Spoonful of Sugar Free

Registered Dietitian

nutrition

Fungus Experts Needed

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I received these three packages of organic mushrooms from my Organic Co-Op this week. The problem is, I have never heard of these mushrooms before. I don’t know what they taste like, and I don’t know how to cook them. Frankly, I am a bit intimidated by them.

I’ve got some…

Maitake (Hen of the Woods)

Bunapi (White Beech Mushroom)

Eryngii (King Oyster Mushrooms)

I’m in the mood for mushroom soup, but I don’t know if these mushrooms will taste good in the creamy soup. My second thought would be to simply stir fry them, but again, I have no idea what these babies can do.

Does anybody have any experience cooking these mushrooms? Any good recipes to try?

Grain-Free Pumpkin Pancakes

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The mystery pancakes were Pumpkin Pancakes! So Val and the Flourishing Foodie were right!

I know Pumpkin is not a summer flavor, but it is full of vitamin A, fiber, and it is delicious! I saw a huge can of it at the store, so I had to buy it.

Grain-Free Pumpkin Pancakes 

~The almond extract really makes these pancakes. It is at almost every grocery store, and I highly suggest buying a bottle. Grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and, of course, sugar-free! 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pumpkin
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 Tablespoon garbanzo bean flour (or flour of choice. I have also tried millet and coconut flour. Both work fine.)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Mix all ingredients together until smooth. Heat skillet to medium heat and grease with oil of choice (I used coconut oil). Drop batter by spoonfuls on skillet.
Flip after about a minute or until the pancakes hold together and are slightly browned. Take of skillet and serve with toppings like shaved coconut or chopped almonds.
Serves one. Each serving makes about 15 small pancakes. Feel free to double or triple recipe as needed.
Leftovers make great snacks for later!
I topped mine with Homemade Coconut Butter. The coconut really compliments the pumpkin well.
Health 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.

Thought-provoking, mind-prodding question of the day:

Favorite Pancake Flavor?

Blueberry, chocolate, banana, cinnamon, pumpkin?

High Protein Ice Cream Sandwiches

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High Protein Cookie Sandwiches are delectable, but who can resist an ice cream sandwich? Especially in the hot, summer weather when the ice cream truck comes rollin’ around. Instead of buying those sugar-loaded, artificially-flavored, hydrogenated oil-filled, processed sandwiches, make your own High-Protein, Sugar-Free sandwich!

High Protein Cookies

First take two High Protein Cookies.

Make some Magic Banana Ice Cream.

And Sandwich them together! Wrap them in Plastic wrap and store in the freezer for later.

Take a BIG bite and enjoy.

Thought-provoking, mind-prodding question of the day:

Did you have ice cream trucks drive around in your area?

When I was growing up, they were illegal in my area. I hear the ice cream drive around every afternoon where I live now, though!

Chocolate Covered…

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Strawberries…

Almonds…

Dried Apricots…

Pecan Turtles…

First, melt some unsweetened chocolate on LOW heat…

Dip your fruit or nuts and freeze for 10 minutes on parchment paper…

Serve and Enjoy!

The unsweetened chocolate compliments the fresh, sweet fruit beautifully. Besides, it is good for you!

Thought-provoking, mind-prodding question of the day:

What is your favorite thing dipped/covered in chocolate? Try it in unsweetened chocolate!

Personally, I love anything dipped in chocolate, but the chocolate-covered almonds have been my favorite lately.

High Protein Cookies

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I’ve made High Protein Cookie Dough…

So the logical thing to do is make High Protein Cookies! Duh!

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High Protein Cookies

High Protein Cookies

~These cookies are high in protein because of the garbanzo beans. Don’t shy away from it, though, because it tastes fantastic! Dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free, and, of course, sugar-free

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas, well-rinsed
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
  • 1/2 cup nutbutter (I prefer making it a Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough by using peanut butter)
  • 1/4 cup nondairy milk (I used almond milk. Water will probably work, too)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

Instructions

  1. First, drain and wash chickpeas well. Make sure they are well-washed so that the cookie dough doesn’t taste like beans.
  2. Add all the ingredients except chocolate into a blender or food processor and process until smooth. Adjust liquid as needed. Stir in chocolate chunks.
  3. Drop dough by Tablespoonfuls on an un-greased cookie sheet.
  4. Bake at 400* for 15 minutes or until the bottoms are nice and brown.
https://www.spoonfulofsugarfree.com/2011/06/15/high-protein-cookies/

These cookies make fabulous “protein bars.” I eat them before and after I work out. For my taste buds, they are perfect because I love bitter chocolate and non-sweet peanut butter. However, those who do not like unsweetened things may not like the flavor. I suggest adding a mashed banana to the batter. Not only would it taste fabulous, but it would add a bit of sweetness.

 

Health Benefits
  • Chocolate: Click HERE for a post I did about all the benefits of chocolate.
  • Chickpeas: Click HERE for a post I did about all the benefits of chickpeas.
  • Peanuts: These legumes are full of protein with 7g per ounce. They also have a great monounsaturated fat content that helps your heart and brain. Peanut is a good source of Coenzyme Q10 which protects the heart during the period of lack of oxygen example high altitudes and clogged arteries. It also has a 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.

Thought-provoking, mind-prodding question of the day: 

After you work out do you crave carbs, fat, or protein? Do you crave sweet or savory?

I am always hot and sweaty after I work out, so I crave cold drinks like smoothies or a V8.