Its Almost Gardening Season in Pittsburgh

Baby Spinach

Wintergreen mint, chocolate mint, apple mint, lavender, lemon balm

Rosemary

Romaine Lettuce

Lemon thyme, lettuce and sweet basil

Gerber Daisies

Giant Dark Chocolate Protein Cookies with Coconut Oil

I have learned a good lesson in baking (not that I didn't already know the chemical properties of sugar); cutting out all of the sugar in a recipe in order to reduce calories and carbs is just not right!! Some sugar is required to maintain moisture and texture. The result; a low carb, sugar free, high protein cookie that lacks moisture and that cookie texture. I will, however, feel less guilty when I have these for breakfast tomorrow morning; I still win (but not the hubby, who will be displeased with the lack of sugar, although he really does not like sweets lol)!

Giant Dark Chocolate Protein Cookies with Coconut Oil makes 24 cookies
1 ½ cups of white whole wheat flour
1 cup chocolate whey protein
½ c dark cocoa powder
1t salt
1 t baking soda
½ t baking powder
1 c dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
30 packets stevia
½ cup coconut oil
 2 eggs
2 t vanilla
1 cup coconut milk beverage

1.       Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine dry ingredients. Beat Stevia and coconut oil until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

2.       Add eggs and vanilla and beat until mixed. Add coconut milk and stir.

3.       Add the dry ingredients and stir to combine.

4.       Scoop dough with heaping tablespoon onto sprayed cookie sheet. Flatten dough slightly.

5.       Bake for 10 minutes . Transfer to rack and allow to cool.

141 calories, 13 grams carbs, 6 grams protein, 8 grams fat,1 gram fiber

Party Pull-Apart Bread

This recipe idea is my new favorite party food! I tested this for work and fell madly in love. I mean, what is there not to love! Warning-CONSUME IN MODERATION;DEVELOPMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IS LIKELY!

What it looks like right before it goes in the oven.

Sharp cheddar, Pancetta, chives, parsley, garlic, butter.



Cook pancetta or bacon in butter (no I am not Paula Deen; butter is ok in moderation). Add garlic and herbs.



Cut bread lenghwise then widthwise

Stuff with cheese slices

Pour buttery mixture over top, wrap entire loaf in foil and bake for 15. Remove from foil and bake another 15. Party time!!

Potato Latkes

Testing this recipe is not helping my waist line!! But it sure makes my taste buds happy!

                          Chocolate Zucchini-Ricotta Protein Cakes

2 cups white whole wheat flour
1 cup chocolate whey protein powder
I Tbsp. baking powder
1 ½ tsp. salt
1 ½ cup sugar
½ cup plus 2 T cups cocoa powder
1 tsp cinnamon
Stevia, enough to sweeten batch or
1 ½ cups sugar
2 eggs
 1 ¼ cups part-skim ricotta cheese
2 ¼ cups grated zucchini, chopped
1 ½ cups coconut milk beverage or organic milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
¼ cup pure coconut oil, melted
½ cup mini dark chocolate chips

1.Preaheat oven to 375. In a large bowl, mix flour, protein, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, cocoa powder and cinnamon.

. In another bowl, beat eggs and fold in ricotta. Add remaining ingredients, reserving the chocolate chips.



. Fold wet and dry ingredients, being careful not to over mix. Fill 20 muffin cups lined with paper cups with batter.Top each with a few chocolate chips.



Bake 26-28 minutes or until center is cooked.

Super Yum, with 12 grams of protein each!