Rustic Berry Protein Crumble

First off, allow me to apologize for being absent for the last three weeks.  I have been taking a very time consuming summer school Nutrition class so you can be assured that my upcoming recipes, regardless of how mouthwatering the images, are  even more mindful of good-for-you ingredients filled with a variety of  vitamins and nutrients.

So let’s talk about that beautiful mixed berry cobbler in the photo above that model so badly wants to eat. (One of my best friends, Kali McCabe, put together a great photoshoot to capture the beauty in healthy food  in an unconventional way.  So fun!)

Typically a cobbler is loaded with sugar, butter, white flour, and more sugar.  (Translation: lots of un-useful calories) Not this one! Even the topping is loaded with nutrient filled ingredients that you can feel good about eating. The crumble is protein and fiber packed with almonds, almond butter, oats, stevia, coconut oil, protein powder, cinnamon, and dates.  And the berries are sweetened with a little fruit juice. That’s it!

Here is a breakdown of the mind body benefits of the ingredients:

Berries: loaded with antioxidants that help prevent free radicals from causing diseases.

Almonds/Almond Butter: protein, healthy fats that help lower bad cholestoral

Cinnamon: helps regulate blood sugar

Oats: fiber packed, helps control blood pressure

Coconut Oil: Helps resist virus and bacteria; tends to help with blood sugar and insulin levels

Dates: high mineral content that are good for your bones, high in fiber

Rustic Berry Protein Crumble Recipe

2 pound Organic Mixed Berries (fresh or frozen)

7 drops Stevia

1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon

1 tablespoon Cherry Juice

1 tablespoon Orange Juice

Crumble Ingredients:

2 tablespoons Almond Butter

2 tablespoons Coconut Oil

1/4 cup Almonds

1/2 cup Oats

1 tablespoon protein powder (optional)

5 Dates

1 teaspoon Honey

1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon

dash of salt

1. In a cast iron skillet toss together the berries, fruit juices, stevia, and cinnamon so everything is well mixed.

2. Put all the crumble ingredients in a food processor or blender.  Pulse until a sticky-like dough comes together.

3. Drop spoonfuls of crumble on top of the berries.

4. Place in a 350 degree oven for one hour.  The juices should be bubbling.

5. Remove and eat!

Serving suggestions: serve with a scoop of frozen greek yogurt or sorbet.  Do you have another idea? Share in the comments below!