Tag Archives: low-calorie

Skinny-fied Double Chocolate Cake


Posted by ashleymichelle

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Calling all chocoholics!

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Hey! I’m talking to YOU!

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I have a very important announcement to make…

Chocolate CAN be good for you!

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Now, before you go all kinds of crazy on me and make a bee-line to your kitchen cabinet for that leftover bag of chocolate chips (and don’t act  like you don’t sneak a few handfuls of chocolate chips every now and then ;) ) allow me to explain.

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When I say chocolate is healthy, I’m not talking about chocolate bars, ice cream, brownies, and cake…

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I’m talking about UNSWEETENED, UNPROCESSED, NATURAL cocoa powder.

 

Photo credit: http://www.veganbeautyreview.com

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Cocoa is the brownish-colored powder left behind after cocoa butter has been completely removed from cocoa beans. Cocoa powder is also most popularly used for baking. You will find cocoa powder sold in stores in two different forms–natural and alkalized (also known as Dutch-processed).  Natural, unprocessed cocoa powder is a light brown color and has not had anything added to the cocoa beans while being pressed. Alkalized cocoa powder is dark (almost reddish) in color and is much less bitter than natural cocoa powder. While this kind of cocoa is often alkalized to reduce its acidity and improve the taste, it’s best to buy the natural kind. The alkalizing process significantly reduces the beneficial amounts of healthy phenols and antioxidants present in the cocoa powder (an example of alkalized cocoa powder would be Hersey’s cocoa powder).

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Antioxidants and phenols??

SURPRISE!

I bet you didn’t know this guy was full of healthy, cocoa-y GOODNESS! ;)

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It’s true! Cocoa powder packs some serious health-related benefits. In fact, its nutritional benefits are significant enough that they’ve been gaining a bevy of recognition from doctors, researchers, and dietitians alike–particularly in regards to cardiovascular and weight management advantages.

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YES. Cocoa powder is DIET-FRIENDLY! 

Just one tablespoon has 20 calories, 0.5 grams of fat, no added sugar, and 3 grams of carbohydrates–two grams of which are fiber. But that’s not all! Read below to check out all the other great benefits of this delicious ingredient.

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Health Benefits of Cocoa Powder:

  • LOW FAT (0.5 grams in 1 tablespoon!)
  • Sugar FREE!
  • Just 20 calories in 1 tablespoon.
  • High in fiber (2 grams per 1 tablespoon).
  • Diabetes-friendly (no sugar).
  • Contains trace vitamins and minerals like B-vitamins, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, and zinc 
  • Contains 10% of the daily required intake of manganese and copper.
  • Rich in heart-healthy sterols and free-radical fighting antioxidants (most notably the antioxidant Flavan-3-ol).
  • Contains more antioxidants than both green tea and red wine!
  • Improves blood flow, which increases cognitive ability, lowers high blood pressure, reduces the risk of blood clots, decreases stress, and improves skin complexion.
  • The presence of Phytosterols (also known as plant sterols) reduces cholesterol and improves heart health.
  • Supports the immune system.
  • Boosts mood due to the presence of phenethylamine (a neurotransmitter that acts as a natural antidepressant) and due to the subsequent release of serotonin following consumption.

 

But you know what the BEST benefit of all is???

Chocolate is SO DARN DELICIOUS!

 

And seeing as cocoa powder is already chock-full of health benefits, tossing it into a slimmed-up dessert is the perfect recipe for a completely delectable, yet totally guilt-free indulgence.

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Skinny-fied Double Chocolate Cake

(This recipe serves up a monster piece of cake for one, or can be cut in half and shared with a friend!)

 

Dry ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup spelt flour (whole wheat flour will work to– but the cake may not be as light and fluffy).
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened, unprocessed, natural cocoa (I like the Trader Joe’s brand, but you can also find it at Whole Foods and online).
  • Slightly under 1/2 teaspoon baking powder.
  • 2-3 packets stevia (or 2 tablespoons organic, all-natural sugar or 3 teaspoons Truvia– feel free to play around with the amount depending upon how much of a sweet tooth you have).
Wet Ingredients:
  • 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon almond milk.
  • 1 teaspoon natural vanilla extract.
  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil.
Directions:
  • Preheat the oven to 330º.
  • Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Set aside.
  • Add all the wet ingredients into a separate bowl. Warm the mixture in the microwave for 15 seconds (until coconut oil is melted).
  • Combine the wet and dry ingredients, mixing just until smooth (do not over-mix).
  • Pour into a small baking dish (sprayed with all-natural cooking spray). I use this one from Pier 1 Imports.
  • Bake for 19-20 minutes (until the top of the cake begins to crack).
  • Once cooled, pop out of the baking dish and cut in half.
  • Slather in fudgy frosting on top and in between the two halves of cake to make a sandwich! (See below for my fudgy frosting recipe).

