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.

4 Ingredient Nutella Cookies- AKA: Instant Bliss

Momma Told Me: Less is more.

By now my regular readers know a few things about me. 1. I am personally on a mission to cut back on sugar and eat healthier in general. 2. I bake at least once a week in mass quantities for my bowling league. 3. When I don't have the time, and can't eat the sweets, I am always in need of quick and simple recipes to meet the demand of my league-mates. And that's precisely how this week's recipe was first made. In fact, this simple 4 (3 if you skip the nut garnish) ingredient recipe has been requested so much, I've made it twice since on request.

I love this particular recipe because there is no added sugar- your sugar content comes from your chocolate hazelnut spread, and you can eliminate most of the sugar by going for healthier Nutella copycat brands. I know, I know, but I love the taste of Nutella, Jenna. Trust me, the struggle is real- that thick, dark, hazelnut goodness gets me every time. Thankfully these cookies are not only easy to make, they're also very rich, you likely will find yourself satisfied after just 1 or 2. Even better, I make them bite-sized, so there's no mess of cookie crumbs when serving them on the go.

It couldn't be easier to toss some Nutella, egg, and flour into a mixer and whip up this dough. You'll notice the dough is initially very crumbly. I panicked at first, worrying it would never mold into solid cookie dough balls, but 15 minutes in the fridge proved me wrong.

The recipe calls for a tablespoon portioning system- I prefer to just pinch of chunks of dough and hand roll them. If you're not very good at 'eyeballing' your portions a melon ball scoop will give you the perfect portion, but some forming will still likely need to be done by hand given the dense yet crumbly nature of the dough.

Before you bake your balls of happiness you'll want to make a small well in the center with your thumb or the back of a spoon. Pipe your chocolate hazelnut spread directly into this well. Don't worry, it won't run during the baking process, you can 'pipe' quite high if you're feeling especially decadent. The original recipe calls for crushed hazelnuts to be sprinkled atop. I use slivered almonds because I typically have them in my pantry, and they're a bit more economical, with a very similar texture and flavor when prepared in such a small quantity.

Bake your cookies for not more than 10 minutes. They won't really 'spread' or rise. For the most part the way they go in is the way they come out, but with more of a fluffy 'baked' texture. Because these cookies are meant to be dense they will crack and fall apart if over-baked. I suggest doing a test batch to start, and removing at 8 minutes. Be sure to pull your cookies off of the hot surface and onto a cool one immediately upon removing from the oven, or the bottoms will continue to brown. The cookies are baked to perfection when the color and texture is even to the center when broken in half. Serve these bite sized cookies war for the biggest impact, or chilled with a shot of almond milk. Now, tell me, do you have a favorite recipe that's 5 ingredients or less? I love new kitchen hacks!

What Daughter Says: Whenever someone asks for this recipe I'm a bit embarrassed. It is so simple I don't think I can take any credit. However, simple certainly can be delicious!

4 Ingredient Nutella Cookies

***Click here for printable 4 Ingredient Nutella Cookies Recipe

Simple Tips To Find Balance In A Crazy Life + Delicious Recipes

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NatureMadeHealthPack #CollectiveBias This blog does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with your healthcare practitioner.

 Last year I turned 30.

It was like any other birthday. Honestly, as much of a fuss as most of my friends have made when turning the 'big 3-0' it's really quite un-extraordinary. I'm a pretty firm believer that age is but a number to chronicle the passing of time, rather than mark the loss of it. And while it's true, as we progress on this crazy journey called life, there are legal and physical landmarks often associated with various milestones, one is only as young (or old) as they are in spirit and in heart.

This all being said our bodies are the vessel in which we progress through life, and more than any number on a birthday card, it's how we choose to take care of it which ultimately weighs the largest on how much living we'll get out of it.

So, back to me and my birthday, there I was feeling no less or more extraordinary than the day before, having recently turned 30. I'd visited my personal physician for an annual checkup and he'd shared a few criticisms of his own. Side note: Am I the only one who feels as though they've let their doctor down when they get less than ideal feedback???? But I digress- I could go into the nitty gritty but it really comes down to this:

One's health is and always well be a complex and constantly changing picture painted by a number of factors. Some we can impact, while others we can only anticipate, and others we simply can't avoid. There is no magical formula, no paint by number, to perfect health.

