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Food and Beverage

Better-for-You Brownies with a Sweet, Simple Swap

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(Family Features) The next time a healthy conscience keeps you from enjoying that sweet treat you’re craving, remember that making healthy swaps is all it takes to make those favorite desserts a little better for you.

These Vegan Brownies, for example, are perfect for chocolate lovers looking for a sweet they can enjoy without ditching healthy eating habits. By using versatile California Prunes as a natural sweetener, you can replace processed sugar, fats and eggs in all kinds of recipes. Plus, prunes also add nutrients important for bone and gut health to your everyday diet.

With copper that aids in bone structure along with boron and polyphenols that help with the regulation of bone building and bone breakdown, you can feel good enjoying your family’s favorites while staying on track with health goals. Prunes are also known as a “good gut food,” meaning a single serving (4-5 prunes) can help support a healthy microbiome. High in vitamin K, they can also help improve calcium balance and promote bone mineralization.

Visit californiaprunes.org to find more delicious, better-for-you desserts.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Vegan Brownies

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Servings: 9

Prune Puree:

  • 16        ounces pitted California prunes
  • 1/2       cup hot water

Brownies:

  • nonstick cooking spray
  • 6          ounces unsweetened chocolate
  • 1/2       cup California extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2          cups light brown sugar
  • 10        ounces California prune puree
  • 1 1/2    cups all-purpose flour
  • 1          tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/4       cup cocoa powder
  • 2          teaspoons vanilla extract
  • flaky sea salt, for garnish
  1. To make prune puree: In blender, combine prunes and water. Pulse to combine then blend until smooth, pourable consistency forms, scraping sides, if necessary.
  2. Store puree in airtight container in fridge up to 4 weeks.
  3. To make brownies: Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 9-by-9-inch baking pan with parchment paper then lightly grease with nonstick cooking spray.
  4. Using double boiler, melt chocolate and olive oil. Whisk in sugar and prune puree; mix until dissolved.
  5. Into large bowl, sift flour, baking powder and cocoa powder. Gently fold in chocolate and prune mixture then add vanilla.
  6. Spread batter in prepared pan, sprinkle with flaky sea salt and bake 20-25 minutes, or until top starts to look dry and brownies are just beginning to pull away from sides of pan.
  7. Cool in pan. Remove then cut brownies into 3-inch squares.


SOURCE:
California Prunes

Rebecca Jo is a mother of four and is a creative soul from Phoenix, Arizona, who also enjoys new adventures. Rebecca Jo has a passion for the outdoors and indulges in activities like camping, fishing, hunting and riding roller coasters. She is married to Rod Washington

Food and Beverage

Dish Up Protein-Packed Sweet Treats

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(Family Features) In a world of packed schedules and boring food, it can feel like doing the healthy thing means giving up some of what makes you happy – like treats and flavors you love. Choosing health shouldn’t mean restricting yourself; everyone deserves a treat now and again.

Try incorporating better-for-you ingredients into your favorite indulgences. Look for convenient, ready-to-use products, like Premier Protein High Protein Shakes, to help infuse the nutrition you need with the joy you deserve. With 30 grams of protein, 160 calories and 1 gram of sugar, the shakes make it easy to take the first step and keep that momentum going, adding nutrient-dense protein to nearly any recipe.

In addition to a smooth, creamy texture, each shake delivers 24 vitamins and minerals including vitamins C and E, which help support a healthy immune system as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. With 11 flavors – including strawberries & cream and chocolate – there’s an impossibly indulgent option for everyone to make a healthy life a happy endeavor through recipes like Peanut Butter Jelly Ice Cream and Chocolate Ice Cream with “Caramel” Sauce.

Find more information and recipes at PremierProtein.com or on Instagram.

Peanut Butter Jelly Ice Cream

Servings: 12

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup Premier Protein Strawberries & Cream Protein Shake
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup sugar-free strawberry jelly
  1. In large, heavy saucepan, heat milk, protein shake, brown sugar and salt until bubbles form around sides of pan. Whisk small amount of hot mixture into egg. Return to pan, whisking constantly.
  2. Cook and stir over low heat until mixture thickens and coats back of spoon. Remove from heat; whisk in peanut butter. Quickly transfer to bowl; place in ice water and stir 2 minutes. Stir in cream and vanilla. Press wax paper onto surface of custard. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.
  3. Fill cylinder of ice cream freezer 2/3 full; freeze according to manufacturer’s directions.
  4. When ice cream is frozen, spoon into freezer container, layering with jelly; freeze 2-4 hours before serving.

Nutritional information per serving: 271 calories; 23 g total fat; 11 g saturated fat; 0 g trans fat; 72 mg cholesterol; 205 mg sodium; 13 g total carbohydrates; 1 g dietary fiber; 8 g total sugars; 6 g protein.

