The Southern Magnolia

Roasted Acorn Squash

October 10, 2016 No Comments

We eat a lot of squash in our house; zucchini squash, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, and acorn squash. Acorn squash is hands down my favorite squash. If you have never tried it, you are definitely missing out. I cooked and ate my first acorn squash last fall after seeing tons of recipes featuring the vegetable. I have since added it into our regular dinner rotation with no complaints from my husband.

I’ll be sharing my recipe for an almond flour and herb crusted acorn squash today. You begin by cutting the acorn squash in half and scooping out the seeds. Next slice the acorn squash into 1/2 inch thick slices. Now we will prepare our almond flour and herb mixture. I prefer to use Bobs Red Mill Almond Flour/Meal. Add 1/2 cup of almond flour to a mixing bowl with 1 tbsp. of thyme, 1 tbsp. of parsley, and 1 tsp of garlic powder. Stir until mixture is completely mixed. Lastly make an egg wash in a separate bowl.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Begin dipping the slices of corn squash into the egg wash thoroughly and then rolling the slices into the almond flour and herb mixture. Place almond crusted slice onto a foil lined baking sheet. Repeat steps for the rest of the acorn squash slices. Place baking sheet into preheated oven and bake for 30minutes.

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Roasted Acorn Squash

Ingredients

1 Acorn Squash
1/2 cup of Almond Flour/Meal
1 tbsp. thyme
1 tbsp. parsley
1 tsp garlic powder
1 egg

Instructions

Cut acorn squash in half and scoop out seeds.
Cut acorn squash into 1/2inch slices.
Mix 1/2 cup almond flour/meal, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp. thyme, and 1 tbsp. of parsley into a mixing bowl.
In a separate bowl, add one egg and water to create the egg wash.
Preheat Oven to 400 degrees F.
Dip acorn squash slice into the egg wash and then roll slice in the almond flour mixture.
Place crusted acorn squash on lined baking sheet.
Repeat steps until all acorn squash slices have been coated in acorn squash mixture.
Place baking sheet into preheated oven.
Bake for 30 minutes

https://www.thesouthernmagnolia.com/roasted-acorn-squash/

Let me know what some of your favorite acorn squash recipes are.

Beauty

3 Favorite L’Oreal Beauty Products

September 30, 2016 No Comments

L’Oréal is one of those beauty brands that I trust. I have used a ton of L’Oreal products over the years and I always come back to them. Today I will be discussing 3 of my favorite L’Oreal beauty products. I will be reviewing the L’Oreal Pure-Clay Mask, the L’Oreal Dermo-Expertise Eye Defense Cream, and the L’Oreal Voluminous Base Mascara Primer.

L’Oreal Pure-Clay Mask– I had been searching for a clay mask for a while. I use the derma e 2-in-1 Purifying Mask but wanted to find a clay mask without the exfoliant component. L’Oreal recently just released 3 Pure-Clay Masks; one that detoxifies and brightens, one that exfoliates and refines, and the third to purify and mattify. I decided to try the Purify and Mattify Clay Mask as I already use an exfoliant mask. This particular mask combines 3 different clays with eucalyptus that works to unclog pores and reduce shine. You simply apply a layer to your skin and leave on for 10-15minutes. When finished you simply remove with water. It is easy to remove and did not dry out my skin. It left my skin looking and feeling refreshed.

L’Oréal Paris Dermo-Expertise Eye Defense Cream– While I’m still in my twenties, its never to early to start taking measures to prevent signs of aging. Darks circles and bags under the eyes are not only a sign of aging but can also be a result of lack of sleep or stress. I definitely struggle to get a full night’s sleep on a regular basis so I wanted to find an eye cream to help fight off the dark circles and puffiness that often accompanies a lack of sleep. There are lots of eye creams available and most come with a pretty hefty price tag. I decided to try the L’oreal Eye Defense Cream because it’s a brand that I trust and the price was reasonable. I have been using this eye cream at night for a couple of weeks and feel that I can already tell a difference. This cream contains caffeine which helps to reduce puffiness while hydrating the skin surrounding the eye. If you wear contacts like me, it is important to make sure the creams and lotions you wear are safe for contact wearers. That was another deciding factor when I picked up this eye cream.

