Foodie

  • Foodie

    Ultimate Chipotle Chicken Chili To Satisfy Your Cold Weather Cravings

    Chipotle-Chicken-Chili-5

    Craving Comfort Food?

     Who says cold weather comfort food has to be overindulgent? This easy chipotle chicken chili recipe is healthy, satisfying, and incredibly delicious!

     The flavorful trifecta of smoky, spicy, and sweet makes this a top fav in my recipe repertoire! Plus, it’s simple and quick with just 15 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of cooking so it effortlessly fits into busy schedules. 

     Best of all, it makes a large batch so it’s perfect for weekly meal prep or feeding your whole family. It’s also a great Super Bowl or potluck dish since you can transport it in a crock-pot and easily keep it warm. 

    This chili recipe is completely customizable so feel free to switch out any of the ingredients. It can also easily be converted to Vegan or Vegetarian by leaving out the chicken and switching to vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

    Leave a comment below about how you modified it your way, I’d love to hear your ideas!

    🔥And If You Like It Hot...

    Try adding 1-2 Tbsp chipotle chilies in adobo sauce if you can take the heat!🔥

    This ingredient is a MUST for my chili but I left it out of this recipe since it’s not for the faint of heart. You can find jarred chipotle chili’s in adobo sauce at most grocery stores, usually in the salsa aisle.

    Ultimate Chipotle Chicken Chili🌶️

    Prep Time: 15 minutes

    Cook Time: 25 minutes

    Total Time: 40 minutes

    Servings: 4 Large Bowls 

     

    Ingredients

    ❏ 2 Tbsp Grass-fed butter or 3 Tbsp avocado oil (or preferred cooking oil)

    ❏ 1 Medium onion (diced)

    ❏ 3 Cloves garlic (minced) or 2 Tbsp jarred pre-minced garlic

    ❏ 3 Tbsp Coconut flour or all-purpose flour

    ❏ 1 Tsp Chili powder

    ❏ 1 Tsp Cumin

    ❏ 1/2 Tsp Chipotle chili powder 

    ❏ 1/2 Tsp Cayenne Pepper

    ❏ 1/4 Tsp Cinnamon

    ❏ 1 Tbsp Sea salt

    ❏ 1/2 Tsp Pepper

    ❏ 2 Cans organic white beans (rinsed and drained)

    ❏ 4 Cups organic chicken broth

    ❏ 1 Rotisserie chicken (shredded)

    ❏ 1 Cup frozen organic corn

    ❏ 1/2 Cup organic quinoa  

    Chipotle-Chicken-Chili-7

    Favorite Optional Toppings

    ✔︎ Cilantro

    ✔︎ Lime wedges 

    ✔︎ Shredded cheese

    ✔︎ Diced tomatoes

    ✔︎ Pickled jalapeños

    ✔︎ Diced avocado 

    ✔︎ Diced red onion 

    ✔︎ Diced chives or green onion

    ✔︎ Greek yogurt or reduced fat sour cream

    Your options are literally endless…

    Get Creative!

    Chipotle-Chicken-Chili-4

    Directions

     ✔️In a large pot, sauté onions and garlic in butter or oil over medium heat for about 5 mins.

    ✔️Sprinkle in flour and stir for 2 more minutes.

    ✔️Whisk in chicken broth and turn up the heat to medium-high. Continue whisking until it comes to a boil and starts to thicken. Reduce heat to low.

    ✔️Whisk in spices; salt, pepper, chili powders, cumin, cayenne and cinnamon.

    ✔️Add beans, corn, chicken and quinoa. Continue cooking on low heat for about 20 mins, stirring occasionally. 

    Serve with desired toppings & enjoy!

    Chipotle-Chicken-Chili-3

  • Foodie

    EASY DIY SKINNY COLD BREW AND THE SURPRISING HEALTH BENEFITS

    What's The Buzz About Cold Brew?

    If you haven’t tried cold brew coffee yet, it’s simply made by steeping coffee grounds in cold or room temperature water for at least 8 hours and then filtering out the grounds. And unlike regular iced coffee, cold brew is never exposed to heat which helps preserve coffee’s natural antioxidant levels. This is because cold brew uses time instead of heat to extract the coffee.

