Banana Cinnamon Granola Bars & A Song Just for You

I am a hug fan of all things speedy. When it comes to snacks, I enjoy the pre-made things I don't have to commit prep time for that day. When my family feels nibbly, having something like these granola bars on hand is perfect timing!

Go bananas!

 

Ingredients
1 ripe banana
2 cups of raw oat flakes
1 cup of almond butter (or similar)
1/4 cup honey or substitute for fresh pitted dates
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

 Add everything to a food processor and mix together.

Lightly spritz a pan to prevent sticking and add the mixture.

Freeze overnight to harden.

Cut into granola bar sized pieces, wrap individually for lunches or snacks.

Everybody....and I mean EVERYBODY loves bananas. It is nature's perfect food. Don't believe me? Well, I had to toss in some fun stuff for the day too - so click PLAY, sit back and get ready to laugh.

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The lyrics can be confusing. Here they are:

Ba-ba-ba, ba-ba-na-na Banana-a-a Potato-na-a-a Banana-a-a To ca li no po ta to ni ga ni ba ba lo ni ba no ji ga ba-ba, ba-ba-na-na Yo plano hu, la pa no no tu, ma banana like a nupi talamu Banana ba-ba, ba-ba-na-na Potato-o-o To ca li no po ta to ni ga ni ba ba lo ni ba no ji ga ba-ba, ba-ba-na-naaaaaaa! Aika!

Rock your day....ba-na-na-na!!!

 

Chocolate Covered Katie - The Healthy Dessert Blog

I am always looking for healthy snack recipes - I stumble across many wellness recipe sites that post what looks to be delicious morsels of healthy yumminess, but when I create them in my own kitchen following the recipe to the exact.....it falls flat. I'm all about flavor when It comes to delicious goodies - and the healthier the better.

So when I found 'Chocolate Covered Katie' - a blog dedicated to recipes of the chocolate kind, my ears perked up and I became curiouser and curiouser.....

I explored a bit and discovered;

This isn’t just any dessert blog: it’s the healthy-dessert blog! The recipes featured are healthier versions of your favorite naughty treats: Cookie Dough Milkshakes, Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge, Brownie Batter Pancakes…..

Katie (the Chocolate Covered) says;

This healthy dessert blog is for anyone who wants to be healthy but refuses to give up eating delicious desserts in the name of health.

Happiness and health go hand-in-hand, and how can you be happy if you’re not eating what you truly desire? My favorite food is chocolate, and I eat it at least once a day. I’ve never been happier. Or healthier.


I scoured the blog - recipe after delectable looking recipe unfolded before me...until my eyes rested on one I have to try!

I'm sharing it here in the hopes Katie encourages sharing - and because the world needs to know about her! I have every intention of creating many of her scrumptious looking treats!

Gluten free brownies.....go!

Gluten Free Black Bean Brownies

 

1 1/2 cups black beans (1 15-oz can, drained and rinsed very well) (250g after draining)

2 tbsp cocoa powder- dutch or regular (10g) (add a little extra if desired)

1/2 cup quick oats (40g) (See nutrition facts link below for all substitution notes.)

1/4 tsp salt

1/3 cup pure maple syrup or agave (Honey will work, but not for strict vegans.) (75g)

2 nunaturals stevia packs or 2 tbsp sugar (or omit and increase maple syrup to 1/2 cup)

1/4 cup coconut or vegetable oil (40g) (See “nutrition facts” link for all substitution notes.)

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup to 2/3 cup chocolate chips (115-140g) (Not optional. Omit at your own risk.)

 

Optional: more chips, for presentation.

 

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Combine all ingredients except chips in a good food processor, and blend until completely smooth.

Really blend well. (A blender can work if you absolutely must, but the texture—and even the taste—will be much better in a food processor.)

Stir in the chips, then pour into a greased 8×8 pan.

Optional: sprinkle extra chocolate chips over the top.

Cook the black bean brownies 15-18 minutes, then let cool at least 10 minutes before trying to cut.

Makes 9-12 brownies.

We'll be creating these this weekend (thanks, Katie!). Happy exploring - and please let me know what you create from her recipes. Reviews are always welcome.

If you're looking for Katie now too, here are all of her links.