L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Primer Mascara- The last product I will be discussing is the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Primer Mascara. I had seen several reviews on this product about how much a difference it made in their lashes so I decided to give it a try. Layer it on your lashes before your mascara and you will be amazing at the difference it makes. I have been layering it under the Maybelline Colossal Volum’ Express Mascara and feel that it helps separate my lashes as well as make them look longer and thicker. I also like the price of the L’Oréal primer compared to that of some of the other leading brands.

Shop these products below:

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Fashion

Affordable Fall Fashion Trends

September 28, 2016 No Comments

With the start of fall, we start to pack away our shorts and summery prints in favor of jeans, fall prints, and sweaters. There are new trends that emerge with each season, some that I jump on board with, some I’m on the fence with, and others that are just not for me. The problem with trends is that they may only last a season so you don’t want to pay tons for an item that you may only wear for one season. SheInside is a great way to try out some of these trends without breaking the bank. They have a variety of items that are super trendy but yet affordable. It makes trying a trend that you are unsure of easier when you aren’t spending a fortune on an item. I shared my previous experience with SheInside in this blog post here.

One fall trend to be on the lookout for is fall florals. Florals are not just for Spring and Summer anymore. You will be seeing tons of florals on tops, dresses, and skirts in a variety of fall colors. I have linked two floral options from SheInside that are both cute and affordable.

Floral Prints:

One trend that we saw a lot of this summer was the cold-shoulder trend. It is one that I’m excited is showing no signs of ending anytime soon. It is the perfect trend for those of us living in the South where our falls feel more like an extension of the summer. You can wear long sleeves but still feel cool with your shoulders exposed.

Cold Shoulder:

A bell sleeve is another trend that we will be seeing a lot of this season. The bell sleeve is not necessarily a new trend as it was around last Fall as well, so get excited that you can break out your favorite bell sleeve tops and dresses from last year.

Bell Sleeve Tops:

Swing dresses have been around for several years and will be around again this season. Add a few more to your collection in beautiful fall hues. They are perfect for the warmer falls months with booties and then with tights and boots when winter rolls around.

Swing Dresses:

Accessories are an easy way to try out new trends. One accessory that is making a comeback is the choker. If any of you held on to your chokers from the 90’s, now is the time to break them back out. Chokers are huge this season and available in such a variety of styles. This trend pushes me out of my comfort zone so I will probably start off with an inexpensive option to see if I can pull it off. This option from SheInside is a perfect way to jump into the trend at a great price point.

Choker:

Blanket scarves are another trend that has been around for a while. It’s an accessory that is all over pinterest. They can be intimidating because they are so large compared to a traditional scarf but there are tutorials all over the place on the various ways the wear a blanket scarf. This SheInside blanket scarf is a great price and an amazing print.

Scarves:

The last trend I will be discussing today is lace-up tops .You’ve probably seen the lace up flats that bloggers are wearing and these lace up tops are gonna be just as popular. It’s definitely and edgier look than I am used to wearing but it’s a trend that I look forward to trying out.

Lace Up Tops:

MODERN MUSE

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Go to find your favorite style from SheIn.

Just be your own Muse.

Uncategorized

Quinoa Protein Breakfast Cereal

September 26, 2016 No Comments

Any one else consider themselves a cereal addict? I don’t only like cereal for breakfast, but could eat it for each meal. Cereal makes a great late night snack and its quick and easy. I typically prefer to eat my cereal dry without milk because I can’t stand for my cereal to get soggy. The one big downside to cereal is the amount of sugar and carbs that the majority of cereals contain. You would be surprised to know how much sugar is in a single serving of your favorite cereal. It makes you think twice before grabbing that bowl of cereal, especially the really good tasting cereals such as Lucky Charms, Cocoa Pebbles, or Fruit Loops.

