Shamrock Mug Cake

     After 5 tries, I finally got it just right.  Luckily, you will only have to do it once to enjoy.  My gift to you.  And, what could be more festive on St. Pat's than a fun naturally green yummy mug cake.  All the Leprechauns are doing it...  This magically delicious treat is only 372 calories, 30g carbs, 8g fiber, 20g sugar alcohol, 2g net carbs, 14.5g protein and 30g fat.  So gather your friends, click your heels and make a party of it, what a perfect way to celebrate!  :)

Ingredients for one Mug Cake~
5 Tablespoons/2.5oz fresh Avocado
1 Extra Large Egg
1 Tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Lakanto Golden or Classic Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount
1/4 cup Almond Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla
1 teaspoon Lakanto Confectioners Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount
Dash Lemon Juice

     Blend Avocado til smooth.  Add 3 Tablespoons Avocado, Egg, granular Monk Fruit, Almond Flour, Baking Powder, Cinnamon and Vanilla to bowl and beat til well incorporated, add to 8oz ramekin or coffee mug that has been coated with cooking spray, microwave 1.5 minutes, you may need to adjust to your microwave.  Meanwhile, blend remaining 2 Tablespoons Avocado, confectioners Monk Fruit and dash of Lemon Juice, use as frosting on cake.  Enjoy  :)

Shamrock Pancakes

     If you are looking for the perfect way to start St Pat's off with a bang, I have a stack just waiting to be consumed.  These wonderful naturally green spheres are so filled with sweetness, no syrup is necessary...but by all means, don't let me stand in your way.  And, I might mention, there is enough fat in the batter that no butter is necessary...but all means, don't let me stand in your way.  Each pancake is only 88 calories, 11g carbs, 2.5g fiber, 6g sugar alcohol, 2.5g net carbs, 3.5g protein and 5.9g fat.  This batch makes 8, but you only need about 3 or 4, but if you want the whole thing...by all means, don't let me stand in your way...  ;)

Ingredients for 8 Pancakes~
1 small 3oz ripe Banana
1 small 3oz Avocado
2 Extra Large Eggs
1 cup fresh Spinach Leaves
1/4 cup Almond Flour
1/4 cup ground Flax Seed
1/4 cup Lakanto Golden or Classic Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
Dash Cinnamon
Dash Vanilla

     Add all ingredients to a blender til smooth and well incorporated.  Drop by scant 1/4 cup on hot cooking spray coated skillet, when cooked thru on one side, flip and cook the other til done.  These are fragile when warm, spread the batter thin when cooking, and wait til fully cooled if handling.  Stamp out a Shamrock shape with a cookie cutter if desired.  These are simply amazing.  Enjoy  :)

Shamrock Hummus

     This is so greenishly good, you can only hope there will be left overs from the party!  And, not to mention Shamrock Hummus is off the charts when it comes to healthy ingredients.  I have no idea if it's a Leprechaun favorite or not, but it should be.  Each of these twelve 1/4 cup servings are only 78 calories, 8.3g carbs, 2g fiber, 6.3g net carbs, 3.5g protein and 3.5g fat.  While typically Hummus is used for dipping, why not turn it into a delicious salad dressing as well.  There's your thought for the day!  :)

Ingredients for 12~1/4 cup servings~
1 can drained Garbanzo Beans
1.5 cups cooked shelled Edamame
1 cup fresh Spinach leaves
1/2 cup fresh Cilantro leaves
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic
Dash Cayenne
Dash Salt

     Add to blender and mix til well incorporated.  Serving with favorite crackers or vegetables.  Enjoy  :)

Ramekin Cobbler

     When you want to splurge a little, but don't want a big dish of temptation lingering around, I have a nice solution for you.  Single serving desserts are quickly becoming my fave, and Ramekin Cobbler is proof in point.  This weighs in at 299 calories, 40.2g carbs, 5.3g fiber, 16g sugar alcohol, 18.9g net carbs, 6g protein and 20g fat (macros do not include Ice Cream topping).  This whips together in a jif, is sugar free, gluten free, minimal ingredients and filled with fun flavor...and did I mention it cooks up in one minute!  Definitely worth a whirlie!  :)

Ingredients for one~
1/4 cup (37 grams) fresh Blueberries
1/4 cup (37 grams) fresh chopped Strawberries
1 Tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Lakanto Classic or Golden Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount
1/4 cup Oats
2 Tablespoons Almond Flour
1 Tablespoon Butter, softened to room temperature
Dash Cinnamon

