Archives for June 2016

Caramel Apple Dessert

I’ve decided that food photos have gotten kind of ridiculous. The amount of food blogs out there that stage their food to look picture perfect, and in a way that is completely unrealistic to how anyone would actually CONSUME the food, has gotten out of control. Now before anyone gets offended, I’m talking about stuff like this:

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This is a screen grab from Vitamix’s Instagram account. They are fun to follow and I LOVE my Vitamix. But come ON. You and I both know this is going to make a freaking MESS. Maybe I’m just too practical.

The other day I saw a photo of a burger piled SO HIGH there would be NO possible way to eat it, besides disassembling it first. What’s the point? And yet I ask myself again, am I too practical? I just want to be able to enjoy my food for the taste, THEN function, and THEN visual appeal comes last. Phew! I feel better that I got that off my chest — thanks for listening!

My recipes won’t be staged beautifully or with a light box and professional camera; this is my hobby, and my goal with it is to simply express myself and hopefully share some fun, easy, whole food based recipes with you all!

So without further ado, below is a delicious and very easy recipe to make. It’s super sweet, but without any guilt!

Caramel Apple Dessert
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Caramel Apple Dessert

Ingredients

6 Medjool dates, pitted

2-3 TBSP roasted, salted peanuts

20 almonds

1 pink lady apple, sliced, with core removed

2-3 TBSP unsweetened coconut flakes

Fresh fruit for topping

Instructions

    Pulse together the first 3 ingredients in a food processor, until coarse chunks form. Add apple and coconut flakes. Pulse again, then process until it all starts to stick together. Scoop out with an ice cream scoop into serving dishes, and top with your favorite fresh fruit. This was so sweet, I had to pace myself while eating it! Perfect for a healthful dessert, which again requires no baking!

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https://www.zucchinirunner.com/2016/06/29/caramel-apple-dessert/

Some of you may remember from last week’s post, that I was going to be posting about sourdough bread this week. Well, YouTube won’t let me upload a video longer then 15 minutes and mine is currently 23. I’m not sure how I can cut out that much of the instruction, so I’m a little bummed out and feeling defeated in this late hour. That’s why today’s post is actually next week’s post! I’ll work on trying to get a video up that will work in the meantime.

What is your favorite fresh fruit in the summer? Do you have to go out of your way to get it? 

 

Date Goji Energy Balls

After last weeks kinda long, kinda deep post, I wanted to make sure this week was quick and fun! So here is a recipe I threw together before we headed up to Northern Arizona on a camping trip and trail run!

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This was an AWESOME race. Aravaipa Running knows how to put on a great event. Definitely check it out. We did the 13k and thoroughly enjoyed the course.

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Mile 3ish of 8ish out on the course.

My favorite part about this recipe is that NO baking is required; which is perfect for those hot summer months. They are also good to curb your sweet tooth, AND a good boost to eat before or after a workout.

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Snapchat! haha

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Date Goji Energy Balls
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Prep Time: 20 minutes

Yield: ~16 balls

Date Goji Energy Balls

Ingredients

16 dates

30 almonds

1 TBSP chia seeds

2 tsp. raw cacao powder

1 tsp. raw maca powder

1 TBSP dried goji berries

2 drops vanilla essence (optional, and not to be confused with vanilla extract)

ROLLING POWDER

1 tsp. raw maca powder

1 tsp. raw cacao powder

2 tsp. maple sugar

Instructions

    In the order listed above, put the ingredients in a food processor.

    Blend until a ball forms, and it all sticks together.

    Use a spoon to scoop out the desired amount of dough, and roll into bite-sized balls. I made mine about 3/4" around.

    To prevent sticking, roll them in the powder mixture. I just mixed it up in a small ramekin, and rolled them around until coated, then rolled in my hands again to get off the excess and press the powder into the ball.

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https://www.zucchinirunner.com/2016/06/22/date-goji-energy-balls/

And as I mentioned last week, I’m really big into Snapchat these days. As I was making this recipe, I was Snapping it. haha Which is why the photos have the text ON them. 🙂

Do you like recipes like this where you don’t have to use the oven or stove in the summer? Or do you still bake and cook as usual, even when it’s hot outside?

Next week, I will be posting a recipe and How-To video on making your own homemade sourdough loaf, using a sourdough starter! If you don’t know what a sourdough starter is, this is a GREAT video that explains it all.