Breakfast Cereal Pudding

This is a nice change up from my everyday oatmeal.

Make this recipe your own! I have written this recipe pretty broad and given ideas so you can incorporate your own favorite flavors.

Breakfast Cereal Pudding

Ingredients:
1 Cup Whole Grain Cereal-Use your favorite HEALTHY Version
                          Examples: Bran Flakes, Shredded Wheat, Kashi
3/4 Cup Milk
1 tsp Vanilla Extract

1/2 Cup Favorite Fruit- Frozen or Fresh

Mix and Match Optional Add Ins:

             1 packet Stevia/Honey/Maple Syrup/Agave

             1 scoop Protein Powder- ADD 1/4 cup extra milk if including powder
             1 tsp Flaxseeds, Sunflower Seeds, or Pumpkin Seeds
             1 Tbls Nut Butter
             1 Tbls Apple Sauce/Pumpkin Puree/Avocado
             1 tsp Cocoa Powder/Cinnamon/Pumpkin Spice
             1/2 Tsp Bee Pollen

Directions:

Add all the ingredients to a drink mixer and blend well.

Pour mixture to a bowl and place in the fridge for at least 10 minutes. The mixture will begin to thicken. The longer you leave in the fridge the thicker it will get.

 

Pictured Recipe

1 cup 365 Organic Bran Flakes
1 Cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/2 Frozen Mixed Berries
1 Scoop Protein Powder
1/2 tsp Bee Pollen
Topped with 1 Tbls Mixed Berry Compote
http://yummylovescompany.blogspot.com/2012/02/yogurt-cheese-with-berry-compote.html


Enjoy making your own creation!

Jalapeno Popper Panini

I love jalapeno poppers. But let's face it...there is nothing healthy about a cheesy, deep fried, stuffed jalapeno. We know that maintaining a healthy body, we have to make wise food choices, which comes with some sacrifices. And yes, this is one of them!

BUT HAVE NO FEAR...here is a sandwich that can still provide you with the same flavors of a stuffed popper while keeping you on the health train. Though this is a sandwich recipe, I have also seen some pretty amazing baked jalapeno popper recipes. So there is hope for us popper lovers, we just need to do a little research and make healthy cooking alternatives.



Jalapeno Popper Panini

Ingredients:

2 Slices of Whole Grain Bread
1 Tbls Natural Ingredient Neufchatel Cheese; Cream Cheese(ex: Organic Valley)Whipped Cream Cheese; 
      or Toffuti Cream Cheese for a Vegan Option
6 Slices of Canned Jalapenos
1 Slice of Mozzarella Cheese-Optional for Cheese Lovers
1 Tbls Butter-Optional

Vegan Option:
           Try: Toffuti Cream Cheese; Earth Balance Butter; Soy Cheese Slices

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Directions:

Dice 3 of Jalapeno's and stir into cream cheese. Continue to stir the cream cheese until it becomes smooth.
-Butter one side of the bread slices or spray the pan with cooking spray
Assemble:
      Cream Cheese Mixture
      Jalapenos
      Sliced Cheese

-Lay in a Panini Press/Grill and brown on medium heat

Then enjoy a warm and creamy and potentially messy sandwich. Mmmm Yummy!

~K

Radicchio with potatoes and tofu

Hope you had a great Valentine's Day!... If you have never had radicchio it has a bitter and spicy taste. The taste mellows out when you cook it.
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Radicchio with Potatoes and Tofu Recipe

1Tablespoon Olive Oil
1/2 White onion, chopped
4 Red potatoes, dice into small pieces 
1 head Radicchio, chopped
2 Tablespoon Nutritional yeast 
1 cup smashed Tofu
Dash of salt and pepper. (add more salt to your preference)

Heat olive oil in medium skillet. Add chopped onions and wait until onions are translucent. Next add potatoes. Cook potatoes for 7-10 minutes. Add radicchio, nutritional, tofu and salt and pepper. Serve once the radicchio is wilted.


~Enjoy D

Gimmie Some LOVE ...Breakfast Oatmeal Pudding

Kids and puppies bring out the love in me. I just can't stop kissing either one of them because they are just so cute. And both kids and puppies abilities to share their love is amazing. They are truely loving creatures. My child is always expressing to me how much he loves me and smothering me with hugs and kisses. My only wish is that it will last forever because receiving his love is so wonderful. A mother can only hope that at 16 he still wants to smother her with hugs and kisses..ha ha ha ha!!!

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Breakfast Pudding

This will need to set in the fridge for about an hour or best made the night before.

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Old Fashioned Oats-Dry

1/2 Cup Milk Preference -Cow, Soy, Almond, Rice, Hemp....so many options!

