Tag Archives: dessert

6 Healthy Dessert Recipes for One

Have you adopted a healthier lifestyle? Your body is thanking you for it. As we all know, deciding to choose healthy doesn’t come without its challenges, especially when temptation is at every corner and you have a nagging sweet tooth that just won’t quit. But a healthier lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to give up all of your favorite indulgences, either. In fact, these healthy dessert recipes meet both cravings–letting you have something sweet that you can actually enjoy, and allowing you to maintain a healthy diet. These six single-serving desserts are minimal, healthy, full of flavor, and are sure to keep you happily on track. Who said you can’t eat good and feel good, too?

Dairy-Free Strawberry-Banana Ice Cream

strawberry banana

Ingredients

2 bananas, frozen

½ cup strawberries, frozen

½ teaspoon vanilla

optional: 2 tablespoons of your favorite non-dairy creamer

Instructions

Place ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth (the consistency should be like soft serve ice cream). Freeze for one hour and serve cold.

Brown Rice Pudding

rice pudding

Ingredients

1 cup short grain brown rice

4 cups almond milk (or your milk of choice)

½ teaspoon cinnamon

2 tbsp organic cane sugar/coconut palm sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Instructions 

Combine all ingredients, leaving 1 cup of milk set to the side, in a rice cooker under the “Brown Rice” setting. Don’t have a rice cooker? Put ingredients in a saucepan on low-medium heat and cook for 35 minutes (or until rice is no longer tough). Once finished and the liquid has evaporated, add 1 cup of milk and mix together. Enjoy hot.

Peanut Butter Mug Cake

peanut butter mug cake

 Ingredients

2 tbsp brown rice flour

½, tsp baking powder

1 egg/flax egg

1 ½ tbsp melted coconut oil

2 tbsp almond milk

1 tsp vanilla

2 tbsp honey/agave, melted

2 tbsp peanut butter

dark chocolate chips (your desired amount)

Instructions

Combine flour and baking powder in a bowl and whisk together. Whisk in the rest of the ingredients (minus the chocolate chips) and combine well. Grab your favorite mug (a larger one works best) and pour in the batter. Top with chocolate chips. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes and allow to cool for one minute before enjoying. (Original recipe here.)

3-Minute Banana Bread

 banana bread 

Ingredients

⅓ cup very ripe mashed banana (1 small banana)

3 tbsp coconut sugar

2 tbsp coconut oil

¼ tsp pure vanilla extract

4 tbsp brown rice flour

¼ tsp cinnamon

⅛ teaspoon baking soda

pinch salt

2 tbsp dark chocolate chips or chopped nuts, optional

Instructions

Place ingredients into a mug and microwave on 50% for one minute. Cook for additional 30 second intervals at half power until fully cooked, being careful not to overcook the bread. To check if done, place a toothpick into the center of the bread and wait until it comes out clean.

Recipe modified from lindsayannbakes.com. Find the original recipe and instructions here.

Greek Yogurt Chocolate Mousse

 chocolate mousse

Ingredients

¾ cup almond milk

3 ½ oz dark chocolate

2 cups greek yogurt

1 tbsp honey/maple syrup

½ tsp vanilla extract 

Instructions

In a saucepan, place milk and chocolate over medium heat until chocolate has melted completed. Add in honey and vanilla extract. In a bowl, spoon in greek yogurt and add chocolate milk mixture on top. Combine well and transfer to a glass and chill before enjoying. Add fresh raspberries and mint on top for more flavor. (Original recipe here.)

Piña Colada Chia Parfait

pina colada parfait

Ingredients

¼ cup chia seeds
1 ½ cups coconut milk

drizzle of honey
1 cup chopped fresh ripe pineapple
handful coconut flakes

Instructions

Before bed, grab a mason jar and mix chia seeds with coconut milk and place in fridge overnight. In the morning, mix thoroughly to ensure chia seeds aren’t sticking to the bottom of the jar. Blend pineapple in a blender or chop/mash finely. Place on top of chia pudding. Drizzle honey and sprinkle coconut flakes on top. 

