Vegan Paleo Mock Snickers Bars Recipe

Momma Told Me: When you get bored, challenge yourself.

While you certainly see a fair range of indulgent, not so good for you, treats and recipes cross your screen on this blog, I have found that anyone truly can cook scrumptious food. As Paula Deen infers adding a pat of butter to any recipe will surely make it instantly more delicious. And, while out Circus Animal Cookie Truffles have gotten decent traffic on Pinterest, I shudder every time I see or create a recipe that is merely mashing 2 or 3 already delicious ingredients together. Do you drizzle hot fudge on ice cream and call it a recipe? Yes, even I have my limits.

While making indulgent treats is satisfying, and I surely will continue to play with simple recipes that wow the eyes and tickle the taste buds in unexpected ways, I've recently found myself a little bored in the kitchen. I've also recently re-joined a local gym. Before you start congratulating me, I'll be the first to admit getting heart healthy is a multi-part journey and daily workouts will only go as far as overall health and core attainment. I'm not quite ready to turn in my frozen yogurt spoon, but these two ripples in my life have made me more aware of the dietary needs of others around me.
Every Thursday I bake something to share here on the blog, and bring it into the bowling alley for our mixed adult bowling league. Our teams are comprised of men and women, young and old, from all walks of life. As delicious as my sweet treats are, not everyone can enjoy them. We have several diabetics I try to accommodate with recipe variations, and now a team that is taking on a month long Paleo challenge. Couple this with our close friend who is celebrating a year as a Vegan and you have the perfect storm of recipe challenges. So I set out to create a No Sugar Added Paleo Vegan Friendly dessert recipe.

The more I researched the more I learned that several of the key ingredients in cooking for each need overlapped- the exception being Honey, which is considered an animal byproduct to most modern Vegans. For those unfamiliar with Paleo, which is actually a way of living more than a literal 'weight loss' style diet, the terms are fairly flexible to the person committing to it.

At it's core Paleo individuals do not consume processed or artificial foods and attempt to eat ingredients that would closely mimic that of a caveman's. This means a diet rich in protein and nutrient dense core ingredients like grass few beef, wild caught seafood and vegetables. Most Paleo followers will avoid sugar, gluten, and generally anything with 'artificial' in the ingredients list. While it can be fairly complex, depending on the person, consider it close to an Organic, low  sugar, gluten free diet that tends to lean towards raw or minimally handled ingredients.

Many low sugar recipes and Paleo recipes will substitute several typical ingredients with coconut- which can tend to be an allergen for some. If you are suing coconut oil, butter, or flour in a recipe always make the recipients aware when serving. While most coconut allergies deal more directly with the pulp of the plant, raw oils can cause mild allergic reactions and should always be disclosed. If you are cooking low sugar and sweetening with a recipe that calls for honey, but would like a Vegan substitute, in most cases Maple Syrup will be a great alternative. There is also a Vegan apple plant based honey, which is entirely bee free, called Honee, sold online and in many organic or Whole Foods stores.

Acquiring the ingredients to cook just one of these categories (Vegan, Paleo, Sugar Free) will often cost a fair penny. The good news is that you can acquire nearly any ingredient necessary at Whole Foods, or a similar store, and in portions that will easily stretch through multiple recipes. If you're looking to begin cooking, or dabbling with, these categories, consider each shopping trip an investment. Chances are your spice rack wasn't built overnight, and neither will this arsenal of cooking tools.

These Vegan Paleo Mock Snickers Bars contain no added sweetener (aside from the natural Honee plant based sugars) and a dash of Agave syrup may be added to any layer if you desire a slightly sweeter end result. My bowling mates rarely ever question what I've made each week and these bites/bars disappeared quickly! Several people were floored to hear just how 'good for you' this dessert was, and a few even asked for the recipe. So, if you're in the fence, I'd say it's definitely a recipe worth trying. Not only are these the perfect treat (a little goes a long way to satisfy) but they can be frozen for enjoyment later as well! Do you have, or know anyone with, any special dietary restrictions you struggle to cook for?

