About
Desserts With Benefits Blog
Welcome to Desserts With Benefits!
My name is Jessica and I’m the girl behind this healthy dessert recipe blog. I love baking, food photography, strength training (hate hate hate cardio, sorry not sorry), making DIY Protein Bars, and cuddling on the couch with my puppy, Cherry. I am a sweet tooth at heart — always have been and always will, from childhood to today and this day forward — with a passion for nutrition, health, and wellness.
As a university graduate who studied Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, my main goal here on this blog is to make truly healthy desserts. Here at Desserts With Benefits, we use good-for-you ingredients to make balanced treats we can feel good about eating!
.
What does “Desserts With Benefits” mean?
Desserts with health benefits! It’s just a fun play on the phrase, “friends with benefits,” but dessert snuck its way in there instead.
Let’s indulge… no strings attached.
.
With love and good eats,
.
– Jess
.
.
Read the Food Philosophy page to learn more about the blog’s guiding principles!
.
Read Jessica’s Life Story to learn more about the girl behind the blog!
.
Indulge − no strings attached!
Pingback: Desserts With Benefits
Pingback: Desserts With Benefits
I came across your blog as I browsed around on foodgawker. I absolutely love this! I am a college student too and I love to bake. Unfortunately I don’t have a kitchen at school so I bake when I go home and I always take out half the sugar and find alternatives to using oil and butter [I am looking to try applesauce now that I have tried using yogurt a few times!]. I have my own baking blog as well but it isn’t as professional and amazing as yours. I always envisioned my blog to be something like yours and I will look to yours for inspiration [if you don’t mind]. Keep it up! I agree with the struggle to eat healthy in college dorms and exercise and I try to get healthy snacks too. I love to shop at Trader Joe’s because they have a much wider array of healthy options for an affordable price. I love their trail mix to eat as a snack [as well as lots and lots of fruit]. Anyways, thank you for doing this!! I will definitely visit whenever I think of baking but can’t find a healthy recipe
Hi! I just discovered your blog and I absolutely love it!! I enjoyed reading about your journey to healthy living (mine’s similar) and I can’t wait to hear & see more from your blog 🙂
Hey Jessica, Love your blog! We were wondering if we can feature it on our Knapkins. In July, we launched a new network to showcase the most delicious dishes created by a community of passionate foodies and food bloggers. Come by and play a game of ‘food duel’, or take a look at our top dishes of the week and get inspired with new recipe ideas. Once you submit your foodblog, we will automatically add photos from your new blog entries and notify you once its ready. You can submit your foodblog http://www.Knapkins.com/signup/blogger Have a scrumptious day, Christine & The Knapkins Team
I love your recipes 🙂 It’s really cool to hear success stories about people around my age. A lot of people my age could care less about good nutrition and living healthily. By the way name is also Jessica and my dream is similar to yours. It’s to become a nutritional counselor and own natural bakery/cafe!
I sound like the rest of these folks indeed! Found your blog and wholeheartedly agree with everything you say and believe – it is like I am saying it myself! I appreciate your blog bc I normally get frustrated with having to go through attempt after attempt and never quite getting it right! Perhaps we can learn together!
Hi Jessica! I just found your blog and I really like it! I too want to become a Registered Dietitian, and have an enormous sweet tooth!
Okay, I’m not sure if you have seen me around commenting on your blog (love it so much!). I can’t keep my eyes off your creations and its amazing that I have the same dreams as you do, though my parents pretend to not to know. I believe that you can achieve what you want to– you’re so talented!You’re an inspiration to me and I mean all I’ve said! — Qi Ting PS: Any suggestions to make healthier frangipane? Been trying for ages but I keep failing (too dry!)
Qi Ting,
Thank you so much, I appreciate every single one of your comments 🙂 As for the frangipane, I’ve never tried it but I looked at a bunch of recipes. Maybe you can replace the butter with a few tablespoons of coconut oil and the rest with regular liquid oil and some additional applesauce. You can try using large slices of moist fruits (like peaches) to add moisture. Hope this helps!
-Jess
I found your blog today looking for a healthy pound cake for my husband. I am going to try your lemon pound cake without the icing. Any chance you know the caloric value of a specific serving size? I can probably figure it out calculating all the ingredients but if you know…..makes it easy for me!!!
Thanks!! Kathy
Hello Jessica! Just want to say how inspiring your blog is:) I recently started on an anti-candida diet and your recipes using stevia are just perfect!! And I also want to proclaim my love for bodyrock.tv as well..really comes in useful for those busy college days!