The Chocolate Lover’s Guide To US Travel

Will travel for chocolate. Whether you’re a fan of biting into a piece of wonderfully nuanced, single-origin dark chocolate or prefer your chocolate milky, steaming in a cup, chocolate lovers know good chocolate is worth traveling for. These days, just as you would plan a trip around wine, beer or coffee you can plan a weekend away around chocolate. Here are 7 U.S. destinations made for a chocolate getaway where you can learn more about the production process, indulge, and see some sights. Think of it as your sweet tooth guiding your plans.

 

New York, New York

The city that never sleeps has a chocolate habit. Indulge in touristy favorites like Serendipity or Max Brenner but then plan on seeing how chocolate is actually made by taking a tour of Raaka Chocolate’s Red Hook factory where they turn beans into delicious bars. And for those that want to see as much of the city as possible while sampling as much chocolate as possible, there’s nothing better than a chocolate walking tour.

godiva chocolate store new york city
Godiva Chocolate Store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, NYC.

 

San Francisco, California

From chocolate beer to old-school classic chocolate, San Francisco has something for every type of chocolate lover. Iconic Ghirardelli Chocolate Company opened here in 1852 and today the square that bares its name and is home to its flagship location offers chocolate tastings as well as numerous other shops to explore. But after you’ve gotten a taste of the historic make sure to check out the up and coming small batch chocolate producers, such as Dandelion or, for those who want to drink their chocolate, Speakeasy Ales & Lagers’  chocolate milk stout is a must-try.

ghirardelli san francisco
Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco, CA

 

Burlington, Vermont

Tucked into northwestern Vermont, Burlington is a foodie paradise, especially for those that love chocolate. Head to the Lake Champlain Chocolates Factory Store for a free behind-the-scenes look at how chocolates are made. If you’re there on a Saturday, you can even join the free chocolate tasting seminar. Afterwards the small city is really your oyster, full of outdoor activities, lots of shopping, and delicious food; you’ll find it hard to return home from your weekend getaway.

 

Las Vegas, Nevada

Sin City may not be an obvious place for chocolate but Las Vegas is full of places for chocolate. Since 1981 people from around the globe have been coming to Ethel M for a taste of their liqueur-filled chocolates and almond butter crisps. Jean-Marie Auboine Chocolatier is a must-visit. The famous chocolatier produces dozens of chocolates in the French fashion. You want the Quessan, a caramel ganache with dark chocolate. Then there is Jean Philippe’s floor-to-ceiling cascading chocolate fountain at the Bellagio. Also in Las Vegas is the Sugar Factory Chocolate Lounge where you’ll feel like you’re in a real-life Willy Wonka factory.

largest chocolate fountain las vegas
Worlds Largest Chocolate Fountain (3 meters tall, circulating 2 tons of chocolate) in the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas

 

Seattle, Washington

The Pacific Northwest city is so much more than coffee. Start your chocolate weekend getaway in Seattle, at where else but Pike Place Market. The famous market is home to The Chocolate Box where you can learn how cacao beans are grown, and The Confectional, with its sweet and spicy hot chocolate and the bean-to-bar shop, Indi Chocolate. If after all that you’re still hungering for more chocolate, Theo Chocolate in the Fremont section of Seattle is worth a visit. The neighborhood spot was one of the first bean-to-bar chocolate companies to open in the U.S., and today offers 1-hour tours of its factory.

 

Boston, Massachusetts 

Check yourself into the Langham Hotel and you’ll find it hard to leave long enough to explore the city. The hotel is home to the Chocolate Bar, which has been whipping up every imaginable chocolate dish and then some, for more than 20 years. You don’t have to be a guest at the hotel to dine at the Chocolate Bar, but reservations, especially on the weekend, are recommended.

modern pastry boston massachusetts
Modern Pastry in Boston, Massachusetts

 

Orlando, Florida

The Florida city has a surprising number of chocolate spots. Universal Orlando Resort is now home to every Harry Potter fan’s dream: a Hogsmeade’s candy hotspot Honeydukes. After you’ve caught and had that chocolate frog, head over the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium where those that like their chocolate in liquid form can order decadent milkshakes. Outside of Universal, the  World Chocolate Museum is worth a visit. Iit’s impossible to not be impressed by the museum’s  chocolate replicas of landmarks such as the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower, and more. No, you can’t eat them, but there is a gift shop full of chocolate to purchase.

toothsome chocolate emporium orlando florida
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium at the Universal CityWalk in Orlando, Florida

Cheat Day: 7 Food Instagram Accounts to Follow Now

Avocado toast, decadent cakes, simple, bright salads. There is no shortage of Instagram food pics that are so good you want to lick your screen. From expertly curated feeds, to pictures of luscious desserts to recipe wins and fails these 7 food Instagram accounts do it better than most. Follow them immediately and prepare to be hungry.

