Coconut Date Granola

This was my second time making granola from scratch.  You can check out my first attempt here. I used whatever I had in my pantry and the results were delicious and nutritious. This added the perfect sweetness and crunch to Greek yogurt for my weekday breakfast.  I highly recommend it as an ice cream topping as well.

 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole rolled oats (certified gluten free)
• 1 cup instant steel cut oats
• 1/3 cup quinoa (I used tricolor from Trader Joe's)
• 2 T chia seeds
• 3/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/3 cup chopped dried dates
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

Directions:
In large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients.
Add maple syrup and coconut oil and combine thoroughly.
Spread onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. and bake at 225 degrees for one hour.  Let cool or if you can't help your self like me enjoy while still warm.

Healthy Thought: Avocado Chia Chocolate Pudding

 I have a lot of healthy recipes “pinned” to my HealthyThoughts board on Pinterest.  (feel free to follow me here)  This is another pin worthy one I came up with as I have been seeing a lot recipes for desserts utilizing avocado.  I’m kind of hooked so you will definitely be seeing more of these kinds of recipes in the future.

This delicious chocolate pudding gets its rich creaminess from heart healthy avocado.  You might be put off by the sound of chocolate and avocado in the same sentence, but trust me it’s  good!  So good in fact that Chris couldn’t even tell there was any in there.  Enjoy as a healthful snack or even for breakfast. 

Ingredients:
1 ripe avocado, peeled and diced

2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

1/2 oz 70% dark chocolate, melted

1/2 cup light canned coconut milk

½ tablespoon chia seeds

2 Tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional toppings: ground flax seeds, whipped cream, strawberries

 

Directions
Place all ingredients in blender, blend until smooth.

Eat as is or top with ground flax seeds, a touch of whipped cream and strawberries.

Serves 2

Beet Berry Smoothie

So, I am in two weddings this year and I need to get myself together.  Those dressing room mirrors and florescent lighting are the devil I tell you.  As you may already know I am a fan of smoothies as seen here.  I need to bring my smoothie game to the next level especially since I need to wear two bridesmaids dresses.  That being said I present to you my Beet Berry Smoothie:

2 cups unsweetened coconut almond milk1 cup frozen mixed berries
1/3 cup diced beets (roasted or steamed)
1/2 cup chopped kale
1/2 cup spinach
1 - 2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 tablespoon chia seeds

Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend for 1 full minute. Pour into a glass and enjoy.  Don't you feel healthier already?
Serves 2

Green Monster Smoothie

Like most people one of my New Year's resolutions is to eat healthier.  This is a tough one for me because I LOVE food; cooking it, watching it get made on tv, photographing it, serving it, and of course eating it.  Everything in moderation, right?  I started my day with this healthy and delicious smoothie.  I hope it will even things out on the days I decide to not to make the healthiest of choices.  Here's what you need for 2 servings:

 

2 cups of spinach

1/2 cup 0% Greek Yogurt

1 tablespoon chia seeds

2 cups of almond coconut milk

1 frozen banana

1 tablespoon peanut butter

touch of honey for sweetness (optional)

 

Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.  You can add in some ice cubes to make it extra cold.

 

On a side note my non-veggie eating husband loves these!
 

Mixed Berry & Banana Baked Oatmeal

I find myself in such a rush every morning since school has started. The traffic is a little heavier making my commute to work a little longer. I still want to start off my day on the right track with a satisfying, healthy breakfast. This baked oatmeal helps me do just that. I altered the original recipe just slightly. Mixed frozen berries took the place of blueberries and when roasting the bananas I sprinkled some light brown sugar instead of honey. I also used this premixed muesli and it came out perfectly. The house smelled like a little piece of heaven as this baked in the oven. Ripe bananas, blueberries, raspberries, cinnamon, honey and brown sugar... need I say more? Make a batch on Sunday and you should be good for the rest of the week.