Healthy Banana Freezer Waffles

Okay so it seems like every morning I wake up late and end up eating the same things for breakfast. It would be nice every once in a while to have something I could just throw in the toaster or heat up really fast. So, I decided to try my hand at homemade freezer waffles. Since I had ripe bananas, I decided banana freezer waffles were perfect. Now, I created my waffles in a healthier fashion because I wanted them to be no sugar, low fat, and whole grain, but you can replace the ingredients with whatever you would like so don't be afraid to play around a little.... I hope you enjoy them:)

Healthy Style :
2 1/4 cups milk
4 T Honey
3 ripe bananas
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups whole wheat flour (white wheat is what I use)
1 cup ground oats
1 1/2 T cinnamon
4 T baking powder
2 T baking soda

Substitutes/ Additions:
*white flour or half and half with wheat
*brown sugar instead of honey (you can also add extra sugar for a sweeter taste); I don't put very much sweetener because I figure you put syrup on top but do as you please :)
*add two eggs
*1/4 cup canola oil or butter

Directions:
1. Mix all the wet ingredients together.
2. Mix in all the dry ingredients at the same time and stir.
3. Don't over mix
4. Make waffles. (you will need a good amount of cooking spray or they will stick because they have no oil)
5. Allow them to cool on a drying rack or cookie sheet.
6. Freeze in the Freezer on a cookie sheet or some kind of tray for 30 min - 1 hour
7. Place in Freezer bags and put into the freezer.
8. Pop them out and use on any morning, afternoon, or night you please.

Split Pea Soup

Okay well as soon as most people read this label they will go running  but I happen to love split pea soup and I don't really like normal steamed peas:) Just try this recipe and I promise you won't be disappointed!! It is an awesome recipe for a cold winter day when you need something to warm you up. If you serve it with warm cornbread and honey you won't be disappointed as well. Happy eating !!!!! P.S. my roommates thought they would hate it but they loved it!!!

Ingredients:
1 cup and 1/2 of dried split peas
4 and 1/2 cups water
1 large potato
1 celery stick cut up
10 baby carrots chopped up
1 ham bone with ham still on it

Directions:
Allow peas to soak over night for best results or if you run out of time just heat them up until they simmer in the water and then allow them to soak for as long as you can (1 hour). Add ham bone and boil ham bone with peas for 1 - 1/2 hours. At about the hour mark you can add the peeled and diced potato, cut up carrots, and chopped celery. Season with garlic powder and onion salt. Remove ham bone and make sure all the ham is off. Make sure potatoes, carrots, peas, and celery are all cooked and serve. The longer you let it simmer on a low heat the yummier it becomes I think. But don't let it run out of water and burn it. You need to stir it occasionally.

Additions:
*A chopped up onion would add a lot of flavor.

Girl Scout Cookies Healthy Style

First of all, I totally love girl scouts and I think girl scouts are the cutest so you should always buy their cookies. I used to be one so I fully support their cause :) But I also just happen to LOVE baking so when I realized you could make girl scout cookies I obviously just had to do it. I made them semi-healthy though (I used white wheat flour instead of white flour) but I can't promise they are super healthy. But you will love them anyway and you should definitely try them!!!!!

Cookie Base:
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 T. milk

Coconut topping:
1 1/2 cups coconut
1 jar (won't need the whole thing) of caramel topping for ice cream
1 1/2 T milk
1/2 cup - 1 cup chocolate chips

Directions for cookies:
1. Cream butter and sugar.
2. Add flour, salt, baking powder, vanilla, and milk and mix.
3. Separate dough in two and then flatten into a a think small circle. Wrap in plastic wrap and put in the fridge for 1 hour until chilled.
4. Cut out
5. bake for 10-12 minutes (better to under cook then overcook)
6. Stick in the freezer for 10-15 minutes.
7. Frost the cookies with chocolate or dip them until one side is coated. Put them face down with the non chocolate part touching a cookie sheet or piece of tin foil you can stick in the freezer. Leave in the freezer for 1-2 hours until the chocolate is hardened and you can turn them over on the chocolate side.

