Healthier Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

So far, everyone who's tried these can't believe there's no refined sugar in them, and can't believe the main ingredient is garbanzo beans. The garbanzo beans replace the flour and butter, and are excellent sources of protein, iron and fiber!

Healthier Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

adapted from http://a-freerecipe.blogspot.com/

1 can (or 1 1/4 cups) cooked garbanzo beans (also called chickpeas)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 cup natural peanut butter 

1/4 cup honey

1 teaspoon baking powder

a pinch of salt (only if your peanut butter has no salt in it)

1/2 cup chocolate chips (I like the mini chocolate chips)

4 dates, optional

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a food processor, combine all the ingredients except the chocolate chips. Make sure to scrape the sides and ensure the garbanzo beans get well processed. The dates are optional if you want the cookies to be very sweet. They give a great caramel flavor, but these cookies are tasty without dates, too. 

Stir in chocolate chips. 

Form small balls with 1 tablespoon of dough. Press down slightly, since the cookies won't spread or rise much. 

Bake for about 10 minutes. 

Makes 15-20 small cookies.

Peanut Butter Oat Balls

These are delicious and addicting little energy balls that you can probably make right now, with ingredients commonly found in a well-stocked pantry. Whip these up next time you reach for a box of brownie mix.

Peanut Butter Oat Balls

1 cup oats
2/3 cup toasted coconut (or just shredded coconut)
1/2 cup peanut butter or other nut butter
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1/3  cup honey
1 tablespoon chia seeds, or ground flax seeds
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Roll and compress the mixture into small balls. Place in the refrigerator for a few minutes until firm. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator (if there are any left to store!)

Recipe from www.getcreativejuice.com.

Wholesome Oatmeal Treats

 Oatmeal is a delicious, very satisfying, cheap, quick, and comforting breakfast.  These little treats are just like oatmeal outside of a bowl. Quick to grab as breakfast, a snack, or a dessert. They are sweetened with a ripe banana or applesauce, yet still satisfied my sweet tooth.

Wholesome Oatmeal Treats
adapted from forksoverknives.com

1 cup rolled oats
1 cup oat flour (just blend another cup of oats in your blender for a few seconds)
1/3 cup raisins
1/4 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened (I bought mine in the bulk section at WinCo)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
pinch of nutmeg (optional)
1 ripe banana, mashed
2-3 tablespoons milk or applesauce (for added moisture)
2-3 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup
1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)

1. Mix oats, oat flour, raisins, coconut, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and baking powder.

 2. Add mashed banana, honey or syrup, and enough applesauce or milk to make a stiff dough that barley clings together.

3. Form balls and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 14 to 15 minutes. 

(Healthy!) Brownie Bites

How can "brownie" and "healthy" be in the same description? Well, these 3-ingredient little chocolate bombs of flavor have nothing that's not pure and straight from nature. Unlike normal brownies that do your body damage, these delicious brownie bites will do you good, beyond just tasting good!

Walnuts, the main ingredient of this recipe, are particularly high in omega-3 fatty acids, which is an essential fat most Americans don't get enough of. Omega-3 fats reduce inflammation, inhibit cancer development, and protect our brain and blood vessels. Walnuts are also a great source of protein and magnesium, and even have significant amounts of iron, potassium, fiber, and vitamin B-6. (Phew!)

Dates, although very high in natural sugar, also have lots of fiber and potassium. Even tasting like a caramel candy, there is no fat and of course no cholesterol (cholesterol is never found in plant foods). 

Unsweetened cocoa is low in calories, has 1 gram of fiber per tablespoon, and even 1 gram of protein. It's high in minerals and antioxidants that are thought to lower the risk of heart disease. 

These little balls of goodness have a soft, creamy texture and a nutty, caramel-chocolate richness. You'll be addicted in no time and will put those brownie mixes away. 

Healthy Brownie Bites
by Faith Ralphs

1 cup walnuts

8 large dates, pitted

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon vanilla, optional

unsweetened coconut for rolling in, optional (very affordable to buy in bulk in stores like WinCo)

 Combine walnuts and dates in a food processor. Process for about a minute, until walnuts are smooth and all they stick together to form a solid mass. Add the cocoa powder and vanilla. Blend until well combined. Form small balls using about 1/2 tablespoon of mixture for each ball. Roll in coconut. Serve immediately, or store in the fridge if you want them to be more firm.

Makes exactly 20 brownie bites.

Although addicting, these healthy treats should be eaten in moderation since they're high in calories and natural sugar. Although healthy calories, a calorie is still a calorie!

Banana "Ice Cream"

Delicious soft-serve ice cream, loaded with calcium and all the nutrition of bananas!


For one serving:

1 banana, sliced and frozen
3 tablespoons milk, any type
2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. In a blender or food processor, combine the banana and milk. Add more milk if you'd like it more soft-serve. Add the cocoa powder, adding more for a dark chocolate flavor.
2. Add shredded coconut, slivered almonds, walnuts, cashews, a square of dark chocolate, cinnamon, or peanut butter for different flavors. Leave out the cocoa powder for a vanilla flavor.  Can also be frozen as popsicles.  Experiment!

Banana Muffins

We've all seen packaged muffins that are way too big, have way too much oil and sugar, and no redeeming nutritional value. However, homemade muffins can be a healthy snack or breakfast to keep in your freezer and pop in the microwave. These use up overripe bananas that you have on hand, and are whole-grain and low-fat. Try either of these next time you have overripe bananas at home, or see them on sale in the produce section.

Banana Nut Muffins

1 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 t salt

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup sugar or 1/3 cup honey

1/3 cup oil

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 large ripe bananas

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix dry ingredients. In blender, combine the remaining ingredients. Blend on low speed until banana is pureed. Add to dry ingredients. Mix only until combined. Pour into greased and floured muffin tins (or lined with paper liners). Bake 15-20 minutes. 

Recipe from Kristi Strongo

For a gluten-free recipe, or if you don't have any whole wheat flour on hand, make these sweet yet sugar-free and oil-free muffins.

Oatmeal Banana Muffins

• 2 ½ cups old fashioned oats 
• 2-3 large overripe bananas (1 c. mashed)  or 1 cup applesauce
• 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
• 1/3 cup honey
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 tsp real vanilla
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon

1. Put oats in a blender or food processor, and grind into a rough flour. 

2. In a separate bowl, mash the bananas using a fork or an electric mixer. Add the eggs, honey, milk, vanilla. 

3. Add the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Add raisins, nuts, peanut butter, chocolate chips, coconut, or anything else you have on hand, if desired. 

4. Pour into muffin tins and sprinkle tops with rolled oats. Bake 15-20 minutes, or until golden and springy to the touch. Makes 1 dozen normal muffins and 18 mini muffins, or 14 large muffins. 

Recipe adapted from brendid.com.