Healthy Heartbeats Newsletter

★★★★★

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Category: Entree, Summer
• Method: Stovetop/Grill
• Cuisine: Vegan

• 6 large carrots*
• 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (try making your own)
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons liquid aminos 
• 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Optional: 1/2 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce

1. Trim the carrots down with a knife so that they are the same length as the buns that you will be using. We recommend cutting the thin end off and keeping as much of the thicker part of the carrot as possible.
2. Using a vegetable peeler, peel off the outer skin of the carrots. Once you have removed the outer peel, continue using the peeler to shave down the carrots to make them uniform in width all throughout. Optional: use the peeler to round out the ends of the carrots, to make them look like a hot dog. Set the carrots aside.
3. In a medium sauce pan, mix together all of the ingredients for the marinade. Add in the carrots and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and continue cooking until the carrots are fork tender, about 10-12 minutes (cooking time may vary depending on thickness of the carrots). Remove the pan from heat and allow it to sit for 15 minutes.
4. In the meantime, clean and oil the grill grates and set the grill to a medium heat.
5. Remove the carrots from the cooking liquid and transfer them to a clean plate. Brush the carrots with cooking oil of your choice. This will prevent them from drying out on the grill. Place the carrots on the prepared grill and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until grill marks appear. Flip the carrots and grill for 3-5 minutes more. Keep an eye on them to be sure that they do not burn.
6. When the carrots have about a minute of cooking left, place the buns on the grill (cut side down) for about 1 minute. Flip and grill the backside for 1 minute more.  Be careful...the buns burn easily!!!
7. Remove the carrots and the buns from the grill and assemble your carrot hot dogs with toppings of your choice. Get creative and have fun with it!

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How about Avocado Chocolate Pudding?  Don't knock it until you try it. This is every chocolate lover's dream!!!

Ingredients:

4 dates (I use Organic Medjool Dates, bigger and sweeter)

2 avocados

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

¼ cup maple syrup 

2 tsp. raw unfiltered honey

2 tsp. vanilla extract

½ cup almond milk

¼ Tsp. sea salt

Instructions:

Place all ingredients in high-powered mixer or blender and process on high until smooth and creamy.  This pudding will take on the creamy structure due to the avocados. 

Top with fresh fruit and unsweetened coconut if desired ☺

The most important thing to remember is keeping the ingredients whole and as unprocessed as possible.

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Grandma’s Healthy Banana-Oat Bars 

Ingredients:

· 2 ½ cups whole grain old fashioned oats

· 3 large, ripe bananas, mashed

· ¾ cup shredded unsweetened coconut

· 1 cup raisins or chopped dates (or ½ cup each)

· 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

1. Mash the bananas in a large bowl using a potato masher.

2. Add chopped dates/raisins and mash into bananas.

3. Add coconut and applesauce and mix well.

4. Add oats and mix until well combined.

5. Press into a 9x9-inch baking pan (I use the back of spatula to firmly press the mixture into the pan).

6. Bake for 30 minutes or until top is light brown.

7. Cut into bite size bars.

8. Bars will last 3-4 days in refrigerator.

9. Eat cold out of fridge or place in microwave for warmer oatmeal bite.

Great snacks for breakfast, lunch or after dinner!!

Note:  For sweeter bars, drizzle honey or maple syrup over each bar before eating. You can also warm up a couple bars the next day in the microwave or toaster oven.

The most important thing to remember in any recipe is keeping the ingredients whole and as unprocessed as possible.

ENJOY AND FEEL THE HEALTH!!!