Chocolate Hearts, Raspberry Pie and Parfaits – Valentine’s Day is on its Way!

(Thought I would re-post this from last year as Valentine’s Day is once again upon us – Yum!)

Valentine’s Day is coming up! We wanted to give you some “mmm mmm good” ideas so you would have plenty of time to plan ahead. ♥

Simply click on the title to get the recipe:

Super Simple Chocolate Hearts

Or footballs, trucks or legos  – whatever works for you 🙂

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 Raspberry Chocolate-Bar Parfait:

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Oh My  – Scrumptious Raspberry Pie!

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If there are chocolates and treats – then there must be Keto Joy!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Zip it up!

Upon digging through one of our freezers the other day, I noticed we had lots of frozen strawberries.  It was actually warm outside on that day – well, above 40 – so I felt like drinking something icy. I guess after you have had ice outside for 6 months, you miss it! 😉   So, I took a couple handfuls of those frozen vine-ripened berries from last summer and threw them in a blender with a little lemon juice, a bit of water and a few drops of liquid stevia  – yum!  


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Of course, then everyone else wanted some. 🙂 

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Autumn then pulled out some of our Zipzicles packages and said, “Hey mom, may I make a batch of that strawberry stuff for some zipzicles?”

And so we did:

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In one batch, we added some yogurt  for a little extra protein 🙂

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This is not so much a keto-treat as it is a great low-carb alternative to the store-bought  frozen pops. However, when Autumn was on the diet, she would make frozen Zipzicles using water and a few drops of flavored stevia – she loved them!  You can purchase liquid stevia drops in LOTS of different flavors:

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They were a great treat she could enjoy while everyone else might be having traditional “Mr. Freeze/Ice Pops.”  Even now, being off her diet, she still loves to make them in the summer!

KETO JOY CONTINUES! 🙂

31 Flavors of Yum!

…yummy amazing ice cream!

This is the one we made last night – Jamocha Almond Fudge:

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There is a website called, “All day I dream about Food” and I must say, her pictures make me dream about making the food she posts!

 Although it is not a ketogenic diet blog – it is low carb – and I thought it might be a good link to share to give some ideas for different flavors for ice cream. For higher ratios, just use more cream.  I don’t use all the ingredients she lists, but it gives a good base for ideas. I personally do not like using “Swerve” for a sweetener because it leaves a “cooling effect”  on the tongue, but others might like it.  Click here and here to see previous ketoJoy yummifiable ice cream/shake posts.

Here are a few more pics from her blog:

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 Check them all out here.

I do use the Cuisinart ice cream maker. It works really well for making one batch at a time. It can make up to 2 quarts at a time) at a time. I have tried running batches back to back, but the second batch never really gets thick enough.

 Autumn didn’t feel like waiting for the ice cream to harden for 2 hours….so she just jumped right in after swimming!

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 Keto Ice Cream Joy!

Another Milestone – Chocolate Covered!

Although Autumn is still on the ketogenic diet, tonight (well actually, last night because I am writing this after midnight 😉 ) was the first meal in over 2 years that Autumn ate the same thing for dinner that we did – no weighing – no measuring.

I should have taken a picture before we ate – I thought for sure we would have leftovers, but it was too good for that.

Here is a picture from the recipe I used:

2e3ead83a621fd5ca925c7f4bbd8c051 Shortly after we were done eating,  I took her blood ketone level:

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Down to 1.4…and so far, no seizures. See ketone post here.

  Tonight, I purposely made a low carb dinner that I felt would be in her ratio range (with cream cheese, cheese, bacon, cauliflower and chicken!) because I really wanted to see if we could do it – without a seizure.  

And, yes we could.

 Wow, I still can’t get over how all this works.  Will this really work…will it keep working?  

Yes, to be honest,  I am still nervously….optimistic.

Then  for dessert, we turned a few of these…

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  Into these:  

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 Chocolate Dipped Strawberries!  

They are so easy to make.  Click here for the recipe for “Skinny Chocolate” – It is basically a 1:.5 ratio of coconut oil, to cocoa and ground “powdered” truvia. Remember that if you are looking for a higher fat ratio -use the Ghirardelli.  We think it tastes better as well. I always mix in a little dark chocolate for a deeper flavor, but that is optional.

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 It only takes a couple of minutes to mix up the ingredients, and then dip in the strawberries. NOTE: The best way to dip – actually the only way to we dip – is to make sure the berries have been in the refrigerator for at least 1/2 an hour or so, so that they are COLD.  When they are cold and you dip them, the chocolate hardens right away. It is best to use a smaller container so that it is very full of the chocolate when you dip. Also, stir your mixture in between dipping.

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 You can also add “toppings” if you would like such as shredded coconut or nuts. Just make sure you do it RIGHT after you dip in the chocolate so the toppings “stick” before the chocolate gets hard:

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Even if you are on a higher ratio – just cut the strawberries up in smaller pieces and dip – one strawberry can yield lots of bites!