What Daughter Says: This year I'm going to challenge myself in all aspects of my life, not because I need to, but because I want to!

Vegan Paleo Mock Snickers Bars

*** Click here for printable Mock Snickers Bars recipe.

7 Organic Grocery Items You Didn't Know You Could Buy At Walmart

This post is sponsored by Horizon but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Being a modern consumer can be complicated.

When I was a child the only time my mother bought groceries at a store other than the one closest to our house was if there was an amazing sale that matched up with a coupon in her wallet. Shopping for a family was much simpler a generation ago simply because consumers did not have easy access to the buyer's education and resources we have today. There was no internet for concerned mothers to network on, no pages of searches demanding transparency from brands, or subcultures of foodies sharing their passion for greener eating.

As a result I've been quite overwhelmed with trying to juggle my modern family's budget, and my millennial schedule, with shopping fro ethical and wholesome ingredients. For a while I was building multiple grocery lists, by store, for a single week at a time!

If you know the stress I am referring to all to well then you might be thrilled to learn about a little life hack I've recently picked up on my regular shopping trips to Walmart. We have both a Walmart Supercenter and Walmart Neighborhood Market in my hometown, so I am constantly grabbing grocery needs while picking up prescriptions, a new jacket for the upcoming rain, or the latest video game accessory.

I am at Walmart at least twice, if not three times a week on average, but I never realized just how many of my organic grocery needs I could buy there as well. Finding my organic "treasures" while on my everyday Walmart shopping trip not only saves me money, but precious time as well. Just take at look at some of these everyday Organic grocery finds we found on our most recent trip:

1. Organic Pre-Packaged Vegetables and Fruit

Generally speaking shopping organic will always be at a slightly higher 'premium' cost than shopping 'non organic' equivalent, when it comes to fresh produce. Two ways to help offset this potential budget increase is by shopping at Walmart, and choosing pre-packaged, or 'ready-to'eat' options when available. This helps save you valuable prep time, and everyone knows time is money.

2. Ready-To-Eat Snacks And Salads

Our local Walmarts have a great selection of Organic single serving snacks and entree salads in the fresh produce department. Salads such as this Chicken Cesar are certified organic and ready to eat on the go so you can feel good about your eating choices any time of the day.

3. Organic Pressed Juices, Kombucha, And More!

A lot of the time I am way too busy through the late morning and mid-day to stop to eat a full meal, but often I find my stomach rumbling an my energy crashing around 1PM. Having a delicious, fortified, and well balanced organic fruit or vegetable juice based drink on hand can really stop me from getting cranky and sluggish. You'll find a variety or Organic bottled beverages in the cold case directly next to the packaged salads and fruits at your local Walmart. There are even some options with probiotics and protein for unique dietary needs!

4. Fresh Fruit And Vegetables

This is probably the first grocery category that comes to your mind when I mention Organic groceries. I'll be honest, fresh Organic fruits and vegetables were some of the first things I started adding to my grocery list when I began buying Organic for our family. You'll find shelf talkers, liners, loud labels, and signs calling out fresh organic finds like these raspberries in the produce department at Walmart. I love feeling good about eating these delicious treats right out of the package or straight from my shopping bag upon unpacking at home.

5. Organic Milk.

Milk has been a staple at my dinner table since I was a little girl, and continues to be a weekly buy for my fridge. During the average week I use Organic milk for smoothies, creamy sauce recipes, cereal, homemade ice cream, and so much more. My preferred brand of Organic milk is Horizon, and my local Walmart has an entire cold case dedicated to the many varieties of it. Just look for the red cartons!

Horizon cows are certified organic grassfed and spend time in lush pastures where they can graze free- yes even the cows eat organic, and as a result their milk is always GMO free. They're a brand I've been following for years now as they have been advocating, along with others, for clear and tough organic standards that go beyond what is currently required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). For me, Horizon is a brand I can feel good about buying for my family.

