APPLE PIE cookie dough bites!

Its never the wrong time of year for Apple Pie right?

 Who cares if its not late july picnics or beautiful fall weather, I'm going to enjoy Apple Pie ANYTIME!!

(for more apple pie fun try Easy Apple Pie or Apple Pie Oatmeal)

I have to say,  my kids L.O.V.E.D this! 

I mean - couldn't stop asking for them. 

Which made me happy. All I have to do is make a huge batch, freeze, and remove for after school snacks. SOooo easy! 

I can even throw them into a lunch for a healthy sweet treat!

Go ahead and try these!!! Let me know what you think!

1 C Regular Oats (gluten free if possible) 

1/3 C Boiling Water

1 tsp Coconut Oil

1/2 tsp Sea Salt

1/4 tsp allspice

1 Tbsp Cinnamon

pinch of Nutmeg

1 tsp Vanilla

1/4 C Walnuts

1/4 C Pecans

1/2 LARGE Apple (honey crisp, pink lady, fuji) (or one small one)

1 Packet of Nunaturals Stevia (or 1/2 tsp) - to taste (or 1-2 Tbsp honey, for not sugar free)

Directions:

1) Put Oats in Blender or food processor and make Oat Flour

2) Mix in salt, allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon with oat flour

3) Mix Oil into boiling water, and stir into oat mixture until it clumps together. Let sit a few minutes.

4) In food processor pulse nuts until chopped VERY small (almost a butter consistency, but not quite). Add in Apple with skin and pulse until apple is chopped. Add in Vanilla and Stevia.

5) Mix Oat mixture and apple mixture together. Either by hand or very lightly with food processor. You don't want to over process!

6) Roll into balls with hands (you may want to refrigerate a bit before doing this, but I never do). Roll into Oats.

7) Store in Fridge or Freezer for long term. I love microwaving for a few seconds to make them warm!

 It seriously tastes like Apple Pie Cookie Dough!!

(If you are a fan of Candied Ginger, this would probably taste great in these! 

I'm not a huge fan, but the flavors would be awesome! 

Pin It

Kid Meal - Easy Oven Baked Fish Sticks!

Easy, Easy and KID FRIENDLY!

My kids seriously devour these when I make them. I've always wanted to try freezing them and warming them up quickly for dinner, but we NEVER have leftovers!!

Ingredients:

1 C Cornmeal

1 C White Whole Wheat Flour (or gluten free blend)

1/2 C Grated Fresh Parmesan Cheese (or more if you like)

1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper

3/4 tsp Garlic Powder

1/2 tsp Salt

3 Eggs

About 1 1/2 pounds of preferred white fish (tilapia, halibut, etc)

Directions:

1) Oven to 450

2) In One bowl combine all dry ingredients

3) In another shallow bowl whisk eggs.

4) Slice fish into chunks or 1 inch strips

5) Place each strip into flour mixture, then dip in eggs, then coat fully in flour mixture again. You may have to rinse your hands in-between to keep them from getting slathered, I just use a fork and spoon to dredge the fish with coating.

6) Place on greased cookie sheet in an even layer. Bake for about 10 minutes, until crispy. You may have to spritz with olive oil half way through if they look too dry. 

Serve with Homemade Ketchup!! 

Pin It

Simple NO BAKE - Cookie Dough Bites!

Sunday is my day I allow myself to cheat! 

I believe there is nothing better than the taste of Cookie Dough! 

 Here's what I came up with.

Ingredients:

1/4 C Pecans

1/2 C Cashews

1/3 C Oats

1/8 tsp Salt (only if your nuts are unsalted!!!)

1 Tb Raw Honey or Pure Maple Syrup

1 tsp Vanilla

1/4 C Dark Chocolate Chips, or Mini Chocolate Chips

Put first four ingredients in food processor. Pulse until well combined and ground fine. 

Add honey and vanilla. Pulse until you get a dough like consistency. Fold in chocolate chips.

Store in between wax paper in the freezer for a quick grab and go treat! 

That is, only if you have leftovers!! 

 ENJOY!!

