Showing posts with label Healthy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Healthy. Show all posts

Sunday, December 30, 2018

Edible Cookie Dough for 1 {healthy, gluten free, low carb}

Healthy Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough for 1- Steviva, Coconut Sugar, Delicious, Quick and Easy to make. No Bake. Healthy Lifestyle, sponsored, Alohamora Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com

Who doesn't love cookie dough???  Seriously, cookie dough is yum!  Now, a low carb Healthy Edible (aka egg free) Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough may be the best thing since cookie dough ice cream.  

Holiday seasons are always so tough in regards to the amount of sweets lying around.  With the new year it's always nice to start it off on the right foot with your nutrition.  However, I am definitely not a fan of depriving myself; it just makes me binge and want more of what ever I am being deprived of.  I can't say that I won't eat any sugar, but I can say I am going to make healthier treat options.  I am a big fan of healthier options.  

This Edible Cookie Dough for 1 is a quick and easy treat you can make.  I used a combination of brown coconut sugar and the KetoseSweet Steviva granulated sugars as healthier options.  Both are low carb and low calorie (KetoseSweet has 1 calorie) sugars.  I personally found using a combination of sugars (especially in regards to sugar substitutes) helps with flavor as well as avoiding a sometimes bitter taste that occurs with sugar substitutes. 

This Healthy Edible Cookie Dough recipe is super quick and easy to make (10 minutes tops) and will definitely help satisfy any sweet cravings. 


Healthy Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough for 1- Steviva, Coconut Sugar, Delicious, Quick and Easy to make. No Bake. Healthy Lifestyle, sponsored, Alohamora Open a Book, Alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com

I was lucky enough to be given some KetoseSweet Steviva Granulated Sugar to participate in a little recipe challenge.  Baking and creating with something new is right up my alley. Baking and creating with something that is new and healthy is definitely mind kind of fun. I loved experimenting and having fun with a product I knew wasn't going to completely derail my fitness and healthy living goals.  KetoseSweet by Steviva is a keto friendly sweetener.  

For more up to date Steviva products you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.  
    
Happy Healthy Delicious Treat Making and Eating! 


Healthy Edible Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Recipe: Alohamora
Active Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1 or about 1/2 cup

Ingredients:
1/3 c. and 1 Tbsp oats (quick or old fashioned)
2 Tbsp butter, softened
1 1/2 Tbsp *KetoseSweet Steviva Granulated Sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp brown coconut sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt (approx 1/16 tsp)
dash of cinnamon, ground
1 tsp milk
3 1/2 Tbsp dark chocolate chips (or any chips of your choosing)

Directions: 

  1. Ground oats in a blender or food processor to make oat flour. 
  2. Add the oat flour, butter, sugars, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon to a stand mixer or a bowl.
  3. Combine the bowl ingredients and add the milk as your stand mixer is mixing or as you are stirring.  You may need to scrape the bowl or the mixing paddle to ensure everything is well combined.  
  4. Finally, add the chocolate chips and mix until just combined. 
  5. Spoon cookie dough into a small bowl or serving dish and enjoy.
  6. Cookie dough can be covered or placed in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. 
If you don't have KetoseSweet Steviva, though you should definitely think of it as an option, you can use another healthy sugar substitute or plan sugar at the same ratio. 


Monday, January 8, 2018

Egg Roll in a Bowl {low carb, paleo, whole30, gluten free}

Egg Roll in a Bowl, a healthy low carb dinner that meets Paleo and Whole30 requirements.  Diet friendly. and Easily gluten free. Recipe. Dinner. Alohamoraopenabook Alohamora Open a Book http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/

I've recently been trying to have low-carb dinners since I started to use The Transform App for nutrition and workouts lately.   It's been a handy program that lays out carb cycling, and I think the workouts are great as well.  Now, I do pay for the app; I'm not sponsored by them.  Just sharing what I'm using.  