Directions for caramel topping.
1.. Preheat oven to 350
2. spread the coconut on a cookie sheet lined with either parchment paper or tin foil (poor college students don't usually have parchment paper :) and bake for 10 mins stirring every few minutes to make sure it doesn't burn
3. Pour the coconut into a bowl and pour caramel topping into it until it is sticky and covered but not too runny. You want the coconut to stick together well.
4. Frost the non chocolate side of the cookie with coconut caramel frosting.
5. Drizzle melted chocolate on top.
6. Enjoy (I think they taste better if you leave them in the fridge)

Healthy French Fries and Creamy Chicken

Hey everyone so today's recipe is a super easy but delicious meal. Anyone can do it and you almost can't mess it up. Also you can change and alter this recipe to what you have on hand or whatever you like better. Most of my recipes are really easily altered to what you want. I love this meal and its fun to eat and make.

Creamy Chicken and Homemade French Fries

Ingredients: This is only for 4-5 people so if you need to double it :)
1-2 cups of frozen vegetables (I used frozen broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and peas)
1/2 pound chicken
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup of milk
6-7 small potatoes (red would be ideal but any potatoe works)
butter or olive oil for cooking


Spices:
onion salt
garlic powder
herbs
Montreal steak seasoning

Directions: preheat oven to 350
1. wash and dice potatoes
2. heat of frying pan and either use olive oil or butter to lightly brown potatoes; also season the potatoes with onion salt, herbs, and garlic powder
3. Place potatoes on a cookie sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes. Turn them over half way through if you want them evenly browned on both sides
4. Dice chicken breasts and cook in a frying pan in a little butter or olive oil; season them with montreal steak seasoning
5. Cook frozen vegetables in a sepereate frying pan and season them with onion salt, garlic powder and herbs
6. Add vegetables to chicken and then add a can of cream of chicken soup and milk. Stir and then heat until warm.
7. Serve creamy chicken on the side and eat potatoes as french fries or you can eat the chicken on top of the potatoes
8. Enjoy ;)

Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Okay so many of you out there hear the words “whole wheat cookies” and you run in fear but seriously these are amazing. If you are really worried about dense grainy cookies just make sure you use finely ground wheat and if you are really worried use white wheat (its still whole wheat flourJ ) I hope you enjoy these as much as I haveJ 

Whole Wheat Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

AKA. The best chocolate chip cookies ever!!!!!!!!

Ingredients:

2 cups whole wheat flour

2 cups oats

¾ cup brown sugar

¾ cup white sugar

1 cup butter or margarine

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

1-2 cup chocolate chips

*one cup butterscotch or peanut butter chips is also super yummy with 1 cup of chocolate chips

Directions:

1.       Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2.       Cream butter and sugar

3.       Aggs eggs, vanilla, cinnamon and mix well

4.       Add all the dry ingredients at the same time: flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, oats

5.       Mix in chocolate chips

6.       Bake for 8-10 minutes

7.       EnjoyJ

Chicken Fajitas

Okay so these aren't exactly chicken Fajitas but they are super yummy and I really don't know what else to call them. But you can serve them on either rice or tortillas. Its a super quick easy meal but at the same time super yummy.

Ingredients:
1-2 red peppers
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 large package of taco seasoning
1 can of kidney beans
(If you are cooking for only 3-4 people half this recipe)

Directions:
1. cut up raw chicken into cubes and then cook with a little pam, oil, or butter in the bottom of a large frying pan. once the chicken is mostly cooked at the chopped red peppers (or sliced).
2. When the chicken is completely cooked at kidney beans (or you could use black beans) and cook until beans are warmed up.
3. Serve on either rice or tortillas or maybe even both:)  *You can use brown rice and wheat tortillas or white rice and white tortillas. Your choice:)

Happy eating!!!:)

Healthy! To Die For Eggs

Sometimes you are looking for a fun alternative breakfast, lunch, or dinner food. If you are trying to be healthy and eat more vegetables it is sometimes fun to look for more exciting and exotic ways to eat and cook them. This dish is almost all vegetables with just a hint of eggs, cheese, and Canadian bacon for flavor. The garlic salt is what will really make or break this dish and what I consider the secret ingredient to success. I hope you enjoy these as much as I have. Bon Appetit! :)

Divine Eggs

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon butter

Handful of shredded cheese

2 large eggs

1 small package of mushrooms (sliced) 

1-2 large peppers (orange, red)

½ large tomato diced

One handful fresh spinach

3-4 slices of Canadian bacon

Onion salt

Garlic powder/garlic salt

Pepper

Directions:

Melt butter in pan. Saute sliced mushrooms and peppers for 3-5 minutes on medium low heat until they are reduced in size and slightly browned. Then add diced fresh tomato, handful of spinach, and diced Canadian bacon. Sprinkle vegetables with garlic salt or powder and onion salt to taste. Crack eggs into pan over vegetables and sprinkle cheese in. Cook until eggs are done and then enjoy by itself or with some yummy toast. If needed add more garlic salt. It just depends on how you like your eggs. 

