Imagine a world where first dates and mouth watering bites of baked goods become one! Navigating the dating world is very similar to navigating the dessert world! From endless bakeries, to dessert filled fantasy restaurants dishing out the Charlie and Chocolate Factory experience, and of course the hundreds of online recipes like #zenonaplate that flood your brain, it’s hard not get lost! Like the game of dating , finding the right one (dessert) that meets your flavor, expectations, and makes a strong impact is difficult to find!
Falling trap to both the wrong desserts, and the wrong suitors, take on the same notion. When finding the right type of dessert you need to know your body and health goals, similarly when finding the right dates you need to know yourself and what is going to meet your needs and expectations. At #zenonaplate I’m not going to whip and be on your back putting you through a harsh boot camp that resembles the Tyrant of Dating, aka Millionaire Matchmaker Patty Stanger who puts her followers through a strict course , rather I’m going to empower you by giving you the knowledge of decadent dessert date secrets that are going to make the dating journey of finding the perfect dessert great on the waistline, easy on the spirit, and blend into your life so that there is fireworks with every bite!
LET’S GET READING SO YOU ARE ONE CLOSER TO DESSERT BLISS!
(PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DESSERT PICTURES WILL BE UP IN A DAY OR TWO- TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH THE WEBSITE APPLICATION) CHECK ON IG- ONCEUPONAZEN FOR PICTURES AND ON PICTURE ABOVE)
SECRECT #1 CUT OUT THE CRAP
With dating it’s best to eliminate those potential dates that are all talk or are not who they claim to be. When dating desserts, it’s best to take this concept of cutting out the crap, like refined sugars, chemicals, and preservatives, and instead focus on whole food desserts that use natural sugars and leave out refined sugars, and chemicals.
SECRECT #2 KNOW THY SELF
Understand how you operate daily when it comes your nutritional and body needs to stay balanced. When that mind, body, and spirit connection is balanced you know yourself and are more bound to seek out the right partner. Similarly, by being aware of certain trigger foods or ingredients, which cause your Glycemic Index or blood sugars to raise and increase more cravings, you are decreasing your chances to binging on the wrong desserts. Try find that perfect go-to dessert recipe that is going to be cleaner and leaner but provide that same taste satisfaction to you’re your favorite desserts!
SECRECT #3 DON’T RUSH THE PROCESS
In dating, it’s always best to go slow and get to know someone before jumping over heels into marriage! Similarly, in finding the right desserts that work with your lifestyle and don’t sabotage your waistline and health efforts, spend some time researching online recipes, and try them out before settling on the one! Find two healthy desserts that you can bake weekly and incorporate them slowly into your everyday life as a replacement for those commercial baked goods, and packaged candies, which wreak havoc on your health.
SECRECT #4 FOCUS ON THE MOMENT
The dating world really evolves around focusing on the moment. When you are meeting someone new it’s important not to go back and rehash the past, rather focus on the moment and be presently aware of your date, and hopefully enjoy the conversation rather than thinking too far ahead, or going back. Similarly, when it comes to eating dessert, it’s best to eat from a mindset of being present. Many times, we eat desserts with our emotions from the past or as coping aid to deal with uncomfortable feelings. The more we eat with being mindful of the present moment, and accepting whatever feelings in the moment and then letting those go, so we can eat from the power of the present one that includes balance and moderation.
SECRECT #5 KEEP IT SIMPLE
At #ZENONAPLATE, my No Diet Approach is all about keeping it simple and sticking to whole foods. With dating, the same idea applies, when we over think and analyze our potential dates it creates more complexity, and more confusion for the second date. The best first dates are the onse where conversation is simple, and everything flows. Likewise, when searching for the perfect desserts recipes , the ones that use least amount ingriedients and ones that we can pronounce are the best. Focus on whole food desserts when you are out or at home which are gluten, free, vegan, use natural ingredients, and do not have ingredients that sound like chemicals.