Pin It

Gooey Peanut Butter Chocolate Pretzel Bars

Tried to think of  a shorter title, and couldn't. 

Too many words to describe. 

If you like Sweet and Salty (which we totally do in this household!)
You will LOVE this one!  And ITS GUILT FREE!

Good enough to take for a dinner dessert!

Adapted from the amazing Chocolate Covered Katie!!

Pretzel Bars

1 C Brown Rice Krispies

1/2 C Oat Flour (grind oats in blender)

1/2 tsp Kosher Salt

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

5 Tbl of Honey or my choice is Brown Rice Syrup

3 Tbl All Natural Peanut Butter

1 C Chopped pretzels (GF if needed)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Hard Shell (recipe below)

Combine Dry ingredients in a bowl (except pretzels). Combine wet ingredients, you may need to microwave peanut butter to get it smooth and able to mix well. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet and slowly stir to combine. Line a bread pan with parchment and press into bottom of pan. use a cup to REALLY PRESS hard and smoosh down. Take chopped pretzels and spread them on the top. Take your hands and/or a cup and press the pretzels into the bars. Put in freezer for about 1/2 hour (or overnight if you like).  

Drizzle Chocolate Peanut Butter Hard Shell on top and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips (or mini dark chocolate chips would be even better!). You could also sprinkle chopped peanuts on top! YUM Place back in freezer for about 15 minutes until hardened. Pull out of pan and chop into bars. Enjoy VERY SOON - they get gooier (is that a word??) and gooier as the time goes on!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Hard Shell

2 tsp Peanut Butter

1 Tbl Coconut Oil

Melt those two together in microwave for about 30 seconds. Stir and add:

3 tsp Cocoa Powder

1/2 tsp Stevia (or more if you need more sweetness)

Stir to combine and drizzle over bars. 

ENJOY!

Pin It

One Dozen Chocolate Chip Cookies

I get anxiety when asked to make treats! Knowing the smell in my house and finger-lickin goodness is so close to be found, its impossible to not loose it and gorge myself!! Its better for me to never have that stuff around me!! Today the kids wanted to make cookies for a friend. I couldn't bear saying no to them, and knew there little friend probably wouldn't appreciate Applesauce Oat cakes or Coconut Breakfast Cookies. :-) 

So I just needed enough ingredients to just make a few. Not a ton that sit there and stare at me, just the perfect amount to give one to the kids and fill a plate with cookies to deliver. No scraps, done!

I have to say - I did this whole project without cheating!! I am SOO proud of myself! Trying to stay off sugar has been so hard, but its getting easier and easier as I go on and stay strong!!

One Dozen Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/4 C Butter (unless you want to do applesauce for fat free)

2 Tbl Unsweetened Applesauce

1/3 C Sugar

1/3 C Brown Sugar

1 tsp Vanilla

Cream together. Then Add:

1 Egg

1 1/4 C Flour

1/2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Baking Soda

1 C Chocolate chips

Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.

ENJOY

Want to have a chocolate chip cookie without the guilt?? Try THESE!!!

Pin It

Vegetable Tomato Soup

Yum! Perfect for a rainy day!

This was perfect with my newly made wheat thins crackers.

picture credit runswithspatula

1 Tbl Olive Oil

1 Large Yellow Onion, chopped

4 Stalks Celery, chopped

3 medium carrots chopped

1/2 Cup Sherry Wine

2 Cans Vegetable Broth

1 Can Cannelli Beans, rinsed and drained

2 bay leaves

2 tsp Cumin

1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning

1/2 tsp Kosher Salt

1) Cook onion, celery, and carrot in large stock pot with oil. Cook until soft. Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to boil. Simmer about 30 minutes. Check seasonings. 

Top with prepared pesto or cilantro as garnish if you like.

Serve with Rolls or Home Made Wheat Thins!!

Pin It

Easter Egg Picnic

Your kids will LOVE this! 

Let them 'hunt' for their lunch! 

The ideas are endless!