1 TBLS Cocoa Powder

1 Packet Stevia

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

1/2 Strawberries--Fresh or Frozen

1 TBLS Ground Flaxseeds or Chia Seeds--Optional

Directions:

Prepare Oats:

In a sauce pan boil one cup of water.

Add oats and reduce heat to low.

Cook 5-10 minutes

After oats have been cooked add all ingredients to a drink mixer or blender.

Transfer to a container and place in the fridge for at least one hour.

The mixture will begin to thicken once cooled.

Filled with LOVE-Cheese Cake Filled Strawberries

Cheese Cake Filled Strawberries

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup All Natural Light Cream Cheese
1 Package Strawberries- Tops cut off and pitted
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 tsp Lemon Juice
1 packet of Stevia
Dash of Cinnamon-Optional
Optional Toppings:
         Graham Cracker Crumbs
         Drizzled Dark Chocolate


Directions:

In a mixing bowl whisk Cream Cheese, Vanilla, Lemon Juice, and Cinnamon

Spoon mixture into pitted strawberries

An optional garnishment:
          Top the strawberries with graham cracker crumbs and drizzle with melted dark chocolate chips

Yogurt Cheese with Berry Compote

This isn't a quick recipe, but I do feel that it is very easy recipe to make. When I made this there was a little sense of gratification knowing that I just made homemade cheese.

I love the berry compote that tops this cheese because it is only fruit.....No Sugar!

The list of possibilities is unlimited for using this compote. Other than topping on the yogurt cheese, this compote can also be used on top of pancakes, waffles, toast, rice cakes, or oatmeal. Get creative and start topping.

Berry Yogurt Cheese Cake

CHEESE

Ingredients:

10-16 oz Plain Greek Cheese
Vanilla Extract
Lemon Juice
1 Tbls Honey
4 Drops of Stevia or 2 packets

Stir all the ingredients together in a bowl.
Follow the instructions from the provide link on how to make the Yogurt Cheese

http://yummylovescompany.blogspot.com/2011/12/yogurt-cheese.html



COMPOTE

Ingredients:

10 oz Frozen Mixed Berries
2-3 Tbls Water
1 Tbls Vanilla Extract
1 Tbls Corn Starch or Tapioca Starch

In a small covered sauce pan heat the mixed berries and water on low heat for about 10 minutes. The berries will begin to cook down.
When the berries have started to cook down become slighlty soupy you will slowly sprinkle and stir in the Corn Starch or Tapioca Starch. Continuously stir till it starts to thicken. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Place the Compote in a container and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
In the mean time spread your yogurt cheese to a dish.
After the Compote is chilled, spread over the cheese.

Enjoy with Graham Crackers or Fruit

Happy Spreading!
~K

Nut'n but LOVE Baby...Grilled Strawberry and Nutella

We've got nothing but love for you in this sandwich. It's warm, it's chocolate-ly, and it has strawberries. It has my attention!

Nut'n But LOVE Sandwich

Ingredients:

2 Slices of Whole Grain Bread

1 Tbls of Nutella or Chocolate Peanut Butter

3 Fresh Strawberries sliced in thin slices

1/2 tsp of butter

*To make this a vegan option use Chocolate Peanut Butter and Vegan Butter

Directions:

Butter one slice of bread and spread Nutella on the other side

Lay one slice of bread butter side down on a medium heat skillet and lay strawberries out.

Lay the second slice of bread Nutella side down and grill to your liking.

Enjoy! ~ K      

LOVELY Parfait

This is part of our LOVE recipes week.

This Parfait is so pretty, it makes dipping your spoon in it even more enjoyable!

Raspberry Parfait

Ingredients:

1 Cup Bran Cereal--Divided in half
*6 oz Vanilla Greek Yogurt--Divided in half
1 tsp Cocoa Powder
1/2 Raspberries-can use thawed frozen raspberries---Divided in half

*I prefer to use plain greek yogurt and make my own vanilla flavored yogurt
        1 packet of Stevia
        1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Stir ingredients in plain yogurt and Voila --Sugar Free Vanilla Greek Yogurt!


Directions:

Separate the Vanilla Yogurt in 2 small bowls. Mix one of the yogurt bowls with cocoa powder and stir well.

In a glass or bowl layer:
       1/2 cup Bran Cereal
       Chocolate Yogurt
       1/4 cup Raspberries
       1/2 cup Bran Cereal
       Vanilla Yogurt
       1/4 Cup Raspberries

Now enjoy yourself a high in fiber and high in protein breakfast!!
      

Strawberries N' Cream Oatmeal

Mmmmm.... Yummy! Strawberry Oatmeal!!!

Valentine's Day and sharing love always involves strawberries for some reason. I don't know if it is because they resemble hearts or because they are just so tasty dipped in chocolate and....umm...maybe I should google that!

So to share another LOVE filled recipe, I present strawberries and cream oatmeal which is just so darn good.