 

@ulrikaekblom

Poetry in images is the best way to describe the photographs ulrikaekblom shares on her Instagram account. The Swedish-based photographer’s feed is a artful curation of food, nature and travel pictures. She plays with light, color and angles, creating a unique, heartfelt feed.

 

@dad_beets

A post shared by NICK (@dad_beets) on

It’s hard not be envious of Nick Neves’ AKA dad_beets‘  food creations. The lifelong California resident spends a lot of time in the kitchen creating dishes for his adorable family and sharing the pics on his Instagram feed. But besides the drool-worthy photographs, Nick’s captions, which  make him seem like a pretty cool dude, are part of the appeal of his feed making it easy to see why he was the 2016 SAVEUR Blog Awards Best Food Instagram – Readers’ Choice Winner.

 

@foodminimalist

A post shared by Lucia Lee (@foodminimalist) on

For proof that simple is never boring, look no further than Lucia Lee’s AKA the foodminimalist’s Instagram feed. One of Saveur’s 20 Favorite Food Instagram of 2016, Lee shares beautiful pictures of the food she’s eating, much of it in bowls, with easy to follow recipes for those inclined to try the dishes out at home, as well as the occasional post from eating out.

 

@igbrunchclub

Brunch, we just can’t get enough of you and luckily there’s @igbrunchclub to indulge us. The fairly new account is curated by Instagram favorites @mondomulia, @ClerkenwellBoyEC1,  @charlottehuco, @tschang, @heartdrive, @izyhossack and offers up plenty of brunch inspiration in crave-worthy shots from above.

 

@halfbakedharvest

A post shared by Tieghan (@halfbakedharvest) on


The pictures in this feed will have you wishing you were sitting next to Tieghan of @halfbakedharvest so you could be her recipe tester. The cookbook author and food blogger is all about living simply and eating seasonally using whole foods and her feed makes you realize how easy, not to mention appealing, that is.

 

@ks_ate_here

Take a food journey through London with @ks_ate_here. The London-based Instagrammer shares his food pics from travels around London as well as the occasional trip elsewhere using different angles and composition to create a unique feed.

 

@howsweeteats

This colorful feed will instantly put a smile on your face. Sweet tooths likely already know Jessica Merchant of @howsweeteats, and while the self-described self-indulgent food blogger’s feed includes plenty of swoon-worthy desserts, she also shares pictures and recipes of healthy, seasonal-inspired dishes and lots of comfort food.

10 Must-Visit Cities for Summer Sweets

 

Nothing is more synonymous with summer than sweets. Twisted soft serve in a cone topped with rainbow sprinkles, shaved iced decked out with handmade syrups, fried rolls full of cool, creamy delights. They may look and taste different depending on where in the world you are but they all have one thing in the common; the ability to put a smile on a face whether you’re 9 or 99.

From Bangkok to New Orleans and everywhere in between we rounded up the desserts of summer you’ll want to travel for.

 

Palawan, Philippines

Hidden off the beaten traveler’s path, Palawan is the stuff of dreams. Small fishing villages, turquoise waters and sandy beaches, jungles full of wildlife. It’s no wonder Travel + Leisure keeps putting Palawan on its must-visit list. And when you’re lounging on the beach you’ll order Halo-Halo. It’s basically everything sweet in a jar. The name actually means “mixed together.” There’s shaved ice, syrup, ice cream, custard and some sweet toppings.

halo-halo
Halo-halo | Photo via lalaine22shoots on Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Visit:  Noki Nocs Savory House, Tita Esh

 

Portland, Oregon

It should come as no surprise that America’s locavore capital is serious about its ice cream. Known for food trucks and local brews, Portland has upped its ice cream skills in recent years. You’ll find spots offering up ice cream flights of six tastings for when it’s just impossible to choose between scoops filled with a variety of local ingredients including strawberries and microbrews.

ice cream

Visit: Salty Sow, Ruby’s Jewel.

