Peanut Butter Play Dough (edible)

Britney used to love to make peanut butter play dough when she was growing up. The recipe she used to use had 1 Cup of corn syrup. I thought it would be fun to make a healthy version of it. Success!

This is an edible play dough. It is a yummy snack.

 You can also play with it before you eat it. A fun activity for children and adults too.

Ingredients

1 C natural peanut butter
2 T honey ( I used raw)
1/3 C powdered milk

Directions

1. Put the peanut butter and honey in a bowl. Stir until all creamy.
2. Stir in the powdered milk until all combined. You can fully knead it in with your hands.
3. Have fun eating and playing with it.
4. Store leftovers in zip lock bag in the fridge.

Guilt Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cheese Cake

I had this for a snack yesterday and am craving it again today. It is so easy to make and tastes so good. The best part is it has healthy ingredients and it tastes like cheesecake. It is a great way pick me up as a snack with protein. Also would make a healthy dessert. Winner!

Ingredients

1 C greek yogurt
1 T honey
1 T natural peanut butter
2-3 T chopped up dark chocolate chips
1 T chia * optional

Directions     serves 1

1. Pour all of the ingredients into a bowl and stir it up. Enjoy!

Apple Sandwiches (Gluten Free)

I love this idea of using the apples instead of the bread for a fun change. You can get creative as you can add fun toppings to them. I think they are a great snack. I also think they would be perfect for a fun thing to make for Valentines.

Ingredients

apples washed
peanut butter or any kind of nut butter
chia
raisins or  dark chocolate chips or ?

Directions

1. Slice thin slices off the apple on the sides until you get to the core. Then slice the other side of the apple.
2. Spread 1 T of peanut butter on an apple slice, sprinkle on 1/2 tsp chia then top with raisins or chocolate chips. Put a slice of apple on top and tada you have a fun apple sandwich.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Dream (No added sugar)

This is so yummy and has all the right flavors in it. It is good to the last drop and no added sugar. The chia added to it add nice health benefits as well as a nice thickener. Yum! Keeping healthy in 2015 with out sacrificing the flavor.


Ingredients

2 C cashew milk (use your favorite kind)
1 T cocoa
2 frozen bananas
2 T chia
3 T  natural creamy peanut butter
1/4 C dark chocolate chips
8 Ice cubes
*Garnish with chopped up chips if desired

Directions Seves 2

1. Pour into the blender milk, cocoa, bananas, chia, and peanut butter. Blend until all creamy.
2. Add the chips and ice and blend until creamy.
3. Serve right away! Good to the last drop.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars (no added sugar)

I have been thinking about a new thought lately after reading a cute story and some other experiences I have had recently. The idea is "Happiness is something you decide ahead of time." I love that thought. It means to me that my happiness needs to be based on what is in my head not on the outside things that are happening around me. I know it takes work to do that. I am still working on it. So prior to my feet hitting the floor in the morning I am going to decide to be happy. I love the idea of working at improving on this. The benefits are that I will be happy each day. :)

These are fun little bars I made up the recipe yesterday. They are fast and easy to make and they have no added sugar. They are a fun little snack.

Ingredients

1 C dark chocolate chips
1/2 C natural peanut butter
2 T coconut oil
2 1/2 C old fashioned oatmeal

Directions

1. Place a sauce pan on the stove and heat to medium low heat. Pour in the chips, peanut butter and oil. Stirring constantly until all melted.
2. Take the pan off the heat stir in the oatmeal until it is all combined with the chocolate mixture.
3. Grease a 9 X 9 Pan and pour in the mixture. Smooth and flatten with a spatula.
4. Place it in the fridge. Let harden 30 min to 1 hour. Cut into squares.
5. Store leftovers in airtight container in the fridge.

Peanut Butter Fudge (Low sugar)

This is super easy fudge. There are only 4 ingredients.  It is also low in sugar. It tastes creamy and delicious. You will love it. Great treat for the holidays. Who can resist chocolate and peanut butter.  Happy Holidays.

