Espresso, Chocolate Chip "Muffin in a Mug" - GF, Sugar-free, THM (S)

I am so fond of Autumn, with it's deeper, richer flavors, after spending the summer with the cool, lighter versions of everything from food to clothes, it is a welcome change. It is a sad thing to put away the sandals and capris, but ah, my favorite wool sweater.

My favorite breakfast is a strawberry smoothie. I can have one for breakfast everyday and not become bored with it. Today, however, the house is cold, the temperature outside has dropped and the furnace is broken. I did not need an ice cold smoothie! I needed my wool sweater and a hot muffin!

I hesitated to post a "MIM" , muffin in a mug, because there are so many recipes already and all so similar. But this has to be my favorite variation, thought up while shivering in my kitchen holding a steamy cup of coffee, it feels less eggy or spongy, more like the flour muffins we are all used to. I hope you enjoy it.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter, melted
3 tablespoons almond flour/meal
2 tablespoons flax meal
3 teaspoons erythritol
2 dashes pure stevia
1 egg, medium or large
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
generous pinch of salt
1 heaping tablespoon 90% chocolate, chopped ( I used Lindt )
1/2 -1 teaspoon espresso powder or instant coffee powder

Directions:
Spray or sparingly butter the mug or ramekin, I am using a glass Pyrex container which is a perfect size for the "Muffin in a Mug" recipes from Trim Healthy Mama , bonus is that if I am packing this for a snack or meal later I can just put the lid on when it is completely cool and take it with me.
Break egg directly into greased bowl,

 add all the ingredients except the chocolate.

 Stir. Add chocolate and give a gentle swirl to just distribute the chocolaty goodness throughout the batter.

 I bake mine in the toaster oven for 20 minutes, at 350F. Adjust time if necessary if your container is much larger or smaller. You can also microwave for about a minute if you are in a hurry.

A toothpick inserted will come out clean when done. Allow to cool for a couple minutes to set. Run a knife around muffin to dislodge and don't burn your mouth from impatience. :)

 Oh! Was this bite good!

Special thank you to Serene and Pearl for this wonderful eating plan! http://www.trimhealthymama.com/

A Healthy Ice Cream Float?! And Delicious Too!

I was perusing the drink aisle at Whole Foods Market looking for something without sugar yet no artificial sweeteners. When what to my wondering eyes should appear, a black cherry soda sweetened with stevia!

Quick look at the label...no carbs...zero! I just wanted one, I don't usually spend money on drinks, my daughter talked me into the carton of 4, a bit pricey at $4.99 but they sure were good on some hot summer days!

Before the last one was gone, it occurred to me that it would make a wonderful float.

 Next step, make the Trim Healthy Mama Tummy Tucking Ice Cream, found on page 368 of the Trim Healthy Mama book by Serene Allison and Pearl Barrett.
Ingredients:
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 teaspoon stevia (or to taste)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon glucomannan
pinch good salt (my addition)
Mix all in a blender for 3-4 minutes, the glucomannan will make it thick and creamy but takes a few minutes of blending.

Pour into ice cube trays.

 Freeze.
In a food processor, cream the frozen cubes (I used 1/2 the tray for the pictured amount).

Add a teaspoon of cream, tahini, or peanut butter.
Process again for a minute until creamy.

This is delicious alone, covered in melted Skinny Chocolate, or with chunks of Skinny Chocolate added to the last processing step. However, I had something else in mind...

 Oh, my jar is getting frosty!

 Once it settled I added the rest of both soda and ice cream. It was all I had anticipated!
Since Whole Food Market is an hour away from me I went right to the Azure Standard website to see if I could get this tasty soda from their co op. They don't have the black cherry but root beer will be in my next delivery and the price was a little better too!

Lemon Cream Smoothie--Super Healthy

This super healthy smoothie reminds me of my Grammy's lemon sherbet, a treat for which everyone clamored. The mingling of sweet and tart, creamy, cold, and refreshing, (sigh) I may need another soon.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup plain, Greek yogurt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon lemon extract or 4-6 drops Young Living Essential Lemon Oil
zest from 1 lemon
juice from 1 lemon (the same one)
pinch of good salt, optional
1/2 tray of ice
1/4 teaspoon glucomannan powder, optional
Stevia or honey to taste
1 scoop vanilla protein powder if it's a meal, 1/2 scoop if it's a snack, or omit it if it is dessert after a protein rich meal
Add everything to the blender container and whirl for 2 minutes.

 This fine young man is my handy, dandy, button pushing assistant. Just be sure to keep the lid on anytime he is close by and it will all go well. Incidentally, he prefers fresh red raspberries in his smoothie to the lemon, same recipe.

 Breakfast, snack, or dessert, can't go wrong!

Hot Cheese Dip, Mildly Spicy Yet So Much Flavor!

We threw together a game night with some great friends and lots of snacks, easy, fun, and relaxing!
This gooey, cheesy goodness mixed up in about 5 minutes (including the time it took to fish it out of the fridge), and baked for 20 minutes.

Ingredients:
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup mayo
1- 4 oz. can diced, green chilies
1- 4 1/2 oz can sliced, black olives
2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
Several drops of hot sauce, like Frank's
1 medium tomato
1/4 cup chopped onion
4 green onions, sliced thinly
Tortilla chips
Preheat oven to 350F.
In a large bowl, place the cheese, mayo, chilies, onion, garlic, hot sauce, and half the black olives.

Stir well.

Spoon into a pie plate or 8x8 baking dish.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Ohhh, myyy!!!
Top with the tomato, remaining olives, and green onions. Serve warm with chips. Caution, watch for stampede!

Rich, Dark, Cocoa Scone

This is the richest, most decadent scone to adorn a tea or breakfast table. Rich with cocoa and cream, it needs only a scant drizzle of glaze. I cut this one in smaller pieces because of the richness.

Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour or white spelt or gluten free mix of your choice
6 tablespoons cocoa
6 tablespoons sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups heavy cream or 1/2 & 1/2
Glaze:
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1-2 tablespoons milk
Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Add the cream, stirring/folding gently just until all dry ingredients are moistened.

Roll or pat into a circle on a lightly greased sheet pan.

Cut into 10-12 pieces, gently spread apart so there is a 1/4 inch between all the pieces.

 Bake at 400F. for 9-14 minutes until puffed and drying around edges (they would appear golden if they weren't already brown).
Allow to cool for 10 minutes then remove to serving plate.

 Whisk all the glaze ingredients together, add milk if too thick or more powdered sugar if too thin. Drizzle glaze over scone, lick fingers...just kidding...maybe ;)

Enjoy responsibly, that means to eat some fruit with it if it is breakfast. A glass of milk would be great!!