You'll find Horizon's Organic Grassfed Milk in whole and 2% Half Gallons with an impressive expiration date for Organic milk and a clean taste we swear we notice. Horizon Organic Grassfed milk is definitely my preferred 'drinking' milk, and what I use in all my dairy based recipes for wholesome flavor I can feel good about.

6. Shelf Stable Staples.

A lot of new-to-Organic shoppers may feel they can only find shelf stable Organics at specialty grocers, or in small designated aisle spaces in big box superstores. At Walmart you'll find many Organic companion choices right next to your everyday staples. Many times I'll even find an Organic option in my favorite brand- other times I'll choose the Walmart Great Value Organic equivalent and save myself quite a bit off  big brand Organic pricing. Some of my favorite everyday Organic shelf stable staples include peanut butter, honey, salsa, and more!

7. Baked Goods.

When I recently discovered Select Seeds Great Value Organic Bread while hunting for some ingredients for a classic PB&J, I was thrilled to complete my sandwich needs with all Organic ingredients! Who knew you could buy Organic bread right at Walmart?

Shopping Walmart for Organic groceries is always an exciting treasure hunt as more and more Organic items are being added every week. When I come across an Organic option in my favorite brands I get excited to slash another thing off my shopping list. When I discover something new I hadn't previously been able to buy Organic outside of a pricey specialty store I do a little dance right there in aisle. It has never been easier to shop Organic and feel good about wholesome grocery choices thanks to Walmart. If you've been thinking about buying Organic, or are a seasoned and dedicated Organic pro, check out your local Walmart today for amazing grocery options like Horizon Grassfed Organic.

3 Quick + Simple Vegetarian Bean Recipes- General Tso's Chickpeas

This post was sponsored by S&W Beans as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

When I was young it seemed some of the most exciting highlights of my day revolved around food.

What kind of snack would I eat after school? What treat had my mother hidden in my lunch box? When was the next family Taco Tuesday night?

As a child I had my mother there to make sure I ate 3 solid meals a day, with healthy snack in between. As an adult I fail miserably as ensuring I eat even 1 solid meal a day, at times. It's not that I've fallen out of love with food- it's that I am now the sole individual responsible for ensuring said food is not only consumed, but planned for, prepared, and cleaned up after. Being a personal chef for one's self, let alone one's family can feel like a full time job.

Truth be told, during the weekdays when I'm home alone working I can all too easily skip breakfast, and even lunch because I simply don't feel I have time to make something healthy and delicious.

When a close family friend became Vegan a little over a year ago I began exploring Vegetarian and Vegan recipes that could accommodate him while he was a guest at our home.

It turned out that many popular, and delicious, recipes in these categories were quick simple and quick to make- requiring little to no heat reliant cooking or temperature based protein monitoring. They also typically featured fresh ingredients paired with pantry staples many already keep stocked in their homes. One protein source, in particular, made dabbling in these food categories easiest for me; canned beans. S&W Beans, to be specific.

From White Cannellini and Garbanzo to 50% Reduced Sodium Kidney Beans and new Organic S&W Black Beans- there's truly an inspiration for every dish among the brand's range. And beyond variety S&W Beans has the highest quality standards in the industry with over 120 years of premium quality. The "whole bean" visual appearance of quality S&W Beans products also means my guests, and Instagram followers, can eat with their eyes thanks to beautiful beans that pour from the can every time. You can discover a variety of amazing recipes for all of their canned options on the S&W Brand Recipe Page, and download money saving coupons for a limited time.

The Garbanzo Bean, of "Chickpea" as it is affectionately known by many is rich in antioxidants, fiber, protein, and iron, and also has a great 'sturdy' texture that holds up beautifully as an animal based protein substitute. Even better, when I reach for a can of S&W Garbanzo Beans I know I can bypass the time consuming process of slow cooking these beans to perfection- as they are ready to eat right out of the can. Simply drain and rinse!

