Friday, February 27, 2015

Decadent Double Chocolate Muffins Gluten Free Vegan

      It's been a while since I posted a baked dessert recipe here on the blog. That doesn't mean though that I've stopped experimenting in the kitchen.  If you've been following me in Instagram, Facebook or Twitter,  (I hope you are.) I'm sure you are aware that I'm spoiling the kids too much by always giving them freshly baked goods.  Hey, it's part of my job as a mom right? 

      Among the pictures I posted on Instagram lately, this Decadent Double Chocolate Muffins got the most requests for me to share the recipe.  I guess describing it super moist and made with lentil flour generated some extra curiosity.  What do you think?  Does it sound intriguing? 

    Anyway, for the past few months, I've been testing several protein rich naturally gluten free flours such as lentil, chickpeas, mung bean and even tiger nuts.  Child #3 in particular needs extra protein. Aside from that, we're already big rice eaters so I want to produce treats that are not only yummy but healthier as well.   

     While I'm writing this post, I've been going back and forth whether I'll call it a muffin or a cupcake.  Unlike most muffins, these are very light, soft and spongy.  The texture close to an angel food cake.  Without icing though, I can't officially call these cupcakes.  Anyway, I just decided to call it muffins.  If ever you need to make cupcakes, you can make these and top it with some healthier Creamy Chocolate Frosting.  I'm sure it will be a hit to any party.  

         Who says you have to feel guilty when you eat something decadent?  Give these a try and let me know what you think.  

          Have a great weekend!

- Roz






Ingredients:

2 Tbs. ground flax seeds
6 Tbs. water
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup nondairy milk ( I used flax milk)
2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup avocado oil (or canola, grapeseed)
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup organic raw sugar
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Flour mix
1/4 cup arrowroot flour
1/3 cup potato starch
1 cup lentil flour
1 Tbs. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. sea salt

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Line two (12 standard sized) muffin tins with cupcake liners or silicone cups.
2. In a small bowl, combine the flax seed and water to make .  Mix well and let it stand for at least 5 minutes.
3. Add the apple cider vinegar to the non dairy milk. Stir and set aside.
4. In a medium size bowl, shift the ingredients of the flour mix.
5. With the mixer running, cream the sugar, avocado oil, apple sauce and flax seed goo until light and fluffy.
6. Alternately add the flour mix and non dairy milk.  Start and end with the flour mix.
7. Mix for about 1 minute.
8. Stir in half of the chocolate chips.
9. Fill prepared muffin tips up to 3/4 full.
10. Top with remaining chocolate chips.
11. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.
12. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 and bake for another 10-13 minutes or until the toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
13. Remove from the muffin tins and let it cool on top of a cooling rack.
14. Enjoy!

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales Tickets Giveaway

     Hello TFMfriends!  I have a great news for you today. I've just teamed up with Kathleen of the blog My Best of Both Worlds to bring you this awesome giveaway.  

       If your children (and you) are fans of Disney Princesses like me, I'm sure you will be excited to win the 4 tickets to the Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales show on April 16 at Nassau Coliseum in New York. 

     Read Kathleen's article below about it and don't forget to click the Entry form link for the giveaway. 

         Who's your favorite Disney Princess by the way?  Mine is Aurora!  

         Good luck!


- Roz

         

Welcome to the
Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales Giveaway
Sponsored by
Hosted by
button my best of both worlds
Disclosure: My Best of Both Worlds is publishing this Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales giveaway post in exchange for receiving complimentary tickets to the show from Feld Entertainment. No other compensation was received in exchange for this post. The blogs that are participating in promoting this giveaway have not been compensated and are not responsible for selecting a winner or fulfilling the prize.



Disney Live Three Classic Fairy Tales 2015


My Best of Both Worlds is very pleased to host the Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales Giveaway!!!


Disney Live
Images provided by Feld Entertainment[/caption]


If you want to read all about Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales and where it will be in the New York Metro are just click here Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales is coming to town you'll get the low down and all the details to purchase tickets to see the show.
And now what you've been waiting for!
One lucky reader will win a family four pack of tickets to see
Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales
on
THURSDAY APRIL 16
at
7 pm
NASSAU COLISEUM

Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales Presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt. This enchanting journey features more than 25 Disney characters in an unforgettable theatrical experience for all families.



