Healthy Pizza Dip

I recently saw this recipe on Pinterest and I just had to try it. It's super easy!!!! After a few little adaptations, we ended up this delicious and healthy dip that is great with crackers or veggies.Healthy Pizza Dip

1 (14 oz.) can garbanzo beans

1/2 c. marinara sauce (any brand will do)

1/2 c. water

2 T. oil

3 t. garlic powder

1 & 1/2 t. onion powder

1 t. dried basil

salt to taste

Blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender.

So easy, so good, and so healthy. Score. Enjoy!

Flourless Almond Cookies

After making Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies, I wanted to use that same idea with almond butter. These cookies turned out wonderfully! They're chewy and very almond-y!Flourless Almond Cookies

1 c. unsalted almond butter (I used freshly ground almond butter from Winco)

1 c. packed brown sugar

1 egg

scant 1 t. salt

1 t. almond extract

20 sliced almonds

Mix all ingredients together except sliced almonds.

Roll into 20 balls. Place on a greased cookie sheet and top each with a sliced almond.Bake at 350 F for 10-12 minutes. Let cool on cookie sheet for about 10 minutes before removing.If you use salted almond butter, reduce salt to 1/4 t. Enjoy!

Amazing Bean Brownies

Happy Valentine's Day! Here is a fun treat for your valentine. 'But, beans in brownies?' you may ask. Yes, indeed, and they're actually VERY good. This recipe is adapted from 101 Cookbooks. The texture reminds me of flourless chocolate cake. After I make a batch, I like to cut them up and store them in the freezer. I don't feel quite as guilty eating these brownies because they have some extra fiber...right? What the heck. I'll use any excuse to eat brownies!Amazing Bean Brownies

4 oz. unsweetened chocolate

1 c. (2 sticks) butter

1 (14 oz.) can black or kidney beans, drained

1/2 c. walnuts

1 t. vanilla

1/4 t. salt

4 eggs

1 c. agave (or sugar or honey)

Melt chocolate and butter together. Set aside.

In a food processor, puree beans and walnuts until mixture is somewhat smooth.Add chocolate mixture, vanilla, salt, eggs, and agave. Puree about 2 minutes more until it makes a smooth batter.Pour into a greased 9x13" pan.Bake at 325 F for 30-40 minutes.Cool completely and then refrigerate for a few hours until firm. Cut into squares.I am super excited about this recipe. It's fun and different and a little healthy. I used dark kidney beans but I plan on experimenting with other varieties. Enjoy!

Quinoa Cakes

Lately I've been very intrigued by quinoa but until recently, I only used it in place of rice. So when I came upon this recipe from Monica Bhide's website I was eager to try it. Now I have a new favorite! These little patties are so good and satisfying. They are great for breakfast, lunch or dinner.Quinoa Cakes (adapted from Super Natural Every Day)

1 c. dry quinoa, cooked
4 eggs
1/2 t. salt
2 T. dried chives
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c. grated extra sharp cheddar
1/2 c. grated parmesan
1/2 c. oats or oat bran
olive oil

Pour cooked quinoa into a bowl.

Add remaining ingredients and mix well.

Form into 12 patties. Heat about 2 T. olive oil and cook patties for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden.Even though this meal is meatless it's very satisfying.I love to cut them up and eat them in salads. Enjoy!

Brazilian Cheese Bread

Okay, so lately I've been trying to find the perfect recipe for brazilian cheese bread (pao de queijo) and it's been quite the adventure. I think I've probably tried at least 15 different recipes. Finally I found one that I love! Plus my husband approves (and he would know since he lived in Brazil for 2 years.) I found the original recipe on Globe Trotter Diaries, but I adapted it to my own taste.So cheesy...so good!

This cheese was the perfect addition to this recipe. You really can use any combination of cheese but this crumbly cheese combined with parmesan was really great!

Brazilian Cheese Bread

2 1/4 c. tapioca flour

1/2 t. salt

1/2 c. water

1/4 c. oil

2 eggs

1/2 c. crumbled cotija cheese

1/2 c. grated parmesan

Combine flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Set aside.

In a small saucepan, combine water and oil and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and pour into the flour mixture. Stir to mix. (It will be super stiff and lumpy.)Stir in eggs then stir in cheeses. (Mixture will still be a bit lumpy.)Roll into about 20 balls and place on a greased cookie sheet.Bake at 400 F for 10 minutes, reduce heat to 325 F and bake for 10-15 more minutes.I hope you like these little cheesy breads as much as we do. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Bran Muffins

My little girl gets so excited when we make muffins for breakfast. We did a lot of experimenting with healthy ingredients and finally found this recipe. These muffins are so good you won't believe they have 8 grams of fiber each!!

I've adapted the original recipe (which came from the side of our cereal box). Oh, the places one finds great recipes! :)Peanut Butter Bran Muffins

1 c. Kellogg's All Bran Buds

1 1/3 c. milk

1 ripe banana, mashed

1/3 c. peanut butter*

1 egg

1 c. whole wheat flour

1 c. oats

1/2 c. ground flaxseed

1/2 c. sugar

2 t. baking powder

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. ground cinnamon

1/4 t. ground nutmeg

1 c. chocolate chips (I used mini chocolate chips)

*If using unsalted peanut butter, add 1/2 t. salt

In a bowl, combine cereal and milk. Let soak about 10 minutes.

In a mixing bowl combine banana, peanut butter, and egg.Stir in soaked cereal.In a separate mixing bowl, combine remaining dry ingredients (except chocolate chips).Combine the two mixtures, adding chocolate chips at the end.Divide among 12 lined cupcake tins.Bake at 375 F for 16-20 minutes.I love these muffins. Tasty and moist! They make the perfect breakfast or snack.Enjoy!

Double Chocolate Flax Cookies

This recipe is adapted from Eat Good 4 Life and I love it! Lately I've just been eating the cookie dough... :) These are great with any variety of nuts or no nuts at all.Double Chocolate Flax Cookies

1 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 c. ground flaxseed
1 c. oat flour (or grind 1 c. oats in a blender/food processor)
1/2 c. cocoa
1 c. packed brown sugar
2 t. baking soda
1/2 c. oil
1/4 c. buttermilk
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1 c. chopped walnuts or pecans
1 c. dark chocolate chips

Mix dry ingredients and then add wet ingredients.

Stir in nuts and chocolate chips.Drop onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 F for 10-12 minutes.These are a fun snack for the whole family and they actually have some nutrition in them. Yay for healthy cookies! Enjoy.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

This is my favorite go-to dip for parties and special occasions. It's so easy and fast and it never disappoints. I usually serve it with pita chips or buttery crackers.Spinach Artichoke Dip

1 (10 oz.) box frozen chopped spinach
1 (14 oz.) can artichoke hearts packed in water, drained and roughly chopped
1 c. mayonnaise (eyeball it)
1 c. sour cream (eyeball it)
2 c. grated mozzarella (eyeball it)
1/2 c. grated parmesan (eyeball it)
3 cloves garlic, minced

Unwrap spinach, place in microwave-safe bowl, and defrost in microwave. Squeeze out excess water.Mix all ingredients together.Spread into a 2 qt. casserole dish.Bake at 350 F for about 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.This dip is delicious with any variety of crackers or veggies. Enjoy!