Recipes

10 Fun Indoor Winter Activities to Beat Boredom 0

When it’s too cold to go outside, bring the fun indoors! From marshmallow slime to cozy movie nights and indoor snowmen, these 10 winter activities are packed with creativity, energy, and heartwarming family time.

7 Creative Thanksgiving Recipes You Should Try Out 0

Skip the same old side dishes this Thanksgiving and serve up something unforgettable. From silky mashed sweet potatoes and cheesy spinach muffins to cozy broccoli soup and spiced pumpkin pie, these 7 creative recipes bring fresh flavor to your holiday table. Whether you’re cooking for two or feeding a crowd, these simple yet festive dishes make Thanksgiving deliciously easy—and delightfully different.

7 Halloween Treat Ideas That Are Spookingly Healthy 0

Even though September sets us up for nutritional success with all the autumn produce hitting the farmer's market scene, October is all about the treats. And yes, we're talking about Halloween treats; the ones that you can't get your paws off of from the moment you leave the supermarket to the second you're down to the last one.

Since this year we're all about clean eating, we've found a bunch of ways to satisfy our sweet tooth without giving up on flavor. So, if you also want to enjoy the spookiest of seasons the way you're supposed to, these 7 healthier Halloween treat ideas will have you and your guests shaking in your boots.

 1. Boo-nana Pops

Since fall weather is notoriously unpredictable, you could keep these frozen banana pops in your freezer just in case. After all, you don't want your trick-or-treaters (or perhaps guests) to sweat through their masks, right?

Ingredients:

• 3 large bananas
• 2 cups of plain yogurt
• 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 6 chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Peel the bananas, cut them in half, and pierce a popsicle stick through each piece
2. Add the yogurt to a bowl and mix with the coconut oil.
3. Now, dip the banana pops into the bowl and coat each piece from top to bottom.
4. Use the chocolate chips as eyes and quickly place them to the freezer.

2. Spider-Infested No-Bake Cookies

These spider-infested cookies may look gory, but trust us, they are 110% safe to eat. Heck, they're even packed with fiber and good-for-you fats! So, don't let their looks fool you. Friendly tip: If possible, serve them with a glass of milk, because... why not?

Ingredients:

• 3 cups oats
• 1/3 cup almond butter
• 1 ¼ cups almond milk
• 1 ¾ cups sugar
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup chocolate chip
• 2 ounces dark chocolate

Directions:

1. Add the butter, sugar, and milk to a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.
2. Remove from heat and stir in the rest of the ingredients (except for the dark chocolate). Keep mixing until everything is combined.
3. Using a spoon, scoop the mixture onto a lined baking sheet and let them cool,
4. Once they're completely cool, melt the dark chocolate and pour it in a pastry bag.
5. Pipe the spider heads and their legs onto the cookies and allow them to dry.

3. Banana Mummies

Who said Halloween treats are all about chocolate? If you want to squeeze a few vitamins to the mix, these banana "mummies" are a no-brainer. Not to mention, they take less than 10 minutes to make, so you'll have more time for munching.

Ingredients:

• 3 large bananas
• 4 tbsp nut or seed butter, of your preference
• 1 tbsp coconut oil

Directions:

1. Peel the bananas and cut them in half. Set them aside.
2. In a small saucepan, add your favorite nut or seed butter and the coconut oil and melt over low heat. Keep stirring until the oil melts and have a thick "sauce."
3. Now, pierce a popsicle stick through each banana piece.
4. Drizzle the bananas with the "sauce" horizontally and decorate with edible googly eyes.

4. Almond Butter Jack-o-Lanterns

Nothing says it's Halloween quite like a Jack-o-Lantern. But, since gutting, carving, and decorating a pumpkin can be a time consuming task, we have an easier way for you to get all the feels. So, cue these almond butter Jack-o-Lanterns. Made with 5 wholesome ingredients, they're the healthiest thing to hit your kid's trick-or-treat bag.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup almond butter
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/3 cup rolled oats
• 2 tbsp ground flax seeds
• 1 ounce of dark chocolate

Directions:

1. Add the almond butter and maple syrup to a heatproof bowl and microwave for one minute until the mixture is runny.
2. Then, add the oats and the flaxseed and combine well.
3. Using your hands, form small, bite-sized balls, place them on a tray and freeze them overnight.
4. The next day, cut the chocolate into small, rectangular pieces to decorate the balls (soon-to-be pumpkins). These will be used as stems.
5. Melt one piece of the chocolate and using a toothpick, draw the eyes and mouth on each ball. Make sure they look as gory as possible.

5. Spook-tacular Butter Cups

Correct us if we're wrong, but we believe the sight of "blood" dripping out of a snack is eerie enough to put anyone in a ghostly mood. So, if the goal is to spook out everyone who knocks on your door, these "bloody" butter cups will do the trick (literally).

