Healthy Frozen Yogurt

I am generally good about keeping my dessert intake to a minimum during the week but I definitely have cravings. I can eat fruit and be happy but not satisfied. I need the rich and chocolatey dessert to feel satisfied. I can always count on my Greek yogurt and peanut butter mixture to keep those cravings at bay but sometimes I need chocolate and that's where this dessert comes into play.

Ingredients:

1 cup nonfat plain 0 percent Greek yogurt

3 teaspoons of coconut oil

3 teaspoons peanut butter

3-5 chocolate chip morsels 

honey 

Directions: 

1. Place yogurt in the freezer to slightly freeze a couple hours before you're ready to eat the dessert

2. Melt coconut oil, peanut butter and chocolate chip morsels in microwave once you're ready to eat. 

3. Stir completely to mix

4. Drizzle peanut butter mixture over yogurt

5. Place back in freezer for about five minutes to allow peanut butter mixture to harden

6. Take the dessert out and drizzle with honey 

Container Count:

1 red 

6 teaspoons 

P.S. I don't count the honey nor do I count the morsels since there isn't even enough to count. I also only use one type of Greek yogurt as well. I've tried almost all brands and this is my absolute favorite. I buy mine at Food Lion. It is cheaper than most and you get more for your money. You can view it HERE.

Banana Ice Cream Sundae

A banana split you won't feel guilty about eating! This sundae has a base of banana ice cream and topped with hard-shell dark chocolate. This recipe yields around four one-cup servings and the process is simple but does require some freeze time which needs to be planned for in advance. For those who enjoy a cool dessert on a muggy night this is sure to please the palate.

Not only is this sundae great for a summer night, but it is actually quite healthy and filling. By including a peanut butter spread, a banana and fruits you're actually looking at a sustainable snack instead of just a simply delicious dessert! You're looking at most all of the sugars coming from natural sources in addition to this recipe being gluten-free and vegan!

Ingredients:

5 Yellow bananas
1/2 Cup of Earth Balance Coconut and Peanut Spread


Directions:

1. Peel and slice bananas to place in your blender
2. Whip until smooth
3. Add coconut and peanut spread and whip until smooth
4. Place in freezer-safe container and freeze several hours or overnight

Enjoy!


Servings: 4
Nutrition Information:
Calories: 179  |  Fat: 4.5 g  |  Sodium: 25 mg  |  Carbs: 35.5 g  |  Fiber: 4.3 g  |  Sugar: 18.6 g  |  Protein: 3.1 g

This recipe yields two servings.

Additional calories:
--> With chocolate sauce: 137
--> With strawberries: 1/4 cup = 12 calories
--> With blueberries: 1/4 cup = 21 calories


Below is a comparison of an original banana split versus my homemade banana ice cream sundae.

Hope you enjoy the healthy banana ice cream sundae!

June Foodie PenPal Reveal

Let me just say that I was super ready for my food box this month. I was really excited because I knew my Penpal would be getting me some awesome paleo snacks! I was paired with Heather and unfortunately she isn't blogging at the moment, but she used to have an awesome blog!

I received my package and literally ate the entire Katy Perry Pop Chips in one night. What's great about the Pop Chips is that the entire bag is only around 500 calories. I know that is a good chunk of my daily caloric intake, but those chips were totally worth it. They really are sweet and salty in the right ways.

I devoured the dark chocolate within the next two days and that Justin's Peanut Butter Cup didn't stand a chance. I really enjoyed eating those bars especially because I could stash them at work and utilize them. My favorite was the Peanut Butter one.

I really enjoyed my note and card that came along with it as well. Not only is Heather awesome at the Foodie PenPal box choices but she is totally sweet to talk to! I hope she enjoyed my box as much as I enjoyed hers.

To get more information or if you would like to join Foodie Penpal you can click the photo below.

May Foodie Penpal Reveal

Today is the reveal of my May Foodie Penpal through The Lean Green Bean. This month I was paired up with Gloria and got some great goodies! 

She sent me some of her favorite food which was great because they were some of my favorites as well! 

If you'd like to join Foodie Penpal click the icon below!

How To Lose A Pound

I just read a very interesting article on Huffington Post that shows what individuals around the world eat and how many calories they consume on an average day. If you would like to read it you can do so here.

As most of you know I started a lifestyle change in 2012 and haven't looked back. I count my daily calories and track my physical activity as well. On a typical week day I will walk 3-6 miles and eat right at 1,500-1,900 calories.

Proof that tracking your caloric intake and physical activity pays off! 100 pounds lighter! 

Now, you may be thinking for someone who is still plus size how can I only eat 1,500 calories and still manage? I eat healthier foods, but I definitely won't lie and tell you I always eat healthy and keep a clean diet. I would be fibbing to no ends on that one. Though, I will admit that I do eat healthier throughout the weekday and give myself a break on the weekends. Nick and I have Friday night dinners and sometimes we just want to lounge and do nothing so we become couch potatoes on the weekends or at least one day of the weekend; I get too stir crazy and have to do something.

So, to give a glimpse into what my daily calorie intake looks like and what I eat on an average day.

I didn't walk three miles on this day but I did walk to a local store to purchase fresh veggies for the week ahead so I was able to burn 300+ calories just by forgoing my car and walking.

THE GOOD AND THE BAD:
Pros: 
• M-F between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., I drink 10-15 glasses of water | I eat plain oats every morning | I have at least one vegetable for lunch along with a lean protein and fruit.


Cons: 
• M-F between 6 p.m. - 11 p.m., I eat heavier meals and I am normally burnt out on water so I will drink some ginger ale, milk, etc., with my dinner. Sometimes I eat later than desired and I want dessert after dinner... EVERY NIGHT!!

• Saturday - Sunday I eat what I want to in moderation and I don't typically burn as many calories. 

The thing I recognize is that:
1. You can eat what you want but you have to remember moderation.
2. All calories aren't equal. You must move! Even if it is taking the steps instead of an elevator or running 5 miles a day, you must get to moving! Walking for an hour a day (3-4 miles) helps me burn right at 600-800 calories.

If you'd like any help, motivation or insight as to what I did and the steps I took please feel free to contact me.

Cheesecake, Chocolate, Truffles, Oh My!

If you plan on indulging your taste buds this Valentine's Day, remember to be safe about your sugar intake! It is always OK to have a day where calories don't exist and when is there a better day than V-Day? With that being said I borrowed a Valentine's Day blondie recipe from rakinginthesavings.com and switched it up a little bit.