No Cook Chocolate Avocado Pudding: A Healthier Alternative

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The a2 Milk Company™. All opinions are 100% mine.

No Cook Chocolate Avocado Pudding - a healthier alternative to the traditional recipe

Dessert is one of my family’s favorite parts of our meal. And most of the time when we all get together for a family meal, dessert is served. However I’ve noticed a few relatives who’ve declined dessert over the past few get togethers. After chatting with one of them about the reason, I found out that they’ve realized that they have an issue with lactose and since most of the desserts served have some sort of milk product, it’s easier to say no than deal with the consequences later. While they haven’t been formally diagnosed with lactose intolerance, by avoiding dairy they’ve reduced their tummy troubles. 

Because I hate seeing people feeling left out I figured I’d play around with one of my favorite pudding recipes and replace the dairy with a2 Milk®. Then I went a step further and figured out a way to make it thick and creamy without cooking it! Since I already use bananas and avocados in my smoothies to make them creamy and thick, I thought they’d be amazing together in this pudding recipe as well. And the best part? I mix everything together in the blender! Takes less than 5 minutes for everything to come together. 

No Cook Chocolate Avocado Pudding in blender

Haven’t heard of a2 Milk® before? It’s pretty awesome. Originally, all milk contained only the A2 protein. Over time a genetic mutation occurred in cows and a new type of protein developed called A1. This A1 protein causes digestive discomfort and is in all cows’ milk in-stores today, even organic milk.  a2 Milk® is the only fluid milk on the US market that is guaranteed A1 protein free.

How do they do it? 

The a2 Milk Company™ has partnered with U.S. family dairy farmers in upstate New York and the Midwest to expand the a2™ herd. Their cows naturally produce milk with only the A2 protein. And their farmers are certified in the humane treatment of animals, their cows are fed a vegetarian diet and never given hormones or rBST, and the milk is antibiotic free and contains no artificial ingredients or additives. Pretty cool huh? And it tastes no different than regular milk! My kids love it and haven’t caught on that it’s any different.

No Cook Chocolate Avocado Pudding ingredients

No Cook Chocolate Avocado Pudding

  • 1 avocado
  • 1 banana
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup honey* (or other sweetener)
  • 1/2 cup a2 Milk®

Add all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Process until completely blended. Serve right away with some berries or chill in the fridge if you prefer cold pudding.

* If you’re making this for children under 1, use an alternative to honey like agave or maple syrup.

No Cook Chocolate Avocado Pudding with raspberries

The results are an amazingly creamy and chocolaty pudding that the kids (and adults) all gobble down! I call that a success.

What’s your go-to dessert when family come over?

Interested in more info about a2 Milk®? Check them out on Twitter and Facebook or find where you can purchase it by using their Product Locator! Or check out the great recipes they have on Pinterest. And right now you can take advantage of this a2 Milk® $1 Off Coupon.

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2-Ingredient Nutella Banana Ice Cream

2 ingredient Nutella Banana Ice Cream

While I’m watching what I eat in an effort to get down to my ideal weight (no number just yet, just more comfortable in my body then where I am now) I do enjoy a little indulgence every once in a while. Since we didn’t have any ice cream on hand for a late night snack, I decided to turn to the frozen bananas I had in my freezer for smoothies and turn them into something a little more decadent… 2-Ingredient Nutella Banana Ice Cream.

I love how easy banana ice cream is. Normally just one ingredient if you want something sweet and creamy but by adding just one more ingredient, something simple is taken to the next level. I’m always amazed at how two ingredient recipes can be so amazing!

Nutella Banana Ice Cream

Nutella Banana Ice Cream

What you’ll need:
3 bananas, sliced and frozen
1/2 C. Nutella
What you do: 
Place the frozen banana slices into the food processor and pulse.
Nutella Banana Ice Cream - banana in food processor
Add in the 1/2 a cup of Nutella and pulse until the bananas and Nutella are combined.
Nutella Banana Ice Cream - nutella in banana
Pour the ice cream mixture into a freezer safe dish, cover and freeze for an hour prior to serving.
*Makes 2-3 servings

Nutella Banana Ice Cream - 2 simple ingredients

Looking for more 2-ingredient desserts?Try this 2-ingredient chocolate hazelnut cake!

2 Ingredient Chocolate Cake slice

How do you keep dessert simple?