1) Carrot sticks and Hummus (at the bottom)

2) Rice Crackers

3) Tortilla Roll Up - 

(whole wheat tortilla spread with laughing cow cheese wedge, 

smooshed avocado, and all natural turkey. Roll and Slice)

(or whole wheat tortilla, spread with Peanut butter,

and roll up around a banana and slice)

4) Cucumber sticks with annie's ranch dressing (in the bottom)

5) Banana chips and a small treat :)

6) another tortilla wrap.

More Ideas: Raisins, trail mix, grapes, berries, small cubed cheese, pretzel balls, Roasted Edamame, Fresh peas, melon balls, dark chocolate chips, small apple slices, etc. 

Any other ideas?

Enjoy!

Pin It

Vanilla Prune Applesauce

Easy, Easy Applesauce! Use for after school snack, baby food, on toast or pancakes, mix into plain yogurt (for a yogurt where you know all the ingredients) or replace fat in recipes. YUM!!!

5-6 Apples peeled, cored, and sliced

2 Tbl Lemon Juice

1 C Water

1 C Chopped Dried Prunes

1 tsp Stevia or 2 Tbl Brown Sugar

3 tsp Vanilla 

Place first 4 ingredients into a Large Pot and bring to a boil, then lower to simmer. 

Simmer 20-30 minutes until apples are pretty soft and stirring occasionally.

Mash with a potato masher, or pour everything into a blender and puree. Then

add in desired sweetener: 2 Tbl Brown Sugar, Sucunat, or 1 tsp Stevia and 3 tsp Vanilla.

ENJOY!

You can easily throw these into freezer safe containers and freeze!

Pin It

No Sugar Added - Almond Quinoa Granola Bars

WOW! 

Talk about a power food bar! Quinoa is GREAT for you, just one 3.5 oz serving provides 12-15 g of protein! 

Inspiration taken from Anja's Food 4 Thought

1/4 C Uncooked Quinoa

1/4 C Ground Flax Seed
1/2 scoop of protein powder (optional)

1/2 tsp Sea Salt

1/4 Dried Dates (about 5)

1/3 C Dried Prunes (about 8)

1/4 C Raisins

3/4 C whatever nuts seeds you want (pumpkin, sunflower, almonds, walnuts, etc)
Banana sweetener (recipe below)
1 C Old Fashioned Rolled Oats (GF if needed)

Place above ingredients (except banana sweetener and oats) in food processor, pulse until combined well.

Banana Sweetener:
In small pot mash 2 VERY ripe bananas and 1/4 C Almond Butter. Cook over low heat until well combined. (not too long)

Add Banana mixture to nut mixture, and pulse until combined.

Add 1 C Old Fashioned Rolled Oats (gluten free optional) and pulse just barely until combined, don't over process.

Spread in bread pan lined with parchment and bake at 350 for about 25 minutes.

Let cool and slice into bars.

ENJOY!

Pin It

8 Simply Fresh and Easy Salads

Just found some fun new salads to add to my lunchtime boredom. 

And they are so easy!

Asparagus Salad, Curried Quinoa, and Fiesta Bowl Salad are just a few!

Check out the recipe's HERE

Pin It

More Cookie Bites? - Peanut Butter Sweets

I know - I'm a little obsessed with these! I love just a tiny little bite for a quick pick me up and 

sugar craving smasher!

For others, try: Cocoa Drops, Sweet Dots, Carrot Cake Bites (a Favorite!), Coconut Banana Bites

Well, I found another one I LOVE! 

It really feels like a boost of energy and I don't feel guilty eating them!

(they would also be a PERFECT after school snack!)

No Flour, No Sugar, No Bake! (raw)

1 Medium RIPE Banana

2 Cups Old Fashioned Oatmeal

1 C Almond Butter and/or All Natural Peanut Butter (I did half Sunbutter and 1/2 Almond Butter)

1/4 Honey (raw if possible)

1 tsp Vanilla

1 tsp Ground Cinnamon

1/4 C Raisins (optional) you could do mini choco chips too!

Put everything into a food processor and blend until smooth. Stir in raisins. Roll into balls (with wet hands) and place on plate lined with wax paper. Put in freezer to set. 

ENJOY!

