Chocolate Macadamia Nut Butter

Chocolate Macadamia Nut Butter

This is basically the same recipe as my chocolate walnut butter, but using creamy, buttery macadamia nuts instead. I honestly prefer the flavor of walnuts, but know that eating a variety of different protein sources is good and macadamia nuts are definitely one of a kind when it comes to flavor, texture and nutrient composition.  They contain high amounts of mono unsaturated fats, fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc and selenium, as well as many important B-complex vitamins such as niacin, thiamin, riboflavin and pyridoxine (vitamin B-6).  This recipe does contain a decent amount of maple syrup, so it isn't perfect, but I ate it mostly as a dessert and considering what I could have eaten instead, this is a much healthier, and ridiculously delicious, option.  I even mixed it into smoothies, oatmeal, and added it to peanut butter sandwiches for a little extra something.  I do plan on making some nut butters with considerably less sugar, so look out for those posts in the near future!!

Raw Piña Colada Bars

Raw Piña Colada Bars

After experimenting successfully with almond flour and coconut flour in a couple of cake recipes, I had to try a healthier twist, using all raw, natural ingredients.  Having recently bought a food processor I knew I now had the option of pureeing dried fruit in order to add sweetness to a recipe and after looking through my cupboards for inspiration I came up with this combination.  My son is not a big fan of chocolate like I am, and prefers sweet, fruity desserts, so this was made with him in mind.  And because it is made with nutrient, calorie and fat dense ingredients, I also knew that it would be perfect for my extremely active and quite skinny nine year old athlete.  Basically all you have to do is mix everything in a food processor, press into a pan and refrigerate, so it doesn't get any easier than that.  I had read different reports about not overusing or overcooking with almond flour because it is higher in fat and calories than other flours and because heat can disrupt the fat composition of the nuts.  But since this recipe uses the flour raw, the result is a delicious gluten free "dessert" that is also high in protein, and therefore perfect as an after sports snack, mid morning pick me up, or even a quick breakfast on the go.  My family ate them all up in a matter of days so I know they were a hit.

Italian Farro with Wild Mushroom Cream Sauce

Italian Farro with
Wild Mushroom Cream Sauce

This is a perfect dish for a rainy day, no matter what the time of year.  Even in the Spring or Summer, it is still nice to have a warm, hearty meal at the end of a long day.  Especially one that is easy to throw together on a stove top, and is as delicious as it is nutritious for you.  I am of the opinion that mushrooms are an often overlooked item in the produce department, especially by the health conscious, because they lack that bright color that we have been told is the key to a high nutrient composition.  But white is a color, and mushrooms offer an amazing supply of different vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, as well as being a delicious low calorie, low fat, gluten free addition to any meal, especially vegetarian ones as the robust flavor of mushrooms can mimic that of meat.
Usually I just buy fresh mushrooms, and saute them in oil or butter as a side dish, but I know that the many different types of dried varieties available today are even better for you.  Just make sure to follow the instructions on the package carefully in regards to how to prepare them. For this recipe I chose baby bella mushroom and dried porcini mushrooms, but you could easily substitute your favorite type as all mushrooms have the same health benefits.*

*For more information on the nutritional benefits of mushrooms:
http://www.powerofmushrooms.com.au/health-nutrition/health-nutrition/
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/types-of-mushrooms
http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/health-benefits-of-mushroom.html