Author: Erika Vasquez

DECADENT Cookie Butter Banana Oats!

Hi Friends ! This is probably the creamiest oatmeal ever!! It’s made with Cookie Butter, which is made from Biscoff cookies (my fav little airplane snack). Biscoff Cookies have been around for a while but I only discovered Cookie Butter a couple years ago. Hurrrray 

Oven Roasted Maple Rosemary Carrots

Hi Friends! I’m so happy you’re here ! I have the PERFECT side dish for you this Holiday Season! I know the Holidays look a little different this year but I am so thankful to be surrounded by family.  I really wanted this recipe to be 

3 – Ingredient Green Smoothie

Hi Friends,

Okay, so let me tell you all about the easiest. smoothie . ever! All you need is 3 ingredients ! I make this smoothie ALL THE TIME because it’s so easy and even better, there is NO added sugar. It’s great for busy mornings because it’s done in minutes.

Summer is here and this smoothie is the most refreshing thing there is ! It’s also very easy to double, or even triple this recipe.

Please make sure to use ripe frozen bananas for the perfect sweetness. Greens are the best way to start your day! Please Enjoy!

Love,

Erika

glass of green smoothie with metal straw surrounded by spinach leaves

3 Ingredient Green Smoothie

A super easy, delicious, and NO SUGAR ADDED smoothie
Prep Time 5 minutes
Course Drinks
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups soy milk
  • 2 frozen bananas ripe
  • 2 cups fresh spinach

Instructions
 

  • Place milk, spinach, and frozen bananas in blender
  • Blend until smooth, add ice cubes if necessary
  • Drink immediately or freeze for later use

Notes

Feel free to add a sweetener if you wish !
Keyword green smoothie

Basil Pesto Pasta (nut-free)

Hi Friends! I was having trouble finding a pesto that was nut free so I decided to make my own! I have to say that lockdown 2020 really gave me the push to recreate tons of my favorite products from the grocery store. I ran 

Mango Salsa

Hi Friends! Grilling Season is almost here! People in Chicago take summer VERY seriously! I mean, do you blame us ? We have months and months of snow and cold weather. Oh, I am getting off topic and having some unhappy memories of snow storms 

Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls

Hi Friends,

I fell in love with dates a couple years ago and they haven’t left my side since! Dates are soft, sweet and super nutritious. I needed a quick NUT FREE treat so I dipped a date into Sunbutter and added a dark chocolate chip in the middle. This quickly became an obsession…The only difficult thing was packing these as a to go snack because they were so messy. That is when I decided to blend everything together and BAM, these date balls came to life. Please Enjoy!

Love,

Erika


Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls

Chocolate NO BAKE energy balls made with coconut flakes and GF oats !
Prep Time 5 minutes
Course Snack
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 6 medjool dates pitted
  • 2 teaspoons sunbutter
  • 1 tablespoon coconut flakes
  • 2 tablespoons vegan chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons rolled oats
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground flaxseed
  • 1/2 teaspoon cacao powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon chia seeds

Coating

  • 1 tablespoon coconut flakes
  • 1/2 tablespoon hemp seeds
  • pinch sea salt flakes

Instructions
 

  • In a bowl put in the coating ingredients and set aside.
  • In a food processor, add in dates and pulse for a couple seconds.
  • Add in the rest of the ingredients (not the coating) and pulse until combined.
  • Form into balls and roll into coating mixture. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes

Maple Cinnamon Pumpkin Seeds

Hi Friends! This has to be one of my favorite recipes because these seeds are just. so. so. GOOD! Quick, simple and delicious. I mean those have to be the 3 magic words to every recipe right?! You can put these together in no time 

Two Layer Chocolate Krispie Treats

Nut Free, Vegan, Gluten Free Hi Friends!  A couple months back I made these heart shaped treats for Valentines day and they came out SO GOOD! I had a fun little heart shaped mold around so I used that but you can use a plain 

Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies


Hi Friends!

Gluten free, Dairy free, Vegan

Yallllll… these cookies are SOOO GOOD! I probably spent a week trying to get this recipe “just” right. I probably had cookies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner… We’ll keep that between us.

These cookies are made with HU chocolate gems so they’re completely dairy free which is perfect for those with dairy sensitivities. They are also Gluten Free because they’re made with Oat Flour so feel free to fool those GF skeptics out there. You can easily make your own Oat Flour by blending up some old fashioned oats. ( It took like three seconds in my Vitamix). This is my first cookie recipe using coconut sugar and whoaaaa. Game Changer. The smell of coconut oil and coconut sugar combined is like sweet paradise in a bowl! It has quickly turned into my favorite thing.

I put so much love into these cookies and they are absolutely delicious. These beauties are super moist so please be gentleeee. I keep mine in an airtight container for about 5 days but I cant recall if they actually last that long. Please Enjoy!

Love,

Erika


Cookies stacked on top of another

Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Soft and crumbly oatmeal raisin chocolate chip cookies. These cookies are Gluten Free, Nut free and Vegan so gladly make these for loved ones with dietary restrictions!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 14

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/3 cup oat flour
  • 3/4 cup coconut sugar
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil melted
  • 1/4 cup warm water
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips/chunks used HU gems
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup oats
  • sea salt flakes

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 and prepare a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
  • In a small bowl whisk together coconut oil, warm water, vanilla extract, coconut sugar and apple cider vinegar.
  • In a large bowl combine oat flour, baking soda, and salt (not the flakes)
  • Slowly add the coconut oil mixture to the flour mixture until well combined.
  • Fold in oats, raisins, and dark chocolate chips.
  • Refrigerate dough for 30 mins.
  • Using a cookie scoop, place on cookie sheet about 2-3 inches apart.
  • Bake for 11-13 minutes and immediately sprinkle with sea salt flakes when out of the oven. You can also sprinkle before baking if you prefer
  • Let the cookies cool for at least 10 minutes and then cool completely on a wire rack. ( if possible)
Keyword Dairy Free, Gluten Free, vegan cookies


Lets keep up with all things CHOCOLATE and check out these easy Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls

Lemon Coconut Energy Balls

Hi Friends! Okay so quick question. Am I the only one obsessed with energy balls lately? ! No bake protein balls, bliss balls, etc. I’ve heard a couple fun names but you get the idea. They’re all so great ! These are the perfect sweet