Chocolate Covered Katie's Blog

Find Katie on Facebook

Katie's Chocolate Covered Pinterest Link

Black Bean Burgers

I have never been a real fan of beans. I mean, really, there is nothing terribly exciting about a bean. They are virtually flavorless....unless 'yuck' is a flavor.

I avoided beans for one reason. Other stuff tasted better. I never realized (or wanted to) that beans may not look or taste all that wonderful alone, but they can be coupled with other flavors and magic is made. Not only that, but beans have the power to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Let's not forget the fiber!

So, when we made the transition and started incorporating more beans into our diets, the world of nutrition really started opening up. Food became more interesting - do you know how many types of beans there are? Beans are also an excellent meat replacement....y'know....if you're looking for one.

Enough chatting....time for a recipe!

Beans. Try them - you'll be just as surprised as I was!

Black Bean Burgers from Ultimate Vegetarian Global Cafe Cookbook
by: Denise

Makes 10 (1/3) cup burgers

Olive Oil or water to cook onion
1 Med. onion, finely chopped
3-4 cloves garlic minced
(2) 15 oz Cans black beans, drained OR 3 cups cooked black beans
1 1/2 cup soft breadcrumbs of more if needed (we make our own)
1 tsp chili powder or substitute
1/2 tsp.ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt

Cook onion until tender in olive oil or water in non-stick pan.

Mash together beans, bread crumbs, chili powder, cumin and salt.

Stir in cooked onion and garlic, mix well. (If too moist, add more bread crumbs).

Very lightly coat a non-stick pan with coconut oil, then drop about 1/3 cup portions into skillet and flatten into burgers. Brown on both sides.

Serve with spelt bread buns, sliced tomato, onion or lettuce. Add parmesan cheese if desired... or just serve as you like!

Enjoy!

Brandi Rollin’s Vegan Green Beans With Italian Marinara Sauce

I know....right?? Let's go!

Green Bean Mixture:

5 oz / 1/3 lb of fresh green beans 

1/3 medium red bell pepper

4 crimini mushrooms

1/2 medium spring onion

1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

Tomato Marinara:

2 medium tomatoes

3-5 pieces sun-dried tomatoes

1 tsp dried Italian spices

1/2 clove garlic

Celtic sea salt to taste

To make the green bean mixture:

1. Remove the ends of the green beans and set aside in a large bowl.
2. Slice the red bell pepper, mushrooms and spring onions, and add to the green beans.
3. Dehydrate the vegetables for 5-6 hours.
4. If you are using an Excalibur dehydrator, spread the vegetables on top of a texflex sheet. Dehydrate at 105 degrees or in your oven at the lowest temperature.
5. For the tomato marinara:
6. Blend all of the ingredients in a food processor or Vitamix until smooth. If you are using a food processor, soak the sun-dried tomatoes for 4 hours before using.
7. Once the green bean mixture has dehydrated, place it into a medium bowl.
8. Add the marinara by the spoonful and mix.
9. Set aside for 10 minutes and then serve.
10. This recipe stores well in the refrigerator and can be prepared 1-2 days ahead of time.
11. Cost saving tip: make this recipe when green beans are in season, and are most flavourful and affordable.
12. Makes 2 ½ cups – 1 large serving
13. Total Estimated Cost = $4.45

Learn more about Brandi Rollins at Raw Foods On a Budget
Thanks to Healthy Blender Recipes!

Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream

When this recipe came across my radar screen (thanks, food.com), I knew we would be trying it. As it turns out, I can make a batch of this frozen treat and it's gone the same night. In our defence, the recipe does say it serves 1 - 2 snacky folks, but we have always doubled this recipe and been left wishing we had more.

Try it and let us know what you think! Feedback is good.

Homemade Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream

                 

1/2 cup frozen cherries

1 tablespoon almond butter

1/2 tablespoon honey                      

1 tablespoon cocoa or 1 tablespoon carob powder

1 dash sea salt

1 teaspoon vanilla 

1 banana, frozen and cut     

 

 

Peel and chop the banana, then freeze solid.

 

Process all ingredients in a blender or food processor until combined into a smooth consistency, similar to soft-serve ice cream.

 

Either enjoy right away or allow to set in freezer until firm. You won't believe it until you've tried it for yourself.