When I asked my personal doctor what his best advice was for me, knowing I had some personal health hurdles to begin trying to overcome, his response was simple,

"The same thing I tell every patient. Make time."

Time, of course, for one's health. Whether it's researching new recipes that are lower in sodium/sugars/fats, researching one's family tree for hereditary dispositions, logging the amount of water drank in a day, or scheduling an annual checkup. So many people, myself included, express that their crazy lifestyles don't allow much time to really stop an care for themselves. But there are a few simple things one can do to help maintain balance within their hectic life.

You don't have to make plans to climb a mountain or start training for Secret Ninja Camp (yes, that's a real thing- and yes, it does sound awesome) to help find balance. In fact you really shouldn't make any drastic life changes, dietary or physically, without first consulting your own personal physician. But I do suggest that you expand your personal interests by defining specific goals. Goals, in general, help foster structure through a progression timeline. Set realistic goals to achieve a specific result, or lead up to a culminating event/triumph. Share your personal goals with close family and friends and let them support you as you progress.

Expect hurdles. Finding time to reach for a goal while you're already juggling work, family, personal relationships and more will be a struggle. It wouldn't be a goal if it wasn't. Don't punish yourself for setbacks but do recognize what caused them and how you can better overcome the hurdle next time. Whenever possible break your daily/weekly progress into many smaller sections of time that can fit in between your existing schedule. Breaking up your efforts and spreading them out will seem much less tedious than trying to cram 1 or 2 bigger efforts into your regular routine.

Having goals are nice, and break up the monotony of everyday commitments and obligations but caring for one's self can seem like a complete mystery when the topic turns to nutrition. General guidelines for healthy eating exist but there's always some fancy click bait lurking on the side of your Facebook browser tempting you with the latest 'study' or trend. On top of that every person truly is unique- without annual health exams and clear communication with a personal physician you truly can't know what your body is lacking, or has an excess of.

Disclaimers aside, as much as I try, I don't have the time to research all the nutrient potentials of everything I eat. I wish I had time to cook a homemade meal every day, or the willpower to never eat a scrap of 'junk' food, but I don't. What I can do is shop at Sam's Club, where I personally save time by using their 'Click N' Pull' online ordering system on thousands of items from toothpaste and batteries to fresh produce. Because I can shop amazing club pricing from just about anywhere with a WiFi or data connection I don't have to compromise on smart eating due to price or lack of time. I simply place my order online, show my order confirmation receipt to the Customer Service desk in store, and have my entire purchase brought out to me ready to go.

Sam's Club also offers a wide array of personal hygiene and health maintenance products (mine even has a full service pharmacy) in quantities that keep me stocked longer, so I can spend less time shopping and more time tackling my busy life. One of those products is the Nature Made® Daily Diabetes Health Pack, scientifically formulated to supply nutritional support for people with diabetes or prediabetes. † It's the #1 Pharmacist Recommended Diabetic Multivitamin Supplement Brandǂ It's unique 6 daily supplement health packs are individually packaged to inspire healthy choices for general population including those who are Pre-Diabetic or Diabetic to live a healthy lifestyle. † Inside each Health Pack you'll find A Multivitamin/Mineral providing essential vitamins and minerals for daily nutritional support. † Fish Oil with Vitamin D3: Fish oil provides essential omega-3 fatty acids, EPA DHA, which help support a healthy heart. † Vitamin D supports bone, teeth, muscle and immune health.† Vitamin D3 is the body’s preferred form of vitamin D.* You'll also find Alpha Lipoic Acid with Green Tea which has antioxidant properties which neutralize free radicals.†

It may sound like a mouth-full, okay it's literally a mouth full of nutritional supplements, but it's proven a great way for me to fit nutritional support into my daily routine.

Another important key to finding balance in a busy lifestyle is by taking time to explore new ways to enjoy favorite things. For example, if you find yourself stopping into the local smoothie shop every night on your way home it might be a good idea to look into ways to include that fruit flavored experience into a less complicated routine at home. Researching alternative ingredients or presentations of foods you tend to lean on can help introduce new nutrients and benefits with minimal effort or cost.

