Holiday Recipe - Fat Burning Chocolate Pudding

Healthy Fat-Burning Chocolate Pudding:

(This recipe will make about 2-4 servings and is a great healthy dessert or late night snack)

• 1/2 of a ripe avocado (soft to touch)
• approx 3 tablespoons of almond butter or cashew butter (preferably raw if possible)
• approx 1/4 cup of unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk (preferably organic)
• 2 heaping tablespoons of organic cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
• 1 scoop of chocolate Shakeology (regular or vegan)

Put the avocado and almond butter into a bowl and mash together with a fork until smooth.  Then add all of the other ingredients into the bowl and mix together vigorously until all is mixed and smooth.  If you're good with a food processor, you can use that too.

If everything went right, the consistency will be similar to pudding... except normal pudding makes you FAT with loads of sugar!  This healthy pudding recipe will actually HELP you to burn fat, control cravings, and satisfy your body's need for micro-nutrients, protein, healthy fats, and fiber.

If the pudding ends up too thick, simply add a bit more almond milk or coconut milk for more moisture until the consistency seems right.

If you want to get a little wild and add some more nutrient-rich additions, feel free to add some chopped pecans, chia seeds, or walnuts at the end.  And it tastes great to top this dish with some sliced fresh strawberries! 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe

The holidays are among us and the parties and food are starting to sneak up on us. I don't know about you but FUDGE is a favorite of mine this time of year! I love it!! So I am going to share with you a recipe I use to make healthy guilt free Fudge.

 

Chocolate Peanut Butter "Superfood" Fudge Recipe:

• 3/4 cup organic canned coconut milk (use the real full-fat version)
• 1 bar (3-5 oz. bar works well) of bakers unsweetened chocolate - 100% cacao content (if you can't find 100% cacao bakers chocolate, look for at least 70-80% cocoa content on the label of any dark chocolate bar - to minimize sugar content)
• 4-5 tablespoons of organic peanut butter or your favorite nut butter (almond butter, cashew butter, pecan butter, and/or macadamia butter, etc)
• 3/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional, but if you're trying to go low-carb, keep these out)
• 1/2 cup whole raw almonds or other nuts (optional)
• 1/3 cup raw chopped pecans (optional)
• 1 scoop, about 25 gms of your favorite protein powder (I do chocolate vegan)
• 3 Tbsp chia seeds, hemp seeds, and/or flax seeds  (optional, but adds crazy amounts of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants...plus a nutty taste)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• add a small touch of real maple syrup if you want a more "blended" sweetness flavor (keep the amount small to keep sugar content low, such as 1-2 Tbsp max)

Start by adding the coconut milk and vanilla extract to a small saucepan on VERY low heat -- the lowest heat setting. Break up the extra dark chocolate bar into chunks and add into pot. Add the nut butters, and continuously stir until it all melts together into a smooth mixture.

Then add the raisins or cranberries, nuts, seeds, protein powder, etc and stir until fully blended.  If the mixture becomes too thick or dry consistency, just add a small amount more coconut milk.  If the mixtures seems too wet, keep in mind that it will solidify a good bit once it goes in the fridge.

Spoon/pour the fudge mixture onto some waxed paper in a dish and place in the fridge until it cools and solidifies together (3-4 hours). Cut into squares once firm and place in a closed container or cover with foil in fridge to prevent it from drying out.

Enjoy small squares of this delicious healthy "super-food" fudge for dessert and for small snacks throughout the day. This is about as good as it gets for a healthy yet delicious treat! 

Even though this is a healthier dessert idea that's lower in sugar and higher in nutrition than most sweet treats, keep in mind that it is still calorie dense, so keep your portions reasonable.  Give this recipe a try and I guarantee that you'll LOVE it.

 

Note on coconut milk: don't be afraid of the fats in this... coconut fat is mostly medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) that are more readily used for energy and also contain a special fat called Lauric Acid, which is extremely healthy and supports the immune system.

3 Day Refresh!! Starts today!!!

 

It's BAAACCCKKK!! Yes I am doing the 3 Day Refresh again for the second time. I did it back in July and lost 7 pounds with it!!! At that time I was traveling a lot and needed to get back on the right eating plan before my wedding. My goal was to loose weight. This time around my goal is different.

For the past 2 months my life has been stressful, to say the least. First off being a newly wed and living with your parents isn't fun! Also living with your parents who eat crap and lots of gluten when you have celiac's is killer. My parents have never lived with me since I was diagnosed with Celiac's and its hard for them to comprehend it all. However, with all the cooking and baking my mom does it has really caused me to be sick and struggle. Plus its battle with her because she doesn't get it and doesn't think its that serious!! Which equals stressful!

Also over a month ago my husband fell out of a truck at work and needed to have surgery because he ruptured his quad tendon. This has put a lot of strain on our relationship with him not being able to drive, needing assistance with everything he does, and not being able to workout like he use to. I know that would drive me crazy. However, once again this too has been very stressful on the 2 of us.

As you can see there is a theme here. Its stress. So this time around I am doing the Refresh to hid my body of all the stress it has endured over the past 2 months. Also rid it of all the toxic gluten I have in haled. Also because my name is Jaissa Yahner and I am addicted to Peanut Butter, like eat it by the spoonful, add chocolate chips to it, sneak it, find every excuse to put it in a shake or on something, ADDICTED!!! So yes, I am using the refresh to wean myself off of it.