I tell you about the app, b/c I've been needing more low-carb dinners in my repertoire, and that's where the Egg Roll in a Bowl comes into play.  


We all, husband kids and myself, are big fans of this recipe.  Enjoy! 


Egg Roll in a Bowl
Recipe: Alohamora adapted from PeaceLoveandLowCarb 
Active Time: 25 minutes
Inactive Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4-6

Ingredients: 
1 Tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c. onion, diced
1 lb ground pork
1/2 tsp ground ginger
dash of salt/pepper
1/2 Tbsp Sriracha
1 (16oz) bag coleslaw
1 c. shredded carrots
3 Tbsp soy sauce or coconut aminos*
1 Tbsp rice vinegar
Toppings: green onions, sesame seed, Sriracha

*make sure gluten free, if needed

Directions: 

  1. In a large skillet heat oil over medium heat. 
  2. Add garlic and onion to the pan and saute until onions are translucent. 
  3. Add the pork, ginger, salt, pepper, and Sriracha to the pan.  Saute everything until the pork is cooked through. 
  4. Add the coleslaw, carrots, soy sauce, and rice vinegar to the pan and saute it until the coleslaw is tender.  
  5. Before serving add any toppings you desire. 
  6. Enjoy! 
  7. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator. 

Happy Healthy Low Carb Eating! 


Do you have any Low-Carb healthy dinner recipes you love?  Please share.  I'm always looking for more options. 

Monday, January 1, 2018

Chocolate Coconut Bites {no bake, vegan, healthy, gluten, egg, and dairy free}

Chocolate Coconut Bites rolled in almonds or macadamia nuts. No bake. Delicious. Vegan. Healthy treat. Easy to make.  So Yummy! Recipe. Gluten Free. Dairy Free. Egg Free. Alohamora Open a Book alohamoraopenabook www.alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com

Happy New Year!  My family has new goals.  I have new goals.  It's a new year, so I guess a new blog post is necessary. ;)  Actually, one of my goals is to post 3 times a week.  I want to go back to blogging more book reviews, more book lists, and share the many recipes I have been wanting to share with you for months now.  

Life has been busy, but isn't that the story of everyone's lives.  The past few months I have been working on a new business.  Right before Christmas I officially launched Meg's Cookie Crate.   My new business is a cookie business.  You order the cookies and I mail them anywhere in the USA.  It's actually really fun making and sending the cookies, but starting the business was far more time consuming than I thought it'd be.  

I truly credit the cookie business idea to my grandpa and a coworker.  My grandpa died in March, but for the previous 6 years or so I would send him cookies once a month or so in the mail.  My grandpa would give me good critique on the cookies including their taste, softness, and how they traveled.  Not only did my cookies make my grandpa happy (he loves chocolate and always have 1 cookie with lunch), but it helped keep him from getting too thin.  After my grandma's death my grandpa became quite thin.  It was at that point the cookie boxes, that even his postman came to know, began being sent.  In the many boxes I mailed him I was able to perfect the art of mailing cookies and keeping them fresh.
   
After I had many people comment on how they wish I'd mail them cookies it was my coworker who finally gave that final push to give this cookie crate business a try.  Now, you can easily order online from 14 different cookies (gluten free and egg free options as well) pick when and where I mail them, and you can even include a little message if sending it to someone.  

This new small business is busy, but it is still fun.  

That whole story was a long way of me telling you, I've slacked off the past few months with my blog.  However, I'm back and I have new goals that I can run my small business and not neglect my blog.  


To start off the year, I always feel like a somewhat healthy recipe is needed.  These no bake gluten free, egg free, dairy free, protein packed vegan chocolate coconut bites definitely fit that healthier recipe.  Enjoy!  