Strawberries N' Cream Oatmeal

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Old Fashioned Oats
1 Cup Water
1/4 Strawberries-- Can use frozen
1/4 Cup Vanilla Greek Yogurt

Directions:

In a small saucepan bring water to a boil. Reduce heat to low and add in oats and strawberries.
Cook for about 5-10 minutes till oats become soft.
Transfer oats to a bowl and top with Yogurt.

Enjoy a loving breakfast!

LOVE Potion Smoothie

              Love Potion #9
















Yogi's are always trying to express love and be open to love in there lives. So Valentine's Day is the perfect Yogi day. And since I am a Yogini I am finding it fun to express love in my food.

A great way to start off your day is by having a nutrition packed smoothie. And this smoothie packs nothing but LOVE!


Love Potion Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 Cup Milk -your preference-- Unsweetened Almond/Unsweetened Soy/or Skim Milk
1-2 Scoops Unsweetened Protein Powder- Try to stick with Unsweetened...you don't need all that sugar in the morning--Try to get your sugar from natural resources
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 tsp Cocoa Powder
1-2 Pitted Dates or 1 Tbls of Raisins
1/4 Cup Frozen Mixed Berries

If you find you want more creaminess to your smoothie add 1/2 of a banana or 1/4 of an avocado
Don't be scared by the avocado. The taste will not overtake your smoothie. But it will provide a nice creaminess and powerful nutrients to your breakfast.

The dates/raisins and berries provide the sweetness to the smoothie, but if you find you need more sweetness, try adding 1 packet or 1-2 drops of Stevia

Blend all ingredients in a blender and then begin to receive the love baby!!

LOVABLE Chocolate Chip Cookies

It's that time of year for decadent dessert recipes to start popping up all over blogs. And you bet we are one of them. I LOVE chocolate, so I am stoked to start whipping up some red and white recipes dipped with chocolate!!
And nothing says LOVE like chocolate chip cookies, especially ones that you don't have to feel guilty about enjoying.

My cookies are flour-less and the only added sugar is from the monster chocolate chips I used.

Chocolate Chip Cookies
About 16 Servings

Ingredients:

1 Cup Rolled Oats
1/4 tsp Baking Soda
1/8 tsp Salt
1 Large Banana- Mashed
1 Tbls Unsweetened Apple Sauce
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/4 Cup Chocolate Chips---Or 1/2 Cup if you want really chocolatey cookies


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees

In a food processor grind the oats to a fine meal.
Add in Baking Soda and Salt and give a quick pulse.

In a separate bowl mash the banana until all the clumps are out.
Stir in apple sauce and vanilla extract
Combine the dry and wet ingredients. You will need to stir well to coat all the dry ingredients.
Lastly, add your chocolate chips.

Using a Measuring Tablespoon begin to spoon ball shapes onto a baking sheet.
You should get about 16 cookies.

Bake the cookies for 12 minutes and then allow the cookies to completely cool.
They will firm up as they start to cool off.

                                     

                                            We made these cookies at our Yummy Party and they were the first to go.

Peanut Butter Protein Squares

I made these protein squares for my husband for some extra fuel while he is working long 12 hr days at work. He eats candy bars all day long, so I put some of these in his lunch as a much better snacking option. He rather enjoys them and they satisfy his sweet tooth plus they get him through the day without a sugar crash.

This is based off of a recipe from chocolatecoveredkatie.com. I changed it up a bit, but I liked her concept of using a banana as sweetness for her fudge.


Ingredients:

3 Tbls Chunky Peanut Butter
1/2 Medium Banana
1 Tbls Vanilla
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 Scoop Protein Powder
1.5 Tbls Almond Milk
Optional: 1 Tbls Cocoa/Cacao  if you are a chocolate lover

Husband recommendation add ins: Chocolate Chips and Coconut

Mix all the ingredients in a food processor. I let it blend for a minute to get really creamy.

Spread into a tupperware container and freeze for 1-2 hours

Cut into squares and enjoy a healthy snack.

Keep in the fridge.
~K

Kale with Currants, Mushrooms, and Lemon

Hope all of you are enjoying this great weather. Yesterday Chicago had record breaking weather. Chicago has been treating me very well since I moved here. I have to be very thankful for that. 

Hope you enjoy another kale recipe. If your stumped on a side dish this is a great recipe. 

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Kale with Currants, Mushrooms, and Lemon

1 Tablespoon Vegan butter
2 cups Portabello Mushroom, chopped
1 yellow Onion, chopped
2 cups Kale, chopped
1/4 cup currants
1 lemon
Dash salt and pepper

Heat butter in skillet on medium-high heat. Saute mushrooms and onions for 5-7 minutes. Add kale and wait 5 minutes to fully wilt. Add currants, lemon juice and zest, and salt and pepper.


~ Enjoy D