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Smoothie

Sweet’N Low, drink recipe, girls night, diabetic friendly

 As I quickly approach my due date (less than 4 weeks away!) I’ve started to look for quick and easy meals and snacks to make once baby gets here. With two other kids, both in school, this will be the first time I’ll have to be somewhere in the mornings to actually be wiht all three kids once my husband has to return back to work.

One of my go-to breakfasts for myself and the kids are smoothies. Not only are they quick to make, I can make sure that I pack in enough protein, fruits, and sometimes veggies to start the day off right.

Since I’ll be nursing, I knew I also wanted to incorporate oatmeal in the mix as well so I added some quick oats to my favorite peanut butter banana smoothie recipe to create the perfect smoothie to get me going. 

Sweet’N Low, drink recipe, girls night, diabetic friendly

The best part about this smoothie is that I always have all of the ingredients on hand.

Now normally when I’m trying to lose weight I’d include a fat free greek yogurt and 1% milk but because I’m not focused on losing weight, I stick with the full fat versions for the calories.

I do, however, save some calories with the inclusion of powdered peanut butter but regular peanut butter can easily be used as well.

Sweet’N Low, drink recipe, girls night, diabetic friendly

 

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Smoothie

  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup quick cooking oatmeal
  • 2 tablespoons powdered peanut butter
  • 1/2 to 1 banana (sliced)
  • 1-2 Sweet n'Low packets
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  1. In a blender, add in all of the ingredients.
  2. Blend until banana slices are well combined with the other ingredients.
  3. Pour into glasses and serve!

Sweet’N Low, drink recipe, girls night, diabetic friendly

Since I’ve skipped the sugar in a flavored yogurt I add in a packet or two of Sweet’N Low to the blender to add a bit of sweetness without the added calories.

A guilt free drink that’s the perfect way to start any day whether you’re a busy mom with a newborn or simply trying to watch the waistline.

What’s your go-to quick and easy breakfast for busy mornings?

Mocha Peanut Butter Banana Shake

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Mocha Peanut Butter Banana Shake with Baby Booster

I haven’t written much about my pregnancy… I guess it’s just flying by so quickly I haven’t gotten a chance. But I do have to say that this pregnancy is, by far, harder than the others.

The first few months were filled with nausea and than once that dissipated I was left with horrible heartburn after I ate anything. No, not just acidic foods or specific things. I got heartburn after every.single.piece of food I put in my mouth.

And now that the heartburn has finally subsided I’m left with the smallest stomach ever. Like seriously… baby girl grew enough that now she’s not giving me any room for food. So that leads me to alternatives to stay full and still eat nutritious meals that are tasty.

Mocha Peanut Butter Banana Shake with Baby Booster - ingredients

That’s when this delicious shake comes into play. I headed online to find a healthy alternative to my favorite meal replacement shake used pre-pregnancy and stumbled upon Baby Booster.

After a little reading and a few clicks, I had a package of their Kona Mocha flavor ordered and sent to me to try out. When it arrived they not only included the product I ordered but a few samples of their other flavors and a cool shaker bottle to use. Talk about a quick and easy way to get a nutritious meal!

Mocha Peanut Butter Banana Shake with Baby Booster - blend in magic bullet

I’m not one for just drinking something straight from the package instructions so I decided to add a few of my favorite flavors and create a whole meal that i could easily make in the mornings as I pack my son’s lunch.

No more waiting till 9am when I head back home from morning drop off to have a proper breakfast!

By adding 1/2 of a frozen banana, 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter, and some 1% milk to the Kona Mocha Baby Booster mix I had a delicious meal filled with 20g of Protein, ONLY 2g of Sugar, and all of my daily vitamins.

Mocha Peanut Butter Banana Shake with Baby Booster - blended

Mocha Peanut Butter Banana Shake

  • 1 cup 1% milk (or unsweetened almond milk)
  • 1-2 tablespoons peanut butter
  • 1/2 frozen banana, sliced
  • 1 scoop Kona Mocha Baby Booster
Instructions
  1. Pour 1 cup of milk into your blender or Magic Bullet. Add peanut butter and sliced banana. Top with a scoop of Kona Mocha Baby Booster and blend.
  2. Pour into a cup, add a straw, and enjoy!

