Father’s Day Treat: Guinness Cupcakes!

To celebrate Father’s Day, my wife Lisa made a batch of amazingly delicious Guinness cupcakes…If you love Guinness beer and enjoy cupcakes, check out the recipe below.

In a large bowl combine and whisk the following; 2-1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup cacao powder, 1-1/2 cups sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder,  1/2 teaspoon salt.

In another bowl combine and whisk the following; 1 cup of Guinness Stout, 1/2 cup canola oil, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 2 teaspoons dark chocolate chips.

Combine ingredients and slowly pour into a lightly greased cupcake pan then sprinkle cocoa powder and place in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Toppings are optional.

Happy Father’s Day!

Michael Miller, MD is Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland  and author of “Heal Your Heart: The Positive Emotions Prescription to Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease“.

 

 

 

Chocolate Chip-Beet Cake

A favorite dessert in our home because it  contains natural heart healthy antioxidants, blood pressure lowering and mood boosting compounds that with added chocolate chips will make your day!

What you need:

1 cup almond flour

2/3 cup coconut sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons grape seed oil

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup orange juice

2 medium beets (I recommend “Love Beets“), cooked and shredded

1/3 cup dark chocolate chip

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Coat an 8″ x 8” baking pan with cooking spray.  In a large bowl, combine the almond flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt. In a smaller bowl, whisk the oil, egg, vanilla and OJ until blended. Stir oil mixture into flour mixture, using a wooden spoon.  Fold in the beets and chocolate chips.  Pour the batter into the baking pan.  Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out dry.  Cool the cake in the pan on a rack before serving.

Garnish with blueberries, raspberries and a sprinkle of powdered sugar (optional). Enjoy!

Makes 8 servings: Nutrition content per serving, 270 calories, 6 grams protein, 31 grams carbs,  3 grams fiber, 3 grams sat fat, 242 mg sodium.

From “Heal Your Heart: The Positive Emotions Prescription to Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease” (Rodale).

 

 

 

Gingered Carrot Soup: A delicious mind-boosting soup from “Heal Your Heart”

What you need

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium onions, sliced
2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1-1/2 pounds carrots, sliced
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
5 cups vegetable stock
1/2 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic and brown sugar. Stir to combine. Reduce heat to med-low and cook for 12 min, or until lightly browned. Add the carrots, ginger, turmeric, and vegetable stock and salt. Cover the pot and cook for 10 min or until vegetables are tender. Garnish with cilantro as needed.
Serve and enjoy!Makes 8 servings: Nutrition content per serving, 100 calories, 1 grams protein, 16 grams carbs, 4 grams fiber, 4 grams total fat, 0.5 gram saturated fat, 441 mg sodium.