We are mom and dad, who in addition to being parents, do research on healthy lifestyle and cancer. We would like to achieve a healthy, balanced and meaningful life. In our pursuit, we sift the healthy from the unhealthy, the simple from the complicated advice. The blog also includes random musings on topics other than health and parenting. Send us a message at applyforlife@gmail.com, mikelifesteer@gmail.com or through the contact form in the sidebar.
This is the real deal, no-added sugar dessert! The sugar comes from the fruit only; however, along with this natural sugar comes the fruit fiber. Therefore, after you enjoy this cool dessert, your blood sugar will not spike. Here it is:
Yogurt fruit dessert Ingredients: 2 bananas, mashed 1 1/2 cups of plain yogurt (low fat is best) 2-3 Tbsp chia seeds 2-3 nectarines, peaches and/or plums (or any other fruit of choice such as quince, pear, apple) 1-2 Tbsp of your favorite cognac or rum (skip, if serving to children) Optional: raisins, nuts, coconut, cinnamon, or natural unsweetened cocoa powder
Directions: First, prepare the fruit mixture. Thinly cut the fruit of choice (peaches, nectarines, and plums work best). Steep the fruit and raisins in ½ cup of water under cover to desired softness. This will take very little time (a couple of minutes, but it depends on the type of fruit). Add 1-2 Tbsp rum (skip, if serving to children), mix gently. Cool the fruit prior to serving the dessert.
For the yogurt mixture, mash the bananas with a fork, add the yogurt and chia seeds. Leave in the refrigerator overnight. Before serving, you could freeze the yogurt mixture for one or more hours. Serve with the fruit mixture on top. Decorate with nuts, coconut or cocoa powder.
It is creamy, sweet and unbelievably healthy! The recipe came to be because I had some baked butternut squash frozen from a month ago, and it was Thanksgiving. Here it is:
Ingredients: one butternut squash, cut in half and baked one banana one tsp vanilla a dash of cinnamon a few Tbsp almond milk
Instructions: Peel the baked butternut squash and pulse in a blender together with the banana and some almond milk to the desired consistency. Mix in the vanilla and cinnamon, chill. Serve with toasted nuts on top.
Ingredients You will need 1 cup of bulgur (I use quick cooking 100% whole grain Bob’s Red Mill), ¼ cup of old fashioned Quaker oats (this can be increased or skipped, according to your taste), 3-4 medium size apples, a dash of cinnamon, and 2 Tbsp of sugar (or mashed banana).
Directions Cook one cup of bulgur wheat in two cups of water by simmering for 12 minutes. At the end, add the oats and turn the heat off. Slice thinly the apples and microwave them to soft (I microwave them for 2-3 minutes). Mix the wheat, apples, cinnamon and sugar (or banana), cover, and let it cool to room temperature. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator. Serve as a dessert or breakfast.
Play For more health benefits, add flax seeds, walnuts, lemon peel/juice, and raisins. Instead of sugar, sweeten the dessert with mashed bananas. Finally, add a spoon of peanut butter or coconut oil.