    And one of the easiest ways to make DIY cold brew at home is to brew it with a simple French Press. All you have to do is prepare it the night before and it’s ready to go in the morning. Just press down, pour over ice, and viola! The result is a very smooth, rich, and flavorful coffee infusion with lower levels of acidity than hot brewed coffee.

    So now you can enjoy delicious coffeehouse cold brew anytime – and for a fraction of the price too! And the best part is, you can use whatever coffee you prefer. My current favorites are: Mountain Thunder Kona Coffee or Wild Jo Organic French Roast (Decaffeinated coffee works great too!)

    Surprising Health Benefits of Cold Brew

     Contrary to popular belief, there are numerous health benefits from drinking coffee in general. Research suggests it can help boost athletic performance, improve liver health, and even reduce your risk of diabetes, Parkinson’s, and other diseases.

    And cold brew is especially beneficial for those with sensitive stomachs. This is because the chemical profile of coffee is significantly impacted by the brewing temperature. For example, cold brew is less acidic due to the cooler water temperature, which limits the extraction of acidic substances. In fact, claims suggest cold brew may have 65% less acid compared to hot brewing methods.

    Did you know adding cinnamon to your coffee decreases the acidity even more? 

     Another added bonus to cold brew is it contains higher levels of another powerful antioxidant, Chlorogenic Acid. This super antioxidant is found in coffee beans and is extremely sensitive to heat. High-temperatures during the hot brewing process starts to destroy the Chlorogenic Acid. The higher the temperature and the longer the exposure, the more the antioxidants are diminished. Coffee brewed in cooler temperatures preserves a higher ratio of this antioxidant powerhouse.

    Only 3 Things Needed To Make This Refreshing Elixir

    ✔︎ Ground coffee

      ✔︎ A French Press 

    ✔︎ Filtered water

    And To Replicate a Skinny Vanilla Coffeehouse Cold Brew…

    -Unsweetened Vanilla Almond or Oat Milk
    -Vanilla Almond or Oat Milk Creamer
    -Liquid Organic Stevia Drops 

    Blog#4 Cold Brew

    Easy DIY Coffeehouse Cold Brew Instructions

    ▪︎ Grind your favorite coffee beans into a medium/coarse grind or use pre-ground coffee. Add 1 tablespoon of coffee per 1 cup of water. For a cinnamon twist, mix 1 tsp. into the coffee grounds before adding the water. This allows the cinnamon to better disperse and infuse your coffee with flavor.

    ▪︎ Add filtered water and stir well to combine.

    ▪︎ Place the lid on the French press but don’t push down the plunger yet. Store in the refrigerator or kitchen counter overnight for at least 8-10 hours. (Up to 36 hrs. max or the coffee will taste bitter.

    ▪︎ When ready, press the plunger down, pour the coffee over ice and enjoy delicious coffeehouse cold brew at home! Pour any leftover in a covered glass bottle or carafe to enjoy another day. Strained cold brew can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.

    Get Creative & Enjoy!

  • Foodie

    Top 5 Ultimate Chocolate Fix Protein Bar Recipes

    A variety of delicious looking chocolate protein bars.

    Struggling to reach your protein goals? Check!

    Finding it hard to resist that daily chocolate fix? Same!

    Thankfully, we no longer have to choose between indulgence and fitness – instead, it’s about finding the harmony in both! Now you can curb your cocoa cravings and fuel your body with extra protein in a delicious and healthier way. 

    And my top 5 ultimate chocolate protein bar recipes promise to be the best of both worlds; rich, chocolatey decadence while packed with protein that’ll keep you feeling strong with sustained energy.

      Flavors like Mint Chocolate Chip and Triple Chocolate Fudge Brownie are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!

     Unfortunately, most store-bought bars are filled with artificial flavors, sweeteners, added sugars, and low-quality, milk-derived proteins. All of which are known to cause belly bloating, blood sugar spikes, and intestinal distress. And to make matters worse, many prepackaged bars have an imbalanced calorie-to-protein ratio so you may as well be eating a Snickers bar!

    A chocolate bar disguised as a protein bar.

