Raw Vegan Lime Bars w/ Pistachio Graham Crust

I took one bite, then the flavour sunk in and all I wanted to do was dance and proclaim to the entire universe how fantastic these babies turned out to be. Gluten free, dairy free, added sugar free, vegan, raw, tastes like ice cream what more can you ask for? 

(Hey that rhymes) 

They're simple to make and really are quite delicious if I do say so myself. Parents really like these and my critical brother said they were "not bad" aka "very good". He asked if there was sugar. Well, there isn't! Apart from non processed sugars like dates and maple syrup :-) Really glad these turned out well because this morning's breakfast got screwed up when everything got stuck to my not so non stick waffle maker. Need a new one now, care to sponsor me anyone?

I was scrolling through Pinterest (follow me @healthiepanda) the other day and I saw these divine looking lime squares with a pistachio graham crust, courtesy of Martha Stewart. So this Sunday afternoon I decided to healthify them. Oh by the way keep pinning my pictures! Really makes me so happy :-) 

I love that green from the avocado! (YES THATS THE SECRET INGREDIENT) The ones I used were perfectly ripe and not brown at all! Pity I didn't take a picture. Avocados make up a good portion of this recipe so please get good avocados. Brown avocados will not give you such a pretty green. 

Vegan Banana Berry Streusel Pizza

So I've been reducing my protein and increasing my carbs lately, because I want to eat less animal products. I was watching this YouTube video by freeleethebananagirl, and I saw how cruelly cows are treated. It was so horrible I literally cried. I'm eating more vegan meals now but I don't think I'll go completely vegan because that lifestyle isn't maintainable for me at the moment. 

Besides I'm actually eating more protein than necessary so it won't hurt to cut down. I want to watching "earthlings", a documentary about animal abuse stuff but I'm worried I'll be a huge sobbing puddle by the time the film is over.

Today's recipe is a wonderfully scrumptious vegan pizza. It has an oat flax base and is studded with banana coins and blueberries, sprinkled with walnut cinnamon streusel, drizzled with coconut cream and finished off with some freeze dried strawberry pieces. 

Food props: I am loving my cute little honey drizzling thing! I don't even really know what it's called haha. Found that little acorn by the pavement near my condo. 

For those who need photographic evidence that the pizza holds together when lifted up....

This was actually a really photogenic breakfast! :D I love it when the food makes my life easy by looking good. Sometimes I get so stressed taking food pictures.........

Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake

Happy Valentine's Day! Had a pretty boring one as I just got back from camp today and then I had school stuff :/ Didn't exactly feel the love. This cinnamon roll cheesecake is no bake and really so easy! When I say cinnamon roll, I mean cinnamon roll. It isn't just a cheesecake with cinnamon swirled through. 

((Omg on Instagram I said it was no bake but it's not! I DO bake this))

The twist: The base is made of bread. Or should I say, it is bread. Right now you may think it sounds crazy but if you think about it, this is kind of like a cheesecake over bread pudding. Sounds good to me lol.

Strawberry Rice Puff (Krispie) Balls

Another Valentines Day treat for you guys!! Wish I could give each and everyone of you one but 1) they'll probably be sticky and melting by the time they reach you, 2) I probably don't have enough or 3) I might finish eating them before they reach you! They're so delicious :3 My dad who usually finds my foods bland LOVES these! You have to try this recipe out! Like any other Rice Krispie recipe, it's super simple. Basically mix everything together, roll into balls and freeze. 

You can use any kind of nut butter in replacement of cashew butter :) Preferably a light coloured nut? I used my own homemade cashew butter. All I did was blend 160g of cashews in my amazing food processor until it turned buttery. I blended for 1-2min, let the machine rest for a few minutes and then repeated (about 6 times) until the cashews released their oils and turned creamy. I made just enough for the recipe! :) 

Bacon wrapped sweet potato wedges

Made some simple baked sweet potato wedges wrapped with crispy turkey bacon! So good fresh out of the oven. Especially if you love sweet potatoes like yours truly. Turkey bacon may not be super healthy but it isn't too bad if you make sure it's low in fat, sodium and most importantly nitrate free. Besides its pretty delicious. 

Red Velvet Brookies!!!

