Healthy Cookie Dough Ice Cream!

Happy Friday! 

Any exciting plans for the weekend? I am walking for MS tomorrow morning... followed by lunch with friends!

This weekend is already on to a great start! Partially because I had an amazing dessert today!! And I am so excited to share it with you!!

Healthy Cookie Dough Ice Cream!!

Can all of those words even be used in the same sentence?! Yes, you read right...

And it's healthy! Bananas make up the "ice cream" and cashews, oats, and maple syrup make up the "cookie dough." It's vegan, raw, and gluten free. :)

When I was a kid.. cookie dough ice cream was one of my favorite ice cream flavors! It reminds me of watching "The Secret World of Alex Mack" with my sister. We would eat ice cream almost every night... followed by saltine crackers. Pretty weird, right?

Actually, from what I've learned at Integrative Nutrition... we were naturally trying to create balance! It all makes sense years later: wet & sweet= craving for dry & salty.

Anyways.. on to the recipe!

Ice Cream:

Ingredients:

• 3 frozen bananas (I freeze my bananas in halves... makes for easier blending.)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Puree bananas and vanilla in food processor. If "ice cream" isn't blending well, add about 1 tablespoon water or almond milk.

Cookie Dough:

 Ingredients:

• 1 cup cashews
• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon maple syrup (or agave)
• 1 tablespoon water (or almond milk)

Directions:

Process cashews and oats in a food processor. Add in vanilla, maple syrup, and water (or almond milk.) Place a sheet of parchment paper on a large plate. Scoop cookie dough onto parchment paper and flatten out with a spoon (or your *clean* hand). Place a second sheet of parchment paper on top of the cookie dough, making sure cookie dough is pressed flat and even. Freeze for at least 30 minutes. (I left mine in overnight.) After it is frozen, cut into "cookie dough chunks"... whatever size you want! Makes about 2 servings.

*Tip: If you have extra "ice cream," freeze in an ice cube tray!

Have a great weekend!

Vegan Brownie Fudge!

Greetings! :)

I hope you had an amazing weekend! It's been cold and rainy in Palmdale... perfect for relaxing by the fire, watching movies, working on Integrative Nutrition coursework, spending time with family, cooking, and making fun vegan treats in the kitchen!

Anyways, my friend Amber invited me over for dinner tomorrow... so naturally, I wanted to make a healthy, guilt-free dessert! :)

What I came up with is a treat that is half brownie, half fudge, partially raw (the base), and the rest just vegan (the topping).

Vegan Brownie Fudge

For the base layer-
Ingredients:

• 1 cup walnuts
• 1 cup almonds
• 1 cup dates, pitted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup carob powder
• 1/4 cup almond milk 

Directions: Process the ingredients above in a (heavy duty) food processor. Press into an 8x8 square pan lined with parchment paper. To help make the brownies lie 'flat' in the pan, I placed parchment paper on top and  pressed on the mixture until it was even. Place in freezer to firm for approximately 30 minutes.

For the topping-
Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips
• sprinkles

Directions: Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler. Spread onto brownie layer. Add the sprinkles! :) Let the chocolate topping return to a solid state, or place in the refrigerator to quicken the process. After the chocolate has become solid, carefully lift the brownies out of the pan and place on cutting board. Cut brownies into squares... and enjoy!

What do you do on rainy days? Did you make anything exciting in the kitchen this weekend?

Decadent Chocolate Avocado Pudding!

Good morning! I hope you are having a great week so far!

I am excited... Jon and I are celebrating our 4 year anniversary today!! Disneyland, here we come!

But first, I wanted to share an amazingly delicious (vegan & gluten free!) chocolate treat with you...

I was in dessert heaven last night... ♥

Recipe:

• 1 medium avocado, mashed
• 3 tablespoons chocolate chips, melted
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• ¼ cup agave 

Combine ingredients in a blender and puree.

{Recipe inspired by: Vegan Era}

I think this is the best pudding I have ever tasted! I am in love. ♥

Speaking of love... Valentine's Day is right around the corner! Do you have any romantic dinners & desserts planned?