Chocolate Mug Cake - *Kid Friendly*

I need a show of hands... What parent can eat a dessert without their kids begging for a bite? Not mine!! Of course the littles want what I'm eating! My five year old knows that I don't eat carbs, but my two year old doesn't understand, so it's hard to keep my yummy desserts away from the kids. So I adapted my already delicious mug cake recipe for the kids! It's not sugar free or low-carb, but is still gluten free and delicious. 

Ingredients

- 2 spoonfuls of coconut oil (though any oil is fine) 

- 1 egg

- 1 spoonful of unsweetened cocoa powder (Hershey's chocolate powder (maybe even syrup) would work too!) 

- 1 spoonful of almond flour (or regular flour) 

- 1 spoonful of milk (I used whole, but skim, or almond milk would work too) 

- a dash of salt

- 2 spoonfuls of maple syrup (I used pure maple syrup from a vacation trip to Vermont) 

Instructions

- melt the oil (coconut oil is hard though other oils are already in liquid form) in the mug in the microwave for 1 minute

- add the egg to the mug and beat

- add the other ingredients and continue to stir 

- bake in the mug in the microwave for 70 seconds 

- let sit in the microwave for another minute then plop onto a plate 

- top with whipped cream and/or sprinkles to create something pretty for the littles! 

- enjoy! 

Both of my kids enjoyed this cake so much! Next time, I'm going to add some M&Ms, just because! 

My little copy cats! Love them!!

Gigi

Low-Carb Cilantro Rice

Finally, I tried making cauliflower rice! And it was like heaven in my mouth! I have to thank my hubs for this one, since he actually cooked it while I tended to the littles. 

Ingredients

- one head of cauliflower

- several stalks of cilantro 

- butter

Instructions

- cut the florets off the cauliflower and discard the stem and leaves 

- using a (cheese) grater, grate the florets into a bowl 

- butter up a frying pan 

- cook the cauliflower for about 5 mins and then put back in the bowl

- chop up the cilantro stalks. I used my hand held chopper. Perfect. 

- add the cilantro to the rice and stir up

- add seasonings as desired. I used garlic powder and creole seasoning. 

- now don't forget to enjoy!!

This cauli-rice was delicious! It was also hard to only have one serving, so, I had two. Next time, I'm going to add some lime to it! Makes me hungry just writing about it! Yum yum yum!!! You should try some too!!

Veggies make me smile,

Gigi

Low-Carb Mug Cake

OMG! I found this recipe for a mug cake. It's just like it sounds, a cake that you prepare and cook, in a mug. It's so simple and after try 2 (with adjustments), it's so tasty! And believe me when I say that because I'm not a chocolate lover, but I love this mug cake!! It's so simple! And it's gluten free and low carb and really perfect for anyone to make and enjoy! 

Ingredients

- 2 spoonfuls of coconut oil

- 1 egg 

- 1 spoonful of unsweetened vanilla flavored almond milk 

- 1 spoonful of unsweetened cocoa powder 

- 1 spoonful of almond flour

- a dash of salt

- 3 spoonfuls of Torani vanilla syrup

I wanted to keep the clean up to a minimum, so I used a small eating spoon for all the ingredients and just one mug. 

Instructions

- heat the coconut oil in the microwave for 1 minute in the mug

- once the oil has melted, crack the egg in the mug and beat

- then add the rest of the ingredients and continuing stirring together 

- heat in the microwave for 70 seconds and then let sit for another minute 

- for the purpose of photos, I turned the mug upside down and let the cake drop on the plate 

While I acknowledge that his mug cake doesn't look so tasty in the photos, don't knock it till you try it. It's freaking delicious!! I used Torani syrup verses Splenda because it: a) is less carbs and b) is sweeter and sweetens the unsweetened flavor of the coca powder. It made all the difference (because I tried Splenda first and wasn't impressed). 

Carb Count:

4 carbs

Now it's time for you to try this simple, delicious, and healthy dessert without guilt! I'm glad I did!! 

Gigi

Low-Carb Roll Ups

Here's a simple recipe that every low-carber should try! (And have on hand!) Its super low-carb and perfect for a snack, lunch, or treat! 

Ingredients

- hard salami

- pickles

- cream cheese

Instructions

- on a single slice of hard salami, schmear some cream cheese 

- then put a pickle in the middle and roll up the salami

- take a bite and enjoy!!

Wow! That was simple! Try pepperoni meat or a flavored cream cheese if you want! A lot of flavored cream cheeses only have 2 carbs per 2 tbsp like plain cream cheese, unless they are sweet cream cheeses (like honey almond or pineapple). 

Carb Breakdown

2 carbs per 3 roll ups! 

Try it! You'll like it!

Gigi