Chocolate Coconut Bites
Recipe: Alohamora adapted from my friend Liesl 
Active Time: 10 minutes
Inactive Time: 1 hour
Servings: 1.5 - 2 dozen small bites (2 tsp)

Ingredients: 
1/4 c. coconut oil
1/4 c. cocoa, unsweetened
1/4 c. chocolate protein powder*
1/2 c. maple syrup
1 1/2 c. shredded coconut, unsweetened
1/4 c. chopped nuts, almond or macadamia

*Choose a plant based protein powder for a vegan bite. 

Directions: 

  1. In a medium bowl combine the first 5 ingredients.
  2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the freezer for 30 minutes or so. 
  3. Chop the nuts and place aside.  I love both almonds and macadamia nuts.
  4. Use a small cookie scoop, or a spoon, to make 2 tsp sized balls.  
  5. Roll the balls in the already chopped nuts. 
  6. Store the bites in a sealed container and store them in the fridge.
  7. Remove a bite as you desire to eat and enjoy them.  The bites will not become solid frozen. 
  8. Enjoy! 

Happy Healthy Treat Eating! 


Friday, October 13, 2017

Clean Pineapple Dole Whip {dessert, healthy, gluten free, dairy free}

Clean aka Healthy Pineapple Dole Whip make this healthy dessert, with no processed sugar, in 5 minutes and remind yourself of Disneyland or Disney World.  Delicious. Yummy. Healthy eats. Gluten Free. Dairy Free. Alohamora Open a Book alohamoraopenabook www.alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com

We're going to Disney World next week.  Yay!  Since I'll be able to enjoy Disney World yumminess all week long I might as well hook you up with a Disney copy-cat.  Don't worry, it's a healthy version b/c that's who I am.  

No processed sugar in this Pineapple Dole Whip, but it has all of the deliciousness.  Seriously, such a yummy clean eats treat.  

Enjoy!


Oh, and b/c I'm going to be living it up with the family on vacay I will not posting all next week.  Though, I have some great recipes, book reviews, and booklists coming up.  You are more than welcome to follow me on Instagram, @alohamoraopenabook, for fun pictures. 

Clean Pineapple Dole Whip
Recipe: Alohamora adapted DashingDish
Active Time: 5 minutes
Inactive Time: 0 or chill time
Servings: 2

Ingredients: 
1/4 c. unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
2 c. frozen pineapple (fresh or a 20oz can diced and drained)
1 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp lime juice
2 Tbsp honey or sweetener of choice

Directions: 

  1. Place the ingredients in the order listed in a powerful blender or food processor.  We have a Blendtec and it's been treating us well. 
  2. Blend until smooth.  Sometimes people need to add a little water to help the blender. 
  3. Serve and enjoy! 
  4. This is a great treat to freeze in a mason jar and save some for later. 
  5. Enjoy
  6. Store leftovers in a mason jar with a lid in the freezer. 

Happy Clean and Healthy Pineapple Dole Whip!


    

Friday, October 6, 2017

Skinny Mini Pumpkin Blender Muffins {recipe, gluten free, dairy free}

Skinny Mini Pumpkin Blender Muffins. Super easy to make in your blender. Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free, processed sugar free, and oh so delicious.  Mini Muffins are fun for breakfast, snack, kid friendly and healthy. Homemade. From Scratch. Simple. Easy Baking recipe. Alohamora Open a Book alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/

I'm one that waits until October to start going full force pumpkin flavors.  It's hard to wait, but I feel apples and September need their glory moments too.  However, to be completely honest, I like to wait so I don't OD (overdose) on pumpkin before Thanksgiving.  Honestly, I'm not the only one who ODs on flavors or foods, right?   

Now that it's October I have already enjoyed the delicious Pumpkin Steamer at Starbucks (aka steamed milk with pumpkin), and made multiple batches of these Skinny Mini Pumpkin Blender Muffins. Mmmmm both are oh so delicious!  

These muffins are so yummy, gluten free, and has no processed sugars.  Add the fact that all you have to do is push a button on your blender to combine everything.  As my first grader and kindergartner would say, "Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy." 
  
