No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

September 10, 2014 Arielle

There was this one time last week where I'm positive people wanted to call CPS on me...

It was a day like every other. The girls requested to dress them selves, which meant rain boots, pink dresses, matching head bands, and crocs. My 4 year old did the makeup of her self and the two year old. Although they looked as if they both had black eyes, I've learned in my few years of being their mommy that I need to pick my battles wisely. Rain boots and black eyes for make-up were fine in my book...that day...

We entered into the store, Hobby Lobby, and the girls eyes lit up as they noticed Christmas, Halloween, and pink sparkly things placed strategically around the store. I knew immediately keeping them in the cart was going to be nearly impossible...I knew things might end badly. I should have turned around. But I didn't.

I became too confident in my parenting skills.

As we walked around the store searching for the things I needed, all the trinkets and sparkly things started to affect the children. GREATLY. They ran, they screamed, they grabbed, they pulled. (By they I mean the two year old.) I tried my best to keep them in control, threatening them with loosing toys and iPad time, then bribing them with old food at the bottom of my bag.

Then things got bad. Real bad.

The two year old had about had it. I tried my hardest to buckle her in the cart, but the screams made it embarrassing and impossible to continue. As we headed for the checkout line I stupidly let me girls play with the GOSH FREAKING DARN toys that sit near the register.

DUMB Arielle. DUMB.

I noticed the two year old taking a liking to a pink unicorn and in my head knew crap was about to hit the fan. I planned an escape rout in my head, which involved dropping the toy and running out the door.

But then, in the process of the toy being dropped and the screams beginning...The 4 year old had to pee. BAD. BAD as in it's coming out bad. So we rushed to the back of the store, one child holding them selves, the other screaming a scream only people have nightmares about. We then rushed into the bathroom stall and handled business.

The two year old was still screaming, and this time even louder. I tried everything I could to calm her, but clearly she wasn't having it. A good 10 minutes went by in that bathroom, because I was too embarrassed to leave. I thought, maybe if she just stops we can run out and no one will notice.

Then an employee comes to check on us, ya know, because it sounded like I was BEATING MY CHILD. At that moment I knew I had to leave.

As we walked to the front of the store with the screaming, legs and arms flailing child in my arms, I saw and felt each entire person's eyes glaring and me. I could read their thoughts, "Unfit mother, spoiled brats, OMG SHE'S PREGNANT WITH ANOTHER!!"...

I had to bite my tongue from screaming, "WHAT THE HECK IS EVERYONE LOOKING AT?!"

As we got in the car, dramatically I might add, I sat there and started to laugh...and then cry. No way did that just happen.

And as I looked up in my rear view mirror to look at my two precious darling little divas, I heard a quiet whimpering voice say,

"Mommy...Can I have a Chookie?"

No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients

1/2 c. honey
1/4 c. coconut oil
1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
dash of salt
1/2 c. peanut butter or almond butter*
3/4 c. quick oats
1/3 c. dried cranberries
1/3 c. unsweetened coconut
2 TB. chopped dark chocolate
1 TB. chia seeds
* If you use a more natural peanut butter, they tend to have more oil to them. Take this into consideration when making the cookies. You may need to take a way 1 TB. of coconut oil if your nut butter seems really oily.

Instructions

In a sauce pan, melt honey, coconut oil, and salt. Stir in cocoa powder and nut butter until combined and melted, about 2-3 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat, cover it with a lid, and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
Remove the lid, stir in the oats, cranberries, coconut, chocolate, and chia seeds.
Using a small cookie cutter, scoop the cookies out onto a baking sheet fitted with parchment paper or baking mat.
You can top the cookies with additional coconut if desired.
Place the cookies in the fridge and let them set for at least 30 minutes. Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge.
Enjoy!!
Adapted from Food Network Magazine

3.2.1310

And that my friends is why I will never go to the store ever again in my life.

The end.

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Balls

July 14, 2014 Arielle

We've all heard about those kind of kids...

The ones whose pictures float across the internet of them covered in diaper cream while standing in a gallon of spilled milk. Or THAT kid who flush wallets, watches, and other valuables down the toilet...Or worse yet, swallows them.

Or how about that kids who screams like a baby piglet when they don't get their way in the store...seriously? Whose child is that?

Before I had kids, I remember thinking to my self, "How on earth did that child end up in THAT situation?! Wasn't anyone watching the kid?" (For example; diaper cream switch.) Or, "Seriously, those parents are the WORST parents ever to have that screaming kid! If that was my child..."

And then one day, I birthed THAT child.

The child who finds her self in the most unbelievable messiest situations when I run to the bathroom. The child who shoves a pearl in her ear. The child who screams like a piglet when she wants G-U-M at the store...

The child who whenever they see a glass full of liquid HAS to dump it all over my open and perfectly working computer...And then play with it.

AND THEN, when you take that computer to the store to get fixed, said child throws a major tantrum on the floor because she wanted G-U-FLIPPEN-M.

I love THAT child.

I love that child's multiple kisses and hugs. I love her funny phrases, songs, and noises, (most of them.)

