Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

With it being closer to the Super Bowl, there will be more opportunities for parties and with parties...ultimately comes chances of over-indulging!! Ahh! haha There are definitely ways around this and ways to still be able to join in the fun and still stay on track with your health and fitness goals!

Buffalo Cauliflower bites are one of my fave go-to's for any game days or just for one of those nights where you really really want to order food and just need that quick little fix! PLUS these are so simple to make, you'll be making these a regular at your get togethers!

Ingredients

• 1 head of cauliflower OR you can buy pre-chopped cauliflower at places like Whole Foods
• 1 bottle of wing sauce (I used Wing-Time Sauce from Whole foods)
• Green onion for garnishing

Directions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees
• Wash, dry and chop up cauliflower into flowers
• Eyeball it :)...use about quarter to half the bottle of sauce
• Mix around until evenly coated in a bowl
• Place cauliflower onto a sprayed pan
• Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and slightly still a bit crunchy

If you are looking a healthy alternative to a dip you can pair these with:

Lemon Garlic and Dill Greek Yogurt Dip

• 1 cup Fage greek yogurt
• Season with pepper, 1 teaspoon of dill and chives, 1/2 teaspoon of onion and garlic powder 
• A little squeeze of lemon

Enjoy!!

Chocolate Microwave Mug Cake

I can't tell you how many times I have tried to make a mug cake and it either came out way too dry or was cooking a ton on the sides, but not enough in the middle! Maybe you can relate??

I decided to make one yesterday because I was due for a snack and figured this would be a great way to get a protein serving, healthy fat and fruit in and let's be honest...I wanted CHOCOLATE...bad. There's always a healthier alternative to your cravings...you just have to get a little creative!

I don't know what it is, but sometimes when I'm hangry, I come up with some pretty awesome recipes haha So I hope you enjoy this one. It's a guilt free way to cure your chocolate craving!

There are a few helpful tips that I discovered that I'll share with you first...

1- the art getting these mug cakes to bake evenly is getting a wide coffee mug. A lot of  coffee mugs are short and more slender, but if you have one that is wider- it works wonderfully. Like a big hot cocoa mug. I think it just helps the liquid evenly cook better.

2-It comes down to timing. You should microwave the cake for 1 minute 30 seconds and then check it every 10 seconds thereafter. I microwaved mine for about 2 min 10 seconds, but yours may vary.

3- a recipe that has the right consistency of both dry ingredients and liquid ingredients- which I have!

Ingredients

• 1 scoop protein powder (I used vegan chocolate Shakeology)
• 1/4  tsp baking powder
• 5 tbsp unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3-4 drops of liquid stevia (or 1 tsp honey to sweeten)
• 1 tsp coconut oil (melted)
• 1/4 cup egg whites
• 5 dark chocolate chips

Directions

• In a separate bowl, combine Shakeology and baking powder, then all wet ingredients and mix until smooth like cake batter. 
• Melt 1 tsp coconut oil in mug in the microwave for about 20 seconds
• Swirl the melted coconut around in the mug to make sure the edges are oiled to bake in the microwave.
• Pour in half the batter and then add in chocolate chips (you could even add in a tsp of nut butter too if you wanted!) then add remaining batter
• Microwave the mug cake for 1 min 30 seconds and then 10 second intervals from there until firmly set. 
• Take a butter knife and move it around the outside of the cake edges. 
• Take a plate and place on top of the mug and flip over. (The cake should come out easily!)
• Garnish with whatever your heart desires! I used 1/2 cup mixed berries and 1 tsp unsweetened coconut flakes :)

Enjoy! Xo

Lean Green Smoothie

I'm really on a smoothie kick lately. I don't know what it is. There is just something really kind of fun when it comes to something that may seem like it should be meant for just summer time and having it in the winter! Living on the edge lol Living in Boston you have to get creative to get through the long winters and I'm bound to do just that with my food this year!

Although the seasons tend to dictate our food choices...why not change that up a bit and have more of a "summer diet" in the winter? I'm all for savory dishes, but if you are looking to have more energy and have a leaned out look- having more plant based foods incorporated in your diet are definitely going to help you achieve that.

I notice such a shift in my energy and overall mood when I have something that is light and fresh and full of antioxidants and superfood goodness. Not to mention since incorporating more greens in my diet, I've noticed much less bloating, which I'm not going to complain about that one bit!

So I'm making smoothie bowls and smoothies for my snacks most days and it has been super fun! Plus I start of my day with a superfood meal replacement shake. I have a few go-to recipes for that, but every other day I bounce back between the same 3 recipes that I love. Variety is the spice of life!

I loved this green smoothie that I made yesterday- isn't it gorgeous!? I mean talk about instant mood booster! I added just a 1/2 cup of spinach. It's a great way to sneak in greens...and you can't even taste it them :)

So here is the recipe for you all to enjoy! Let me know how you like it!

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup plain 0% Fage Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup pineapple- fresh or frozen (plus a few for garnish on top- optional)
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup spinach
• 1/2 cup ice
• 1 tsp unsweetened coconut flakes for garnish (optional)
• a few blueberries for garnish (optional)

Directions

Add ice first then all other ingredients in a blender and blend up. Serve up in a fun glass and colorful straw and enjoy!