Skinny Mini Pumpkin Blender Muffins. Super easy to make in your blender. Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free, processed sugar free, and oh so delicious.  Mini Muffins are fun for breakfast, snack, kid friendly and healthy. Homemade. From Scratch. Simple. Easy Baking recipe. Alohamora Open a Book alohamoraopenabook http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/


Skinny Mini Pumpkin Blender Muffins
Recipe: Alohamora adapted from instantloss.com
Active Time: 10 minutes
Inactive Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 dozen mini muffins with liners, 16 w/o liners. 

Ingredients: 
2 eggs, large
1/4 c.  maple syrup, grade A
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 c. oats (regular, quick, or steel cut)
1/3 c. canned pumpkin puree
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (add up to 1/2 tsp more if you love it)
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt

Directions: 

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease or line the mini-muffin tin. 
  2. Add all of the ingredients, in the order listed, to your blender. 
  3. Blend all of the ingredients until smooth. 
  4. Fill each muffin approximately 2/3 full.  
  5. Bake for 8-10 muffins or until a toothpick comes out clean. 
  6. Store muffins in the refrigerator in an airtight container. 
  7. Enjoy!

Happy Healthy Mini Pumpkin Muffin eating! 


Thursday, August 3, 2017

Lemon Custard {instant pot, paleo, gluten free, dairy free, dessert}

Instant Pot Lemon Custard.  Quick and easy to make, healthy, paleo, gluten free, dairy free, simple, delicious. Pressure Cooker Alohamora Open a Book alohamoraopenabook www.alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com

Happy Harry Potter Week!  

So far you've received recipes for:  


After a brief HP birthday cake recipe yesterday, I'm back to my muggle version of magic.  Magic with an Instant Pot.  Today, you get an Instant Pot recipe, and a paleo version at that.  Though, I'm giving you a break with the lemon and hooking you up with a cold, tart, and so very yummy dessert recipe.   

This Lemon Custard may be paleo aka dairy free and gluten free, yet it is delicious.  I love that this custard takes me 5 minutes to mix and only 10 minutes in the pressure cooker.  I love that the best compliment to custard is fresh fruit; I love that I don't feel heavy and gross after eating this healthier dessert.


Basically, I'm a big fan of this Instant Pot Paleo Lemon Custard, and you should most definitely make this deliciousness to taste it for yourself.   

If you don't have an Instant Pot, what are you waiting for? 

Instant Pot Lemon Custard.  Quick and easy to make. A healthier dessert using honey and coconut cream. healthy, paleo, gluten free, dairy free, simple, delicious. Pressure Cooker Alohamora Open a Book alohamoraopenabook www.alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com

About a month ago, my good friend Emma took me to an international market here in Arizona.  She is Chinese, and wanted to show me some of the fun Chinese items that could be found in that store.  We got Mochi balls, a plethora of snacks for our family road trip, purple yams, coconut milk, and this canned coconut cream.  I had never seen coconut cream before, but I also have never looked for it.  I picked it up b/c I figured there'd be more than a few things I could make with it.  

I'm so glad I picked it up, b/c I came across this recipe soon after and immediately knew what I would make Lemon Custard with it.  The whole family loved the custard and agreed it was the perfect dessert to make with it.


What's your favorite thing to make with coconut milk or coconut cream? 

Instant Pot Paleo Lemon Custard
Recipe: Alohamora slightly adapted from Paleo Cooking with your Instant Pot
Active Time: 5 minutes
Inactive Time: 10 minutes + chill time
Servings: 3 to 4 servings

Ingredients: 
1 c. coconut cream
3 egg yolks
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1/3 c. honey or 100% maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1 c. water
fruit of your choice for topping. 

