Chocolate "Health" Shake

I am a chocolate fan.  I am a chocolate lover.... You might call me a choco-holic.  Going off sugar was crazy hard, because that meant forgoing my favorite treat.  But then I found a way to eat my chocolate and feel no guilt about it.

Hello, Chocolate "Health" Shake.  Unsweetened cocoa powder gives this shake its chocolate punch; banana and spinach sweeten up the party; peanut butter makes it creamy; and the spinach helps with fiber, phyto-nutrients, and really gives this shake the healthy stamp of approval.

The appearance of this shake is not for the faint of heart.  It is a green-brown sludge- a harrowing combination in the nightmares of mothers world wide.  But if you can close your eyes and take a gulp, you are in for a treat!

Fair warning... I like dark chocolate-- I eat the 80% and 90% dark and think it tastes great.  I also want as much green goodness as I can shove into my body... You might want to start low and baby step up the cocoa powder and the greens to suit your taste palate.  I'll provide both variations for your consumption pleasure.

Baby Steps Chocolate "Health" Smoothie

1 whole frozen banana
1 cup compacted spinach
1 Tablespoon peanut butter
1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2-1 cup water (milk would be creamier... but I don't drink milk so I can't say how it tastes)

Combine all ingredients in a blender.  Start low with the liquid and add more if the shake is too thick to blend (I like it as thick as possible).... Blend, blend and blend some more-- unblended spinach bits are the worst-- about one minute or until all the spinach bits are incorporated. (frozen spinach will take longer to blend-- next week I'll teach you how to freeze your spinach for smoothies)

Enjoy.  Makes one serving

Dark Chocolate "Health" Smoothie

1/2 frozen banana
2-3 cups compacted spinach (as much as I can shove in the mini blender)
2 Tablespoons peanut butter
2-3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2-1 cup water (or other liquid)

(I halved the banana and doubled the cocoa so this is dark and delicious--be warned.) Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend, blend and blend some more.  Shake the container to get the spinach loosened from the sides and all the yumminess mixing together.  Blend, blend and blend some more.  (this can take up to two minutes)
Drink right from the blender or pour into a cup.  Serves one.

Chocolate Mousse Pie

I have loved this pie for as long as I can remember.  It was the first pie recipe I had memorized.   Over the years Chocolate Mousse has faced modification, but has always come out on top as the most requested pie at Thanksgiving.



Here's to a Layered Dark Chocolate Indulgence!

Chocolate Mousse Pie
1 oreo pie crust
12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
8 oz cream cheese
12 oz frozen whipped topping, thawed

In a glass bowl combine the chocolate chips and cream cheese.  Microwave on high for 1 minute.  Stir.  Microwave for 30 more seconds stirring as needed until the chocolate chips and cream cheese are fully melted and smooth.

Spoon 1/3 of the mixture into the bottom of the oreo crust.  Spread the chocolate around the sides evenly to make the first chocolate layer.

Stir 1/2 of the frozen whipped topping into the remianing chocoalte mixture.  Fold carefully to fully incorporate the whipped topping.  Spoon half of this mixture into the pie crust and smooth out. (layer number two!)

Stir the remaining whipped topping into the remaining chocoalte mixture. Spoon and smooth over the top of the pie to make the final layer.

Garnish with shaved chocolate.  Refregerate until serving.


Memorable Modifications:
For peanut butter addicts, try melting some peanut butter (1/3 cup works well) in with the chocolate chips and cream cheese.

Need it a little more festive?  Add a couple drops of peppermint extract to the melted chocolate for a dark chocolate mint truffle pie.  Garnish with crushed candy canes.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protien Crunch Bar

Special K's Bar

I love my post workout recovery shake.  But for days when I am on the run (literally post workout running or errands)  I need something quick, easy,  very portable and tastes good at room (car) temperature (few things are worse than a room (car) temperature smoothie.  YUCK!)  But I hate paying $1.25 or more for protein bars.  Solution?

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Crunch Bar.  The goodness of oats and peanut butter combined with chocolate and crispy cereal make this good enough to eat!  This recipe was DEVOURED by my kids before I could even take a picture of it.  Lesson learned:  Hide these from the kids!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Crunch Bar
1/2 cup milk
1 cup crunchy peanut butter (can substitute with almond butter)
2 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 1/4 cup vanilla whey protein powder
1 cup quick oats
1 - 1 1/2 cup rice crispies cereal

Combine peanut butter, milk, honey and cocoa powder in a medium sauce pan.  Heat over low to melt peanut butter.  Stir in whey protein powder and oats.  Remove from heat.
Grease up (spray with non-stick cooking spray) 2 loaf pans.  Grease hands.  Knead in as much rice cereal as you can.  Divide dough into the 2 loaf pans and push down  and spread evenly.   Let cool. Cut into bars.  Wrap in plastic wrap.  Room stable.  Makes 16 bars.
HIDE FROM CHILDREN!
160 calories, 8 g fat, 0g cholesterol, 10g carbohydrates, 13.5 g protein

Chocolate Zucchini Snack Cake

Is your garden (or kitchen counter) exploding with zucchini?  Mine's not.  Why?  I don't like zucchini.  I know, I know.  I live in Utah.  I have a garden.  How can I not LOVE all kinds of squash.  I don't.

Don't get me wrong-- in the right application zucchini is tolerable-- outright divine-- and I am on a quest to find AMAZING zucchini recipes.  If I like it.  The world ought to also.

Here is my current favorite:  Chocolate Zucchini Snack Cake-- Mine doesn't look quite so good.  I found the recipe in Healthy Homestyle desserts.  The author cut down the sugar, chocolate, oil and nuts to make it a healthier (from 500 calories per serving to 300)-- AND it is still DIVINE!

2 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup buttermilk (or 1 tbsp vinegar enough milk to make 3/4 cup)
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 Tablespoon oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 egg whites
2 cups grated zucchini
2/3 cup MINI chocolate chips (more bang for your calorie buck)-- divided
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (my family isn't huge on nuts so we leave them out sometimes)

Pre-heat the oven to 325.  Lightly coat a 9x13 pan in non-stick spray.

In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

In a medium bowl combine buttermilk, applesauce, oil and vanilla.

Healthy Homestyle Desserts

In another large bowl (I know tons of dishes, but worth it!!!!)  Beat egg whites on high for one minute.  Add buttermilk mixture and beat until blended.

Combine egg white mixture with flour mixture and mix until just blended.  Stir in zucchini and 1/3 cup chocolate chips.  Pour batter into prepared 9x13.  Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips and nuts on the top.

Bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Makes 12 GENEROUS servings.

Don't be afraid to double the recipe and freeze a couple batches.  It is great heated up in the dead of winter.

Happy Eating!