Trying to resist chocolate this Valentine’s Day? We’ve got you covered with a list of healthy sweet treats.
For weekly recipe ideas, check out the Healthy Me PA YouTube channel.
Swap fresh strawberries for a savory treat.
- Ingredients
- 3½ cups cut strawberries
- 3 tbsp Honey (optional)
- Directions
- Blend/puree the strawberries and stir in the honey
- Pour the pureed strawberries on a pan lined with coated baking paper and spread evenly with a spatula
- Place in oven at 200ºF or the lowest temperature possible (recommended 175ºF), for 6-8 hours until the spread is no longer sticky
- Remove the baking paper from the spread, cut into strips with a pizza cutter, and roll up with strips of parchment paper
Turn frozen bananas into soft serve ice cream.
- Directions
- Gather 1 bunch bananas
- Peel bananas
- Cut into small pieces
- Freeze for 1-2 hours on a plate or tray
- Blend in the food processor—scraping the bowl when they stick
- Try mixing in other fruits, nut butters, or chocolate
- Freeze leftovers and process again when ready to serve
Turn strawberries into a packable snack.
- Ingredients
- 2 cups organic strawberry puree
- ⅓ cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tsp stevia extract
- Natural red food coloring
- 6 tbsp unflavored gelatin
- Directions
- Wash strawberries, slice the greens off, and puree in a blender
- Measure 2 cups of the puree and place in a medium-sized bowl
- Stir in lemon juice, stevia extract, and food coloring
- Spread a straining cloth over a large bowl while you pour the strawberry mixture inside
- Tie the bag closed and squeeze to get as much liquid out as you can (squeezing should yield 1-3/4 cup of the mixture after straining)
- Pour the mixture into a nonstick saucepan, sprinkle the gelatin over top, and let sit for 5 minutes
- Stir mixture together, breaking down any clumps of gelatin
- Place the pan over medium-high heat and stir occasionally until it comes to a light boil
- Stir constantly when the mixture boils harder. When you can’t stir the bubbles away, keep it on the heat for 30 seconds, and then remove
- Let the mixture sit for a few minutes so the bubbles have a chance to go away, then carefully scoop it into gummy bear molds
- Let the molds cool on the counter for an hour, then place them in the fridge until firm
- To store, place gummy bears in an airtight container and refrigerate
Put your frozen fruit to use.
- Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen berries
- ½ cup plain yogurt (low-fat, Greek, or full fat)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp lemon or vanilla (optional)
- Directions
- In your food processor or blender, add frozen berries, yogurt, and honey
- Blend for 2 minutes or until the mixture is creamy
- Serve soft or transfer to an airtight freezable container and freeze for at least 3 hours
- Store in the freezer for up to 2 weeks