Healthy Chocolate Cherry Frozen Yogurt

Although summer hasn’t officially started, the weather this May has been hotter than usual. In the past, I've been guilty of visiting ice cream parlours way too many times during spring and summer months, so this year I decided to create my own cold treat that’s delicious yet healthy.

The best part is that this recipe is so easy to create and does not require an ice cream maker. It also involves simple ingredients like frozen fruit, Greek yogurt, and some flavourful spices and toppings.

Bagel with Smoked Salmon, Avocado, and Capers

Have I mentioned yet that one of my favourite foods is smoked salmon? I love it on salads, in wraps, on crackers, and on sandwiches.

Seasoned Pretzels Recipe

With this year’s Super Bowl only a week away, I wanted to share one of my favourite snack recipes. My grandma made these seasoned pretzels for years and now I’m taking over the tradition. My family requests that I make them every couple months and friends always ask for the recipe. These pretzels are so flavourful and very easy and inexpensive to make. This recipe makes a large batch which is necessary since they are very addictive.

Best Banana Bread Recipe - Moist and Delicious!

Over the years, I have tried many banana bread recipes. Some came out too dry, some overcooked, and some were good but I always knew that there was something better out there. With a little experimenting, I found the perfect combination of ingredients that results in a delicious, moist banana bread every time.

Easy Mango Avocado Salsa Recipe

Since I was little, my favourite fruit has always been mango. Now that it’s summer and mangos are easy to find, I try to eat one every day and have been experimenting with different recipes. One of the easiest mango recipes that I make often is this delicious mango salsa. It’s sweet, creamy, flavourful, and refreshing.

My favourite way to eat it is with some tortilla chips for an afternoon snack, or at dinner as a topping for fish.

Recipe

Ingredients:

1 mango, diced
1 avocado, diced
1 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped
1.5 tablespoons green onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tablespoons lime juice
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Homemade Chocolate Truffles

With Valentine’s Day in a few weeks, it’s the perfect time for a chocolate recipe. These truffles are very easy to make and can be customized for any event. The chocolates in the photos above were decorated with blue chocolate for a Tiffany & Co. themed engagement party. The ones below were decorated with teal and red for a bridal shower. Read on to see just how easy it is to make your own chocolate truffles. It only takes a few ingredients.



Recipe

Ingredients:
1 8oz package of cream cheese, softened
16 oreo cookies
2 cups chocolate chips
toppings of your choice

Directions: 
1. Place cookies in a food processor and pulse until chopped finely.
2. Add cream cheese to the food processor, pulsing until smooth. Place cookie/cream cheese mixture in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
3. Roll the cookie/cream cheese mixture into small balls, and place them on a pastil wrap lined cookie sheet. Place the balls in the freezer for 30 minutes.
4. Melt the chocolate in the microwave. Heat for ten seconds at a time, stirring after each heating until completely melted. Don’t overcook the chocolate or it will become thick and difficult to work with.
5. Remove the cookie balls from the freezer and drop each one into the melted chocolate, using a spoon to help coat them. Place each truffle back on the cookie sheet and add toppings (sprinkles, candies, mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, etc.) before the chocolate sets. Place the truffles in the freezer for another 30 minutes. Store in the freezer or in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Healthy & Delicious Chocolate Pudding

I must confess that I have a serious sweet tooth. I can’t make it through a day…or sometimes an hour…without eating something sweet. Despite how much I love the taste of sugary foods, I know that it’s not healthy to eat them all the time, so I’m always looking for recipes that will help me get my sweet fix without compromising my health.

Recently I came across a wonderful recipe for the delicious chocolate pudding that you see in the photo above. I found it on Lauren Conrad’s website which always features lots of amazing, yet healthy, recipes. I modified the recipe a bit to fit my style (see the original recipe HERE). Not only is this pudding much healthier than regular, processed-sugar-infused pudding that can be found at the grocery store, it tastes great and is a satisfying snack.

Let me know what you think if you try it out.

Recipe

Ingredients:
1 ripe avocado
3 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup maple syrup or agave
2 tbsp unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp vanilla Greek yogurt and 1 strawberry for garnish (skip the yogurt if you want vegan pudding)

Directions:
1. Combine ingredients in a food processor or blender.
2. Blend until smooth and the avocado is no longer visible.
3. Place the Greek yogurt on top of the pudding.
4. Slice the strawberry and sprinkle it on top of the yogurt.
5. Refrigerate for 1 hour before eating (this is optional but I think that it makes the pudding taste so much better and gives it a firmer texture).
6. Enjoy!

Easy Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins

These muffins are super easy to make and they are a delicious way to combine oatmeal, apples, and cinnamon. Not to mention, I like to think that they are healthier than the average sugary dessert!

Recipe

Ingredients
2 2/3 cups oatmeal muffin mix (I used Quaker low fat oatmeal muffin mix)
1 cup water
1 apple, peeled and chopped into small pieces (I used a Gala apple).
1 tbsp cinnamon

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Prepare muffin tins or silicone muffin cups with a light coating of cooking spray (I used heart-shaped silicone muffin cups).
3. In a medium bowl, combine muffin mix, cinnamon, and water. Mix well.
4. Set aside 1/8 cup of chopped apple, and then add the remaining apple to the oatmeal mix. Mix until combined.
5. Spoon mix into muffin tins.
6. Sprinkle the 1/8 cup of chopped apples on top of the muffins before placing them in the oven.
7. Bake muffins for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes 12 muffins