Anytime fruit is in season I like to incorporate it into our diets as much as possible. Strawberries are great just on their own but getting creative and making no bake desserts with them over the summer is a must for us. We just love strawberries!

This weekend I had a chance to spend it with my kids. Even though I was not able to be with them for the entire time, since I pretty much have to devote a lot of my time studying, I was glad I got to see them at last.

I only get to come home every two weeks so it is very tough sometimes. Yesterday we spent some of our time outdoors playing in a trampoline I got for them not long ago. I figured since we are not traveling any where this summer and they will be home most of the time, I needed to provide something for them to get them moving and spend much of the energy they have.

Play outside gets my kids hungry and they constantly ask for snacks so this time around I prepared this banana strawberry smoothie that literally only took about 5 minutes to make. I used Silk Unsweetened Almond Milk. I always use unsweetened varieties. You can also use almond coconut blend or even cashew milk. They are all great.

You can sign up to receive the Silk newsletters for their coupons. If you use their products you should take advantage of their many coupons they offer. They have a wide variety of new products so I am sure you will put the coupons to good use.

On another note, I have been really busy studying lately however I have managed to whip a few recipes this week. Getting in the kitchen helps me with my anxiety of taking tests left and right. I will be posting some of these recipe shortly so make sure you stay tuned.

Until then, I hope you like this simple Banana strawberry smoothie.

Enjoy!

Banana strawberry smoothie

Miryam's original recipe

Yield: 4 servings

Total Time: 5 mintues

Ingredients:

• 16 oz fresh strawberries
• 2 bananas
• 4 cups Silk unsweetened almond milk

Directions:

Place all the ingredients in your  blender and pulse until you obtain a homogenous mixture. Serve immediately.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.

The post Banana strawberry smoothie appeared first on Eat Good 4 Life.

While I hardly ever drink coffee, I do once in a blue moon. I figured I experiment and make a quick version of the famous pumpkin lattes I have seen lately at coffee shops since it is pumpkin season. While I don’t have a espresso machine, maybe soon, I can’t produce a professional espresso, however, strong coffee will do for this dairy free pumpkin latte.

Also keep in mind that lattes are made with steamed milk, however, my quick method will do, no fancy equipment to steam and make my milk frothy. If you really would like a frothy effect and have an emersion blender you can obtain the same effect by using it. It will just take you a few more minutes.

For the milk of choice, since it is dairy free, I used unsweetened almond milk mostly because it is very neutral in flavor, has no added sugar, it is Non-GMO, and has no artificial colors, or flavors, I like to use them for myself and the kids. I also love the fact that is lactose free and it has 50% more calcium than dairy milk.

You can visit Silk’s page and learn more about Silk products, or if you like you can sign for their newsletter and receive coupons as well as their latest news here. They also have dairy free products, creamers, dairy free yogurt and much more. You will also find plenty of recipes in their website so go ahead and check them out.

Like I said before, I am all about pumpkin and apple recipes lately so be on the look out for many more. I hope you are enjoying the healthier takes with these recipes.

Enjoy!

Dairy free pumpkin latte

Miryam's original recipe

Yield: 2 servings

Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 cups almond milk
• 2 tbsp pumpkin puree
• 3 tbs unrefined sugar
• 3/4 cup coconut cream
• 1/2 cup strong hot coffee
• 3 tsp pumpkin spice

 

Directions:

Place almond milk, pumpkin puree, sugar and pumpkin spice in a sauce pan and heat for 5 minutes stirring occasionally until completely hot. Add the coffee and combine.

Divide mixture  between two glasses and top with the coconut cream. Sprinkle some cinnamon over it.

NOTE: If you don't have pumpkin spice you can make your own by mixing 2 tsp cinnamon powder, 1 tsp clove powder, 1 tsp ginger powder, 1 tsp nutmeg powder. This is what I do most of the times!

This conversation is sponsored by Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.

The post Dairy free pumpkin latte appeared first on Eat Good 4 Life.

I did have a few leftover waffles, which I did freeze and had them on subsequent days, but not as many as I would have liked. Like pancakes, waffles freeze really well, so if you like to make some extra and freeze a few go ahead. It will save you some time later on.

I decided to make these whole wheat chocolate waffles with whole wheat pastry flour to increase the fiber content as well as coconut sugar, which its glycemic index is lower. I also used coconut oil instead of butter, since coconut oil is much healthier. Its saturated fat composition is different, as it gets digested differently in the body.

I also used Silk Unsweetened Almond milk. I don’t use dairy milk but normally almond, coconut or cashew milk. These are my favorite flavors and because they are super creamy with no added sugar, it is Non-GMO, and has no artificial colors, or flavors, I like to use them for myself and the kids. I also love the fact that is lactose free and it has 50% more calcium than dairy milk.

You can visit Silk’s page and learn more about Silk products, or if you like you can sign for their newsletter and receive coupons as well as their latest news here. They also have dairy free products, creamers, dairy free yogurt and much more. You will also find plenty of recipes in their website so go ahead and check them out.

I am planning to make different types of waffle recipes in the upcoming months. My kids love having them over the weekend. With a tall glass of almond milk they are good to go for a while until lunch. The fall is just around the corner so I am planning of making some pumpkin waffles. This time around I will probably make them gluten free so stay tuned for those.

I hope you get to make these whole wheat chocolate waffles. They are excellent for breakfast, as a treat or a mid-day snack for anyone.

Enjoy!

