Paleo Pineapple Coconut Bars

· by · 3 Comments

paleopineapplecoconutbars2

pinaepplebarscloseup

*picture above is right before it went into the oven!

When I think of summer foods, my mind goes to fruit! Specifically, pineapple! Who doesn’t love this awesome fruit? So versatile, too! In a salad, as a dessert, on the grill with something savory! You can’t go wrong! These (paleo/gluten free/grain free) pineapple coconut bars are a perfect summer treat. Really easy to make, and the flavor reminds me of a pina colada! Although I made these and had all of my family do the taste testing, these would be the most marvelous ending to a summer BBQ. What do you think?

meg

Print
Paleo Pineapple Coconut Bars
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 12 bars
 
Ingredients
for the crust
  • ¼ cup coconut oil, melted + more for greasing
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • ¼ cup coconut sugar or honey crystals
for the filling
  • 3 cups chopped pineapple (fresh or canned)
  • 1½ cups sweetened or unsweetened coconut flakes (depending on how sweet you like it)
  • ¼ cup coconut sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tbsp almond flour
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp baking powder
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Add all crust ingredients to buzz in a food processor until it forms a ball of dough
  3. Press dough evenly into the bottom of the pan
  4. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes
  5. Remove from oven and set aside
  6. Whisk together coconut sugar, almond flour, and baking powder in a bowl
  7. Add eggs and vanilla and mix until well combined
  8. Stir in coconut flakes and pineapple
  9. Spread mixture evenly over crust (add more coconut flakes for extra topping if desired)
  10. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until edges are golden.
  11. Allow to cool completely, then cut into squares (12)
  12. Best if served chilled!

paleopineapplecoconutbars3

Vegan S’mores Smoothie

· by · 1 Comment

smoresmoothie

smoresmoothie

What is better than s’mores on a summer night? Not too much, right? I do really love a gooey s’more every once in a while, but most of the ingredients aren’t very good for you, unfortunately. A little splurge every once in a while isn’t so bad, but if there’s a way that I can make them healthier, I’m going to do it! (and that way I can have a few more). This smoothie was inspired by the s’more, the perfect summer treat! Just as decadent, though. I used So Delicious Coco Whip as the ‘marshmellow’ (really awesome cool whip that is vegan that So Delicious just came out with). I highly recommend it if you haven’t already tried it! But I really love either The Urban Poser’s or 100 Days of Real Food’s marshmallow recipe if you want to use the real deal (and both really easy to make). I promise you will really love this recipe!

What is your favorite summer treat?

Print
Vegan S’mores Smoothie
Author: 
Recipe type: Smoothie
Prep time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 2 smoothies
 
Ingredients
  • 1 cup So Delicious Coco Whip or 4 homemade marshmellows
  • 1 cup non dairy milk
  • 4 gluten free graham crackers (homemade or store bought)
  • 1 tablespoon raw cocao powder
  • Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips (to sprinkle on top if desired) feel free to add some in the smoothie if you want!
  • ice to taste
Instructions
  1. Place all ingredients in a blender & serve immediately

glutenfreevegansmoresmoothie

Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles

· by · 2 Comments

Vegan Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles 2

Vegan Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles 2

Yesterday here was a scorcher. 93 degrees and severe humidity. This is not fun for anyone, let alone a woman who is a week away from her due date. And I don’t know about anyone else, but even being pregnant when it’s really hot like that, I don’t feel much like eating anything but popsicles. And I also want to stick my head in the freezer all day.

I had been dying to try the coconut water lemonade, so I picked up a few boxes and it definitely lived up to it’s hype. Totally refreshing and delicious, just like I was told. I knew after Tuesday’s heat (and the oncoming Wednesday heat) that I needed some popsicles. With my second container of coconut water, I decided to make some popsicles. What’s more refreshing than lemonade and fruit on a hot day? Voila! Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles were born! I ate two yesterday afternoon. I hope you find them as refreshing as I do! The best part is you can use any extra for a delicious smoothie! These are my favorite popsicle molds!