For the longest time I just stayed away from cereals altogether and stuck to just oatmeal for breakfast. Oatmeal is a great way to get some complex carbs in to start the day. I still crave dry cereal as a snack sometimes so I started looking for some healthier options. I stumbled upon IEatProtein’s Quinoa Cereal. The cereal is available in three different flavors: chocolate, cinnamon, and peanut butter. I opted to try the chocolate flavor first. The ordering process was simple and I received my order quickly. The cereal is a bit pricey compared to cereal you’d purchase at the supermarket. I wasn’t really sure what to expect taste wise because healthy doesn’t always translate to tasty. I was actually pleasantly surprised with the flavor of the cereal. This cereal is gluten-free, sugar free, low fat, and loaded with protein. My husband and I quickly finished off our box and I plan to try the other flavors in the near future. The IEatProtein compay also sells several other products such as powdered peanut butter and protein packed coffee.

Fashion

Closet Clean Out: Tips for Cleaning Out Your Closet

September 21, 2016 No Comments

As we head into fall, I begin to put away my summer clothes and bring out my fall and winter clothes. This is usually the best time to go through and decide which pieces are worth hanging on to for another season and which need to be removed. I will be discussing the tips and tricks I use to clean out my closet. My strategy is to usually divide my clothes into 4 different piles. I make one pile for trash, one for donate, one for sell, and another for keep.

The clothes I place in the trash pile are those that have tears, rips, or stains that can not be repaired or cleaned. These are typically items that would not be worth donating. In the donation pile, I try to donate clothes that I no longer wear or that no longer fit me. There are so many places that you can donate your clothes to for those that are unable to afford their own. Especially as the colder months approach, winter jackets are one of the most needed items. I have a tendency to develop an emotional attachment with some of my clothes. It may be something that I haven’t worn for years but I keep convincing myself that I will wear it again one day. I really try to stick to the 1 year rule- if I haven’t worn it in a year, I get rid of it. Knowing that the items you may have trouble giving away could be going to someone who is in need helps to make it easier to make the decision to get rid of an item. One easy way to keep track of the items you have worn is to turn all the hangers to same way at the beginning of the season. As you wear an item, hang it back up with the hanger facing the other way. When the season is over it will be easy to find the items that you haven’t worn.

I also have a bad habit of thinking I need an item when I get it for a really good deal. I love a good sale and it sometimes causes me to buy things that don’t fit properly or that really aren’t my style. It’s typically those items that hang in my closet with tags still attached. That’s where the next pile comes in, the sell pile. There are tons of websites out there where you can sell your pre-owned and used clothing. There are even consignment stores and stores like Plato’s Closet that accept used clothing that is still in good condition.

I have had lots of success with the website Poshmark. It is so user friendly which makes it easier to make a sale. They charge no fees to list an item so if you list something that never sells you are not out any money. They do take 20% of every sale you make which may seem steep but they protect both the buyer and seller in every transaction. I have heard stories from people using other websites who have had trouble with the website always taking the side of the buyer or vice versa. I have actually had two instances in which an item I shipped was marked delivered by USPS but the buyer claims they never received the package. Instead of penalizing either one of us, Poshmark still paid me the money I was owed and refunded the buyer their money. It gives me confidence that when I ship an item I will not be conned out of the money because Poshmark fairly investigates each situation.

To get started with Poshmark, you simply sign up for an account, snap a few pictures of the items you want to sell and list them on your “closet”. It really is that easy. Make sure you provide lots of detail in your description of each item so that it makes each transaction smoother and cuts down on the number of questions you get from potential buyers. One of the unique aspects of Poshmark is that you promote your own items as well as the items of fellow sellers to help make a sale. The more you share, both your items and other’s items, the more people see your “closet” and the more likely you are to sell something. After an item sells, you will be emailed a shipping label that you simply print out and place on the package. Poshmark uses USPS to ship their packages and you can get free priority mail boxes from the post office to ship all your items in. When you are ready to cash out the money from the items you have sold, you can either request a check be mailed to your address or link an account so that the money can be directly deposited. Another option is to use the money from your sales to purchase an item from another person’s closet. Poshmark used to be strictly for women’s clothing but has recently opened up to children and men’s clothing. It’s a great source to score some awesome deals on brand name items as well as buy new clothing from one of the many boutiques that are on Poshmark.