Rye and Brown Rice Flour Pancakes

The best way to start your day is with a homemade healthy breakfast. A couple of my favorite options are pancakes, waffles, omelets. Today I want to share my recipe for fluffy, delicious, and amazing whole grain pancakes……

Rice and Rye Flour Pancakes

Ingredients:

1 egg

¾ cup milk

2 T canola oil

½ c Brown rice flour

½ Rye flour

½ t salt

1 T brown sugar

1 T baking powder

Directions:

1.       Whisk or beat egg until fluffy.

2.       Add milk, egg, and oil and beat in

3.       Add flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar at the same time and beat in.

4.       Pour onto griddle or frying on medium heat.

5.       Enjoy with syrup or my favorite homemade jam with whip cream and fresh fruitJ

Healthy Substitutions:

*you can substitute applesauce for the oil but your pancakes may stick to the pan

*you can add cinnamon for some extra flavor

*You can replace brown sugar with honey

*you can use 1 cup whole wheat flour instead of brown rice and rye flour 

Homemade Healthy "Chewy" Granola Bars

Hey everyone I hope you had a great Valentine's Day and are prepared for another great holiday weekend. I was playing around in the kitchen today and decided to make homemade granola bars/chewy bars. You can either make the recipe into bars or into a chex mix consistency that isn't in bar form.. They are super fun to make, super healthy, and a great snack. I individually package mine and put them in the fridge or the freezer so I can grab them on the go:)

Ingredients:
2 biscuits of shredded wheat crushed
2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 cup chocolate chips (optional)
1 cup corn flakes, special K, chex, or cheerios (just about any cereal works :)
1/4 cup flax seeds
1/2 slivered almonds (could do up to a cup)
3/4-1&1/4 cups of peanut butter
3/4-1 cup honey
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 tablespoon cinnamon
3 Tablespoons- 1/4 cup oil

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Mix all dry ingredients: oats, nuts, seeds, cereal, cinnamon, and chocolate chips
In a separate microwavable bowl mix peanut butter and oil.
Heat up for 30 seconds in the microwave and then whisk in honey and vanilla.
Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and mix together.
Pour everything into a 9 X 13 pan and bake for 15-20 min. (depends on how fast your oven cooks)
Allow to cool and place in the fridge if you want more bar form. Otherwise just eat it hot and sticky out of the oven but it will fall apart a little:)
If you desire Individually wrap them in plastic wrap and place in fridge or freezer for later. They are great for an on the go snack or breakfast if you are running late.

Additions/Replacements
*The honey and peanut butter have varing amounts because some people like more than others. If you use less the bars will fall apart and be more like chex mix but still very yummy. Just plan on how sticky you want it to be.
*You can omit or replace just about anything to be more/less healthy. Just put what you love into it and it will turn out great. It is amazingly yummy but hard to mess up:)

Valentine's Day Sugar Cookies

It wouldn't be Valentines Day without some traditional heart shaped sugar cookies......My favorite sugar cookies are the ones that are soft and fluffy almost melting in your mouth. Oh..... and you can't forget the cream cheese frosting on top. I hope you enjoy these cookies as much as I have.......yum! yum!

Ingredients:
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter (melted or softened)
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
5 cups flour, sifted

Directions:
1. Cream butter and sugar.
2. add vanilla and eggs and stir
3. stir in sour cream
4. stir in the rest of dry ingredients together
5. Let chill for 1 hour and then roll out and cut into desired shapes.
6. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes
7. Let cool, Frost, and add sprinkles for fun!!
8. Enjoy!!!