IMG_1447veganstrawberrylemonadepopsicles

Print
Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles

Ingredients

  • 1 container (11 ounces) of VitaCoco Lemonade Coconut Water
  • 2 cups frozen strawberries (or other berries)
  • water to make the mixture less thick, if needed

Instructions

  1. Blend strawberries and lemonade in a blender or food processor
  2. If the mixture is too thick, add water (1/2 cup at a time) until the mixture is able to easily pour
  3. Pour mixture into popsicle molds and let set in the freezer 1-3 hours
  4. Enjoy!
http://veggiestaples.com/strawberry-lemonade-popsicles/

 

 

Black Bean Gluten Free Pasta Salad with Avocado Cilantro Dressing

· by · Leave a Comment

IMG_1217

vegan pasta salad

I told you guys here how much I’ve had a craving for pasta salad lately! Call it a pregnancy kick or just a warm weather thing, I’m not really sure! This black bean pasta salad (completely gluten free and vegan) with avocado cilantro dressing is perfectly light and great for the warm weather! The best thing about pasta salad is you can put anything in it you have sitting in the fridge; veggies, fruit, etc.

I’ve also become quite obsessed with tolerant pasta, a pasta made entirely out of black beans (16 grams of fiber per serving!) or red lentils (I did a mixture of both here). Great texture and taste, now if only I could actually figure out how to make this on my own?! They don’t make too many pasta molds out there to make your own pasta other than ravioli!

And lastly, one of my biggest hot spots is salad dressing. Have you ever looked at the back of any salad dressings? It gets me really worked up when I’m short on time and I have to try to find something to use for salad dressing. Most of the time I end up going back home just to make it anyways. 99% of salad dressing are full of corn syrup, sugar, etc. Not to mention the huge list of ingredients that are completely unnecessary… And it’s so easy to whip up your own dressing! You can make them just as good or better! (you can also try my tahini dressing from my veggie summer rolls) What is your favorite flavor of dressing?

IMG_1207

IMG_1217

Print
Black Bean Gluten Free Pasta Salad with Avocado Cilantro Dressing

Ingredients

  • for the salad
  • 1/2 cup tolerant black bean pasta
  • 1/2 cup tolerant red lentil pasta
  • 4 cups organic spring mix lettuce
  • 2 red peppers, washed, sliced and chopped
  • 1 cucumber, washed, peeled and chopped
  • 2 large heirloom tomatoes, washed and chopped
  • for the dressing
  • 1/2 cup plain coconut milk yogurt
  • 1/4 cup coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 avocado, peeled and pitted
  • 1 handful of cilantro, washed

Instructions

  1. for the salad
  2. Cook pasta as directed on box
  3. Run under cold water when done
  4. Mix in a bowl with remaining salad ingredients, set aside
  5. for the dressing
  6. Blend all ingredients in a blender or food processor
  7. Pour dressing over salad and toss well (best if served chilled)
http://veggiestaples.com/black-bean-pasta-salad-avocado-cilantro-dressing/

 

Cherry Lime Summer Spritzer

· by · 3 Comments

IMG_1247

IMG_1231   My husband and I are obsessed with seltzer water. We always have been. My mom finally convinced us to get one (actually, she bought it for us for Christmas) and needless to say, it gets used every day (no, really). We are now avid believers and it’s awesome because we can add all kinds of juices or other adult beverages to it, and we are always trying something new. Seltzer water is especially refreshing in the summer. It’s a nice change from water and still provides hydration, but with a little fun. Either way, if you don’t have a Soda Stream, I highly recommend one (get it here). Way better for the environment and then you can make a little or a lot. I saw cherries at the store this weekend and got so excited! Finally, a reasonable, affordable price. With summer here (well, almost) and the warm weekend we had, I thought I’d change up my usual go to when I’m not sure what to put in my seltzer water (which would be cranberry and lime). Cherries it is! I’m so excited to share this one with you! Hope you like this refreshing summer spritzer just as much as I do! If you already drink seltzer, what do you put in yours? IMG_1227

Print
Cherry Lime Summer Spritzer

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cherries, washed and pitted
  • 3-4 tablespoons of lime juice (1 lime, juiced, + more for garnish if desired)
  • 1-2 teaspoons honey, optional

Instructions

  1. Wash and pit cherries
  2. Add cherries to a blender or food processor
  3. Add lime juice (and honey if you are adding that)
  4. Blend until smooth
  5. Strain cherry mixture if necessary
  6. Add desired amount of mixture to seltzer water
  7. Optional: lime for garnish
  8. Enjoy your lovely bubbly drink!
http://veggiestaples.com/cherry-lime-summer-spritzer/

IMG_1247