oatmeal

THE BEST OATMEAL EVER!!!

June 9, 2014 by Bethany And Rachel 2 Comments

No themed oatmeal today folks, well, no regular themed oats. Today is my own version of the BEST OATMEAL EVER. Yup, you heard right, the BEST OATMEAL EVER. My very own concoction of everything in my kitchen (literally). This oatmeal is probably nothing like you have ever tasted before, it’s got its own special flavor. Healthy, filling and satisfying, these oats are the perfect way to start your day! Move-over themed oats, it’s time for this guy to shine, and he will do nothing less than impressed!

THE BEST OATMEAL EVER!!!

1/2 cup dry oats
1 1/2 cups water
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
4 black cherries
3 strawberries
10 blueberries
1/2 apple
2 tbsp crushed pistachios

1. In a small pot, bring water to a boil, then add oatmeal and stir continuously until water is absorbed

2. Take off from heat and transfer oats into a bowl and add cocoa, cinnamon and vanilla

3. On a cutting board, chop up fruit into small pieces and then add to oats along with pistachios

4. Mix well and enjoy!!! 🙂

Health Benefits

Fiber
No added Sugar
No preservatives
100% clean
Antioxidants, vitamins and minerals
Fruit servings

This may or may not be the most delicious version of oats I have ever tasted, but don’t just go by my opinion, go ahead and try for yourself 🙂

Baked Peanut Butter and Jelly Oats

June 5, 2014 by Bethany And Rachel 4 Comments

Every time I think of Peanut butter and Jelly, I am always reminded of my elementary school lunch days. Those days were filled with happiness, and especially because recess was after lunch! This classic combo is perfect for all kids and adults alike! A traditional PB&J is made on highly processed white bread with sugar-filled grape or strawberry jelly and peanut butter, which makes for a pretty unhealthy intention. Sometimes, even the peanut butter is filled with sugar! This sad truth about a childhood favorite really brought to my attention and influenced me to create a healthy version, for breakfast! Mashed strawberries and a touch of honey replace the jelly(without tasting any different really), natural peanut butter replaces the sugary kind and oats take the place of bread. It’s kinda like myself, a grown of version, but still a kid at heart, perfect for every “kid” of any age! Not to mention healthy and amazingly filling and tasteful 🙂

Baked Peanut Butter and Jelly Oats

1/2 cup oats
1/3 cup almond milk
5 fresh or frozen strawberries (microwave them so they get mushy)
1/2 tbsp peanut flour (or natural pb)
1 tsp honey
1 tbsp all natural crunchy peanut butter

1. Mix oats with almond milk in a bowl

2. Mash Strawberries into oat mixture and add peanut flour and honey

3. Place 1/2 oat mixture into a ramekin, then place crunchy peanut butter in the center, then the rest of the oats on top

4. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10-15 minutes, or until golden

5. Top with peanuts, if desired

Health Benefits

Fiber
Protein
Vitamins
No added sugar
Low glycemic carbs
Calcium
No preservatives

Guaranteed to fill you up with wholesome goodness, plus, a layer of melted peanut butter doesn’t hurt either!

Red Velvet and “Cream Cheese” Layered Oats

June 4, 2014 by Bethany And Rachel Leave a Comment

If you didn’t know, red velvet cake is a mix of vanilla and chocolate, with red food coloring. Red food coloring is made with artificial ingredients and therefore is not healthy. To continue on with my “oatmeal obsession,” I decided to challenge myself into making red velvet cake with all-natural ingredients, and the same great taste. I had some freshly roasted beets in the fridge and used them for the deep red color. The beets also add a nice level of sweetness to the dish, without over powereing. Next came the pure vanilla extract and the real cocoa powder to really replicate the richness of the actual cake. And for the Cream cheese “frosting”, I didn’t use an ounce of cream cheese, since it is highly processed. I used some vanilla greek yogurt with a touch of lemon to give it some tang, just like cream cheese, and voila, a tasty, yet healthy version of red velvet cake, you can have your cake and eat it too!