Directions: 

  1. Add the coconut cream, egg yolks, lemon juice, honey/maple syrup, and vanilla to a small/medium bowl or a blender.  I use an immersion blender briefly to get the mixture free of lumps, but a quick moving whisk will do the same. 
  2. Divide the mixture between 3 small ramekins or glass/ceramic bowls that can all fit in your instant pot. 
  3. Pour the cup of water into the bottom of your Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker and place the 3 bowls of custard mixture into the pot. 
  4. Secure the lid, close the pressure valve, and set the pot to manual, high pressure and 10 minutes. 
  5. Once the cooking is complete quick release the valve, aka move the pressure valve towards you and it will let all of the pressure out.  
  6. When safe, remove the custards from the pot and place the ramekins/bowls to the refrigerator for at least an hour to chill.  
  7. Serve the custard cold and garnish them with a fruit of your choice and some lemon zest if you are feeling especially fancy. 
  8. Enjoy!  
  9. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator.  

Happy Harry Potter Lemon Custard Eating! 

If you are wondering the Harry Potter connection to custard, it is most accurately connected to the Chamber of Secrets.  Though, you do read about custard creams in the Goblet of Fire.  However, those custard creams is in reference to an Oreo like cookie sandwich with cream in the middle. 

In the 2nd book, after Harry and Ron had rescued Ginny, they were enjoying trifle when Hagrid came in after being in Azkaban.  Trifle is usually layers of custard and fruit with cake and biscuit.  However, I wanted a more simple and gluten free recipe.  Hence the paleo custard version without cake and biscuit.  Cookies are where it's at for me.  
  

Enjoy!  So yummy! 

Friday, April 28, 2017

Honey Balsamic Pork Chops {instant pot/pressure cooker, gluten free}

Honey Balsamic Pork Chops made quickly and easily in the Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker. A sweet honey taste with onions.  Delicious. Easy to make. Healthy. Recipe. Gluten Free. Alohamora Open a Book http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/

These are the best pork chops. Period.  

My husband claims cooking pork chops in the Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker is the only way to cook them.  After he tasted these pork chops the first time he fell in love.  After he tasted these Honey Balsamic Pork Chops the second time he declared them the best pork chops b/c they are not dry, full of flavor, and so easy to make even with frozen meat.  

These pork chops are perfect.  Do you know what isn't perfect though? Dropping your phone in the toilet b/c you had forgotten it was in your pocket.  Ugh, it is so not cool.  The phone is currently sitting in rice; I'm hoping the phone will survive.

My phone debacle may be anything but easy, but your dinner situation can be a cinch with this recipe, an instant pot, and some pork chops.  Enjoy! 

Instant Pot Honey Balsamic Pork Chops
Recipe: Alohamora slightly adapted from Predominatly Paleo
Active Time: 6 minutes
Inactive Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 

Ingredients: 
4 pork chops, boneless (frozen or thawed)
salt/pepper
2 Tbsp avocado oil/olive oil
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
1/2 c. honey
1/2 c. balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp garlic, minced
1 tsp parsley, dried

Directions: 

  1. Sprinkle your uncooked pork chops with a dash of salt and pepper.  I like to keep the pork chops in a Ziploc, add the salt and pepper, and then seal the bag to spread it around. 
  2. Add the oil to the Instant Pot, and set the pressure cooker to saute.  
  3. Saute the onions for a minute. 
  4. Add the pork chops and sear the sides of the four pork chops with the onions still in the pot. 
  5. Set your IP (Instant Pot) to Manual High Pressure and 15 minutes. 
  6. Add the remaining four ingredients to the top of the pork chops and seal the pressure cooker. 
  7. Be sure to close the pressure valve.
  8. Allow the pressure cooker/IP to reach pressure and cook for 15 minutes.
  9. After the time is up leave the IP/pressure cooker to naturally release, aka don't touch it, for 5 minutes. 
  10. After a 5 minute Natural ReleaseQuick release the IP/pressure cooker, remove the lid, and serve the pork chops topped with onion slices and accompanied by any desired side dishes.  These roasted veggies are our favorite.
  11. Store leftovers in the refrigerator. 
  12. Enjoy!

