Healthy Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Blondies

Took a little break from homework and did some baking today! I was planning on making these using chickpeas because I've seen a lot of recipes using them as one of the main ingredients, but of course as soon as I started to get together all my ingredients I realized I was out! So I improvised and made them without, and they came out better than I expected.

Ingredients:
-1/3 cup oat flour, or 1/2 cup old fashioned oats ground up into a flour using a food processor/blender
-1 cup vanilla protein powder (or use more oat flour)
-2 tbsp stevia or honey (or a combo of both, which I did this time)
-1 tsp baking powder
-1 1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree (I use Libby's)
-1/2 cup plain 0% greek yogurt
-2 eggs, or 1/3 cup egg whites
-1 tbsp vanilla extract
-1/2 tbsp cinnamon
-1/2 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
-1/4 cup dark chocolate chips, regular chocolate chips, etc. (I used Enjoy Life dairy/soy/gluten free mini chips)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl (except for chocolate chips), and wet ingredients in another. Then pour wet ingredients into dry and mix well. Then mix in the chocolate chips. Spray a rectangle baking pan with non-stick spray and pour in the batter. Bake for 20-25 minutes (**but make sure you watch them. The oven I'm using right now usually is way off whenever I cook something with a set baking time so this time might vary. Just watch them and make sure they don't get too dry! Check with a toothpick!).

Approximate Nutrition Information (For 1/12) : 91 calories, 2.4g fat, 9.8g carbs (1.7g fiber), 8.3g protein

*varies depending on protein powder used, eggs vs. egg whites, etc.

"Buttery" Broccoli and Cauliflower Mash: The Mashed Potato Alternative

Nothing says "comfort food" like smooth and creamy buttered mashed potatoes. The white potatoes that are usually used to make mashed potatoes are rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium, and iron, but they are high glycemic. This means that they will spike your blood sugar and won't leave you feeling as full, so you're likely to eat more calories. Mashed potatoes are also typically topped with butter, sour cream, and/or cheese. These toppings help slow the digestion of the potato so there is less of an impact on your blood sugar, but they are unhealthy and contain saturated fats. The point is, regular mashed potatoes can be eaten on occasion with the proper portion size, but there are better options! This "buttery" broccoli and cauliflower mash is a game changer, trust me. They're smooth and creamy like mashed potatoes, and they still have a strong buttery taste. And the best part is, you can eat way more because broccoli and cauliflower are loaded with nutrients and they're significantly lower in calories than potatoes!

Ingredients (serves 1 person):

-6 oz cauliflower and broccoli florets

-Splash of unsweetened vanilla almond milk, or milk of choice

-1 tsp butter extract

-Optional: 1/4 tsp garlic powder

Directions:
Steam the broccoli and cauliflower florets. I usually just steam them in the microwave: just put them in a microwave safe bowl, add 1-2 tbsp water, cover with a microwave safe plate and microwave on high. The time will vary with different microwaves-- mine takes 4-5 minutes. Just make sure they are steamed VERY well, so they're soft. Then add the broccoli and cauliflower (drain out any water), splash of milk (probably 1-2 tbsp), and butter extract to a blender or food processor. I use my Nutribullet but anything works. Blend until smooth.

You can also just use cauliflower alone. I usually have both cauliflower and broccoli on hand so I like to use both...but either way it tastes exactly like buttery mashed potatoes!


The buttery broccoli and cauliflower mash is on the right, along with a baked sweet potato because those were my two sides with my dinner. What can I say... I love potatoes! :)

Approximate Nutritional Info: 50 calories, 10g carbs, 5g fiber, 5g protein