Red Velvet Cake and “Cream Cheese” Layered Oats

1/2 cup dry oats
3/4 cup water
1/2 of a small roasted beet, or a few canned beet slices (skin removed)
1 1/2 heaping tbsp of cocoa powder
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tbsp honey

1. Cook oats with water in microwave for about 1 1/2- 2 minutes

2. In a food processor add beets, cocoa, vanilla and honey

3. Mix beet mixture and oats in a bowl

4. Layer oats in a jar/bowl with “cream cheese” layer

“Cream Cheese” Layer

1/3 cup plain or vanilla greek yogurt(add 1 tsp honey and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract if using plain)
1tsp lemon juice

1. Combine yogurt with lemon juice and layer with oats

2. Top everything off with crushed pecans and white chocolate chips, if desired

Health Benefits

Fiber
Antioxidants
Calcium
No added sugar
No preservatives
Serving of veggies
Low glycemic carbs

I’m sure you never would have guessed to add beets for flavor and color, pretty cool huh? Trust me, it may seem weird to add beets, but it’s well worth it.

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Pie Oats

June 4, 2014 by Bethany And Rachel Leave a Comment

Peanut butter and chocolate is one of my favorite combinations for breakfast…. and lunch, and maybe dinner. You can never go wrong. If I could just have one thing for the rest of my life, it would be peanut butter and chocolate everything, I would never get tired of that. Peanut butter pie is among the favorites of my pie palate (I’m a pie critic). Too bad peanut butter and chocolate pie is loaded with sugar, fat, preservatives, you name it. Not to mention extremely high in calories too. So I put my thinking cap to the test, and created a delicious version of my all-time favorite combo. No added sugar, preservatives and all natural ingredients, you may fool your taste buds into thinking that you are actually eating a sugar-filled, bad-for-you pie, but your body knows the truth, wholesome and healthy goodness.

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Pie Oats

1/2 cup dry oats
3/4 cup water
1 tbsp powdered peanut butter
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp honey

1. In a bowl, microwave oats and water

2. Divide cooked oats into two bowls

3. In one bowl of oats, add powdered peanut butter and vanilla extract and mix

4. In other bowl of oats, add cocoa powder and honey and mix

5. Combine the peanut butter and chocolate oats in one bowl, but place each mixture on one side of the bowl, do not mix (should be half pb oats and half chocolate oats)

6. Top with chocolate sauce and peanuts, if desired

Peanut Chocolate Sauce

2 tbsp almond milk
1/2 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 tbsp powdered peanut butter

1. Mix all ingredients together until fully combined

2. Spread sauce down the middle of where the two flavors meet (or wherever you like)

Health Benefits

Fiber
Protein
No added sugar
No preservatives
Calcium
Antioxidants
Low-fat

What’s your favorite flavor combination???

Apple Pie Layered Oats

June 4, 2014 by Bethany And Rachel 6 Comments

Apple pie is the unofficial, official pie of America, according to me. Every holiday, every cookout, it’s always there, waiting to be eaten. Those plump, sugary, cinnonaminy, apples with that sweet, buttery and crumbly crust. Nothing can beat the taste of fresh made apple pie, it’s pure bliss. Apple pie is loaded with sugar, way too much since apples are sweet enough, not to mention the high calorie and fat content in a small slice. Plus, we all know that no one eats 1/12 of a pie, more like 1/4. This recipe contains no added sugar what so ever, just a touch of honey. You can’t beat the taste of cinnamon baked apples with an oat “crust” and Greek yogurt “whipped cream.” Take one bite of these oats and you’ll experience a pleasant sensation happening in your mouth, I promise you.

Apple Pie Layered Oats

1/3 cup oats
1/2 large apple, cut up into small pieces
2 tsp. Cinnamon
1/3 cup vanilla or plain greek yogurt
1 tsp. honey

1. Cook oats and honey with 1/2 cup water and microwave for 1 1/2 minutes or until fully cooked

2. In a separate bowl, microwave apple pieces and cinnamon

3. In a bowl or glass jar, place 1/2 of oatmeal on bottom

4. Top with 1/2 the baked apples

5. Place 1/2 yogurt on top apples

6. Place rest of oats on top yogurt

7. Place rest of apples on top of oats

8. Put rest of yogurt on top.

Health Benefits

Fiber
Vitamins, mineral, antioxidants
Calcium
Protein
No added sugar
No preservatives
Low fat

Apple pie flavor and none of the fat, sugar and preservatives? I’m in!

