Chocolate Protein Brownies Take 2

Chocolate Protein Brownies Take 2

There seems to be a lot of love for my (sweet potato) protein brownies (thanks Ollie Best!) but not everybody liked the idea of sweet potato in a brownie.. so, listening to demand here is a new chocolate protein brownie recipe, minus the potato (and replaced with another secret ingredient!!).

To make these delicious chocolate protein brownies you will need:

1 can (240g drained) of chickpeas

3 egg whites

1 scoop chocolate protein powder (or swap for ~1 tbsp cocoa & ~3 tbsp milk powder)

100g dark chocolate chips

½ teaspoon coconut oil (vegetable oil will do)

2 heaped tablespoons of quick oats or porridge oats

2 tbsp of sugar or stevia (calorie free sweetener)

½ teaspoon of baking powder
1/4 teaspoon of salt

 

 

And here's what to do..

1) Add the chickpeas, egg whites, chocolate protein powder, oats, sugar/stevia, salt and baking powder to a food processor.. whizz until smooth.

2) Melt the oil and dark chocolate chips for a few minutes in a microwavable bowl and add to the food processor then whizz again.

3) Pour in to a small baking tray lined with baking paper and smooth out with a spatula

4) Bake in the oven for 25 minutes at 175 degrees C until cooked

5) Slice in to 9-12 slices, allow to cool and enjoy!

 Per Brownie (x12): 85 kcal, 5g protein, 10g carb, 3g fat

 

Happy Baking!

 

Nic x

Aphrodisiac Valentines Day Menu Healthy Recipes & Giveaway!

Aphrodisiac Valentines Day Menu Healthy Recipes & Giveaway!

With Valentine's Day just around the corner I wanted to share with you my super sensual Valentine's Day menu and recipes that will guarantee to impress any girlfriend, boyfriend, husband or wife! Each meal contains an abundance of aphrodisiac foods to get you in the mood - from suggestive colours and shapes to foods that cause physical reactions inside the body!

I also have a love-themed giveaway for you curtsy of an amazing gift company called Just Mustard.. just click the link below to watch my Valentine's Day Menu Video, subscribe and comment to enter! - The giveaway will close Tuesday 12th Feb .. good luck!

 

[To Enter the Giveaway - Click Here]

  

 

Breakfast: Wholegrain toast topped with tomato puree & a heart-shaped boiled egg

Lunch: Serve an avocado & rocket salad topped with pine-nuts (goes great in a sandwich too!)

 

 

Snacks: A banana!

Evening Meal: Honey & ginger chicken with asparagus (serve with basmati rice)

Dessert: Pineapple & strawberries covered with dark chocolate!

To make the ginger & honey glazed chicken...

 

You will need..

 

4 chicken breasts

2 tbsp honey

2 tbsp Dijon or wholegrain mustard

4 tbsp water

2 tsp ground ginger

2 garlic cloves (or 2 tsp of ground ginger)

Black Pepper (to taste)

 

And here's what to do..

 

1) Pan fry the chicken breasts to give colour all over

2) Mix together the dressing ingredients and add to the chicken

3) Mix well and cook for 20-30 mins over a medium heat until the chicken is cooked

 

To make the chocolate covered fruits..

 

You will need..

 

100g dark chocolate

A small punnet of strawberries

A small can of pineapple rings

 

And here's what to do..

 

1) Break the chocolate into chunks and melt in the microwave for a few mins

2) Dip the strawberries into the chocolate and twirl to let the excess chocolate drip off

3) Drain the pineapple rings and dip half of them into the chocolate as above

4) Place the fruits onto a foil covered tray or plate

5) Chill in the fridge for at least 30 mins

Have a great week.everyone.. and Happy Valentine's!

 

Nic x

 

P.S And here's a picture of the prizes up for grabs... click here for the Just Mustard website!

 

Chia Chocolate Pudding - 100% Healthy!!

Chia Chocolate Pudding - 100% Healthy!!

