Sugar Free Chia Pudding

Written with love, by Jennifer Dene

I don't believe in diets and deprivation, which is why I eat dessert every night of the week. Dinner's just not dinner without a little treat at the end. The good news is that desserts can be healthy and delicious, making it a no-brainer to partake on a nightly basis.

This week on Mind Body Bride I've shared a delicious sugar free chia pudding that packs a serious nutritional punch.  th more calcium than milk, more antioxidants than blueberries, and a nice dose of protein and fiber, this is one dessert you will feel good about eating!

Since chia seeds absorb an impressive eight times their weight in liquid, they're perfect for creamy puddings. Plus with all that fiber, these tiny but mighty seeds will help to sweep clean your digestive system... #byebyebloat

So instead of cutting out dessert to get wedding-ready, try swapping processed, sugary snacks for a super food pudding that your body will love as much as your taste buds.

With Love,
     Jennifer Dene XO

Date Night Recipe // Breakfast in Bed -- Egg Muffin Recipe

Written with love, Sarah-Elizabeth Stone

How did Mr (or Mrs) Right do this past weekend? Was Valentine's Day everything you had hopped for and more? Or was it perhaps a learning year for our dear spouse?

My first Valentine's Day with my husband was when we we're still disgustingly new. We were that couple who Instagrams each and every overly PDA moment of their new lives together. Of course I got the flowers and chocolates and teddy bear. I squealed with delight when they were all laid out on my parent's kitchen table. It was the real deal and I of course proceeded to Instagram it.

But there is something I've learned over the past 6 Valentine's Days together -- Although I absolutely love to be spoiled, and yes I'm a big sucker for the 'holiday', what I love more is our little moments...the days that don't need flowers, but I still get them. The mornings I don't have to have breakfast in bed and I'm still brought it. It's those moments that remind me that Valentine's Day can be any day of the year.

Try this recipe for a random breakfast in bed treat!

Ingredients

•         2-4eggs
•         1 package of bacon
•         2 cups of shredded cheese
•         1 green onion
•         Salt/pepper to taste
•         2- 4 slices of bread

Directions

1.    Preheat oven to 400F
2.    Spray large muffin tin with non-stick spray or grease with butter/olive oil
3.    Take a glass approximately the size of the inside of the muffin tin and use it to cut out circles of bread
4.    Place in the bottom of muffin tin
5.    Top with small amount of cheese
6.    Cook bacon until it's about half done, about 3-5 min
7.    Absorb the grease with a paper towel and then wrap the bacon around inside of muffin tin
8.    Crack one egg into each spot carefully so as not to break the yoke.
9.    Top with salt, pepper and green onions
10.  Bake for 15-20 minutes depending on egg preference. Roughly 15 minutes for a runny egg and 20 minutes for a more firm egg

Date Night Recipe // Mid Winter Beef Stew

Written with love, by Sarah-Elizabeth Stone

A little part of me is always glad when January comes to an end. There are some lovely times to be had in the month, and I'm particularly sorry to say this when people are actually born in January – but good riddance! I was thrilled to look out our window and see that the sun was actually still up at 4:30pm this week, and couldn't be happier when I didn't have to scrape my car off this morning. And while I know that February can some times be the coldest month, it brings with it the hope and promise that spring is around the corner – no matter what that darn rodent predicts!

This is the perfect heary meal that will keep you warm on those cold January nights, when the wind is howling and your dreaming of nothing but spring!

Ingredients:

1 clove garlic chopped
1 small onion chopped
2 sticks of celery chopped
1 cup baby carrots, chopped
2 large potatoes, cubed
2 cups vegetable and beef stock
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp rosemary
1 tsp parsley
1 package of stewing beef
3 tbsp olive oil
1-2 tsp all-purpose flour

Directions:

1.            Heat olive oil in the bottom of a large soup pot
2.            Brown onions, garlic and beef in olive oil on med/high heat until meat is cooked on the outside.
3.            Stir in 1 teaspoon of flour and coat beef
4.            Add beef and vegetable stock and bring to boil
5.            Add potatoes, carrots, celery and spices
6.            Simmer on med/low heat for 1.5-2 hours
7.            Add a second teaspoon of flour if stew needs to be thickened

Serve with fresh garlic bread and topped with Parmesan cheese and parsley.