PB&J Cups

The Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Cups I made last week were so good, I kept thinking I should come up with a variation. Truthfully, the first attempt was horrible. So I trashed it and tried again. The second attempt led me to these pb&j cups, and later I came up with a neopolitan version…

The pb&j cups are amazing!

I was going for a peanut butter and jelly theme, and I wanted to come up with two versions. One would be low in sugar, and the other would use regular sugary jam.

I found Superfruit Powder for the low sugar option. The only other thing I’ve made with this powder is chia jam—I think I made it first with just acai powder about a year ago. But ever since then, I’ve been using the superfruit powder—it tastes really good, but the color is a little less vibrant than the acai (which is why I added red food coloring to this recipe–but you definitely don’t have to do that, or you could get creative and use beet juice or something. ha).

PB&J Cups

Bottom Layer:

2 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
4 Tbsp peanut butter
1/2 tsp vanilla stevia or 2 tsp maple syrup (to taste)

Stir ingredients until smooth. In mini muffin cups, add 1 Tbsp of the mixture to each. Place in the freezer on a flat surface.

Top Layer:

2 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
4 Tbsp peanut butter or other nut butter (you can even use tahini!)
2 Tbsp superfruit powder (or other berry powder)
1.5 tsp vanilla stevia (start with 1 tsp, and add more to taste) or 2-3 tsp maple syrup
a few drops of organic “safe” red food coloring

Stir ingredients until smooth.  Add more food coloring till desired color is reached. Take the bottom layer cups out of the freezer. Add 1 Tbsp of the top later mixture to each cup. Return to freezer for 15 minutes or so. Then move to fridge (or put them straight in the fridge if you’re not in a hurry to try one!).

Note: You can also do the jam option! In the top layer mixture, instead of powder, add real jam and don’t add peanut butter or any sweetener. Just keep in mind it will not freeze solid (which is actually kind of a yummy amazing spin on these!)

 

 

News/Notes:

I’m pretty tough, but my stitches hurt more than I thought they would. I’m wanting to go in the sauna, but thinking I should hold off. I’d like to go on a walk, but think I’ll skip that today too — it was hard enough to get myself to Rochester this morning and get through my wellness coaching (although I think I hid it well!)—you know all that talking, weighing people, and taking blood pressures is really tough. HA. Actually it’s not tough, I love it, and I had some great conversations today (as always!). I’m glad I went—it gave me an excuse to stop at Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters in Farmington, and I heard some interesting stuff on the radio on the way there. It was one of those days when I just wanted to keep driving forever ….or at least to Buffalo!

But I’m also glad I can work at home all day tomorrow.

My Thought for Today: Moving is my Drug of Choice.

This may sound silly, but I’m reflecting on the issue that I’ve been extremely active lately (not usually intensely, but 2-3 hours a day of activity and moving) and I went to doing nothing all at once…so it’s making me slightly anxious and aimless feeling because I know that being active and my sauna (and obviously food choices) are my version of Happy Pills. I feel sluggish already, but maybe that’s also partly because I’m not comfortable with stitches in my stomach (breathing deeply feels icky). At any rate, hopefully I’ll be back at my 6.5 mile walk tomorrow, the sauna on Thursday (maybe)…and yoga/gym next week.

When I don’t feel great, I am reminded of how awesome it is to feel good. 

I learned about a new (to me) tea today from a friend, and I can’t wait to try it (it’s on its way in the mail).

I can’t wait to try it based on the ingredients—it’s basically every good natural energy booster (without relying on caffeine) put into one tea, and I hear it tastes pretty good. Anyway, I’ll let you know how it is. And this reminds me that I want to talk about energizing foods soon too.

Also on my list to post about this week and next: aloe for acid reflux, cholesterol lowering without drugs (or Cheerios), how to prep/eat nuts, infrared sauna… did I forget something I promised I would post about? These days, if I’m busy I’m posting recipes, and if I have more time, I’m writing based on requests… I never intend to neglect a request, but I’m sure it happens occasionally…so please let me know if I do!

How is your week? 

How does being inactive affect your emotions?

Are you a PB&J fan?