Deceit...

I have had numerous people ask me about how to get their kids, husbands, parents, significant others, sister, uncle, aunt, dog, or donkey (just kidding haha) to eat more veggies, fruits and healthy things. I have been very strict with my kids from day 1 about not making them separate meals or snacks...they eat a lot of raw foods, especially fruits and veggies, and they have grown accustomed to the taste and prefer it now...but, even some of my friends who have tried this with their kids, it still doesn't work. I wanted to share some easy ways and recipes to cut calories, fats and add veggies into certain recipes. The answer to all your problems is deceit. I know, that sounds bad...but sometimes ya just have to trick 'em.

While my KIDS are fantastic eaters of veggies my husband is not...so, at the risk of giving away all my secrets and him saying that they "taste different now" I will share...

Every family LOVES brownies and usually ever family has some kind of sweet tooth in their home. So, instead of adding hydrogenated vegetable oil (which is TERRIBLE for you by the way) and eggs I use 1 can of black beans. I've now since switched to organic black beans, but any black beans will do for now.

Also, every family I know (well, most) eat mac and cheese almost every week. Please, please, please don't feed your kids the nasty chemically enhanced grossness that is the boxed macaroni with POWDERED CHEESE SAUCE. Nasty. Nasty, Nasty. The recipe below for my Mac and Cheese can be frozen in smaller portions so you can pull it out and bake anytime you want some mac and cheese. I know it takes longer to make, but that's only because you're using REAL food and real ingredients.

B3 Brownies

- 1 package brownie mix
- 1 can black beans

1. Open can of black beans and rinse THOROUGHLY in a strainer.
2. Place black beans into a food processor or blender. Add 1 can full of water and puree the black beans. Make sure you really puree them or you'll have nasty chunks of black beans in your brownies.
3. After pureeing your black beans and can of water, mix your dry brownie mix and your black bean goop together and mix well.
4. Pour into a SPRAYED 8x8 or 9x13 container and follow the directions on the box. Everyone's oven is different so the first time you make your B3 brownies you need to watch them.

These are fudgey and delicious and so much better for you than the ones filled with gross fake oils and chemically altered eggs... :-/ If you like more "cake like" brownies add about 5-8 extra minutes onto your baking time.

Superman Smoothie

- 1 cup coconut milk (NOT the milk from the can, the beverage one by the milk section)
- 1/2 cup frozen strawberries/raspberries
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 cup fresh spinach or kale

1. Blend all ingredients together in your trusty blender. Enjoy! This mixture (once blended) can be frozen at a later time if you need to grab breakfast on the go.

We call this the superman smoothie because it has lots of "superman" ingredients. Awesome ingredients that have many antioxidants and powerful super foods like spinach, kale, fruits and coconut milk. The blueberries mask the color and some of the taste of the already mild spinach/kale.

Anna Banana 

- 2 bananas
- 1 cup coconut milk (again, not the canned milk but the beverage milk - in the milk section)
- 3 Tbsp peanut butter
- 1 Tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 cup of kale

Umm...bananas, chocolate, and peanut butter?! YES please! The kale adds so many awesome things and ya can't even taste it! This one is our family's favorite. Tastes so good. :-) You know you wanna try it.

Loaded Mac N Cheese

- 1 lb elbow macaroni
- 1 (10/12 ounce package) frozen winter squash (you should be able to find the pureed one)
- 1 (10/12 ounce package) frozen cauliflower
- 2 cups milk (regular 2 % or I like to use 2 cans of coconut milk to cut the dairy)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 yellow onion
- 1 tsp ground mustard powder
- 1/8 tsp ground pepper
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 3 Tbsp Italian bread crumbs

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Spray your favorite 9x13 baking dish
3. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook 6-8 minutes until almost done. Drain and let sit in a separate bowl.
4. Put your bag of frozen squash and cauliflower onto your stove in a large skillet and heat over low heat until thawed. Once thawed place into a blender or food processor and puree. Add back into your same skillet (no you don't have to wash it between) and cook together with the milk and onion until onion is tender.
5. Remove the pan from the heat and add your cheeses, salt, pepper, and mustard powder together to make your thick, creamy and vegetable-y (I know that's not a word, but it sounds fun) cheese sauce and pour over your elbow macaroni noodles.
6. Once those are all combined place the ooey-gooey mixture into your 9x13 pan and sprinkle the top with bread crumbs.
7. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes (again, make sure you watch it) and if you need to, broil the top for a few minutes towards the end to brown the top!

Please let me know what you all think of these recipes I've shared with you! More coming soon! Have an awesome rest of your week...and HAPPY HUMP DAY!!

Anna

Yummmmmm......