PEANUT BUTTER ENERGY BALLS - Gluten + Sugar + Dairy Free

March 03, 2018 by Kristen McGowan in healthy baking, recipes, baking

One thing many of us may have in common is, that we love snacks! Well... at least I hope so, because I literally look forward to my snacks everyday! The snacks in my house tend to be a whole bunch of different types of granola bars. They're easy to grab, good for on the go, and have such an enjoyable texture. The only downfall about them is... what's inside of them!

My boyfriend Christian, comes home with boxes of different types of granola bars, nut bars, and protein bars. After buying every "healthy" bar/snack we could find, I would still find ingredients on the back of wrappers that I wouldn't want to eat! I find every one of these "healthy" bars has excessive amounts of sugar and unwanted filler ingredients! So to free my mind from the worry and guilt of eating unhealthy snacks and ingredients, I decided to make my own!

Introducing my new recipe!

PEANUT BUTTER ENERGY BALLS

They are practically a healthy granola bar rolled up into a ball! Perfect for snacking on the go!

You may be noticing a common theme with my recipes! I like to find my way around adding sugar, adding dairy, and gluten! To be honest, I do not have any dietary restrictions... but somehow removing these ingredients makes me feel like I am eating a "healthier" snack! These energy balls definitely are healthier than your average granola bar! They use whole ingredients, superfoods, and no filler ingredients! AND they are so delicious, you'll want to eat all 24 of them at once!

The best part about them is they are SUPER quick to whip together, you don't need too many ingredients to make them, and you can swap out or add any ingredients you like!

I love making recipe posts... just to remind everyone that baking doesn't have to be fatty, buttery, and sugary! It can still be yummy, easy, exciting... all while giving your stomach and mind some peace!

Ingredients

*makes 24 energy balls*

2 Cups Gluten Free Rolled Oats

1 Cup Organic Peanut Butter or Almond Butter (zero added sugar)

1/2 Cup Organic Honey

2 Tbsp Chia Seeds

1/3 Cup Flax Seeds

1 Cup Coconut Shavings

1 Tbsp Hemp Seed Hearts

1/2 Tbsp Cinnamon

1/4 Cup Cacao Nibs (or mini chocolate chips)

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients
Mix ingredients until mixture is tacky and thick
Refrigerate mixture for 10 minutes until cool. This makes it easier to roll into balls
Using an ice cream scoop/kitchen spoon, scoop mixture and roll into ball form
Place energy balls onto parchment paper lined baking sheets
Put the energy ball filled baking sheets back in the refrigerator over night to chill
Once fully chilled, place balls in a container or tin to keep for the week!
Eat & Enjoy!

I hope you enjoy this recipe, and can reference it weekly to make your own homemade, healthy, energy balls!

Let me know down below if you try this recipe & what you think of it :)

HEALTHY BANANA BREAD - Gluten, Sugar & Dairy Free (Paleo)

September 26, 2017 by Kristen McGowan in healthy baking, baking, recipes, gluten free baking

Everyone knows what it's like to have their bananas go brown before they got a chance to eat them... and for me that is a HAPPY time because that means BAKING TIME!!

As most of you may know, I like to bake things that are sugar free, gluten free, and dairy free! It totally eliminates the flour, refined sugar, and butter so many recipes contain! So in my eyes, I call this HEALTHY BANANA BREAD :)

This recipe is so so amazing, honestly better than any "regular" banana bread I have ever made. The loafs come out dense, soft, and full of moisture! Everyone loves that undercooked texture, and that's definitely what this recipe gives you!

Below, you will find the recipe to make 1 loaf! Modifications can be made if you do not have all the right ingredients. If you are vegan, you may want to try a flaxseed substitute. I have never tried that yet, but it's worth a try so you can enjoy this recipe as well :)

Healthy Banana bread - kristenmcgowan.com

*If you made the cookies I recently posted... this recipe has a lot of the same ingredients*

Ingredients

2 overripe bananas

1/4 cup almond flour

1/4 cup coconut flour

1/4 cup coconut oil (or vegetable/canola oil)

1/4 cup organic smooth almond butter (or other nut butter)

1 tbs organic honey or maple syrup

1 tps vanilla extract

2 eggs (lightly beaten)

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

desired amount of dark chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F.
Using a 5"x9" loaf pan, line your pan with a nonstick cooking oil spray. I used coconut oil spray, which actually left a nice taste along the edges of the banana bread.
Combine your dry ingredients: almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Mix and leave aside.
In a glass or microwave safe bowl, melt together your coconut oil and almond butter. Mine melted together after about 1 minute. Mix and pour into separate mixing bowl.
Mash bananas and add to coconut oil and almond butter mixture.
Mix in honey/maple syrup and vanilla.
Add slightly beaten eggs to wet ingredient mixture, stir until combined.
Add dry ingredients to wet, and mix until the batter is smooth.
If you want chocolate chip banana bread... add and mix in chocolate chips to the batter now.
Pour batter into loaf pan and let bake for 35 minutes. Top of loaf should be golden.
Let banana bread cool before removing from pan to serve.
EAT, SERVE & ENJOY :)

This beautiful loaf that can be put in a glass cake display, to look sweet and inviting on your kitchen counter! This loaf was such a hit in my house that I had to make two... just so it would last longer! If you want to do the same... just double up the recipe and you're good to go!

guilt free, naturally sweetened, perfect banana bread!

Let me know if you are planning on baking this banana bread! I'd love to see pictures of your baking!

xo - Kristen

PALEO CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

September 14, 2017 by Kristen McGowan in healthy baking, recipes, baking, gluten free baking

I have tried so many gluten free + sugar free cookie recipes in my life and I swear they all come out tasting like sand (thanks to the coconut flour). The texture is so important when making a good chocolate chip cookie, and I think this recipe nails it right on the head!

They are low in sugar and carbohydrates, and don't contain any gluten! They are SUPER easy to make and take no time at all! I made them for our house the other evening.. and lets just say I should have doubled up on the ingredients because they were gone before morning!

Below you will find the the recipe to these chewy and deliciously healthy chocolate chip cookies!

Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies - Kristenmcgowan.com

Ingredients

1 egg slightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup coconut oil melted & cooled (or canola/vegetable oil)

1/2 cup coconut sugar

1 cup almond flour

1/4 cup coconut flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F
In a large mixing bowl, add in lightly beaten egg, coconut oil (canola/vegetable oil), coconut sugar and vanilla extract. Mix together until everything is combined
Add almond flour, coconut flour and baking soda. Mix until combined ingredients turn into a smooth dough texture (will not be your typical chocolate chip cookie dough colour or texture).
Pour in dark chocolate chips and mix.
scoop cookie dough out of mixing bowl and roll into small balls (dough will be very sticky). place on baking sheet and press down to flatten.
Once tray is full, place on middle oven rack to bake.
Bake for 10-12 minutes.
Once finished, carefully take cookies out of oven and let cool before serving.

Enjoy :)

Let me know if you are going to try and bake them yourself!