(Paleo) Carrot Cake In A Mug

May 18, 2016

(Paleo) Carrot Cake In A Mug


OK, I’ll admit it, I’m having way too much fun with this cake-in-a-mug thing.
I’m like a kid with a new box of LEGOs: endless entertainment!
I started with the Chocolate Chip Cookie, then it was the Cinnamon Roll (one of the most popular recipes on this blog), followed by the Chocolate Cake, the Apple Pie, the Brownie, and no later than last Friday by the Lemon Pound Cake.
Today it’s all about carrot cake.

(Paleo) 1-Minute Iced Lemon Pound Cake

May 13, 2016

(Paleo) 1-Minute Iced Lemon Pound Cake


If you’ve ever had Starbucks’ Iced Lemon Pound Cake, you know how good it is. Full of lemon flavor, dense, rich, and so so moist.
I haven’t had it in years — last time was probably 2006 and I was still in college — but I remember perfectly how awesome it is. Maybe a bit too sweet (at least for me) but awesome nonetheless.
A tasty little lemon cake goes great with just about any drink you can think of: coffee, tea, latte, hot chocolate, cappuccino, mocha, etc.

(Paleo) Chocolate Chip Cookie Squares

May 11, 2016

(Paleo) Chocolate Chip Cookie Squares


Today I have one question for you guys: Why aren't most cookies square-shaped?
Or to put it differently, why are most of the cookies round-shaped?
It’s one of those questions that has troubled me most and I’ve always wanted to know the answer to — but I was too afraid to ask.
When I was a kid I thought that all cookies begin as squares, but then people always nibble off the corners because they're so tasty. Hence, round cookies.
Was I onto something?
I dunno, I dunno…

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Zoodles

Creamy Turmeric Mashed Sweet Potatoes

May 4, 2016

Creamy Turmeric Mashed Sweet Potatoes


If I were asked to cook the healthiest dish possible, these Creamy Turmeric Sweet Potatoes would probably be it.
It’s basically the combination of two superfoods (i.e., sweet potatoes and garlic) + what is considered to be the healthiest spice ever (turmeric aka the “Golden Spice of Life” ) + the healthiest fat on earth (olive oil).

(Paleo) Sweet Potato Brownies

May 2, 2016

(Paleo) Sweet Potato Brownies


These Are. Hands Down. The Fudgiest Brownies. Ever.
I’m not joking. I had to chill the pan for quite some time before I was able to slice 'em.
Mom even said that these brownies were too fudgy and too chocolatey. Can you believe that? Too fudgy and too chocolatey?
Seriously mom, brownies are supposed to be fudgy and chocolatey. Do we need to have another conversation about cakey brownies and how they are not brownies but just chocolate cake cut into squares?
I don’t think so…

(No-Bake) Coconut Lemon Meltaway Balls

April 29, 2016

(No-Bake) Coconut Lemon Meltaway Balls


The proverbial phrase "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade" is usually used to encourage optimism and a positive can-do attitude when one faces adversity or misfortune.
But lemme just say that I wholeheartedly hate that phrase.
Why should I make lemonade with your stupid lemons life?
You want me to open a lemonade stand on the street selling lemonade 50¢ a cup. Nah, it's not an option — I’m not 0 years old anymore.
Maybe I can consider becoming a lemon magnate. I mean if the product cost is zero, I can retail lemons for a considerable profit. That’s business 101.
But it all depends on the amount of lemon you're giving me life...

Balsamic Marinated Grilled Eggplant

April 27, 2016

Balsamic Marinated Grilled Eggplant


Grilled eggplant can be one of the great treats of summer. Lusciously tender eggplant, with bits of crispy charred edges here and there.
Unfortunately, most often grilled eggplant ends up being overcooked (read this a burned) and flavorless or, even worse, undercooked with a gummy-bear like texture.
I mean, how many times have you returned from the BBQ with those stripey bitter shoe-soles trying to decide if they were suitable for human consumption?
I know, few too many...

No Bake Coconut Protein Bars

April 21, 2016

No Bake Coconut Protein Bars


If you have ever wandered down the aisles of health food stores, you have probably seen people picking protein bar after protein bar, scanning the ingredient list and macronutrient breakdown; trying to find one that doesn’t contain a scary amount of sugar or nasty ingredients and that doesn’t cost an arm and leg.
Truth is, picking out the right protein bar is no easy task. I know it all too well.
And notwithstanding the downsides of packaged protein bars, we continue to buy them because they’re convenient, easy to carry, and supposedly healthy. When in reality most of them are just glorified candy bars - as someone brilliantly pointed out not too long ago on reddit.

(Paleo) 1-Minute Chocolate Brownie In A Mug

April 18, 2016

(Paleo) 1-Minute Chocolate Brownie In A Mug

I love me a good mug cake for many reasons.
The first obvious reason is that they are so quick to make — meaning that you don’t have to set aside a whole afternoon for baking when you’re in the mood for a brownie.
Another reason is versatility. There are sweet mug cakes, there are healthier mug cakes, there are protein mug cakes, there are savory mug cakes, the list in endless.
But my number one reason I love mug cakes is portion control.
My healthy living means I can eat almost anything, still I can’t eat everything I want all the time.
So when I want a cookie, a cinnamon roll or a cupcake, it’s a lot easier to make a single serving mug cookie/roll/cupcake than an entire batch of cookies/rolls/cupcakes.
I don’t feel deprived but at the same time I’m skipping the temptation to smash an entire tray of brownies in one sitting.