Healthful Bites

As alluded to in my Music May post on Tuesday, my birthday celebrations didn’t end with just a playlist. (Thank goodness! That would be a sad day.) Among other fun activities during my birthday week like shopping, a super-awesome SoulCycle class and some out-of-the-ordinary meals, I baked up a sweet treat. This is a rarity for me—since I live alone and don’t often indulge in cakes, cookies, brownies, etc., I don’t have many occasions to whip out the flour and whisk. Thankfully, Chocolate-Covered Katie has a slew of single-serve cupcakes ideal for someone in just this situation!

As a kid, I always thought that the Pillsbury Funfetti cake mix was the most festive, so of course that’s the option I chose. (Next time, I might opt for carrot or coffee cake. Yum!) More reasons to try this recipe? The whole cake, from digging out ingredients to digging in, took less that 20 minutes and the simple ingredient list didn’t require a trip to the grocery store.

The texture was perfect and the sweetness provided by the sprinkles and stevia made it easier to forget that I didn’t top it with frosting! That was one thing that would have required a supermarket stop. :)

Funfetti Cupcake, from Chocolate Covered Katie

Serves 1

• 3 tablespoons whole-wheat flour
• 1 packet stevia
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon water
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 tablespoon sprinkles
• Pinch salt

Mix well, pour in a lined or a nonstick sprayed muffin tin. Cook at 330° for 10-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the top comes out clean.

Nutrition information: About 125 calories, 1.5 g fat

You could easily multiply this recipe and fool your friends with this lighter dessert swap…or do so if you want stretch out your celebrations over several days! (Store in the freezer if you plan to save them for longer than a day or two, since baked goods made with applesauce tend to spoil quickly.)

For example, for six cupcakes, mix:

• 1 1/8 cup whole-wheat flour
• 6 packets stevia
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup + 1/8 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3 tablespoons sprinkles

What was your favorite birthday treat when you were growing up?

For me, number one will always be a Dairy Queen ice cream cake, but funfetti isn’t too far behind. :) But the real (non-vegan, full-fat) mini red velvet cupcake I had on my actual birthday this week was pretty tasty!

Let the countdown begin: Thanksgiving is less than one week away! While it seems like most people have their protein of choice set (be it turkey, a vegetarian option or even a turducken!), sides are generally more flexible territory. Thanksgiving is a special day and it’s more than OK to indulge on occasion, but you can also still make some nutritious choices with all of the same flavors if you and your guests prefer!

I scoured some of my favorite recipe sites to bring you a wealth of options for healthy spins on traditional side dishes and desserts. Here are 10 stand-outs, some of which may land on my table this year! Think of this as a compilation of my “Pinned” recipes for future holiday meals. (By the way, are you on Pinterest? If so, you can find me here!)

Bread Items

• Maple Cornmeal Biscuits: Your guests will never guess that these simple whole-wheat bites from Happy Herbivore get their moisture from a banana. I love the idea of using just a touch of maple syrup for sweetness! (106 calories, 1 g fat)
• Save the Day Stuffing: This veggie-packed swap is not for sausage-filled stuffing purists, but Hungry Girl’s recipe is a simple way to cut major calories from your plate. (89 calories, 1.5 g fat)
• Quinoa Cornbread: Whole Foods sneaks extra protein into this sweet side. I can’t wait to try this as an accompaniment to some veggie chili too! (120 calories, 2 g fat)

Veggies and Potatoes

• Heart-Healthy Cheesy Potatoes: Heart-Healthy Living offers a cornflake-topped hashbrown casserole that’s very similar to one my mom whips up for many holiday meals! If you are interested in trying a version closer to hers, try fat-free plain yogurt in lieu of the sour cream. (129 calories, 3 g fat)
• Vegan Green Bean Casserole: Don’t worry green bean casserole purists! Fat-Free Vegan cuts back on, but doesn’t eliminate, those French fried onions. In fact, she pairs them up with whole-wheat breadcrumbs for added crunch. (102 calories, 4 g fat)
• Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Who would ever think of adding cream cheese to potatoes for a smooth, rich texture? The genius Roni over at Green Lite Bites, that’s who! (190 calories, 0 g fat)

Desserts

• Triple-Berry Granola Crisp: Quicker than a pie, but just as fruity and tasty, this crisp by eatbetteramerica is more assembly than baking. Perfect if you’re more of a cook than a pastry chef, and ideal if you’re short on time too! (130 calories, 2 g fat)
• Mini Apple Tarts: SparkPeople shares another fuss-free option that with all the flavors of a slice of apple pie that would be a perfect two-bite end to a big meal. Everyone has room for dessert, right? (124 calories, 4 g fat)
• Skinny Pumpkin Pie: I’ve had an aversion to pumpkin for as long as I remember, but Skinny Taste’s slices are so pleasing to the eye, they might actually tempt me into trying a bite. Click on over to check out her simple slimmer pie crust trick. (172 calories, 6 g fat)
• The Ultimate Chocolate Fudge Pie: Chocolate-Covered Katie has an awesome option for those of us who aren’t huge fans of pumpkin or pecan—and I’ve been meaning to find a dessert to sneak tofu into. I’d wager that you can’t even tell it’s included! (143 calories, 6 g fat)

Photo courtesy of Flickr user knm3290

To learn more about two Thanksgiving superfoods, click here!