Happy Deliciously Easy Honey Balsamic Pork Chops eating

  


Wednesday, April 12, 2017

The BEST Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Veggies {healthy, side dish, gluten free}


Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Oven Baked.  Amazing. Delicious.  Add any other vegetables/veggies you want.  My Favorite and the BEST way to cook healthy vegetables kids and the whole family loves. Gluten Free, Diet Friendly, Healthy, Macro. .Alohamora Open a Book http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/

"Wow!  What is that?" "That smells amazing!" are just a couple phrases I hear each and every time I reheat a bowl of these at work.  The leftovers are amazing, but the fresh out of the oven is even better.  

These Roasted Sweet Potatoes are oven baked, gluten free, healthy, and hands down the BEST way to cook sweet potatoes and veggies.  Seriously, this recipe and the marinade for these veggies is delicious.

Enjoy!  

I, of course, wouldn't say no to any comment love after you taste how amazing these vegetables are. ;)

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Veggies
Recipe: Alohamora adapted from Elavegan
Active Time: 15 minutes
Inactive Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4-6 people, but you can add more vegetables to feed more

Ingredients:
3-4 sweet potatoes, washed and chopped
1-2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1/2 onion, chunked
2 Tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp soy sauce or Tamari sauce
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning*
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika powder
dash smoked paprika
dash salt/pepper

*Check for Gluten Free

Directions: 

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, aluminum foil, or a baking mat.  If you are using aluminum foil be sure to spray it with olive oil spray so the vegetables do not stick. 
  2. Place all of your vegetables in a medium bowl.  You can add as many vegetables as you want, and any variety of veggies.  Many people will do russet potatoes, and those taste delicious, but I like to be a little bit healthier w sweet potatoes. 
  3. In a mug or small bowl mix the remaining ingredients and seasonings together with a whisk or a fork.
  4. Pour the sauce marinade over the vegetables in the bowl.  Use a large spoon to coat the vegetables in the yummy marinade. 
  5. Pour the coated vegetables onto your prepared pan, and bake for 20-25 minutes at 400 degrees, flip them/stir them and then bake for another 20-25 minutes until slightly crispy and smelling amazing.  This second baking time is crucial. 
  6. Remove from the oven and enjoy! 
  7. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.  
  8. Leftovers are delicious too!  Enjoy! 

Happy Healthy and Delicious Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Veggies eating! 

  

Monday, April 10, 2017

Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs aka The BEST Way to Cook Eggs

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Hard Boiled Eggs. The absolute best and easiest way to cook eggs.  5 minutes cooking time.  Easy, Quick, fast, and simple.  gluten free, healthy snack, simple, perfect, flawless, Alohamora Open a Book http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/

Have you been on the fence about spending the $100 on an Instant Pot.  However, the ease with the way the shells come off, and the fact that it takes only 5 minutes to cook is reason enough to get an electric pressure cooker.

Cooking eggs with an Instant Pot is absolutely amazing.  Cooking eggs with an Instant Pot is so easy, so simple, so what you need.  


Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Hard Boiled Eggs. The absolute best and easiest way to cook eggs.  5 minutes cooking time.  Easy, Quick, fast, and simple.  gluten free, healthy snack, simple, perfect, flawless, Alohamora Open a Book http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/

If you cook/hard boil eggs for a healthy snack, or if you just cook eggs once a year for Easter cooking it in an IP is the way to go.  Cooking 12 eggs perfectly, and having their shells come off easily, simply, and smoothly is the reason I sold my husband on why we needed yet another cooking appliance.

Sure, I love cooking applesauce in minutes, and I love how tender pork chops are (recipe coming soon), but hard cooked eggs... amazing! 