Ingredients

1 C dark chocolate chips
2 T coconut oil
1 T honey for vegan add maple syrup
2 T natural peanut butter

Directions  made about 8 pieces

1. Place chips and oil in a bowl and place in microwave and let them cook until they are all melted. Don't over cook. It took about a minute.
2. Take out of the microwave and stir in honey and peanut butter while it is still hot. Stir until all creamy and smooth.
3. Pour into a greased container. I used a small load pan. That is about 5 3/4 long and 3 1/4 inch wide.
4. Place pan in the fridge. It hardened in about 30 min. Cut into small bite size pieces.
5. Store leftovers in airtight container in the fridge. Yum!
* Double the recipe if you want to make more.

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Dough Bites (gluten free)

I sometimes get cravings to eat cookie dough. This is a great way to satisfy that craving with out all the calories. You can make them up ahead of time and then you will have them ready when the craving hits. They are also a great high protein snack. Enjoy!


Ingredients


1/3 C natural peanut butter
1/4 C honey
3 T coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla
1 C Old fashioned oatmeal
3/4 C unsweetened shredded coconut
1/3 C chopped up dark chocolate chips
1/3 C chia  ground*optional


Directions  makes 15 bites

1. In a mixing bowl put peanut butter, honey, oil and vanilla. Stir together until all creamy.
1. Add the rest of the ingredients into the bowl. Stir until all combined or use your cleans hands to help all of the ingredients combine together.
2. Roll into balls with your hands. Put on a non stick surface.
3. Then place in the fridge to harden. After they harden put in airtight container and store in fridge or freezer. Enjoy!

Protein Chow

I made the normal puppy chow recipe into a healthier protein snack. :) Healthier without sacrificing the flavor. I eliminated the butter and the refined sugar. You still have the yummy combination of chocolate and peanut butter with added protein too. It is a yummy snack. It is so easy to make.

Ingredients

3/4 C dark chocolate chips
2 T coconut oil
1/2 C natural peanut butter
1 14 oz box of toasted wheat cereal
3/4 C chocolate protein powder  (Vanilla would be yummy too)


Directions

1. In a microwavable bowl melt the chocolate chips in the microwave.
2. Stir in the peanut butter and put in the microwave for 30 seconds.
3. Pour cereal into bowl and pour melted chocolate and peanut butter on top of the cereal.
4. Stir in the protein powder into the cereal until it is all combined.
5. Pour cereal on to cookie sheet and place in fridge to let chocolate harden.
6. Then enjoy! Store in airtight container in the fridge.

*Tastes great with to eat as a cereal with almond milk too.

Peanut Butter and Jam Sandwich Bars

These are a fun tasty snack. They could also be a fun thing to eat for lunch in place of a sandwich. It is a yummy combination of flavors your will love. I love eating peanut butter and jam together on toast. If you love peanut butter and jam sandwiches you will love these. My grandchildren will love them too.


Ingredients

1 C old fashioned oatmeal
1 C spelt flour or whole grain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 C coconut oil
1/2 C honey
1 C creamy peanut butter (natural)
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 C fruit only (no sugar) jam  flavor of your choice

Directions

1. In a small bowl mix together oatmeal, flour, and baking powder. Set the bowl aside.
2. In a medium bowl beat together oil, honey, and peanut butter. Then beat in vanilla.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time. The mixture should be smooth and creamy.
4. Beat or stir in the dry ingredients into the peanut butter mixture until all combined.
5. In an 8 X 8 square pan Scoop in half of the dough. Smooth out on to the bottom of the pan.
6. Then drop spoonfuls of the jam on top of the dough in the pan and smooth out with the back of a spoon or a spatula.
7. Drop the remaining dough on top of the jam. In spoonfuls all over. Then spread gently with a butter knife or spatula. Try not to disturb the jam too much.
8. Place in heated oven. Cooking time 20-25 min. or until golden colored. Take out of the oven and let cool for 10 min. It gives the jam a chance to thicken up.
9. Cut into squares and serve. Store leftovers in air tight container.

