Chocolate Avocado Mousse - Chocolaty Win

I am currently eating the fruits of my labour as I post this. So good I could not wait to share!

Sorry for the hiatus - we are going through a major life overhaul. Both the Hubby and I have/are starting new jobs and Munchkin just dropped his nap. So Life has been a little nuts over here. I plan to catch up fairly soon!

So on to the Chocolate Goodness or as I will now call it "Holy Crap this is Avocado??" Mousse.

I am forever in search of a desert that will satisfy my sweet craving but not killing my slowly shrinking waist line. I actually came across this recipe here when searching for ways to get more vegetables into the Munchkin. 

Now I must say I am NOT an Avocado person. I'm not a huge fan of it, I never buy it, and the only time I have it in my house is when my California born-and-raised Mother-in-Law is in town cause she puts Avocado on everything. Apparently its a California thing. But I'm sure I'd be disowned if Munchkin never tasted an Avocado.

This recipe does NOT taste like Avocado. YAY!

CHOCOLATE ACOVADO MOUSSE

with revisions

4 ripe avocados (3 were used)

1 cup agave syrup (replaced with 3/4 cup honey)

1 cup unsweetened coco powder (3/4 cups were used)

1 TBSP Vanilla Extract

Remove flesh from avocados and cut into chunks. Place all ingredients into stand up mixer or food processor (my blender worked fine) and blend until light and smooth. Chill, then serve.

This is the WHOLE RECIPE in one large bowl. Booyah!

Chill?? Haha yah right. I dare anyone who's been craving chocolate to take one lick of this out of the blender and wait for it to be chilled. 

This is a definite win recipe.

You get healthy fats from the avocado, not a whole tone of sugar but an excellent way to keep those chocolate cravings satisfied.

This recipe even with the reduction made a HUGE portion. And it's very rich - the bowl I've portioned out for myself is sitting right now cause it's almost too much. Almost ;)

It's thick but light, chocolatey, rich and down right amazing. And really does not taste like Avocado at all.

SOOO GOOOOOD!

Creamy Peanut Butter Dip - Win

If your kiddos are like my Munchkin healthy snacks and protein can be hit and miss. Sometimes he'll eat LOADS of chicken and fish and yogurt, and some days he won't touch a bite and reverts to a carbohaulic. Sound familiar?
We're having a quite day in today (yay waking up to toddler-vomit) and I was searching Pinterest for an light and easy snack that would be easy on tummies (and waistlines) :D Enter recipe for Creamy Peanut Butter Dip!

Now when I made this I totally winged it - no recipe in front of me, only knowledge of ingredients. The recipe below is what I used, but the original link with actual recipe is below

2-3 tbsp nut butter (I used almond butter)
3-4 tbsp low fat plain greek yogurt
1/4 tsp honey
dash of cinnamon
Mix ingredients
Slice up various fruit (we used Granny Smith apples), dip, and enjoy!

Whole think took about 3 minutes to create.

Apparently my photo won't rotate

Now if you search for this recipe it says it makes multiple portions. Unless you're like me and totally end up loving this dip and could eat it right out of the bowl with a spoon. So maybe divide it up if you're watching calories.
Overall - definite win! Really tasty and light, but full of protein (yay Greek yogurt!). This would work for snacks or a desert as well. Munchkin didn't try any (see previous comment about iffy-tummy today) but I have some left over and I'll report back if he ever gets around to trying some.

Overall a great quick recipe!
Original link from Fit Sugar

DIY Parachute Craft - Win!

This past weekend was a cold and crappy Sunday, complete with snow. Yay Calgary! We decided to stay inside and have a cozy family day which means crafts and baking. I'm always looking for new little crafts for the Munchkin and this looked like an easy winner

To make your Parachute
Supplies
1 dinner sized napkin
Tape
Hole punch
Yarn or string
Scissors
Paratrooper (we used a driver from one of Munchkins cars)

The instructions are simple
Spread out napkin (I decorated ours since plain white was boring)
Place clear tape on each corner on both sides of the napkin for support
Punch a hole in each corner, about an inch in
String yarn though holes
Tie two strands together
Tie a second knot in each already tied strand to create a little arm hole for your 'volunteer' paratrooper
Attach your paratrooper to the yarn

Then DROP!

This was a super cute and easy craft. Pictures will come - I didn't take any since I wasn't sure how this would go over.
Munchkin love it! It provided a whole 5 minutes of entertainment which is hours in when converted into toddler time.
A great little rainy day craft!

Original instructions can be found here:
http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2011/02/toy-parachute-craft.html