Pin It

Graham Crackers!

To be honest, this is a little over the top for me - in terms of a lot of work. But it was way worth it! I might double the batch next time and keep them in the freezer for a future snack. 

I love giving my kids something where I know the ingredients are pure and nothing processed. 

-And I lowered the sugar quite a bit, but they're still tasty enough for the Hubs :)

I've been on a quest for awhile to make some homemade grahams. 

Ever since we were planning to enjoy these:

Going to buy Graham Crackers I found this ingredient list on the all:

Ingredients: UNBLEACHED ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE {VITAMIN B1}, RIBOFLAVIN {VITAMIN B2}, FOLIC ACID), GRAHAM FLOUR (WHOLE GRAIN WHEAT FLOUR), SUGAR, SOYBEAN OIL AND/OR PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED COTTONSEED OIL, HONEY, LEAVENING (BAKING SODA AND/OR CALCIUM PHOSPHATE), SALT, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, SOY LECITHIN, CORNSTARCH. CONTAINS: WHEAT, SOY.

(taken from Nabisco's website!)

First of all why so many crazy ingredients? I hate that! And second of all, do you see it?? Right there in the middle:

SOYBEAN OIL AND/OR PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED COTTONSEED OIL, HONEY, LEAVENING (BAKING SODA AND/OR CALCIUM PHOSPHATE)

That's what you want to avoid ladies and Gents - That's the same for Trans Fat - the website even says that they are following FDA's rules for trans fats letting less than .5 g to actually say 0 on the nutrition label! 

Just read the ingredient list and DON'T EAT IT! PLEASE!

-I know you think I've gone pretty crazy, and that could be true, but why put something into our bodies, or our kids for that matter, that just doesn't belong?

So along came the quest for my own Grahams, and I FINALLY got to it! 

They are delish and good for you (well a lot better I should say!)

Recipe Adapted from SmittenKitchen

Ingredients:

1 C While Whole Wheat Flour

1 C All Purpose

1 C Gluten Free Blend (or just do 2 C Wheat Flour!)

1/2 C Dark Brown Sugar

1 tsp Baking Soda

3/4 tsp Kosher Salt

1/4 C Blackstrapp Molasses (or just regular molasses - but Blackstrap has AMAZING Health benefits!)

2 Tbl of Earth Balance or Smart Balance Buttery spread

5 Tbl of Canned Pumpkin

1/3 C Honey

5 Tbl of Almond Milk (or any milk)

2 Tbl Vanilla 

Directions:

 - Combine Flours, Baking Soda, Salt, and Brown Sugar. You need to use a hand mixer with a wider whisk. Or a large food processor. This helps combine the ingredients well. Slowly add the butter and pumpkin and pulse the blender and then blend on slow until combined. Add Molasses.

 In a small bowl whisk milk, vanilla, and honey. 

Slowly pulse into dough and mix until WELL combined.

Divide dough, wrap in plastic, and place in fridge for about 2 hours or freezer for 1/2 hour. Place dough on Flour lined cookie sheet or Silpat. Cover with plastic wrap and roll out with dough roller. 

(the dough is sticky - plastic wrap HELPS!) 

Use a pastry roll or pizza cutter to score lines in dough. I used the back of a bamboo stick to poke holes. Mix 1 tsp cinnamon and 1 1/2 Tbl of sugar and sprinkle over dough. 

(this is optional, I made one batch with and one batch without)

Cook at 350 for 15-18 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes and move to cooling rack. You may need a knife to cut or break edges evenly. Store in airtight container or freeze. 

Enjoy as a cracker, dip in Peanut Butter, or go make those SMORES!

What a perfect snack!!

ENJOY!

Pin It

Carrot Cake Bites

Full of Fiber, whole grains, and CARROTS!! Simple, a divine little treat! 

We all loved them! 

Recipe HERE

(make sure to really puree the carrots so the kiddos don't get too weirded out :))

Pin It

Cranberry Energy Bars

Hey all - you still there? 

Sorry - summer is full of too much busy action! :) Here's an awesome take with you treat for the park, pool, or airplane! YUM!