Frosting:
1 8oz package of cream cheese
1/4 cup of butter (softened at room temp)
3-5 cups powdered sugar (to taste and consistency)
dash of salt (very very little)
1 teaspoon vanilla
Cream butter and cream cheese. Add vanilla. Slowly add powdered sugar and the dash of salt.

Sugar Cookie Bars

In honor of Valentine’s Day this week I wanted to give you a recipe that is slightly different and in my opinion easier than your typical Valentine’s Day cookies. It is still festive and fun but just a little less work……..

Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookie Bars

Bars:

½ cup butter

3 T. Crisco/shortening

1 ¼ cups sugar

2 eggs

1 T. milk

3 cups flour

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1.       Blend together butter, shortening, sugar, eggs, milk, and the vanilla.

2.       Add the combined dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.

3.       Put all the dough into a 9 X 13 pan.

4.       Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

5.       Let cookie bars cool and then frost and add sprinkles for fun.

Frosting: Make Pink for Valentine ’s Day or you can change the color depending on what holiday you are celebrating!!

1.       4 oz. cream cheese

2.       ¼ cup butter

3.       3-4 cups powdered sugar

4.       1 teaspoon vanilla

5.       2-3 Tablespoons milk

Cream butter and cream cheese and then add everything else. Dye to make festive for the holiday with food coloring! 

Honey Whole Wheat Bread

In my opinion the two most amazing foods in the world are homemade honey whole wheat bread and homemade oatmeal with cinnamon and honey.....I know its weird but these are my comfort foods. I would like to share with you my favorite recipe for honey whole wheat bread today and hopefully you enjoy it as much as I have...

Honey Whole Wheat Bread 

Ingredients: 

1 1/2 T yeast

1/3 cup honey

2 cups of warm water

3-4 cups whole wheat flour

1 t salt 

*optional add ons such as sunflower seeds, oatmeal, or sesame seeds 

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Place 2 cups of warm water in a mixer or big bowl. 

3. Add yeast and honey to the warm water and stir a little. Let it sit for 5 mins or until it starts to bubble and foam a little on top.

4. Add 2 cups of flour and the salt and begin to mix/knead. 

5. Slowly add flour in 1/2 cup increments until the dough pulls away from the side but is still a little sticky. 

6. If in a mixer beat for 4 min or if you are kneading it by hand do it for a little longer.

7. Make sure the bread pan is well greased and floured and place bread inside.

8. Let the bread rise for 1 hour in the pan until it has almost doubled in size. You can make two smaller loaves instead of one giant one. 

9. Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes until golden brown on top. 

10. Let cool, slice , and enjoy... I especially love mine with peanut butter and honey:) 

Healthy Additions (optional): 

 *I like to add a 1/2 cup of old fashion oats to my bread dough.

* I also enjoy sprinkling sunflower seeds on top of the bread before I let it rise or putting 1/4 cup of them in the dough.
* you can also use white wheat flour if you are not a fan of darker wheat bread 

Healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch

I love eating healthy but a girl has got to have her dessert and so I decided that why can't you be healthy and have dessert.......

                          This Creation is...... A Little Bit of Everything with Chocolate!!!!

Ingredients:
1 cup Oatmeal
1 cup Coconut
1 cup Shredded Wheat (small size)
1 cup pretzels
1 cup cheerios
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup cornflakes or special K cereal
1/2 cup sunflower seeds (optional)
1/4 cup sesame seeds (optional)
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
1-1 1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup - 1/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup honey
2 t vanilla
1-2 t cinnamon

*optional craisens or other dried fruit

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees
1. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a big bowl. Pretzels, oatmeal, cheerios, coconut, almonds, nuts, seeds, 1 cup of the chocolate chips, shredded wheat, cereal, and any other substitutions for the dry ingredients you want.
2. Mix peanut butter and oil in a microwave safe bowl and heat up for 30 seconds to a minute until the mixture is runny. Then add honey, cinnamon, and vanilla and whisk it in with the peanut butter.
3. Mix wet and dry ingredients together and pour into 9 X 13 in pan.
4. Melt 1/2 cup more peanut butter and pour on top. You can drizzle honey if desired.
5. Bake for 15 min. and then pour 1/2 cup more chocolate chips on top and bake for an additional 5 min.
6. Eat and enjoy!!!
7. You can change ingredients to make it as healthy or unhealthy as you want :)