mixing bowl with hand mixer or a stand mixer. Of course if you want a workout you could just use a mixing bowl and whisk/spoon and get to stirring 🙂
want a crust for your Instant Pot cheesecake that doesn’t need an oven? During the summer we try really hard to NEVER turn on the oven.. and that’s where this No Bake Pecan Crust shines!
I try to limit how much sugar we all have on a daily basis.
But, finding a sweetener that everyone will like is a challenge. This recipe has been a winner in all my recipes! Give this Natural Sugar Free Sweetener Blend a try!
I also love it in my coffee!
With products, you can purchase on Amazon and in our local grocery store,
You’ll love the taste of this sweetener, it cuts out that after taste you often get with straight Stevia.
This Natural Sugar Free Sweetener Blend is so simple to mix together for recipes! Enjoy
When looking for a granola bar recipe I knew I needed it to be incredibly easy since I’ll have to make it often, also I needed it to be something that the boys can still grab on their own while I’m either still in bed or getting ready for the day or whatever!
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These Granola Bars can be individually wrapped and stored in the fridge.
We used peanut butter instead of almond butter, mostly because I had peanut butter. But ether works great in these.
This recipe does have honey in it. At this point, I think I’m ok with local honey for the boys, in moderation. I did add a little less than the recipe calls for, mostly because I’m trying to change the boys expectations of things being so sweet!
And for the next batch I think I’ll double the recipe and use a sheet pan instead of an 8 x 8. I don’t think the boys would mind them being thinner (the first batch came out really thick)  and my oldest wished they were shaped like the store kind  (more rectangular) ?
Anyways, after getting over the shape of them, the boys loved them!
I forgot to take a picture and the first batch is already gone!!!
But we just made the second batch so here’s some pics of the process!
This time we used sunflower seeds instead of almonds (because that’s what we had).
Now that they are thinner.. I did notice they crumbled pretty easily.. so I want to figure out a way to bind them a little better.. next batch! ?
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Print Recipe
Chewy Granola Bars
An alternative to those sugar and preservative filled bars my boys live.
Combine all ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Add more honey if needed.
Line your pan with parchment paper. You can use an 8x8 pan or a sheet tray with an edge if you want thinner ones. Another option is to just roll them in balls.
Place in freezer until solid, about an hour. Once frozen cut into bars. wrap each one with parchment paper to keep from sticking together. Store in the fridge or the freezer.
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Update: We have made these a lot! The best thing about them is you can change this recipe around in lots of ways.. just use whatever you have in the kitchen today! And as for shape, we’ve tried thicker, thinner, we even rolled them in granola balls (big hit around here) they are all great!
For more articles from our kitchen check out these recent posts:
I’m always on the look out for healthy easy snacks for my boys. And these Chewy Granola Bars are a favorite!!
They don’t take long to mix together. Have delicious and nutritious ingredients, So you don’t have to feel guilty feeding them to your kids when they are hungry.. which in our case.. is all. the. time. seriously!
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Combine all ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Add more honey if needed.
Line your pan with parchment paper. You can use an 8x8 pan or a sheet tray with an edge if you want thinner ones. Another option is to just roll them in balls.
Place in freezer until solid, about an hour. Once frozen cut into bars. wrap each one with parchment paper to keep from sticking together. Store in the fridge or the freezer.
Start by putting the cream, butter, and sweetener into a shallow pan (like a frying pan or skillet). Stir until dissolved and bring to a boil on medium to high heat.
Once boiling, simmer, stirring occasionally until condensed by about half and thick and bubbly.
Should take about 15-20 minutes.
This will make about a cup to a cup and a half of sweetened condensed milk. And now you are ready to make fudge! (This cream can also be used as a yummy coffee creamer.)
Fudge
Take 1 cup of the condensed milk and 1 cup of chocolate chips. If your sweetened condensed milk is still hot your chocolate will melt right away, stir to combine! If it has already cooled just microwave, stirring every few seconds until fully melted and combined. Chill in the fridge or freezer until solid. Pour into a square dish or just leave it in the bowl if you want thicker pieces. I've also seen some bloggers put their fudge into ice cube trays for easy personal serving sizes!
Recipe Notes
Sugar Free Sweetened Condensed Milk and Creamy Fudge ~ Loveandscribbles.com
Sugar free sweetened condensed milk and sugar-free fudge! Yep, It’s real and it’s so good!
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Don’t be intimidated about the idea of making your own sweetened condensed milk! I looked through a few recipes and tips and I’ve made this three times now and it comes out perfectly every time!
First, I’d like to point out that the ingredient list is crazy simple!
Just three ingredients for delicious sweetened condensed milk!
Cream
Unsalted Butter
Sweetener ( Here’s my recipe for the sweetener I use for everything!)
For sweetener I use a blend of Stevia, Xylitol, and Erythritol But, you can use whatever sweetener you prefer!
Side note about sweetener: I haven’t said much about my sugar-free choices but I really love this combination of sweeteners,
they are natural and allow for no rise in your blood sugars!
My favorite Stevia is from Trim Healthy Mama, although you can also find many good choices of Stevia on Amazon or the grocery store. (Pyure is my favorite store brand these days)
and the others I order in bulk from Amazon! (click the linked names of each sweetener product for a direct link to the amazon product! ;))
The most helpful trick I have come across for making the sweetened condensed milk is using a large shallow pan. Like a large frying pan!
