Getting ready for a birthday party...

Of course I love a healthy diet, but I'm not opposed to a treat either!

I wanted to send the kids home with something special this year for my sons 4 birthday party.  I decided to make these super cute Oreo pops. So easy to make and my son and I had a great time making them together. He loves helping me cook and loves helping me more when its something sweet.  However he doesn't like chocolate.  I know, it's crazy. But he loves anything else that's sweet, so that makes up for it.  Instead of buying the regular Oreos, I bought the golden Oreos, so he could enjoy them too.  They turned out great.  I cant wait for the kids to see them!

INGREDIENTS:  

• One package of Oreos. I love using mint Oreos, if you can find them
• 6 cups of white chocolate for melting 
• 24 Lollipop sticks 
• Sprinkles of your choice  
• Parchment paper

DIRECTIONS:

• Slowly twist apart all of the Oreo cookies. I set everything up on parchment paper.
• Using one of the lollipop sticks, make an indentation in the white filling of each cookie.
• Melt the white chocolate in the microwave for 1 minute then in 30  second increments stirring in between,  for a total of 2 minutes.
• Dip the tip of one lollipop stick into the melted white chocolate, then place back into the indentation of a cookie. 
• Carefully place the top of the cookie back on. Let this sit for 5-10 minutes to dry.  This acts like a glue.  Once you can pick up your Oreo pop without anything falling apart its ready to dip.  
• Holding the stick, gently dip the cookie into the chocolate.  Use a spoon to help you cover it completely.
• Let any excess chocolate drip off and place onto the parchment paper.
• Sprinkle the top your cookie with desired confetti sprinkles. 
• Let cookies dry completely. 
• Eat and enjoy!   

A healthier option...

Welcome to my blog! 

In my house we love cooking and we love eating even more! I'm trying my best to give my kids the healthiest start in life as possible.  My hope is that when they're teenagers that some of this "healthy eating" will stick with them and they'll chose that bottle of water instead of that bottle of Coke...whilst eating their fast food lunch.  

I'm always trying to find a healthier option. Here is my new favorite pizza recipe.  Since finding it, we have not had a regular wheat pizza base since!

Incredible Squash Pizza 

Recipe: (makes one 30cm pizza)
3 Cups Mashed Butternut Squash (1 large squash)
1 Cup Almond Flour (if you want a nut free pizza, try using fine corn meal)
3/4 Cup Garbanzo Flour
1/4 tsp Sea Salt
1/8 tsp Black Pepper
2 Tbsp. plus 1 Tbsp. Ground flax
1 tsp Dried Oregano

Toppings:

Green Pizza Sauce (recipe below)
A handful of pitted Kalamata olives
1 Cup cherry tomatoes (chopped)
A couple of handfuls arugula, herbs, or baby beet greens

* Or pizza sauce and toppings of choice

Procedure:
Begin by preparing the squash for roasting. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Lay cut side down in a roasting pan and fill halfway with water. Cook in a 200 C (400 F) oven for 40minutes to 1 hour (adding more water as needed to top up), or until a fork can easily pierce the flesh of the squash. Let cool, then scoop out the flesh.

In a small bowl combine the 2 Tbsp of ground flax  with 4 Tbsp water. Let sit for 5 minutes.
In a larger bowl combine 3 cups of squash with the soaked flax meal, almond flour, garbanzo flour, salt, pepper, dried oregano, and extra ground flax. Stir to combine.

Spread the mixture onto a parchment lined tray and create a 30 cm (12 inch) circle, making sure that the edges are a little bit thicker. Bake in a 220 C (425 F) for 30-35 minutes or until the edges are crisp and golden and the centre is set (and can peel away from the paper). Top with pizza sauce, tomatoes, and olives, and bake for another 10 minutes. Let sit a few minutes before garnishing with greens.  

Green Pizza Sauce

Recipe:
1/4 Cup Cashews
1/2 Cup packed basil
1 Cup packed spimach
1/2 Lemon, juiced
Sea Salt and Pepper to taste
8 Tbsp. Olive oil

Procedure:
In a food processor puree the cashews, basil, and spinach until smooth. Add the salt, pepper, lemon juice, and oil, mix to combine.

 I love feta cheese and sun-dried tomatoes.  What are your favorite toppings?

Photo & recipe from:

http://www.wholeheartedeats.com/2013/12/incredible-squash-pizza.html