#1,825: No Bake Energy Bites (#2)

We have been talking a lot in our house about healthy food choices, reducing sugar consumption, and healthy food substitutes.  As we get closer and closer to returning back to school, we are trying to get some breakfasts and lunches prepped and in the freezer to make the transition back a little smoother.  My girls found this recipe for No Bake Energy Bites and asked if they could make them on their own.  We had all of the ingredients on hand, so I was happy to let them.  They also decided (on their own) to omit the chocolate chips (good girls!).  They loved these!  I'm going to let them make a second (or third) batch to freeze because I'm pretty sure they are going to eat this first batch before we even make it to the freezer.  

1 cup rolled oats 

1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup ground flax seed 

1/2 cup peanut butter 

1/3 cup honey 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

In a medium sized bowl, combine all of the ingredients.  With your hands, roll into small (golf ball size) balls.  Place on parchment lined cookie sheets.  Place in freezer about 1 hour until set.  

#1,824: Cloud bread

I really, really had high hopes for this no-carb "bread" but this was a huge flop in my house.  I'll admit, we all thought it had a really interesting, super light, and fluffy texture, but the taste....it's basically eating an underdone, eggy puff.  But it has no taste.  Maybe if I'd been off bread completely for a really long time I would have a different opinion.  But this "bread" is not for us.  

3 cage-free eggs, separated

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

3 Tablespoons dairy-free cream cheese, room temperature (or regular cream cheese, or sour cream, or whole-milk ricotta cheese)

1/2 dropper of liquid stevia (or one packet stevia or 1 teaspoon honey)

dried rosemary (I used dried garlic and rosemary blend)

Preheat oven to 300° and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Separate three eggs. 

Mix 3 yolks, cream cheese, and sweetener together by hand or by mixer until blended well. 

Whisk together 3 egg whites and cream of tartar until stiff peaks form. 

Fold yolk mixture into egg white mixture carefully and spoon onto parchment-lined sheets. Sprinkle rosemary on top. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. (Watch time carefully as all ovens and cookie sheets differ).

#1,823: Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies (Flour and Sugar free)

So we just came off a week of no sugar in our house.  It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be with my crew.  What it did do though, was make my kids realize that there is sugar in a lot of foods that they like.  So now that we are technically done with our 1 week challenge, I still want to minimize the amount of sugar they are consuming, especially as I get ready to send them back to school (and school lunches) soon.  I'm trying to find different sides and snacks that they will enjoy but not have any (or very minimal) sugar in it.  I found this recipe and it looked quick and easy, so I decided to give it a try.  These are ok, but I was the only one who really enjoyed them at all.  The kids were not fans at all sadly.  I'll keep trying to find something they will eat though!  

2 eggs

1/4 cup olive oil (I used coconut oil) 

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon vanilla liquid stevia (I omitted)

1 tablespoon powdered stevia (I used 3 packets) 

pinch salt

4 tablespoons cocoa powder, unsweetened (I used 2 tbsp because that's all I had left)

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup sugar free chocolate chips like the brand Lily's (I omitted)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl whisk eggs, oil, vanilla extract and vanilla stevia together.  Whisk in powdered stevia and salt until absorbed and no clumps.

Add in cocoa powder and whisk until thoroughly combined.  Stir in rolled oats and chocolate chips until all the oats are coated with the chocolate mixture.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Using a small cookie scooper, scoop cookie batter onto lined baking sheet.  Bake 10-12 minutes until slightly hardened to touch.

Let cool 10-15 minutes before removing from pan.