All Natural Healthy Banana "Pudding" with Brownie Bite Topping

                                                         Delicious, Healthy and Indulgent

I had been seeing recipes for healthy ice cream made using bananas instead of cream. The recipes required the use of a food processor and lots of bananas. I live alone, in a studio apartment with a smaller than average freezer. I can't store that much fake ice cream. So I decided to try making a small batch using my smoothie blender (The Rocket by Bella Kitchen). It didn't work.

Instead I ended up with a creamy concoction that has the consistency of rich pudding and the fresh flavor of a healthy snack. After eating a few bites, I looked over and noticed a box of GF brownie bites so I sprinkled a little brownie on top. Not as healthy, but whatevs.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: none

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

1 well ripened banana (no green allowed, some brown spots are good)

1 full spoonful almond butter (I prefer all natural brands, sometimes salted and sometimes Raw unsalted)

splash of almond milk

premade brownie bites (optional: I used less than a quarter of an Enjoy Life GF brownie bite)

Directions:

Slice banana into a bowl. Place in freezer for 25-30 minutes until frozen through. The bananas will likely stick to the bowl but should scrape off easily with a spoon.

Place frozen banana slices into your personal blender, add almond milk. Do not add too much milk or you will end up with runny pudding. Blend until smooth, scraping down sides as needed.

Add almond butter to blender. Blend until, well, blended.

Scrape into a small martini glass (I always use martini glasses) and garnish with crumbles of the brownie bite if desired.

Enjoy this creamy concoction while still cold or if you like, put it in the fridge to save for later.

You may substitute hazelnut butter for the almond butter and cow's milk or soy milk for the almond milk. If you want to use peanut butter, use the kind that separates and needs stirred. Conventional peanut butter with all of its added sugars may result in a pudding that is too thick.

Boosted Layer Guacamole

Easy, extra healthy and naturally gluten free!

This delicious guacamole was actually an accident. I had recently purchased a bunch of fruits and veggies to make myself an indulgent GF veggie sub using new GF loaf bread I discovered. So most of those ingredients ended up in this dish.

This guacamole sneaks in a lot of healthy veggies that don't normally make it into the popular party dip.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: none
Serves: 1

Ingredients:

Guacamole
1/2 Hass avocado
juice of 1/2 lemon (may use lime instead)
handful of fresh cilantro
handful of fresh spinach
a few slices of cucumber
a few rings of red onion
2 baby carrots, chopped
dash black pepper
dash garlic powder
three dashes hot sauce (optional: I prefer Lousiana Hot Sauce)

Layers
Spoonful of Organic Sour Cream (may sub fat free sour cream)
1/2 cup medium chunky salsa (I used La Victora Salsa Suprema)

Dippers
baby carrots
Reduced-Guilt Corn Tortilla Chips

In a personal blender (I use one called The Rocket by Bella Kitchen), combine all guacamole ingredients. Blend until smooth.

Pour guacamole into a martini glass. Top guacamole with salsa and dollop of sour cream. Enjoy.

Lots of healthy ingredients but easy to make. You could add garnish if you want but you live alone... do you really need garnish?

*Note - The watery nature of the cucumber makes the guacamole a little thinner than typical guacamole. If you prefer thick guacamole, I suggest skipping the cucumber.

Including the layered portions (not the dippers), these are the veggies/fruits that are present in this fantastic dip:

avocado
tomato
garlic
red onion
santa fe chiles
carrot
cucumber
spinach
cilantro
lemon

That's 10 fruits/veggies people!

Welcome to Quickie Meals 4 One!

Welcome to my new blog all about quickie meals and treats that you can make for just one person without sacrificing time. I'm guessing if you live alone you don't want to spend hours making a meal that only you will enjoy. I started this blog when I lived alone. Even though I now have a roommate, we don't really share many meals because she is vegetarian and her boyfriend is vegan so my meat, cheese and butter loving ways are of no interest to them. So the journey of Meals for One continues.

A little about my recipes:

My meals are all gluten free because I have to be gluten free. If I say "hamburger buns" or "all purpose flour" you can use gluten free or regular wheat versions if you choose. It's up to you. 

Many of my meals are naturally gluten free because I love fresh veggies, fruits and dairy products.

I have started leaning towards RAW and ORGANIC foods because they tend to be fresher, taste better and last longer than their alternates.

I will likely not share a step-by-step recipe with pictures for most things. I usually don't even know the exact measurements and I rarely know what I'm going to do before I do it. These recipes are 100% ME. I have stacks and stacks of recipe books that I never open because I find that experimentation is the best method.

The idea behind my meals is that they are simple and pretty self explanatory. Really, they are just to inspire you to eat healthier and eat better even though you are only cooking for yourself. No need to rely on your microwave for meals anymore! I will share a picture of the final product and maybe one or two of any "complicated" steps.

I will try to include nutrition information but keep in mind that I am not an expert. The information I provide is likely to be an estimate based on information I find online. i.e. - half an avocado could mean half a giant avocado or half a smaller avocado. Use your best judgement. I don't dwell on nutrition facts when I eat, I just eat stuff that I feel good about.

Enjoy these recipes designed for those of you (like me) who really don't like following recipes.