I love that child's bubbly, bright, and silly personality. That sneaky smile and the way she closes her eyes, bows her head, and folds those chubby arms when she says her prayers.

I love that child more than life it self...

Even if she cost me $234983749.98 to fix my dang computer. (And all my pictures, videos, programs...etc.) #yup

Dear child,

Please continue to be THAT child. And I promise I'll continue to be one of THOSE parents.

xo-

Mommy

Now...For some much needed cookie dough balls ya?

(I shared a picture of these cookies on my Facebook page and the results were outstanding! I knew I had to share the recipe with all of you! xo)

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Balls

These don't last long in our household! They are perfect for a quick pick me up, since they are full of protein! They also work great for treats in kids school lunches! Either way you eat, enjoy!

Ingredients

1 c. raw peanuts
1/2 c. oats
2 TB. honey
2 TB. maple syrup
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 c. chocolate chips (or more if needed)

Instructions

In a food processor or blender, add peanuts and blend until a fine flour comes together to form a dough. (Don't process after that or you will get peanut butter!!) Note: Don't process all ingredients together because the mixture won't turn out. You will get a cookie crumble, which is totally fine, but it won't form into balls!
Next add the rest of the ingredients, besides chocolate chips, and blend until combined. (Not too much blending!)
Add the chocolate chips and pulse a few times to mix.
Using a small cookie scoop, make balls and keep in the fridge or freezer!
Makes 14-16 small balls!

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THAT child loves these PB cookie dough balls.

And THAT child makes a huge mess when she eats them, and then dumps her milk all over the place to top it off...

I love that child.

Sea Salt Chocolate Cookies-Paleo Friendly

June 17, 2014 Arielle

I've got a delicious Chocolate Cookie recipe for you today over on Venus Williams blog! It's the perfect balance of sweetness with a hint of salt. It's made with almond flour, which makes it paleo friendly. And it's sweetened with bananas, and no other added sweeteners or sugars!

It's the perfect cookie when you need to conquer that sweet tooth, and I think it would even make the perfect breakfast cookie topped with a little nut butter!

Head on over to Venus Williams Blog (Eleven by Venus) to get the recipe!

Footage Friday: Chocolate Greek Yogurt Popsicles

May 30, 2014 Arielle

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Here is the deal my friends.... I'm trying reeeeallly hard to post a Footage Friday video every friday. Buuuut, I'm also really trying to focus more on quality than quantity. So if I don't have a video up, it's most likely because I don't have anything I'm super proud of to show you!

It's because I love you guys so much ok?!

And it's also because I have two arms, and somehow have to film, make two kids happy, entertain in a video, and make it work...

I need a 3rd arm, seriously! My life would be ALOT easier :).

So today's video is a recipe for Chocolate Greek Yogurt Popsicles! Yeaaa! It's already too hot for me here in Las Vegas, and It's only going to get hotter...Remind me why I live here again?

Happy Popsicle Making & Happy Weekend!

Citrus Creamsicle Smoothie/Milkshake

May 14, 2014 Arielle

There was a time when I went to Costco and bought a large sack of grapefruit because I was determined to loose 15 pounds.

I planned out my morning to where I'd eat that grapefruit cut in half and eat it with a silver spoon, and watch my metabolism kick start and burn that fat away. The very first morning I tried it, I took a bite of that grapefruit and thought...

&%#$

That's disgusting.

Then I read you could sprinkle a little sugar on top to take away the tartness. So I tried that.

A sprinkle on top turned into a spoonful of sugar with each bite, and well the only thing that kick started that morning was my attention span.

Sure, most people enjoy grapefruit in the morning. It's tart but sweet, and the perfect way to start the day. I look at it as, it's like drinking straight lime juice and 13 minutes later I'm completely starving. It just doesn't work for me. But I can eat an entire watermelon and feel completely full till noon. Oddly enough, my favorite green juice taste like a grapefruit, and this new recipe I'm about to introduce has a hint of grapefruit as well. Also, this grapefruit cake most likely taste incredible...

But if there is one thing I've learned in living a healthy lifestyle, it's that food that is healthy needs a partner. Like Kale. You wouldn't eat kale plain would you? I mean some of you might, that's ok...(no it's not.) But if you massage the kale with lemon juice, salt, and pepper and then roast it, it's delicious!

Same thing goes for grapefruit. Pair it with a friendlier (and sweeter) citrus, along with the sweetness from the honey and the banana. Followed by the cream from a coconut (or greek yogurt), and next thing you know you are telling Orange Julius "Buh Bye!"

And now you have a reason to enjoy that 20 pound bag of grapefruit that you got from Costco...

You.Are. SOO.Welcome.

Citrus Creamsicle Milkshake/Smoothie

Prep time:

5 mins

Total time:

5 mins

Serves:

1-2

Ingredients

2 grapefruits
1 orange
1/2 frozen banana
1 tsp-1 TB. raw honey
1/4 c. coconut cream(milk), or greek yogurt
ice

Instructions

Juice the citrus. Reserve 1/2 c. of the juice for the drink, and save the rest for drinking, smoothies, etc.
Add the ingredients into a blender and blend until creamy.
Sip and enjoy!