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Fudgy Frosting

(makes 1 very large “frosting-lovers” serving or 2 regular-sized frosting servings)
  • 1/2 cup all-natural, organic powdered sugar.
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of all-natural cocoa powder (you can find this at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and online. Feel free to add more cocoa if you like dark chocolate frosting!)
  • 3 teaspoons of unsweetened almond milk.
  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons Earth Balance Buttery Spread (at room temperature).
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon almond extract.
Directions:
  • Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl until smooth.
  • Spread allllll over your cake (that is, if you have any left after taste-testing straight from the bowl!)
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Now THAT’S what I call having your cake & eating it too ;)

 

Let’s Chat!

Are you a chocolate or a vanilla person? I’ve ALWAYS been a vanilla-girl at heart. In fact…I used to HATE chocolate! Yes, it’s true! The strange thing is, I’ve found I’m actually starting to like  (love?) chocolate more and more lately. I guess your taste-buds can change with age after all :)

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Healthfully yours,

 

Ashley Michelle

 

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Sources:

Livestrong: Benefits of Cocoa Powder 

Livestrong: Is Cocoa Powder Healthy?


Fruity Tutti Fruit Bowl (with Cinnamon Chips!)


Posted by ashleymichelle

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I have a VERY bad habit.

A fruity habit that is.

And I think I mayyy need some help…

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You see, whenever I go into a grocery store, I just CAN’T control myself. As soon as those shiny, rainbow-colored displays of fruit greet me at the door I’m toast. No matter what I do, a simple shopping trip to pick up a few apples and bananas to last me through the week ends up turning into a full-out FRUIT-FEST.

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Wait…does that make me a FRUIT-A-HOLIC??

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Regardless, this weekend in particular was a bit out of control–even for me (It honestly would have made more sense to ask me what kind of fruit I didn’t have in the house than to ask me what kind I did have).  When I woke up this morning, I took one long look at my fruit bowl and knew I needed to do something about this fruit situation before everything spoiled. Either that, or I was going to have to open up my apartment to the public and become a farmer’s market for the day! But something tells me I don’t think my landlord would like that…

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So, what’s a girl to do with all this fruit?

FRUIT SALAD, obviously!

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As soon as the hot summer months come around, I rarely use the stove to cook meals. Instead, I choose to eat fresh, cool, and raw dishes as a way to beat the heat. One of my favorite summertime staples falling under these categories has always been fruit salad. I could honestly eat it for breakfast, as a snack, and even for dessert for the rest of my life and be perfectly satisfied. Not only is fruit salad healthy (Antioxidants! Fiber! Vitamin C!) but it’s easy to toss together and it’s a bright, pretty dish to bring along to summer parties or cookouts.

For this recipe, I decided to take a classic fruit salad and spice it up a bit. When it comes to fruit salad, I like to try to hit all the colors of the rainbow because, well, it’s pretty and girly :) but you certainly don’t have to. This recipe is 100% customizable, so don’t worry if you don’t have all the ingredients–you can totally go all improv and create your own masterpiece!

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There’s only one thing left to do.

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Start choppin’!

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Fruity Tutti Fruit Bowl

Ingredients:

  • 1 apple (fuji apples are my absolute favorite!)
  • 1 whole orange
  • 1 large banana
  • 1 pear (I like d’anjou, but any kind will do)
  • 1 peach
  • 1 kiwi
  • 1/2 cup grapes (sliced)
  • 1/2 cup blackberries
  • 3 teaspoons of all-natural, vegan, jam (I like Trader Joe’s reduced-sugar jams. They make it in blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, apricot. I couldn’t pick so I used half apricot and half strawberry for this recipe :) )
  • Plum Amazins (for sprinkling)–they are a great alternative to raisins, plus, they’re lower in calories!)
  • Sliced almonds (for sprinkling)
  • Cinnamon (for sprinkling)–cinnamon is a great addition to any diet because it helps control blood sugar spikes and is very high in antioxidants. It’s also anti-microbial, has anti-clotting features, boosts brain function, and promotes colon and heart health because it has fiber, manganese, and calcium in it.  I put it on EVERYTHING!)
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Directions:
  • Chop everything up and place the fruit in a large bowl (leave the kiwis, almonds, and plum bits aside for garnish).
  • Mix in the jam and cinnamon (I personally put a TON of cinnamon in this recipe, but I tend to like things over-spiced. Feel free to spice it up or down as much as you’d like).
  • Sprinkle almonds and plum bits on top. Arrange the kiwis around the bowl.
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Don’t forget the Cinnamon Chips!

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Cinnamon Chips:

Ingredients:

  • 2 whole wheat tortillas
  • Cinnamon
  • Stevia or all-natural, organic sugar
  • All-natural cooking spray
Directions:
  • Preheat the oven to 350º
  • Slice the tortillas into triangle shapes
  • Place the tortilla triangles on a baking sheet and lightly spray with all-natural cooking spray.
  • Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon and stevia (or sugar).
  • Bake for 11 minutes.
  • Once cooled, arrange around the fruit bowl for an adorable presentation!
  • Eat the chips on their own, or use the chips to scoop up some of the fruit for my take on a dessert salsa!
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See, sometimes its okay to be fruity! ;)

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Healthfully Yours,
Ashley Michelle
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Sources: