Can you believe Christmas is about a week away? Our house is decorated and the boys have made their wish lists. I decided to make some yummy healthy treats and my boys love muffins! I wasn’t sure if they would go for gingerbread muffins but they love them!

This muffin batter is more like dough when you divide it out into your muffin papers. Thick and sticky from the molasses. They also bake up nice and dense. I love that they have hints of cinnamon, ginger, and molasses with just a touch of chocolate. They are not overly sweet but serve to feed a craving for a Christmas treat.

If you don’t have pumpkin spice just substitute a teaspoon of cinnamon and a 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg. I used pumpkin spice because I had it on hand and was easier than measuring out more spices.

Pepper Ferguson

Healthy Mom = Healthy Family - That is my life motto and I hope to encourage it to be yours too. January 2011 I made the decision to lose weight and lost 80+ pounds. I saw my boys start getting active with me and I realized I wasn't only changing my life but also my boys.

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This recipe didn’t turn out perfect, but that is okay because it has taught me so much.

Work Treats

Everyday somebody new would bring treats for the office – chocolates, homemade fudge, cookies, and more and more. It was disastrous for me, last year I was strong and only had one piece of fudge, this year I wasn’t as strong. One ounce of fudge is over 100 calories.

Any Alternative Sweets?

I started digging and looking for an alternative to traditional homemade fudge. There had to be a way to make fudge at least a little healthier with a little less calories. But I couldn’t find a perfect solution.

What I did find is that you could make fudge with coconut oil. Which is a healthy fat  and some researchers think may help you lose weight.

Coconut Oil

But I looked at this oil, which is 120 calories for one tablespoon and wondered how can this be healthier for you when they calories are even higher than butter.

I read a few articles and what I found is that researchers are thinking that Coconut oil will boost your metabolism and help you burn calories. Also when you eat healthy oils you will find yourself more satisfied after eating only a little bit.

The Results

So I made my “fudge” but what I found was that fudge wasn’t the exact texture of fudge, but that was alright because it was amazingly tasty! So even though I call this fudge I would say it is a cross between fudge and a chocolate bar. What I love is even after having a small piece of this chocolate I was happy. I didn’t feel a desire to run back, it fulfilled my desire for chocolate and for sweets. So I do believe that coconut oil does make this sweet more satisfying.

Pepper Ferguson

Healthy Mom = Healthy Family - That is my life motto and I hope to encourage it to be yours too. January 2011 I made the decision to lose weight and lost 80+ pounds. I saw my boys start getting active with me and I realized I wasn't only changing my life but also my boys.

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Claflouti:  is a baked French dessert of black cherries (or other fruit) arranged in a buttered dish and covered with a thick flan-like batter. The clafoutis is dusted with powdered sugar and served lukewarm. (via Wikipedia)

A dear friend had brought a bowl full of amazing peaches to a party at my home and left them for me to make something special for the church potluck the next day. I searched and searched for ideas. I wanted something healthy but sweet. But everything I found was basically a variation of a peach crumble which has lots of flour and butter.

But then I found a recipe for a clafouti and I thought how lovely it would look with the peaches fanned out. I also realized that peaches would taste lovely with Cardamom and I do have a bottle of Cardamom I’m trying to use up.

Perfect I had my recipe and it’s even healthy! Even if you eat 2 slices you are under 150 calories and full of protein and low carb. It’s the perfect dessert!

Pepper Ferguson

Healthy Mom = Healthy Family - That is my life motto and I hope to encourage it to be yours too. January 2011 I made the decision to lose weight and lost 80+ pounds. I saw my boys start getting active with me and I realized I wasn't only changing my life but also my boys.

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You may think I’m crazy trying this flavor combination, but I wanted to try something fun and unique. I looked through my fridge for a fun sweet snack.

These would be great as appetizers, a snack, or for dessert. It’s simple, it’s light and has a fun play with flavors.

If you are wanting to make more than just one serving and don’t feel like converting my recipes, just click the link and go to Plan to Eat. You can easy convert any of my recipes serving sizes.

Pepper Ferguson

Healthy Mom = Healthy Family - That is my life motto and I hope to encourage it to be yours too. January 2011 I made the decision to lose weight and lost 80+ pounds. I saw my boys start getting active with me and I realized I wasn't only changing my life but also my boys.

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My husband has gotten a bad habit of wanting to take us to ice cream every other night after dinner. I decided I need to start adding some healthy dessert alternatives to my recipe book. I’ve always wanted to try frozen bananas, so this is my first dessert recipe!

These are great for after dinner or even for a fun breakfast!

I learned quickly put the sticks in at the end not the beginning. They become loose if you play with them too much, but are tight once frozen. I used Tillamook Light Yogurt for my yogurt of choice. You could also use greek yogurt.

You can use all kinds of toppings. The ones I used were chopped pecans, shredded coconut, and my own toasted quinoa.

My favorite flavor was the shredded coconut!

Make sure that you have enough clearance on your freezer shelf for the bananas and the lollypop sticks.

These would also be fun to serve at a party for a healthy treat.

You can even make a bunch and store them in a freezer bag in your freezer. I loved having the extras to pull out when I was wanting a sweet treat!

Pepper Ferguson

Healthy Mom = Healthy Family - That is my life motto and I hope to encourage it to be yours too. January 2011 I made the decision to lose weight and lost 80+ pounds. I saw my boys start getting active with me and I realized I wasn't only changing my life but also my boys.

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One of the fun things that I did with the Tillamook Light Yogurt I got was to create a delicious Rainbow Yogurt Parfait with Toasted Quinoa. I pulled out the different flavors of yogurt I received and picked one flavor for each layer:

• Pink: Oregon Strawberry
• Orange: Peach
• Yellow: Lemon Squeeze
• Blue: Mountain Huckleberry
• Purple: Pomegranate Blackberry

I spooned a little bit of each flavor carefully into the dish creating a layered look. Which turned out lovely and fun!

I then added the Toasted Quinoa on top which added a little bit more protein and a yummy crunch to this treat. Even Zane loved the toasted Quinoa, which he is the pickiest little one ever!

Pepper Ferguson

Healthy Mom = Healthy Family - That is my life motto and I hope to encourage it to be yours too. January 2011 I made the decision to lose weight and lost 80+ pounds. I saw my boys start getting active with me and I realized I wasn't only changing my life but also my boys.

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I remember making these no bake cookies with my mom when I was little. Of course we just made them we didn’t associate them with Dinosaurs. I loved how Stacie renamed these cookies and gave each ingredient a creative dino twist. You can check out her recipe here: Dinosaur Snacks: Yummy and Icky Treat.

Ingredients: Sugar (crushed bones), Butter (fat), Oatmeal (Dead Grass), Peanut Butter (Dead Bugs), Cocoa (Dirt), & Milk w/Green Food Color (Swamp Water)

The boys took turns adding ingredients

I quickly boiled the sugar, butter, cocoa, and milk

The boys spooned out the cookies (though halfway I had to take over)

Zane practiced his letters while we waited for them to cool

They loved these cookies! My husband super duper loved them! I was surprised to find each cookie only 128 calories and way worth it!

Do you have a creative recipe that you do with your kids? Have you seen a cute food recipe you want to do with you kids?

Pepper Ferguson

Healthy Mom = Healthy Family - That is my life motto and I hope to encourage it to be yours too. January 2011 I made the decision to lose weight and lost 80+ pounds. I saw my boys start getting active with me and I realized I wasn't only changing my life but also my boys.

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For my Cookie Swap this Sunday I have made two kinds of cookies. But because I have so much to do for the party and Christmas I decided to make simple and quick cookies. So both cookies I am making are no-bake.

The first cookie I made was a Girl Scout Mint Cookie Copycat. They are quick and easy and yummy! I made these with semi-sweet chocolate and white chocolate. I love the white chocolate.

The second cookie I made was Orange Coconut Balls. I made these because I wanted to have something different. And I thought that the orange flavor of these cookies would be a great change.

Girl Scout Mint Cookie Copycat

• Chocolate (I used chips but I’ve heard bark is the best)
• Peppermint Extract
• Ritz Crackers

1. Heat the chocolate in the microwave. My bag instructed to heat 1 minute on high.
2. Add a few drops of Peppermint Extract
3. Stir and heat 30 seconds more.
4. Dip crackers one by one
5. Place chocolate covered crackers on parchment paper or wax paper
6. Place in fridge and chill overnight

Orange Coconut Balls

• 1 box (12oz) Vanilla Wafers, crushed
• 6 oz Orange Juice Concentrate (undiluted)
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 7 oz sweetened coconut flakes

1. Mix everything but the coconut.
2. Roll into bite size balls
3. Roll in coconut
4. Place in fridge till firm or overnight

Recipe originally found on Recipezaar. These are a very sweet cookie, I’m thinking about trying them with only 4 oz of orange juice next time.

If you would like to find some more Christmas dessert recipes please visit Life as Mom. What’s your favorite Christmas dessert?

Pepper Ferguson

Healthy Mom = Healthy Family - That is my life motto and I hope to encourage it to be yours too. January 2011 I made the decision to lose weight and lost 80+ pounds. I saw my boys start getting active with me and I realized I wasn't only changing my life but also my boys.

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