Instant Pot Hard Boiled/Cooked Eggs
Recipe: Alohamora
Active Time: 3 minutes
Inactive Time: 15 minutes
Servings: up to 12 eggs/1 dozen

Ingredients: 
1 c. water
12 eggs, at most

Directions: 

  1. Place 1 cup of water in the bottom of your Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker.  
  2. Place the pot rack, that came with the Instant Pot, in the bottom.  A picture of the rack is shown above.
  3. Lay as many eggs as you want on top of the rack.  I was able to create a tight fit with 12 eggs. 
  4. Seal your pressure cooker, and set your Instant Pot to Manual for 5 minutes on High Pressure.  
  5. Once it reaches pressure and cooks for 5 minutes, let it naturally release for 5 minutes.  That means just let the pressure cooker cool on its own without touching anything for 5 minutes.  
  6. After a 5 minute natural release do a quick release and then use tongs to remove the eggs and place them in a bowl of cool water for 5 minutes to stop the eggs from cooking.  If you let the eggs naturally release longer than 5 minutes, or if you don't place them in cold water the eggs will keep cooking and that is when you will get the green edging around the yolk.
  7. Simply and easily remove the shells and enjoy.  
  8. I love a simple deviled egg recipe, but this healthier version is delicious as well. Tho, egg salad is always amazing as well.  
  9. Store cooked eggs in the refrigerator.  I prefer to keep the eggs in the shell cooked until ready to use or eat.  


Happy The Absolute Best Way to Cook Eggs Ever cooking and egg shell pealing! 


Don't the eggs look beautiful cooling after a quick cook in the Instant Pot. 


Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Hard Boiled Eggs. The absolute best and easiest way to cook eggs.  5 minutes cooking time.  Easy, Quick, fast, and simple.  gluten free, healthy snack, simple, perfect, flawless, Alohamora Open a Book http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/

Monday, March 13, 2017

Protein Packed Vegetable Dip- 3 Ingredients {health, quick}

3 Ingredient Healthy Protein Packed Vegetable Dip- Veggies, appetizer, easy and quick to make. Simple. Delicious!  Kid friendly. Get kids to eat their vegetables. Alohamora Open a Book http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com/

This dip. Is.  Magic. Absolutely magic.  

If you have a kiddo who refuses to eat veggies or makes that horrible gagging noise when forced to take a bit of a carrot then you need this dip.

This dip got all three of my kids to eat vegetables they had refused to eat in the past.  My 3 kids LOVE this dip, couldn't get enough of it, and probably had equal amounts dip to vegetable in every bite.  

I felt this dip is a definite mom win because my kids ate a TON of veggies!  

This Protein Packed Vegetable Dip is healthy, takes only 3 ingredients, and quick and easy to make.  You need this dip in your life! 

Protein Packed Vegetable Dip
Recipe: Alohamora slightly adapted from momsintofitness 
Active Time: 5 minutes
Inactive Time: 0 minutes
Servings: 2 1/2-3 cups

Ingredients
1 (16 oz) cottage cheese
1 (6 oz) plain Greek yogurt
1 (1 oz) dried ranch dressing seasoning

Vegetables to dip. 

Directions: 

  1. In a small bowl combine the 3 dip ingredients. 
  2. Using an immersion blender, or a blender if you don't have an immersion, blend the dip until it reaches your desired consistency.  
  3. Enjoy with vegetables of your choice! 
  4. Store leftovers in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. 
  5. Healthy Tip: cut and wash all of your vegetables and place them near your dip in the refrigerator so they are easy to grab.  This will help you make a healthy snack choice. 

Happy Healthy Super Quick and Easy Protein Packed Veggie Dip eating!


Friday, March 3, 2017

Actually Delicious Apple Cider Vinegar Tea {healthy, allergy free}

Apple Cider Vinegar Tea that is delicious with all of the health benefits and more.  This tea is amazing, and easy to make in 5 minutes. Healthy, boost immune system, fight cancer, help your heart, help diabetes, etc.  So many benefits, and this tea you will LOVE to drink. Alohamora Open a Book https://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com

I drank a shot of apple cider vinegar (ACV) with water and thought I was going to throw-up.  True story.  I will spare you the gross details, but just know that I am weak, and I just couldn't swallow the stuff.  I tried.  For several days I tried.  However, my body was clearly telling a big No Bueno to ACV.  