    The great news is you can easily make healthier, homemade, DIY protein bars instead! And without the sneaky preservatives, hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup, or artificial ingredients that look like they belong in a science experiment! Try whipping up a batch this weekend for a week’s worth of bars – and for a fraction of the price too!

     So whether you’re wanting a quick chocolate fix, post-workout protein, or an indulgent dessert, these bars are perfect anytime! They’ll keep you feeling full, focused, and much leaner than the processed store-bought bars. Let’s ditch the sugar crashes and digestive drama and get ready to indulge in guilt-free sweet serenity!

    A variety of ingredients for making protein bars.

    Tips & Swaps

    ✔︎ Substitute with any of your favorite nut butters.
    ✔︎ Swap the Cocoa powder for Cacao powder for extra antioxidant power!
    ✔︎ Add 1 teaspoon of instant coffee if you want a stronger chocolate flavor.
    ✔︎ To help with cutting the bars, warm the knife blade under hot water between slices. You can also mix up how you cut these bars to make them smaller and more bite-sized.
    ✔︎ I use Stevia sweetened, sugar-free, dark chocolate chips but you can sub with whatever semi-sweet/dark chocolate chips or chunks you prefer – or Cacao Nibs!
    ✔︎ Use your preferred protein powder in any of these recipes.

    ✔︎ Add your favorite chopped nuts for extra protein and magnesium!

    Top 5 Ultimate Chocolate Fix Protein Bar Recipes

    Triple Chocolate Fudge Brownie Protein Bars

    Ingredients:

     

    ❏ 1.5 cups black beans (1 15-oz can, drained and rinsed)

    ❏ 3 Tbsp Cocoa powder or Cacao powder

    ❏ 1/3 cup Chocolate protein powder

    ❏ 1/2 tsp sea salt

    ❏ 1/3 cup pure maple syrup, honey, or agave

    ❏ 5 drops liquid stevia

    ❏ 3 Tbsp coconut oil

    ❏ 1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract   

    ❏ 1/2 tsp baking powder

    ❏ 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

     

    Instructions:

     

    1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Combine all ingredients except the chocolate chips in a food processor and blend until smooth. (A blender works too but the texture will be better in a food processor)

    2. Then mix in half of the chocolate chips.

    3. Pour into a greased 9×9-inch pan and sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips over the top.

    4. Bake the homemade chocolate protein bars for about 16 minutes. They will still look slightly underdone when you take them out of the oven, but that’s Ok because we want them to be fudgy.

    5. Let cool, then refrigerate 4-6 hours and the bars will be firmed up and ready to cut and eat. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

     

    *Makes about 8 bars.

    Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bars

    Ingredients:

     

    🤎Cookie Dough Layer

    ❏ 3/4 cup Almond flour

    ❏ 2 Tbsp Coconut flour

    ❏ 1/4 cup Vanilla protein powder

    ❏ 1/2 cup Natural peanut butter

    ❏ 2 Tbsp Pure maple syrup or honey

    ❏ 1/2 cup Dark chocolate chips.

     

    🤎 Chocolate Fudge Top Layer   

    ❏ 1/3 cup Dark chocolate chips

    ❏ 2 Tbsp peanut butter

    ❏ 2 Tbsp Chocolate protein powder

    ❏ 1 Tbsp Coconut oil

     

    Instructions:

     

    1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the maple syrup (or honey), peanut butter, and a dash of salt.

    2. Add the almond flour, coconut flour and chocolate chips. 

    3. Fully mix ingredients until it forms into a dough that you can easily shape into a large cookie dough ball.

    4. Spread the mixture evenly into a 9×13-inch rectangular baking pan lined with parchment paper. Use your fingers or a spatula to make the surface flat and smooth.

    5. Freeze the pan while you prepare the chocolate fudge top layer.

    6. In a microwave safe bowl, add the dark chocolate, nut butter, and coconut oil. Melt in the microwave in 30 second intervals and stirring in between to prevent the chocolate from burning. (It should not require more than 90 seconds total)

    7. Add protein powder and stir well to create a shiny melted chocolate mixture.

    8. Remove the pan from the freezer, pour the melted chocolate on top. Use a spatula to spread the layer evenly.

    9. Freeze again for 10-15 minutes or until the chocolate layer is set.

    10. Cut the bars using a warmed, sharp knife and store the bars in the fridge in an airtight container.

     

    *Makes about 8 bars.