Chocolate Ice Cream with “Caramel” Sauce

Recipe courtesy of “Chelsea’s Messy Apron”
Servings: 8

  • 1 large sweet potato
  • 1 bag (10 ounces) dark chocolate chips, plus additional for topping (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/4 cup coconut sugar
  • 1 Premier Protein Chocolate Protein Shake

“Caramel” Sauce:

  • 3 tablespoons coconut oil (measured when solid)
  • 3 tablespoons real maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons almond butter
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  1. Wash and scrub sweet potato. Pierce with fork several times. Place on microwave-safe plate and microwave 5 minutes; flip and microwave 5 minutes. Allow to cool.
  2. In microwave-safe bowl, microwave chocolate chips in 20-second increments, stirring between each increment until smooth and melted. Set aside.
  3. Remove sweet potato skin and thoroughly mash. Pack into 3/4 cup measuring cup. Place in large blender.
  4. Add melted chocolate to blender along with vanilla, sea salt, coconut sugar and chocolate protein shake.
  5. Place lid on blender and blend on high at least 1 minute, or until ingredients are smooth and incorporated.
  6. Transfer to ice cream maker and prepare according to manufacturer’s directions then transfer to airtight container and freeze 2-3 hours.
  7. To make “caramel” sauce: In microwave-safe bowl, microwave coconut oil and syrup 30 seconds. Stir and microwave 30 seconds, or until melted and smooth. Stir in almond butter and whisk until smooth. Add sea salt and vanilla extract; whisk to combine.
  8. Set “caramel” sauce aside at room temperature about 30 minutes. Top ice cream with sauce and additional chocolate chips, if desired.

Nutritional information per serving: 346 calories; 18 g total fat; 11 g saturated fat; 5 mg cholesterol; 219 mg sodium; 40 g total carbohydrates; 4 g dietary fiber; 31 g total sugars; 7 g protein.


SOURCE:
Premier Protein

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Food and Beverage

Master Hosting Duties with Sweet, Simple Snacks

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Master Hosting Duties with Sweet, Simple Snacks

(Family Features) Perfect for entertaining or simply enjoying after a long day at the office, easy snacks with a few ingredients can help satisfy cravings without spoiling dinner plans. Versatile produce, like apples, provide a sweet, fruity backdrop in favorite recipes that can be enjoyed year-round.

Take these Country Caramel Apples, for example, which include apples, caramel dip and crushed pecans to make hosting duties fun and convenient. The combination of sweet and savory makes it the ultimate apple experience with the craveable texture and crunch of Envy Apples lending an uplifting aroma and flavor.

Providing a balanced sweetness with flesh that remains whiter longer, even after cutting, this leading apple variety makes entertaining easy, regardless of the occasion. Just carve small pieces out with a melon ball scoop, coat with caramel dip, roll in crushed pecans and serve with toothpicks to make snack time a breeze.

Discover more simple snack ideas for easy entertaining at EnvyApple.com.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Country Caramel Apples

  • 3          Envy Apples
  • 1          bag crushed pecans
  • 1          jar caramel dip
  1. Using melon ball scoop, carve round apple pieces, starting at skin and rotating inward.
  2. Insert long toothpick into each round apple piece.
  3. Place crushed pecans in small bowl.
  4. Roll round apple pieces in caramel dip then roll in crushed pecans.
  5. Place coated apple bites on serving tray and refrigerate until just prior to serving.


SOURCE:
Envy Apples

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Beverages

PEPSI® ANNOUNCE FOOTBALL STAR JACK GREALISH AS GLOBAL BRAND AMBASSADOR IN MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP

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  • The star takes center stage in upcoming football campaign as Pepsi® continues to unlock enjoyment for fans
  • Jack joins Pepsi’s star-studded group of global brand ambassadors, including Vini Jr., Son Heung-min and Leah Williamson

LONDON, April 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Pepsi has today unveiled the signing of its latest global brand ambassador, Jack Grealish, on a multi-year deal.

Jack will take centre stage in Pepsi’s soon-to-be-announced global football campaign. The campaign will build on Pepsi’s signature approach to football by creating unexpected and unrivalled football experiences for worldwide fans seeking to enjoy more of the beautiful game.

Jack Grealish joins Pepsi’s incredible roster of globally recognised talent, which already includes winger Vinicius Jr., Son Heung-min, and Leah Williamson.

All four players are set to appear in Pepsi’s forthcoming global advertising campaign, battling it out for street football supremacy. Jack and Pepsi have many plans in store that will bring the joy of football to fans throughout the year focused on the pleasure he takes from playing the beautiful game.

Jack Grealish, said: “I’m buzzing to partner with Pepsi as a global brand ambassador. Pepsi has a great heritage working with the biggest names in world football, and I’m excited to join their mission to unlock enjoyment for football fans around the world and encourage everyone to play the beautiful game!”

Eric Melis, VP of Global Brand Marketing, Carbonated Soft Drinks at PepsiCo, said: “Jack is renowned worldwide for his incredible football skills and the enjoyment he takes from the game. We celebrate those who personify our attitude on and off the pitch and can’t wait for him to support us in bringing more enjoyment to football fans around the world as part of the Pepsi family.”

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) generated more than $91 billion in net revenue in 2023, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on X (Twitter)InstagramFacebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.

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