Spoonful of Sugar Free

Registered Dietitian

dessert

An Apple a Day

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An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

We all know this saying. Apples are full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, not to mention versatile and tasty for recipes and snacking. Fall is known for colorful leaves, colder days, and apples! One of my favorite memories is of picking my own apples from an orchard and bringing barrels of them home to enjoy over the next month.

As soon as Foodbuzz called bloggers to submit their meal ideas for 24×24, I thought of apples. They’re comforting. They’re healthy.

A few friends gathered to share this spontaneous meal, and we gathered on my back porch that looks out over a small lake. We lit a few candles, and the chatting and eating began.

P.S. Ping Pong tables make great buffet-tables. Simply lay a tablecloth over it and serve.

My own rule for the feast: every dish must contain apples. And, yes, I did make all the food without a kitchen. I used the outside table as a prepping station, the laundry room’s sink as a washing station, and a brand-new oven we just plugged in.

Menu

Appetizers: 

Apple Crisps with Peanut Butter Hummus Dip

Antipasto Skewer of Chicken Apple Sausage, Roasted Tomato, Artichoke Heart, and olive

Main Course:

Beer-Braised Apple Cider Pork Chops with Sauteed Onions

Sides:

Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Apples and Pecans

Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Apples and Bacon

Spinach Salad with Balsamic Dressing

Dessert: 

Fresh Apple Pie with Whipped Cinnamon Cream

Drink:

Sparkling Apple Cider


Sparkling Apple Cider. Mix Equal Parts sparkling water (unsweetened) with apple cider (preferably organic). Serve with cinnamon stick.

Recipes will be coming soon, and all of them were sugar-free, dairy-free, and grain and gluten-free. Consider this coming week a week of apple recipes!

Apple Benefits: a flavanoid called phloridzin that is found only in apples may protect post-menopausal women from osteoporosis and may also increase bone density. Boron, another ingredient in apples, also strengthens bones. The pectin in apples lowers LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and it supplies galacturonic acid to the body which lowers the body’s need for insulin and may help in the management of diabetes.

Thanks to FoodBuzz for sponsoring this meal, and allowing me to share it with others.

THOUGHT-PROVOKING, MIND-PRODDING QUESTION OF THE DAY: 

Do you have a favorite apple recipe to share?

Also, don’t forget to sign up for the Sugar-Free Challenge! Each participant is entered to win some Artisana nutbutters.

A Use for Figs

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Remember those figs I bought about a month ago?

Well…I tried experimenting with a healthy fig newton, but that didn’t turn out very well. I tried eating them plain, and didn’t like them too much. Then I froze them for later.

A couple days ago I looked in my freezer and saw the frozen figs and the overflowing bucket of fresh plums in my fridge, and I decided to make a crisp. A fruit crisp full of fresh plums, figs, orange zest, and topped with crunchy granola.

Fresh Fig and Plum Crisp

~This crisp was adapted from my Pick-a-Fruit Crisp recipe. Dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, vegan, and, of course, sugar-free! 

Ingredients

  • 8 plums, chopped
  • 6 figs, chopped
  • zest and juice of 1 orange
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/3 cup chopped nuts (I used a mix of walnuts and almonds)
  • 1 Tablespoon coconut oil, or oil of choice
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 375*. Mix the figs, plums, orange juice, and orange zest together in a 2-qt baking dish. In a separate bowl, combine the oats, nuts, spice, oil, and salt until combined. Sprinkle this topping on the fruit. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the fruit is tender and bubbling. If the top is not yet golden brown, you may wish to broil it for a few seconds until it has nice golden coloring.

Health Benefits: 

  • Oats: Click HERE for a post about the benefits of oats.
  • Cinnamon: Studies have shown that it can help lower LDL cholesterol, help regulate blood sugar levels, has anti-clotting effect on blood, and it can boost cognitive function and memory.
  • Plum: Several studies have demonstrated that plums, which contain high amounts of polyphenols, can restore bone mass and structure. High potassium content of plums is beneficial for cardiovascular health. It has a low glycemic index and can be used as a natural laxative.
  • Fig: Excellent source of poly-phenolic flavonoid anti-oxidants such ascarotenes, lutein, tannins, chlorgenic acid. Full of fiber, and vitamins A, E, and K. Research studies suggest that chlorogenic acid in these berries help lower blood sugar levels and control blood glucose levels in type-II diabetes. Contains potassium, copper, and iron. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Copper is required in the production of red blood cells. Iron is required for red blood cell formation as well for cellular oxidation.
  • Orange Peel-Contains lots of antioxidants, and the scent can help people feel more awake.

I loved eating this warm with a dollop of coconut cream or a drizzle of unsweetened almond milk. Leftovers taste great cold and make a great breakfast the next day.

