Strawberry & Nutella Mini Pies

Ingredients

• 1 package pre-made pie crusts
• Nutella
• 1 cup strawberries, diced
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Place the diced strawberries in a medium bowl. Mix in the sugar and cornstarch and set aside.
3. Unroll the first pie crust on a clean counter. Cut out as many hearts as you can and place them on a cookie sheet.
4. Smear the center of each heart with 1 teaspoon of Nutella. I recommend microwaving the Nutella so it is easier to spread.
5. Add a spoonful of strawberry filling to each heart.
6. Unroll the second pie crust. Cut the same number of hearts as you did the first time.
7. Place the heart on top of each pie and line it up as best as you can.
8. With a fork seal the edges of each heart.
9. Take a toothpick and poke small holes in the top to allow venting during baking. 
10. Whisk egg and water until the mixture is a light yellow.
11. Use a pastry brush to lightly coat the top of each pie.
12. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until lightly golden.

This is such a cute and festive dessert to make for Valentine's Day.

Paleo Coconut & Banana Cookies

Ingredients

• 3 cups almond flour
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup coconut sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1 egg white
• 1 banana, mashed (1/2 cup)
• 1 cup finely shredded coconut, unsweetened
• 1 cup walnut pieces

Instructions

1. Whisk together in a large bowl; almond flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add walnuts and coconut and stir into flour mixture.
2. In a bowl use a beater to cream together butter and coconut sugar. Stir in mashed banana and mix until well combined.
3. Add flour mixture to wet ingredients and stir until incorporated.
4. Place the cookie dough in the refrigerator for 45 minutes.
5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
6. Scoop cookie dough into balls and place them on a cookie sheet.
7. Bake for 12 - 15 minutes until golden.

This is one of my favorite ingredient combinations. It reminds me of a nice summer vacation. 

Frozen Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip Dates

Ingredients

• Peanut Butter
• Chocolate Chips
• Dates

Instructions

1. Cut the dates 1/3 of the way. Remove the pit from the dates if necessary.
2. Add a small spoonful of peanut butter and two chocolate chips into each date.
3. Place them in the freezer.

With just 3 ingredients this makes a nice dessert for you to enjoy throughout the week.

Homemade Guacamole

Ingredients

• 3 avocados
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 jalapeno, diced (optional)
• 2 limes
• cilantro, chopped
• salt

Instructions

1. Place the onion in a bowl and add the lime juice. Mix together and set it aside for 30 minutes.
2. Mash the avocados with a fork.
3. Once the onion is ready, throw it in to the avocado mix. Add the rest of the ingredients; tomatoes, garlic, jalapeño and cilantro.

It's an easy recipe that is ready in no time. Enjoy the guacamole with your favorite tortilla chips.

Carrot Walnut Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients 

For the loaf

• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 ground ginger
• 3/4 cup oil
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Frosting

• 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• Chopped walnuts for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar and eggs. 
4. Stir the vanilla and carrots. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Stir in the walnuts.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. 
6. Bake for about 65 to 75 minuted. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Let cool the loaf cool completely before adding the cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1. In the bowl beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla on medium-high speed until very light, creamy and smooth. On low speed gradually add in the sugar and beat until fluffy.
2. Spread frosting evenly over the loaf. Slice and serve.

This is a family favorite and honestly one of my favorite loaves. Make this and enjoy it with your loved ones.

Dairy Free Chia Pudding

Ingredients 

• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 1 tsp maple syrup (optional)
• Frozen strawberries

Instructions

1. Add the chia seeds, almond milk and maple syrup in a container. Stir them together and place them in the refrigerator overnight. 
2. I created the strawberry puree by placing frozen strawberries in a blender. It gave my chia pudding a sweet flavor since I opted out of the maple syrup.
3. I topped my chia pudding with shredded almonds and extra fruit that I had in my refrigerator. 

What's so great about this meal is that it's easy to make and you can take it on the go. Make this the night before and it's all ready for you the next day. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cup almond flour
• 1 tbsp coconut flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• pinch of salt
• 2/3 cup coconut sugar
• 5 1/2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees F. 
2. In a large mixing bowl beat the butter and coconut sugar until well combined.
3. Add egg and vanilla extract to the bowl and mix.
4. In a separate bowl mix the dry ingredients (almond flour, coconut flour, baking power and salt).
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
6. Fold in chocolate chips.
7. Place the cookie dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
8. Place scoops of cookie dough onto a baking sheet.
9. Bake for 12 minutes
10. Remove and cool for 25 minutes.

I promise these ingredients make the BEST chocolate chip cookies. Enjoy!!