Broccoli Cheese Soup

Ingredients: 
 1/2 C butter 
1 onion, chopped 
1 lb chopped fresh broccoli (you can use frozen as well) 
3 cans chicken broth (43.5 oz) 
1 lb processed cheese (such as Velveeta) cubed 
2 cups milk 
1 tablespoon garlic powder
 2/3 C cornstarch 
1 C water 
1/2 C cheddar cheese, plus more for serving 

  Instructions: 
-In a stockpot, melt butter over medium heat. Cook onion in butter until softened. Stir in broccoli, and cover with chicken broth. Simmer until broccoli is tender, 10 to 15 minutes. 
 -Reduce heat, and stir in cheese cubes until melted. Add in cheddar cheese. Mix in milk and garlic powder. 
-In a small bowl, stir cornstarch into water until dissolved. Stir into soup; cook, stirring frequently, until thick.

German-Chocolate Fudge Bites (Healthy!)

Healthy German-Chocolate Fudge Bites

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup pitted dates (120g)

• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

• 1/16 tsp salt

• 2 tbsp cocoa powder (or raw cacao powder)

• 2 tbsp shredded coconut

• 1/3 to 1/2 cup raw pecans (I've used walnuts, as that's what I've had on hand both times)

• optional: feel free to add some chocolate chips (I usually add about 2-3 Tbs of mini choco chips)

• Makes 10-14 balls (so I doubled it last time I made these!).

Directions:
Blend all ingredients together very well. (She recommends using a food processor, I used my vitamix.) Squish the dough together. (I put the dough to a ziplock plastic bag then smushed it together in the bag. It’s much less messy this way!) Roll into balls, cookie-cuttered shapes, or bars… or you can even use it for a pie crust! (I've only tried it in the ball form so far).

Notes:

I love these because the ingredient list is basic and healthy and they totally satisfy my post-partum sugar and chocolate cravings!! Dates are a great base for desserts like this - the sweetness and moisture they provide is perfect. This lady's website is awesome and I'm sure I'll be trying more from her! UPDATE (4.30.14: I have made these many many times now. I've also used almonds and they work great and we usually have on hand more than other nuts. I have found it works best if I add the nuts to my vitamin first and blend and then add the cocoa, coconut, salt and blend and then add the dates in portions until the mix starts to get sticky.)

Picture and recipe from: http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/02/08/german-chocolate-fudge-bites/

Two Minute Mug Brownie

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp flour
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• pinch of salt
• 1 Tbsp oil
• 1 Tbsp milk or water

Directions:

Add all the ingredients in a mug or a small sauce bowl (microwave safe of course!) Then throw in the microwave for about 50 seconds! Add some whipped cream to the top to really make it good!

Notes:

GIRLS!!!!! This is my FAVORITE treat when I am just craving a little chocolate treat but I don't want to make a mess.  It always hits the spot! I make this whenever I just need a little 5 minute break from everything, and then eat it in my little corner.  It's definitely my go to.  Anyway I thought I would share.  I had an idea to make it with yogurt instead of milk and oil, so I will try it and maybe adapt it later.  Hope you like it!

- Adapted from http://blogs.babble.com/family-kitchen/2011/09/13/two-minute-mug-brownie/