Hello! I would like to say your blog was recommended to me by a good friend who posted your protein peanut butter balls to me. I’m a Physical Fitness Management major. Recently went vegetarian after a taking a nutrition course this semester. All your recipes are fantastic and your story is very heartwarming and encouraging. You are a great fit role model. Keep it up 🙂
I just read through your story, and I love it! So inspirational 🙂 I started on my personal weight loss journey (my highest weight was 230lbs) just over a year ago. I began by purely working out and eating the “diet” foods you can buy in the store – the ones with all the chemicals and fake ingredients. But a few months into it, I realized that exercise alone wasn’t doing enough, and that I had to change my eating habits too. Now, 13 months after the first day I started working out on a 3-day-per-week basis, I not only now workout 5-6 days per week, but I eat almost completely ‘clean’ and healthy! And my god, do I feel incredible! Physically, I’ve lost 60lbs of fat total, and have gained plenty of muscle and strength all over. Mentally, I’m so much happier & confident, and I have a ton of energy too! I’m glad I came across your blog (I too have a MAJOR sweet tooth!). I look forward to trying out your amazing recipes!
Wow, that’s amazing! And a BIG congratulations on your weight loss, I think THAT is the inspiration here. Fat is the hardest thing to lose, and it’s great that you’ve gained muscle (another challenging task)! I hope you find a recipe you like! Tell me how it goes 🙂
-Jess
Wow- I feel like it could have been me writing this! Our views are so similar and you even used the word ‘balance’ which is exactly how I live my life. I found you via Foodgawker, but now i will be checking back!
What a great story, Jessica! You were smart to change your eating habits in the first place and to keep on looking for solutions. Not many people take the initiative at such a young age, I’m sure you’re already a great role model for LOTS of teens (and adults) out there looking for a healthier lifestyle. Thank you for sharing!
-Jennifer
Wow. What a great and inspiring story! Subscribing today. I look forward to reading more healthy recipes and tips. Keep up the great work!
-Nic
So I’ve determined that you are a genius. Putting you on my blogroll!
This blog is amazing Jessica. After reading your ‘About Me’ I’m even more psyched to see a naturopath and get on my way eating smarter. I think I can relate to everything you say about going vegan the right way. That’s what I want to do. BE HEALTHY! I went veggo to be healthy and vegan to get stricter but I still love to get into those sugary baked-treats from all the cute blogs. i wonder how many others are doing the same thing too.
You’re wonderfully creative and a diligent experimenter! I absolutely love your recipes, photography and blog design. And the nutrition labels, of course 😉
Are you still vegan?
I love your blog, Jessica! I wish I’d found it sooner–I, too, did vege the ‘wrong’ way, but unlike you, I haven’t tried to back to it and do it right–maybe it’s worth finding an RD 🙂 all the best in school! looks like you’ve found a perfect career path for your passion 😀
Has anyone ever told you that you look a bit like Vanessa Hudgens? (that’s a compliment btw (: your gorgeous)
Hi Jessica! Just wanted to tell you how AMAZING your site is. As a teenage girl who tries to eat really healthy whilst still living at home and being surrounded by unhealthy food/eating habits at school, it is reassuring to know when I bake your foods they are healthy and natural 🙂 Thank you!
Wow, I don’t know how I haven’t come across your blog earlier!! I just stumbled upon it through foodgawker (your orange almond cake, in particular) and I absolutely love it! I, too, am a food crazy (healthy food crazy) gal who loves to bake with simple natural ingredients. We have some similar ideals which are refreshing to see on another blog! Anyways, I’m now a subscriber. 🙂 keep up the great work and I can’t wait to make that cake!!
-Alex
Thanks so much Alex! I’ve been to your blog quite a few times, I really liked your post about the health benefits of orange peels… how fitting for the Whole Orange Almond Cake, right?? Can’t wait to see more of your posts 🙂
I was thinking the same thing! I love the idea of throwing the whole orange in a recipe! Don’t know why I didn’t think of that before! haha. Thanks! 😉
Stay tuned, I plan on making your orange almond cake soon!
Hi Jessica just found your blogg link on Facebook. your recipies are delicious and I can’t wait to have a go to try some out. Your are amazing. Hope I hear a lot from you. Have a great day.
Claudia
Are you my long lost twin? I too want to become an RD and start my own bakery!
Hey! I will mention your blog on my blog because I really liked some of your recipes. xx
super cute “about me” page!!! 🙂 the polar dip is amazing!!! wow. (And thanks for submitting all your yummies to findingvegan. love seeing them in the queue!) 🙂
~ kathy healthy-happy-life.com & findingvegan.com
You and your blog are inspiring, so I nominated you for an award! http://wp.me/p18CG9-FU (I love all of your sweet and healthy recipes; they make me drool every time!)
Okay…just discovered your blog. Every recipe looks fantastic (my list of ones to make asap is becoming quite extensive). Thank you so much for sharing, Jessica. Please keep posting! 🙂
Pingback: Desserts With Benefits
Pingback: Desserts With Benefits
Pingback: Desserts With Benefits
I love your blog! It makes me super hungry to see all the delicious food, but the recipes are great for someone going low carb like me. Thank you!
Hi! I came across your blog on Pinterest and really like some of the recipes. After reading about you, I wanted to ask you a question. I too am trying to avoid processed foods and find it really easy to do at home.
But what do you do when you go over to someone’s house or eat with people who don’t eat the same way you do?