    No-Bake Mint Chocolate Chip Protein Bars

    Ingredients:

     

    ❏ 1 cup Dates

    ❏ 1 cup Chopped nuts (I used 1/2 cup cashews and 1/2 cup of almonds)

    ❏ 3/4 cup Chocolate protein powder

    ❏ 1/4 cup Cocoa or Cacao powder

    ❏ 1/2 cup Chocolate chips

    ❏ 1/2 tsp Peppermint extract

    ❏ 1/4 cup Almond milk

    ❏ 1/4 tsp Sea salt

     

    Instructions:

     

    1. Place dates in food processor (or blender) and process or pulse until it becomes a crumbly consistency.

    2. Add in nuts and continue processing until dates and nuts are more finely ground.

    3. Add in protein powder, cocoa powder, and salt and continue to pulse. Then add almond milk, peppermint extract, and chocolate chips and process until a well-combined sticky dough ball is formed.

    4. Line a 9 x 9-inch baking dish with plastic wrap and press bar mixture into dish and flatten, making sure it’s even.

    5. Freeze for 30 minutes. Then remove from freezer and lift from the dish with the plastic wrap.

    6. Use a warmed knife to cut the bars and keep them stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

     

    *Makes 8 bars

    No-Bake Mocha Chip Brownie Protein Bars

    Ingredients:

     

    ❏ 1/3 cup Chocolate protein powder

    ❏ 1/2 Oats

    ❏ 1/4 cup Cocoa or Cacao powder

    ❏ 5 Drops liquid Stevia

    ❏ 1/3 cup Espresso or strong coffee, cooled

    ❏ 1/3 cup Dark chocolate chips 

     

    Instructions:

     

    1. Combine the protein powder, oats, and cocoa powder in a large bowl. (If adding anything extra like nuts, etc. add them in now)

    2. Add the cooled coffee or espresso and mix well.

    3. Stir in the chocolate chips until evenly combined.

    4. Spread the dough into a 9 by 9-inch baking dish lined with parchment paper. Use your hands or a spatula to press the mixture down. *Optional: Sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top and gently press them in.

    5. Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or until firm.

    6. Use a warmed knife to cut the bars and store them in an airtight container in the fridge.

     

    *Makes 8 bars.

    Banana Chocolate Chip Protein Bars

    Ingredients:

     

    ❏ 3 Overripe bananas, peeled

    ❏ 1/4 cup Coconut oil

    ❏ 1/4 cup Unsweetened almond milk

    ❏ 1 Large egg

    ❏ 1/2 cup Apple sauce

    ❏ 1/3 cup Vanilla protein powder

    ❏ 1 cup Coconut flour

    ❏ 1/2 cup Almond flour

    ❏ 1 teaspoon Baking soda

    ❏ 1/2 teaspoon Salt

    ❏ 1 teaspoon Cinnamon

    ❏ 1 cup Chocolate chips, divided in half

     

    Instructions:

     

    1. Preheat oven to 350℉

    2. Spray a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.

    3. In a large mixing bowl, mash bananas well. Then add coconut oil, almond milk, egg, apple sauce, and vanilla and mix until blended.

    4. In a separate bowl combine dry ingredients; coconut and almond flours, baking soda, protein powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir until blended.

    5. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and combine thoroughly. Then stir in half of the chocolate chips.

    6. Pour mixture into the prepared dish and sprinkle remaining chocolate chips on top.

    7. Bake 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

    8. Cool completely before cutting and use a warmed knife to cut the bars. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge.

     

    *Makes about 10 bars.

    Enjoy! 🤎

  • Foodie

    Top 5 Ultimate Nice Cream Recipes For Summer

    Top 5 nice cream recipes. Mint chip nice cream, espresso chip nice cream, peanut butter chocolate nice cream, matcha green tea nice cream, mango coconut.
    Top 5 nice cream recipes. Mint chip nice cream, espresso chip nice cream, peanut butter chocolate nice cream, matcha green tea nice cream, mango coconut.

    What Is Nice Cream?