Peanut Butter Nutter Clusters (protein)

I have a new hobby that I am loving. Biking! It is so fun to see things from a bike. I am able to see a lot more than I did when I walked. I am still at the novis stage but it is so much fun. It is fun to do something new. I had ridden bikes before but not to this extent. We live in such a beautiful world. It is a very pretty time of year. Love it!

These are a fun snack. They are loaded with protein and a great snack in between meals when the hungry pains hit or even before that.


Ingredients

1/4 C pecans
1/4 C almonds
1/2 C cashews
1/4 C peanut butter
1/4 C chia
1 T coconut oil
3/4 C old fashioned oatmeal
1/3 C dark chocolate chips

Directions   makes 12

1. In a blender pulse all the ingredients together until all combined.
2. Scoop on to pan lined with parchment paper.
3. Place in fridge to harden. Store in airtight container in the fridge.

Fudgey Peanut Butter Bites

This month's Recipe Redux theme is Bars and Bites for Brown Bags. What a fun theme! If you follow our blog, you know that we love all sorts of little bites. We are always making them for snacks and treats and in lieu of cookies. We are so excited to see all the new ideas that our healthy friends come up with this month!

These Fudgey Bites are lovely because they taste like real fudge, yet they don't include processed sugar! They store well in the fridge or freezer, and make a perfect snack. I would recommend freezing them if you are going to pack them for lunch, so then they will be a perfect consistency by lunch--or whenever you choose to have a sweet bite.

Ingredients
1 C natural peanut butter
1/4 C coconut oil
3 T almond milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 T honey
1 1/2 T cocoa

Directions  
1. In a bowl or blender stir or blend all the ingredients together until a nice creamy consistency.
2. Roll into balls and place in fridge or freezer in airtight container to let harden.
3. Enjoy!

Makes 10 bites

An InLinkz Link-up

Peanut Butter Banana Bars (protein)

 Great combination of banana and peanut butter. My grand kids where over and loved them. A nice source of protein too. Nice after school snack or a great snack anytime of the day. It could also make a great breakfast for on the go.

Ingredients
1 ripe mashed banana
1 3/4 old fashioned oatmeal
1/4 C uncooked quinoa washed
1/2 C peanut butter or nut butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 C honey
2 T coconut oil

Directions
1. In a small bowl pour in all the ingredients and blend together until all combined.
2. Pour mixture into greased square pan and press down evenly. Cover with plastic
3. Place in fridge and let harden. Serve when hardened.
4. Keep leftovers in fridge in airtight container.

Chunky Monkey Smoothie (No added sugar)

By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by National Dairy Council and the Quaker Oats Center of Excellence and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

One more post today for the National Dairy Council and the Quaker Oats Center for Excellence.  We love the ingredients that are in this. The smoothie turned out so refreshing and yummy. You are going to love it!

We love oats. They are sometimes easy to overlook when you are trying to eat whole grains. They are so familiar that we sometimes forget they are a legitimate, amazing whole grain.

Oats contain more soluble fiber than any other grain, which makes you feel full longer. They also contain beta-glucans, which have been proven to help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, and therefore lower heart disease. Oats are okay for people who are looking to avoid gluten as long as they are certified gluten free.

Ingredients
1 C milk of your choice
1/2 C old-fashioned oatmeal uncooked *
3 T peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
3 frozen bananas, chopped up
1/4 C dark chocolate chips
garnish with chopped up dark chips

Directions   serves 2
1. Blend milk and oatmeal, peanut butter, and vanilla. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour in bananas and blend until smooth.
3. Pour in chocolate chips and blend to desired consistency. I like keeping the chocolate slightly chunky. Garnish with additional  chopped up chocolate chips if desired.
* You can add the oatmeal at the end with the chocolate chips if you want the oatmeal chunky.

An InLinkz Link-up

Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal Smoothie

By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by National Dairy Council and the Quaker Oats Center of Excellence and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

Did you know that 99% of Americans do not eat the recommended amount of whole grains, and that 85% do not eat enough dairy? If you know our blog, you know that we are big advocates of using whole grains in your cooking, so it only seemed natural for us to team up with Quaker Oats Center of Excellence and The National Dairy Council to create a recipe that used both oats and dairy.

