Protein Bars

Ingredients:

• 1.5 c. raisins (chopped ultra fine in processor or blender)
• 2 c. oats
• 1 c. smooth peanut butter mix
• 3 T. chia seeds
• 4 T. flax ground
• 4 scoops vanilla whey (or 1/2 c. powdered milk if you don't have whey)
• 1/2 c. chocolate chips crushed
• honey or light corn syrup

Directions:

Grind raisins in food processor or blendor.  This will be the sweetener.  Then put chocolate chips in a plastic baggy and roll them into small chunks with a rolling pin.  Then add all the ingredients into an electric mixer for quite a long time. Once there are no chunks drizzle honey or light corn syrup while mixer is on low until you can ball it in your hand.  Compress it in small logs in your hand and store in refrigerator.

Notes:

These are so good. Kind of taste like a healthy version of no-bake cookies.  I will make these for Jeff to go on the road.

Source: my sister Evelyn

Classic Hummus

Classic Hummus

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tablespoons juice from 1 to 2 lemons
• 1/4 cup water
• 6 tablespoons tahini, stirred well
• 1 (14-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 small garlic clove, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1/2 teaspoon)
• 1/2 teaspoon table salt
• olive oil (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Process chickpeas, garlic, salt in food processor until almost fully ground, about 15 seconds. Scrape down bowl with rubber spatula. With machine running, add lemon juice and water in steady stream through feed tube. Scrape down bowl and continue to process for 1 minute. With machine running, add tahini in steady stream through feed tube; continue to process until hummus is smooth and creamy, about 15 seconds, scraping down bowl as needed. (I use my vitamin and add the liquid and seasonings first, then the chickpeas and tahini).
2. It does taste better if you let the flavors meld together, at least 30 minutes. We store in the fridge and it's usually gone quick but can last 5-7 days.  Can drizzle with olive oil when serving, if desired.

Notes: 

Jordan loves hummus and we eat a lot of it around here. It's so much cheaper to make it than to buy it! EmmaMae is following in dad's footsteps and literally eats it by the spoonful! It's a nice healthy snack option and adds some nice filling protein as well. I usually keep it simple but check out Mel's post below for yummy variations. 

Adapted only slightly from: (pic cred, too): http://www.melskitchencafe.com/classic-hummus-three-ways-sugar-rush-reinvented-2/

Simple Granola Bars

Simple Granola Bars

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats

• 1/2 cup wheat germ (or wheat bran or ground flax, or mixture)

• 3/4 t ground cinnamon

• 1 C whole wheat flour

• 3/4-1 C raisins (I usually throw in a full cup)

• 3/4 t salt

• 1/2 C oil (I have used olive oil or canola oil)

• 1/2 C honey

• 1 beaten egg

• 2 t vanilla extract

• Variations: craisins, coconut, mini chocolate chips, slivered almonds, etc

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and line with waxed or parchment paper a 9x13 baking pan.

2. In a large bowl, stir together oats, wheat germ, cinnamon, flour, raisins, and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the honey, egg, oil, and vanilla. Mix well with a spoon or fork until all moistened evenly. Put into prepared pan and smooth out, pressing down evenly with spatula. 

3. Bake for 18-20 minutes, just until edges start to brown/golden. Cool for 5-10 minutes and then lift out the squares (the waxed or parchment paper makes this easy) and cut into squares. Best to cut while still warm.  Store in air tight container. 

Makes 18 medium sized granola bars. (I cut once lengthwise and then 8 times width wise in the 9x13 to make 18 bars). 

Notes:

We eat a lot of granola bars around here, especially as we are on the go. Making my own saves a lot of money and they are much healthier than many of the processed kinds. I have tried many recipes but I keep coming back to this one. It can be changed quite a bit (if you don't have wheat germ, that's okay!). I like that they pack well and don't fall apart as some do. Full of protein and whole grains, they are filling - which is a must in our snack department! The boys like to grab one as we head to the playground, I bring some in a tupperware when we are out and about, or they throw one in their lunches. I try to make these weekly, although I'm sure we would eat more if I made them more often! I haven't tried, but I'm sure they freeze well, too. Very simple to stir together and pop in the oven, so I feel like they are still convenient and worth making instead of buying.

