Chia Seed Pudding

Chia seeds are one of my favorite 'super-foods'. By adding them to oatmeal, water, smoothies, stir fries, or eating them raw, I can eat  4-5 tablespoons a day. Chia Seeds are little, black, grey, and white seeds that absorb 12 times their weight in water. They are good for weight loss, feeling full, hydration, and controlling blood sugar.

This is my favorite way to eat chia seeds. The Chia seed forms a gel when mixed with water and when left alone forms a 'pudding' like consistency that makes for a dessert you feel good about. I will have this for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. If you have any questions feel free to ask!

Basic Chia Seed Pudding

3 Tablespoons of Chia Seeds
1 Cup of Homemade Almond Milk
Stevia, Honey, or Maple Syrup (I don't recommend Agave)

Combine all ingredients into a bowl and whisk. Let the mixture sit for 1 minute and then whisk again. At this point you can add any ingredients you would like for flavoring. Some can include:

• Nuts
• 1/4 tsp of Vanilla Extract (Vanilla Pudding)
• Coconut
• Bananas
• Craisins, Raisins, Dried Fruit
• Bee Pollen. 
• cacao/cocoa powder

Whisk again and pour into a mug or jar and refrigerate for an hour/overnight.

Carrot Cake Smoothie

The top two questions I'm asked in regards to growing up in Utah are, 'Are you mormon?' or 'How many siblings do you have?'. (No, and three.) Despite not having 10 brothers and sisters and not being mormon we fit in quite well. My mother was quite the business woman/homemaker. Every year, she would make these beautiful birthday cakes for us. We had barbies, barney's, dinosaurs  and spice girls. My mother's above and beyond attitude to our birthdays paid off and everyone on the block knew not to miss a 'Fraser Birthday'.  My birthday usually consisted of Cooking Light's Apple Cake or Carrot Cake.

When she'd make Carrot Cake I would sit at the countertop and wait for her to walk away before sticking my finger in the batter... multiple times. I'd usually get caught and she'd ask me, 'did you use the same finger?!' I'd say, 'We are all related anyway!'. I was hooked. 

Sadly, My double dipping-finger licking days are over. Not because I wouldn't like to do it but because it's heavily frowned upon as an adult. Further, the calories in carrot cake aren't exactly waist friendly. Which is why I was delighted to discover that this recipe for a "Carrot Cake Smoothie" tastes just like the batter I remember! I drink this before or after a workout or anytime i feel like Carrot Cake! 

Photo and Recipe is from "Oh She Glows". 

Carrot Cake Smoothie

1 cup of almond milk

1/2 frozen banana (full if you want)

2 ice cubes

1 full carrot or 7 baby carrots

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

top with coconut or cinnamon

(optional) 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder. 

Place ingredients in a blender and blend till combined. If you let the smoothie sit for too long the smoothie will become VERY thick and you will have to use a spoon. I drink mine 5 minutes after if not immediately after. 

I don't like protein powders so I skip that but if you love it... go for it. I can't comment on how it tastes because i've never tried it!

Healthy Summertime Dinner Menu.

Okay... my years of watching the food network have finally redeemed themselves. I decided to throw a 'shower' for my friends back home. I have missed these girls' weddings and baby showers. It's sad. So i wanted to do something for them and get them the presents for their adorable children only one of the 4 children received. So! i found the perfect menu and with my sister's expert craft skills and my mothers knowledge of table settings... It was a perfect summertime evening. 

 The cute table setting. My sister made all of the tissue paper decorations that are hanging and on the table ends. 

 Each person had a 'bebe perfume' on their plate and a present (based on a girl or boy) on their chair!

 This was the starter... It was AMAZING... Watermelon Caprese Skewers. Super refreshing and Healthy. The only thing i did differently with this recipe was halved the sugar. The balsamic wasn't as 'syrupy' but it still tasted phenomenal. 

This recipe was from Giada's Cookbook... Recipe on the bottom :)

 These were our little Chicken Salad Boats. I loved this recipe because of the 'no mayo' factor. Super light and SUPER flavorful. 