I'm so confident, as an omnivore, that S&W Garbanzo Beans make a perfect, delicious, vegetarian solution I'm going to share with you 3 of my favorite recipes. An entree, a hearty salad, and for versatility a munch-worthy snack. You can prepare all 3 at the same time, with 3 cans of your favorite S&W Garbanzo Bean variety- or sneak them in on a busy afternoon or weeknight. While you can't go wrong with any option, I often rely on the Organic S&W Garbanzo Beans for a rich flavor in salads and cold dishes, where as I will typically use 50% Less Sodium S&W Garbanzo Beans for recipes with rich sauces, or glazes.

My first must-try recipe is a Vegetarian General Tso's Chickpea dish that requires no bed of rice, thanks to the hearty stir fry of vegetables and protein rich S&W Garbanzo Beans. The sauce alone is worth doubling and keeping on hand, but I find the texture of the chickpeas allows me to enjoy a guilt-free entree in a rich health-minded sauce.

Whenever I crack open a can of S&W Garbanzo Beans I always open an extra can and pre-heat my oven to make a batch of Honey Roasted Chickpeas. In the 45 minutes it takes to roast a pan of chickpeas I can work my kitchen and rock my General Tso's recipe.

Always start by preparing your canned chickpeas. S&W Garbanzo Beans are already cooked, so all you have to do is open the can, pour them into a colander, rinse, and drain. In minutes you'll have a beautiful batch of prepared chickpeas ready for whatever culinary adventure you have planned.

To bake S&W Garbanzo Beans pat them dry with two layers of paper towels- for sauce and cold based recipes a simple rinse and shake in a colander will do nicely.

Next, you'll want to prepare your sauce-

Trust me when I say, double the sauce recipe and put half aside for another time. You're going to want to whip this recipe up again, soon, and the sauce is half the prep time. This General Tsao's sauce recipe also goes delicious on a variety of proteins, if you're looking to vary your dish a little.

Prepare your stir-fry vegetables, and set aside.

 Right about now my oven timer is usually going off, and my roasted S&W Garbanzo Beans are about ready to come out of the oven for the first time. I'll quickly combine some honey and oil, and toss the hot beans directly in the 'glaze' mixture before spreading them back out on the parchment lined baking sheet and returning them to the oven for 7-10 minutes. For Vegans, I have found that Agave will make a suitable substitute for honey, but you may wish to forego the salt season at the very end, as the Agave has a bit more of a sweet flavor.

How long you roast your Garbanzo Beans on the second wave is really up to you, ans how caramelized you prefer them. I find 8 minutes is usually the sweet spot, but you will get more of a crisp and bitterness if you go towards 10. Place the finished baking sheet on the counter and allow to cool before testing.

These Honey Roasted Chickpeas not only make a delicious snack by themselves, but also a wonderful topping for salads and other dishes. The element of texture and playful sweet 'candied' shell makes this one deceptively healthy recipe.

Honey Roasted Chickpeas

****Click here for printable Honey Roasted Chickpeas recipe.

Ingredients:

1 15oz Can Organic S&W Garbanzo Beans, Rinsed + Drained

2 TBS Honey

1/2 TBS Vegetable (Or Sunflower Seed) Oil

Ground Sea Salt, To Taste

Directions:

Preheat Oven to 375F

1. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Put rinsed garbanzo beans on a double-layer of paper towels and gently pat dry.

3. Place garbanzo beans in a single layer on parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes, or until crunchy.

4. While beans bake combine Honey and Oil in a large bowl. Add hot baked Organic S&W Garbanzo Beans, and toss to coat. Return coated beans back to parchment lined baking sheet and bake for an additional 7-10 minutes to caramelize. 