That brings us to the 4th pile, the keep pile. These are the items that you know you are going to wear the upcoming season. After cleaning out all the other items that you no longer need/want, you’ve got plenty of room to add new items to your wardrobe.

Food

Cauliflower Cornbread Biscuits

September 16, 2016 No Comments

Cauliflower has become one of my favorite vegetables to cook with. It is an excellent way to replace a lot of the carb type foods that I like. It is a lot healthier and actually tastes good. If you’ve been following the blog a while you may remember my post on cauliflower pizza and cauliflower lasagna. We eat a lot of cauliflower around here. I am constantly looking for new ways to incorporate cauliflower into my recipes. Today I will be sharing my recipe for low carb cauliflower cornbread biscuits. These are incredibly tasty and my husband and I actually prefer them over traditional cornbread.

Start by breaking down a head of cauliflower. I find that chopping it in small pieces works best when putting it into the food processor. Large pieces tend to jam the food processor and it ends up taking more time. I use a 7-cup capacity food processor but sometimes a medium or large cauliflower is to big so I have to process two separate batches. I use a food processor similar to this and have been really impressed with it. Process the cauliflower until it is a rice-like texture.

Next pour cauli-rice into a large mixing bowl. Add in 1 egg, 1/2 cup of almond flour, 1/4 cup of shredded cheese ( I typically use sharp cheddar for it’s strong flavor), and 2 tsp of garlic salt. I also add in 1 packet of the Birds Eye Singles microwaveable corn pouches after heating in the microwave for 1 1/4 minute. You can also add some chopped jalapeno pepper for some additional heat. Stir until mixture is thoroughly combined.

Next line a baking sheet with parchment paper. The cauliflower has a tendency to stick to the pan so you don’t want to leave off the parchment paper even if you are using a nonstick pan/nonstick spray. Grab a small handful of the cauliflower mixture and use yours hands to give it a round shape and place on the parchment paper. Continue until you have no cauliflower mixture left.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place baking sheet into oven for 35 minutes. My husband and I prefer the biscuits to be browned so I will sometimes turn on broil for a few minutes to let the biscuits get nice and golden. Remove baking sheet from oven and your cauliflower cornbread biscuits are ready to enjoy.

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Low Carb Cauliflower Cornbread Biscuits

Ingredients

1 head of cauliflower
1/2 cup almond flour
1 egg
1/4 cup of shredded cheese ( I prefer sharp cheddar)
2 tsp garlic salt
1 packet of Birds Eye Singles frozen corn

Instructions

Break down cauliflower and place into food processor. Process cauliflower until cauliflower has a rice-like texture.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Pour cauli-rice into a large mixing bowl.
Add almond flour, egg, shredded cheese, and garlic salt to cauli-rice. Heat frozen corn packet in microwave for 1 1/4 minute and then add to cauliflower mixture.
Stir cauliflower mixture until it is completely mixed.
Place parchment paper on a baking sheet.
Grab a small handful of the cauliflower mixture and roll into a round shape and place on baking sheet. Continue this process until there is no cauliflower mixture left.
Place baking sheet in oven for 35 minutes.
Can broil for 3-5 minutes to further brown the muffins if desired.
Remove muffins from oven and enjoy!

https://www.thesouthernmagnolia.com/cauliflower-cornbread-biscuits/

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Food

Protein Popsicle

September 15, 2016 No Comments

I’ve shared a popsicle recipe on the blog before and figured it was about time for another. While it may be September and everyone is discussing fall and cooler temperatures, it still feels very much like summer here in Georgia. Creating popsicles with my Zoku Quick Pop Maker is super easy and fun. You simply freeze the pop maker and when you are ready to make your popsicles you pour the mixture in and watch it freeze before your eyes. It only takes around 8-10 minutes for it to completely freeze. The fact that it freezes the popsicles so quickly makes it convenient to fix when you’ve got a sweet tooth craving. No more having to place the mixture back in the freezer and waiting for the popsicle to freeze completely. The removal of the popsicles and the clean up process is also easy which is just another plus. I can’t recommend the Zoku Quick Pop Maker enough if you in the market for a good popsicle mold/maker.