This makes the milk condense so much faster and gives you a beautiful thick and creamy product in about 20 minutes.
Start by putting 2 cups of cream, 2 TBSP of unsalted butter, and 1/3 a cup of sweetener ( may need to convert the amount of sweetener if you are using something different, my blend is some what of a super sweet blend. )
Stir until dissolved and bring to a boil on medium to high heat.
Once boiling, simmer, stirring occasionally until condensed by about half and thick and bubbly. Should be about 15-20 minutes.
This will make about a cup to a cup and a half! seriously LOOK at how creamy and thick this is?? (one note of caution…. no matter how badly you want to, Do Not lick the spoon and taste this right out of the hot pan.. you may or may not burn your tongue and regret it for the next two days! ?) But trust me, its soooo yummy!
Now to make fudge!!!
I love to make fudge right away while the milk is still hot. The chocolate chips melt right away and I can stick it in the freezer!
It’s a one to one ratio… so a cup of condensed milk and a cup of chocolate chips makes a full batch.
But if you are being weird and don’t want to eat the whole dish. (I guess it could happen?!) You could always make just half a cup and half a cup… or whatever you want!
You can also make it later by mixing the chocolate chips with the condensed milk and microwave in small increments, stirring in between each time until fully melted and blended together! Chill until hardened.
And then do your best to not stand at the counter ( or fridge) and eat the entire thing.. I’m not totally sure why that isn’t a good idea.. but we are supposed to resist the urge to do so.. I know, weird! I just might have done this ( ok I didn’t eat the WHOLE thing) with a tub of peanut butter and a spoon… and I’m not going to say it was a bad idea! 🙂
Also, My friend Tiffani and I are dreaming all kinds of deliciousness like coconut flakes and nuts for the next time. And there will definitely be a next time!
I hope you try this recipe out and I hope you enjoy every sugar-free bite!
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One thing I’m pretty serious about along this nutrition journey is that I don’t want my kids to feel like they “miss out” because they can’t have the sugar and junk. So I am determined to find fun, exciting snacks and treats that are still healthy! This Pineapple Whip is super easy to make and absolutely refreshing and delicious
Note: technically these shouldn’t be considered “sugar-free” snacks since they have honey in them.. maybe more like refined sugar free? ?
Pinterest is an amazing tool! So many creative people to follow!
This recipe was quick and easy to make and the whole family LOVED it! Oh and we didn’t have coconut milk so I just used Almond Milk and it was still wonderful!
We have started keeping pineapple in the freezer as often as possible so whenever we want to make this, it’s ready to go!
Print Recipe
Frozen Pineapple Whip
Refreshing, naturally sweet, creamy like pineapple ice cream
peel, core, and cut pineapple. lay pieces out on parchment paper on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Place in freezer until frozen completely. (any where from 10-24 hours)
Place frozen pineapple chunks in the food processor and blend with the milk. scrape down the sides and add more milk if it isn't creamy enough. Taste and add honey if the Pineapple isn't sweet enough on it's own! Enjoy!
Serve and enjoy right away!
Recipe Notes
Frozen Pineapple Whip -- my kids call it Pineapple ice cream! 🙂Â
Next up, I wanted to replace the granola bars that my guys eat everyday! They have 8 grams of sugar in a tiny little bar and I’m not quite sure how the nutrition value really stacks up…..
We are beginning a somewhat new journey in the nutrition we provide for our kids. Before I start listing some of the things we are changing let me tell you the why.
Recently it has become very clear that we need to make some major changes in our kids diets.
Here’s a little intro video (Don’t be scared, it’s the real me, no makeup or filters at all)Â ?
Basically: For a while now we have known that especially our oldest son is very sensitive to sugar and the artificial dyes that are in a lot of foods. But this past couple of weeks has totally proven that these ingredients among other fake stuff really messes with our kid’s brains, bodies and the ability to focus, listen, and even just control themselves.
So we began by throwing out all the candy!! And I started searching Pinterest and all over the internet for recipes and blogs on the subject.
Our plan is to really focus on sugar and dyes.
Follow my board here for yummy sugar free recipes to try! I’ll try to update each pin as we try them, with what we think of them! Â https://www.pinterest.com/loveandscrib
My Mom found this great blog with some ideas to help us detox from all the junk.. not just in the food we were eating but also in just the atmosphere around us.
Foodrenegade — How to detox kids daily in 5 easy steps!
Little by little we hope to make a difference with all of this! Summer is a great time to focus on nutrition since we have soooo many great ways to include fresh fruit and veggies in our meals and snacks every day! I have to admit that I get into a rut when it comes to what vegetable sides I serve with dinners… but THIS summer I plan on making sure we mix it up.. a lot! Already I’ve added roasted brussels sprouts, fresh green beans, and Grilled eggplant.
It’s tough to convince the boys at first look or bite but I am not giving up!! We do our best to have them take at least one bite of everything..  and given enough tries, in many cases they eventually decide that they enjoy the foods they were so sure they hated!
So here we go!
If you want to tag along for the ride you are always welcome or if you’ve already made steps to replace many of the foods your family enjoys please share what has worked for you!
Just a girl, mommying the best she can (and praying through it all)
we may or may not have had this for breakfast a couple times this week 🙂
Sugar free sweetened condensed Milk and Fudge!
This recipe was quick and easy to make and the whole family LOVED it! Oh and we didn’t have coconut milk so I just used Almond Milk and it was still wonderful!
Let’s talk Nutrtion!