High protein smoothie

1 cup kefir (or Greek yogurt)
1/4 cup full-fat cottage cheese
2 Tbsp chia seeds or ground flax seeds
1 cup loosely packed greens (spinach, kale, swiss chard,  collards or mix all)
½ medium banana
½ medium apple
½ medium orange
¼ cup coconut water or whey (optional) Add the ingredients in the order listed to a blender and blend on high for one minute.  Repeat if necessary.

Ricotta "stuffed" french toast

Use extra ricotta cheese to make "stuffed" french toast.
Dip your bread slices in a mixture of
4-5 eggs beaten
3/4 c. Milk
2 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp - 1 tbsp cinnamon (if you like it use more)
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla

Add butter to the pan.
Dip bread in egg mixture until well coated.
Cook on one side for 2-3 minutes then flip
Repeat with remaining bread adding additional butter each time.

Then use about 1/4 cup ricotta cheese and spread over one slice then top with other piece of bread.  Serve warmed and topped with berries and/or banana. Add additional maple syrup if desired.
Yummy

Green Smoothie

Green Smoothie

1 cup Spinach (or Kale)
1 Pear
1 Banana
1.5 cups coconut water

Optional:
1/2 - 1 cup Fresh/Frozen fruit like strwaberries, blueberries, pineapple, mango, papaya
2 TBS peanut butter

Pumpkin Gingerbread Smoothie

Pumpkin Gingerbread Smoothie

From "Oh She Glows"
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients:

• 1 cup almond milk, plus a bit more if necessary
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1/2 cup pureed pumpkin
• 1 tbsp blackstrap molasses
• 1 small frozen banana
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ginger
• pinch nutmeg
• Ice, if desired

1. Soak the oats, almond milk, and chia seeds for at least an hour or overnight. This helps them digest better and it also gives the smoothie a smoother texture.
2. Place all ingredients into blender and blend until smooth. Add ice if desired.

Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding

Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding

From "Oh She Glows"
Inspired by the bloggers mentioned above.
Yield: 2 servings or 1 & 3/4 cups
Ingredients:

• 3/4-1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 cup canned pumpkin, chilled if possible
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 2 tbsp GOOD tasting vanilla protein powder, optional
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon, or more to taste
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• pinch of nutmeg
• 1-2 tbsp maple syrup, to taste

1. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together all ingredients until combined and no clumpy bits remain.
2. Place bowl in the fridge for 1-2 hours or overnight, to thicken and chill.
3. Serve with raisins, walnuts, or crushed ginger cookies if desired.

Carrot Cake Oatmeal

• 1/2 cup regular oats
• 1 cup almond milk (or soy, rice, etc)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (I used 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste + 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract and it was great!)
• 1 large carrot, finely grated (1 heaping cup)
• 2 tbsp coconut milk cream (use the cream off the top of the full-fat can only)
• 1/2-1 tsp ground cinnamon, to taste
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/8th tsp ground nutmeg
• Pinch of kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 2 tbsp crushed walnuts, divided
• 1 tbsp coconut milk cream + 1/2 tsp pure maple syrup (to drizzle on top)
• Shredded coconut, for garnish
• Cinnamon, for garnish
• Raisins, for garnish

1) Finely grate the large carrot to yield 1 heaping cup of grated carrots. Note that you want to use the fine grate, not the large one so the carrot shreds are very small.

2)In a medium sized pot over medium heat, add your almond milk, lemon juice, and coconut milk cream. Stir well. Add in your spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger) and salt. Stir again until mixed.

3)Stir in your grated carrots and oats. Adjust heat if necessary or bring heat to low if it starts to boil. Cook for about 8 minutes, stirring frequently. 

4) When the mixture has thickened up, stir in the vanilla extract, 1 tbsp crushed walnuts, and 2 tbsp of maple syrup. Remove from heat and pour into a bowl.

5) Top with 1 tbsp of crushed walnuts and 1 tsp of shredded coconut. Prepare your coconut milk cream + maple syrup mixture and drizzle it over top. Sprinkle with cinnamon for garnish.

Recipe from "Oh She Glows" 

Apple Peach Bake

Apple Peach Bake
This dish is delicious warm or cool.