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Although Autumn enjoyed her allotted amount…I must say it was pretty easy for her mom to eat about a  1/2 dozen… 😉

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 Chocolate Covered

Keto Joy!

Love those Mounds Bars!

Growing up, I remember one of my mom’s favorite candy bars was a Mounds Bar, and thus it became one of mine, and thus some of my kids’ favorite…funny how that works.  🙂

There is just something about dark chocolate and coconut….yum.  Well thankfully “Keto” Mounds Bars are really easy to make. There are not quite as soft and moist, but they are still yummy!

Ingredients needed: (Click “recipes” for exact measurements)

Remember you can use either stevia or truvia – whatever is your preference. The Ghiradelli chocolate has a higher fat ratio, so that may be helpful in some recipes – although this recipe is almost ALL FAT!

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 Put the coconut, coconut oil and vanilla in a food processor until well mixed/ground:

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Then press into a small pan/container – the one shown is about a 6 x 4 :

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Next, mix up the dark chocolate topping using cocoa, truvia/stevia, coconut oil and a pinch of salt:

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 And pour it on and over…

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 Cover and place in the fridge until they harden, then take them out, pile in a mound….

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and…enjoy!

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Mounds of Keto Joy! 😉

 

Got Cake? How about Chocolate Chiffon?!

Clara does!  

Autumn loves to get online and look for yummy recipes.  One of her favorite sites to look at is:  “What is Clara Eating Today?”   She found Clara’s blog as she was browsing through Ketocook.com (The blog of Dawn Martenz, author of The Keto Cookbook).  

She has tried several of Clara’s recipe and recently made the “Celebrating with Chocolate Chiffon Cake.” Who could resist trying a cake that looks this good!

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So, off Autumn went to the kitchen:

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I wish my photo had turned out better, but this is how ours turned out – and yes Autumn loved it!

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She actually thought it tasted even better the next day, after it had sat in the fridge overnight.   I have found that my kids generally find that stevia/truvia baked goods taste the best after they have been in the fridge overnite – they taste sweeter. Not sure why this is, but just something I thought I would pass along for others to consider.

Here is the link for the recipe: bloghttp://clarasmenu.com/2012/09/14/celebrating-with-chocolate-chiffon-cake/

We did not use the orange flavoring in the frosting,  subbing instead with vanilla.

Again – you may need to change the ratios to bring it to where you need to be – add a little more oil or cream to get the fat content up.

One note: The recipe calls for 6-inch pans.  I used 2 pyrex glass 5 1/2 inches round storage containers and they worked just great -as you can tell from the smile! 🙂

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Keto Joy! 

 

Whoa Samoa! Drink up Deliciousness!

Oh My!

You know those amazingly delicious coconut, caramel, and chocolate Samoa Girl Scout cookies that you can only get once a year?  Well now you can “drink” one any time you would like! 

I have wanted to write this post for over a month but just have not had time. But my girls and I have had time to drink one of these probably at least 5 out of 7 days a week!

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This is actually a “Trim Healthy Mama” recipe posted on a blog called Gwen’ s Nest – and it is soooooo good! I just “fattened” it up for Autumn and now we all enjoy it together!

I will post the basic recipe under the “Recipes” tab – but note – there are so many variations you can make with this. We have done Mint Chocolate Chip, Cherry Chocolate Chip, Strawberry, ” Snickers”- the flavors are really limitless – be creative!

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A note on the unsweetened coconut: You could use it plain out of the bag, however I do toast and “sweeten” it to give it a really yummy flavor.  I just make up a big batch at a time and then store it so I have it on hand when I make the shakes. This step only takes just a couple minutes.

First, I place a small amount of stevia in my hands – and again – you only need a small amount – stevia extract is powerfully sweet stuff – you can go from yum to yuck if you use too much! I then rub the coconut through my hands to kind of coat the coconut in “sweetness”.  I then sprinkle a pinch of salt over the coconut and runs it though my hands again. (You will find the key to getting things the perfect sweetness when making keto dessert recipes – and any low-carb recipes as well-  is a balance between a pinch of salt and a pinch of stevia):

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I then place it in the oven around 250-300 degrees and “toast it” – checking it about every 10 minutes or so and turning it with a spoon.  It really does not take too long. Once it is cool, I place it in a storage container so it’s on hand whenever I need it – which is often daily with these shakes!

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Now, back to the shake:

Place cottage cheese ( If you don’t like cottage cheese – don’t worry – you don’t taste it!), cream, sweetener and caramel extract, and a pinch of salt the in blender – blend for just a bit:IMG_0072

If you have read my previous  shake post on making shakes – you might remember that I said – it isn’t going to look like much — but just wait!:IMG_0079Take your frozen coconut milk ice cubes

(In a previous shake post, I mentioned making coconut milk ice cubes):

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Smash them up:

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Pour contents of blender into your favorite “shake glass” and top with toasted coconut, chocolate chips, and…..IMG_0410enjoy one every day!