5. Remove from oven and sprinkle with Sea Salt, as desired. Allow to cool and store in an air tight container.

Because this General Tso's recipe is vegetarian you can eliminate tedious cooking times and essentially prepare the entire dish in one wok, over the course of about 7 minutes. How long you wish to fry the vegetables is ultimately up to you, but do keep in mind that the General Tsao's sauce if very tick and sticky, and should be added only at the end of your cooking process to warm and coat all ingredients evenly.

I simply cannot say enough great things about General Tso's Chickpeas with Organic S&W Garbanzo Beans- this is definitely a dish you can eat with all of your senses. From the aromatic and rich red sauce to the beautifully plump and satisfying whole Garbanzo beans, this is a weekday lunch I never feel guilty about. I can prepare this entire dish in less than 30 minutes, prep and clean-up included, and often have a serving left over for the next day. No more excuses- no more skipped lunches!

Of course if you're cooking for a crew that hasn't quite embraced the Vegetarian concept, this General Tso's Chickpea recipe makes a fabulous starter to any Asian-inspired main entree. Customize the included stir-fry ingredients to tailor to fit your audience's preferences and really wow the crowd by adding a pair of chop-sticks. After all, everyone knows just about anything tastes better when eaten with chopsticks. (Maybe it's all the work you have to do to get the food actually in your mouth that makes each bite so satisfying?)

For days when a stove isn't an option- or I simply want a nice clean, fresh taste for a grab-and-go lunch a Citrus, Avocado, Feta Salad with a fiber-rich S&W Garbanzo Beans base is the perfect solution. All of the ingredients for this salad can be easily prepared the night before and stored in a container in the fridge. The fresh lime juice will help keep the avocado fresh and green and appealing! For that perfect bite-ratio I also like to cube my avocado in generously sized pieces about twice the size of a garbanzo bean. Varied shapes, sizes, and textures make any salad a hit- which is also why I always top this delicious dish with some of my Honey Roasted Chickpeas from above!

Citrus, Avocado, Feta Salad

****Click here for printable recipe.

Ingredients:

 1 15oz Can of Organic S&W Garbanzo Beans, Drained + Rinsed

2 Avocados, Pitted + Cubed

1/3 Cup Freshly Minced Cilantro

2 TBS Chopped Green Onion

1/2 C Feta Cheese Crumbles

1 Lime

1/4 C Honey Roasted Chickpeas

Salt + Pepper ToTaste

Directions:

1. Combine Organic S&W Garbanzo Beans, Cubed Avocado, Cilantro, Green Onion, Feta Cheese, and Lime (Juiced) in a medium bowl. Toss to combine and season with salt/pepper to taste. Garnish with Honey Roasted Chickpeas (Recipe Here).

So there you have it, 3 of my favorite quick, delicious, vegetarian recipes, all featuring one star ingredient that's easy to keep on hand- S&W Garbanzo Beans. Not only are these recipes health-minded and easy to prepare, they're also very affordable! Find S&W Beans at a store near you, and discover more delicious ways to incorporate vegetarian fiber rich bean varieties into your meal-plan when you visit their recipe page and follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Remember, you can also download money saving coupons for a limited time here!

Thinking Outside The Can: Fudgy (Vegan) Black Bean Brownies

This post was sponsored by S&W Beans as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Momma Told Me: Change how you eat.


As a teenager, like most teenage girls, I struggled with body image as well as the concept of nutritional eating. It wasn't quite about weight, it was about how I shaped the body I was given. It was my natural reaction, with the pressure of high school dances and a full social calendar to begin a 'diet'. Thankfully, I wasn't quite old, or responsible, enough to make my own grocery choices and Momma wasn't about to see me being a trend of poor decisions based on fads and forms of starvation.

I recall one particular evening where I'd slumped into the passenger seat of our family's mini van and inquired the everyday questions, "What's for dinner?"

My mother, without pause, replied with a single word, "Pizza."