I first blogged about the amazing chia seed in my 'over night oats' blog post for deskfest (breakfast at your desk).. and had some left over to experiment with.. this led me to making this delicious dessert. It was a twitter follower who first told me about this recipe and as soon as I saw the words 'chocolate' and 'pudding' I couldn't wait to get started!

This chocolate pudding is packed with 100% healthy ingredients and is super quick and simple to make. If you want to make your own Chia Chocolate Pudding then here is what you will need (serves 2-3):



300ml of almond milk (rice milk also works)
45-50g chia seeds
2 tbsp cocoa (swap for tsp if this is too rich for you)
1-2 tbsp honey, agave nectar or sweet freedom (again swap for tsp desired)

Optional Extra - an extra 1 tbsp of hot chocolate powder

And here is what to do...

1) Mix all of the above ingredients together in a bowl and keep mixing until all of the cocoa is dissolved..

2) Chill for at least 30 mins (this pudding below was actually left for 3 hours!)

3) Serve in a wine glass or a short glass and enjoy!
- if you prefer an even more chocolatey dessert than add an extra tbsp of hot chocolate powder.. delicious!!

 

Per serving (if this recipe provides 2 servings) this pudding provides just 160 calories and is packed with healthy fats and protein (5g).

 

Do let me know if you make this recipe either on my blog, facebook or twitter!

 

Have a great weekend (I'm filming a Valentine's video & giveaway so look out for it on my YouTube channel!)

 

Nic x

3 ingredient cookies

3 ingredient cookies

These cookies are amazing. They take literally 5 minutes to make, use only 3 ingredients (ok so plus extras IF wanted), and take 20 minutes to bake.. they are the ideal in-between meal snack or pre/post workout energy boost. In my recipe video I talk through the different varieties of cookies that you can make as well as how to make them without using whey protein (if you don't already have it).



Sunflower Seed & Goji Berry Cookies
(my fave is PB & dark choc chip!!)

 

Thank you so much to everyone who has subscribed to my new YouTube channel and for liking and commenting on my videos - I really enjoy reading them!

 

 

Happy baking! Have a great week :) Nic x

 

P.s you make also like..

 

Healthy Breakfast Cookies

 

Healthy Chocolate Protein Brownies

 

Healthy Pumpkin Muffins

Banana Cloud with Nutella

Banana Cloud with Nutella

When I saw a tweet with a link to this web-page [click here] the other week, I think I fell in love! Anything that is 'healthy' yet 'chocolatey' floats my boat and I couldn't wait to make my very own 'Banana Cloud with Nutella' to share with you all!

If you love bananas and chocolate then read on.. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed!!

So, to make this simple yet delicious (healthy) dessert you will need:

Serves 2-4

2 extra ripe bananas

2 tablespoons organic maple syrup

2 medium sized eggs

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract - I didn't have this so skipped it!

1 teaspoon olive oil
4 tsp Nutella (to serve)

And here's what to do..

First, pre-heat your oven to 160 degrees C and put 2-4 ramekins on a baking tray (I don't have any ramekins so instead I used a shallow baking dish)

Then, pop all of the ingredients in a bowl...

And Mash the bananas and whisk until light and fluffy (about 1-2 minutes)..

Next, pour your banana cloud mix into 4 non-stick/greased ramekins (or a non-stick/greased baking dish - or you could line it with baking paper/parchment) and bake for 15-20 minutes - until the mixture puffs up into a small dome.

*yum* - smells delicious!

Once baked, simply pop a teaspoon of Nutella into each ramekin (or I put a tablespoon in to the middle of this baking dish).. and enjoy..!!!! I will definitely be making this dish again!




The above dish serves 2-4 people depending on how much of it you want to eat!
(I ate half in one go...oops)

A 'lighter' / 'kiddy' portion :)

For more delicious, simple and healthy recipes check out my recipes page [click here].

Nutrition Per Portion (x 4): 118 kcal, 2.4g Protein, 20g Carbs, 3.8g Fat*

 

Nutritional Benefits: Rich in soluble fibre, antioxidants & potassium

Nic x

 P.S This dessert is best baked and served at the same time because of the banana - it goes brown if kept in the fridge (for example over night).. it still tastes good when re-heated but doesn't look quite the same!