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Now, it’s time for Autumn and I to get started on a cookie recipe to go with this shake!

Whoa Samoa –  Keto Joy-oa! 🙂

“Skinny Chocolate” – Super Easy, Super Fast, Super Yummy!

This was our first treat listed on our Valentine’s page:

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This recipe is adapted from “The  Keto Cookbook” page 114.  It is super fast and so easy to make!

Here are the ingredients you will use. Please note that I have pictured 2 different types of coconut oil and 2 different types of cocoa.  If you, or your child, does not like any type of “coconut flavor” you can try the non-extra virgin coconut oils which typically do not have much flavor to them. I have Lou Ann’s pictured here, but there are other brands.  You could also replace butter for the coconut oil.  Also, different cocoas do taste different (I have Hershey’s and Ghirardelli pictured here), so if you don’t like the taste of one, just try another, just make sure you have the one you are using in the keto-calculator.  There are almonds and pecans in this picture also – but those are optional, depending on your ratio.  If you need a higher ratio, pecans are higher in fat than almonds, but either one is so scrumptious in the chocolate!  You do not need the stevia drops – they are optional for different flavorings if you would like to do a variety of flavors in your chocolate. 

(See “Recipe Tab” for exact measurements)

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First, measure and melt your coconut oil:

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Next, measure out cocoa, stevia/truvia, add a pinch of salt and melted oil (or butter) and stir:

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IMG_0043If you are using nuts, measure, chunk/slightly crush and add into chocolate and stir:

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If you are going to add flavorings, add them now. Autumn made Caramel and Chocolate Raspberry. You only need a few drops.  

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Now you are ready to make any “shape” of chocolate you like.  The fastest way is to just line a cookie sheet with parchment or wax paper, pour out the chocolate mixture and pop it in the freezer – it will be done in about 2 minutes!  You can also put them in mini-muffin cups or any type of candy mold. 

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No matter how you choose to make them, once finished just place them in the freezer and they will harden  within minutes.  Just pop them out of the molds or baking sheets and store in a plastic bag or airtight container.

If you prefer a more milk chocolate taste, or like chocolate and peanut butter cups, click this post we did here:  “Chocolates” 

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Keto – Chocolate Joy! 😉 

Raspberry Whip Cream Chocolate Chunk Pie – Oh My!

This was the third treat we featured on our Valentine’s page:

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This is simply delicious!  Try this with a bubbly glass of Keto soda!

Autumn actually has several variations of this pie.  We also make blueberry and chocolate.  Because of this, I make about  a half-dozen “pie crusts”  at a time.  To store them, simply  put a piece of parchment paper between each one and wrap them all up, place in a baggie and store them in the fridge. When Autumn picks this for a treat, or breakfast :), I can whip it up in minutes.   There are only 2 essential ingredients – butter and nuts – stevia can be added if you would like a bit of sweetener.

(See “Recipes” tab for exact measurements)

To Begin, spray a mini pie pan with oil. Measure out your nuts, “chop” them up and add butter and a very small pinch of stevia.

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Press mixture into bottom of pan and place in 350 degree oven for about 5 minutes – BE CAREFUL – they will burn quickly, so keep an eye on them!

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For the “pie filling,” you will need:

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Measure correct cream amount and raspberries (fresh or frozen) and whip the cream:

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Add Raspberries:

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Pour into pie pan:

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And serve it up!

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If  “Chocolate Chunks” are desired, you can make a batch of skinny chocolate ( it only takes about 2 minutes!)  and break off a few pieces for the pie:

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Sprinkle on top…. and Smile!!!

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Keto Joy!

Pumpkin Frappe! Shake! Ice Cream!

Different names for one delicious, delightful, delectable, luscious, scrumptious delicacy!

This is one of one of my favorite “THM” fall frapuccinos and I am not sure why I never thought to make it “keto-friendly” until today.  And today, Autumn absolutely loved it….along with a few of her sisters, whom I had to make another batch for! I am quite sure this will be served on Thanksgiving day 🙂

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Here are the ingredients: (For specific ingredient amounts, click on the Recipes” tab) Please note: To make this shake, you will need to have already frozen “coconut milk cubes” – unsweetened coconut milk that has been frozen in ice cube trays.

IMG_0328First measure your cream in the blender. Blend until cream becomes “whipped,” now remember this is not going to look like much – but wait!

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Next, measure out cream cheese, unsweetened pumpkin, sweetener of choice, pumpkin pie spice, and a dash of salt.  Also, add a bit of vanilla or maple flavoring or a bit both. Put all ingredients into the blender.

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Next, place the specified amount of frozen unsweetened coconut milk cubes in a plastic bag, crush them up and place them in the blender.

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Blend until consistency of a thick shake. Serve up deliciousness from the blender into a special glass, or freeze if you like it more like ice cream, and indulge in pumpkin keto-yumminess – even as it drips all over you!

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