Peanut Butter Granola

 

` Oats are an all around homerun of a healthy food choice and so versitle.  Oats are thought to be one of the few foods that can actually help lower cholesterol.  This is because oats contains soluble fiber, which is thought to decrease the amount of cholesterol absorbed by the intestines.  Oats contains fiber, protein, and monusaturated fat.  Peanut butter has about 90 calories, 9 grams of fat, 4 grams protein and 1 gram fiber.  The protein in peanut butter helps contribute towards your daily protein needs and it provides energy while helping to keep you feeling full.vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

1 tablespoon honey .40

1 tablespoon peanut butter
1 cup oats .23
1 cup raisins


1 tsp cinnamon

put oats in a baking pan
heat honey and peanut butter in microwave or in a pan. If in microwave check every 10 seconds(it will heat really fast) if melting in a pot, keep flame on low and stir the entire time. After peanut butter and honey is completely melted add cinnamon and stir rigorously until the cinnamon is completely disolved in the liquid mixture. Pour over oats and stir with a large spoon until the oats are all completely covered with liquid. Flatten granola in pan so that it is all equally dispersed.
Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes
remove from over, with spatula pour granola into a new bowl
let stand for 10 minutes
eat!!

Healthy Cornfllake Balls

Cereal can be super healthy, especially the cereals without an over abundance of sugar.  Cornflakes is a great example of this.  A one cup serving provides 10% of your reccommended daily intake of vitamin A,C and D.  Also 25% of your recommended daily intake of several B vitamins, including thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folic acid and vitamin B12.  Cornflakes also provide 25mg of potassium per serving.  These cornflake balls not only get nutriton from the cornflakes, they also get protein and fiber from the peanut butter, and  almonds offer high levels of vitamin E, which is great for skin and hair and more importantly it acts as a powerful antioxident, warding off bad cells.

2 cups crushed cornflakes .25
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup cranberries
1/4 cup sliced almonds

in bowl mix cornflakes, cranberries and almonds
heat peanut butter and honey in sauce pan on low until melted together and smooth
pour heated mixture into cornflake mixture and mix all together until cornflakes are completely coated.
spoon into balls and use hands to guide them into shape
free for 30 minutes to lock in the shape.
store in refrigerator.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

1.5 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 tsp vanilla
2 egg whites
1 cup banana baby food
1/2 cup applesauce
3/4 cup sugar
1 4 oz bar dark chocolate

preheat oven to 350

in bowl combine vanilla, egg whites, banana babyfood, applesauce and sugar
in separate bowl combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon
mix all together and stir until smooth
microwave chocolate bar, checking ever 2 seconds so chocolate doesnt burn
when completely melted add to banana batter
grease bread bunt pan, and pour in batter
bake for 3-35 minutes or until fork inserted comes out clean
cool and serve

Candied Spicy Cinnamon Walnuts $2.96

 

There are tons of nutrients and healing properties in cinnamon. Cinnamon contains fiber, protein, calcium, iron. Cinnamon also contains high amounts of vitamin A & C, along with minerals like zinc, potassium, and magnesium. Health benefits are mainly attributed to treating diabetic patients. The active ingredient helps regulate blood sugar levels, thus reducing diabetes related complications.

ingredients:
1 cup walnuts 2.40
1/2 cup sugar .33
1 tsp cinnamon .10
1 tsp pepper flakes .10

mix sugar, cinnamon and red flakes in small bowl
heat skillet on low and toss walnuts and sugar mixture in pan
move nuts around with spatula keeping attention to coating them with the sugar combination
mix and the sugar should begin to carmelize. As it carmelizes continue to mix
when sugar completely carmelized and walnuts completely coated with sugar mixture, remove from heat
place on tray to cool

when cooled place in bowl and cover

Mandarin Orange and Grapefruit Granita $2.60

I took my niece to Walgreens and she picked out this combination for a granita, and I was impressed with her creativity. She actually made the granita with my son they had fun making it and eating it!!!

ingredients
2 cups grapfruit juice $1.10
1 cup mandarin oranges $1.20
1 tablespoon honey .30

heat grapefruit juice, mandarin orange and honey in a sauce pan and let come to a boil, stirring the whole time. Lower and simmer for 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Pour into a freezer safe bowl and freeze for 2 to 3 hours. Serve when frozen.