     If you haven’t tried nice cream yet, it’s a plant-based, dairy-free, vegan, paleo, and all-around healthier alternative to ice cream that still tastes deceptively indulgent!

    Nice cream is basically blended frozen bananas that can be combined with a variety of other ingredients to produce a smooth and creamy texture that is somehow similar to ice cream. I know it sounds crazy but trust that once you try it, you’ll see what all the trending nice cream hype is about!

     And if you’re not a fan of bananas, it can also be made with frozen coconut milk, or other frozen fruit like mango, strawberries, or avocado to produce a similar ice-creamy consistency. Plus, it’s free of artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and other not-so-nice, belly-bloating ingredients that are typically found in store bought ice cream. 

     So to help you keep your cool during this record-hot summer, I’m sharing my top 5 ultimate nice cream recipe replicas of popular ice cream flavors. These healthy, vegan versions are cleverly disguised as their full fat, frozen counterparts and are made with just 6 ingredients or less. 

    You're welcome...

    Illustrates the 4 stages of blending frozen bananas into nice cream

    The Method Behind The Magic Of Nice Cream

     Making nice cream is super simple and the flavor combinations are endless! The directions are about the same for all of the following recipes. You’ll just need a blender or a food processor and you’re good to go!

    The best part is that these recipes are completely customizable and you can swap out any of the ingredients. For example, I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk but you can substitute it with any variety of plant-based milk you prefer.

     ✨🍌 For best results, you’ll only want to use ripe or overripe bananas — if they’re too green, the taste and the texture won’t turn out right. To freeze bananas, just peel and cut them into about 1″-2″ chunks. Store the banana pieces in a large zip-top bag or air tight container and freeze until hard. By pre-cutting the bananas into chunks, it will help them blend into a better ice cream consistency.

    3 Simple Steps To Nice Cream Perfection

    1. Combine all ingredients and in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

     2. Pour into container, cover and freeze for up to 30 minutes to firm up a bit (but not all the way.) If left longer, it’ll harden too much and will need to thaw before scooping.

    3. Top with chocolate chips, cocoa nibs, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, fruit, or whatever toppings you like and enjoy! 

    Big bowl of mint chocolate chip nice cream dessert

    1. Mint Chocolate Chip Nice Cream

    ❏ 1/2 an avocado
    ❏ 2 frozen bananas
    ❏ 3/4 tsp pure peppermint extract
    ❏ 1/3 cup vanilla almond milk
    ❏ 3 Tbsp. Cashew butter or other nut butter of choice
    ❏ 1/2 cup cacao nibs or  1/2 cup chocolate chips

    *Optional: Add a couple of fresh mint leaves to enhance color and flavor.

    Big bowl of espresso chocolate chip nice cream healthy dessert.

    2. Espresso Chip Nice Cream

    ❏ 2 frozen bananas
    ❏ 2 tsp instant coffee powder or 4 tbsp strong brewed coffee or espresso
    ❏ 3 Medjool dates or 1 tbsp honey
    ❏ 1 tsp vanilla extract
    ❏ 1/2 cup cacao nibs or 1/2 cup chocolate chips

    Scoops of chocolate, peanut butter nice cream healthy dessert.

    3. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Nice Cream

    ❏ 2 frozen bananas
    ❏ 2 tbsp organic peanut butter
    ❏ 1 tsp. Sea Salt
    ❏ 1 tbsp cocoa powder
    ❏ 1/4 cup vanilla almond milk
    ❏ 1/2 cup cacao nibs or 1/2 cup chocolate chips

    Scoops of mango, nut, coconut, banana nice cream healthy dessert.

    4. Mango Coconut Nice Cream

    ❏ 1 cup frozen diced mango
    ❏ 1 frozen banana
    ❏ 1/3 cup coconut milk
    ❏ 1/2 cup shredded toasted coconut 

    Matcha Green Tea banana nice cream healthy dessert.

    5. Matcha Green Tea Nice Cream

    ❏ 2 frozen bananas
    ❏ 1/2 avocado
    ❏ 1 tbsp. Honey
    ❏ 2 tsp. Matcha green tea powder
    ❏ 1/4 cup vanilla almond milk

    *Optional: Top with toasted coconut flakes and/or slivered almonds

    Enjoy! 🍨