All Natural Peanut Butter Cups...Seriously!!

I actually made these about a month ago but I completely forgot to blog about them! I absolutely love peanut butter and chocolate. One of my favorite treats has always been Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups but obviously they aren’t the healthiest snack out there….well let’s be honest they aren’t healthy at all. But nonetheless I still loved them and missed them. So I was determined to find a healthy version. It’s so easy and the best part…It’s actually good for you! It’s not full of hydrogenated oils and/or preservatives. I hope you enjoy!  Here’s the recipe:

Muffin Liners

Peanut Butter Mix:
1 Cup Macadamia Nuts
1 Cup Cashews
Almond Butter

Chocolate Sauce:
Cacao Powder
Agave
Coconut Oil

Blend the Macadamia nuts, cashews, and almond butter together in a food processor. Scoop out and place into the muffin liners. In a sauce pan mix the cacao powder, agave, and coconut oil together and place on the stove on medium heat constantly stirring until smooth.  Once this is heated up spoon over and fill the muffin liners to the rim. Place in the freezer until hard then enjoy!

My Sister absolutely loving this creation! =c)

Keeping it Simple..

I was in a comfy mood tonight and didn't really want to get up and make something so I opted for one of my favorite recipes. So simple yet soooo good! Here's the recipe. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!


Ingredients:
Black Beans (Soaked/Cooked or Can)
Diced Tomatoes
Onion
Oregano
Basil
Clove of garlic
Juice of half a lime

Preperation:
Mix everything together in a bowl and enjoy! Told you it was simple!

Stopped by my sisters house tonight to pick up the Maca... She always sends me home with something utterly delicious. Her and my brother in law are AMAZING vegan chefs!! This was tonights meal!! So yummy! I'll have to figure out exactly what was in it and try to make it myself. I'm pretty lucky having a sister and brother in law who know so much about all of this. I'm always learning something new. I'll make sure to pass along all the knowledge they share with me to you as well!!

Experiment # 1 Maca vs. Starbucks

Ok... So although I try to eat super healthy I have clung on to one addiction.... Starbucks... Oh man do I love my Starbucks. I hate to admit it but I'm there at least twice a day. My sister Amanda (who has been a major part of me becoming a vegan) has been trying to get me off caffiene forever. Caffiene gives me horrible anxiety attacks, tension headaches, and it actually makes me more tired in the long run but I just can't seem to give it up....Guess it really is an addiction. Sooo tonight she gave me a bag of Raw Maca. Maca root was domesticated about 2000 years ago by the Incan culture who regarded the root as a very valuable commodity. Native Peruvians have traditionally utilized Maca since before the time of the Incas for both nutritional and medicinal purposes. Maca is supposed to have beneficial effects on the human body such as....

• Key Nutrients that Support Libido and Peak Sexual Functioning In Men and Women
• Key Nutrients that support Hormonal Balance For Men And Women of All Ages
• Helps Nourish and Feed the Bodies Entire Endocrine System.
• Improves Sense of Physical and Emotional Well Being
• Increases Physical Energy, and Daily Stamina
• Continued Use Increases Mental Clarity and Focus
• Nutritional Support for minimal Menopause Symptoms
• Nutritional Support for healthy Fertility For Men And Women

So my experiment is this.... Replace Starbucks with Maca and Green Tea for one week and discover the difference. This could be a wonderful healthy alternative to coffee if it works. Wish me luck!

What I Learned Today...

I always knew Splenda  and artificial sweeteners were bad for you...but I didn't exactly know why. Soooo I decided to research it! Good idea right?! What I found was really interesting and I wanted to share with you. So many people think that just because something is on the market that it's safe and healthy. This is sooo far from the truth. Sucralose (Splenda) is made from sugar, but is derived from sucrose (sugar) through a process that selectively substitutes three atoms of chlorine for three hydrogen-oxygen groups on the sucrose molecule. Amazingly enough..these two things are very similar in name. Corporations use tactics like this to confuse consumers. These corporations can tell you anything they want..Look back 20 so years ago...Aspartame was used in almost all sweeteners and it was advertised as being good for you. "A great substitute". Now we know Aspartame caused many chronic illnesses such as brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimerer's, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects, fibromyalgia, and diabetes. It is not good enough to just simply recall and take something off the market once the damage is already done. We need to be aware of what we are putting into our bodies. Sucralose is a chlorocarbon (a chemical compound containing carbon and chlorine.) Yes, It is the same type of chlorine that is put into your pools...Chlorocarbons are known for causing organ, genetic, and reproductive damage.  The Merk Manuel and OSHA 40 SARA 120 Hazardous Waste Handbook states that chlorine is a carcinogen (any substance or agent that tends to produce a cancer.) and emergency procedures should be taken when exposed via swallowing, inhaling, or even through the skin. Sucralose is indigestible due to it's laboratory compounding. Anything made in a lab is not natural and is not going to be beneficial for you. Less calories? Probably...But I would rather have more calories in my body then chemicals.