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups dark chocolate
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• ½ cup freeze dried blackberries
• 3 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp maple syrup

Directions:

1. Add the chocolate and coconut oil to a heatproof bowl and melt over a double boiler.
2. Place 12 cupcake liners in a muffin tin.
3. Pour two teaspoons of chocolate into each liner and refrigerate.
4. Now, add the blackberries, water and maple syrup to a bowl, and let them sit for 5-10 minutes.
5. Using a spoon, crush them blackberries to create a thick, blood-like jam.
6. Remove the muffin tin from the freezer, ladle 1 tablespoon of the jam into each liner and coat with the remaining chocolate.
7. Freeze for an additional hour and serve.

6. Boo Bark

Whoever said chocolate bark should be reserved just for Christmas never tried this Halloween version. Made with dark and white chocolate and freeze dried bananas, this boo bark is just as tasty as its peppermint cousin, and fun fact: it's pretty easy to make. So, no need to pull out your pots and pans.

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces dark chocolate
• 4 ounces white chocolate
• 2 tbsp freeze dried bananas, chopped into small pieces

Directions:

1. Melt the dark chocolate over a double boiler and spread it over a lined baking pan. Make sure to set aside a small amount of it, perhaps ½ a tablespoon.
2. Then, melt the white chocolate in the same way and let it cool for a while.
3. Pour it into a pastry bag and spread it over the hardened chocolate in the form of circles.
4. Using a toothpick, draw an end on each circle to create the ghost's "tail."
5. Now, using the dark chocolate you set aside, draw a mouth and eyes on each ghost.
6. Lastly, sprinkle the banana pieces all over to create an out-worldly vibe.
7. Refrigerate for a couple of hours.

7. Chocolate Covered Freeze Dried Fruit

This treat doesn't exactly scream Halloween (after all, it's not shaped like the usual ghoulish culprits), but it tastes so good that we couldn't leave it off the list. Plus, it's way healthier than all those teeth-rotting snacks you'd find in a typical trick-or-treat bag and takes next-to-zero time to prep. So, it's a win-win.

Ingredients:

• 10 ounces dark chocolate
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 ½ cup freeze dried fruit

Directions:

1. Add the chocolate and coconut oil to a bowl and melt it over a double-boiler.
2. Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Once the chocolate is melted, let it cool for a couple of minutes and stir in the freeze dried fruit of your choice.
4. Transfer the chocolate-coated fruit onto the sheet and let it dry for 15-20 minutes.

So, which of these ghastly Halloween treat ideas will you serve to your guests? Let us known in the comments below!

References:

1. https://www.brit.co/simple-no-bake-halloween-treats/

2. https://greatist.com/health/best-halloween-recipes-102813/amp

5 Easy Sweet Potato Recipes That Are Insanely Simple 0

Tired of complicated dinners and fussy ingredients? These five easy sweet potato recipes prove that comfort food can be both simple and exciting. Using dried sweet potatoes as the star ingredient, each dish—from spicy chipotle soup to rich no-bake brownies—packs in flavor, nutrition, and minimal prep time. Whether you're craving something savory, herby, or sweet, you'll find a recipe here to match your mood. Perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or anytime you want to enjoy the hearty goodness of sweet potatoes without spending hours in the kitchen.

5 Best Carrot Recipes to Root For 0

Think carrots are only good for raw snacking or dipping in ranch? It’s time to rethink the humble orange root. These five creative, veggie-forward recipes celebrate the rich flavor and surprising versatility of cooked carrots, using shelf-stable pantry ingredients like dehydrated carrots, oats, and freeze-dried fruits. From cozy breakfasts like Carrot Cake Oatmeal to vibrant meals like Carrot Mango Smoothies and savory Cheesy Carrot Bites, this guide brings out the best in carrots—whether you’re cooking for comfort, meal prepping, or exploring new ways to eat your veggies.

12 Appetizing Ways to Eat Mango All Year Long 0

Mango is one of the most delicious summer tropical fruits, and here are different ways to eat them. Some people slice and dice and add to salads and desserts, while others prefer to buy pre-cut slices from the supermarket. From making delicious mango salsa to eating cut up chunks of mango in a salad, you can incorporate mangos can be into various recipes. You may love snacking on freeze dried mangos right out of the package. Did you know that you can use mango in many other creative ways? Scroll down through this collection of recipes to explore innovative ways to eat mango all year long.

Smoothies¹

Mangos make delicious smoothies - fresh or frozen.  What about when mangoes are not in season? We've got you covered. Add freeze dried mango slices, whole or crushed, to the blender when mangos are out of season.

To make mango smoothie, add to a blender ½ cup yogurt, chopped pieces of mango and banana, and 1 cup of orange juice. Blend at medium speed until smooth. Enjoy the boost of nutrition and tropical flavor.

Make pancakes²

Do you want to enjoy fluffy pancakes with fruit every morning? Adding mangos to pancake batter adds a refreshing twist to your usual mix. It is easy to use freeze dried mangos in your pancake batter. Toss a handful of slices into the pancake mix. You can crush them into a powder, so they’ll add a delicious and unique fruity flavor.

Add to breakfast cereal²

Aside from bananas, you can also add mangos to your oatmeal and cereal. This adds a naturally sweet taste, especially if you're trying to cut back on your sugar intake. Freeze dried mangos will soften in milk and complement the crunchy cereal.

