Coconut Cream Protein Cookie Sandwich

Lately I have been on a coconut kick and can't get enough of its creamy, delicious taste. This morning I wanted to make something quick, easy and relatively healthy. Something which was gluten-free, low in sugar and filling. Thats when these coconut cream protein cookies were brought to my attention and I knew I had to make them. They are made with all-natural sweeteners and are packed with protein from my favorite Vega protein powder. 

Also, this recipe is vegan, making them perfect for anyone. The coconut cream filling gives these cookie sandwiches the perfect sweetness and makes them fun to eat. They're the perfect anytime snack or for breakfast or an after workout snack. 

Lastly, these protein cookie sandwiches take less than 20 minutes to make with only a handful of ingredients required. The recipe calls for sunflower seeds, but I didn't have any in my pantry so I added pumpkin seeds and walnuts instead. You can find the recipe here. 

To make the Coconut Cream filling, you need 1 can of coconut cream, 1/2 cup of coconut flakes (or enough to thicken the coconut cream mixture), 1/4 c. maple syrup and 1 tsp. of vanilla. 

Baked Sweet Potato + Almond Butter + Banana + Chia Seeds

I know what you're thinking, sweet potato with bananas and almond butter? Before you think any further, stop and give it a try!! I found this recipe from the amazing site Ambitious Kitchen and this recipe is seriously to die for. I would have never thought about combining these ingredients together, but the creaminess of the almond butter blends and melts perfectly into the hot sweet potato and the banana adds that perfect hint of sweetness while the chia seeds add the perfect crunch! 

I have had a crazy last couple of weeks and today was no exception, so I was looking for something incredible easy and healthy to eat and take on the go with me to school. This recipe was the perfect thing and is jam-packed with nutrients and with all its vitamins and fiber, the sweet potato keeps you feeling full for hours. To read more about the amazing health benefits of sweet potatoes read here. 

Side Note: sweet potatoes produce collagen which helps aid in maintaining the elasticity of the skin, giving you that youthful looking appearance. 

The best part about this recipe is that it is relatively inexpensive, quick and requires only four ingredients, which most likely are already within your pantry or kitchen! So don't waste anymore time, and give these baked sweet potatoes a try! 

Make sure to like us on Instagram @oliviasobjectsofobsession and Facebook, here. Also, share some love and tag myself and @ambitiouskitchen when posting a picture!! 

Pumpkin Maple Pecan Granola (GF)

Since its officially Fall, I have seriously been craving anything to do with Pumpkin. Pumpkin spice, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin pie, pumpkin patches...pretty much anything that involves pumpkins! Therefore, this week for our Motivation Monday recipe, I have decided to focus on an easy, homemade Pumpkin Maple Pecan granola. It not only has roasted pumpkin seeds, but also pumpkin puree in it. 

This recipe is so easy, it takes only about 30 minutes and 25 of those are in the oven! It also only uses a handful of ingredients and since its homemade it isn't overloaded with sweetness and extra sugary ingredients. It tastes like Fall on a spoon and a burst of flavors in your mouth. Its crunchy, not too sweet, light, pumpkin-ey, nutty and all around amazing! I found this incredible recipe here, so make sure to check it out, on how to make. 
 

Make sure to note, that even if you do not believe the granola is done in the oven, remember that it continues to crisp when it is cooling.  

This granola is the perfect thing to put on your yogurt or to bring to work with you as a snack and since it is filled with healthy fats, proteins and fiber, it will keep you feeling full and satisfied throughout the day. 

If you do end up making this amazing granola, and how could you not, make sure to tag me on Instagram @oliviasobjectsofobsession and @minimalistbaker where I found the recipe!! 

Happy Fall! 

Fruit & Granola Yogurt Parfait

Fruit, nuts, oats and greek yogurt, does anything get any better or healthier? These fruit & granola yogurt parfaits are really the only thing you'll ever want to eat in the morning after trying. They are not only the easiest option for a healthy breakfast but the perfect go to for a midday snack as well. 

I made these fruit and granola parfaits for another one of my Motivation Monday recipes, because recently I have been busier than usual. With my summer semester of school coming to an end, I need something that will be satisfying, easy to throw together and transportable. Also, yogurt parfaits are so versatile, you can pretty much use any fruit you prefer or whatever is laying around the house! 

Since summer is the perfect time for figs, I decided add them into my parfaits in addition to choosing a variety of berries and keeping with that theme, as I also used a blueberry preserve to provide a bit of sweetness. If anyone knows me, I have huge sweet tooth, so that was the perfect addition to the creamy and crunchy aspects of the parfaits! 

Now lets talk about these mason jars, aren't they the cutest? They are the perfect serving size and make this parfait incredibly easy to transport to wherever you are going, with a lid that clasps and seals tight! Of course, you can use any glass you have around the house, but I liked these so I could take them to school with me and not worrying about them spilling! 

Ingredients: 

Per Jar: 

1/2 jar of Bonne Maman Blueberry Preserves (jam optional) 
2 1/2 Tbsp of Granola
1/4 c. blueberries (fruit optional) 
1/2 c. plain greek yogurt
1/4 c. blackberries (fruit optional) 
 

Directions: 

1. Layer greek yogurt on bottom of the mason jar
2. Add 1 1/4 tbsp of granola on top
3. Add 1/8 c. of blueberries on top of the granola or enough to fill the surface area
4. Layer the blueberry preserves on top of the granola
5. Continue layering ingredients until the jar is filled
6. Top off with blackberries

Scrambled Egg Avocado Toast + Mozzarella

Summer, please slow down!!! Can you believe it is already the first of August? I don't know whether I have been doing too much or if Summer is just flying by per usual! Due to the craziness of summer and everyone's jam packed schedules, this week of Motivation Monday recipes is totally geared towards being quick, easy and on-the-go! 

Because I have been incredibly busy these past few weeks and with the school semester ramping up and coming to a close, I need something that is nutritious and can be made in under 10 minutes! Thats why I chose to make the most incredible combination of everyone's favorite avocado toast and breakfast!  Who doesn't love scrambled eggs, avocado and toast? Put all of those ingredients together + a creamy mozzarella to top it off and you're in heaven! This will be the perfect thing for the morning before work when you're rushing out the door or for a mid day snack! 

This is one of my favorite snacks to eat and it has almost everything from each food group, and is packed with protein from the egg whites! I can't wait for you all to make this creation and don't forget to share with me! I love seeing all of your creations! Follow and tag me on Instagram and follow on Snapchat (OliviaJoan21) to watch my Motivation Mondays live! 

Ingredients: 

Whole wheat toast
2 egg whites
1 avocado
3 small tomatoes
Mozzarella
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions: 

1. Toast the pieces of bread in the toaster
2. While the bread is being toasted, scramble the eggs whites in some EVOO and add some salt & pepper to season
3. Cut the avocado in half as well as cut the tomatoes into little pieces as well
4. Remove the avocado from its peel and add to the toast, press with the back of a spoon or knife to spread around
5. Add the egg whites on top of the avocado spread, along with the tomatoes
6. Pull apart the mozzarella with your fingers and place it on top of the eggs and tomatoes
7. Season again to your liking with salt & pepper