Banana Cherry Oatmeal Bars

I found this recipe from one of my favorite food blogs, www.skinnytaste.com, it looked amazing. The fresh bananas are probably amazing in the recipe, but I subbed with banana babyfood, and the banana flavor definitely came through.

This makes a great breakfast bar, afterschool snack, and dessert at night, perhaps jazzed up with some frozen yogurt. The bar is delicious and loaded with nutrients, from the oats to the banana, to the walnuts, and especially the cherries. It is unbelievable to think how many nutrients are in dried cherries. They are among the highest foods containing levels of desease fighting antioxidents. They also contain other important nutrients such as beta carotene(19x more then blueberries and strawberries). They are also loaded with vitamin C, pottasium, magnesium, iron and fiber.

preheaat oven to 375
1 container banana food .88
1/4 cup dried cherries 
1/4 cup dried blueberries
1/4 cup honey .40
1 cup uncooked oats .23
1/4 cup chopped walnuts.65
1/2 tsp baking powder .05

3/4 tsp cinnamon .03
1 cup fat free milk .12
1 egg .15
1 tsp vanilla .12

combine banana babyfood, honey, milk and vanilla in a bowl
in a separate bowl combine oats, baking powder, cinnamon
mix dry ingredients with liquid ingredients
when completely mixed, add dried fruit and walnuts
pour into 9" inch baking dish and bake for 20 minutes

Green Olive Diced Tomato Flatbread Pizza

If you like thin crust pizza, this will be the crust for you. They are flat breads and available at my local convenience store in white flour and wholewheat, I, of course, always go for the wholewheat. There are so many different pizzas that can be made with flat breads. Tonight I chose one of my favorite combos, green olives and tomatoes.
If a thin crust pizza is what you are looking for, then flat bread is for you. Flat bread is available at my local convenience store, and is so easy to use for pizza and the options are endless. One of my favorite combos is tomato and olive, topped with cheese, I'm in heaven. I always use wholewheat flat bread and really, 1 whole flat bread pizza is big enough for two people.

1 flat bread
1/2 cup diced tomato .45
1/4 cup diced green olives
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese(mozzarella) .34
2 tsp canola or olive oil .20

heat oil in skillet, add tomatoes and diced green olives,saute for 5 minutes
place flat bread on pan, top with tomato and olive combo, spread evenly
sprinkle with cheddar cheese evenly
place on tray and bake for 10 minutes until cheese is melted

cut into four pieces and serve

Applesauce Bread

I love making bread with applesauce because it can take the place of much of the oil and also it creates such a moist bread. I toast it in the morning for my son, and he loves it. I feel like he is getting lots of nutrients with the egg, nuts, fruit and even omega 3's with the canola oil. Fruits and nuts can be varied with other dried fruits such as cranberries, cherries, and ofcourse tons of other nut varieties.

preheat oven to 350

3 Cups all purpose flour .78
3 eggs.45
2 cups sugar $1.32
1 cup canola oil .95
2 cups applesauce
1 cup raisins .20
1/2 cup walnuts $1.20
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup sourcream

combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon in a bowl
in separate bowl combine sugar, eggs, applesauce, sour cream, and oil
add liquid mixture to dry mixture
when thoroughly mixed add nuts and raisins

pour evenly into 2 bake pans and bake at 350 for 1 hour or until inserted fork comes out clean

Four Cheese Pasta with Peas and Ham $5.65

I found this on a website when I was looking for cheese ideas, and it sounded to die for. I am calling it a 4 cheese dish, because it is supposed to be, with the forth being fontina, and actually the 4th could be any cheese that melts. However, since this is a convenience store blog, I stuck with the three cheeses instead. It was only after I made the dish, did I remember that I could have used cottage cheese as a fourth, so next time. That said, the 3 cheeses worked great, and the dish was a huge success. I love cheese, and I never, ever feel guilty eating it. How can I? Cheese contains so many nutrients starting with calcium, protein, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin A and B12. Combine that with the nutrients in peas, fiber, protein, vitamin A and C, not to mention the nutrients in egg and evaporated milk, this meal is another powerhouse healthy meal.

12 ounces penne $1.20
1 cup peas .99
1 slice deli ham(diced in small pieces).20
2 large eggs, 1 egg white .45
1 cup evaporated milk .99
4 tablespoons butter .64
1/4 cup cheddar cheese .34
1/4 cup mozarella cheese .34
1/4 cup parm cheese .40
2 tsp garlic salt.20
pepper
Boil noodles
in bowl combine eggs and egg white and add evaborated milk, garlic salt and pepper
drain noodles and combine immediately in a skillet with egg mixture, butter and cheddar and mozarella cheese, heat on low heat until butter and cheese are melted, keep heat low so eggs cook, but dont scramble
when egg cooked and cheese melted add peas and ham, mix together
remove from heat
add parm cheese and serve

Pasta Fagioli(bean soup) $6.08

Working in a restaurant many years ago, I remember loving the Pasta Fagioli, I was not a bean fan at the time, but that soup was really good. One day I saw the soup being made and to my surprise the chef poured in a few large cans of pork and beans, and then I knew why the soup tasted oddly familiar, but better. So I decided to give this soup a shot. I combated the sweetness of pork and beans with garlic, onion and a little salt and pepper, and the result was a great soup that everyone enjoyed. Beans are a great source of protein, fiber and iron, and the tomato of course provides lycopenes which provide the body with very important anti oxidents. Canned tomatoes also provide tons of vitamins- C,A,K, potassium, B6, and fiber.
Ingredients:
1 can pork and beans $1.99
1 cans pasta sauce $1.99
1 tablespoon onion .20
2 tsp garlic powder .10
1 tablespoon olive oil.20
12 ounces shell pasta $1.20
1/4 cup parm cheese .40
heat olive oil in a soup pot on low, add onion,garlic powder and saute for 2 minutes. Add tomato sauce and 1 cup water
simmer for 2 minutes
add pork and beans and simmer 20 minutes
boil pasta
when done add it to soup and mix well and simmer 2 more mminutes
remove from heat
add parm cheese

Baked Spaghetti with Creamy Cottage Cheese Sauce $6.71

Ok, I have a confession, I had leftovers from my pasta dish the other night, and I simply added a convenience store ingredient, mozarella, and had myself another great meal. The recipe was for my pasta with creamy cottage cheese sauce, mushrooms and tomatoes. I had about 8 ounces left over, and topped it with 1 cup mozarella, and baked it at 350 for 20 minutes. It was delish. Not to mention healthy with all the ingredients already in the pasta and then ofcourse the nutrition in the cheese. Baked pasta is an old standby at our table. Kids love the gooey cheese, combined with the crispy crunchy cheese on top, and so do many adults(myself included)

1 cup mozarella $1.32

Oatmeal Egg Fruit and Nut Scramble $1.31

This recipe is loaded with so much goodness, it is mind boggling. protein, calcium, fiber, tons and tons of vitamins. I have made this for every different meal of the day, so it isnt just for breakfast. Also, I have varied the fruit and have even added dried cherries and raisins. This recipe is for one person, so adjust for as many are eating.

1 cup oats .23
1 egg .15
1/4 cottage cheese .25
pinch cinnamon .03
1/2 cup peaches .25
1-2 tablespoons nuts(walnuts, almonds or pecans).40

lightly spray and heat a non stick pan on medium
combine oats, egg, cottage cheese
add mixture to skillet, stir with spatula frequently
cook egg through til fluffy
stir in fruit, nuts and cinnamon
toss for 30 more seconds in skillet and serve