Indulge in a Healthy Sundae treat

Tips for creating nutritious & delicious treats that you and your family will enjoy all summer long. 

Often times when we think of enjoying a treat, we may think of words like, indulging. Actually when I looked up the definition of indulge, the sentence summed it up!

in-dulge
verb
allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of. 
Example sentence: "we indulged in some hot fudge sundaes" 

I'm forever seeking tricks to creating healthy treats that not only taste delicious but offer little guilt~ and honestly, knowing the treats are healthy, I'm ok with a little indulgence-often!

One of the best tips I've learned for making treats healthy is to add protein to a snack or treat as the protein will help to fill us up~therefore, we typically eat less.  I look to add plant proteins like nuts, seeds, beans, legumes, soy, etc.  I've also learned that if I make the treat look like other, "indulgences" I seem to enjoy it more, and so does my family!

Here's a couple recipes that feel like you may have indulged but truly you are eating a healthy snack~

Blueberry Sundae Delight

Put 1/4 cup plain yogurt in bottom of sundae glass (I use plain greek yogurt as it offers low sugars and high protein)
Add 1 scoop protein powder  (I use Shaklee Life protein powder as it is natural, non-gmo, and truly delicious).
Top with another 1/4 cup of plain yogurt
Add a handful of blueberries or any berries!
Add a dollop of Truwhip
Add a cherry!
~ENJOY~

Packed with protein, this treat is very easy to make and seriously delicious and if I do say so myself,  beautiful!

Craving chocolate or love coconut?  This is another favorite: 

Coconut Chip Sundae Dream

Simply layer the protein powder between yogurt and top with chocolate chips, coconut & a cherry!

You could definitely add nuts, seeds, other berries, bananas, etc. I'd love to know how you would create a healthy sundae! What toppings or ingredients would you add in?

Below are a few of my favorite, "indulgent" products!

Shaklee Life Protein Powder

Truwhip

A yummy and healthier alternative to other whip toppings. 

Stonyfield Organic Greek Yogurt

Denise's Vegan Dump Cake

Having a daughter who chose to quit eating meat after the 3rd grade field trip to a local farm, and then chose a Vegan lifestyle in high school (oh the flack we received!) we've played with many,  "traditional" recipes in order to enjoy a plant-based, healthier version of many meals and desserts.

In addition, there are 5 other palate's at home to please...
1-vegetarian
1-super picky eater
1-kid who'll eat anything
1-husband who eats according to how it looks

And me-ingredient snob and eats mostly a plant-based diet

                                 So making a dish to please everyone--happens occasionally :)

This dessert is a family favorite and gets gobbled-up at every event it attends!

  

It's...Flavorful, Gooey, Buttery and oh so Fruity, Crunchy, Delicious, and Vegan! (and super easy to make)

Dump Cake
The traditional Dump Cake is simply made by literally dumping a yellow cake mix, can of pie filling, and 2 sticks of butter in a cake pan and baking..easy enough. However in addition to pleasing pallets,  I'm also a label reader and yes, a health nut...so the typical cake mix is a no-no and canned pie filling...not even an option!

My version of Dump Cake is certainly simple and somewhat healthy--after all, it's made with frozen fruit and natural cake mix!  In addition, you only need 3 ingredients, so its easy, quick to make, and of course, Vegan.

My Recipe
2 - Vanilla Cake Mix by Trader Joes
2 - 12oz Bags Frozen Blueberries-thawed to room temperature. Sprinkle with 1 Tablespoon sugar if you like
1 - Cup Earth Balance Organic Vegan Butter
Optional: 1-Cup Chopped Nuts of your choice, 1-Cup Organic Coconut shreds

   

Preheat oven to 350°

Grease 9x13 cake pan with vegetable shortening or spray. Spread thawed blueberries across bottom of pan-any juice too, dump the 2 dry cake mixes over the blueberries, spread dry mix evenly, if using nuts, sprinkle over cake mix, next plop spoonfuls of butter in various places onto the dry cake mix-see picture: 

Bake for 30 minutes. Take out of oven and use fork to gently rake across top of dessert to mix in any dry cake mix with butter...Do NOT stir from bottom! Place back in oven and cook for approximately 30 more minutes. If using coconut, add to top of dessert for the last 30 minutes of cooking. 

Cook until a bit bubbly from the fruit and slightly brown on top.

Allow to cool and enjoy warm or cool. This recipe is delicious on its own, but feel free to top with ice cream, vegan ice cream, whipped cream, etc.  

Note:  This recipe is easily halved.  Simply use square baking pan with only 1 bag blueberries, 1 box cake mix, and approximately 1/2 cup of butter...may need to add a bit more.

~ENJOY~

Denise Gaskell

Gaskell Healthy Solutions

gaskellwellness@comcast.net