Bruleed Bananas and Dates in Chobani

Tweet this!

I used to focus so heavily on recipe posting that my recipe list would grow by 2 or 3 each week. Now? As I focus a bit more on real life, the recipes have been few and far between.

#Oops. I guess this blog is as versatile and changing as real life. #SorryImNotSorry

That said, sometimes I make something that is just so delicious, it pretty much comes out of the oven screaming "SHARE ME ON THE BLOG!" Like a mandrake root kind of scream (Harry Potter for the win). A girl has to oblige.

This recipe is an awesome breakfast, mid-day snack, or even dessert. Don't hesitate to swap out ingredients, like using a different greek yogurt (or regular yogurt, if you must). If you want it a bit sweeter, feel free to use vanilla instead of plain yogurt.

Bruleed Bananas and Dates in Chobani

Ingredients:

• 1 Banana
• 1 tbsp Sugar, for sprinkling
• 3 Dates
• 2 tbsp Organic Shredded Coconut, No sugar added
• 1 tbsp Sliced Almonds (Walnuts, Pistachios or Pralines would be delicious here, too)
• 1/2 cup Plain Greek Yogurt
• Parchment paper

Directions:

1. Slice banana into 1/2-1/4 inch pieces. Place on parchment paper lined cookie sheet and sprinkle sugar on top of banana pieces. Broil for a few minutes, until the sugar has browned. Set aside.
2. Chop dates.
3. Scoop yogurt into a bowl or cup. Add banana slices, then sprinkle with dates, shredded coconut, and almonds.
4. Enjoy the heck out of that bowl of delicious goodness.

Healthy Homemade Muesli Granola with Agave Toasted Almonds

Tweet this!

Granola sounds healthy. But sometimes, it's not. In fact, some store bought granola products can cost you around 600 calories per cup! Not to mention that small amounts of pre-made granola can be quite costly.

Instead, try making your own. Feel free to sprinkle it on yogurt, frozen yogurt, cereal, pudding, and ice cream!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Dried Muesli (If you can't find Muesli, feel free to buy dried oatmeal, and just add in 1 tablespoon of raisins, if desired).
• 2 tablespoons Sliced Almonds (If you can't find sliced almonds, feel free to substitute whole almonds or any other nut)
• 1 tablespoon Light Brown Sugar
• 1 tablespoon Agave Nectar (I used honey-flavored Agave Nectar)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350.
2. Combine dried Muesli (or oats), Sliced Almonds, and Light Brown Sugar in a bowl. Toss/mix until well mixed.
3. Drizzle Agave Nectar on top. Use clean fingers to massage the Nectar into the mix, until the mixture begins to clump together. It should be a crumbly mixture.
4. Cover a cookie sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper, then spray with Canola Oil (or any oil spray). 
5. Drop the crumbly mixture onto the foil/parchment paper and spread out so that it forms one layer.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the granola begins to harden.
7. Let the granola cool and dry for at least 30 minutes. Then, use with your recipes!

Great Recipes To Use It In:

• Brown Walnut Tapioca Pudding
• Protein Chia Seed Pudding
• Chocolate Cheesecake Yogurt
• Chocolate FroYo (Frozen Yogurt)
• Frozen Banana Ice Cream

Nuts and Seeds Part Eight: Almonds

Tweet this!
To catch up on what the big deal is and read tips for nut use, take a look at this post. If you missed it, here's the brief version: Protein, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Fibers, and Lignans. All good things and ALL found in nuts and seeds!


The Nuts And Seeds Gang:
Over the next few weeks, stop by for eight posts about nuts and seeds, how to incorporate them into your diet, which ones are best, and recipes for use...

1. Flax Seeds
2. Chia Seeds
3. Pumpkin Seeds
4. Sesame Seeds
5. Sunflower Seeds
6. Walnuts
7. Pistachios
8. Almonds

Almonds

• WHAT'S GOOD:
  Tons of Protein, Vitamin B, and other vitamins and minerals. Very concentrated source of protein
• THE SUMMARY:
  While, like most nuts, Almonds have a high calorie and high fat count, when eaten in moderation they can provide a very concentrated source of protein, lower bad cholesterol, boost energy, reduce risk of heart disease, and prevent gallstones.
  
• CAUTION:
  Almonds, like most nuts, are fairly high in calories and fat. 1/4 of a cup is sufficient for a snack or sprinkling over other foods. Be careful not to sit down with a huge bag of these and eat too many. It's easy to do!
  