4 Peaches, sliced (remove pit)
2 Apples chopped
3 Tbsp. Raisins – Figs are a great substitution
1 Tbsp. Cinnamon (or more to taste)

1) Spray baking dish with canola oil
2) Mix all ingredients in a bowl then place into oven safe baking dish and cover

3) Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until apples are soft
40 Cool and enjoy!

Great Green Fruit Blend

Great Green Fruit Blend
2 cups Beet Greens, Red Swiss Chard, Kale, Spinach or a combination, roughly chopped and packed into the measuring cup
1 Banana
1 Golden Delicious Apple
1/2 Comice Pear
10 Strawberries, green tops cut off
1 cup Coconut Water

Make sure to set the blender on the liquefy setting for this recipe.

Tasty Tart Treat

Tasty Tart Treat
1/2 Grapefruit
1 cup Pineapple
1 Orange cut into wedges
1 Kiwi
1/2 Mango, sliced
Fresh Mint


Mix together in a bowl. Enjoy!

Delicious Fruit Smoothie (Blackberry Kiwi Blend)

1/4 large pineapple, core removed and cubed
1 cup blackberries
1 kiwi (you can keep the skin on)
1 banana
1/2 pear
1/2 cup coconut water
Mint leaves (its up to you on how much minty flavor you want but you can add up to 30 mint leaves. I usually do apx 10 leaves)

Add all ingredients to a blender (or 1/2 in magic bullet) and liquify.

Maple and Cinnamon baked Apples (or Pears)

2 large hard pears or apples (fuji, rome, pippin, granny smith, jonathan)
2 tsp pure maple syrup or agave
3 tsp water
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tbs raisins (black or golden)

1. Preheat oven to 375'
2. Slice off tops of apples or pears and set aside.
3. Core apples, making sure not to poke a hole in the bottom of the apple. Use a knife or corer or spoon.
4. In a small bowl mix together maple syrup, water, and cinnamon.
5. Place the apples into a baking dish and divide the raisins (apx 2 tsp) into each apple or pear.
6. Then fill with the liquid mixture. Dont worry if it overflows or does not reach the top. Replace the tops.
7.  Cover with foil and cut 3 slits in the foil to allow steam to escape
8. Bake for 35-45 minutes
9. Add extra maple syrup if desired

Cherry Cinnamon Apple Bake

1 cup cherries, cut (discard pit)
2 apples, cored and chopped
3 tbs raisins (black or golden)
1 tbs cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

1. Spray baking dish with oil. Add fruit mix and cover. Bake at 375' for 45 minutes or until apples are soft.
2. Wait for it to cool and enjoy.

Hot Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

Hot Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

• 1/3 cup regular oats
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/3-1/2 cup pumpkin
• 1/2 tbsp chia seeds
• Pinch of sea salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ginger
• 1/8th tsp nutmeg

Toppings:

• Chopped pecans (approx 1 tbsp)
• 1 tbsp almond milk
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp Earth Balance
• Pinch of cinnamon

Directions: In a medium sized pot, heat the oats and almond milk over medium heat until it comes to a low boil. Stir in the pumpkin and chia seeds. Heat over low-medium for about 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently. Now add in the spices and vanilla and heat for another 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour into a bowl and add toppings. Serves 1.

Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats

I started with Regular Overnight Oats and then got this recipe to add pumpkin pie. Oh so delicious and perfect for the fall!  I am in love!

1/2 or 1/3 cup oats
1.5 TBS chia seeds
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
3/4 cup milk
1/2 to 1 TBS pure maple syrup
1/3 cup canned pumpkin

1) Combine all above ingredients and place in a covered bowl overnight. Or for at least 1-2 hours.

Enjoy!

*Christine* 

Overnight Oats!

I found this recipe from Katheats and OhSheGlows. It is so yummy!!

In the morning I almost always eat cereal. I have always done that as a kid and it has stuck. However, in the summer I do like hot oatmeal because its too warm, but when I came across this recipe I was so excited.  Oats are so good for you and these recipes are SO yummy.

The cool thing about these oats is you prepare them overnight, while you sleep. It is very quick and when you wake up your breakfast is ready to eat... even ready to grab on-the-go.