We love eating smoothies first thing in the morning to add in some of the food groups that we often miss. If you eat them first thing in the morning, then you don't have to worry about them for the rest of the day! This Peanut Butter Chocolate Smoothie gives you a blast of protein in the morning, gets you some of those missing whole grains and dairy, and also is delicious and easy to whip up! Enjoy!

Ingredients
1/4 C old-fashioned oatmeal
1  frozen bananas (frozen makes it creamier) 
1 T natural peanut butter
1 T chocolate protein powder (or cocoa powder with 1 T honey)
1 C  milk 1% 
1 tsp vanilla

Directions
1. Pour it all in to the blender and blend till creamy. 

Serves 1

An InLinkz Link-up

Protein Power Blast Topper (Raw)

Topper on Yogurt

This is a fun topper that is loaded with protein. You can just store it in the fridge in an airtight container and have it ready to pour on top of , yogurt, fruit, hot cereal, and eaten alone too. It is a great way for you and your family and friends to add protein blast to your diet in a chewy yummy way. You can also mix a couple tablespoons with a couple tablespoons of your favorite nut butter and spread on apples, crackers, or rice cakes.

Protein Topper

Ingredients

1/2 C peanut butter or your favorite nut butter

1/4 C honey

1 1/2 C old fashioned oatmeal

1 C quinoa flour or whole grain flour

1/2 C shredded unsweetened coconut

1/4 C chia seeds

1/4 C ground flax seeds *optional
1 tsp vanilla

1/2 C Dark chocolate chips crushed up

Other optional additions

raisins or nuts

Protein topper on Oatmeal

Directions
1. In a bowl mix together peanut butter and honey until creamy.
2. Pour in the oats, quinoa, coconut, chia, flax seed, and vanilla. Blend until all crumbly. I used my hands some to get it all mixed together.
3. Stir in chips and *optional nuts and raisins.
4. Eat at once or store in airtight container in the fridge. Enjoy a yummy blast of flavor.

Optional: Mix a couple Tablespoons of topper with a couple Tablespoons of nut butter. Stir together until combined. Spread on bread, crackers, fruit, or rice cakes.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Whole Grain Muffins

It sounded like a fun idea to make chocolate and peanut butter muffins. It is a yummy combination, so why not make it into a muffin. I made 2 kinds one with cocoa one without. You can decide which one sounds best.  They are made from whole grains so they are great to eat anytime of the day.

Ingredients

1/4 C natural peanut butter
1/2 C honey
2/3 C coconut oil
1/2 C almond milk
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1/3 C cooked quinoa (I used leftovers from cooked cereal)
1 1/3 C old fashioned oatmeal
1 1/3 C whole grain (I used Kamut flour)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
2 T cocoa * (for chocolate version)
1/2 C dark chocolate chips

Directions  Makes 1 dozen muffins heat oven to 350

1. In a bowl beat together peanut butter, honey, oil. Beat until nice and creamy. While Beating add the milk, eggs and vanilla.
2. Stir in the quinoa, oats, flour, salt, soda, baking powder, and *cocoa. Stir until all blended.
3. Fold in the chips.
4. Scoop into greased muffin cups and place in hot oven. Bake 12-15 min or until done. Don't let them over bake.
5. Cool on cooling rack.
6. Enjoy!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Bites

 This is a healthier snack when you are craving chocolate and peanut butter. You can enjoy a mouthful of yumminess. I found eating one was very satisfying. So Creamy and good.

Ingredients

2/3 C natural peanut butter
3 T cocoa powder
2 T coconut oil
1 T honey
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 C granola 

Directions makes 9 bites

1. In a small bowl mix together peanut butter, cocoa, oil, honey, and vanilla. Stir until a nice smooth consistency. 
2. Place bowl in fridge or freezer until it hardens to a nice solid mass. It shouldn't take longer than an hour. 
3. Take out of freezer. Rub some coconut oil on your hands so the mixture won't stick as much. I used a small scooper I had you could use a spoon. Scoop out a ball. Roll in hands to form into a nice ball. 
4. Roll in the granola.
5. Eat right away or put back into fridge to harden. They should be stored in air tight container in the fridge. 
  
