Marvellous Peanut Butter Chocolate Microwave Cheesecake

            I didn’t think it was possible either, but I promise it is beyond delicious! This microwave cheesecake takes the cake – no pun intended. As you can imagine, tasting and testing all of these cheesecake recipes is quite likely going to increase the digits of my bathroom scale soon if I don’t stop eating all of the cheesecake I make. Proactively, I made the cheesecake last Friday night and went to a big birthday party (of all women) Saturday with the cheesecake in hand. Though I felt slightly embarrassed as I have never before brought someone a birthday cake with a piece missing already, but I had to make sure it was good. I was practically a god by the time they had taken their first bite, and they all nearly dropped their forks when I told them it was a reduced sugar, low fat cheesecake. Who knew such a delight could exist? Something so tasty and yet not too high in calories or fat!

            The fun part was I adapted this recipe from bff Lyndsay’s Mom’s scrumptious chocolate Oreo crumb microwave cheesecake. Using just a bit of creativity goes a long way. Tip of the day, whenever baking with peanut butter use natural because it has no added sugar, oil or salt! Making it not only a healthier option, but it doesn’t add onto whatever fat or sugar you add to the recipe. Also, for those of you who like me (for the longest time) nearly bent your butter knife in half trying to stir natural peanut butter which has to go in the fridge after you open it (thus it hardens), just microwave it for 20 seconds before you attempt to stir. Warning and disclaimer – remove all foil prior to placing it in the microwave.

            Today, I was introduced to a new mentality of eating. That is a bit of a lie because I had already been introduced to this idea somewhat in the book “the End of Overeating” by David Kessler – a highly recommended read for the nutrition savvy public and professionals. For those Moms out there who have Ellen Satter to thank for getting their tots to munch on brussels sprouts, you will be pleased to thank her again when she says enjoy some chocolate. She is quite the controversial theorist in the food and nutrition education industry. She proposes a new model called the “Eating Competence: ecSatter Model”. Ellen Satter, after 30 years of clinical practices using traditional dietary counselling strategies, suggests that individual’s work with their food tendencies, by emphasizing permission and discipline:

      - The permission to choose enjoyable food and eat it in satisfying amounts.

      - The discipline to have regular and reliable meals and snacks and to pay attention when eating them

( Source and more information at: http://www.ellynsatter.com/information.php?info_id=119)

           

            My thoughts are that a little self-control and creativity when it comes to eating goes a long ways, just like I am attempting with my healthy cheesecake adventure. I would be curious to hear your thoughts on the model or this idea. It would mean if an individual likes to eat at McDonald’s BLD (breakfast, lunch and dinner) they are “allowed” by professionals to do so.