 

*Nutritional information provided by Firecracker

Slimmer's Guide to Chocolate (at Easter!)

Slimmer's Guide to Chocolate (at Easter!)

SO, we've finally lost our 'Christmas weight' and are looking forward to the summer.. but then Easter comes along and *bam*.. we are faced with rows and rows of lovely looking chocolate eggs in the supermarkets (not to mention the hot cross buns, Easter buns/pigs/rabbits....!!!). How can we resist?!

If you're watching your weight and feel under-pressure at occasions such as these where you are deemed 'not normal' if you don't join in and indulge in your body weight of chocolate then read on for my top tips on how to cope this Easter time (or at any other special occasion where chocolate is present.. birthdays, Christmas, celebrations etc.)

1) Ask for Flowers or Vouchers.. or GIVE THEM AWAY!

If you are lucky enough to have friends or family who love to buy you chocolate at Easter then tell them (before you see them), that this year you're really trying to be healthy and are avoiding temptation of all kinds (including Easter eggs). If your lovely friends or family insist on buying you something then there is no harm in suggesting a bunch of flowers or even vouchers.. then they will feel good having still got you something (so not 'leaving you out') and you won't be faced with the temptation/pressure to eat more chocolate than you would like.

And if this tip doesn't work.. and you still get given heaps of Easter Eggs and really don't want even the temptation then why not do some good and offer your Eggs to a charity/hospital/homeless shelter.. the generosity will be much appreciated and you will feel good on two levels!

2) 250 Calorie Limit

If you want to join in with the 'eating feast' then why not set yourself an allowance? 200-250 calories is roughly 10% of your daily calorie (kcal) allowance and is equivalent to the following:

1 Cream Egg and 4 Mini Eggs (~ 240kcal)

1 Aero Mint Lamb and  1 individual Cadbury's Caramel Easter bunny (250kcal)

2 individual Cadbury's Caramel Easter Bunny (in packs of two) (200kcal)

16 Mini Eggs: 50g (245 kcal)

4 Mini Creme Eggs (200kcal)

1 Small Easter Rabbit: 50g (272kcal)

1/4 Large Easter Rabbit: 200g (~250kcal)

1/2 Small Easter Egg: 80g (~200kcal)

1/2 Medium Easter Egg: 100g (~260kcal)

1/4 Large Easter Egg: 200g (~250kcal)

My advice would be to read the label and become familiar with how many calories are in your chocolate treats and then decided how many calories you're happy to eat (decide this first!).

3) Melt & Mix with Fruit

To make your chocolate go that little bit further why not melt some chocolate (in a glass bowl over a pan of boiling water: [click here] for a great video from BBC Goodfoods on how to do this).. You can then use this melted chocolate to dip in pieces of melon, strawberries or kiwis (or any fruit for that matter). This way you are on your way to achieving your 5 a day and will feel much fuller (and perhaps more satisfied) after!

Choosing dark chocolate is a healthier alternative to milk and white chocolate as it contains more anti-oxidants and has less added sugar. My advice would be to check the calorie content of your bar and then decide how much you want to eat of it/share.. a small bar (~250kcal) per person could be a limit to set or 1/4-1/2 of a large bar (~250-500kcal).

4) Cheater's Guide

If you struggle with temptation and can't bear the thought of Easter Eggs being in the house (as you could easily demolish them in one sitting) then why not get your chocolate fix another way.. here are some lighter ways to enjoy chocolate:

Hot Chocolate (the indulgent ones made up with water & splash of milk are ~100kcal)

Cracker with Chocolate Spread (~100kcal)

Cereal Bar with Chocolate (~100kcal)

Chocolate Mousse (~100kcal)

Treat Size Chocolate Bar (~100kcal)

Light Yoghurt with Chocolate Pieces (~100kcal)

5) Don't make it a 4 day event!

This tip can be applied to Christmas too... try to keep your 'indulgent eating' to just one day. This means you have something to look forward to and can 'balance things out' in the days before and after.. i.e. eating healthy and avoiding extra treats and perhaps engaging in some light exercise. After all - it is only once or twice a year that such nationwide celebrations take place.

