Ok, I promise, I’ll get to these fudgy, chocolatey, caramel-drizzled brownies in a minute. Oh, and by the way, they are packed with not 1, not 2 but THREE “super foods.” Start guessing…
But first, I mentioned in my last WIAW that I was attending bootcamp with my friend Emily. Big thanks to her trainer, Lindsay, for letting me participate…and for torturing me.
I do not think I have felt so winded from a workout in months. While our circuit-style workout only lasted 45 minutes, for 40 of those minutes, I had serious doubts that I could finish.
You know what kept me going?
Seeing my BFF working her little booty at the circuit next to me.
Our 45 minute workout included several rounds of jam-packed circuits. We would do each exercise at full force for 1 minute and then move right onto the next – no breaks, my friends! The workout included everything from roundhouse kicks and punching combinations to kettlebell swings, pushups, squat presses and rope slams.
Even though my legs felt like they were going to fall off by the end of the workout, I couldn’t stop smiling. There’s something very enjoyable about getting your ass kicked at 6:30 in the morning with your best friend by your side!
The friends who sweat together stay together!
In all seriousness, working out in a small group bootcamp with Lindsay reminded me how important it is to workout with others. Since working out is my “me time,” I often shy away from group training. I don’t want to sacrifice that precious time of critical thinking. However, sometimes it is essential to hit the gym with other people, because even if you think you’re pushing yourself hard enough on your own, you’ll find out quickly that you can go even harder when someone else is pushing you more!
Omaha friends, Lindsay is truly a gifted trainer, and if you’re looking for someone to push you beyond what you think you can do, she’s your girl. Let me know if you want her contact information!
From bootcamp…to brownies. That is Sometimes Healthy right?
So, let’s talk about these brownies. Sometimes I know where my wacky ideas originate, but the idea for these brownies, well, I’m not sure where it came from. All of a sudden, I found myself craving fudgy brownies. But, I wanted to find a way to make myself feel better about them. Enter super foods substitutions.
Here’s all you need to know. Avocados substitute for butter. Greek yogurt substitutes for oil. And chia seeds, well they just add a little power. As for the caramel sea salt part, I’m pretty sure I was influenced by that cupcake from Jones. Bros. the other day, but who knows? I eat a lot of sweets.
Anyway, I knew the brownies would turn out well, but I had no idea they would be SO fudgy and decadent. My chocolate-loving heart couldn’t have been happier…
- 1/3 cup cocoa
- 3/4 cup boiling water
- 1/4 cup + 3/4 cup Nestle semi-sweet mini morsels (or similar chocolate)
- 4 tablespoons mashed avocado
- 3/4 cup nonfat greek yogurt (2% will work as well)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon sea salt + 1 tbsp sea salt for topping
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 cup peanut butter chips
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1 package Werther's Baking Caramels
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-inch x 13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Whisk cocoa and boiling water together in a large bowl until smooth. Add the 1/4 cup chocolate chips and whisk until melted. Whisk in the avocado, greek yogurt and vanilla until fully mixed.
- Whisk in the sugar until fully incorporated, followed by the flour. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the salt, remainder of chocolate chips, chia seeds and peanut butter chips. Do not overmix.
- Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, about 30-40 minutes. Do not overcook.
- About 10 minutes before brownies are finished, make the caramel sauce. Cook 1 tbsp of water with caramels over low heat until fully melted. Drizzle caramel over cooked brownies and sprinkle with generous amount of sea salt.
- Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool completely before cutting.
What is not to love about these brownies?
No eggs or oil, yet just as moist and fudgy as the brownies your grandmother used to make. Just call me Betty Crocker.
In case you think it’s all too good to be true, here’s a quick rundown of the kitchen action.
When you take a bite and taste the melted peanut butter chips as they fuse together with the salty caramel sauce, well you may just believe that you’ve died and gone to brownie heaven.
Another busy day in Sometimes Healthy land, so no workout to share with you – take my advice from above and get in a workout with your buddy.
As for me, I plan on surprising my BFF later with these brownies. I just can’t safely keep them in my house for any longer.
YOUR TURN:
Sweet or Salty – what’s your preference? I’m a salty girl myself. I crave chips more often than I crave chocolate. But sweet n’ salty is always my favorite!
Are you a workout loner or do you prefer to sweat with friends? Definitely like to workout on my own, but I see the benefit in hitting the gym with others from time to time!
Those look AMAZING! And I never would have thought to put those super foods in!!
Sarah @ Sweet Miles recently posted…The North Face Women’s Ultra Kilowatt Trainer Review
They were a real treat – everything blended together so well. And the salt was the kicker – you should definitely make these 🙂
You have go to be kidding me with these brownies. I am a sweet and salty girl too so these brownies are just perfect!
haha glad I could satisfy your taste buds – give ’em a shot and let me know what you think!
I would have guessed there was black beans in those brownies, but I loveeeee the ingredients you did use! I must say I’m always weary of the black bean brownie, so this is a nice superfood alternative. Must try it one day!
Kirsten @ Fit + Fab recently posted…It’s Leg Day!
oh yeah, I must agree with you. A black bean brownie seems too strange – the yogurt and avocado mix in perfectly and I actually like the additional texture of the chia seeds.
Hope you get to try!
Those brownies look amazing! I need to try these! 🙂
If you get a chance, you should enter my giveaway on my blog for a Raw Green organics Detox Kit- http://mylifebeingrenewed.blogspot.com/2014/05/raw-green-organics-2-week-detox-system.html
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