Alyssa- You can always bring some homemade snacks/desserts to share with people so you can have something healthy to eat while you share the health with others! It’s a kind gesture and nobody minds some extra food 😉 You can also help out in the kitchen and cook a dish for a dinner/party as well.
I have friends who eat unhealthy and it is their choice on what to eat, you can only be a good example and a good influence. Personally, a lot of my friends now choose to eat healthier options because now they are aware of what is good and what is bad 🙂
hi jess. a big well done to you. your website is so so amazing. Good recipes.
Thank you for sharing with us
Thanks Jemila!
I love your blog! Just found it and I think it’s super inspiring. Loved reading your story, thanks!
jess:)
Pingback: Desserts With Benefits
We have the same dream…let’s hope it comes true.
Thanks for the advice, I really like your idea. I definitely don’t know anyone who would mind extra food. 🙂
Hi,
Just wanted to say I love your blog! I’m always looking for healthy alternatives to recipes yet like you’ve found they always contain massive quantities of sugar or only substitute half of the butter with a healthier alternative. I also want to avoid using very sugary natural sweeteners such as honey and prefer using date puree. I’m definitely going to have to try out some of your recipes!
Date puree sounds great! I really need to start using that in my recipes. I don’t have a problem with honey or maple syrup, but I tend to over use it when I do use it, so that’s why I like stevia and erythritol. I want to start using coconut crystals more too because it is packed with vitamins and minerals. But I like how dates will give you a serving or two of fruit 😉
I hope you like my recipes!
This was so inspirational!! I love your recipes & how you strive for healthy eating not just to lose weight but to stay fit & happy! Keep up the good work – YOU LOOK GREAT (:
Your website is incredible!! 😀 I’m a sophomore in high school and I’ve been thinking about possibly majoring in dietetics or nutritional science in college. Do you have any suggestions for me as to what classes I should take now as a high schooler? Also, what college do you attend and is the major super difficult? Thank you so much for any info you can share!
Joannie-
Thanks so much! Congrats on thinking about college so early, I didn’t think about it until late junior year lol
I would definitely recommend taking biology, chemistry and some math courses. Math and science are very prevalent in the dietetics major. In the dietetics curriculum you must take biology, microbiology, nutritional biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, human anatomy and physiology, etc. Labs are also included in those classes. It is a very tough major that requires lots of studying but it is also very rewarding. If you are looking for a good college with a nutrition/dietetics program I would recommend checking out http://www.collegeboard.com!
I hope this helped 🙂
-Jess
Hi Jessica! I just wanted to say I absolutely love your blog after just recently coming upon it. I wanted to let you know I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award 🙂 I know you’re busy so you don’t have to feel the need to participate, but I just wanted to let you know that I did 🙂
xoxo,
Sarah Grace
Awww thank you so much!! You have no idea how happy that makes me, I feel so special 🙂
PS: Your blog looks GREAT!
You have an amazing blog!! I look at all your posts starry-eyed! I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award.
Hi Jessica! I’ve been a fan of your blog for a while, and having recently switched to a new, healthier lifestyle, I’ve tried out a few (*cough*morelike20*cough*) of your recipes with great results each time. Since I’m still a health food pioneer, I’m still learning about what to avoid and such. Anyway, I had one question- why don’t you use butter? I know it’s definitely not a health food, but is it as bad as refined sugar and flour in its effect on your system? The reason I’m asking is because I’ve put it on my list of “foods in moderation” and tend to cook with it fairly often (not a lot, though) because it withstands heat so well.
Awww thank you so much!! 😀
Quite honestly, I don’t have a problem with butter as long as it’s organic and produced from grass-fed cows. This kind of butter has more of the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids than omega-6 fatty acids (which we already get plenty of from most other foods), which will help decrease inflammation levels within the body (inflammation has a strong correlation to disease/cancer) and provide many other health benefits.
The main reason I don’t use butter in my recipes is because most people do not buy organic/grass-fed. Non-organic butter is made from cows administered with antibiotics, cows fed genetically modified corn (cows’ digestive systems are not made to digest corn, this causes gastrointestinal distress, among other things) and generally sickly cows. Butter is high in saturated fat as well as cholesterol, so I would not recommend it to people who are at risk for heart disease, people with heart disease, and people with high cholesterol. However, I don’t think that everyone should avoid butter. Personally, I use (organic/non-GMO/grass-fed) butter from time to time because I have good cholesterol levels (low LDL and high HDL). If you are unsure of whether or not to use butter I would recommend meeting with a registered dietician and see what he/she recommends. They will most likely request that you get some bloodwork done (a lipid panel) and you can go on to make your decision from there. Overall, I believe that butter should be consumed in moderation, just like most other foods. If you decide butter is not for you, then I would recommend non-GMO grapeseed oil, organic/non-GMO coconut oil, non-hydrogenated shortening, and extra virgin olive oil 🙂
I hope this helps. I wish you all the best in your new healthy lifestyle, GO YOU!!!
-Jess