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Seriously though, anyone need some grapefruit?

Just Desserts Mother's Day Recipes

May 12, 2014 Arielle

As promised, I have all the recipes from THIS Mother's Day: All Desserts Menu. I will say that I've gladly been enjoying each and every single dessert on a...daily basis. Especially the Chocolate Truffles! I've had to fight my husband off for those. I hope everyone had an enjoyable Mother's Day! The recipes will be a link that you click on that will take you to a PDF Word Document of the recipe (Since there are 4 recipes on this post.) Once you click on the PDF, you can print them out!

Chocolate Vegan Cupcakes with Vegan Vanilla Frosting

I've been wanting to make a vegan frosting FOREVER that didn't use powdered sugar! So grateful I found the perfect recipe to play around with, and actually make a FLUFFY frosting that I could add to a piping bag!

Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes w: Vegan Chocolate Frosting

Mother's Day Menu: Just Desserts via http://thediva-dish.com — IMG_7406

Chocolate Peanut Butter Crispy Bars (TO DIE FOR)

I find myself sneaking a bite here and there from the fridge. They remind me of no bake peanut butter cookies, which I remember making and eating all the time as a kid!

Click the link below for the recipe:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Crispy Bars

Dark Chocolate Ganache Drizzled Strawberries

The ganache is so simple to cook up and incredible delicious, you will most likely start making it often and putting it on everything. Even pizza...maybe?

Click the link below for the recipe.

Dark Chocolate Ganache Covered Strawberries

Rich Chocolate Truffles(I WILL MAKE THESE WEEKLY!)

If you have ever had a truffle from See's candy that just satisfies that chocolate craving like no other...well, life is about to get a whole lot better :). These cure ANY chocolate craving, and they have the added health benefits! Cocoa powder, healthy fats from coconut oil, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup!

Click the link below for the recipe.

Rich Chocolate Truffles

Mother's Day Menu: Just Desserts

May 8, 2014 Arielle

There was a time a few years ago where I wanted to open a restaurant dedicated to just chocolate & desserts. A place where you could order the best chocolate cake with rich chocolate ganache frosting, or a decadent chocolate fudge filled brownie with warm ice cream and hot fudge sauce... And when you left said restaurant, it would be similar to a scene from Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. No, you wouldn't get a dip in a chocolate waterfall/lake, although that would be fantastic. Instead, you'd need to be rolled out of the restaurant like a large blueberry.

Sounds incredible right?

This Mother's Day, I decided to put together something that would speak directly to my love language. Food & chocolate. (Another love language of mine is a day at the spa, a nap with my sleeping babies, a new wardrobe, a facial, a haircut, time to shave my legs, a bubble bath in a clean bathtub, new shoes, eyebrow wax, and a nap. Did I say that already?)

On The Menu:

Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes w/ Fluffy Vegan Vanilla Frosting

Dark Chocolate Ganache Covered Frosting

Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chunk Crispy Bars

Rich Chocolate Truffles

So this Mother's Day, do those woman in your life a favor. Screw a nice candle light steak dinner. Send her straight to a table full of chocolate.

Trust me.

1 million points for you!

(P.S. All of the recipes for the desserts will be up on the blog in the next few days!)

***************************************************************************************************

A special thanks to Party Pail for sending me such adorable party accessories to make this Mother's Day Dessert Party perfect! The table cloth, napkins, straws, streamers, and plates were all from Party Pail!

Sweet Cherry Avocado Ice Cream & Peanut Butter Avocado Ice Cream

April 23, 2014 Arielle

Let's talk about this issue I have with our rental house. (You probably thought I was going to say I had an issue with my chipped nail polish. Sadly...No.)

So for some reason, our precious little rental has carpet in the kitchen/dinning room. Fine. Whatever.

Unfortunately I have this one year old I like to call DESTRUCTABLE/DESTROY EVERYTHING IN SIGHT/GET INTO EVERYTHING/THERE ARE STAINS EVERYWHERE BECAUSE OF ...this one year old. For example, this morning I was trying to fix our curtains that happened to fall and almost land on my head when I moved them. (Ahem. Husband.) As I was doing this, my one year old found my nail polish (the pretty chipped one I'm wearing), and thought she needed to paint her toes.

Now there are nail polish foot prints and stains through out the kitchen/dinning room carpet. It's lovely. Right next to it is a blue paint stain that my three year old made. Then right next to that is my brown couch that has blue marker written all over the cushions. Like I said, lovely.

I highly doubt we will get our deposit back.

After living in our rental for over a year now, I finally decided food and art projects should probably take place out side. I know...I FINALLY decided that? What took so long Ari? Did my house have to look like a Crayola Box exploded before I did something?

Recently, I was sent these adorable girly bibs from JJ Cole to review, and the girls and I decided to make some ice cream and test them out. These bibs will soon be released at BuyBuyBaby.com, so look out for them! I figured the girls would eat the ice cream like they normally do, dripping everywhere/all over their face...But just my luck they ate the ice cream as clean as I've ever seen them. But I did love the bibs because they were wide enough to wear it covered all of their top. And any ice cream that did drip, I just wiped right off!

