Sunday's Sweets: Lowfat Whole-Wheat Zucchini Bread or Muffins :)

Here's a yummy treat that you can feel good about enjoying. It's full of whole-grains and vegetables, but best of all, it's delicious without being overpowering in sweetness.

Whole-Wheat Zucchini Bread

3 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg

4 eggs
4- 4 1/2 cups grated zucchini (tightly packed)
2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 cup oil
3 teaspoon vanilla

optional: 1/2 cup nuts

Preheat oven to 350. Mix dry ingredients. Mix wet ingredients. Combine. Pour into greased pans. Bake two bread pans 40-45 min. (30 muffins= 25-30 min) Approximately 125 calories per serving. :)

Sunday Sweets: Chocolate Healthy Smoothie

I drink a lot of smoothies. It's a good way to get fresh fruits and veggies into my diet, but sometimes I want them to taste especially yummy. Today, I decided I wanted to make one chocolate-y so here's what I came up with and it's delicious!

1/2 cup Vanilla Rice Milk
1/2 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
1/2 cup Fresh Baby Spinach
1/4 cup diced Cucumber
1/4 cup Frozen Strawberries
1/4 cup Frozen Blueberries
1 Tbsp. Light Organic Agave Nectar
2 Tbsp. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

Blend all of the ingredients in a blender on High until smooth. Enjoy!

(Optional: This smoothie is also tasty without the Agave and Cocoa Powder if you just want the berry flavor.)

P.S. I use a Vitamix, it's an amazing blender although it's pricy. Since I use it everyday and multiple times a day, it's one of my favorite kitchen investments. I also use it to grind my own whole-grain flours.

Sunday Sweets: Pomegranate and Starfruit

Sometimes food in it's natural state is just what the tastebuds have ordered. Here's a simple dish that's easy, pretty and completely guilt-free.

1) Seed a pomegranate and put those seeds into a dish.
2) Wash and slice a starfruit. Place those slices on top of the seeds in a pretty fashion.
3) Eat with a spoon. :)

If you want to go a little wild, add a small dollop of whipping cream on top (but watch out for those calories =D )

Sunday Sweets- Frozen Deliciousness

I have a weakness for ice cream, but lately I've been avoiding it as much as possible. My goal for this holiday season is not to gain weight! It's not easy, but I'm finding more self-control than I thought I had.
Anyway, I've discovered how much I like eating frozen fruit like Strawberries, Banana chunks, and Raspberries with Hershey's syrup on top. It's really good and not bad on calories.

1 cup Frozen whole Strawberries = 50 calories
1 tbsp. Hershey's Syrup = 50 calories

100 calories? That's totally doable. :)

Sunday Sweets- Dark Chocolate Applesauce Brownies

So, since my niece and I are doing the no sweets Monday - Friday thing, we decided we could make a yummy treat today before going without sugar tomorrow. I made the recipe a little healthier than it normally would be, but it's still delicious. However, since I'm feeling lazy, here's the link to her blog where the recipe is posted. :)

Sunday Sweets- Blueberry Muffins

Healthy and Heavenly, these muffins are one of my favorite snack foods. The recipe is low-fat, easy and the results are delectable!

Yield: 1 dozen medium sized Muffins

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F

In a large bowl combine:
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp salt
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup brown sugar

In a separate bowl combine:
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup water
1 large banana (mashed)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
zest of one lemon (or 1/4 tsp Lemon extract)
-mix thoroughly

Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined, then add

1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries -mix lightly.

Bake in greased muffin tins for about 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center of one comes out clean.
(Each muffin is approximately 130 calories)

New Note: Substituting pureed cooked vegetables like sweet potatoes or cauliflower for the applesauce is also a great way of sneaking some extra veggies into your diet.

Sunday Sweets- Chocolate Fix

Sometimes I really want chocolate.... wait, who am I kidding, I ALWAYS want chocolate. Anyway, when the craving hits particularly hard and I'm determined to be good, I grab a couple of little chocolate flavored hard candies from See's. They are only 17.5 calories a piece and they last for a few minutes so I get to extend my pleasure... (Mmmmmm).

Seriously, I HEART

See's Candies: Gourmet Hard Candies - LIttle Pops- Chocolate :)



They also have other flavors if you want some variety.

Sunday Sweets- Feeling Hot?

I have a couple of new favorite treats...... drumroll please.................................................... Frozen Grapes and Frozen Blueberries.... YUM! Seriously, how guilty can you feel eating something like frozen fruit.... I feel NO guilt whatsoever when it comes to these delicious sweets. I highly recommend them. Easy prep too... I just buy the blueberries and/or grapes, wash them off, stick them in a gallon size freezer bag, suck the air out and lay them flat in the freezer initially so that they don't all stick together. Then when I want something sweet, I just grab a few. On hot days, they really are a perfect snack!




Click here for some more ideas. :)

Sunday Sweets- Guilt-free Creaminess :)

Just a quick idea. If you enjoy Yoplait yogurt, and you enjoy ice-cream, try freezing your Yoplait. I promise you it's creamy, delicious, better for you than ice-ceam, and relatively guilt-free if you partake in dairy anyway. Enjoy! :)