 

THOUGHT-PROVOKING, MIND-PRODDING QUESTION OF THE DAY:

What are your favorite fruit crisp ingredients? What about your favorite fall fruit?

P.S Don’t forget to sign up for the Sugar-Free Challenge! 

Coffee

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Happy National Coffee Day!

Grab your favorite mug, brew your favorite coffee beans, breathe, and enjoy.

While you’re at it, might as well use those coffee beans to make some coffee granola!

Pumpkin Spice Latte Granola

cof·fee [kaw-fee, kof-ee] 

noun

1. a beverage consisting of a decoction or infusion of the roasted ground or crushed seeds (coffee beans) of the two-seeded fruit (coffee berry)  of certain coffee trees.

2. the seeds or fruit themselves.

3. any tropical tree or shrub of the genus Coffea,  of themadder family, especially

C. arabica  and C. canephora, cultivated commercially.

4.a cup of coffee: We ordered four coffees and three doughnuts.

5.a social gathering at which coffee and other refreshments are served.

koffie. kafe. buna. kahioa. surch. kafea. kava. café. cafe. ga feh. kafei. koffie. kafo. kohv. bunna. kape. chai. der Kaffee. kope. caife. kopi. koohii. qéhvé. kawa. cafea. el café. kopi. kahawa. kapi-kottai. ca phe. ikhofi. kafés.

However you say it, enjoy your cup of coffee today!

THOUGHT-PROVOKING, MIND-PRODDING QUESTION OF THE DAY:

How do you like your coffee?

I like mine dark. I love experimenting with different flavors, too, like Pumpkin Spice or Hazelnut.

 

Have any new suggestions for me? Any special tips on how to brew the perfect cup?

National Peanut Day

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Did you know today, September 13th, is National Peanut Day?!

"PB&J" Oatmeal

My favorite food has its own holiday. For good reason, too, because peanuts are:

  • Full of protein with 7 grams per ounce.
  • Contains Monounsaturated fats that help your heart and brain stay healthy.
  • Food source of Coenzyme Q10 which protects the heart during periods of lack of oxygen. For example, high altitudes and clogged arteries.
  • High antioxidant and high niacin content that helps in the recovery of cell damage and provides protection against Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive problem.
  • Not to mention tasty!

Celebrate today by snacking on peanuts, grabbing spoonfuls of peanut butter, and making tasty, peanut-filled recipes!

Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Cream
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Chocolate Banana Cream Pie with Chocolate Peanut Butter Crust
Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting
Chocolate-Peanut Truffles
Bitter Chocolate Waffles topped with Peanut Butter and Banana
High Protein Cookies
High Protein Cookie Dough

THOUGHT-PROVOKING, MIND-PRODDING QUESTION OF THE DAY:

What’s your favorite way to eat peanuts? Are you going to join me in celebrating?

P.S. Tomorrow is the last day to sign up for the stevia giveaway. 

P.P.S I was featured on the Fitblogger yesterday. Check it out HERE.

 

 

Flourless Brownies {Giveaway}

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You have spoken, and it looks like you want flourless brownies!

I have made a grain-free fudge brownie before here:

It is made with coconut flour and dates for the sweetener. I highly recommend them because they are fudgy, dense, and healthy.

However, what I am I supposed to do when my craving for brownies hits, but I don’t have any coconut flour?

Make Flourless Power Brownies!

Print
Flourless Power Brownies

Flourless Power Brownies

~These brownies are grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and, of course, sugar-free!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pumpkin puree (or any other squash puree. You don't taste it, but it adds extra vitamins, fiber, and body. I'm sure applesauce could be substituted as well if you wish to try that.)
  • 1/2 cup almond butter (or nutbutter of choice. Almond butter is mild, so I can't taste it in the brownie. You could even add peanut butter to make it a peanut butter brownie!)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • Optional: 3 droppers-full of alcohol-free liquid stevia***
  • Optional: 1/4 cup chopped nuts or unsweetened chocolate
  • Optional: A few tablespoons ground flax for extra nutrients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375*.
  2. Mix together the pumpkin, almond butter, eggs, vanilla, flax (if using), and stevia (or other sweeteners listed below, if using) until well-combined. Add in cocoa powder and baking powder until smooth. You may add a few tablespoons of water to help with mixing, but batter should be thick. Fold in chocolate or nuts, if using.
  3. Lightly grease a 8×8 baking dish (I used coconut oil). Pour batter into dish. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Slice and serve.
https://www.spoonfulofsugarfree.com/2011/09/07/flourless-brownies-giveaway/

 

***I used stevia for this recipe because it was sent to me by NuNaturals, and I wanted to try it out. Personally, I prefer bitter chocolate like my bitter chocolate cake for one. However, you can try adding pureed dates like my Fudge Brownies, add a bit of mashed banana, or simply eat it bitter (like me!).

