Healthy Smores Snack Bars

When you just want so enjoy something super special without the guilt... TRY THIS!

Ingredients:

2 whole wheat graham crackers (1 cracker sheet each) broken into large pieces
1 large ripe banana mashed (can omit if you don't like banana)
½ cup all-natural almond butter
2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
4 scoops Chocolate Shakeology divided use
¾ cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1 scoop Vanilla Shakeology
2 to 3 drops marshmallow flavor (optional)
3 Tbsp. extra-virgin organic coconut oil melted

Instructions:

1. Place graham crackers in food processor (or blender); process continuously until crackers are crushed into fine crumbs. Set aside.
2. Line an 8 x 8-inch pan with plastic wrap (or aluminum foil). Evenly sprinkle ⅓ of graham cracker crumbs in bottom of pan. Set aside.
3. Combine banana, almond butter, cocoa powder, 2 scoops Chocolate Shakeology, and ⅓ of graham cracker crumbs in a medium bowl; mix well with clean hands or a rubber spatula.
4. Press chocolate mixture into prepared pan. Cover with plastic wrap and press down to flatten into pan. Refrigerate for 1 hour to set.
5. Place cheese, Vanilla Shakeology, and marshmallow flavor in food processor (or blender); process until smooth and well blended.
6. Evenly spread cheese mixture over chocolate mixture. Set aside.
7. Combine remaining 2 scoops Chocolate Shakeology and oil in a small bowl; mix until smooth.
8. Evenly spread Chocolate Shakeology mixture over cheese mixture.
9. Sprinkle top with remaining ⅓ of graham cracker crumbs. Lightly press graham cracker crumbs into top. Refrigerate for 1 hour, or until set.
10. Cut into twelve bars (approx. 2½ x 2-inches).

Recipe Notes

You can find marshmallow flavor on-line or in specialty cake decorating stores.
You can substitute pure vanilla extract for marshmallow flavor.

Containers: 1 bar = 1/2 red and 3 tsp 

Clean-Eating Cucumber & Tomato Salad

I’m a firm believer that side dishes should be kept simple. Well, anything that I make is pretty simple! I like my main dish to be the star of the show, and who wants to make dinner any more complicated? Not this momma of four! 

So, when I was contemplating a side for my burger last week, I knew I wanted something simple and fresh. This healthy Tomato Cucumber Salad was a perfect match. The light and bright flavors of fresh tomato and cucumber perfectly contrast the deeper flavors of a burger, steak, chicken...pretty much anything!  As we get closer to summer, I know I'll have fresh cucumbers and tomatoes from my garden to use! 

I love showcasing very “basic” recipes like this for the new cooks in my audience. Why are simple recipes like this great? Because they’re SO easy to build on! The salad presented below is bare bones and, while delicious as is, can be taken to the next level with any number of add-ins. Give it a Greek flare with some feta, olives, or even toasted pieces of pita bread to soak up that delicious dressing. If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding some cubed watermelon for a nice sweet-salty contrast. Got fresh herbs? Toss them in there. And of course, you can customize the dressing by using different vinegars or lemon juice, infused oils, or by adding fresh garlic. Learning a basic recipe like this is the first step towards getting creative in the kitchen and adding minor changes to a great recipe to give it a different flare, depending on what mood you're in!

Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

This recipe is so simple and healthy, and with the right kitchen tools, can be literally made in minutes! It's the perfect side dish to nearly any meal, is low-carb and low-calorie, and there are lots of fun variations you can use to change it up so that you don't ever get bored with it!

As a busy mom of 4, I don't spend a ton of time in the kitchen, but that doesn't mean we resort to eating pre-packaged/prepared convenience foods! It just means that over the years, I've gotten smart as to what "gadgets" to have in my kitchen to make food prep a breeze! This Pampered Chef Micro-Cooker for one, is a kitchen essential! Steamed food is not only super yummy, but more nutritious because you're not cooking the nutrients out of your veggies in the water, as with boiling. Plus it's easy to clean, and with the veggie setting on my microwave, it literally takes minutes! 

I use it for potatoes (peel, chop, cook, mash - done!), squash, and pretty much any and every fresh produce, with only a few exceptions (asparagus being one of them - I prefer those roasted :). 

The other kitchen appliance I use every single day is my NutriBullet 900 series. I've had it for over 4 years, and it still works the same as it did on day one. I use it for my health shakes and smoothies, soups, sauces, and recipes like this one! 

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/3 head cauliflower (depending on how many servings you're wanting)
• 1 tsp. Coconut oil
• 1 clove garlic, mashed and sautéed
• Sea Salt to taste
• Pepper, Dill Weed (optiona)l, to taste
• Other optional ingredients: roasted sweet peppers, sun dried tomatoes, sautéed onions, etc.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Clean cauliflower, break into sections and steam in the microwave in your Micro-Cooker.
2. Meanwhile, sauté garlic and other veggies in EVOO if using. 
3. Transfer the cauliflower to a food processor (I love my NutriBullet) along with garlic, seasonings and coconut oil. Puree until smooth and creamy. Stir in any remaining optional veggies. Enjoy!