For the record, it took a good 10 minutes to stop the girls from fighting over the bib that had a little more pink than the others.

The ice cream the girls ate was avocado based, which is a great healthy fat for kids! (Great for brain growth!) It doesn't have any avocado flavoring to it, so need to worry about a guacamole flavored ice cream :)! The mix ins are so versatile, you could pair it with almost anything. An added bonus is the creamy-ness that the avocado adds, which gives it the perfect ice cream texture!

Peanut Butter Avocado Ice Cream & Sweet Cherry Avocado Ice Cream

Ingredients

• Sweet Cherry Avocado Ice Cream:
• 1 frozen avocado, cut up
• 1 frozen banana, diced
• 1/2 c. frozen dark cherries
• 2 TB. honey
• PB Avocado Ice Cream:
• 2 TB. natural PB
• 1 frozen avocado, cut up
• 1 frozen banana, diced
• 2 TB. honey

Instructions

The directions are the same for both ice creams.
Blend ingredients in a food processor or blender until creamy. If needed add a little milk to make it blend easier.
Eat immediately or store in a closed container to let it harden a little. It will be perfect for an ice cream cone after it's hardened for at least 30 minutes!
Enjoy!

3.2.1255

I'm thinking I should probably pay someone to professionally clean my carpets, or I could just buy a cute rug to place over the top?

Or...I could just watch my kids more closely...

* A special thanks to Michelle for sending my girls and I these cute samples of JJCole bibs! I was not paid to write this review, just asked to express my opinion. These bibs will be available at BuyBuyBaby.com, so if you love them, check them out! Thanks again!*

Healthy Root Beer Floats!

March 5, 2014 Arielle

There are a lot of things in my past that I often time bring up to my husband, and he will literally drop his jaw in disbelief.

Let's not go too far into thinking I was an exotic dancer of some sort. It's more like, I used to scarf down a whole chipotle burrito every thursday with my friends. (Sour cream + Cheese and all!) And every morning before school, I would have my second breakfast at a fast food place called Bakers. Hash browns. Enough said.

And sometimes, after a hard day at my highschool fashion club, I would pull up to my favorite drive through and order my most favorite bubbly beverage. Root Beer.

Holy heck, I love Root Beer. And if my day was extremely hard, (hard as in getting called Booty Booty every time I walked by someone in class-true story), then I treated myself to a Root Beer Float. Booty Booty deserved.

I know right now you are probably wondering how much I weighed in high school, but my lips are sealed. Let's just say, thank goodness skinny jeans & leggings weren't in. (More like overalls and flaired bottom pants.) But let's talk about Root Beer Floats.

I love making & sharing recipes that people might crave, like Root Beer Floats. I can remember so many times being pregnant wanting one so badly, and I can only imagine there are others out there who feel the same. THE NEED FOR THE ROOT. And ice cream. So the other day in the grocery store I spotted Root Beer Extract, and immediately I got really really excited! I knew I had to re-create my favorite high school beverage.

This is such an easy recipe, it's only FIVE ingredients. And I don't count calories, but if you do, I'm assuming its around 100. Yea. Awesome right?

Which leaves enough room left over to enjoy a hash brown bar in a greasy bag. So hungry now...

Root Beer Floats

Ingredients

1 1/2 c. sparkling water
1/2 tsp. root beer extract
liquid stevia (drops)-or other liquid sweetener
1 frozen banana
1 tsp. vanilla

Instructions

In a food processor, puree bananas and vanilla until ice cream consistency. (May need to add a few drops of non dairy milk.
Add ice cream to a small container with a lid and place in the freezer.
In a liquid measuring cup add sparkling water and root beer extract. Stir.
Add in a few drops of liquid stevia (any where from 6 +), and stir. You can use a liquid sweetener such as honey/agave/maple, etc. (It might change the taste.)
Remove ice cream from freezer and scoop ice cream into a drinking glass.
Add root beer on top! Enjoy!

3.2.1255

And if you must know, fashion club was extremely tiring. Not like a running track or playing sports, but seriously a lot of work. Fashion magazines and movies... I barely got an A.

Chocolate Beet Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache Frosting

February 12, 2014 Arielle

Chocolate Beet Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache, from The Diva Dish

Valentines Day is a national holiday in our household. (Well, unless your my husband. It's just a typical day for him....) :)

A day dedicated to love, chocolate, and the color pink...COME ON!! So badly I want to throw pink glitter in every direction, where a frilly pink tutu, and shove chocolate down my throat. (Note-I'm 25)

This year my 3 year old is starting to understand holiday's better, and I know this holiday will be well embraced in our household. Sadly this means that we won't be able to talk about Christmas anymore and use Santa Clause as a way to make our child behave. Hashtag Great Parenting.

SO in the spirit of chocolate and the color pink, I feel and probably always will, that chocolate cake is language of Love. And obviously a chocolate cake with four sticks of butter and sugar would be delicious, I've found a way around that.

