Desserts for Pg
Homemade Berry Sorbet
Makes 2 servings
Ready in less than a minute and deeply satisfying, homemade berry sorbet is a recipe you’ll make again and again.
Ingredients
1 cup frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries, cherries, or blackberries)
1⁄2 cup heavy whipping cream, ideally from grass-fed cows
1 tablespoon collagen protein (optional)
1 packet stevia sweetener or 5-10 drops liquid stevia extract (optional)
Directions
Pureeallingredientsusingablender,immersionblender,orfood processor.
Serve immediately.
NOTE: There are several brands of collagen and gelatin powder made from grass-fed beef. Great Lakes is one of them. I prefer collagen protein because it dissolves completely, even in cold liquids. This provides a nourishing source of protein and glycine to this recipe, but is not required. Stevia is also optional for those who like a sweeter sorbet.
Coconut Macaroons
Makes 36 cookies
These cookies are packed with healthy fat and fiber from coconut and protein from egg whites, making them a filling option for dessert. For a real treat, dip the baked cookies in a little melted dark chocolate.
Ingredients
5 egg whites*
1⁄4 teaspoon sea salt
1⁄3 cup honey
1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or almond extract)
3 cups shredded coconut, unsweetened
Directions
Inalargebowl,whiskeggwhitesandsaltuntilstiff.
Fold in remaining ingredients.
With a spoon, scoop out 1 tablespoon portions and drop onto a
parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bakeat350degreesfor10-15minutes,untillightlybrowned.
* Save the egg yolks for maple pots de creme, scrambled eggs, mixing into meatloaf/meatballs, or another recipe. They are too good to throw away!
Maple Pots de Creme
Makes 4 servings
Pots de creme are like the bottom of creme brulee – delicious little baked custards minus the burnt sugar crust. These “pots of cream” or “pots of custard” originate from France. They are a decadent dessert, but low in sugar and full of important nutrients for baby (choline, vitamin B12, vitamin A, DHA, just to name a few). One serving provides more than 60% of your daily choline needs.
Ingredients
1 1⁄2 cups heavy cream, ideally from grass-fed cows
1⁄4 cup maple syrup
1⁄4 teaspoon sea salt
4 egg yolks, ideally from pasture-raised hens*
1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1⁄4 teaspoon maple extract (optional)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Place 4 ramekins in a rimmed baking dish, such as a brownie pan.
Combine the cream, maple syrup, and salt in a small saucepan. Heat until it comes to a simmer. Turn off heat.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and vanilla extract (and, if using, the maple extract).
Temper the egg yolks - Using a small ladle, add some hot cream to the egg yolks a few tablespoons at a time while stirring the eggs (this prevents the egg yolks from scrambling). Once you’ve added ~1 cup of cream, pour the rest of the cream into the bowl and whisk to combine.
Strainthemixturethroughafinesieve.
Using a ladle, pour the mixture into ramekins (8 oz wide mouth
Mason jars work well if you don’t have ramekins).
Carefullypourenoughhotwaterintotherimmedbakingdishto
come halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
Bake the custards until the edges are set but the center jiggles slightly,
45-50 minutes.
Remove the ramekins from the water bath and cool to room
temperature.
Recipe Appendix | 287
10. You can either eat at room temperature or refrigerate until cold. (I prefer them cold.)
*Save the egg whites for use in other recipes, such as frittatas, scrambles, or coconut macaroons
NOTE: Extra pots de creme keep well in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Tart Cherry Gummies
Makes ~20 gummies
If you ever encountered “Jello Jigglers” as a child, these are my health-ified version. Though traditional jello is a far cry from a health food, with refined sugar and food dyes, homemade versions using high-quality gelatin and fruit juice are a great way to get additional gelatin (and the amino acid glycine) into your diet. Tart cherry gummies have a naturally sweet-tart flavor from unsweetened tart cherry juice. If you find yourself craving sour candies or gummy candies when you’re nauseous, these make a great alternative. Some research supports the use of tart cherry juice as a mild sleep aid, which may prove helpful in later pregnancy and early postpartum.
Ingredients
1 1⁄2 cups organic tart cherry juice*
4 tablespoons gelatin, ideally from grass-fed cows
A few drops of stevia extract or a tablespoon of honey (optional, if
you prefer it sweeter)
Directions
Mixingredientsinasmallsaucepan.Letgelatinsitforafewminutes (this helps it dissolve).
Heat saucepan on the stove set at medium-low heat.
Stir with a metal spoon while the mixture heats, so the gelatin
completely dissolves.
Onceyounolongerseegelatingranules,removefromheatandpour
into a glass dish, such as a pie plate.
Placeintherefrigeratortochillfor30min,oruntilgelatinsets.
Cutintobite-sizedpieceswithaknife(ormakefunshapeswith
cookie cutters) and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
NOTE: *Some don’t find tart cherry juice sweet enough, so if that’s you, feel free to swap in a sweeter fruit juice, add some stevia extract, or add a little honey. You may use any juice you’d like with the exception of pineapple (because it contains the protein-digesting enzyme bromelain, so the gelatin won’t gel!).
Lily’s Electrolyte Replenishment Drink
Makes 4 servings
This beverage is a good choice if you are dehydrated or have been vomiting (it’s also helpful for labor!). It’s essential to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes quickly when pregnant. Though many people rely on sports drinks, the artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives are not ideal. Try my homemade version instead.
Ingredients
1 quart coconut water (unsweetened)
1⁄4 teaspoon sea salt (such as Himalayan pink salt)
1⁄2 cup fruit juice (such as 100% pineapple, orange, cherry or apple
juice)
Juice of 1 lemon
10 drops trace mineral concentrate (optional)
Directions
1. Mixallingredientsinalargepitcherandenjoy.Storeleftoversinthe refrigerator.
NOTE: Trace Mineral Drops are an excellent addition to boost the mineral content of the drink, but they are not an essential ingredient. I prefer ConcenTrace® Trace Mineral Drops from the company Trace Minerals Research, which are available online or at most health food stores.