Mocha Peanut Butter Banana Shake with Kona Mocha Baby Booster

Now I not only can enjoy a delicious meal as we head out for drop off in the mornings, I’m also comfortably full for the morning until lunch.

Oh, and did I mention that Baby Booster is safe for pregnant moms (obviously), and nursing mothers as well as diabetics and those who are gluten free?

I can’t wait to be able to actually eat more once baby moves but for now I’ll stick with this quick and easy meal in the mornings!

What’s your go-to shake recipe for when you’re on-the-go?

[amd-yrecipe-recipe:2]

Bigelow Vanilla Chai Banana Bread: The Perfect Mommy Time Out Snack

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This #AmericasTeas shop featuring a vanilla chai banana bread recipe has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for #CollectiveBias and its advertiser.

Bigelow Vanilla Chai Banana Bread The Perfect Mommy Time Out Snack

When the kids are asleep and the house is all quiet I feel like I finally have a little mommy time-out to relax, reset, and take a little time for myself after working and caring for the kids all day. Whether that time is spent sipping a cup of Bigelow vanilla chai tea or (if my husband is home) a walk around the neighborhood, I find essential to take advantage of this downtime.

Naptime has become my time over the past few years and I take full advantage of it. I take this time to prep dinner, get some laundry in, catch up on work, or make some goodies to enjoy after naptime. And sometimes? I even get to read. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve actually finished a book? It’s been a while.

As I recognize this opportunity for my own mommy time-out during naptime, I’ve been leaning more towards spending this time for myself instead of the endless list of chores and work that’ll be there after naptime.

[Read more…]

Pumpkin Banana Muffins Fit for a Monkey

pumpkin banana muffins

In celebration of the premier of Julius Jr on Nick Jr (you can see my post over at Someday I’ll Learn if you didn’t hear about the show) the kids and I got in the kitchen and started baking up some muffins with the bananas that were browning on the counter. And since there was an open can of pumpkin puree in the fridge we decided to give it a go and make these pumpkin banana muffins.

Everyone knows that when you’re watching the premier of a children’s show starring a monkey, you have to eat banana-themed food!

These muffins were absolutely delicious! Moist, fluffy, and very kid friendly. I think both of my kids ate at least two each! We might even be adding some mini chocolate chips next time I make them for an added kick. [Read more…]

Baked Peanut Butter and Banana Oatmeal Squares Breakfast Recipe

Peanut Butter & Banana Oatmeal Squares

Peanut Butter and Banana Breakfast Squares

If you’re a peanut butter lover AND watching your figure don’t walk, run to go make these healthy baked peanut butter and banana oatmeal squares!

These little squares are packed with flavor and super filling. Now you may be saying healthy oatmeal squares? But if you look at the recipe, there’s nothing “diet” about them. I mean they have butter and real sugar!

No skimping out on this one. If you’re like me and eat a hearty breakfast every morning, help yourself to two servings piled with bananas on top and non-fat vanilla yogurt on the side for an awesome and very tasty breakfast. Each square is only 4 WW+ points.

Seriously… go make these now. [Read more…]

Baked Peanut Butter & Banana Oatmeal {Breakfast Recipe}

If you’re a peanut butter lover AND watching your figure don’t walk, run to go make these! They are so tasty. And super filling. And, really, if you look at the recipe, there’s nothing “diet” about them. I mean they have butter and real sugar!

No skimping out on this one. And if you’re like me and eat a hearty breakfast every morning help yourself to a serving piled with bananas on top and non-fat vanilla yogurt on the side for an awesome and very tasty breakfast.

My son begs for these and I love that I can make a large batch and re-heat in the morning for him.  He loves to help make them as well. Since it’s pretty straight forward I can usually pre-measure everything and let him take the lead.

Seriously… go make these now.

Inspiration: Two Pink Hippos (if you don’t already follow these ladies you should!)

Baked Peanut Butter & Banana Oatmeal

  • 1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 2 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3/4 cup 1% milk
  • cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 9* baking dish with cooking spray.

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside. Take peanut butter & bananas and mash together until combined. Add egg, vanilla and melted butter and mix well.

Add peanut butter mixture and add to the dry ingredients. Top with milk and stir until combined.

Spread out evenly in the baking dish. Bake 30-35 until the edges are golden brown.

* You can also use a 9×13 dish and cut the cooking time to 20 minutes

What’s your favorite breakfast recipe? 



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