Source: Adapted from and picture credit:  http://allrecipes.com/recipe/playgroup-granola-bars/detail.aspx

Banana Sour Cream Bread

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup butter
• 3 cups white sugar
• 3 eggs
• 6 very ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 teaspoons baking soda
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 
  
• Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Grease four 7x3 inch loaf pans. In a small bowl, stir together 1/4 cup white sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Dust pans lightly with cinnamon and sugar mixture.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and 3 cups sugar. Mix in eggs, mashed bananas, sour cream, vanilla and cinnamon. Mix in salt, baking soda and flour. Stir in nuts. Divide into prepared pans.
3. Bake for 1 hour, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean

Hot-ish Buffalo Wings

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs buffalo wings
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/8 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup hot pepper sauce
• 2 cups vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Remove the tips of wings and cut at the joint to separate drum from flat part. Rinse under cold water and pat dry.
2. In a bowl, season flour with garlic powder, paprika and cayenne pepper. Dredge chicken wings in flour mixture to fully coat.
3. In a skillet, heat vegetable oil and deep-fry wings for about 10 minutes or until golden brown and juices run clear. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels.
4. While chicken wings are frying, melt butter in a saucepan and add hot pepper sauce. Stir to combine and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 2 to 3 minutes.
5. Dip fried wings in sauce to fully coat. Serve with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.

Notes:

I made these last night to try something new for a "finger food" to bring for our March Madness kickoff party.  I really liked this recipe because even though it is still breaded and deep fried, I felt like it wasn't very heavy.  (I usually HATE deep fried anything).  I think it wasn't heavy because you don't use any egg or milk to get more flour to stick.  Still pretty fatty, but not as heavy.  Jeff was a big fan too.  Then I served it with the traditional celery and carrot slices, and blue cheese.  I still have to post Jeff's specialty too!

- Picture and Recipe from http://www.onionringsandthings.com/2012/11/buffalo-wings/

Bacon Wrapped Omelet Bites

Bacon Wrapped Omelet Bites

Ingredients:

• 12 eggs

• 12 slices bacon (I used turkey bacon)

• 1 red pepper, chopped

• 3 cups chopped fresh spinach

• salt and pepper to taste

• about 1 C shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions:

1. Cook bacon according to preference (I baked mine at 400 for about 13 minutes) and let drain on paper towels. Spray muffin tins with nonstick spray and preheat oven to 350F after bacon is done.

2. Place one slice of bacon in each muffin tin, wrapping around edges.

3. Beat 12 eggs in medium bowl.

4. Chop the red pepper and spinach.

5. Add veggies, salt and pepper to taste, and cheese to egg mixture. Use soup ladle to transfer egg mixture to muffin tins, filling 2/3 full.

6. Bake at 350F for 30-35 minutes, when eggs are fluffy and slightly brown on top.

Makes 12 omelet bites.

Notes:

These refrigerate very well and can be easily warmed up throughout the week for a quick breakfast or snack. 

Picture from and recipe adapted from: http://www.menshealth.com/guy-gourmet/bake-bacon-wrapped-protein-packed-omelet-bites

German-Chocolate Fudge Bites (Healthy!)

Healthy German-Chocolate Fudge Bites

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup pitted dates (120g)

• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

• 1/16 tsp salt

• 2 tbsp cocoa powder (or raw cacao powder)

• 2 tbsp shredded coconut

• 1/3 to 1/2 cup raw pecans (I've used walnuts, as that's what I've had on hand both times)

• optional: feel free to add some chocolate chips (I usually add about 2-3 Tbs of mini choco chips)

• Makes 10-14 balls (so I doubled it last time I made these!).

Directions:
Blend all ingredients together very well. (She recommends using a food processor, I used my vitamix.) Squish the dough together. (I put the dough to a ziplock plastic bag then smushed it together in the bag. It’s much less messy this way!) Roll into balls, cookie-cuttered shapes, or bars… or you can even use it for a pie crust! (I've only tried it in the ball form so far).

Notes:

I love these because the ingredient list is basic and healthy and they totally satisfy my post-partum sugar and chocolate cravings!! Dates are a great base for desserts like this - the sweetness and moisture they provide is perfect. This lady's website is awesome and I'm sure I'll be trying more from her! UPDATE (4.30.14: I have made these many many times now. I've also used almonds and they work great and we usually have on hand more than other nuts. I have found it works best if I add the nuts to my vitamin first and blend and then add the cocoa, coconut, salt and blend and then add the dates in portions until the mix starts to get sticky.)

Picture and recipe from: http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/02/08/german-chocolate-fudge-bites/

Two Minute Mug Brownie

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp flour
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• pinch of salt
• 1 Tbsp oil
• 1 Tbsp milk or water

Directions:

Add all the ingredients in a mug or a small sauce bowl (microwave safe of course!) Then throw in the microwave for about 50 seconds! Add some whipped cream to the top to really make it good!

Notes:

GIRLS!!!!! This is my FAVORITE treat when I am just craving a little chocolate treat but I don't want to make a mess.  It always hits the spot! I make this whenever I just need a little 5 minute break from everything, and then eat it in my little corner.  It's definitely my go to.  Anyway I thought I would share.  I had an idea to make it with yogurt instead of milk and oil, so I will try it and maybe adapt it later.  Hope you like it!

- Adapted from http://blogs.babble.com/family-kitchen/2011/09/13/two-minute-mug-brownie/