sugar-free hot cocoa

<<< sugar-free hot cocoa >>>

three simple ingredients

vanilla milk

silk light vanilla soy milk

+

unsweetened cocoa powder

trader joe's

+

stevia

stevia in the raw

Usually I don't promote all those darn "sugar-free" drinks and foods. They trick everyone into thinking they are healthy and going to help with fitness and weight loss goals, but we all know it's a load of poop. They are typically filled with artificial sweeteners and chemicals, but my dear little Stevia (if found in the right natural/raw form) is something I've grown quite fond of for an occasional sweet treat. 

I have read a lot about how raw and unsweetened cocoa powder is FILLED with amazing health benefits for your heart, immune system, and so much more. But when paired with loads of sugar and bad fats, it almost counter-acts all the good elements of the cocoa powder. My version of hot cocoa is a great way to get a good dose of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals from cocoa without the sugar spike!

Try this method out and mess around with the ingredient ratios until you find your perfect combination! I use 1:1 ratio of milk to water, 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, and 1 packet stevia. I like mine a little more "dark chocolatey"... 

fried egg & vegetable stack

fried egg & vegetable stack

This is one of my favorite easy mid-day meals. It's simple but still so flavorful! If you don't like fried eggs, feel free to cook them up your favorite way instead... scrambled, poached, sunny-side up, etc.

Makes 1 stack
Ingredients:
1-2 cups fresh spinach (I like lots!)
1 egg + 1 egg white (organic is best)
avocado, sliced
your favorite salsa or fresh sliced tomato
lemon pepper blend
garlic powder
sea salt and black pepper

Instructions:
1. heat small non-stick frying pan over medium heat, saute spinach with some lemon pepper and garlic powder until wilted, then set aside.
2. turn up temperature to medium-high heat, combine egg + egg white in a cup then pour into non-stick pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes each side (if you don't like a runny yoke, pop it with a fork after you flip the egg).
3. stack it up: spinach, egg, avocado, salsa, salt & pepper to taste. 
4. serve with toast, crackers, or my favorite: sea salt melba toast!

cinnamon streusel pancakes

Cinnamon Streusel Pancakes

adapted from: Two Peas and Their Pod

Caution: you may not know whether you are eating breakfast or dessert. I save this recipe for special occasions. 

Ingredients:
Your favorite pancake mix or favorite recipe. I'm obsessed with this super easy mix {Kodiak Cakes Frontier Flapjack and Waffle Mix} found at Costco or order online.

Cinnamon Streusel:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks

Directions:
1. Make pancake batter first 6 pancakes.
2. Make cinnamon streusel second: in a medium bowl combine flour, sugar, and butter. Mix together with hands or a fork until you have a crumble-like mixture.
3. Heat electric griddle to 350 degrees or pan on stove to medium. Drop 1/2 cup pancake batter onto griddle and add 2 tablespoons streusel mixture onto uncooked side of pancake.
3. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then carefully flip when bubbles begin to form. Generously cover cooked side of pancake with streusel and cook for 1-2 more minutes minutes.
4. Continue with the rest of pancakes and serve with maple syrup and butter.

seriously though... beware...