Skinny Chocolate Chip Coconut Oatmeal Banana Bread

 Another recipe I got from Ambitious Kitchen.  This is so excellent.  The chocolate is perfect for satisfying those cravings.  The denseness of the oatmeal makes this bread a special treat.  

1 ½ cups flour ¾ cups oatmeal 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder ¼ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon cinnamon 3 medium banana, mashed ½ cup brown sugar 1 ½ tablespoons coconut oil 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 large egg whites ½ cup coconut milk ¼ cup greek yogury, plain ½ cup coconut , flakes ½ cup chocolate chips extra coconut flakes and chocolate chips, for sprinkling

1.Preheat: Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease a 9 inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2.Whish: together flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; set aside.

3.Beat: together mashed bananas, dark brown sugar, oil, vanilla, and egg whites until well combined. Stir in greek yogurt and coconut milk.

4.Add: dry ingredients to the wet, and mix until just combined. Gently fold in coconut flakes and chocolate chips. Sprinkle a tablespoon or two or chocolate chips and coconut on top of the bread, if desired. (I love it because the coconut gets toasted when you bake it.)

5.Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 45-60 minutes or until knife comes out nearly clean with a few crumbs attached. Cut into slices, so delicious

Carrot Banana Bread

I have really been researching clean eating.  So far I think it's a mind set, that I feel better.  I am sure it will kick in for reals soon.  I am starting to crave more natural things.  My morning ritual for a while has been 2-3 cups of toffee coffee.  Lately that has been way to sweet. I haven't even wanted Starbucks (which was every Saturday morning for me)   Even the jam on my toast has been too sweet.  This bread is perfect.  Great texture, full of whole grain goodness.  No solid fats.  Even though it has a small amount of coconut oil in it, the taste really pops.  I found this recipe from "Ambitious Living".  I plan to get more recipes from her site.

1 ¼ cup whole wheat flour ¼ cup oatmeal 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon salt 2 banana, mashed ½ cup brown sugar 1 large egg 1 large egg white 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 tablespoon coconut oil 3 tablespoons applesauce, unsweetened 1 cup carrots, shredded ⅓ cup almond milk ¼ cup walnuts, chopped

1.Preheat : oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 8x4 or 9x5 inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2.Whisk: together flour, quick oats, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; set aside.

3.Mix: together mashed banana, brown sugar, egg, egg white, and vanilla until well combined and creamy. Add in coconut oil, applesauce and almond milk, then fold in carrots.

4.Add: wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Gently fold in 1/4 cup of pecans.

5.Pour: into prepared loaf pan and bake for 45-55 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean with a few crumbs attached.

6.Remove: from oven and place on wire rack to cool for 15 minutes. Remove bread from pan and place on wire rack to finish cooling.

7.Frosting: Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla and cinnamon together on medium speed for a minute or until smooth. Spread over cooled bread. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons chopped pecans. Cut and enjoy!

Balloon Bunny

I followed Splitcoast Sketch Challenge SC480, to make both variations of this card.  One I made for my son Bradon.  He is my second oldest, all my kids still live at home but they are getting older, sometimes I'm excited for them to grow, and move on.  Other times (most) I want to keep them little. The other card is for my soon-to-be father-in-law.  He is a great guy.  I hope he has a wonderful Easter, and feels a little bit of love, that was made in this card.


Technique: Copics,
Image: SU "Everybunny"
Paper: Craft, Pumpkin, Daffodil, Celery, White
Ink Basic Black, Soft Suede
Accessories: Button, Ribbon SU Dazzling Diamonds

 Splitcoast Challenge: SC480

For Mike

For Bradon

Bunny and Egg

I stamped the SU "Everybunny" set and scanned them into my computer.  I enlarged them and printed them.  I like them enlarged.  I used my Copic markers to color the little guy.  When I got done, I thought of my youngest son.  So, that is who this card will go to.  My Sheldon for Easter.  I only have a few more days to get his basket together, and I really have no idea what to put in his.  I am sure I will figure out something.  I love this little guy, and I am so proud of him.  He works, and goes to school, and is just a great person to be around.  Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great day.

Bunny, egg, and chick
Technique: Copics,
Image: SU "Everybunny" *Stamped then enlarged
Paper: DSP, Celery, Apricot,
Ink Basic Black
Accessories: Brads SU Crystal Effects

Splitcoast Challenge: SC481

Sunny Bunny

I bought this cartridge when I re-vamped my kitchen.  I wanted it for the wine bottle.  That was several months ago, and I have yet to cut out the wine bottle.  Oh well, I did pull out "Celebrate with Flourish" to make this cute card for my Soon to be mother and father in law.  These guys are wonderful, I am so happy to be joining their family.  I feel very lucky to have them in my life. They've got a lot of love to share.  I used Splitcoast Stampers sketch challenge to engage my creativity.  This cartridge has some great images.  I really love all the flourish that goes with it.  I also pulled out some retired SU papers.  I think they go together pretty well.  Love you Terry & Judy hope you have a wonderful Easter.  Sorry, we can't spend it together like last year.