Low in Fat and High in Omega 3's and Fiber! 

You can find the recipe HERE
I only did 1/8 C of Coconut Oil and 1/8 Applesauce instead of 1/4 Oil

Pin It

Curried Red Lentil Soup

This recipe was shown to me while I was on a weekend getaway with some girlfriends. :) 

It's divine 

- and don't skimp on the fresh lemon juice or avo at the end!! (That's what makes it!)

From Mormanvegetarian.com

Ingredients:

2 C Red Lentils

8 C water or Broth

2 small onions

4 or 5 cloves garlic

2-3 Carrots - diced

2-3 stalks Celery - diced

1-2 small Zuchinni

2 tsp Paprika

2 tsp Cumin

2 tsp Turmeric

Sea Salt and Pepper to taste

Avocado

Fresh Lemon wedges

Directions:

1- Rinse the lentils. Arne't they gorgeous? Place water/broth in pot with lentils. Bring to boil, and then down to simmer. Cook until tender. About 20 minutes. Season with S&P

 2- Chop the onions and Garlic. Add a little Olive Oil to saute pan and saute onion and garlic about 5 minutes. Add the rest of the veggies. Cook until soft. Add the spices to the veggies.  

 3. Add the cooked veggies to the lentils. Serve in bowls squeezed with fresh Lemon Juice. Slice fresh Acovado on top and Plain Greek Yogurt!

You WILL NOT be disappointed!!

 ENJOY!

Pin It

Super Fast Monday!

Who doesn't love the classic comfort food of the Chicken Salad Sandwhich?? 

It always looks so good, but oh so dangerous!   :)

When I crave it,  I like to make a lighter version:

I don't really have exact measurements, here's a guess:

1 Can chicken - or diced cooked chicken (about 1 Cup)

1/2 C Chopped Celery

1/2 C Chopped Green Grapes

1/2 C Chopped Red Grapes

1/4 C Toasted Slivered almonds

1/4 C Raisins

1/4 C Low Fat Mayo

1/2 C Plain no fat Yogurt

1 - 1 1/2 tsp of curry powder (to taste)

S & P

Just mix and spread on toasted Whole Wheat bread. ENJOY!

Variation:
I eat mine differently. Instead of Chicken I throw in about 1/2 C cooked whole wheat pasta. Blend well, and then serve over a large bed of lettuce. Pin It

My FAVORITE Snack - Microwave Potato Chips

That's right, you read that right - Microwave!

I was ecsatic when I found this recipe! 

Its the perfect snack for those moments I want something evil, but don't want to open a whole bag of Oil and trans fat, if you know what I mean. :)

These are going to be the purest and least fat chip you can make and still ENJOY!

-OIL FREE-

Instructions:
1- Take one Russet Potato and slice VERY THIN - as thin as you can get. Try to keep them as even as possible, so you don't end up with some burn't ones.
2- Take the microwave plate out of your microwave. Cover with a piece of parchment paper.
3- Lay the sliced potato onto the sheet, evenly spaced. Sprinkle with desired seasonings. Salt, Garlic Powder, Chili Powder, you can try many different things!

4 - Cook 5 minutes. Let set in the microwave for 1 minute. Microwave again about 3-5 minutes. I watch until they begin to brown slightly. Right when you see that, turn it off! They will still cook slightly as you let them sit in the microwave one more minute. They should be crunchy!

ENJOY!

Pin It

Supper Super Fast

Say that three times fast. :)

This is PERFECT for the night you need dinner in less than 20 minutes.

Thats as long as this takes! I just altered THIS original recipe.

Picture (realsimple.com)

Green Veggie Fettuccine

12 oz. Whole Wheat Pasta (your choice)

1 Package of Frozen Lima Beans (about 1 1/2 c)

1 C Chopped Mushrooms

2 Cloves Garlic, minced

1 C Frozen Peas

2 Leeks:

(they look sort of like celery, taste like an onion) - just use the white and light green parts only.