A perfectly moist cake (hate that word), with the right amount of sweetness, topped with a delicious layer of rich chocolate ganache. Put on a frilly pink tutu and coat that cake with pink sprinkles. True Love.

Oh...and there's a nice serving of Beets inside the cake. You will love it, I promise!

Chocolate Beet Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache Frosting

Prep time:

15 mins

Cook time:

30 mins

Total time:

45 mins

Although beets are frequently turned down by many, they are what make this cake incredibly moist! You won't even notice their taste, because the other ingredients do their part and make this cake any lovers dream!

Ingredients

(for the cake)
2 1/2 c. whole wheat white flour
1 1/2 c. coconut sugar
1 TB. cocoa powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
2-3 medium beets
2 eggs
3/4 c. melted coconut oil
1 c. almond milk mixed with 1 TB. vinegar
1 TB. vinegar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 oz. water
(for the ganache)
1 1/2 c. dark chocolate chips
1 c. full fat coconut milk

Instructions

(For the Cake)
Cute end of the beets and peel. Cut the beets up a little bit, and place in a steamer basket. Steam until beets are soft and poked with a fork.
Once the beets are soft, add them to a food processor and blend until they become a puree. Add a few TB. of water if needed.
Preheat oven to 350. In a medium bowl add flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda. Whisk together well.
In a separate bowl add the rest of the wet ingredients. Make sure the eggs and milk are room temp. so they don't solidify the coconut oil. Add in the beet puree. Whisk together well.
Add the wet to the dry and beat on medium speed until incorporated.
Add cake batter to greased pans of choice. (I chose a bundt pan, but a layer cake would taste fabulous!)
Bake for 30-35 minutes, of until the cake is baked all the way through.
Remove from oven and let sit in the cake pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
(For the ganache)
In a small pot at water and set over a heated stove. Add a large glass bowl on top of the pot to create a double broiler.
Add chocolate and milk and continue stir with a rubber spatula until chocolate is almost all the way melted.
Remove from heat and continue to stir until chocolate is fully melted.
Let it cool for a few minutes, then pour over the cake. (If you made a layer cake, pour a little between layers and on top.)
Add your choice of toppings like sprinkles or chopped chocolate.
Enjoy!

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I was really nervous my kids wouldn't love this cake, but they haven't stopped begging for it! If you are ever nervous to give your kids a 'healthier' dessert option, there is nothing wrong with dressing it up a little with eye catching sprinkles!

You also wouldn't believe how incredibly moist this cake is! I plan to bake with beets more often, because it added to the cake so many wonderful things!

Chocolate Beet Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache Frosting, from The Diva Dish

Happy Valentines Day my friends! Be sure to hug the ones you love and share a piece of chocolate cake with them!

Vegan Chocolate Pudding Pie w Coconut Whipped Cream

November 25, 2013 Arielle

Vegan Chocolate Pudding Pie-from The Diva Dish

Chocolate is a food group in our household.

It's consumed on a regular basis, and you can find some sort of chocolate in practically every room in the house. Besides the bathroom.

Recently our family has taken an obsession to chocolate coconut water. And by obsession I mean, my husband drank the last bottle this morning and I threw the biggest toddler tantrum EVER.

I've always loved the benefits of (plain) coconut water, I've just never been able to well...stomach it. Can I get a Amen?!

Then I tried chocolate flavored and i'm assuming you know how this story ends. It's a great cold or hot & topped w/ whipped cream, yummy in smoothies, and even perfect for sick babies when they don't seem to want to eat.

And who would have thought it does wonders in a pie?!

We all know Thanksgiving is this week, and when grandma brings out those platters of funeral potatoes, dessert is probably the last thing you should end that meal with. Which is why I really wanted to create something light, fresh, & healthy, but still giving your sweet tooth the satisfaction it deserves.

Don't EVER leave your sweet tooth hangin'...That just isn't right.

Vegan Chocolate Pudding Pie w/ Coconut Whipped Cream

It's a little sweet and perfectly filling! Along with a great dose of healthy nutrients to feel good about dessert!

Ingredients

(For The Chocolate Crust)
1 1/8 c. whole wheat flour
2 TB. cocoa powder
2 TB. coconut sugar
1/2 c. solid coconut oil
2-3 TB. cold water
(For The Filling)
1/4 c. cornstarch
1/3 c. + 2 TB. coconut sugar
3 TB. cocoa powder
2 c. canned coconut milk (full fat)
1 c. chocolate coconut water*
3.5 ounces chocolate (I used 85% dark chocolate bar)
1 tsp. vanilla
(For The Coconut Whipped Cream)**
1 can full fat coconut place in the fridge overnight (unopened)
powdered sugar or liquid sweetener
1 tsp. vanilla
chocolate shavings
*If you can't find chocolate coconut water, feel free to sub with an additional cup of coconut milk*
**Feel free to sub with regular fresh whipped cream made from cows dairy too!**