HERE ARE A FEW POTENTIAL #ZENONAPLATE DESSERT DATES
#ZENONAPLATE BLUEBERRY OAT CHOCOLATE BREAKFAST COOKIE OR MUFFIN (GF ,DAIRY FREE)
NUTRITION: SERVES 30 COOKIES PER SERVING OF COOKIE
CALORIES: 77 CALORIES TOTAL CARBS: 9 FIBER: 1 ,SUGAR 5, PROTEIN: 2.1 TOTAL FAT: 4 GRAMS
INGREDIENTS
2 EGGS
2/3 CUP OF BEECHNUT BABY APPLE AND PUMPKIN PUREE ( COMBINE PUMPKIN PUREE AND APPLE SAUCE IF YOU DON’T HAVE IT
½ CUP OF VIKIS BLUEBERRY ALMOND CRUNC
½ CUP OF OAT FLOUR
¼ CUP OF DATE SYRUP
½ TABLESPOON OF XANTHAN GUM
1 TSP OF BAKING SODA
½ CUP OF UNSWEETENED ALMOND MILK
¼ TSP OF SALT
2 TABLESPOONS OF STEVIA OR XYLITOL
1 TSP OF VANILLA EXTRACT
½ CUP OF CHOCOLATE CHIPS
½ CUP OF BLUEBERRIES
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit . In a separate bowl start with the liquid ingredients, and then mix until even. Then add all the dry ingredients except for the blueberries or chocolate chips. Then fold in the blueberries first and then the chocolate chips. Then use either two cookie sheets or muffin trays. Oil the trays and then scoop a spoonful for the cookies or pour into muffin containers. Bake for 12-13 minutes until the cookies or muffins start to turn brown.
#ZENONAPLATE DATE MINI MUFFINS WITH APPLES AND CHOCOLATE CHIPS (VEGAN, GF)
NUTRITION INFORMATION : SERVES 16 PER 16
CALORIES: 145 CARBS: 26 FIBER : 3 SUGAR : 19 PROTEIN : 2 FAT: 5 GRAMS
INGREDIENTS
1 BAG OF DATENUT ROLLS (DATES MIXED WITH COCONUT- REMOVE NUT)
½ CUP OF COCONUT YOGURT
1 CARTON VERMONT ORGANIC MIXED BERRY APPLE SAUCE
½ CUP OF GF OATS
½ CUP OF GF GRANOLA VICKI’S BLUEBERRY ALMOND
¼ CUP OF ENJOY CHIPS
¼ CUP OF SUNMAID CRANBERY RASINS
2 MEDIUM APPLES- CUT UP IN QUARTERS AND SEASONED WITH CINNAMON
HONEY OR MAPLE SYRUP- TO DRIZZLE ON TOP OF THE APPLE
COCONUT OIL- TO GREASE THE PAN
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven 350 Degrees. From the datenut roll bag remove almonds from each date. Then in a bowl start combining the dates using your hands. Then once the dates form a dough mixture continue to add all the ingredients except the raisins, chocolate chips, and apples. Then fold the raisins and chips in last. Use two small mini muffin pans and put dough mixture in each muffin. Place a small piece of apple seasoned with cinnamon on top of each muffin. Then drizzle honey or maple syrup on top of apple slice for an extra kick of flavor. Then pop in the oven for 10 minutes take out and cool for 15 minutes and then put in fridge for another 15-30 minutes and bon appetite!
ZENONAPLATE APPLE-LICIOUS CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES /MUFFINS (GF, DAIRYFREE)
NUTRITION INFORMATION : SERVES 40 COOKIES PER SERVING
CALORIES: 64 CALOREIS TOTAL CARBS: 8 FIBER : 2 ,SUGAR 4 , PROTEIN: 2, TOTAL Fat: 3 Grams
INGREDIENTS
3 EGGS
2 5 0Z UNSWEETENED APPLE SAUCE
1 ½ CUP OF GF OATS
1 CUP OF ALMOND FLOUR
2 TABLESPOONS OF BARNEY’S ALMOND BUTTER COCOA AND COCONUT
1/3 CUP OF UNSWEETENED ALMOND MILK
½ TABLESPOON OF CINNAMON
½ CUP OF COCONUT FLOUR
1/3 CUP OF DATE SYRUP
1 TSP OF BAKING POWDER
1 TSP OF XANTHAN GUM
½ TSP OF SALT
1 CUP OF CHOPPED APPLES SEASONED WITH CINNAMON AND HONEY
¼ CUP OF CHOCOLATE CHIPS
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl crack the three eggs and mix until even, and then pour the remaining liquid ingredients. Once all liquid ingredients are combined then add dry ingredients except chopped apples and chocolate chips. Fold the apples and chocolate chips ingredients in last. Next choose whether you want cookies or muffins, and choose your baking tray, and take coconut oil to use on the trays. You are going to have enough cookies for two cookie sheets and around 12-16 large muffins. Once you are finished forming your cookies by using a spoon or putting the dough in muffin tins , then place in the oven for 12-13 minutes, and then take out and cool. This serves well with coconut whip cream.