Chocolate Dipped Oranges

Part of my job as a Retail Dietitian is doing healthy food demonstrations. In one of my recent demos, I highlighted oranges; mainly because of cold and flu season (Vitamin C) and they were on sale.  It was so funny doing this demo because I got a ton of people saying either, "This is healthy?" or "I never thought to combine chocolate and oranges."  Most people have the impression that healthy eating is bland or boring. Then when you present these people with healthy recipes that taste good, they are in shock! The way you prepare food and how good it tastes is completely subjective. Get creative in the kitchen and try new recipes and spices to spruce up your meals! While you are at it, try my chocolate dipped oranges for a sweet snack:)

How to Select/Store Oranges
Select an orange that is firm, shiny, and heavy for its size. The fruit should be free of any soft spots or wrinkles. Oranges should be kept in a cool, well-ventilated area. You can store in the fridge for 2 weeks or at room temperature for 4 days.

My Chocolate Dipped Oranges :)

Chocolate Dipped Oranges
Ingredients
2-4 ounces of dark chocolate
1 medium orange, peeled and segmented

Directions
1. Line a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper.
2. Melt chocolate (microwave or double broiler). Dip orange segments in chocolate and transfer to baking sheet. Set aside until chocolate hardens. Serve at room temperature.

**I found it easier to only dip 1/2 of one side of the orange. This way I didn't lose any chocolate when I removed the oranges for serving. You can also use clementines instead!

For about 1/2 the orange with chocolate, your looking at about 180 calories. Not too shabby for a sweet treat. Not to mention the 75% of your daily value of Vitamin C :)


http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-calculator.asp

Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip

Looking for a quick and healthy fruit dip? Feast your taste buds on this creamy and light option! It is perfect with apple slices (or even a banana). Packed with 4g of protein and only 80 calories per serving, it is a great dessert to satisfy your cravings. But be forewarned! You may find it is tasty enough to eat with just a spoon :)


Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip
Ingredients
1c plain greek yogurt
1/2c peanut butter (I use natural peanut butter with the ingredients being only peanuts and salt)
1tsp cinnamon
4 squirts of Redi Whip (more or less depending on your taste buds)

Directions
1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl and chill.
2. Serve with fresh apple slices or bananas.


Nutrition Facts (Per 2T; yield approximately 1.5cups)
Calories: 80
Fat: 5.5g (4g Monounsaturated)
Sodium: 40mg
Potassium: 90mg
Carbohydrate: 2.5g
Fiber: .8g
Sugar: 1g
Protein: 4.3g

Avocado Pudding Recipe

A friend of mine suggested I try out her Avocado Pudding recipe she found in a magazine (not a clue which one). I'm always one to try new things, especially if they are healthy. You get a boost of unsaturated (healthy) fats and some protein! The recipe was really simple and quite good. It took me less than 10 minutes to make, so great to make in a pinch!

Just some forewarnings:
1. It is not sweet! If you are more of a sweet tooth, add some type of sweetener.
2. The recipe I used called for dates (10-12), which I did not have, so I used some honey instead.
3. It tastes much better after it sits in the fridge and gains the "pudding-like consistency."
4. I topped mine with some Reddi Whip, which gave it a little more sweetness and more of a dessert feel.

Avocado Pudding Recipe
Ingredients
1 Avocado (ripe)
1T Honey
1/2c Almond milk
4T Unsweetened cocoa
1/2 tsp. Vanilla

Directions
1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl or blender. Chill for 1 hour and enjoy!