 

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

With all eyes turned to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympic Games it’s only natural to include the city in a list of must-visit places for summer desserts.  Especially, when you consider that the typical Rio dessert of summer is actually something you can eat for breakfast, lunch or just as a snack. You know it as an açaí bowl, (Açaí na tigela). It’s made of frozen, mashed açaí, served in a bowl or as smoothie and topped with tapioca, or granola and banana.

acai bowl
Acai bowl

Visit: Bibi Sucos

 

New Delhi, India

Apologizes to the ice cream fans but once you’ve had Kulfi you’ll never really be satisfied with your beachside favorite again. India’s version of ice cream is creamy, dense and designed to melt slowly. Grab a cup, mango is one of the most popular flavors, and wander around historic Old Delhi, take in the Jama Masjid Mosque and shop at Chandni Chowk.

Girls having Faluda Kulfi
Girls having Faluda Kulfi

Visit: Kuremal Mahavir Prasad Kulfiwale, Giani

 

New Orleans, Louisiana 

The Crescent City is bursting with history, music and food. So much so, it could take a lifetime to try all of New Orleans’s delights. Bananas Foster was invented here, Antonine’s Baked Alaska is famous, but if you only indulge in one sweet during your trip make it the Sno-Balls. Don’t mistake their traditional dessert of summer as a snow cone.  Sno-balls, are made of shaved ice not crushed or ground, which New Orleanians believe makes the handmade syrup soak in better.

new orleans sno-ball
New Orleans Spearmint Sno Ball with condensed milk | Photo via Aromas on Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Visit: Hansen’s Sno-Bliz.

 

Rome, Italy

Multiple gelato shops on each block make Rome, one of the best cities for something cold and sweet. Denser and more intense than American ice cream you’ll find a gelato flavor for every type of sweet lover in the Italian capital. Stick to the traditional in a cup or opt for something more indulgent like a gelato panini, a warm brioche filled with gelato, or affogato—a shot of espresso poured over a scoop of vanilla gelato–additional shot of coffee liqueur optional, but recommended.

gelato
Case of various gelato flavors

Visit: Ciampini

 

New York, New York

Many turn their back on New York City during the summer choosing sand over sidewalk, but minimal crowds make the summer one of the best times to visit the city that never sleeps.  Especially if you’re a lover of frozen desserts. Want a Blueberry Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich? A Tangerine Granita? What about gelato or the Philippines’s halo-halo? In addition to homegrown ice cream boutiques where you can grab an old-school scoop or a classic sundae, NYC is home to shops serving the world’s hottest dessert trends.

Irish Coffee Milkshake Shot 3
Image courtesy of Vandal

Visit: Vandal, Stanton Social, Patisserie by Francois Payard

 

Bangkok, Thailand

For street food lovers Bangkok is paradise. Around every corner is a new vendor and the food is as unique as the city’s districts. In the green area you’ll find some of the oldest markets selling traditional Thai food while the Victory Monument area has a plethora of modern options. But one thing you’ll find almost everywhere is stir-fried ice cream. As you watch a vendor pours milk onto an ice gold grill, adding in flavors of your choice such as green tea, coffee, chocolate, and fruit and mixing it until rolls form at which point you can add more toppings.

thai woman holding ice cream

Visit: Any vendor selling it that has a line.

 

Paris, France

Much like New York, Paris empties in the summer and while there is never a bad time to visit the City of Light, in the summer you’ll find it a little calmer. It’s the ideal time to wander the streets, take in the sights while window shopping and sample the many many delicious sweets. There’s the ultimate profiterole, an ice cream sandwich with pastry and chocolate sauce, the classic cream puff and of course you can never go wrong with macaroons with ice cream centers.

profiteroles
Profiteroles | Photo via Edward Kimber on Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Visit: Profiterole Chéri, Amorino