Kristen McGowan

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Morning Fresh Acai Bowl

April 07, 2018 by Kristen McGowan in recipes

I'm finally sharing my Acai Bowl recipe with you and trust me...it's going to be your new favorite thing!

If you have been watching my vlogs and following me on Instagram (@kristenmcgowan), you'd already know that I love making acai bowls and it's one of my go-to breakfast ideas! First of all... they are WAY easier than they look, they taste like dessert, and they are packed full of vitamins, protein, fiber and nutrients! Not to mention it's picture worthy appeal!

I first tried an Acai bowl while in Hawaii... and wow... I couldn't stop thinking about them everyday since! It was made in a cute little roadside snack shack, it was packed full of beautifully cut fruit, and kept me full for the whole afternoon! 

After lots of experimenting, I've finally come up with an Acai bowl of my own that I love and wake up thinking about! I make it for my boyfriend Christian, and make sure to add extra granola as per his request! I use almost every frozen fruit I can find in my freezer, I try to hide some greens in it some days, and make sure I finish it off with all of my healthy super food nuts and seeds! Acai bowls/smoothie bowls are a perfect replacement for those who enjoy yogurt parfaits for breakfast, but want to cut the dairy from their diet! This has all the same textures and process of assembly, while adding a more fruity flavor! 

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Ingredients

Trader Joes Unsweetened Frozen Acai puree

Frozen mixed berries

Frozen mango

1 Frozen Banana 

1 Avocado

1 Scoop of vanilla plant based protein (optional)

1/2 Cup of water/almond milk

Granola 

Chia seeds

Hemp seeds

Flax seeds

Coconut flakes

Cacao nibs

Dried fruit & nut mix 

Honey


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Ingredient Benefits 

  • Avocado: Healthy fats, helps absorb nutrients, heart healthy fatty acids & makes smoothie thick & creamy without adding unwanted flavor. 

  • Chia seeds: Source of omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, calcium and rich in antioxidants. 

  • Flax seeds: High in fibre, low in carbs, supports digestion and source of omega-3

  • Hemp heart seeds:  Source of omega-3, supports digestive health, good for skin, hair & nails.

  • Cacao nibs: Full of antioxidants, magnesium and enhances mood.

  • Acai: Antioxidants, fibre, heart healthy fats and anti-aging effects.
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Instructions

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Makes 2 large bowls. Add more or less ingredients if needed.

  1.  Run frozen Acai puree under warm water to soften.
  2. Once soft, add acai puree pack into blender
  3. Pour desired frozen fruit into blender
  4. Cut & peel fresh/frozen banana and add to blender
  5. Add sliced avocado to blender
  6. Add one scoop of vanilla plant based protein (optional)
  7. Add a small amount of water or almond milk. Be careful! do not add too much, you want the smoothie mixture to be thick and creamy! 
  8. Once blended, scoop smoothie mixture out into a breakfast bowl.
  9. Begin topping your smoothie bowl by adding your desired amount of granola, seeds and nuts!  
  10. Finish it off by drizzling honey on top! This makes the toppings sweet and sticky!
  11.  Grab a spoon, scoop,  & enjoy! 

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The best part about this quick & easy breakfast idea, is that you can change up the ingredients and have a new flavor everyday! This would be super yummy as a banana peanut butter smoothie bowl, or green smoothie bowl! Let me know if you try this out yourself! If you don't have these ingredients, substitute for whatever you prefer! Hope you enjoy :)

April 07, 2018 /Kristen McGowan
acai bowl, recipe, healthy breakfast ideas, smoothie bowl, dairy free breakfast
recipes
1 Comment
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Gluten Free Avocado Toast

March 07, 2018 by Kristen McGowan in recipes

Recently, Avocado Toast is all I've been seeing on cafe menus! It has become such a popular and trendy thing to eat! But for good reason... it is a nutritious, filling, and healthy lunch option! The best part about it is, you can top avocado toast with virtually anything! Avocado is one of those magic ingredients that you can take from savory to sweet with just one change of toppings! I have seen beautifully topped, sweet avocado toasts with walnuts and honey, and savory avocado toast topped with tomatoes and egg! It never gets boring, it's always interchangeable, and most importantly always delicious! 

This recipe is probably one of the most highly requested one I've ever made! It's the most classic and simple way to make the perfect avocado toast! It is my favorite go-to snack, lunch, breakfast, and sometimes even dinner! It's honestly good at all times of the day! 

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Ingredients

2 Slices gluten free whole wheat toast (I use Trader Joes brand)

1 Large ripe avocado

Olive Oil

Garlic Salt (I use Trader Joes garlic salt blend)

Black pepper

Cayenne pepper


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This recipe definitely does not need to be made Gluten Free! But I do prefer to use gluten free bread because I find it has a crunchier texture compared to a regular whole wheat toast! It also holds the weight of the avocados better than the regular toast and gives you that difference in texture! 


Instructions

  1. Toast 2 slices of gluten free bread
  2. Slice avocado in half and remove pit 
  3. Once bread slices are toasted, lightly drizzle olive oil on top of toast 
  4. Scoop out avocado halves and press half on one slice and half on the other
  5. Using a fork, thoroughly press avocado until chunks are smooth
  6. Sprinkle garlic salt and pepper to desired taste
  7. If you enjoy a bit of a spice kick, lightly sprinkle cayenne pepper on top
  8. Eat & enjoy :)

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As I mentioned, I had many requests for this recipe since I know many of you have seen me make it in videos in the past, I hope you enjoy and can refer to it weekly! :)

Leave a comment below! 

xo Kristen

March 07, 2018 /Kristen McGowan
gluten free, avocado toast, healthy recipe, lunch ideas
recipes
7 Comments
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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


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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! 


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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)

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Instructions

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

March 03, 2018 /Kristen McGowan
recipe, dairy free baking, sugar free baking, baking, gluten free, gluten free baking, energy balls, healthy
healthy baking, recipes, baking
6 Comments
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