I found an amazing recipe for Sparkling Strawberry Mint Infused Water on the My Food Advisor® website that's recently changed the way I consume water while at home throughout the day. Not only has it saved excess seasonal strawberries from going to waste I've found I personally don't crave any added sugars when I introduce the sensation of carbonation with the rich flavors of real fruit. I just might enjoy this particular recipe more than my favorite drink at the local cafe.

Of course having a collection of trusted resources to help tackle your biggest time hurdles will really make the process of finding balance much easier. Consider spending an afternoon gathering and researching resources which may work for you. Having a local retailer which offers a wide range of smart shopping decisions with a variety of convenient shopping methods, such as Sam's Club, can be a worthy asset on your list. You may also with to take note of a few reputable websites which provide recipes searchable based on nutritional criteria. I prefer to utilize My Food Advisor® and the USDA recipe database, but your needs may vary based on your personal balance goals.

In fact, I recently tried out a new recipe I found while browsing the My Food Advisor® website, Turkey Sausage and Egg Casserole. At just 100 calories per serving with approximately 4g of sugars and 13g of protein I found it to be a deliciously filling way to kick start our weekend routine. Be sure to grab the recipe directly from the My Food Advisor® website, then follow along here as we cover the simple steps to make it.

To begin you'll want to gather some basic ingredients:

Cooking Spray

2 C Nonfat Milk

4-5 Green Onion Bunches

1/2 TSP Dry Mustard

1/4 TSP Salt (Optional, We don't include it)

1/4 TSP Black Pepper

16 OZ Egg Substitute

4 Slices Whole Wheat Bread

3 Precooked Breakfast Sausage Patties 

1/4 C Reduced Fat Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Begin by preheating the oven to 350F.

Coat a 9x13 dish with cooking spray.

Prepare your ingredients.

• Cut your bread into 1/2" cubes.
• Dice your turkey sausage patties.
• Chop your green onions down to about 1/2" into the whites.

Start by whisking the nonfat milk, green onions, dry mustard, salt (optional), pepper, and egg substitute in a medium sized bowl. Since an egg substitute is being used you really only need to whis to combine and distribute the spices evenly.

Next spread the bread cubes evenly over the bottom of your prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the diced turkey sausage  on top and in between then slowly pour the egg mixture evenly over the top. The green onions will want to 'clump' on your initial pour so pour slowly and keep moving for even distribution. Top with the shredded cheese and cover with foil.

Bake the casserole for 20 minutes at 350F then carefully pull the oven rack forward, remove the foil, and place back into the oven for an additional 40 minutes. We like a nice 'crust' on the top so we let ours bake just a tad longer to really get that golden hue.

I loved this recipe because it was easy enough to prepare in under 10 minutes, and gave us a fair amount of leftovers. I wound the bread was naturally sweet and think our decision not to add salt didn't hinder it any way. If anything, next time, I'll add an extra dash of pepper- though the beauty of pepper is each individual can season their own serving if truly desired. It also just so happens to pair perfectly with my new favorite drink, the Sparkling Strawberry Mint-Infused Water from above!

Ultimately finding balance amidst the craziness will never be a perfect science at any age. There are a variety of tools one can use to help but my favorite truly is having a support system. Learning what works for you, personally, will always be trial and error, but making the most of life while you do it will always be made most possible through a strong tribe of family, allies and friends. Now, tell me, what are some resources or trick you use to help maintain balance everyday?

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases.

ǂ Based on US News & World Report – Pharmacy Times Survey

Are you looking for more great resources to help balance your crazy life? Grab the Sam's Club shopping list resource below for your next shopping trip! 

Pan Seared Shallot Stuffed Pork Fillet With Brown + Wild Rice Recipe

Momma Told Me: Anything's delicious when cooked right.

Around here, in the offline world, I have a reputation for being the sweet queen- I make creative, colorful, over-the-top treats for our bowling league each week. It started with me bringing a few leftover servings to the alley because the recipes I'd feature on the blog often yielded enough to serve a small army. For the sake of my waistline, and the fridge space, anything featured on the blog was inevitably served to my league. Before long I was no longer baking an innovating for the blog, but, instead, taking special requests from league-mates and being dubbed their official baker.