What dish are you most looking forward to on your Thanksgiving table?

Whether it’s fuzzy or skinless, dripping with juices or still slightly crisp, there’s a peach out there for any palate—especially with the plentiful crop available during August, National Peach Month! I recently stocked up during a sale at Whole Foods, and headed to my computer as soon as I got home to research fun recipes…after slicing one up A.S.A.P. and eating it unadorned!

While I haven’t been able to whip any of these up yet, they’re certainly on my to-make list and wanted to share these finds with you while the time is ripe! (Hehe, I love my puns. :) )

• Peach Ricotta Pancakes: A carb-filled breakfast may leave you hungry a bit before lunch, but the low-fat ricotta and milk in these Best Health pancakes gives them a filling protein punch! I’d swap in whole-wheat flour for even more protein and complex carbs. (350 calories, 11 g fat)
• Spicy Chicken Breasts with Fruit: Ideal for lunch or dinner, the sweet peaches Better Homes & Gardens uses in the relish seem like a great complement to Jamaican jerk-spiced chicken. (233 calories, 2 g fat)
• Raspberry Stuffed Peaches: So simple and so perfect for a snack! Roni from Green Lite Bites uses a peach as an edible bowl in this baked treat. It’s just screaming for a scoop of light ice cream or frozen yogurt. (65 calories, 0 g fat)
• Best of Summer Fruit Salad: Take advantage of all of nature’s best in this colorful side from Vegetarian Times. Citrus juice keeps the fruit from browning—making it even an option for warm weather picnics! (91 calories, 0 g fat)
• Blueberry Peach Crisp: Berries are also in season and tasty right now! This dessert from Skinny Taste highlights both of these summer fruits favorites, accented by a brown sugar-sweetened oat topping. (211 calories, 7 g fat)

I’m sure that nectarines, the peach’s non-fuzzy and slightly more red cousins, could stand in wonderfully for peaches in these recipes, although we did miss their month by a couple of weeks! 

Here’s wishing you all “Millions of Peaches” (how great was that song?) throughout August and beyond. ;)

What produce item are you enjoying now and how do you serve it?

The brains behind the site My Arctic Zero and the fantastic products I reviewed last week spotted my not-so-subtle request for a reader giveaway. And this is one of those very gratifying times that prove the saying “ask and you shall receive!” Arctic Zero’s Garrett was kind enough to contact me and offer to send one of my readers a six pack of the brand new Pumpkin Spice flavor that is just hitting store shelves now. 

So how do you get signed up to win? Simple!

(Image from Facebook)

1. Leave a comment here explaining your favorite frozen dessert and flavor. Warning: Arctic Zero may become your new pick if you win though!

2. Tweet me @karla522: “Hey @karla522: I want to try @myarcticzero’s newest flavor in the healthfulbitesblog.com giveaway!”

3. “Like” Arctic Zero on Facebook or follow them on Twitter—then tweet me or comment here to let me know that you did.

You can enter up to three times, once in each of the ways listed above. Feel free to complete all three if you’re ambitious! All entries received by 12 p.m. ET on Friday, October 8 will be included in a drawing to win. One lucky winner will have a box full of frozen fall-tasting treats arrive on their doorstep soon after! Good luck to all :)

Hungry Girl first hyped me to Arctic Zero. “You’re telling this guilt-free frozen treat fiend that she can have a protein-packed pint for about 150 calories? Sign me up!” I thought. But little did I know that Arctic Zero would prove to be as illusive as finding the real arctic in Iowa. ;)

After seeing a mention on another blog recently about Arctic Zero, I decided to plug in my new haunt in the location finder on the AZ site (we’re now on a first name/initial basis)—and lo and behold, my area Whole Foods, among other stores, carry the pints!

So what’s the “scoop” behind AZ? The company bills its products as a “frozen protein shake that satisfies your ice cream craving.” The ingredient list is quite short, including whey protein concentrate and natural sugars like monk fruit concentrate. In addition to the 150 calories, one pint packs 16 grams of protein, 8 grams of fiber and no fat.

I picked up a pint of the Chocolate Peanut Butter and Vanilla Maple flavor to give this new (to me) frozen dessert a try! AZ also comes in Mint Chocolate Cookie, Cookies and Cream, Strawberry Banana, Coffee and Pumpkin Spice.

Tip: Take it out of the freezer for about five minutes before eating to thaw. It’s a bit hard to wedge that spoon in there! But totally worth the wait…

The silky texture was not at all what I was expecting. Certain lower calorie frozen products can be grainy or icy. But AZ was smooth and tasted delicious too! The slight hint of maple was a neat addition to traditional vanilla, and I couldn’t taste even a hint of the protein. Next up? Chocolate Peanut Butter, anxiously awaiting a spoon in the freezer.

Arctic Zero is officially Healthful Bites approved! (Note: They did not pay me to write this or give me free pints, but if you’re reading, AZ team, I’d love to do a giveaway with you to spread the joy to my readers who may be left out in the grocery store cold :) )

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet or gelato?