Pumpkin Pie Energy Bites

These no-bake, pumpkin-flavored energy bites are a quick and healthy Fall snack or dessert!

Ingredients:

1 Cup quick rolled oats

1/4 cup pumpkin puree

1/4 cup almond butter

2 tablespoons maple syrup

2 tablespoons roasted pumpkin seeds ( pepitas)

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

2 tablespoons chia seeds

Instructions:

In a bowl, mix all ingredients together until well combined. Roll the mixture into bite-sized balls. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Store in the fridge for up to one week.

Pro Tip: For extra crunch, roll the bites in crushed nuts, seeds, or shredded coconut.

Refreshing “Nice” Cream

Are you ready to dive into a delicious, light, healthy, and refreshing treat? Ready to make some "NICE" Cream? It's fun, simple, and a fantastic way to cool down while enjoying something tasty and nutritious.

Preparation Steps:

1. Ripe Bananas: Ensure your bananas are ripe (with some brown spots on the peel). Peel and cut them into pieces. Freeze in a ziplock bag or container. You can prepare the bananas days, weeks, or even months in advance to have them ready whenever the craving hits.

2. Blending: When you're ready, toss the frozen banana pieces (about three bananas’ worth) into a food processor or blender. For regular blenders, or if your bananas are very hard, add a few tablespoons of your favorite plant milk or another liquid to help blend.

3. Consistency: Blend until smooth, resembling a thick, soft-serve ice cream. Enjoy immediately for a soft texture, or transfer to a container and freeze for about thirty minutes for a firmer consistency. Scoop and serve for that classic ice cream feel.

My Favorite Flavor Inspirations:

• Chocolate Banana: Blend 3 bananas with 1/4 tsp vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and 3 tbsp cocoa powder.

• Mint Chocolate Chip: Blend 2 bananas with a pinch of salt and 1/8 tsp peppermint extract. Add chocolate chips or cacao nibs post-blending. For an extra nutrient boost, blend in a pinch of spirulina or a handful of spinach.

• Peanut Butter: Add 2-3 tbsp peanut butter (or any nut butter) before blending.

• Cool Colada: Use 1/4 cup canned coconut milk and blend with 1/2 cup frozen pineapple. Top with shredded coconut if desired.

• Bountiful Berry: Blend your bananas, then add 1 cup frozen berries of your choice and 1/8 tsp vanilla extract. Add fresh on top .

• Silky Strawberry: Blend 2 bananas with 1/2 cup frozen strawberries, 1/4 tsp vanilla extract, and an optional dash of cinnamon.

• Vanilla Bean: Blend 3 bananas with a pinch of salt and 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste.

• Cashew Crunch: Blend with 2-3 tbsp cashew butter and 1/8 tsp vanilla extract. Sprinkle crushed cashews ( or a variety of nuts) on top if desired.

A few of My Helpful Hints

• Creaminess : Adding a little fat, like peanut butter, almond butter, or coconut milk, enhances the creaminess, making it taste even closer to traditional ice cream.

• Ripeness: Let bananas ripen fully before freezing if you want a sweeter taste . Brown spots indicate they are sweet and ready. Green or all-yellow bananas are not fully ripened and will taste less sweet ( up to you).

  Health Tip: Ripe bananas are a wonderful natural sweetener, ideal for replacing added sugars in various recipes.

• Versatile Treat: This banana nice cream is so healthy, it can be enjoyed for breakfast, snack or dessert. It’s dairy-free, egg-free, vegan, raw, paleo, and gluten-free, making it a win win !

Enjoy this delicious and refreshing "NICE" Cream.

Happy blending!

Chocolate Dipped Delights

When you're craving a bit of chocolate with a mix of healthy, this is the perfect pair!

Ingredients:

1- 2 lbs of mixed fruit of choice ( make sure they are dry and almost to room temp)

1 cup chocolate (60%+ cacao chocolate chips)

1-2 teaspoons coconut oil ( I have also done this w/ out the oil)

Instructions:

1. Melt the chocolate, You can use a double boiler or the microwave.

2. Microwave method : Melt the chocolate in 20-30 second intervals stirring a few times. Heat small amounts at a time to prevent clumping.

3. Double boiler method: Use a glass or stainless steel bowl over a pot of simmering water (Keep some space between the water and the bowl) Stir frequently as the chocolate heats up.

4. Dip fruit into the melted chocolate. Lay it on a parchment or wax paper-lined baking sheet.

5. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to set up the chocolate. 

6. Serve chilled