I shared a fruity popsicle recipe on the blog a few weeks ago but decided to try something a little different this time. I typically drink protein following my workouts but wanted to find a way to create a protein packed popsicle that I could have after workouts instead. I used only 5 ingredients to create a healthy chocolate protein popsicle.

I added one scoop of the Quest Chocolate Milkshake Protein, 1 tsp of agave, 2 tsp of cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon of chia seeds, and 1 cup of chocolate unsweetened almond milk. I blended all ingredients until thoroughly mixed and then slowly poured mixture into the Zoku Quick Pop Maker. Within 8-10 minutes the popsicles are completely frozen and ready to be removed and enjoyed.

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Protein Popsicle

Ingredients

one scoop of the Quest Chocolate Milkshake Protein
1 tsp of agave
2 tsp of cocoa powder
1 tablespoon of chia seeds
1 cup of chocolate unsweetened almond milk

Instructions

Mix Quest chocolate milkshake protein, agave, cocoa powder, chia seeds, and chocolate unsweetened almond milk into blender
Blend ingredients until they are completely mixed.
Pour mixture into popsicle molds and wait until frozen solid
Remove popsicles and enjoy

https://www.thesouthernmagnolia.com/protein-popsicle/

Food

Roasted Chickpeas

September 13, 2016 No Comments

It can be difficult to find a savory snack that is healthy and also hits the spot. I’ll be discussing a healthier snack that you can reach for next time you are craving a bag of potato chips. Roasted chickpeas are a much healthier option to snack on and they are easy to fix. Chickpeas are a part of the legume family and are high in protein. You can also season the chickpeas with a variety of different seasonings and spices to get whatever flavor you may be craving.

Start off by draining and rinsing a can of chickpeas. Then pour out onto a paper towel and dry off with another paper towel. Next lightly coat the chickpeas in olive oil and sprinkle with whichever spices you choose. For this recipe I chose cinnamon and paprika to add a little sweet and a little spice.

Place chickpeas on baking sheet and make sure there is plenty of room so that the chickpeas are not overcrowded. Put baking sheet into cold oven and turn on to 400 degrees F. Roast the chickpeas for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and enjoy!

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Roasted Chickpeas

Ingredients

1 can of Chickpeas
Olive Oil
Spices of choice ( I used cinnamon and paprika)

Instructions

Drain and rinse chickpeas.
Pour chickpeas onto a paper towel and dry off with another paper towel. Spread chickpeas on baking sheet.
Lightly coat chickpeas in olive oil.
Sprinkle spices (in this case, cinnamon and paprika) over chickpeas. Shake baking sheet to completely coat chickpeas.
Place baking sheet in cool oven. Turn oven on to 400 degrees F. Cook chickpeas for 30 minutes.
Remove chickpeas from oven and allow to cool. Enjoy!

https://www.thesouthernmagnolia.com/roasted-chickpeas/

Food

Four Money Saving Grocery Apps

September 9, 2016 No Comments

There are things we want to spend our money on and there are things we have to spend our money on. A lot of times those two things are not one in the same. Paying the bills and buying groceries tend to take precedence over that new handbag you’ve been eyeing. I have found a way to still buy the things I have to but to also save a little for the things I want to spend my money on. One of those ways is by finding ways to save while buying groceries. There are four money saving grocery apps that I have used to save money while buying groceries. Below I will discuss a little about each.

Ibotta: Ibotta is the first app I’ll be discussing today. This is my most used grocery app. This app offers deals on more than just groceries but is primarily focused on grocery finds. Ibotta makes it incredibly easy to save money while grocery shopping by adding deals on a large variety of products. This app is very user friendly as well. After downloading the app you can search your favorite grocery stores and find the available deals at different stores. You will find deals on groceries, beauty products, cleaning products, and many more. They offer a number of any brand deals as well which makes it easy to earn some cash no matter what brand you like. You simply unlock the deals you want and take a picture of your receipt and submit. Ibotta will credit your account with the amount earned within 48 hours ( I have noticed that it usually only takes a couple of hours). You can cash out once you have reached $20, which does not take too long. The app pays out to either Paypal or Venmo.

