Coconut Chia Seed Pudding with Nuts and Berries

If you haven't heard, chia seeds aren't just for pets anymore.

Rich in Omega-3's, fiber, protein, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, niacin, and zinc, and the seeds help to regulate blood sugar....basically it's the superfood of super foods. Chia seeds are similar to tapioca ball, just smaller. They don't really have a flavor, except for maybe leaning on the nutty side, so I like to think of them as a vessel to carry other flavors while delivery a super healthy and filling punch.

So the question then is what to do with these power-packed seeds? How about a real simple, healthy treat that can be breakfast or a snack?

For this recipe I made my own coconut milk. You can use store bought, but you might be shocked at how easy it is to make (5 minutes), not to mention it's cheaper and free of the extra sugar and preservative that can be found in a store brand versions.

Pets aside, put some chia seeds into your diet for a Fat and Happy nutritional boost.

Flax Seed Crusted Sweet Potato Cake with Basil Dressed Kale Salad

Sometimes you accidentally create a dish so delicious, you gobble the whole thing down and then for days and weeks after you keep thinking about. Recreation was a must.

Using left over grain and a left over roasted sweet potato, I mushed them together and formed patties. A little crunchy crust comes from flax seeds. Where this really goes over the edge is the basil dressing and kale salad, completely flavor explosion against the warm sweet potato patties.

Use the left over grains you have in the house or follow my recipe brown rice, quinoa, lentil recipe. While you can substitute grains, definitely keep the sweet potato over a white.

Accidents happen for a reason....for a tasty Fat and Happy reason.

Yummy Mexican Mushroom Pizza

I'll admit on on a bit of a roll with vegetarian recipes as of late, focusing most of my food intake on a plant based diet. This is healthier way of life, easier on the digestion system and it makes me feel better.

In these tasty little pizzas, the mushrooms give the illusion of meat while the black beans kick in for a healthy dollop of protein to keep you full and satisfied. The tomatillo salsa seals the whole deal with a taste of freshness. Crispy corn tortillas substitute in for dough making the whole thing a delightful treat.

Because not everyone is vegetarian, it's important that I create recipes that are layer-able - meaning you could easily add a layer of meat on without detracting from the original flavors. Add a little ground beef, chicken or chorizo when sauteing the onions for a meatier pizza.


Try these super yummy Mexican Mushroom Pizza's today; they will leave you Fat and Happy without feeling like you need a nap because you just OD'd on a heavy, greasy, cheese-laden pie.

Easy Spring Rolls with Hoisin Almond Sauce

Bookmark this one as another recipe for Meatless Mondays. It's simple, fresh  and versatile, a perfect way to ease into the Spring season.

The glass noodles are a great option for anyone gluten free and the radish is good for digestion. I use crushed walnuts instead of peanuts and almond butter instead of peanut butter to give the rolls a healthier boost.

The spring rolls don't have to be vegetarian; add in chicken, shrimp or other protein as desired. I also like to add in a little chopped chili pepper for spice. Or try adding arugula to get your greens in. See what I mean about the versatility?

If you have been hesitant to try making spring rolls in the past, I'm here to tell you it's not hard. Plus, you can still eat your mistakes if they fall apart! That is Fat and Happy cooking right there.

A Visit to Peru and Peruvian Causa Recipe

Peru exceeded my expectations. From a top notch city to hidden Incan ruins in the cloud forest to poverty huts in Puerto Maldanado to "occasional" electricity in the Amazon jungle, our 10 day trip melted our fast paced, stressed lifestyle away.

Nestled on small cliffs at the edge of the Pacific Ocean, Lima proved to be fun city with gorgeous views. Do make time to visit two of our favorite places: Huaca Pucllana for dinner and La Emolienteria for wheel barrel chairs and infused Pisco. Make to time walk along the rocky beach and watch the surfers ride the waves.

Cusco is a large, friendly mountain city surrounded by Incan ruins. We experienced our first semi-pro soccer match here, complete with armed gaurds and home cooked food for sale. Don't miss Mueso de Pisco for taste-shattering infused Pisco drinks and The Chocolate Museum where you will make chocolate starting with roasting the cocoa beans. Visit Uchu Peruvian Steakhouse, Marcelo Batata and Nuna Raymi for super yummy typical Peruvian fare you can trust. And for that one morning when you just need a more usual breakfast to soak up all the Pisco drinks, Jack's is the place. Life in Cusco is similar yet different. Boys and girls wear school uniforms, attend separate schools and the day is broken into 3 time frames: morning school is reserved for the smartest kids, the afternoon slot held for the 'average' students while the evening slot is attended by the less fortunate families who needed their children to work during the day.

Machupicchu is spectacular. Stunning really. Wondering through this hidden city,...feeling the life that once was... is a moving experience. Excavation is still underway to uncover even more, but the amount of visitors will soon be heavily regulated so plan ahead. Remember to stamp your passport!

Cauliflower Steak with Sundried and Kale Polenta and Garlic Mushrooms

Meatless Mondays: those two words can either sound daunting our refreshing. Kinda like the two words that make up Cauliflower Steak.

Interested Vegetarians are going to perk up. Red meat lovers might frown, at first.

So let's just get this out there- I'm not claiming that the cauliflower will taste exactly like a hunk of beef. But it can give the illusion of a steak, especially when the texture is just right. If you really wanted to try to get a bit more 'steak' flavor, definitely use the grill and try adding a little BBQ seasoning along with the mustard.

The creamy polenta and garlic mushrooms are dreamy while the crunchy, salty, fried capers top off the plate.

Enjoy your next Meatless Monday, courtesy of  Fat and Happy.

Easy Peanut Butter, Banana, Chocolate Bites

Eating healthy deserves a treat beyond an organic carrot. And it doesn't mean creamy, yummy desserts and snacks have to go by the way side.

This isn't necessarily new, but still worth a second look. A simple banana slice topped with nut butter and a little dollop of chocolate. If you are feeling really sassy, try topping with a little salt or cocoa nibs.

Eating these right away offers a decadent, creamy and satisfying bite. Store in the freezer if you enjoy frozen bananas.

Treat yourself to something healthy with these Fat and Happy Peanut Butter, Chocolate, Banana Bites.

Cashew Cream Soup: Avocado and Pepper

Recently I've found that singeling cashews out of the nut mixture can is not the only way to enjoy them. It's true. Raw cashes are now synonymous with sweet, fluffy dessert toppings as well as savory creams.

You may also be asking why? The simple fact is that not everyone eats, or can tolerate, dairy. And why live a life of creamless soups and desserts when you don't have to?

You may also be intrigued by this, but have concerns with how daunting the process is going to be. Turns out, the process is really quite simple. I'll admit, I was initially hesitant and it took a bit before I finally soaked my first cashew. But I haven't looked back since. Soaking cashews involve covering them with water overnight and then rinsing them before blending with water. That's it! Vary the texture through amounts of water and length of blending. Add a bit of sweetener and vanilla for dessert or leave plain to use in place of classic milk and cream.

Below I've given you the makings for two base soups: a Creamy Avocado Soup and a Creamy Pepper Soup. You can also combine them to make a Creamy Avocado Pepper Soup. Also listed are numerous additions that can be added to either, ultimately giving you ability to make hundreds of soups. Perhaps they should be called Creamy Transformer Soups?

Bite the bullet and test out the cashew phenomenon with either of these ultra simple, Fat and Happy Cashew Cream Soups. It will be the beginning of a new relationship.