I hope you find these tips useful.. have a lovely Easter break everyone and remember.. if you do indulge DON'T WORRY!!!! What's done is done.. just enjoy it and get back on track the next day.. we are allowed to occasionally indulge.. it's ok! You won't gain weight from one day of over-eating. Say that it's your '20%' of naughty food for the week. See my 80:20 rule post for more info [click here].

Bye for now!

Nic x

bake for japan! (and olga too)

bake for japan! (and olga too)

To all our lovely readers, if you're in the Toronto area this weekend, please join us and attend the Toronto Bakes for Japan event! Its a great cause, with all proceeds going to the Red Cross relief efforts in Japan. What better way of supporting the effort than donating while enjoying yummy treats? Its also a great excuse to check out the new Evergreen Brickworks and farmer's market. May and I will be there Saturday, as well as the Rivoli on Sunday for more baked goodies. No we aren't baking anything ourselves, we leave that to the professionals. Such as our good friend Catherine from Sugar Baking, who is generously donating her awesome cupcakes at the Rivoli. We'll be there to help out with some of the photography and to of course enjoy all the food! Come out, support and do say hello!

................................

And now, since we're on a baking topic, I will attempt to sneak in a little half post on my "kinda-not-bad-for-a-first-time" adventure all on my own. Yes, if you know us, you know that I don't bake because May is the baking wizard in our home. But recently for a potluck at Jeremy + Olga's house, I volunteered us to make the dessert in addition to a small appetizer. And since May was working during the day, I decided to handle the baking completely on my own (yes, daring i know). You see, Olga is currently preggo and I knew she'd probably have some kind of cravings. I secretly confirmed it with Jeremy and then decided on a chocolate pear cake. It seemed pretty simple, but I knew if it turned into a complete disaster, i'd still glady scrape any reminents of chocolate and pear. I'm happy to say it wasn't all that bad!



The recipe is from a Donna Hay book called "flavours" that I found at BMV long ago for cheap. Its the only cookbook I have that has some kinda baked goods in it. You basically take 4 pears (peeled, halved and cored) and sauté it with 80g butter, 2tbsp water, 2/3cup sugar for about 2 minutes. Then you place the pears, cut-side down in the pan with all the juices. In a separate bowl mix 185g butter, 1.5cup sugar and 3 eggs, one at a time as you mix it. I couldn't find the electric mixer so I did this by hand (ouchy). And then you incorporate 2cups all-purpose flour, 1/3cup cocoa powder, 2tsp baking powder in a separate bowl, before pouring it all on top of the pears in the pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes and voila! its done. Using a springform pan was a novice mistake; all the carmel-ly goodness slipped out underneath while baking.



Cant' complain, Olga liked it, all was eaten, and nobody died! and of course we had ice cream with it!

Chocolate Extravaganza

Chocolate Extravaganza

Gabe and I don't celebrate Valentine's Day particularly, but we do love chocolate.

Friday night, we ended up making many different chocolate treats, here are only some of them. The same day I also got a pack of assorted chocolates from my parents, the sweets just kept on coming :)



The dipped strawberries are Gabe's creations.

Crispy chewy chocolate chip cookies are here.

We also made lime leaf and white chocolate ice cream, it turned out really creamy.
It is adapted from this.

Parisian eats..

Parisian eats..

Some great foods we've had in Paris.
I think Christmas market is my new favourite thing.
Can we get one in Canada too?

Chocolate+Seafood!

Chocolate+Seafood!

I had a lot of food when I was in Vicienza. I mean alot!

The chocolate festival happened to be there when we were there. That made us a happy bunch! You see they make everything out of chocolate in Italy, even light bulbs! Can you spot them in the picture?

Another place Gabe and Bill suggested us to go was a family restaurant called Sette Santi, not too far from where we stayed. They had the biggest portions I've ever seen here in Italy! I got to have seafood here which I was so happy about. Oh and their desert is amazing too. I had a white chocolate ice-cream truffle ball here. Hmmm so good!

Can you imagine how full I was?