**If you are looking for a substitute try using agave nectar or Stevia. All natural. Chemical Free. <3

Onion, Tomato, and Avocado Lettuce Wraps

Organic Lettuce Wraps

 

Ingredients:

1 Avocado

1 Whole Tomato

½ Red Onion

Handful of Cilantro

Green Leaf

Preparation:

Combine Avocado, Tomato, Red Onion and Cilantro in a food processor. Pulse until you achieve desired size. Scoop out and place on top of Green Leaf.

I know this is pretty simple but that's the beauty behind it! It only takes about 5 minutes and you have a completely healthy and satisfying meal that you can feel good about eating!!

Nectarine halves with a Blueberry, Banana, and Almond "Creme" filling.... sooooo good!

Nectarines ala Crème

Ingredients:

1 Nectarine
Handful of Blueberries (I like to use half frozen and half fresh)
Almond Milk
Banana

Preparation:

Cut the nectarine in half. Remove the pit. Scoop out the center of the nectarine. Combine Blueberries, Almond milk, Banana, and the center part of the nectarine you previously scooped out in the blender. Blend until you achieve a semi thick creamy base. Pour this delicious mixture into the center of the nectarine and any left over can be used for a side smoothie! Enjoy!


*Side note: Idk about you guys but I had a bit of a hard time cutting the Nectarine perfectly in half the first time I tried this.... Here's a tip! Cut as deep around as you can into the nectarine just hitting the pit...then twist it off!!

My Story

This is my first attempt at a blog. I am not too sure how this is going to turn out but I’m super excited to get it started! Sooooo… I feel that the only way to really start this off is to tell you my story. My name is Annabelle. I am 22 years old and I currently live in Florida. For most of my childhood and young adult life I struggled with a weight problem. Being overweight sucks in itself but to have a weight problem living in Florida??? Well you’re kind of screwed there lol. For the majority of the year every girl is in a little tiny bikini or shorts and tank tops and as for me?? Well, I was concealing myself in jeans and sweaters ALL YEAR ROUND. I absolutely loved it when Florida’s one day of cold (which if you were lucky it hit the 60’s) weather came through! I felt trapped and I hid myself away from the world. At twelve years old I had reached 200 pounds and just a few years later I weighed in close to 300. I gave up on life… I had come to the conclusion that losing that much weight was absolutely impossible and I would never be healthy or happy. I started to despise food. It wasn’t something that nourished my body. It made me fat, depressed, and it was starting to become my absolute enemy and my worst fear. I felt completely and utterly out of control. I had always had a fear of eating in front of people in general. It was constantly on my mind that even one bite of ANYTHING and the stares and laughs would begin… “The fat girl was eating again.” Coming from a “Traditional American Family”, I was raised on the typical meat and mashed potatoes for dinner with dessert to follow diet. I wasn’t brought up with the knowledge on how to nourish your body properly. This being the case I figured eating nothing was better than eating what I knew. I struggled for years living in fear of food. I didn’t understand at the time that everything you put in your body not only affects how you look but your general mind set. Your body is alive therefore it needs live foods to prosper. I’m still learning how to adapt to the Vegan lifestyle. Most people assume that vegan is just fruits and veggies. However, I myself am still discovering and being left amazed by the different things you can make. You can have your pizza, pasta, and yummy desserts… Just healthier versions!! My hope in setting up this blog is that it will provide inspiration and knowledge to anyone who is looking to make a lifestyle change and be healthier….or anyone who is bored and would like to be entertained! Keep watching we’ll be in the kitchen soon!