Disney Live
Images provided by Feld Entertainment


This giveaway is open to US residents 18 year and older. The giveaway ends on 3/11/15 at 1o:00 pm. A winner will be randomly chosen, once the winning entry has been verified, an email notification will be sent to the winner from My Best of Both Worlds. The winner will have 24 hours in which to respond to the email to claim their prize. If there is no response within the 24 hours another winner will be randomly selected then verified. Feld Entertainment is responsible for awarding the prize a family four pack of tickets to Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales for at Nassau Coliseum on April 16th at 7 pm.
GOOD LUCK!!


To join the giveaway, click this Entry-Form


If you are interested in having My Best of Both Worlds
review or promote your products or services~
please contact
Kathleen@mybestofbothworlds.com
Disclosure: My Best of Both Worlds will be receiving complimentary tickets to the show from Feld Entertainment. No other compensation was received in exchange for this post. All opinions are true and my own. Feld Entertainment is responsible for awarding the prize a family four pack of tickets to Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales Giveaway for April 16th at 7 pm
The blogs participating in this giveaway received no financial compensation of any sort in exchange for this publication and they are is not responsible for selecting the winner or the prize. This event is in no way associated with, sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google, and any other social media are not affiliated with this posting or giveaway. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Food Babe's White Bean Chili

        Have you read The Food Babe Way by Vani Hari?  For those who are not familiar with Vani, she is the creator of the highly successful blog called Food Babe. With a mission to expose the unhealthy ingredients in common, well loved brands such as Subway and Kraft, this passionate health advocate is both loved and highly criticized by the industry.

      I came across Vani's blog early last year while I was doing some research regarding the hidden toxins found it food.  At that time, she just exposed one of the ingredients found in Subway's bread.  Though my children were not eating from the chain restaurant anymore due to their food allergies, I was still appalled to learn that even brands that market themselves as healthy are still using unnecessarily additives on their products.  For someone who's been really keen about what my family eats, I'm glad that there's someone who's willing to take the time to tackle this enlightening as well as controversial issue.

      The food allergy community I am in has mixed feelings towards The Food Babe. In one of her articles for instance, she advised her readers to "tell their food servers that they have food allergies to make sure that their order will come out as what they liked".  For someone with two children who are high risk for anaphylaxis and yes, a real pain in the butt when we eat at restaurants, that type of statement has a big impact on me.   What if the a food server read that and didn't take my food requests seriously? 

         Aside from that incident, I have to say, I still visit her blog once in a while.  After all, she does provide topics that are interesting and practical tips.  So, when I was contacted to preview her new book, I grabbed the opportunity.   

         If you are into healthy eating, I suggest you'll take the time to read The Food Babe Way .  The first part of the book contains a list of ingredients that are may cause harmful effects to the body.  For a label reader and food allergy mom such as myself, this is really handy to have on hand.

         The second part contains her tips on losing weight and having more energy.  This includes a day by day guide on forming healthier habits.  She also included some easy to make recipes such as the White Bean Chili below.  This gluten, dairy, nut, egg and soy free recipe is not only safe for my kids to eat, they actually liked it.          
           

           

      To sum up, I actually enjoyed reading the The Food Babe Way.  Even though she's not a scientist, she gave very interesting information that we can check out ourselves.  It was written in such a way that will make us think and pay more attention to our food before we eat.

      Personally, I would like to try her 21 days step by step program.  I'm still in working on losing that extra 25 pounds. If you would like to join me, you can grab a copy of her book, The Food Babe Way.   Let me know if you do so that I can start writing about it too.

        In the meantime, you can enjoy her recipe below.  It's great for this cold blasts.

        Happy Saturday!

- Roz   

(Note: I received a free copy of the book for this review.  This however didn't affect my thoughts and opinions about it.  Please see my full disclosure here.)



Food Babe's White Bean Chili Recipe


Ingredients:

2 Tbs. olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 medium carrot, diced
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. smoked paprika
dash of cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. turmeric
8 large tomatoes, diced or 14-18 oz can diced tomatoes
2 15 oz. cans chick peas, rinsed and drained
4 cups vegetable broth
sea salt and freshly ground pepper
1 medium zucchini, diced

1. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large soup pot.
2. Add the onion, bell pepper, carrot, and garlic and saute until the vegetables are tender.
3. Add the spices and cook for one minute.
4. Add the tomatoes, chick peas and vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
    Season with sea salt and pepper.
5. Turn down the heat to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes.  Add a little water if more liquid is needed.
6. Add the zucchini and cook for about 2-3 minutes more.  Serve hot; store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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