Mango jam³

For this recipe, you will need:

• 10 peeled organic mangos
• Two peeled lemons
• 800g jaggery powder (a kind of unrefined sugar popular in South and Southeast Asia)

Method

1. Place the peeled mangos in a large pot. Add the lemons and their peels. Sprinkle the jaggery to cover them completely.
2. Cook on low heat till the mixture is boiling. The mangos will detach from their cores at this point.
3. To test if it is well cooked, put some of the jam on a cold plate. If it is runny, it still needs more time to cook. Once it sticks to the plate, it is ready to use.
4. Put the jam into a sterilized bottle. Dribble some of alcohol into the lid. Keep the  jam in the fridge till you need to use it.

Mango ice cream³

For this you will need:

• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 tbsp custard powder
• 1 cup jaggery powder (a kind of unrefined sugar popular in South and Southeast Asia)
• 1 cup chopped mango
• 1 cup mango puree
• 3 cups coconut cream
• 1 tbsp vanilla essence

Method

1. Mix custard powder with 1/4 cup of milk. Let it sit for a few minutes.
2. Mix the other portion of milk with jaggery and heat till it dissolves.
3. Once it boils, add the custard mixture. Let it simmer for a minute, then let it cool.
4. Add the mango puree and  mango pieces and mix.
5. Add the coconut cream, and vanilla essence. Mix well, then put into a container with a tight lid and freeze it until almost solid.
6. Remove it from the freezer, then whip with a hand mixer or beater. Then refreeze in the container with a tight lid. Whip at least once more, then refreeze. Enjoy!

Eat cubed mango⁴

You can eat mango as a snack on its own. Wash it, peel it, and cut it into cubes into a bowl. Grab your spoon and enjoy. If you want to eat it later, put it in the refrigerator, but it won't be as fresh as freshly cut mango. Add a few drops of lemon juice to keep it fresh.

Make a salad⁴

Cubed or sliced mango is a fantastic addition to fruit salad or vegetable salad. You can use sliced mango in many dishes, but cubed mango is more versatile. Peel the washed mango, cube, and add to salad.

You can make different variations of salad

• Make mango salad with pawpaw, avocado, apples, and strawberries
• Make a salad with mango and pineapple slices. Add a few cherries and a pinch of cinnamon for extra flavor.
• Make a salad with mango, peaches, and sliced cherries.
• Make a salad with mango, oranges, and peach slices.

Mango tea⁵

Make naturally sweet tea with mango. Peel, slice, and freeze mangos. Make iced tea and add the frozen mangoes for a sweet,  decorative touch. Add a pinch of cinnamon for extra flavor.

Make mango salsa⁶

You will need mangos, lime juice,  onions, red onions, jalapenos, and cilantro. Serve it alongside fish, chicken, or pork. Try this mango salsa recipe.

Mango Salsa Recipe

You will need

• 2 diced large mangos
• 1 diced tomato
• 1 diced green bell pepper
• 1/2 diced red onion
• 1 seeded and diced jalapeno (optional)
• 1 bunch of finely chopped cilantro
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1/2 tsp salt

Method

1. Put all the ingredients in a bowl.
2.  Stir well and let it rest for at least 15 minutes before serving to let the flavors combine.

Add to yogurt²

The next time you're eating your favorite yogurt, add mango and get a sugar boost. Cube the mango, and add to the yogurt. Since they are naturally sweet, you can use them with plain yogurt. You can use freeze dried mangos, too. Crush them into powder, and add to the yogurt. You're in for a healthy treat!

Baking⁵

Since mangoes are always not is season, you can use freeze dried mangos any time of the year to make muffins, bread, cake, and brownies.  The fruit adds a delicious burst of natural mango flavor to your baked goods. If you use freeze dried mango slices, ensure to add an extra ¼ cup of water to your mixture since the freeze dried fruit will soak up excess moisture. Also, ensure the fruit is nicely folded into the mixture, so it doesn’t turn when it gets into contact with the pan while it is baking in the oven.

For frosting and decorations⁵

You can use fresh mangos to decorate or garnish as a topping for baked goods. Just slice the mango neatly and you're good to go.

You can use crushed freeze dried mango and sprinkle it over cookies and frosting for cakes and muffins. It is a natural and healthy alternative to sugar sprinkles. It also gives an aesthetic appeal and sweetness. Try out vanilla frosting with freeze dried mango, and enjoy a unique fruity tropical twist to your regular frosting.

We hope that you’ve learned new ways to eat mango. Try out these recipes with our freeze dried mangos. They are preserved naturally, with no added preservatives.  You can enjoy these recipes all year long whether it is mango season or not.

Try these out and let us know the best option for you in the comment section below. Click here to buy our freeze dried mango.

References

1. https://fruitsandveggies.org/stories/top-10-ways-to-enjoy-mango-2/

2. http://www.margaritas.com/http://www.eatyourteacup.com/2014/03/mango-pancakes.html

3. http://www.isayorganic.com/blog/different-ways-to-eat-mangoes/

4. https://www.wikihow.com/Eat-a-Mango

5. https://parade.com/847908/kavitharamaswamy/41-innovative-ways-to-eat-a-mango/

6. https://eclecticrecipes.com/mango-salsa