Our lives are busy. We barely have time for each other and all of the tasks that annoyingly cloud our to-do lists. Some of us even make a list to make lists! Why not take a little bit of time to slow cook a pot of crock pot black bean and sweet potato chili. Chances are, it will be ready when you are!

Clean Eat Recipe: Crock Pot Black Bean and Sweet Potato Turkey Chili

Ingredients:

1 small yellow onion
2 cloves garlic
1 14.5 oz can fire roasted tomatoes with juice
1 15 oz can black beans
2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 lb turkey breast, ground
1 bay leaf
3/4 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp oregano
1/8 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp coarse grind pepper
2 tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1.5 cup water

Directions:

1. Put vegetables and beans in the bottom of the crock pot.
2. Layer ground turkey breast, spices, seasoning and water.
3. Place lid on crock pot and cook on low for eight hours. (He & She Tip: If you are pressed for time, 1 hr on high equals 2 hours on low.)
4. Carefully remove lid and stir chili. Adjust seasonings to taste.
5. Replace lid, cook for an additional 20-30 minutes on low. Serve.

Dark Chocolate Espresso Granola Bars

October 3, 2011Desserts & TreatsWhitney Carlson7 Comments

These kind of or kinda clean Dark Chocolate Espresso Granola Bars are absolutely phenomenal! I was a little concerned during the preparation of the granola bars as I quite unfamiliar with making granola or granola bars, but am quite pleased with the results. The recipe is easy to follow and I had most of the ingredients in my pantry (or cupboard for you Southern folk!). Although Oxygen magazine recommends eating a little cocoa before an exercise, I felt compelled to categorize them under our Clean Eat Treats category since you would not want to over indulge with the Dark Chocolate Espresso Granola Bars or even eat one per day! They have approximately 250 calories per bar (makes 8).

Dark Chocolate Espresso Granola Bars

Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

2 scoops vanilla protein powder (choose a clean protein powder)

1 tbsp raw honey

2 oz dark chocolate-covered espresso beans (70% or higher cocoa content)

1/3 cup coconut oil, softened

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract (no HFCS) or almond extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

2. Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Use a wooden spoon to combine.

3. Spread mixture evenly in a 9" X 9" baking dish. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden around edges.

4. Let cool and slice into 8 bars. Refrigerate leftovers.

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Gluten Free Version: Use Gluten-Free Rolled Oats and Gluten-Free Flour as alternatives.

Adapted from: Oxygen Magazine, "Cocoa Before Cardio - Reader of the Month Recipe", October 2011.

Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Cookies

September 28, 2011Desserts & TreatsWhitney Carlson12 Comments

Remember, just because it's clean and isn't full of processed junk, you still need to be conscious of the total amount of calories you are consuming. Each of these bad boys have about 110 calories. Not bad for a snack once in a while, but pop 4 or 5 of them and you have wasted a good bit of your daily caloric intake.

Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Cookies (Gluten Free)

Ingredients:

1 cup Almond Butter, stirred well
3/4 cup Sucanat Sugar
1 large egg
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
3 oz dark chocolate (try Lindt Extra Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa), broken into small pieces

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the first five ingredients until blended. Stir in Chocolate.

3. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls on to parchment lined baking sheets (non-stick pans work incredibly well also!).

4. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.

5. Let cool on baking sheets for five minutes. Remove to a wire rack and let cool for 15 more minutes.

Yields approximately 24 cookies.

He & She Tip: Freeze your left over cookies by wrapping each one individually. When you are looking for a special treat, unwrap one and eat it before it thaws. A little piece of Heaven on Earth!

Mets: (per cookie)