*Use code adstnkw when signing up for an Ibotta account and you will receive $10 and I will receive $5.

Saving Star: Saving Star works similar to Ibotta. After downloading the app, you simply select the offers you plan to use and photograph and upload your receipt to redeem your offers. One unique aspect of Saving Star is that they offer 20% off a different fruit or vegetable each week. It’s not easy to find savings on fresh produce and 20% off is hard to beat. They also offer several one or many offers. Once you spend a certain money amount on a product during a certain time period you are able to redeem a larger cash rebate. Saving Star allows you to cash out your earnings after only earning $5. You can cash out to paypal or direct deposit to your bank account. They also offer several gift card options.

Checkout 51:I probably use this app the least simply because we don’t use a lot of the brands offered on this app. Checkout 51 offers deals on beauty and cleaning products as well as food. The app is updated with new offers once a week. You simply activate the offers you are going to use and then upload your receipt as you would with Ibotta and Saving Star. Checkout 51 requires you to reach $20 before cashing out, just like Ibotta.

Shopkick: Shopkick is a little different from the previously discussed apps in that you don’t earn money but instead you earn points that you can redeem for gift cards or other rewards. This app allows you to earn points simply for walking into select stores and opening the app. You can then further earn points by scanning certain items while shopping, by submitting receipts if you purchase select items, and by spending money in certain stores. It doesn’t take long before you start adding up points and you’re able to cash them out for a variety of different rewards.

Food

Low Carb Zucchini Brownies

September 7, 2016 No Comments

The thought of brownies made out of zucchinis probably sounds pretty disgusting. I thought so to until I gave them a try. I have a huge sweet tooth and brownies and cookies are some of my favorite treats. I thoroughly enjoy baking but its a little more difficult to find treats to bake that are also somewhat healthy. While researching healthy desserts I came across several recipes for zucchini brownies. I thought the concept of using zucchinis in brownies very interesting and figured I would give it a try. Most recipes I found still used flour and sugar but I wanted to find a way to make them a little more healthy. I found a way to make zucchini brownies low carb but still delicious. The recipe is quick and easy so you don’t have to be a master in the kitchen.

We start by shredding a medium sized zucchini. You want to get about 2 cups of shredded zucchini. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Next we will mix together all of the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Mix 2 cups of almond flour, 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 1 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 cup of truvia, 1 tsp of salt.

Now we add in the wet ingredients. Add in the shredded zucchini, 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, and 2 tsp of vanilla. Heat up 3 tbsp. of vitafiber syrup and stir into mixture. (The Vitafiber syrup helps to add sweetness to the brownies as well as help the brownies hold together better)Mix thoroughly. Batter may appear dry but will begin to soak up some of the moisture from the zucchini. Pour batter into a greased 9″x7″ Pyrex dish. Place dish into the oven for 30 minutes.

Remove from oven and allow to cool. The brownies don’t look too pretty but they actually have a very cake-like texture. I was able to find a sugar-free chocolate icing at my local grocery store. It was the Pillsbury creamy chocolate sugar free icing. It tastes absolutely delicious and you would never guess it was sugar free. Once the brownies have cooled I layer on the sugar free icing.

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Low Carb Zucchini Brownies

Ingredients

1 medium zucchini (2 cupsof shredded zucchini)
2 cups almond flour
3/4 cup of Truvia ( or other artificial sweetener)
3 tbsp. cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp of vanilla
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 tbsp. vitafiber syrup
15oz of Sugar Free Chocolate Icing

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Shred medium sized zucchini (about two cups of shredded zucchini)
Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl. Mix Truvia, almond flour, cocoa powder, and salt.
Add in shredded zucchini, vanilla, and vegetable oil.
Place 3 tbsp. of vitafiber syrup in a microwaveable container and heat 15-20 seconds (until syrup begins bubbling).
Pour syrup into mixture and stir thoroughly.
Next pour batter into a greased 9"x7" pyrex dish and place in preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Remove from oven and allow to cool.
Layer sugar free icing on top and enjoy!

https://www.thesouthernmagnolia.com/low-carb-zucchini-brownies/

What are some of your favorite healthy dessert recipes?