Whole wheat chocolate waffles

Miryam's original reicipe

Yield: 8 large waffles

Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar
• 1 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 4 tsp aluminum free baking powder
• Pinch of celtic salt
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

 

Directions:

In a stand mixer, add the eggs, almond milk, vanilla extract, melted coconut oil, and sugar. Mix through until combined. Add the pastry flour, baking powder, cocoa powder and salt.

Pre-heat your waffle maker. When ready pour 1/4 cup of the mixture in your waffle maker. Cook until light brown. Serve with maple syrup or chocolate sauce!

This conversation is sponsored by Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.

The post Whole wheat chocolate waffles appeared first on Eat Good 4 Life.

I can’t stress enough how much we love making frozen popsicles. The weather is getting warmer and making healthy frozen popsicles to have as a snack is one of the things my kids look forward to the most. Most of the time, I actually let them have seconds, since the homemade frozen popsicles that I make are always healthy and nutritious.

For this recipe I used Yulu Yogurt, an Aussie Style yogurt made here in the USA. It is nourishing, honest and extra creamy. A whole new taste in yogurt inspired by an authentic Australian recipe with 9 grams of protein per serving. To learn more and to sign up for their newsletter for coupons giveaways, and more click here.

For this vanilla yogurt frozen popsicles I kept the recipe super easy and simple. If you are new to making frozen popsicles this is the recipe for you. Just make sure you purchase a popsicle mould and you are good to go. I have two. I have no idea what I would do without them since I used them so much.

I actually don’t use the top metal part that comes with it, never did. After placing the mixture in each popsicle hole and placing the wooden stick I go ahead and freeze them. Then, I just release each popsicle using some running warm water for a few seconds which works every time.

I think these vanilla yogurt frozen popsicles have become a top contender flavor in our house. Next time I make these I I will double the batch for sure!

Enjoy!

Vanilla yogurt frozen popsicles

Miryam's original recipe

Yield: 8 popsicles

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 5.3 oz vanilla Yulu yogurt
• 1/3 cup almond milk
• 2 tbs maple syrup, optional

Drizzle

• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup raw pistachios, chopped

Directions:

Place the popsicle ingredients in a mixing bowl. With a wire whisk, mix until combined. Divide the mixture between the popsicle holes and place a wooden stick into each.

Freeze for at least 3-4 hours.

Before serving, melt the chocolate on a microwave-safe-bowl at 30 seconds intervals until the chocolate has completely melted. Spread some melted chocolate over each popsicle (I used a spoon for this step) and sprinkle some chopped pistachios over the chocolate.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Yulu. The opinions and text are all mine.

The post Vanilla yogurt frozen popsicles appeared first on Eat Good 4 Life.

Have you ever made your own frozen popsicles before? If you haven’t you truly should start. I actually have a couple of frozen popsicle moulds which work great. Having these have saved me a lot of money since making your own popsicles at home is much more economical than bying them at the store. Healthier too!

Making your own variations is also super easy. You can make any variations of your choice.

For these double chocolate almond butter popsicles I used raw cacao nibs, however, if you don’t have any you can use chocolate chips. I also used almond milk but if you would like to use any other milk that is fine too.

I tend to make other variations very soon. I love nothing but to have my freezer well stocked with these popsicles. They are perfect for a snack and kids are always fond of them.

Well not much else to say about these double chocolate popsicles. If you haven make your own just yet you should.

Enjoy!

Double chocolate almond butter popsicles

Miryam's original recipe

Yield: 12 popsicles

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 ripe bananas
• 2 cup almond milk
• 1/2 cup almond butter
• 2 tbsp cacao powder
• 1/3 cup cacao nibs, optional

Drizzle

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, vegan if you like

Directions:

Place all the ingredients in your food blender and pulse until it comes together. Divide mixture between the popsicle mould and place a wooden stick on each popsicle hole and freeze for at least 3-4 hours.

Before serving the popsicles, place the chocolate chips in a safe microwave dish and melt in 30 seconds intervals until melted.

Drizzle the melted chocolate over the frozen popsicles. Serve.

The post Double chocolate almond butter popsicles appeared first on Eat Good 4 Life.

I love making overnight oats for breakfast because they are super simple to make as well as extremely nutritious, filling and delicious. You can make endless variations and flavors and tweak the recipe to cater your taste buds and diet restrictions.

Below are other versions of overnight oats as well as chia seed pudding recipes, which I also make sometimes to change things up.

            Overnight tropical oats          Coffee chocolate chia pudding        Banana chia pudding

For this strawberry coconut overnight oats recipe I actually proceeded differently than my other overnight oat recipes. I pureed the strawberries prior to adding them to the mix and that made the oats look more homogenous. I also loved the pink color that it gave the recipe and so did my daughter. She now wants to have pink oats all the time, which is fine by me. I think next time I will do it with blackberries and turn it purple. I think she is going to love that version too.

I am going to start making other variations soon. Such a great and healthy breakfast alternative overnight oats can be.

Enjoy!

Strawberry coconut overnight oats

Miryam's original recipe

Yield: 6 servings

Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 cups rolled oats, gluten free
• 12 oz frozen or fresh organic strawberries, pureed
• 6 cups almond milk
• 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1/3 cup chia seeds
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

In large mixing bowl mix all the ingredients. You may need a little bit more milk if you like. I like mine a bit more liquid like than pudding consistency so I add more. Place in the refrigerator overnight and eat the next morning.

This recipe will keep in your refrigerator covered in a  glass container for up to 5 days.

The post Strawberry coconut overnight oats appeared first on Eat Good 4 Life.