I am excited and have all the meals planed out and ready to go. This time I am going to try to drink tea on it to help keep me full.

I will post the next 4 days to keep me accountable and to let you all know how I am feeling!

More foods to eat that will boost your metabolism

MORE foods that set your Metabolism on Fire and Boost your Energy All Day!

 

  1.    Green Tea: Green tea is one of the best metabolism-boosters you can drink!  In fact, green tea is one of the main ingredients in many expensive fat burning supplements on the market. Green tea also helps decrease your risk of cancer, reduces food cravings, helps maintain weight loss, and contains just enough caffeine to help get you going in the morning.

 

2.    Greek Yogurt: Greek-style natural yogurt is best; it contains much less sugar and much more protein than other varieties. But, any kind of low-fat yogurt (look for one with the lowest sugar content) also contains many pro-biotic cultures that are necessary for maintaining a healthy digestive system, and is high in protein and much-needed calcium (another great fat-burner)!

 

3.    Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is a diet secret. While it does contain a high amount of calories per spoonful (don’t eat it out of the jar), it also contains a ton of essential fatty acids, fiber, and even protein.  Try spreading it on a sliced banana, or on celery with raisins for an amazing study snack!

 

 

Halloween Candy - How do you avoid it????

 

Halloween Candy.....

How do you avoid it?!?!?

 

 

 

Halloween Candy is seriously everywhere I go!!! I swear the reese's peanut butter cups and butterfingers are calling my name!! I didn't even buy any yet and honestly, this year I have talked my mom into not giving any out! Hold up, we will still be giving stuff out but this year we will be doing Halloween pencils and Halloween figurines that I have left over from teaching. Don't get me wrong Halloween is fun and when Rich and I have kids I will let them go out and trick or treat and eat the candy, just not all of it and it wont be around in the house for more than a few days before it gets to moving on somewhere else. I will send some of it to work with Rich to give to his players but then the rest will be put in the trash.

Will I feel guilty? Heck no!! I love to bake and will bake treats for my kids that I know are more nutritious and delicious than a Twix bar, snickers, Butterfinger, or 3 musketeer's bar.

Now ME on the other hand. When it comes to chocolate and peanut butter sitting in front of me, I struggle to walk away. It is hard for me to not just eat it. However, I feel like crap and get very tired after I eat candy or anything with lots of sugar in it now. Why? because my body is not use to a lot of sugar. Its only use to the natural sugar I get from the fruits I eat, and even those I try to eat the ones with less sugar.   

So this year, we have no kids to bring candy home from trick or treating, I have convinced my mom not to buy it, since we are living with my parents for the time being, and instead am now making the candy out of shakeology. The shakes taste just like the candy bar but are a healthier replacement and I enjoy them more and feel amazing after. Plus they cure the sweets I have been craving!  

Most of you know that Shakeology is my go to.  The simple fact that Shakeology helps to curb my cravings has been reason enough for me.  Plus the fact that it truly tastes amazing and doesn't make me feel guilty for it!  Here are a few of my favorite Halloween Shakeology Recipe.  You might think I'm crazy and that nothing could possibly taste as good as the candy bar, but try it! I promise you won't regret it!!!!

 

Butterfinger Shakeology Recipe

 

1 Scoop of Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup of unsweetened Almond Milk

1 1/2 TBSP of Butterscotch pudding mix

1 1/2 TBSP of PB2 (or peanut butter)

Ice and Blend to Taste

 

 

 

Snickers

4 oz almond milk

2T PB2 (or peanut butter, the more natural the healthier)

1T slivered almonds 

1T Sugar Free Caramel syrup

1 scoop chocolate shakeology.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S’Mores

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup almond milk, coconut milk or water

Ice to taste

Topping – 2 slivers of graham cracker and 2 tbsp of Marshmallow Fluff

 

 

 

 

 

Malted Peanut Butter Cup

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup skim milk (or nut or soy milk)

2 tbsp PB2

2 tbsp Malt Powder

Ice to taste

 

 

 

Chocolate Cake Batter

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup almond milk, coconut milk or water

1/4 pkg sugar free Jello Cheesecake pudding mix

Ice to taste

 

 

 

 

Chocolate Pistachio

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup almond milk

1/4 pkg sugar free Jello pistachio pudding mix

Ice to taste

 

 

 

 

Nuts for Chocolate

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup vanilla almond milk (or water)

1/4 pkg sugar free Jello pistachio pudding mix

1 1/2 tbsp PB2

Ice to taste

 

 

 

Frozen Mocha*

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup almond milk

1 tbsp instant coffee

Ice to taste

 

Mexican Chocolate*

1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup almond milk

5 big dashes cinnamon

Ice to taste

 

 

 

Love Coconut? Then this recipe is for you!

Chocolate Shakeology

1 cup of cold coffee

Coconut extract ( a tiny dash)

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

Ice and blend

It is a great replacement to the toasted coconut Starbucks Mocha Frap!!!

 

 

 

 

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

 

1 packet or scoop of chocolate shakeology
1/3 cup water (I needed a tad bit extra)
Natural PB or almond butter
6 foil cupcake liners
Muffin Pan

Mix shakeo and water until it is consistency a little thicker than pudding
Put a small amount (prob half a Tbsp) of chocolate mixture in each liner
Then a small amount of PB (about a tsp)
Then top with rest of chocolate mixture
Put in the freezer for an hour or so to harden
ENJOY!