sheets. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes in the preheated oven, until edges are lightly browned. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

Filling:
1/2 cup natural almond or peanut butter
1/2 cup cream cheese
Stevia Glycerite (to taste) or other sweetener

Mix together and use to hold cookies together:) Makes 24 mini sandwich cookies.

Nutritional Information (per 2 sandwich cookies) = 178 calories, 3.8 carbs, 1.4g fiber

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Peanut Blossoms



1 3/4 cups peanut flour
1/2 tsp Celtic sea salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup erythritol or xylitol
1/2 tsp stevia glycerite
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 TBS almond milk
40 sugar free peanut butter cups

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Sift together the peanut flour, salt and baking soda; set aside. Cream the butter, Truvia, and peanut butter until fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla and almond milk. Add the flour mixture to the butter mix; blend well.

Shape into 40 balls and place into a mini muffin tin (or a cookie sheet). Bake at 350 degrees for about 8 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into each ball. Cool and carefully remove from pan.
Serves 40

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON:
Traditional Peanut Blossom = 122 calories, 14.4 carbs, 0.6 fiber
"Healthified" Peanut Blossom = 91 calories, 2 carbs, trace fiber

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Sweet Potatoes Peanut Butter Cup cakes with Peanut butter Cream cheese frosting.





With the goodness of both sweet potatoes and peanut butter combined,these are not your average cupcakes.Though I could eat the super healthy
warm roasted sweet potatoes as it is ,using them in a cupcake makes its incredibly moist delightful treat.Peanut butter adds the extra nutrition.And also one can go generous with the frosting,cause the creamy Mono saturated Peanut butter is healthy replacement for the Saturated fat butter.For more on nutrition of sweet potatoes see my previous post here and Peanuts to fight diabetes here.

Ingredients
2 cups sweet potatoes,mashed or pureed(about 1 medium size sweet potato),See how to cook sweet potatoes?
2 heaping tablespoon Peanut Butter,chunky or creamy,see how to make home made peanut butter?.
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder(aluminum free)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 large Organic Eggs(or replace with Ener-G egg replacer powder or 1/2 cup flax seed meal)
1 cup reduced fat Organic milk or Soy milk.
1/2 cup Extra virgin olive oil or Vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dry fruits like cherries,cranberries,raisins or blueberries
1/2 cup brown sugar or 1/4 cup of natural sweeteners like Honey,maple syrup or Agave nectar

For frosting
1/4 cup Low fat cream cheese
2 tablespoon Pure Honey or Maple syrup or Date Syrup
2 tablespoon of Peanut butter,creamy
Some roasted pistachios for garnish.

Makes about 10-12 cup cakes.

Method
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Line the muffin tray baking cups.
Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl.In another bowl whisk eggs,mix in sugar and oil,add the sweet potatoes and peanut butter ,combine. .Now combine this wet mixture slowly in the dry mixture until completely incorporated.
Fill the baking cups 3/4 th full and bake for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Cool completely.

Prepare the frosting by whipping the frosting ingredients until smooth and spreadable.Slather over the cooled cupcakes using a spatula ,sprinkle with finely chopped pistachios.

These peanut rich Cupcakes along with the other peanut rich recipes Mirchi Ka salan,Nutty Chutney and Peanut bites are my entry for Let Go Nuts : Peanuts event,hosted by Aquadaze of Served With Love.
Mildly sweet and simple enough to bake for beginners,I'm also sending these to One page cookbooks ,Simple dessert event,hosted by Varsha of Will-o-wisp.And to Vandana's Baking for beginners.


Peanut rich recipes Posted:

 

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