Protein Packed Granola Bars

Add a little Life to your granola bars!

Finding your favorite granola bar recipe can take some trial and error baking, at least that's what I have found.  I love that these are simple to make and bake up nice.  They taste delicious and bonus...they're healthy too!

Ingredients

1 Cup Rolled Oats

1/4 Cup Shaklee Vanilla or Chocolate Protein Powder*

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 Cup unsalted Peanut Butter (or omit adding salt if your peanut butter is salted)

1/4 Cup Sugar

1/4 Cup Maple Syrup

1 Tablespoon melted coconut oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 Tablespoon mini chocolate chips

Directions

1.  Preheat oven 350 F. Line an 8x8 square baking dish with parchment paper.

2. In a small bowl, combine peanut butter, sugar. maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla. Mix until combine well.

3.  In a larger bowl, combine rolled oats, protein powder, cinnamon and salt.

4.  Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients until completely blended. Then fold in chips, mixing well.

5. Transfer batter to baking dish, spreading into an even layer, making sure to press evenly and into the corners.

6.  Bake at 350 F for 15-17 minutes.  Bars will be light brown.  Remove from oven, cool in pan for at least 20 minutes.  Lift the parchment paper out of baking pan and set on cutting board.  Slice bars when completely cool.

7.  Optional:  drizzle some melted chocolate over top of bars before cutting.

*I choose to use the Shaklee Life protein powder as it is natural, non-gmo, and free of any artificial ingredients.  Shaklee conducts over 350 tests to confirm their products are free of any contaminants, plus I love their philosophies and passion for always doing what is right.  Learn more about their commitments and what they call, The Shaklee Difference.

Heart Healthy Overnight Oats

Need a little kick-start to begin your day? These overnight oats are filled to the brim with heart-healthy ingredients & added energy boost to keep you energized and satisfied all morning long!

Denise's Heart-Healthy Overnight Oats

 I typically don’t get overly excited about oatmeal, but I am truly loving the overnight oats with all the endless possibilities! And what’s not to love; they’re simple, yummy, and healthy! And this recipe offers heart healthy oats, soy, and berries. In addition, a natural energy boost your heart and whole body will enjoy!



Ingredients:  

For 2 pint sized jars, split the following:

2-Cups fresh or frozen berries

2-Cups Milk or Milk Alternative

1-Large banana-mashed

½-Cup Oats (I like quick steel cut oats)

½-Cup Vanilla Protein Powder 
(I only use Shaklee's Protein Powder)

2-Packets Matcha Tea Sticks 
(I used Shaklee-Pomegranate tea)

Recipe:

Into each of the 2 pint-size glass jars, place ingredients in this order:

Berries

Mashed Bananas
Dry Oats
Protein Powder 
Dry tea
Milk/Milk Alternative

There is no need to stir or shake the contents. 

Use jar lid or tin foil and close/cover each jar and place in refrigerator overnight. 

To enjoy, simply place desired amount of oats mixture in a bowl and warm in microwave. If desired, top off your oats with a serving of healthy fats like a handful of nuts or coconut. 

{Additional milk/milk alternative may be added per your taste.}

Enjoy!

To your health,    Denise Gaskell~Gaskell Healthy Solutions ~815-385-2834~

(Healthy) Pumpkin Fudge Recipe

                   (Healthy) Pumpkin Fudge

Yes, I have fallen for the pumpkin-flavor craze, or maybe its the cinnamon!
Either way, if you enjoy the fall flavors and a quick, healthy snack, you'll love these easy to make fall-flavored treats.

This recipe is a spin off the Peanut Butter Fudge recipe here on my blog with just a few tweaks to add in the fall flavors~

INGREDIENTS: 

1 Cup Vanilla Protein Powder-I use Shaklee Brand
1 Cup Crunchy Cereal (I like Enjoy Life brand-typically found in gluten-free isle)
1 Cup Chocolate Chips (can use carob chips, raisins, cranberries, nuts, granola, etc.)
3/4 Cup Organic Almond Butter (or other nut or non-nut butter)
3/4 Cup mix of Natural Maple Syrup and Honey
1/4 Cup Organic Pumpkin-I used the Farmers Market brand
1 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice 

DIRECTIONS:

Place all ingredients into mixing bowl. Use large spoon to stir until completely blended.

Roll or scoop into small individual balls. I use a small scooper, shown below to keep it simple.

May be enjoyed right away. Keep extras in refrigerator or freeze. 

Makes several dozen.

This healthy “fudge” offers a great amount of protein, fiber, and healthy carbohydrates. They are perfect for  after school snacking, for a quick and tasty energy boost, after workout nourishment, or anytime!

 ~Enjoy~

To your health,

 Denise Gaskell

Gaskell Healthy Solutions

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