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Even if you do decide to treat yourself (with healthy desserts, at that), don’t beat yourself up, and don’t forget that it takes courage to be true to who you are in a world that is in such a hurry to judge you at every turn. Being the best version of yourself is not a one-time event. It is a constant decision that you make every day, so take care of your body, eat healthy and respect yourself. These easy and healthy desserts make it easy.

This soup is creamy and smooth, and has a mild bite to it from the curry and ginger, which helps you stay warm during chilly fall nights. Its bright colours will make you smile, and it will also give you all the beta carotene and Vitamin A that you need to stay healthy and fit during flu season!

If we could eat one dish (and only one dish) forever, it would be soup. It's perfect for fall and great for you. This healthy carrot soup can be prepared in under an hour. It uses ingredients that you probably have stocked in your pantry - no need to visit the grocery store. For a bit of extra flavor, substitute some homemade or reduced sodium vegetable stock for the water.
Make this healthy carrot soup as an appetizer, or serve it as a meal with whole grain protein banana bread.

Healthy Carrot Soup

Ingredients

500g carrots

½ onion

7L water or vegetable stock

Salt, pepper, and curry powder, to taste

Directions

Peel and dice carrots and onion. Heat oil in pot and sauté carrots with onions for 3 minutes, or until the onion turns translucent. Add water and cover the the pot the water boils. Reduce heat until the soup simmers and cook under a low flame for 20-30 minutes. Stir the soup until it's nice and smooth, then stir in salt, pepper, and curry powder!

There's a certain je ne sais quoi about McDonald's fries that pulls at our heart strings. But with all the salt and hydrogenated oils that go into producing them, the popular side dish can very well send our hearts into a frenzied panic. McDonald's fries aren't only made with white potatoes, but with 18 other extra ingredients.
Minimize the 'extra' by eating simply and well. You don't really need additives like dimethylpolysiloxanein your diet anyway. You won't need any hydrogenated oil for these easy baked carrot fries. Just 4-5 carrots, olive oil, and the seasoning of your choice. Go easy on the salt to make sure that your blood pressure doesn't spike.

Easy baked carrot fries

Ingredients

2 lbs carrots

1 tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper, to taste

Optional

1 tbsp onion powder

1/2 tbsp - 1 tbsp red pepper flakes

Directions

Preheat oven to 400F. Peel carrots, halve them, and slice them into rectangular wedges. Toss them in a large bowl with olive oil and seasonings. Bake in the oven on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper for about 10 minutes. Flip or toss fries around and bake for another 10 minutes, or until golden brown. They should be crunchy, fully cooked, and not too soft.

No-bake raspberry mug cake

Not really into baking? Maybe you have a sweet tooth, but you don't have an oven. This mug cake can be put together in no time at all. It's one of the easiest breakfasts you'll ever make when you're rushing out the door.

Ingredients

1 Banana

80 g instant or quick-cooking oats

30 g of raspberry or figs

30 g of protein powder (we used chocolate protein powder)

Directions

Mix all the ingredients together in a mug and you're done! Let it sit in the fridge for for 5-15 minutes if you want it to solidify. Eat this no-bake raspberry mug cake as is, or with a bit of almond milk.

Loved learning about these recipes? This post was created by PumpUp members @tyler_bacc and @tysa. Let them know if you tried the mug cake or the carrot fries in the comments below!

You dream of whole grain protein banana bread. You're looking for a way to sneak more vegetables into your diet. You don't want any sugar or flour in your bread either. Is this possible? Can this dream be made into a reality? Luckily for you, the answer is a resounding yes. This flavourful protein banana bread is moistened with unsweetened apple sauce and is packed with good-for-you vegetables like carrot and zucchini. Peanuts and walnuts boost every slice with a protein-packed punch and tons of rich flavour. This protein banana bread is basically the stuff of dreams. Once you make it, you'll never go back.

1 cup unsweetened apple sauce

1-2 medium ripe bananas (depending on how sweet you want it)

2 eggs

½ cup oatmeal cereal

½ cup wheat germ

¾ tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

½ tbsp coconut oil

½ cup finely shredded carrot or zucchini

¼ cup walnut

¼ cup peanut

½-1 cup assorted fruits

Add the apple sauce, banana(s) and eggs to the food processor and blend until you get a creamy mixture.

Then add the oatmeal cereal and wheat germ. Blend for about one minute.

Add the cinnamon, vanilla, coconut oil, shredded carrot or zucchini, walnut and peanuts to the food processor. Pulse for a few times.

Pour the batter into a baking dish.

After boiling, steam on medium high heat for 45 minutes (steaming the bread gives it a nice extra moisture).

Let it cool for 15 to 30 minutes.

Garnish with fruits and enjoy!

This is a post written by PumpUp member countrygirl4ever. Follow her on PumpUp to let her know your thoughts about this recipe! Have a great recipe for protein banana bread as well? We want to hear from you! Write down your suggestions in the comments below.