Another Use for a Mason Jar

I love mason jars! They make everything so cute don't they? I filled up two jars with my Granola and used a coffee filter for the paper covering. I'd say they turned out pretty cute!

 So crafty I was this morning!

Ready to go , Steel Cut Oats

Frankly, I couldn't believe that something reheated the next morning or a couple days after could taste just as good- if not better than fresh! I make this once a week and place each portion into bowls or containers.

Essentially, this is a recipe for perfect Steel Cut Oatmeal. You can add whatever you want to it, though i suggest adding berries, 1/2 chopped apple, 1/2 chopped banana, 1/2 chopped peach, and 8-10 nuts (whichever you prefer with each respected fruit). You can also add peanut butter to the banana (this is my 13 year old brother's favorite). I eat this every other day to gain some variety in my diet but eat it as you wish. This breakfast will get your body going with plenty of fiber, whole grains, calcium, protein, vitamins, and minerals from the fruit. Don't skimp on carbs in the morning... You need to replenish your blood glucose levels after a night of 'fasting'. It's HEALTHY.

Why not instant oatmeal or rolled oats? Steel Cut gives you a heartier texture, more fiber, and more nutrients all around because it's closer to the natural form of the grain. Using equal parts water to milk helps to achieve the creamiest and lowest calorie oatmeal with added Calcium.

In regards to sweeteners... I don't sweeten my oatmeal. I 'weened' myself off of it. It's possible, I promise. However, a teaspoon or two isn't going to kill you; so go for it if that's what you like. Besides, the fiber from the oats will slow down the absorption of the added sugar to the blood stream.

Ready to Go

Steel Cut Oatmeal

Makes 4 servings

1 cup Steel Cut Oats

2 cup almond milk 

2 cups water

(optional) 4 teaspoons cinnamon (I love this)

1/2 cup fruit (1 for each bowl)

7-10 nuts of your choice (I like pecans, slivered almonds, GROUND flax seeds, or chia seeds) (for each bowl)

Bring Oats, Milk, and water to a boil. Reduce heat to Low (add cinnamon here) and simmer covered for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally. Turn the heat off and divide into four portions of approximately 3/4 cups. Add fruit and nuts to each bowl and cover when cooled. Place in refrigerator. In the morning, microwave until heated through. If the oats are too stiff add another 1/4 cup water and stir. 

I really like Bananas, pecans, and cinnamon. When you heat it up in the morning the Bananas almost disappear into the oatmeal and it tastes and smells like Banana Bread!

Flat Belly Creamiscle Smoothie

4 years ago, on a wedding shoot in Alabama, I met one of my best friends, Nikki Dubose. We bonded over 'burping contests' and ice cream with microwave-melted Reeses Peanut Buttercups. That is how you know you've met a true friend. It wasn't long before Nikki, her boyfriend, and I were restaurant hopping Miami trying 'Venezuelan Hot Dogs', fried oreos, and IHOPS newest pancakes. Wow, we ate REALLY well.

Nikki and I as Southern Bells

Soon after shoving that junk down our throats Nikki's boyfriend informed me that 'Smoothies make your skin sag!' Does anyone actually know if there is truth to this? Just incase... I'm 'Never, Ever Going To Jamba Juice Again'.  I will gladly concoct 'safe skin' smoothies, myself.

Today we're paying homage to those delicious 'Orange Creamsicle Popsicles' most of us enjoyed in our youth. It's just as easy as my Banana Smoothie but even more perfect for your 'flat belly' days due to the lack of oatmeal.

I hope you enjoy your 'popsicle' and non-skin-sagging-smoothie.

Add all ingredients to a blender

 Blend till smooth

Pour and serve. Oh, so simple.

Flat Belly 

CreamsicleSmoothie

1 Banana

1/2 Cup NonFat Greek Yogurt

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1/2 cup orange juice

1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk

3 ice cubes

Blend in Blender. Pour and Serve

Calories: 260 Fat: 2.1 g Fiber 4.5 g 

Review: The Bread Smith

This morning after I'd had my fix of an overwhelming amount of eggs and toast at the Original Pancake House. I spotted, across the street, a 'Bread Smith'. A smile spread across my face and excitement flooded through my body (yes, for bread).

Growing up in Utah left me with very comforting memories of going to "Great Harvest Bread Co" with my mom and sampling various breads with their signature honey butter or jam. The employees were friendly, smiling, and inviting. You wanted to buy bread from these people before you even tasted it! Ahh, the good ol' days.

Brace yourself,

I am so utterly disappointed. Why? oh Why? Breadsmith! Why must you hire a grumpy lady that is no help in choosing from an assortment of scones; let alone breads. I would've walked out on the spot if I hadn't thought you were going to yell at me for changing my mind.

Homemade Granola

I haven't slept much and my body hurts. I ran 12 miles the last two days. I seriously deserve a good breakfast but what do you do when you have agreed to go out to breakfast and your accomplice is sleeping. Nothing, you just blog and completely disregard all stomach pangs and gurgling. If I had any  Granola left I would just eat a little... without yogurt... and call it a pre-morning snack before the storm. Yes, that would be positively delightful. 

I gave away my last jar of 'delightful goodness' at the Packer Game on Thursday; Thus, I will simply day dream about what my life could be. You see this granola is special; It's not from a box, a store, or a restaurant. It's from the heart and soul of my own kitchen. Commercial granolas have so much added sugar and fat it's amazing they can get away with calling it, 'healthy'. Actually, so many things get away with calling themselves 'healthy', but that's a story for another day. Back to Granola... these commercial granolas, you know, the ones you buy out of the bins at whole foods, a box that says 'organic', or order from IHOP... I'll bet you ten dollars that they are the same color as your creamy colored couch. Where is the COLOR!!! Where is the FLAVOR!!!