Instructions

(For the Crust)
Add flour, sugar, & cocoa powder to a food processor. Pulse a few times to combine.
Add in coconut oil, and pulse until find crumbs appear.
Pulse in 1 TB. at a time of cold water until mixture sticks together when pressed. You don't want it too dry or too wet.
Form dough into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 10 minutes.
Take the dough out and place a sheet of wax paper on your counter. Roll dough out on top of it to a circle the size of your pie pan.
Life the wax paper and slowly turn it over and place the dough on top of your pie pan.
Form dough into pie pan. Place a sheet of foil on top and add pie beads or dried beans so the dough keeps it's shape.
At 350, Bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Set aside at let cool.
(For the Filling)
Whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and cocoa powder in a sauce pan. Over medium heat, whisk in milk & coconut water. Continue to whisk as the mixture comes to a boil. Whisk for an additional 2-5 minutes longer, until the mixture has thickened to pudding consistency. (Don't stop whisking! :) )
Remove from heat and whisk in chocolate and then vanilla.
Once melted pour into cooled pie crust.
Place in the fridge and let harden for at least 2 hours.
(For the Whipped Cream)
Remove cans of coconut milk from the fridge. Scoop out the thick cream part ONLY, and not the water on the bottom. Place the cream in a bowl. Add a few TB. of preferred sweetener, plus vanilla and beat for about 5 minutes until fluffy. (Note: By full fat good quality coconut milk. Also, I know that powdered sugar isn't exactly 'natural', but it does help make it more of a whipped texture.)
Spread on top of pie, top with chocolate shavings, and serve!

3.2.1255

Crust recipe adapted from Simply Scratch

Filling recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen.

The key to making the perfect coconut whipped cream is to buy a really good brand of coconut milk! Don't skimp on that! Also, don't be shy when it comes to beating the mixture...Just beat it. Just beat it...

I have to be honest and say that I've never been a 'Pie' person, but you really can't go wrong with chocolate crust, chocolate filling, and creamy topping!

All that's missing is a nice big glass of that last bottle of chocolate liquid gold to help that pie go down...

*A big THANK YOU to Ecos Brand Chocolate Coconut Waterfor sending me samples of their beverage. It's incredibly rich, creamy, and can satisfy ANY dessert craving. Let's not forget that it's made with COCONUT SUGAR! (My all time fav natural sugar!) Thanks again Ecos! Check them out HERE! (I was not paid to write this post. All opinions are my own.)*

Cinnamon & Caramel Swirl Ice Cream-Made w/ Greek Yogurt

October 23, 2013 Arielle

Cinnamon & Caramel Swirl Ice Cream-Made with Greek Yogurt & sweetened with dates and Maple syrup! thediva-dish.com

I'm having major writer's block for this post...

It's 630 in the morning and Mickey Mouse is playing in the background. My right arm is cuddling Sweet Pea, and my left hand is typing.

I am not a left handed typer person...fgj hgf 6ye gss5 h77,j uggghhhhhhh

This week Boo has been begging for ice cream, so I decided to take on the challenge of using her favorite yogurt and turn it into a favorite frozen treat! Greek yogurt is amazing! It's just so thick and creamy, full of protein, and incredibly kid friendly! If you want a vegan version, you could use a plain non dairy yogurt OR a few cans of full fat coconut milk!

Add a hint of maple, caramel, and cinnamon and I'd say even if it is November Ice Cream is still an acceptable treat!

(Plus it's going to be 81 today...It's basically summer...)

Cinnamon & Caramel Swirl Ice Cream

We all crave ice cream! Why not have an indulgent treat, packed with protein, with a taste of cinnamon and a burst of caramel? Yes...That sounds about right!

Ingredients

4 c. plain greek yogurt
3/4 c. maple syrup
2 TB. cinnamon
(For the Caramel Swirl)
10 pitted dates
1/4 c. maple syrup
1 TB. vanilla
water (roughly 1/2 cup)

Instructions

In a bowl, whisk together yogurt, syrup, and cinnamon.
Add ingredients to an ice cream maker, and make ice cream according to directions.
While the ice cream is churning, make the caramel swirl.
In a small bowl add dates, and then water. Make sure there is enough water in the bowl/cup to completely cover the dates.
Let the dates soak for about 10 minutes.
In a blender, add soaked dates, plus 3 TB. of the date water. Then add the syrup and vanilla.
Blend together until combined, thick and creamy. (No date chunks.)
When the ice cream is done, remove from the ice cream make and place ice cream in a freezer safe container. Add caramel layer to ice cream and swirl it in.
Place in the freezer to harden, at least 30 minutes. (This is optional, otherwise the ice cream will be more soft serve like.)
Enjoy!

3.2.1255

Now my right arm is numb...I'm sure some ice cream could fix that.

Pumpkin Spice Bars

September 21, 2013 Arielle

I caved...

I told myself that I would wait until at least October until I purchased my first can of Pumpkin Puree. But of coarse down at the end of practically every isle at the store sits a tower of Libby's puree of Gold...

And then it seems like every time I'm on Pinterest there is either some incredible fall decor, painted and styled up pumpkins, or a recipe like this...Hello canoli, screw spinach!

So when it came to choosing what type of Pumpkin Recipe I wanted to try first, I decided started simple was best. Something easy with one bowl, one pan, and a crowd pleaser. One that you could bring to a fall or halloween party, and be like, "Yea...I made that. AND it's healthy!"

