You have seen the cartoons: Once the quarantine is lifted, trying to get out the door and can’t fit through your front entrance. Gyms are closed, lots of sitting in front of the TV, and wearing PJ’s and sweatpants all day does not help the situation. The Quarantine 15 is truly a reality!

I agree while being home - the kitchen is not so easy to avoid! And besides that, I have my four kids here, and with girls that love to bake, it hasn’t been easy. I am not interested in stifling their creativity, but certainly concerned about piling on the junk or the pounds. The good news is that they have learned to appreciate cooking and baking with quality ingredients!

And you can do this too! While you are spending your quarantine days de-cluttering and organizing, spend some time cleaning your kitchen cabinet. If you have white sugar and white flour in the house – toss it. Also, cake and cookie mixes although convenient also need to be discarded due to the list of processed ingredients. No need for food colorings or shortening. Ditch the vegetable oil! And definitely no need for margarine or other type of fake butter.

The key is to stock quality ingredients available such as:

Olive Oil
Coconut Oil
Coconut Manna (Butter)
Organic Eggs
Organic Vanilla
Raw Honey
Maple Syrup
Einkorn Flour
Cassava Flour
Cocao Powder
Dark Chocolate Chips
Raw Yogurt
Organic Almonds
Almond Flour

While utilizing these healthy items, there are lots of healthy dessert options. They will not be only tasty, but they contain the nutrients that your body craves, such as essential fats, trace minerals and quality protein. There is a valuable secret to eating/weight loss. If your body gets the nutrients it needs, you will have less cravings. Make a switch to these wholesome ingredients, and you will not feel the guilt while providing some nourishment for your body.

I thought I would share some recipes we have been eating during our confinement. Check them out below and let me know what you think!

Tara made “Sight and Sound” almonds – not as sweet, but still delish! Using all healthy ingredients – give it a try!

4 cups organic almonds
1 organic egg white
1 tsp cold water
1tsp organic cinnamon
½ tsp organic vanilla
¾ cup raw honey
¼ tsp sea salt

Preheat oven to 250 degrees Lightly grease a 10x15 inch Pampered Chef stone. Lightly beat the egg white; add water, and beat until frothy but not stiff. Add the nuts, and stir until well coated. Mix the honey, salt, and cinnamon, and sprinkle over the nuts. Spread on pan evenly.

Bake for 45 – 60 minutes stirring occasionally, until golden.

Tali just made our family favorite: Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

½ cup organic butter
¾ (or less) cup turbinado sugar
4 oz organic cream cheese
2 ripe bananas mashed
1 organic egg
¼ cup sour cream
1 ½ einkorn cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder (aluminum free)
½ tsp sea salt
¾ cup dark chocolate chips

In a bowl cream together, butter, cream cheese and turbinado sugar. Add bananas, egg and sour cream. Hand mix or use a mixer sparingly. (Muffins are best when not overmixed.) Add dry ingredients, and chips, then mix together.

Fill a 12 cup muffin dish. Line with muffin cups.. Bake at 325 degrees for about 25 minutes. Muffins are done when tops are slightly brown.

We got this fancy coffee maker for Christmas, so having some biscotti available has been yummy. Tali and I like to make these:

ALMOND FLOUR BISCOTTI

1 cup olive oil
7/8 cup turbinado sugar
3 ¼ cups almond flour
3 organic eggs
1 TBS baking powder
1 TBS vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, beat together the oil, eggs, sugar, and vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour and baking powder, stir into the egg mixture to form a heavy dough. Divide dough into two pieces. Form each piece into a roll as long as your cookie sheet. (Again, I prefer Pampered Chef stones.) Place roll onto the prepared cookie sheet, and press down to ½ inch thickness.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Remove from the baking sheet to cool on a wire rack. When the cookies are cool enough to handle, slice each one crosswise into ½ inch slices. Place the slices cut side up back onto the baking sheet. Bake for an additional 6 – 10 minutes on each side. Slices should be lightly toasted. *Optional – Drizzle with dark chocolate

Lastly, something I just made yesterday. It has no name, but if you like it - maybe you can think of a name for me:

1 cup frozen berries
1 TBS Coconut Oil
1 TBS Coconut Manna
2 scoops Standard Process Chocolate protein powder.

Toss ingredients in a saucepan, thaw the berries, melt the coconut and stir until a thick dough type consistency. Then serve! Feel free to add extra cocoa powder for an extra chocolaty taste.

Quarantine 15? Make a better plan!