Oh my goodness. These are good. And oh so healthy! The beautiful red comes from steamed beets not food colouring. Coincidentally, (or not) beets are also what keeps the brownie moist and dense! The the brownie part and the chocolate chip cookie layed over, are both made using oat flour, which means you can make this gluten free Ü 

Came across brookies (brownie cookies) on Pinterest and decided to healthify them ASAP because I wanted to get this post up before Valentines ❤ Day!! Hope you guys make this and try it out! Honestly it isn't too difficult and I think brookies, especially those that are red velvet AND healthy are pretty unique. 

Please use a measuring tbsp to measure cocoa powder so you don't add too much ^^ You want it to be RED. 

Healthier Baked Chicken Parmesan

Cheese. Definitely not healthy but so good! However I believe in moderation so a little cheese is acceptable in my books. As long as you don't go too crazy cheese is actually pretty good! It has lots of vitamins and minerals, and is a good source of protein :)

Made chicken parmesan for lunch the other day and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was so moist and juicy ❤ I even made my own breadcrumbs. Here's the recipe. 

What you'll need

•1/2 a slice of wholemeal bread OR some wholemeal breadcrumbs

•1/3 tsp of any salt free seasoning (such as lawry's, mrs dash.....)

•1 boneless skinless chicken breast (190g) 

•1 egg white

•Organic pasta sauce (low fat and sodium) (I used about 1/5 of a 339g bottle)  

•2 tsp grated parmesan 

•1 slice of reduced fat cheese (cut into 2)

•Dash of black pepper

How to

1. Preheat oven to 150C. Tear bread up into small scraps. Bake for 10min or longer until crispy. Blend the bread and seasoning in a food processor to get breadcrumbs. Pour onto a plate.

2. Preheat oven to 180C. Spread a spoonful of pasta sauce on to a oven proof dish. 

3. Beat egg white in a bowl. Coat chicken breast thoroughly in egg white and then coat in the breadcrumbs. Place on top of the pasta sauce in the dish. Bake for 18min**

4. Remove chicken from the oven. Increase the oven temperature to 200C. Pour enough pasta sauce over to cover the chicken. Just use as much as you like ^^ 

5. Sprinkle parmesan over and lay the cut up cheese slice over. Sprinkle a dash of black pepper over. Bake for 10-15min until the cheese melts and turns slightly brown!

** If you use a smaller chicken breast you can bake it for a shorter time in step 3.

Healthy Nutter Butter Cookies

Happy belated CNY! Made some nutter butter inspired cookies this morning. I still have a few to let my relatives sample tomorrow yay! Peanut flavoured and shaped cookies filled with peanut butter cream! Mmmm. Have not made any successful CNY cookies yet so I guess these'll do :) Peanut is 花生 in Chinese and it represents health and long life! Make these for your friends and family, after all Chinese New Year isn't over just yet.

I'm so proud of these, they really are mega healthy. Dairy free, gluten free, egg free (for vegans), processed sugar free and so cute ~~~ 

I used buckwheat flour but you can also use a gluten free flour blend and leave out the tbsp of water! 

I was actually worried using chunky peanut butter would give me an ugly cookie but it turned out fine :) I still recommend creamy pb though. 

What you'll need 

Cookies:

2 tbsp creamy peanut butter 

2 tbsp honey (vegans: use any vegan liquid sweetener) 

1 tbsp water

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Juice from a small lemon wedge 

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup buckwheat flour 

Filling:

2 tbsp peanut flour

Water

How to 

1. Mix wet ingredients together. 

2. Mix buckwheat flour and baking soda together. Pour wet into dry mixture and combine well.

Preheat oven to 180C

3. Form the dough into 16 equal portions. Roll each portion into an oval and flatten. Make the middle part slightly thinner. Squeeze the centre to give it a peanut shape, use a toothpick to make the horizontal and vertical lines across the surface. 

4. Bake for about 13 min and cool. Mix 2 tbsp peanut flour with just enough water to get a creamy peanut butter consistency. 

Tip: Add water a little at a time! 

5. When cookies are cooled spread 1/2 tsp of peanut cream filling on the back of one cookie and top with another cookie :)

Enjoy!!