Miranda Malisani – Nutrition Expert

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

If you’re my friend, you know that this is my go-to treat to bring to parties, when I have company, or when I am in need of a little chocolate/peanut butter therapy. I even brought them on The Marilyn Denis Show as a healthy halloween treat last October. Once you make a batch they last for a few months in the freezer, so these bad boys are ready for you when you want a bite or two. With only 6 ingredients that you probably have in your cupboard right now! Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups  Makes 24 minis Ingredients: 2/3…

Memories of a Chocolate Covered Cereal Bar

    An old friend from elementary school came to visit me with her two adorable kids a few weeks back. Growing up we spent many days together listening to Smashing Pumpkins, talking about boys while snacking on her mom’s amazing cereal bars. It’s pretty special what you can experience when you indulge in enjoyable recollections of past events. I could almost taste those delicious bars when we were catching up. So I had to try my own version with a nutrition focus for my kids…and well, me too. So here they are with protein, minerals and healthy fats….did I…

Chocolate Crispy Cups with Maple Coconut Tops

    We can’t get enough chocolate cups in our home. There are endless reasons why I love them and the list gets longer every time I make a batch. Here are a few: They take 10 minutes to make It is the easiest recipe EVER. My 6 year old can make it without supervision. They look like you’ve slaved over them for hours. They contain simple, real ingredients that provide benefit to the body. You can get creative with so many flavour variations. They are a perfect dessert for when company is unexpected. They keep for a long time…

Carrot & Cream Cheese Mini Muffins (Gluten-Free)

It’s always a risk when I bake with vegetables (and make it obvious to the boys) that they won’t like them, but these Carrot & Cream Cheese Minis are so yummy that even my selective eater at 3 right out of the oven. Even better, there’s only 1/3 cup coconut sugar for the entire recipe and a focus on healthy fats (chia seeds, pumpkin seed butter and goat cream cheese) I love when carrots and cinnamon collide. Here’s the recipe: Makes 24 minis Ingredients:  3 medium organic carrots (shredded or diced in food processor) I shredded mine 2 heaping tbsp…

Oat & Chia Energy Cookie

If you are looking for a sweet treat, need a quick and healthy snack post-workout or have run out of ideas for your kids lunches, try this energy cookie! Made with natural sweeteners raw honey and maple syrup and healthy fats chia seeds, coconut oil and pumpkin seed butter, you will love the taste as much as your body loves the fuel. (Makes 16) Ingredients: 2 tbsp pumpkin seed butter 1/4 cup coconut oil (melted) 1/8 cup raw honey  (I used avocado blossom) 1/8 cup pure maple syrup 1 chia egg (1 tbsp chia seeds + 3 tbsp water) Let…

Alligator Pear & Chocolate Mini Muffins

 There is definitely no better compliment then when your kids say the love your food. They are the toughest critics and these days with my eldest going through a picky-eater phase, hearing him say these are my best muffins is THE BEST. If you’ve been following my posts, you have figured out that I always try to jam in as many nutrients as possible, yet still make it kid-approved, with some sweetness and creaminess and taste-bud friendly texture. This mini is JUST THAT and so much more! I’ve been using my browning bananas for most of my baking lately, but…

Spring Cleansing Smoothie & VEGA Giveaway!

It’s easy to get in a smoothie rut during the winter months as our body doesn’t crave cold and water-dense ingredients. We’d rather be eating heavier, warming foods when the temperatures are below zero. Now that we are in April we are awaiting May flowers, listening to birds sing and ditching the snow tires.  Fresh, colourful, and light are some of the words that come to mind when I think about Spring.  It’s the time we reconnect with nature and our bodies.  It’s important that we help our bodies to “spring clean” and eliminate lingering toxins and other elements that…

Find Your Food Flow

Find your unique “diet rhythm” for sustainable weight loss, vibrant energy and balanced health.         I began playing the drums at age of 3. I began listening to music 3 years and 9 months before that. My parents are musicians and went to 2 dozen concerts when I was in utero. Seriously. As far back as I can remember I always had a beat in my head; a rhythm that I would walk to, or eat to, or play to. Rhythm became such a strong part of my every day that now, as an adult I see…

Recipe Renovation ~ Quinoa Raspberry Muffins

MYTH: Using “quinoa” in the title of a muffin recipe automatically makes it a healthy alternative. FACT: If you took out the 1/2 cup of quinoa for the whole recipe, you’d be left with a enriched white flour raspberry muffin, made with nutrient-poor, inflammatory ingredients.   We can do better. Come back this week to see how I renovate this Quinoa Raspberry Muffin recipe to be HEALTHY and TASTY!      …

Banana Pumpkin Butter Mini Muffins (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

My main focus when packing snacks  for my two boys is to sneak in some protein, fibre and healthy fats to provide immune system support, keep them regular and support their growing brains. The right foods keep them focused, full of healthy energy (not the hyper-crazy energy from refined carb snacks) and feel their best so they can learn the most. Naturally kids love carbs, especially muffins and cookies. They provide quick energy, take no time to scarf down and are often sweet tasting. Both my boys are no exception, but the muffins and cookies I pack for them are.…