I felt my face scrunch as I bit my lip, remembering the Winter formal that was just weeks away and my recent declaration, which has expressly sworn off all things cheesy and carb. Because she knew her daughter well, Momma was quick to reply before I'd even began to get the first words of protest off my tongue, "Calm down, not that kind of pizza." She went on to explain she'd made some fresh dough in the bread maker and that we'd be enjoying a southwestern inspired pie made with fresh vegetables, handmade marinara, shredded chicken, and black beans. It was delicious.

When I handed my plate in that evening, clean enough to have emerged from the dishwasher, Momma smiled one of those 'knowing' smiles only a parent can have, "You don't have to change what you eat, just how your eat."

As an adult I enjoy my fair share of junk food. I'm not what I'd consider to be 'a health nut,' but I am what I consider to be a 'conscious consumer.' That is to say that I make sure to balance the less than nutritious with plenty of wholesome, truly satisfying, real ingredient based dishes. And, when a close friend of ours became a Vegan just over a year ago I was greatly intrigued by the concept of how eliminating specific things from one's diet can require them to expand their horizons and really 'think outside the box.' I found that the dishes I made specially for him were not only delicious, but often included a few staple ingredients that really proved themselves versatile enough to work in multiple profiles and textures. That's when we really began exploring the many varieties of beans, and the diverse ways to serve and prepare them.

At the same time, I am a chef of convenience. I, like so many, have very little time to spend slaving over the stove at mealtime. (Especially for lunch.) Thankfully one of my new favorite ingredients comes in a wide variety of convenient ready-to-eat canned options, thanks to S&W Beans. From White Cannellini and Garbanzo to 50% Reduced Sodium Kidney Beans and new Organic Black Beans- there's truly an inspiration for every dish. Even better their high quality beans, such as the 50% Reduced Sodium Black Beans featured in my Vegan Black Bean Avocado Salad, look great out of the can for 'to table' recipes that look as great as they taste. Don't believe me? Grab some sweet kernel corn, cherry tomatoes, red onion, fresh avocado, a dash of lime, and your favorite S&W Black Beans and whip up the impressively delicious Vegan recipe all of our carnivore friends request at parties!

And, again, while I don't practice any dietary restrictions, I've found it quite a worthwhile experience to explore new ways of cooking- particularly on the subject of baking. Reduced sugar, dairy free, and vegetarian are food profiles many of my family members and guests often meet. Finding sweet recipes that are heal-minded or meet these multiple check boxes, and still satisfy those of us who eat 'whatever we want' has been a definite challenge. The one recipe with a 'secret ingredient' that's converted the staunchest of junk food addicts? My Fudgy Black Bean Brownies, of course!

Now black bean brownies are nothing knew to the dairy sensitive and Vegan communities, but they do tend to have an initial knee-jerk reaction for pretty much anything else. "You made these with what?!" is what you'll hear to anyone you present them to with the full and proper recipe title, and for fair reason. I've had dozens of black bean brownie recipes and they are not all equal. The ratio of ingredients and time in oven play a crucial part to the quality of the brownie experience. The beans you choose to use play an even bigger role. That's why I use Organic S&W Black Beans for a rich flavor and texture that makes the moist fudgy, moist, chocolatey 'Vegan' brownies I've ever had.

You're probably a skeptic, even now, looking at that photo of chocolate-awesomeness above. Sure I put a photo of Organic S&W Black Beans in the background, but those cant be Vegan brownies. Oh yes, they're real, and that's them.

There are many varieties of S&W Beans, and ways to enjoy them- we find our diet lacks a lot of fiber that keeps us full and fueled between meals so we like to try and incorporate one variety or another into at least a meal a day. With all of the delicious varieties, we have yet to get bored- they're even delicious heated with some light seasoning as a side dish! Now that I've inspired you, now through April S&W Beans is offering $1 off 2 cans of S&W Beans. Get (and print) your coupon from the S&W Beans website.

What Daughter Says: Enjoy a richer diet when you consider what does into the food you eat.

 Super Fudgy Black Bean Brownies

***Click here for printable black bean brownies recipe.