• HOW TO EAT IT:
  Eating almonds whole (with their skins on) provides the most nutrients. Almonds can be added to SWEET and SAVORY dishes alike, as it is used in everything from liqueur and cakes to salty finger food.
• Sprinkle over yogurt
• Add to oatmeal
• Add to trail mix or granola bars
• Add Almonds to These Recipes: Trail Mix / Healthy Breakfast "Coffee" Cake / Strawberry Almond Chocolate Trifle

CREDITS:
 Image Almonds

Nuts and Seeds Part One: Flax Seeds

Tweet this!

A few weeks ago, my lovely friend Jordan over at Exclusively Chic asked me a few questions about nuts and seeds. With all the craze going around, it seems that a lot of us are wondering... Why are nuts and seeds so good for you? What's the big deal??

The Big Deal:

• Protein, get'cher protein!! Nuts and seeds are FULL of it!
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids (huh?!) fight inflammation (which helps you recover from grueling workouts). Additionally, fighting inflammation helps combat against a whole host of diseases, including heart disease and cancer.
• FIBERRRR (like "Willlburrrrr" from Charlotte's Webb) Let's talk about fiber, okay, class? Yes, let us discuss (or, as I like to say, "lettuce"). There are two types of fiber: Soluble and Insoluble. The soluble fibers dissolve in water (pretty easy to remember if you can remember back to your high school science classes). Soluble fibers are great for lowering cholesterol and thereby lowering your risk of heart disease. Yay! You've probably seen the Cheerio boxes (and other cereals high in soluble fibers) boasting of "Heart Healthy" ingredients. That's the soluble fiber they're talking about!
  High-fiber foods aid in digestion. It gets you moving. Darn it, it makes you poop. Yes. I did just say poop on my blog. Get over it. It's also effective for lowering cholesterol and regulating blood sugar.
• Lignans (fun to say - try it!) are "crazy good" for you, especially if you're a female. Lignans are known to regulate hormones in women, promote fertility, protect against breast cancer, and lower risk for Type 2 Diabetes.

Tips for Nut Use:

• Soak them! By soaking your nuts overnight, you will slowly break down the outer layer of the seeds, which are difficult for your body to digest! To add flavor, soak them in water overnight with a dash of Cumin or Cinnamon!
• RAW IS BETTER. It's okay to cook these but don't over-cook!

The Nuts And Seeds Gang:

Over the next few weeks, stop by for eight posts about nuts and seeds, how to incorporate them into your diet, which ones are best, and recipes for use...

1. Flax Seeds
2. Chia Seeds
3. Pumpkin Seeds
4. Sesame Seeds
5. Sunflower Seeds
6. Walnuts
7. Pistachios
8. Almonds

Part One: Flax Seeds... The "Low Carb Whole Grain"

• WHAT'S GOOD:
  High Fiber, High antioxidants, High Omega-3 Fatty Acids, High in B Vitamins, Low Carb 
• THE SUMMARY:
  Flax seeds pack the punch of fiber, antioxidants, and Omega 3 while also being extremely low carb, which is great for those of us who are limiting our starches and sugars. Flax seeds help you feel full throughout the day by providing your body with healthy fibers and fats, which aids in combating hunger and helping with weight loss.  
• CAUTION:
  If you're just starting out eating Flax Seeds, try to increase your intake slowly, otherwise you may end up to... er... loose.
• CALORIES IN 1/4 CUP: 160
• HOW TO EAT IT:
  Flax Seeds are best used in recipes when ground into Flax Meal (I buy a version by Bob's Red Mill that is available pre-ground in Jewel). Consider buying pre-ground flax meal or grinding them yourself, which takes just seconds in a coffee grinder.
• Add to yogurt (greek yogurt!)
• Add to baked goods (add a tablespoon or two to muffin or cake batter and you won't notice the difference)
• Add to protein shakes (will thicken the shake a bit)
• Add to pizza bread (or use to make pizza crust)
• Try These Recipes Including Flax Seeds: Whole Wheat Flax Seed Waffles / 91 Calorie Blueberry Protein Muffins / Protein Stay-Full Meal Cookies / 
• Add Flax Seeds to These Recipes: Trail Mix / Healthy Breakfast "Coffee" Cake

CREDITS:
Flax Seed Health Benefits / Vegan Health Guide /  Image Flax Seeds