Monday, January 31, 2011

BEST MUFFINS EVER!

These are my favorite muffins I make and are pretty healthy. They are so delicious they will become your favorites too!


YOGURT BLUEBERRY BRAN MUFFINS

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2 cups plain yogurt

2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

2 cups natural bran

2 tsp vanilla

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup white flour

4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)


. Mix yogurt and soda, set aside

. Beat sugar, eggs and oil

. Add bran and vanilla

. Mix well.

. sift together flours, baking powder and salt

. Add to the sugar mixture, alternating with yogurt

. Fold in blueberries and bake at 350 for 25 - 30 min

. makes 24 muffins

. they are good without the blueberries or with chopped dates added


Friday, January 28, 2011

MAKING HEALTHY CHOICES



With the start of a new year, what better time to reevaluate our food and lifestyle choices? My goal in posting this blog is to share things I have learned and things I have tried with success. The only expertise that I bring is that I am passionate about health and nutrition, and I know how to spell quinoa and how to use this obscure grain. I hope you join me and make healthy choices!

Here are five of my favorite healthy recipes. I will add a new recipe every few days.



CURRIED RICE SALAD

1 cup brown rice, uncooked
1/2 cup almonds or 1 cup cooked chicken
1/2 cup celery, diced
1/2 cup green pepper, diced
1/2 cup red pepper, diced
2 tbsp green onion, chopped
2 tbsp cilantro or parsley, chopped
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 tbsp olive oil
1-2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper

. Cook rice and set aside to cool
. Stir in almonds (or chicken, or both) celery, peppers, green onions and cilantro.
. In small bowl, mix lemon juice, olive oil, curry, salt and pepper
. Pour dressing onto rice mixture, stirring thoroughly.
. Adjust the seasoning

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GRANOLA

4 cups old fashioned oats
1 1/2 cup sliced almonds (or assorted nuts and seeds)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup cooking oil
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla

. In a bowl, mix the oats, almonds, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon
. In a saucepan, warm the oil and the honey.
. Stir in vanilla
. Pour liquid over oat mixture
. Spread granola on baking sheet
. Bake at 300 fro 40 minutes stirring every 10 minutes.
. Cool and seal in airtight container (stores in freezer for 3 months)
. Dried fruit is a nice addition

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SPINACH SMOOTHIE

1 bunch washed spinach (enough to fill canister)
1 ripe banana
1 orange, apple or other piece of fruit
1 1/2 cups soy milk
12 icecubes

. Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth
. 3 - 4 pitted dates are very tasty

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TUNA WHITE BEAN SPREAD

2 cans tuna, drained
1 can white beans, slightly mashed
1 tbsp capers
2 diced tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
2-3 tbsp olive oil
2-3 tbsp lemon juice
1 cup cilantro (or parsley)
s&p

. Combine all ingredients and serve with toasted, grainy bread.

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COCOA ENERGY BARS

3/4 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup honey
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 cup oatmeal (not instant)
1 1/4 cup rice krispy cereal
1 cup dried cranberries, raisins, apricot
1 cup chopped peanuts or almonds

. spray 9x13 pan
. in saucepan combine peanut butter, honey, brown sugar and cocoa
. cook over medium heat for 6 minutes, stirring often until smooth
. remove from heat
. stir in oatmeal, cereal, cranberries and nuts
. press into pan
. cool and cut into squares