And most likely people won't like that it's healthy, and go for that King Size Snicker Bar that the Smith family brought to the party, and then you are pissed.

So, moral of the story...Egg the Smith's house.

(**For the buttermilk: You can use cows buttermilk, but to make your own dairy free kind just mix 2/3 c. coconut milk + 1 TB. Vinegar**)

Since my first Pumpkin Puree purchase, I've not stocked up at Costco...So I've got October through March covered...

Mini Chocolate Banana Zucchini Muffins

September 3, 2013 Arielle

Chocolate Banana Zucchini Muffins from The Diva Dish, http://thediva-dish.com

Let's talk about life.

How come life can be so incredibly fast at one moment, and insanely slow the next?

For example...A workout on a tired day seems like an ETERNITY. Running errands with two babies seems like a lifetime. And trying to make my husbands 11 hour work days go quickly is practically impossible...

Then I realize that in just ONE day my sweet Boo will be attending Preschool three times a week for THREE hours. What? 3 days...3 hours...But she's only a baby! If there's anything that I wish could slow down it would be the rate my babies are growing up!

Sometimes I feel like the most amazing moments in life go by so quickly, and if we aren't careful, we miss them. Which is why I've decided to put boo back in diapers and start feeding her bottles. It's the only way to keep her young...

Or I could just make her chocolate muffins for her little pink lunch pail that fits neatly in her tiny pink backpack...And as I send her off to school I will make sure to hold on to that moment forever. Because before I know it I won't be packing a tiny pink lunch pail anymore...Instead she will be asking for 20 bucks to go get Starbucks with her girl friends.

On second thought...Diapers and bottles sound a lot better to me.

Mini Chocolate Banana Zucchini Muffins from The Diva Dish, http://thediva-dish.com

Recipe adapted from :HowSweetItIs

Printable Version:Chocolate Banana Zucchini Muffins

Now If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go wrap my three year old in a blanket and rock her to sleep like she's 3 months old. :)

The BEST (Healthier) Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

August 27, 2013 Arielle

Saying something is "The Best" basically makes me think...really??!! I mean, is it truly THE BEST or are you just saying that to rope me in and entice me? Are you a liar liar pants on fire, because if it's honestly THE BEST well, that's big. Huge. Crazy.

With that being said, these cookies really are...The Best.(I know..Really??) Let me just preface it by saying that The Best to me could be THE ultimate worst to someone else, and then you really will believe that I'm a big fat liar just trying to make friends. But if we have different levels of what taste good then maybe we should keep our relationship strictly frienemies. (Friends/Enemies). That's probably best.

You see, my idea of the perfect cookie is soft and chewy with barely any bite or crispy-ness. But others might like a little crisp. I've just always loved that certain brand of tiny cookies that you can buy from the grocery store that are so soft and melt in your mouth perfect. After 7-8 of those, I swear all my problems go away.

So as I was playing around in the kitchen, trying to find a cookie that had whole grains, minimal (natural) sugar, healthy fats, and VEGAN, I almost screamed out loud as I took my first bite.

And lucky You (and me), my beloved camera is broken and I don't have drool worthy pictures to convince you...(Insert sucky face here...)

But I filmed a VLOG for now, and as soon as my camera comes back I will do a post with drool worthy pictures!

I just couldn't wait to share...

The Best (Healthy) Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies from The Diva Dish

No Bake(Or Bake) Anytime Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

July 31, 2013 Arielle

No Bake (Or Bake) Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies from thediva-dish.com

Let's count the number of times a day my daughter asks me for a cookie...

While we are at it, let's also count the number of times a day that I WANT to be eating a cookie.

If you guessed the number 56, you are right. I'm assuming this is perfectly normal right?

If you follow me on Facebook, you know that I mentioned putting together an Ecookbook of Kids Breakfast Foods. I've been working on recipes left and right, and yesterday I started working on breakfast cookies. I made three different kinds of cookies, and I ate about 2...plus 4.

I love anything quick that you can grab when you are running to the park, to the store, going on a road trip, etc. A sweet treat that's filling and full of wholesome ingredients. It's also the perfect treat for when you are watching grown men cry on the Bachelorette. That part has been tried and tested.

These started out as a No Bake treat, but I wanted to try it as a baked cookie as well. I'm going to state the obvi here and say that it's not your traditional crunchy super sweet cookie like you might be used to. It's thicker, full of oats, and sweetened with bananas and a touch of honey. You are more than welcome to add a little more sweetener too! :)

It's completely optional if you dip it in a jar of drippy creamy peanut butter...Actually that's not an option. It's a requirement. But watching a group of men and 1 woman experience an amazing roller coaster of emotions all for love IS an option...Shhhh...We all know that that's a necessity as well.

Printable PDF Here: No Bake (Or Bake) Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

It's now 7 in the morning, so I think it's safe to say...

Time for a cookie!!

