Banana "Ice Cream"

Well it looks like it's been a while. I'm sorry. The last few weeks have been busy with family parties, job searching and budgeting. I also haven't been baking because first of all it's been warm out and second of all I've been really trying to be good. I'm actually super close to my overall weight loss goal and by super close I mean about 6 pounds away from it. Therefore I've been trying to find healthy ideas for my parties and most of the time they don't always include baking. But then I remembered I did promise to do some other recipies on here besides just cookies or bars. I mean I consider baking anything that has to do with putting ingredients together to make a delicious treat. So onto today's recipe! 

I stumbled upon this recipe on Pinterest one day and thought it would be fun to make up. After all we always have tons of banana's in the house as they are my go to fruit when I'm craving something sweet. But then I looked at the ingredients and there was nothing to it! The one main ingredient you need is Banana's, after that it's up to you! 

Credit for today's recipe goes to: The Not Quite Vegan

Banana "Ice Cream"

 

Ingredients

3-4 Frozen sliced bananas 

1 Tbsp of Unsweetened cocoa powder

1 Tbsp of peanut butter or peanut butter powder (I used PB2 powder)

Directions

1. In a food processor put in the frozen banana's and turn it on. At first it will look a bit crumbly but as you continue to blend it will start to smooth out. Make sure you stop a few time to scrap the sides of the container .

2. Once the banana's get to a more creamy consistency put in your peanut butter and cocoa powder. Continue to blend until all ingredients are mixed well.

3. Eat right away if you enjoy a frozen yogurt/soft serve type of ice cream or freeze for a few minutes for a more firm ice cream texture.  

I think I made this with 3 banana's and with these 3 I got a pretty big bowlful. You could probably split it between 3 people if you don't want to eat the whole thing.

Now depending on what you put in this treat will depend on the PPV's. If you do not put anything in it then it will be 0 PPV's but if you put in the PB2 powder and cocoa powder it would be 1 PPV. If you use regular peanut butter it would be about 3 PPV's. 

Yes you can add anything you like into this to make it your own. I was thinking of adding strawberries next time to make it a strawberry banana treat. 

I really hope you enjoy this and let me know if you make it!

Amy Sue *^_^*

Healthy Chocolate Brownies

Since it's May and super close to summer time it's time to get healthy and stay healthy. First I am doing a few challenges with some of my fit girls on Facebook. I also issued myself a 31 day on track challenge. This is where I will count every single point that goes into my mouth and little to no cheating. So far I've been doing pretty well (with the exception of a few licks of my son's birthday cake icing). I also told my husband that we need to have more fruits and veggies in the house and I want only 3 point and under snacks in the house. If we have ones that are more than that I tend to go way over board. Now as far as exercise goes I am still doing Turbo Fire, which is starting to get more intense. I'm also trying to get my runs in. I am trying to get 3 runs in a week. Mostly just 5k's but it's something. However I think I will have to start doing longer ones because I've beat my times already haha. I mean I can do a 5k in a little under 30 minutes so I think I need to start doing maybe 4 1/2 miles or maybe 5 so this way I can add in some extra time. See it's great to have a plan. 

Speaking of running I did my first official 5k this past weekend. The Color Run came to Rochester on May 4th. I knew it was going to be fun but I didn't know how much until we go there. It was an absolute blast! If you've never done a color run before you run (or walk) a 5k and at each kilometer the volunteers throw this color corn starch on you. Then at the end you have your own packet of color that they give you before the race and they do what they call color throws. About every 15 minutes you throw these packets of color in the air and it looks like one huge color explosion! It was so great! My husband and I did it together and for some one who hates running he even had fun. He wants to do more of them. We both ran the course and guess what? I beat my time for the 5k, 1k and mile! I wasn't even going for speed but it's probably because I was trying to keep up with my husband. I really did have a lot of fun and I can't wait to do it again! Here are a few pictures from the run: 

 Before

During the race

After

So because it's healthy month time it's time for a healthy recipe! Today's recipe was made for my husband for a potluck at work. He wanted me to make something good for you but something that people would like to eat. Why not healthy brownies? Another great Pinterest find. They are made with yogurt and egg whites and they come out super soft and chewy. 

Credit for today's recipe goes to: Recipe.com

Healthy Chocolate Brownies

Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar

1 container (6 oz) Yoplait® Light very vanilla yogurt

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 egg whites

3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cups unsweetened baking cocoa

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 8- or 9-inch square pan with cooking spray.

2. In medium bowl, mix granulated sugar, yogurt, oil, vanilla and egg whites. Stir in all remaining ingredients. Spread in pan.

3. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour. 

I cut these into 16 pieces and that made them 3 PPV's each.

I used a 9 by 9 pan but I think they would of been better in a 8 by 8 pan. In the 9 by 9 they came out kind of thing.

They come out super soft and chewy.

The original recipe called for the Yoplait french vanilla but I wanted to try it with the very vanilla instead. You can tell there is yogurt in these but not in a bad way if that makes any sense. 

Make sure you put them in an airtight container or freeze them after you make them. 

My husband said his coworkers loved them and I know I couldn't put them down myself.

I hope everyone enjoys these and please let me know if you make them!!

Amy Sue *^_^*