FitSugar

Healthy Recipe: Oatmeal Pumpkin Spice Bread

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:39:15 PST

After a stretch of warmer weather, a cold spell blew over the East Coast. Instead of feeling bitter about bitter cold temps, I baked one last batch of pumpkin bread, as a last hurrah to say goodbye to Winter. I was also excited to use the boxed organic puréed pumpkin I discovered at my local health food store, made by Fig Food Co., in packaging that's completely BPA-free.

I make pumpkin bread often, but this is the first time I experimented with adding rolled oats. Aside from increased fiber, the oats brought an interesting, chewy texture, making this bread slightly denser and more filling than my usual batch. Toast a slice of this oatmeal pumpkin spice bread and spread on some organic peanut butter for a satisfying breakfast, or it's even sweet enough to enjoy for an after-dinner treat.

Continue reading to find out how I reduced the fat in this recipe and how many grams of protein are in each slice.

Valentine's Dessert: Frozen Raspberry Creamy, Dreamy Pie

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:17:26 PST

Whether you're celebrating Valentine's Day with a special someone, friends, or family, or you're going solo, this holiday just isn't the same without delving into a sweet, creamy, dreamy treat. I know you don't want to burst out of your new Valentine's Day outfit, so here's a frozen dessert that's full of fresh flavor and a luscious texture that screams decadence, but won't break the calorie bank.

Continue reading to learn how to make this frozen raspberry pie.

A Reader Recipe: Fourth of July Berry Yogurt Crepes

Fit Community — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 04:51:53 PDT

Show your American pride with a red, white, and blue treat this holiday, like FitSugar reader Versastick does with a colorful and healthy dessert. She posted her recipe for this strawberry, blueberry, and Greek yogurt crepe in our Healthy Recipe group.

Read on for the full recipe!

Gluten-Free (and Almost Sugar-Free) Strawberry Crumble

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 13:28:13 PDT

Summer is here, which means strawberries are at their peak ripeness. Crumbles and cobblers are a delicious and easy way to enjoy Summer's bounty. However, it's tough to find gluten-free options that actually taste good. The combination of brown rice flour, flax, and oatmeal gives this version of a strawberry crumble a crunchiness that complements the melt-in-your-mouth strawberries. This recipe is also high in fiber and vitamin C and low in sugar.

Learn how to make this recipe after the break.

A Lighter Dessert: Warm Raspberry-Pistachio Cake

Susi May — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 01:27:43 PDT

From sorbet to straight out of the basket, I celebrate all things raspberry. I even like Prince's odd '80s tune, "Raspberry Beret." The only dessert that can trump something chocolatey, in my opinion, is a dish featuring my favorite fruit - the raspberry.

Since I like to tinker in the kitchen, I decided to try to improve the healthiness of a recipe I've been making for years: a simple pistachio cake topped with raspberries before baking. By swapping out butter for Greek yogurt and two egg whites for a whole egg, I made the cake lighter in density along with lightening the caloric load; I shaved almost 100 calories off a serving. I think I improved the flavor too. The nuttiness of the whole wheat pastry flour complements the pistachio flavor, and the cake is moist. Plus, each serving is baked individually to help portion control. You got to love ramekins!

Keep reading for the recipe.

A Reader Recipe: No-Bake Banana Chocolate Almond Squares

Fit Community — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 01:28:51 PDT

In the mood for something sweet? Take a cue from FitSugar reader LaurenMurphy, who posted this recipe for a sweet yet nutrition-packed no-bake dessert in our Healthy Recipe group.

I always crave something sweet and delicious at the end of the day (and in the middle of the day . . . and at the beginning of the day . . . OK, pretty much all the time!). However, the majority of sweet delicious things pack major calories and limited nutritional value! So this recipe is my solution; these squares can be used as a dessert or snack, are incredibly easy, and take about 10 minutes to make (not including chilling time).

All of the ingredients used are raw, meaning that you're ingesting all of their live vibrant enzymes. This recipe is not "technically" vegan, as I use raw honey (which has incredible anti-inflammatory properties!), but feel free to experiment with vegan sweeteners like maple syrup or agave.

Check out the recipe after the break!

Speak Up: Your Healthy Dessert Alternatives

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 18:32:01 PDT

It's been in the 80s all week, so after dinner last night, Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream was calling my name from the freezer. I'm all about indulging every once in a while, but I was worried my sweet tooth might cost me the entire pint! So I posted this on Facebook:

Fellow Facebookers posted some great suggestions like green apples with almond butter, frozen raspberries, and fruit salad with some fresh lemon juice sprinkled on top. Delish. I love fruit in the Summer!

I'm sure we could all use some new healthy dessert ideas so tell us what quenches your dessert cravings below.

Sweet Treat: Easy Apple Crumble

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:46:17 PDT

Here's a simple snack (or dessert) that's a cinch to whip up and can be enjoyed hot or cold, depending on your mood. It's just like enjoying a bowl of apple crumble, but without all the calories, fat, and sugar.

Keep reading to see the easy recipe and find out the nutritional info.

Healthy Dessert: Vegan Banana Apple Chunk Bread

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:13:13 PDT

Bananas are my go-to pre- and post-workout snack so I always keep a bunch or two in the house. The warm weather is making my nanners turn spotty and soft before I have a chance to eat them. I have already enjoyed some Banana Almond Oatmeal Pancakes and am too banana smoothied out to whip out the blender again, but I didn't want these bananas to go to waste. It was time to whip up some banana bread. Here is a healthy breakfast option that's so sweet and moist, you'll want to devour it for an after-dinner treat.

To see my easy recipe for this delicious Banana Apple Chunk Bread that's vegan and also low-fat, keep on reading.

A Reader Recipe: Raspberry-Pineapple Chia Popsicles

Fit Community — Tue, 03 May 2011 01:22:32 PDT

The weather's warming up, so what better way to treat yourself than with a sweet treat of frozen fruit made from superfoods? FitSugar reader Dara8182 posted this simple recipe for raspberry-pineapple chia popsicles in our Healthy Recipe group.

Easy to make and so refreshing, these pops are a great Springtime treat! High in vitamins and fiber, they are super healthy too.

Check out the recipe after the break!