To be honest, though, it's the pot-lucks I enjoy most- the times when I can share a little bit of home cooking inspiration, instead of all the sugar. Our alley has a strict 'no outside food policy' so baking and bringing desserts (as the snack bar does not sell sweets) is the only thing I get away with the other 50 weeks of the year. That's why I always get excited over the chance to share a savory recipe such as this Pan Seared Shallot Stuffed Pork Fillet recipe, sponsored by Minute® Ready To Serve Rice.

Of course some of my favorite recipes are ones that are pretty stinkin' simple- recipes that shine on their own as elevated food, with minimal ingredients, and a great plating impact. In the past few years, for dietary reasons, I've had to cut back on my weekly pork consumption greatly. When Jay and I first met, I would cook pork, mostly chops, at least once a week. I still remember the stories he told me about being forced to eat dry, flavorless, tough pork chops as a child- and how he absolutely disliked pork today, as an adult.

Well, dry pork should be a cardinal sin- pork is such a richly textured meat, with beautiful flavor and endless pairing options. And my favorite cut of pork (no it's not bacon) is a tenderloin, often reasonably priced, and even pre-seasoned, in the local grocer's meat case. Pork tenderloin comes in a variety of cuts- so you can serve a family of 2 to a family of 5, and is often pre-trimmed and quite lean.

bit.ly/2aXKQqk

My pan seared, shallot stuffed, pork tenderloin fillets are a clear winner- After all it's the recipe that converted Jay back to the 'pork side.' These fillets marinate for 48 hours, inside and out (thanks to the stuffing pockets I slice into them before marinating) and have the most tender, melt in your mouth, full of flavor experience you'll find at about $3 a serving. Even more impressive, they look like they just left the line of a Michelin star restaurant.

My secret, outside of the marinating process, is to baste and pan sear each side before slow baking them to perfection in the oven. I love a light char on the outside of my meat, and this really does lock in the flavor, and add a great texture experience to each bite of this meal. pan searing also allows me to use any of that leftover marinate to help lock in flavor before the final cooking procedure.

If you have a grill pan you can actually take your fillets straight to the oven from the stove- I like to transfer them to a silicone baking mat where it'll be a little easier to turn them during the slow cook process. I find, even with a high quality cast iron skillet my fillets tend to stick from time to time.

Because the pork is the star of this meal I like to pair it with a simple side solution that as both wholesome and nutritious, as it is effortless.

Minute® Ready To Serve Rice comes in packages of 2 perfectly portioned, ready-in-60 seconds, just microwave cups. It's the perfect on-the-go side, or, in this case, last minute meal companion. Jay and I often are the only ones dining at our table, and I am notorious for forgetting to plan our side dishes. With these Minute® Ready To Serve Rice cups we can eat right from the package, mix in some fresh veggies, or spoon it onto the plate alongside our main entree.

For my Pan Seared Shallot Stuffed Pork Fillets, I prefer to enjoy a cup of Minute® Ready To Serve Rice in Brown and Wild Rice. It's the perfect pairing of grains and texture for the spinach and shallot filling of the fillets. Of course this particular dish would go good with just about any of the Ready To Serve varieties including, Yellow Rice, Fried Rice, Whole Grain Brown Rice, or the newest flavors; Brown & Quinoa or Basmati. Thanks to the individual serve portioned cups we can even enjoy our own, different, favorite rice varieties at the same meal. No more arguing over whether brown or white rice tastes better!

When serving alongside Minute® Ready To Serve Rice, you don't have to worry too much about timing your meal. Pork should always be cooked to an internal temperature of around 145F- for this recipe I like to remove them at about 135-140F, and let them rest 5 minutes prior to cutting and serving. The meat will be darker along the edges, as a result of the marinating process, but the texture should be soft and tender throughout- it's also the perfect time to prepare your Minute Rice! I've yet to disappoint with this recipe- and it takes minimal ingredients and effort! Do you have a preferred way of enjoying pork? Tell me a little about your favorite pork dish or pairing!

 This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Minute® Ready to Serve Rice.

What Daughter Says: In my book pork doesn't need any dressing up- this pan seared fillet recipe is the perfect way to enjoy the natural flavor and texture of this classic meal.

Parmesan Shallot Stuffed Pork Fillets

***Click here for printable Stuffed Pork Fillet recipe