Regular Overnight Oats

1/3 cup oats
3/4 cup milk
2 TBS chia seeds (I buy mine in the bulk bin at sprouts. [They are a fun seed!] Do not skip this step!!)
1 medium banana, mashed
1 tsp vanilla

In the morning: Pure Maple Syrup




1) Combine all above ingredients and mix in a bowl with a lid.
2)  Cover and put in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 1-2 hours
3) Wake up and top with maple syrup to taste.
4) Other toppings include; fresh berries or nuts.

*Christine*

Mixed Fruit Smoothie

1/2 banana, frozen or fresh
1/2 cup frozen mixed berries- I also like to use tropical frozen fruit (pineapple, strawberries, mangos)
1 cup (soy) milk
Optional: 1 tablespoon honey

Mix ingredients in a blender ( I use my magic bullet).

This is really nice to eat on a summer morning with whole wheat waffles!

Sunshine Muffins

(From my friend Eileen, thank you)

3 eggs
1tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup oil or butter
2 cups grated carrots (about 5-6 long)
1/3 cup sunflower seeds
1/3 cup poppy seeds
1/3 cup unsweetened coconut
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
1 ripe banana
1 TBS cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda
2 cups whole wheat flour

Beat wet ingredients and carrots. Mix together dry ingredients and add to wet ingredients. Mx together until just moistened. Bake 18- 20 minutes in 350' oven.

So yummy! I love how all the flavors combine so well together. These are hearty muffins too!

ENJOY!!!

*Christine*

Sunflower Butter

Have you ever tried sunflower butter??? I have heard about it before. Even picked one up in the store, pondered it, then put it back because I already had almond butter and natural peanut butter.

WELL, today I finally purchased sunflower butter. Wow! All I can say is that it is so creamy, smooth, and oh so yummy! MMMmmmm.... I got the crunchy kind (with sunflower seeds in it).

I had to go back a few times to have a little taste. Now I am craving it on some hearty pancakes in the morning. I am imagining eating it with some cut up apples or bananas. Actually tonight I think I am going to make our chocolate banana smoothie and add a little sunflower butter. (We did this with peanut butter a few nights ago and it was delicious.

Well enough obsessing.  (I have a feeling I will buy and taste the cashew butter in the near future :])

*Christine*

Wheat Berry... using them many ways.

A new discovery of wheat berries. 
They are a whole grain and excellent source of fiber! 

Wheat Berries can be used many ways:

1. Mixed in with salad.

2.  Added with oatmeal.

3. Mixing with vegetables (or other fruits): celery, scallions, walnuts, sliced apples, raisins, dried cherries.

4. Just munching on them just how they are.

5. Or one of our favorites- mixing a bowl of wheat berries with fresh berries (strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries.) My husband really enjoys adding yogurt in this berry mix.

Wheat Berries are simple to make.
1. In a pot cover as many wheat berries that you desire with water.
2. Heat on high until boiling.
3. Reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook for: 30 minutes- chewy (our favorite) or 45 minutes- less chewy.

A delicious snack. A healthy breakfast.  Or a side for dinner.

*Christine*

Whole Wheat Waffles

You will need a waffle iron for this recipe. 


1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 eggs (or egg replacement, for this recipe it will be 2 tablespoons ground flax seed and 6              tablespoons water) 
1 3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
Optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts (your choice. I like to mix several together- walnuts, almonds, pecans, and sunflower seeds) 




1. Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Make a hole in the center for liquid ingredients.


2. In another bowl combine eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. 


3. Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Stir until moist. It will be lumpy.


4. Pour 1 cup of batter onto grids of waffle iron (make sure it is lightly greased).


5. Repeat with remaining batter. Eat warm. Enjoy. 


**I enjoy eating waffles with:
*Fruit smoothie- chocolate banana smoothie or Mixed Fruit Smoothie  - I just dip them in these. 
*Peanut butter or almond butter and bananas
*Fresh fruit- bananas, strawberries, blueberries. (You could also use blackberries, peaches, raspberries, what fruit would you use?)
*Or with syrup.
*How do (or would) you eat your waffles?

*Christine*