*These are yummy Chocolate oatmeal bars. 

Granola Bites (Protein Packed)

These yummy bars are loaded with protein. They will give you a great energy boost any time of the day. You can make them ahead and store them in air tight container in the fridge and have them when you want a great protein snack. Yum! It is always a winner with chocolate and peanut butter.

Ingredeints

1C. chopped almonds (food processor)

1/2 C. sesame seeds

1/ 2 C. toasted quinoa

4 1/4 C. old fashioned oats
1/4 C. hemp seed Bobs red mill

1/4 C. flax seed (ground) *Optional

1/4 C. chia (ground) *Optional

1/2 C. honey

1/2 C. water

1 1/2 C. natural peanut butter
2 T coconut oil

1/2 C. unsweetened shredded coconut
1 C dark chocolate chips

Directions

1. Pour into a medium sized bowl almonds, sesame seeds, quinoa, oats, hemp, flax, and chia. stir  until completely blended.

2. Then add oat mixture to water, honey, and peanut butter, add coconut oil Mix till all blended. Then fold in coconut and chocolate chips.

3. Firmly press into a jelly 13x9 pan. Compress to make it all level. You can use a spatula. Allow to sit  in fridge until firm. Cut and eat.

4. Store leftovers in fridge in air tight container. 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Split Smoothie and Graduation Day!

Yum!

It was a happy day celebrating our son Derek's graduation. He is a great young man. It is weird to be all done with high school graduations. I am sure we will be a part of grandkids graduations some day. We love having family times together. We had most of us together. We were missing a few. Life is really about family. We feel so grateful for our family. 

That is what life is all about family!

I love love that you can throw a few ingredients in the blender and and let it whirl and you can make a delicious healthy drink. This one was so good and healthy too. It gave me some extra energy when I was starting to wind down after getting up early. It is a winner. Have a sweet weekend. We are enjoying the sandal weather.

Ingredients

1 C almond milk
1 1/2 T natural peanut butter
1 T cocoa
1 frozen banana
1 T chia
1/4 C vanilla yogurt or plain
* optional handful of washed spinach

Directions serves 1

1. Pour all the ingredients into the blender starting with the milk.
2. Turn on the blender and let it whirl until all smooth.
3. Serve and enjoy!

Here is a yummy chocolate peanut butter chia pudding.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia Pudding

My son Derek came home and told me he is all done with his classes. He graduates on Friday. We went to his tennis banquet last night. We are sad to see that 4 year chapter closing.  My season of having children at home going to school is over. I was reflecting on all the memories I have of the past 25 + years of having children in school. It is fun to think back on all of the school programs, helping in classes, school dances, tennis matches, home lunches, reports, report cards, teachers, graduation ceremonies, coaches, friends, bus rides, field trips. There are many cherished memories. I knew the day would come it is crazy to have it here.  As this chapter comes to a close I am thankful for my 7 sweet children that have been a part of those sweet memories. I love being a Mom. My favorite job in the whole wide world. I get sentimental in closing this chapter of life but, look forward to the chapter that is ahead. Life is good.

My little boy is not little anymore. 

So it was a great day to make some pudding. It is always a good day to eat pudding especially when it is a healthy recipe like this one. You can't go wrong when you mix chocolate and peanut butter together. Then adding in the chia is an added bonus.

Ingredients

2 C almond milk unsweetened vanilla
4 T chia
2 T peanut butter
2 T cocoa powder
3 T honey or 6 softened dates for vegan version
1 frozen banana  cut in pieces*optional

Directions serves 4

1. Pour all of the ingredients into the blender. Blend until smooth.
2. Pour into dishes and chill in the fridge at least 4 hours or overnight. 
3. Take out of the fridge and serve. Oh Yum!

Here is a chocolate peanut butter split smoothie with chia.