     Coat inside of 8oz Ramekin with Cooking Spray, add Blueberries an Strawberries and 1 teaspoon Monk Fruit, stir til combined, set aside.  Meanwhile, add remaining ingredients to a cereal bowl, stir til combined and fully incorporated, sprinkle crumbles on top of fruit, microwave for one minute.  Remove and top as desired.  Enjoy  :)

Irish Soda Bread Muffins

     I normally don't eat flour, but I am willing to make an exception in this case.  Also, I made sure to ensure portion control by making the Irish Soda Bread into muffins versus a loaf of bread.  (Or, at least that's what I told myself).  I found a fab recipe on Pinterest from The Olive Blogger.  Each of the 12 muffins are only 192 calories, 23.9g carbs, 1g fiber, 22.9g net carbs, 5.5g protein and 8.2g fat.  Stick to one and enjoy every last morsel.  It's totally divine!  Great during St. Patrick's Day, or quite frankly anytime of year!  :)

Ingredients for 12 muffins~
1 cup Milk
1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
1 Egg
1/4 cup melted Butter
2 cups Flour
2 Tablespoon Sugar
2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/4 teaspoon Salt
4oz/1 cup shredded Irish Cheddar (easy to find in most grocery stores, similar to a sharp Parmesan)

     Add milk to bowl, stir in Lemon, allow to sit for 10 minutes, then stir in Egg and melted Butter, beat with hand mixer til fully combined.  Meanwhile, stir together Flour, Sugar, Baking Powder and Soda, Salt and Cheddar.  Pour in wet mixture, stir til thoroughly combined, drop batter by 1/4 cup in 12 muffin tins, I use silpat lined.  Bake at 375 for 15-17 minutes.  Enjoy  :)

Vegan Potato Soup

     All good Leprechauns resort to Potatoes in some form or other during St Patrick's Day.  The rest of us love them all year round just because.  And, what better way to enjoy than in a bowl.  Each of the 8 cup and a half servings are only 196 calories, 31.5g carbs, 5.2g fiber, 26.3g net carbs, 7.8g protein and 3.7g fat.  As an extra added bonus, this is a one pot meal.  A winner all the way around.  :)

Ingredients for 8~1.5 cup servings~
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Onions, chopped
1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic
Dash Cayenne Pepper
1 large Carrot, trimmed and sliced
4 stalks Celery, sliced
2 pounds Potatoes, diced
8 cups Vegetable Broth
1/2 cup Nutritional Yeast

     Add Oil, Onions, Garlic and Cayenne to soup pot, cook til lightly brown, stir in Carrots, Celery and Potatoes, and broth.  Simmer on low for an hour, stir in Nutritional Yeast til well blended.  Add soup to blender when cool enough, blend til desired level of smooth.  Garnish as desired, Enjoy  :)

Vegan Sugar Cookies

     If you are looking to try a few plant based things this year, I have an idea of where you can start!  This is a very simple, one bowl, child friendly recipe.  Each of the 8 cookies are only 75 calories, 13.5g carbs, .7g fiber, 9g sugar alcohol, 3.8g net carbs, .8g protein and 6g fat.  Make them rounds, hearts or any other shape...just make sure to make them!  ;)

Ingredients for 8 Frosted Cookies~
2 Tablespoons Vegan Butter (I used Earth Balance), softened to room temperature
1/2 cup Oat Flour (I ground 2/3 cup Oats in Magic Bullet to powder)
2 Tablespoon Lakanto Classic or Golden Monk Fruit ~ use code Paige20 at checkout for discount (use more if desired)
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Vanilla
Scant dash Cinnamon
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
2 Tablespoons Vegan Butter (I used Earth Balance), softened to room temperature
1/4 cup Lakanto Confectioners Monk Fruit~use code Paige20 at checkout for discount
Scant dash Almond Extract, optional
Scant dash Butter Extract, optional
Food coloring, if desired
Sprinkles, if desired

     Add first set of ingredients to bowl and stir till well combined, divide into 8 equal portions, should be approximately 1/2oz per serving.  Place each on silpat lined cookie sheet, if rounds are desired, slightly press down into circle shape.  If hearts are preferred, lay heart shaped cookie cutter on silpat and press dough inside, then gently lift the cookie cutter away, repeat with remaining dough.  Bake at 350 for 7 minutes.  Meanwhile, stir together second set of ingredients til smooth, when cookies have cooled, frost as desired.  Enjoy  :)