Chocolate Avocado Pudding

picture courtesy of foodnouveau.com

Avocados are so good for us! Although they were shunned in the low fat craze days, they are now highly regarded as a super food.  They are high in vitamin E, anti-inflamatory, lower cholesterol, improve your vision, protect your heart and fight against certain types of cancer.

Although I love avocados added to many of my meals (salads, sandwiches, veggie burgers, mexican food, etc), the little one won't go near them. Unless of course they are disguised as chocolate. Lucky for me there are many recipes I can use to incorporate cocoa powder without all of the sugar you find in processed chocolate products.

If you haven't tried an avocado pudding recipe yet, I urge you to give it a chance. You'll be surprised how delicious it is.

Chocolate Avocado Pudding (from www.foodnouveau.com)

Makes 1 cup pudding, enough for 2 to 4 servings, depending on how chocoholic you and your guests are

1 avocado, ripe and soft
¼ cup to ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I use Trader Joe's)
¼ cup milk (I use almond milk but you can use regular milk or any other milk substitute)
3 tbsp maple syrup or liquid honey
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. Scoop out the flesh and put in a blender, or the bowl of a food processor. Add ¼ cup cocoa powder and the remaining ingredients. Process until smooth, occasionally scraping down sides. Taste and add more cocoa powder until the pudding is chocolatey enough. Add more maple syrup (or honey) if you’d like the pudding sweeter, and milk, if you’d like it looser. Divide between serving cups and serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve.

kid tested, mother approved!

Janey's Saturday Morning Smoothie

This past weekend Jane decided that she wanted to make a smoothie. She has been on a kick lately of only wanting chocolate banana smoothies so when she expressed interest in making up a new one, I was very excited. We looked through the fridge together and she decided on an apple banana concoction.

 At the last minute she decided to add a few strawberries.

Apple Banana Strawberry Green Smoothie

1 handful spring salad mix (can use any greens)
1 banana
1 small apple - seeds removed
a few strawberries

Kid tested, mother approved!

1 Tbs hemp seeds (mom's idea for a little added protein and good fats)
1 cup Good Belly probiotic juice drink (can substitute other juice, water or almond milk)

Blend and enjoy