Grocery List for Smoothies

Hey there, SH checking in with my smoothie grocery list. I didn't find a lot of smoothie recipes that I wanted to make to the T. So I used the recipes that I found most intriguing and took ingredients from all of those.

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Basic Stock Up > Flax Seed and Cinnamon are super good for you, so I'm going to add them to every smoothie I make
Peanut Butter
Raw Cacoa Powder
Flax Seed or Flax Oil
Cinnamon
Liquid Basics: Soy Milk, Almond Milk, Coconut Water, Orange Juice

Recipes > I used these recipes are inspiration starters for my own smoothie recipes
http://offbeatandinspired.com/2012/09/29/healthy-cocoa-banana-almond-smoothie/
http://www.allparenting.com/my-table/articles/946149/5-fabulous-kid-friendly-smoothie-recipes
http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-superpower-morning-smoothie-recipes-from-the-kitchn-183353
http://www.heatherchristo.com/cooks/2013/02/13/berrylicious-rainbow-smoothie/

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Fruits > Trying out my favs first
Bananas
Strawberries
Blueberries

I will let you know my favorite smoothie mixes I come up with! Have you tried making your own smoothie recipes? Do you add in usuals like flax or cinnamon? What is your favorite liquid base  for smoothies? I'm going to try to keep mine dairy free with soy/almond milks and coconut water and OJ. Any tips for creating my own smoothie recipe?

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Breakfast for Dinner

Hey, SH here with breakfast for dinner! After a super long day at work, sometimes I just don't have it in me to cook a huge dinner. My alternative option is usually just to order food ~ a New Yorker favorite. Except that ordering food is expensive and you don't have control over how it is cooked.

One of my favorite solutions is breakfast for dinner. Breakfast foods are my favorite, and they are easy to cook. Throw in a few eggs and you have a decent meal. May not be the healthiest. meal. ever. ... but it beats ordering food or grabbing fast food. Gotta have some balance here.

My favorite: Egg In A Hat!

I just popped by the Incredible Egg website and found some egg facts to further convince you that breakfast for dinner is the way to go:

1. The amount of cholesterol in a single large egg has decreased by 14 percent according to the new United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrition data*. Consuming an egg a day fits easily within dietary guidance, which recommends limiting cholesterol consumption to 300 mg per day.

2. Eggs now contain 41 IU of vitamin D, which is an increase of 64 percent from 2002. Eggs are one of the few foods that are a naturally good source of vitamin D, meaning that one egg provides at least 10 percent of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA). Vitamin D plays an important role in calcium absorption, helping to form and maintain strong bones.

3. The amount of protein in one large egg — 6 grams of protein or 12 percent of the Recommended Daily Value — remains the same, and the protein in eggs is one of the highest quality proteins found in any food. Eggs are all-natural, and one egg has lots of vitamins and minerals all for 70 calories. The nutrients in eggs can play a role in weight management, muscle strength, healthy pregnancy, brain function, eye health and more. At less than 15 cents apiece, eggs are an affordable and delicious breakfast option.

Now for my favorite egg recipe - this comes from my Grandmother (MamMam) who cooked this for me all the time! She passed it on to my mom and now it's a favorite of mine to cook. I have the happiest memories of MamMam and loved spending time with her cooking.

Recipe: MamMam's Egg In A Hat

1. Butter up bread of your choice - on both sides

2. Use a cup to cut out a circle in the middle of the bread - this extra piece will be your toast

Perfect toast circle :)

3. Get the bread and your toast pieces warmed up, then drop an egg in the middle of your bread hat
4. Cook egg on both sides (I like to keep my eggs runny to have stuff to dip in!) ~ Don't forget to rotate your circle toast

This meal makes for a happy New Yorker :)

Egg In A Hat

Do you crave breakfast for dinner after a long day like me? Or do you hate breakfast? What is your fav type of food to eat after a long day? Did you realize that eggs can add in that extra daily protein you have been missing? Do you have a favorite recipe from your Grandparents that just screams comfort food and happiness to you? Check in with us on Facebook and let us know what you think :)

[all photos my own - SH]

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Oatmeal On The Run

Most mornings in the Bauer household consist of oatmeal for breakfast, but to be honest, it get's annoying to have to use up a pot every morning to cook it (no microwaved oatmeal for us...YUCK!), especially the steel cut oats that can take up to 30 minutes. My husband is all about a quick breakfast since he already gets up at 4:45. The faster his morning routine, the later he can sleep.

I looked around for some type of oatmeal muffin/baked oatmeal that I could make at the beginning of the week and the best recipe I've found, by far, is Healthful Pursuit's Baked Oatmeal To Go.  Check out the blog. It's full of tasty, healthy recipes, most of which can be made vegan!

After looking through her recipe, I decided to tweek it based on what I had in the house and what flavors me and my husband really like. This is what I came up with.

Ingredients:

WET:

1 flax egg (1 Tbsp milled flax seed mixed with 2 Tbsp warm water. Let sit for a few minutes until it gets the consistency of an egg white)

1 cup unsweetened applesauce

3/4 mashed banana

1 1/4 cup almond milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 Tbsp maple syrup or 3 Tbsp agave nectar(optional)

DRY:

2.5 cups rolled oats

2 Tbsp milled flaxseed

3 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup brown sugar (or use 3 Tbsp molasses in wet ingredients)

Toppings:

Thinly sliced apple

Raisins

Maple Syrup

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line muffin pan with muffin liners. Spray a little with non-stick spray.

2. Mix wet ingredients in food processor or blender (I would say mix with a whisk but it really doesn't break up the banana enough.)

3. Mix dry ingredients in bowl.

4. Pour wet ingredients into dry & MIX MIX MIX.

My whisk broke. =(

5. Pour mixture into muffin cups and top with raisins and apple.

6.  Bake for 26-30 minutes. I needed closer to 32 just because I use stoneware. If you're using a regular pan you'll probably need closer to 27. Check by using a toothpick and making sure it comes out clean.

Raisins and Apple slices on top!

Mmmm, the perfect breakfast!

Store these in an air tight container in the refrigerator. Eat by pulling off muffin liner, putting on a small plate, and heating in microwave for 30-40 seconds. Then pour a little maple syrup on the top and eat with a fork. You could definitely eat these cold if you wanted but I love the taste of warm oatmeal in the morning.

30 seconds for breakfast!? Can't beat it! And like I mentioned earlier, check out Healthful Pursuit for all of her recipes!  Couldn't have made this without that incredible blog! She gives you ideas on her recipe page of other toppings you could use for these baked oatmeal cups.  

That's the fun in cooking..find some recipes and make it your own!

-Lacey