Popcorn Trailmix

Popcorn is fun and convenient whole grain snack. it is an excellent source of fiber. It also helps steady one's blood sugar levels. Aside from this, it can be incorporated as a low fat snack, having a lot of nutritional benefits. I like to create afterschool snacks the kids can enjoy, and yet get tons and tons of health benefits When they come home and smell the popcorn, they dive right in, and there is nutrients in every bite of this Popcorn "trailmix". This mixture contains cranberries, candied pecans and dark chocolate, and these are packed with nutrients. Vitamin C, E, B complex, riboflavin, fiber, and lots of antioxidents.
This serves 4

1 bag microwave popcorn
1/2 cup cranberries
1/4 cup pecans
1 oz dark chocolate bar(cut into small pieces)

microwave popcorn and pour into bowl(make sure popcorn completely cooled before adding other ingredients)
add 3 other ingredients and mix well

Walnut Pecan Granola $5.40

Great antioxident, snack, breakfast and sweet enough to be a dessert!! Although Oats have made my top 10 convenience store super foods, they are also on tons and tons of others super 10 list. With fiber, protein, vitamin A, B6, zinc and did I mention FIBER. Oats are so great because just 1/2 cup a day will help to lower cholesterol and aid in cardio health, not to mention control blood sugar, which can keep diabetes at bay. Try to eat Oats everyday, and if oatmeal gets boring, find different ways to prepare the little beige gems.
6 cups oats 2.10
1/3 cup canola oil .50
3/4 cup honey 1.20
1/4 cup apple juice .20
1/4 cup pecans .60
1/4 cup walnuts .60
1/4 cup raisins .20

mix oil, honey, and apple juice in bowl
add oats to the liquid mixture
mix evenly, so the oats are completely covered in oil
pour into a large cake pan, and pat down so the oat mixture evenly lays in the pan
bake at 350 for 40 minutes
remove from oven and toss the oats and repat them down in the pan
bake another 20 minutes on 250
remove and pour into another pan
add raisins, walnuts and pecans

Oatmeal Banana Muffins $4.27

preheat oven at 350
1 cup flour .36
1 cup oats .35
1/2 cup sugar .40
1 tbsp honey .40
1/2 cup butter .64
1 cup banana baby food .80
2 egg.30
1 cup milk .20
1 tsp vanilla .15
1 tsp baking powder.05
1/2 tsp baking soda.02
1/4 cup walnuts .60

beat butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, banana baby food, and honey with a hand mixer or by hand
in seperate bowl combine flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder
combine liquid ingredients with dry
add milk and mix all together
when it mixed well together add walnuts

in muffin pan place muffin cups
pour batter in muffin tin, filling each about 2/3
bake for 25-30 minutes

Coffee Smoothie .80

1 cup cold fresh brewed coffee .20
1 tsp sugar .20
2 ounces dark chocolate .30
1/2 cup cold milk .10
4 ice cubes

melt dark chocolate in microwave. make sure to only give it 30 seconds, if the chocolate isnt completely melted give it another 10 seconds
when melted pour chcolate in milk and stir until completely blended

pour chocolate milk, coffee, sugar and ice cubes in blender and mix until smooth

Pumpkin carrot bread $4.56

1 1/4 cup flour .36
1 tsp baking soda .10
1 tsp cinnamon .10
1 cup apple sauce 1.28
1 cup carrot baby food .88
1/2 cup pureed pumpkin .44
1/2 cup sugar .40
1 large egg white .15
1 large egg .15
1 tsp vanilla extract .10
1/4 cup walnut .60

3 Layer Salsa Dip

This is a dip that I have been making for 20 years, and I really dont know how one can go wrong with cream cheese, tomato and cheddar melted into hot bubbly creamy combo. I serve it with whole wheat crackers instead of tortilla chips and that provides fiber to health up this appetizer. Some, but not all of the Walgreens, carry blackbeans, so if yours does, include them in this salsa, that will provide even more protein,iron and fiber!! This recipe will take 5 minutes to prepare.
Ingredients:
serves 4
8 oz cream cheese $1.59
1 cup diced tomato
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

preheat oven at 350
in a 9x9 baking dish spread the softened cream cheese evenly on the bottom
mix rotel and black beans
top cream cheese with tomato bean mixture
sprinkle with cheese
bake for 15-20 minutes

serve with wholewheat crackers