Tastes fabulous with homemade coconut butter. 

They’re called Power Brownies because of the great benefits of:

  • Pumpkin: One cup of pumpkin has 7 grams fiber, 2650 IU Vitamin A, 564 mg potassium! It also boasts a truckload of antioxidants like Alpha-carotene and Beta-carotene.
  • Chocolate: Click HERE for a post I wrote earlier about the health benefits of chocolate.
  • Almonds: Almonds are a major superfood, and they are full of monounsaturated, good-for-you fats. It contains many nutrients that benefit the brain, and regulate cholesterol. The monounsaturated fats and vitamin E reduce the risk of heart disease.

Thanks to NuNaturals for sending me their products! The alcohol-free stevia drops taste great. You only need a few drops because it is very powerful. They have a new “Chocolate” drop that tastes like chocolate!

Stevia has been picking up a lot of speed lately as a sugar substitute. When I first started my site, I wrote a bit about my thoughts HERE. I’m still not completely sure about it, but it is great to have especially when I have guests and they might not have sweet buds like mine (non-existent). For example, these brownies with stevia were a hit! Everyone loved them. I think I’ve made three batches so far this week!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Want to try some stevia for yourself? 

NuNaturals will award FOUR winners with the following:

One bottle of Vanilla Stevia Drops (My favorite) and a box of Stevia Packets.

Open to Continental U.S. Residents only, sorry!

This Giveaway is now Closed. Winners were announced HERE. 

How to Enter:

There are multiple ways to win. Please leave a separate comment below for each entry.

  1. MANDATORY: Tell me what are your thoughts or experiences are with stevia. Have you tried it? If so, do you have a favorite variety? Do you have favorite recipes with it? Are you a fan? Do you have an interesting article you read about it? Please share!
  2. Subscribe to Spoonful of Sugar Free by entering your email address in the “Subscribe” box on the right. Or follow by RSS, google reader, exc.
  3. Like me on facebook.
  4. Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Can be something like, “I want to win some stevia! @SugarFreeAlex is giving away @NuNaturals http://spoonfulofsugarfree.com/2011/09/07/you-have-spoken/ ”
  5. Blog about this giveaway on your blog.

Remember, there will be FOUR winners! Good luck!

Giveaway ends September 14th at Midnight.

–

Also, NuNaturals has a Free Samples program. They will send you free samples of NuStevia Packets if you send them a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

NuNaturals, INC
2220 West 2nd Ave. # 1
Eugene, OR  97402

Now through September 30th, you can get 15% all orders at NuNaturals if you enter this code:  BLG930. You can also get free shipping on orders over $35. 

Eat Your Cookies…Outside!

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The last day of August caught up with me. September creeps around the corner. Before you know it, kids will be at my doorstep trick or treating in Ghost, Vampire, and Princess costumes. For now, let’s enjoy this last day of August by eating outside.

Enjoy the view, whip up a quick batch of cookies, and relax.

Print
Fluffy Banana Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Fluffy Banana Chocolate Chunk Cookies

~These fluffy cookies have great flavor with minimal ingredients. The bananas make them naturally sweet. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, soy-free, nut-free, and, of course, sugar-free!

Ingredients

  • 2 medium-sized ripe bananas, mashed
  • 2 cups oats ground into oat flour (Simply process in blender until smooth)
  • 3 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350*.
  2. Mix together the bananas, vanilla, and salt until well-combined.
  3. Add in baking powder, baking soda, and oat flour and combine until mixed.
  4. Add water to help stir.
  5. Fold in chocolate chunks.
  6. Spoon by tablespoonfuls on a baking sheet.
  7. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden on top and bottom.
https://www.spoonfulofsugarfree.com/2011/08/31/eat-your-cookies-outside/

Serve hot or cold. Plain or sandwiched with Peanut Butter Cream or Coconut Whipped Cream.

The fluffy cookie sandwiched with the creamy filling tasted like a chocolate banana whoopie-pie. Only better. And healthier.
Health Benefits: 
  • Bananas: Rich in potassium, bananas help the body’s circulatory system deliver oxygen to the brain. This also helps maintain a regular heartbeat and a proper balance of water in the body. It also contains tryptophan to help relax you and lift your spirits!
  • Chocolate: Read a post about the benefits of chocolate HERE.
  • Oats: Click HERE for a post I wrote on al the benefits of Oats.
THOUGHT-PROVOKING, MIND-PRODDING QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Are you going to join me in eating outside today?

P.S Today is the last day to enter the Blissful Bites Giveaway, so sign up if you haven’t already!