I have an autoimmune thyroid issue, and I had read so many things about the benefit of drinking apple cider vinegar for my general health as well as for my thyroid.

Here are a few benefits to apple cider vinegar that I quickly found: 

  1. Helps with heart health and fighting heart disease including lowering cholesterol. 
  2. Helps lower blood sugar and therefore helps Type 2 Diabetes. 
  3. Helps you lose weight b/c you feel fuller longer. 
  4. Helps detoxify the liver. 
  5. Helps get rid of Candida overgrowth which causes many problems. 
  6. Helps with digestion... this was big for me b/c I get nauseous so frequently. 
  7. Helps slow aging.
  8. Helps prevent osteoporosis.

That's a lot of reasons to drink ACV, plus there is more.  Basically, they say drinking apple cider vinegar is the bomb.com for your health.  I wanted to be cool, I mean healthy, so I jumped on the ACV bandwagon.  

However, I was thrown violently off that same bandwagon when I just couldn't stomach the stuff.  I even bought the Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar b/c I read it was the best and that is what you needed to get the full health benefits.  I was hopeful it would taste better than the first shot of ACV that I tried with the store brand I had in my pantry.    

Oh boy was I wrong.  Bragg's or store brand, it was still gross.  I didn't understand how people drank this stuff.  I even added a ridiculous amount of honey, we're talking at least 4 tablespoons of honey for my 1 tablespoon of ACV.  However, nothing could touch the taste of ACV.  ACV is just gross.  There was no way around it, and I had decided I was never going to have the health benefits of drinking apple cider vinegar.  

However, if you never try ACV, which you most definitely should with this recipe, this story should teach you that you should never give up.  I mean, I had given up on ACV years ago, but then one day I had an idea.  This idea included apple cider vinegar and a combination of other flavors.  This idea has been about 2 1/2 months in the working, but I am extremely happy with the result.     

This idea involves drinking that awesome super healthy apple cider vinegar.  This idea also includes a few other benefits like cinnamon (which they say helps with weight loss and boosts your immune system), lemon juice (vitamin C boost, detox, and digestion aid), and honey (help prevent cancer, regulate blood sugar, and more).  


Basically, I started combining all of these oh so awesome and powerful ingredients to create an actually drinkable and Super Hero version of apple cider vinegar.  This recipe is defintely the bomb.com. 

This week I hosted book club at my house; we discussed My Lady Jane.  I felt a book set in England called for a Tea Party of sorts.  For the first time I pulled out the china tea cups my Grandma gave me.  It was fun to remember my Gma in that little way, and I got to serve the only tea that I love drinking. #win  

Yes, I have come far in the past few years.  I started with dry heaving every time I drank apple cider vinegar to loving drinking my Super Boost Tea. 


Delicious and Beneficial Apple Cider Vinegar Tea
Recipe: Alohamora 
Active Time: 5 minutes
Inactive Time: 0 minutes
Servings: 1 cup

Ingredients
1 c. warm/hot water
1 Tbsp Bragg's apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2-1 Tbsp honey
dash ( at most 1/16 tsp) cinnamon, ground

Directions

  1. I stick a mug with 1 cup of water in the microwave for 1 minute. 
  2. I add the Bragg's ACV, make sure it is Bragg's, lemon juice, honey, and cinnamon in the order listed and stir to combine everything.  You can add more honey if you like your tea a little sweeter; the amount of honey I use really depends on how much sleep I got the night before.  A rough night usually means I need more honey.  Apparently, I need to sweeten my day.  ;)
  3. Enjoy your tea!

Happy Super Powerful Healthy Beneficial and Delicious Apple Cider Vinegar drinking