Chocolate Fudge Brownies

July 19, 2013 Arielle

Fudge Brownies (Healthy, All Natural Sugars, Whole Grain) From Ari @ The Diva Dish

I wish I could apologize for now posting within days of each other two rich chocolate desserts involving practically the same ingredients...But I just can't.

Truth is we've had visitors come and go in and out of our house for the past 3 weeks, and we are about to have more this coming week. I would say that the visitors love when my house is full of vegetables, healthy snacks, and water...But 1 day into my grandmother visiting and she went straight to Costco and loaded up on muffins and a large chocolate cake.

So I got the hint grandma. Way to be subtle.

I decided I probably should make some sweet treats to avoid my 3 year old asking for Costco Cake each meal of the day, and watching her great grandmother happily and secretly slice her one.

That made for a fun few days following great-grandma's visit...

Similar to the Chocolate Banana Bread these brownies are incredibly rich and dense. Nothing light and fluffy here.

To me, they are the perfect dessert to show off to guest. Or to give to your toddler as a 'prize' becuase she has done so well in not asking for cake for each meal.

Wait? Pretty sure I screwed up that parenting opportunity.

Printable Version:Chocolate Fudge Brownies

(Adapted from the amazing HowSweetItIs Avocado Brownies)

At least this one can't tell the difference between Costco Cake and healthier brownies...Yet.

Rich Chocolate Banana Bread w/ Diced Strawberries...(A.K.A. Feelings Bread)

July 8, 2013 Arielle

Rich Chocolate Banana Bread w/ Diced Strawberries from Ari @ The Diva Dish

There was this one time in college where I ate my feelings...

It was Valentines Day 2007. I was living in the middle of no where Idaho and it was negative 20 outside, I lived in the dorms, and I was single. Boo.

I'm sure that being single had nothing to do with the fact that the freezing weather had me eating on a every 20 minute basis in order to add some fat to my body to keep me warm...Or maybe it was because my roommates and I spent our weekends playing dress up and taking 'we think we are so sexy' pictures.

More like 'never ever take pictures like that again in your life' pictures.

So on that cold day in February, I had this bright Idea to make a chocolate cake. I'm pretty sure I made it straight from a box along with chocolate store bought frosting. What I remember the most though was buying a cake decorating gel tube that you could write on the cake with. After the cake was cooked and frosted, I took that pink died gel goop and wrote across the whole cake, "FEELINGS."

It was a clever way of saying, "Tonight Ladies, we will eat out FEELINGS!"

Skip to almost 6 plus years later, and I still refer to rich chocolate comfort food as Feelings Food. Because sometimes, when the day is hard and trash TV and a run on the treadmill aren't doing it for you...

Sometimes 'eating your Feelings' is the only solution.

Printable Version Here: Rich Chocolate Banana Bread w: Diced Strawberries

Side note:

This Rich Chocolate Feelings Bread goes great with a Nicolas Sparks movie...

Cinnamon Sugar Cups-For Ice Cream, Fruit, Etc.

July 3, 2013 Arielle

I'm going to tell you exactly how this recipe came about, and then afterwards you will basically understand why I'm not at all but kind of completely awesome.

Let's pretend for a second that I'm a totally-on-top-of-it blogger. I've got a book full of future ideas and recipes, and i've planned out how and when I will post them. I also post frequently and on a regular basis...

We can now stop that journey of pretending and enter the reality of my blogging lifestyle in which I admit that only a tiny bit of the above statement applies to me. I can honestly say that I've got that idea book. Yes, there are a few items scratched off that list of future posts/ideas, but the majority have yet to be accomplished.

One of those items written down months ago was planning a fourth of july menu. Oddly that item got scratched off the list due to the 4th being oh...i dunno...tomorrow.

I wish I could blame a tropical vacation for my procrastination, but truthfully and honestly I've failed at almost every attempt to make a remarkable July 4th menu.

Every frackin recipe I created and tried didn't turn out. Period.

Did you know you could screw up a salad? Apparently it's possible. Also, don't turn your freezer degrees all the way up to 'speed up the process'. Anyone have an ice scraper I can borrow?

It basically came to the point where I said, 'Holy Heck! I'm just going to buy a box of ice cream cones, a carton of ice cream, and a jar of sprinkles and call it Easiest Dessert Ever!'

But then I started to really think about ice cream, and waffle cones, and chocolate, then sprinkles, and then well...

This...

The Easiest Dessert Ever.

You know what the best part is? After all the filling has gone, it's time to eat the cup!

Happy 4th Everyone!!

60 Second Chocolate Fudge Cake-Single Serving

June 8, 2013 Arielle

Some days things don't go your way and chocolate is the only solution.

Just when you think you are on a roll, strolling along and happy because of your accomplishments...BAM! Life hits you...Or in Sweet Pea's case...Every.Dang.Piece.Of.Furniture.

No matter how much you try, or push, certain things just won't budge and make your life a little bit easier.

In this case, one should probably just resort to chocolate.

Sure you could grab a handful of chocolate chips and then come back 7 times just to make all those problems go away.

And of coarse you could always resort to that jar in the back of your pantry that holds a large chocolate bunny from Easter. I'm almost positive that would make you happy...