Technique: Cricut,
Cricut-"Celebrate with Flourish"
SU Wheel  "
Paper: DSP, Green Galore,Appricot, Melon Mambo
Ink Basic Black, Melon Mambo
Accessories: SU "Chevron" embossing Folder SU Dazzling Diamonds

 Splitcoast Challenge: SC483

Little Bunny

This bunny is from "Everybunny" I enlarged it and colored it with my Copics.  I made this little girl for my niece.  She lives in California.  We don't get to visit much, although last summer we got to take a business trip down there.  Other wise, we keep in contact via text, some phone calls. I love sending hand made cards~ so the recipient knows they are special to me.

Have a wonderful day, glad you stopped by.

Technique: Copics,
 Image: SU "Everybunny"
 Paper: DSP, Wasabi
 Ink Basic Black
Accessories: Brad, Ribbon SU Dazzling Diamonds

 Splitcoast Challenge: SC479

Octopus Card

This may seem like a silly card to give a 16 year old for her birthday!  However, her party was at the pool and her all time favorite movie is The Little Mermaid!  Her mom decided to make the party more adultish, by making it at under the sea party.  So here we have the octopus.  Sometimes I really like quilling, it's work but they turn out pretty cute.  The little turd also got a car from grandma and grandpa.  So fun.


Technique: Quilling, Embossing Folders
Folder: Circles
Image: SU Wheel "Something Fishy"
Paper: DSP Basic Gray, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight,



accessories: SU sparkly brads
Splitcoast Challenge: SC435

 

 

 

Quinoa with Dried Cherries and Pistachios

To make it easy on myself I make the side dish Vegetarian friendly.  Well, actually that really isn't that easy.   Finding a balance that my family will like that contains the necessary nutrients for the two vegetarians.  High on the list for the top 20 or so mainstays~ that a vegetarian needs to have is Quinoa. I've heard it's like rice. Not really though, it's really light, very yummy.  I am once again pleasantly surprised by the taste and texture.  I made some artichokes to go along with this meal.  I was surprised how much protein is in this little vegetable.  As well as potassium.  It really is amazing what mother nature has provided for us that I've never given a thought to.  For the meat eaters, I just made some meatballs in spaghetti sauce and garlic toast.  Everyone seemed to happy and satisfied.  YAY MOM!

1 ¾ cups quinoa, uncooked 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided 3 tablespoons shallot, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cups water ⅓ cup white wine ½ teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh ¼ teaspoon pepper ½ cup Cherries, tart, dried, dried, sweet, chopped ½ cup pistachio nuts, dry roasted, chopped ¼ cup mint leaves, fresh, chopped ¼ cup parsley, fresh, chopped

1.Rinse and Drain: quinoa.  2.Heat: 2 teaspoons oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shallots to pan; sauté 2 minutes or until tender.  3.Add: 2 cups water, wine, and salt to pan; bring to a boil. Add quinoa; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is tender.  4.Remove: from heat; set aside, and cool slightly. 5.Combine: remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice, and pepper in a large bowl; stir with a whisk. Add quinoa, cherries, and remaining ingredients; toss gently to combine. Servings/Yield: 8 servings

meatballs for the meat eaters

Navajo Tacos

This is actually one of our families favorite dinners.  We've served it at many a birthday party.  I cheat by using canned chili.  Nalley's Vegetarian I think is pretty good.  I've actually been feeding this to my kids long before the switch to a veggie diet.  Luckily my daughter is use to this one.  You could also cheat and buy prepared rolls.  I do not, I have a bread maker, that is much cheaper and pretty simple.  When I get more into the research of this new lifestyle.  I hope to make the scones more beneficial.  Using more whole grain, tonight I used plain old refined white flour.  Baby steps guys, baby steps.

Here is my white bread recipe if you'd like to modify or use as is.  It's a great simple recipe.  I do use honey instead of sugar, and butter not margarine, so that's a start right.

1 ⅛ cups water, room temperature 2 tablespoons butter, room temp 2 ¼ teaspoons honey 1 ⅛ teaspoons salt 3 cups bread flour 3 tablespoons dry milk 1 ½ teaspoons yeast, active dry, instant, or bread machine

1.Place ingredients in the bread pan in the order listed.

2.Select: Basic/White option  Select: Loaf size   (just use dough option here) Select: Crust color

3.When cycle has completed remove to wire rack to cool completely. Then slice. (When cycle completes, shape into circles and fry until desired doneness Top with chili and other taco like condiments.)

Tofurky

So far we have tried three "Tofurky" items.  Here is our review of them.....

The first one we tried was on our boating trip.  I mean you can't have a trip to the lake without chips, dip and sandwiches.  It was the "Tofurky" hickory smoked deli slices.  These are pretty spot on.  We both like the texture and the taste.  Plus you get so much more for the calories.  Just watch your carb intake.   And the dip~ one of my all time favorites is still veggie friendly.  Cottage cheese and ranch mix.  So much better for you than the store bought dips.

We also tried the Italian lunch meat.  I loved this one, tastes like salami.  Has a great texture.
I liked it much more than my daughter.  Who is originally a go to bologna eater.  Gotta give the girl props for trying all this new stuff.

Just when we were thinking Tofurky was the bomb. We tried their bacon.  Our warning~ stay away from this product.  The smell is amazing, the texture is horrifying and the flavor~ Well I won't buy it again.  This is where it ended up after our one and only taste test.

Well there you have our take on these veggie meats.  I will definitely enjoy my sandwiches again.  However, onward goes the search for a better bacon!

Happy Veggin' to ya!