Kosher salt and Black Pepper

3/4 C Low Fat Evaporated Milk

1 Tbl Whole Wheat Flour

2 Tbl chopped Fresh Tarragon (I used 1 tbl of dried)

1/4 C Parmesan

-Cook Pasta. Last 3 minutes of pasta cooking time, throw in Peas and Lima Beans.

- Add 2 tsp of Olive Oil to pan. Let it heat up a bit. Cute Leeks into half moons, and RINSE WELL! Add Leeks. Cook until softened slightly. (4-5 minutes). Add mushrooms and garlic. (You can add a little water if pan is too dry) Cook until leeks and mushrooms are pretty soft. (about 3 minutes more)

-Sprinkle with Flour and mix for about 20 seconds. Add Evaporated Milk and turn heat to med. Let it heat up and thicken. (the time depends) When the sauce has thickened to desired consistency add the strained pasta and veggies. (if the sauce seems to thick, and a little milk)

-Stir in Tarragon and Parmesan, S and P and serve! ENJOY!

• 
  

Pin It

I'm in the mood for cookies!

I have been majorly craving sugar lately, and it's driving me crazy! When this happens it makes it worse to deny myself totally! I like to create some healthier options, so I don't just binge on the worst things possible.

I was able to use my newly made Date Honey. I am in LOVE with it! I feel like its God's sweetener (I say without risk of sounding too 'tree huggerish' :))! I use it to sometimes replace fat or sugar in a recipe. Its also great on sliced apples!! YES! :)

So here is to - Peanut Butter Protein Bites

Ingredients:

2 C Whole Grain Cereal (I mix Total and Fiber One)

1/3 C of Whole Wheat Pastry Flour

1/2 tsp Baking Soday

1/2 tsp Salt

1/4 C Brown Sugar

1 T Unsweetened Applesauce (or Date Honey - my new love!)

2 T Canola Oil

3/4 C Smooth All Natural Peanut Butter

1/4 C Sweet Potato or Pumpkin Puree

1/4 C Carrot Puree (I was lazy and puree'd canned carrots - not the freshest option though!)

1 tsp Vanilla

1/4 C Mini Chocolate chips

-Oven to 350

-Mix wet ingredients well

-Mix dry ingredients well (these pics are pre-mixed)

-SLOWLY blend both together. Do NOT OVER MIX

- Slowly add in mini chocolate chips.

-Place on Cookie sheet, press down slightly with fork, and bake about 9-11 minutes. (I swear every time I cook these the cooking time changes. Its hard to tell and they often overcook. So when in doubt, just take them out :))

ENJOY - My KIDS devoured these!

Pin It

Blog Funk

Sorry for the recent Blog Funk! I enjoyed the christmas break too much, and just haven't had the recent energy to post so much! But I haven't stopped cooking and have found a new FAVORITE for the kids!! This is so easy, healthy, fast, and a yummy meal to feed them. My kids devour them which always leaves a smile on my face. :)

VEGGIE PANCAKES

Picture borrowed from food network

Ingredients:

2 Cups of Shredded Potato squeezed dry. (I use frozen hash-browns from the freezer section)

1 Cup of Shredded Zucchini

1/2 small onion, diced

1 large Egg, beaten

1/4 C, Whole Wheat Flour

1/2 tsp Salt

1/4 tsp Pepper

Vegetable Oil Spray

Directions:

1) In large bowl combine vegetables. Stir in beaten egg. Sprinkle with flour, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. If it still seems too wet, add a little more flour.

2) Heat large frying pan. Spray generously with oil. Take a large scoop of mixture form it into a ball and place on pan. Press down carefully with spatula. Cook awhile until one side is slightly browned. Then Flip and repeat. You can transfer to the oven to keep warm, or serve immediately.

Serve with Sour Cream, Plain Greek Yogurt, or Applesauce, but my kids like it with my homemade tomato sauce. YUM!!

-The Great thing about these, is you can do almost any combination. I have done, spinach, shredded carrots, shredded sweet potato, or shredded eggplant. ENJOY!!!

-I also make a huge batch, quick freeze on cookie sheets, and then freeze to grab whenever I need them. AWeSOME!!

Pin It