Love Bites GNC in The Kitchen
In honor of Valentine’s Day and Heart Health month, we’ve put together some tasty and heart healthy treats for you and that special someone. Whether you’re "nuts" for your Valentine, “berry” easy to please, or in a “love bites” mood, these treats will leave you feeling struck by cupid.
"Nuts for You" Almond Butter
1 c almonds, dry roasted, unsalted
1 Tbsp walnut oil
1/8 tsp sea salt
Directions: Place almonds in food processor and blend until grainy to powdery consistency. Once complete, be sure to scrape remaining almond mixture from walls of bowl and add in oil and salt. Mix well until thick consistency is achieved and oil is well incorporated.
Yield: 4 servings
Dr. Edmundowicz’s Hearty Tip: Almonds and walnut oil contain healthy unsaturated fats, which are an essential part of any healthy diet.
"Berry Easy" Valentine Tart
Nonstick cooking spray
1 Tbsp sugar
½ tsp cornstarch
4 Tbsp water
½ c fresh blueberries
½ c fresh raspberries
1 Tbsp sugar
½ Tbsp cinnamon
2 sheets frozen phyllo dough (9 x14-inch rectangles), thawed
4 oz 70% dark chocolate (optional)
Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly coat rectangular tart pans (or use muffin tins if you don’t have tart pans) with cooking spray; set aside. In a small saucepan stir together the only half of the sugar and all of the cornstarch. Stir in water and half of the berries. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is thickened and bubbly and then fold in remaining berries and set aside. In small bowl stir together the remaining sugar and the cinnamon. Place one sheet of phyllo on cutting board. Lightly coat with cooking spray; sprinkle with about 1 teaspoon sugar mixture. Repeat layering with remaining phyllo and sugar mixture, ending with cooking spray. With a sharp knife, cut phyllo stack in half lengthwise and crosswise, forming four rectangles and ease rectangles into prepared tart pans. Bake for 8 minutes or until phyllo is golden brown. Cool slightly; remove shells from pans and spoon filling into shells just before serving. Melt chocolate and drizzle across the top of the tart (optional). Serve warm.
Yield: 4 servings
Dr. Costa’s Hearty Tip: Blueberries get their blue color from anthocyanins which are polyphenols with antioxidant power.
Vanilla Valentine Protein Cakes
1 cup oat flour or equivalent of quick oats blended to fine powder
2 scoops Pro Performance 100% Whey Vanilla Cream
¼ tsp salt
½ tsp baking soda
4 egg whites
½ c Truvia
½ smashed banana
2 tsp Super Flax Meal
4 oz water
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl combine oat flour, protein, salt, and baking soda. In medium bowl whisk together egg whites, Truvia, banana, and water. Combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring well. Lightly spray or grease 8x8 glass dish with non-stick spray or coconut oil. Pour batter into dish and place in oven to cook for 20-25 minutes.
Yield: 16 squares
Dr. Prisk’s Hearty Tip: Oat beta glucan provides dietary support for normal, healthy cholesterol levels. Oat beta glucan is also found in Lean Shake and Lean Shake 25!
Frozen Fruity "Love Bites"
For the grape bites:
12 green seedless grapes
1/2 c vanilla Greek yogurt
1/2 c walnuts
For the blueberry bites:
1 c fresh blueberries
3/4 c Greek yogurt, plain
3 oz 70% dark chocolate
Directions
For the grape bites:
Rinse the grapes and allow
them to dry. In the meantime, hand chop or use a food processor to finely chop
the walnuts. Once the grapes are dry, coat them in the honey-flavored Greek
yogurt and them immediately coat them in the finely chopped walnuts. Place them
in the freezer until about 30 minutes before serving.
Yield: 1 serving
For the blueberry bites:
Rinse the blueberries and
allow them to dry. Once dry, coat each blueberry in the Greek yogurt and freeze
for 1 hour. In the meantime, melt the 70% dark chocolate in a small bowl. Coat
the frozen yogurt-covered blueberries in the melted chocolate and freeze again.
Remove from the freezer about 15 minutes before serving.
Yield: 2 servings
Dr. Maroon’s Hearty Tip: The walnuts in these “bites” offer a great source of omega 3s and the blueberries and dark chocolate provide a nice polyphenol antioxidant boost!
If sweet treats aren't enough to get you in the Valentine's Day spirit, perhaps this video will do the trick.
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
What healthy treats are you indulging in this Valentine's Day?