Giada's Healthy Chicken Salad Boats Recipe

Dessert had to be something decadent but light on the tummy. Theses White Chocolate Hazelnut Tartlets are crispy Phyllo shells layered with Chocolatey Spread on the bottom and white chocolate whipped cream and toasted Hazelnuts on top. So good everyone had TWO! whoops. 

GIADA'S WHITE CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT TARTLETS

 Congrats Christa on the upcoming baby boy and thanks to all of you for coming. I would've been pissed if you hadn't ;)

Again I changed the amount of sugar in this recipe as well as omitted the olive oil. If you want those things... go for it. Whatever makes you feel good!. xoxo

Watermelon.Tomato.Basil

 Skewers. 

1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar

1/8 cup sugar 

1 4 to 6 pound Watermelon

60 leaves of Basil

16 Baby Tomatoes

Kosher Salt

12 Bamboo Skewers

Bring the Balsamic and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan and turn heat to low until sugar has disolved. Set pot aside. Chop the watermelon into bite size cubes and skewer one tomato, one basil leaf, and one piece of watermelon. Repeating twice more. When all ingredients are used, drizzle the balsamic vinegar over the skewers and season with a pinch of kosher salt. Serve chilled. 

Oven Roasted Fruit. Summertime Dessert

Whenever i get to go home to Utah it's a treat. Utah honestly has the most beautiful summers. I am probably bias given i grew up there but it's dry, warm in the day, cool at night, and has that really lovely soft grass that you can't wait to just lay in- especially under the stars, it's beautiful. Anyway!! Last week i went home to my lovely family to cook, dance, and eat (we live in the kitchen). 

Every year my mom buys a MASSIVE box of peaches from a local orchard; I make it my duty to eat them all before... uh... they...uh... go bad. You see, I can find complete and utter happiness in a bowl of 5,6,7, 10 peaches. It's why i made them dessert. Dessert typically equals happiness and so do peaches... big time smiles here. 

My cute sisters. They can't wait to each peaches for dessert too. 

 Specifically, this dessert is composed of peaches, strawberries, and plums. Drizzled with citrus and paired with Frozen Honey Sweetened Yogurt, Ice Cream, or by itself. You won't feel guilty for this one. 

Oven Roasted Fruit

Peaches, Strawberries, Plums

Ingredients

• 6 peaches, pitted and cut into quarters or eighths
• 6 plums or Italian prune plums, pitted and quartered or halved
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 cups fresh Strawberries OR raspberries
• 2 tablespoons orange juice

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Place the peaches and plums snugly in a single layer, cut side up, in 2 glass or porcelain oven-proof baking dishes. Sprinkle with the sugar, and then top with the raspberries. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until tender.

Heat the broiler and place the fruit about 5 inches below the heat and broil for 5 to 8 minutes, until the berries release some of their juices.

Remove from the broiler and sprinkle with orange juice. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled. You may also serve it with a bit of plain yogurt (with honey or not). 

Banana Bread

I'm playing catch-up. I have been flying all over this lovely country and trying to cram in my own meals as much as possible. Before i left to Miami one morning i really wanted to make some Banana Bread for my friends. I noshed on some cereal to stop myself from eating all of the batter. 

 You can do anything with wheaties. I added almond milk and blueberries. Yes, healthy. 

I mashed up some bananas, added some whole wheat flour, baking soda, vanilla, cinnamon, and a little sugar and bam... Sliced it up and put it in these cute little containers i found at target. Such a cute treat. 

Can you see the heart in the batter? 

This is the best Banana Bread Recipe I have come across. It's called, "Banana Banana Bread" due to it's extreme banana flavor. I have used this recipe from 'All Recipes' plenty of times but this time, I 'healthified' it by using half wheat flour, half white flour, halving the sugar, and adding 1 tsp of cinnamon and vanilla. At the end of the day it's still Banana Bread so if you want to go for the original recipe... i don't fault you. 

Banana Banana Bread

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

Find the original recipe and comments at http://allrecipes.com/recipe/banana-banana-bread/