Just because our family eats paleo now, it definitely doesn't mean we don't like the occasional treat! We just make smarter choices when we feel like having something special, and we always make sure it is made out of paleo approved foods. And we feel so much better after indulging in these sorts of treats - no pain, no bloating, and best of all, no guilt! Its amazing how much our tolerance for sweet tastes has changed too. Often times an apple is too sweet for me to finish eating, and chocolate that is under 80% is just too much. It doesn't taste good at all! I think if I ate a jelly bean at this point, my head would explode! It just doesn't take as much to fulfill that desire for something sweet anymore. And that's a great thing - more proof that our bodies are changing and responding to our new diet. Yay!
For breakfast we usually eat some variation of eggs and meat, but sometimes its nice to mix it up a little. We try to avoid almond flour as much as we can (it is high in Omega 6's, isn't helpful for weight loss, and just doesn't make us feel very good when we eat it) but the kids have an almond flour pancake recipe that is their absolute favorite, so I will occasionally make those for them. We have a couple really tasty coconut flour based muffin recipes, and this is another coconut flour based breakfast treat we all really enjoy - the grain free puff pancake! Topped with warmed berries (and real maple syrup for the kids) it is a wonderful way to start the day.
For dessert, we stumbled upon the greatest idea the other day - fried bananas drizzled with coconut flakes and 80% dark chocolate. YUM! This is truly a treat for Matthew and I, because we don't consume much fruit at all (0-1 pieces a day) and the dark chocolate and coconut flakes add a little extra indulgence.
To make these, plop some coconut oil in a pan and heat on medium low. Slice your bananas in half lengthwise, and when the oil is warm, fry them up till golden brown. Remove carefully onto a plate, and drizzle chocolate and coconut on top. Eat them right away, while they are warm and gooey and oh so delicious.
If you have extra chocolate leftover, you can make frozen banana pops! We sliced a banana into 1 inch long longs, covered with chocolate and coconut flakes, and then stuck them in the freezer till firm. They are cold and refreshing, and lets face it, anything stuck on a stick is more fun to eat.
So there you have it! A couple delicious, paleo friendly treats to indulge in. More proof that eating paleo does not equal being deprived. Quite the opposite, I think we have more options and enjoy our food so much more now!
For breakfast we usually eat some variation of eggs and meat, but sometimes its nice to mix it up a little. We try to avoid almond flour as much as we can (it is high in Omega 6's, isn't helpful for weight loss, and just doesn't make us feel very good when we eat it) but the kids have an almond flour pancake recipe that is their absolute favorite, so I will occasionally make those for them. We have a couple really tasty coconut flour based muffin recipes, and this is another coconut flour based breakfast treat we all really enjoy - the grain free puff pancake! Topped with warmed berries (and real maple syrup for the kids) it is a wonderful way to start the day.
For dessert, we stumbled upon the greatest idea the other day - fried bananas drizzled with coconut flakes and 80% dark chocolate. YUM! This is truly a treat for Matthew and I, because we don't consume much fruit at all (0-1 pieces a day) and the dark chocolate and coconut flakes add a little extra indulgence.
To make these, plop some coconut oil in a pan and heat on medium low. Slice your bananas in half lengthwise, and when the oil is warm, fry them up till golden brown. Remove carefully onto a plate, and drizzle chocolate and coconut on top. Eat them right away, while they are warm and gooey and oh so delicious.
If you have extra chocolate leftover, you can make frozen banana pops! We sliced a banana into 1 inch long longs, covered with chocolate and coconut flakes, and then stuck them in the freezer till firm. They are cold and refreshing, and lets face it, anything stuck on a stick is more fun to eat.
So there you have it! A couple delicious, paleo friendly treats to indulge in. More proof that eating paleo does not equal being deprived. Quite the opposite, I think we have more options and enjoy our food so much more now!