Strawberry, Banana, Chocolate Neopolitan Layered Oats

June 3, 2014 by Bethany And Rachel 2 Comments

Can you guess what my favorite ice cream flavor is from the title of this post? Well, if you can’t, it’s obviously Neapolitan! The vanilla, strawberry and chocolate flavors combine perfectly in your mouth while the ice cream slowly melts resulting in a great childhood memory. If you didn’t know, Neapolitan ice cream is extremely processed, only fake ingredients. The vanilla is made with artificial vanilla extract, the strawberry layer is made with strawberry “flavoring”, and the chocolate is not even made with real cocoa. Yes, I know, it’s a sad truth, but I have some great news. I recreated these flavors in a breakfast parfait that I like to call Neopoliatian Layered Oats, the all-natural version. The pink layer is made with real strawberries, the “white” layer is made with bananas and real vanilla extract and the chocolate layer is made with real cocoa. Preservative free and great tasting, you will be wondering why you have not had Neapolitan flavors in oats, ever. Bye-bye Preservative and sugar-filled fake ice-cream, and hello to the fresh, new and all-natural way to have your favorite flavors for breakfast!

Strawberry, Banana, Chocolate Neopolatian Layered Oats

Strawberry Layer

1/4 cup dry oats
1/4 cup almond milk
4 strawberries
1 tsp. Honey

1. In a food processor, blend all ingredients together until fully blended

2. Place oats in a bowl and microwave for 1 minute or until fully cooked

Banana Layer

1/4 cup dry oats
1/4 cup almond milk
1/2 ripe banana
1 tsp. Pure vanilla extract

1. In a food processor, blend all ingredients together until fully blended.

2. Place oats in another bowl(not the same as the strawberry layer) and microwave for 1 minute or until fully cooked

Chocolate Layer

1/4 cup dry oats
1/4 cup almond milk
1 heaping tbsp. Cocoa powder
1 tsp. Honey

1. In a food processor, blend all ingredients together until fully blended.

2. Place oats in another separate bowl and microwave for 1 minute or until fully cooked

Toppings (optional)

Sliced Strawberries
Plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
Unsweetened coconut
Fresh Blueberries

Layering Directions

1. Get a bowl or a glass jar and place the strawberry layer on the bottom, top with sliced strawberries

2. Place banana layer on top of strawberries and cover with some plain yogurt

3. Layer chocolate oats on top of yogurt and top off with some coconut and fresh blueberries, if desired

Health Benefits

Fiber
Antioxidants
Calcium
No preservatives
Natural flavor and colors
No added sugar
Low fat

This breakfast is guaranteed to fill you up, and taste like the ice-cream flavor! What more could you want!!! What’s your favorite ice-cream flavor???

Dessert for Breakfast: Banana Creme Pie Layered Oats

June 2, 2014 by Bethany And Rachel 5 Comments

Every morning I make my Dad breakfast. I know I don’t have to, but I like to make life a little easier for him so he can have a hassle-free morning. My Dad is a big eater, meaning he will eat literally anything and everything. He especially has a sweet tooth for cakes and pies. I wanted to make him something extra special for breakfast this morning and decided to recreate one of his favorite pies for a sweet surprise. Banana creme pie, in my opinion, is the absolute best pie known to man. The flavor of the banana and vanilla wafers blend together into a wonderful explosion in your mouth. Unfortunately it’s very high in fat and calories, plus a ton of preservatives add up to this pie’s downside. The good news, however, is I made a healthy breakfast version of this dessert, so not only can you enjoy the same flavors without the fat,sugar and calories, but you can also enjoy it for breakfast! This healthy replica of this dessert will satisfy your sweet-tooth and all of your body’s needs in one shot!

Banana Creme Pie Oats

1/2 cup dry oats
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup plain yogurt
1/2 tbsp. honey
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 small banana, cut into slices
1 tbsp. crushed walnuts

1. Place oats and water in a bowl and microwave for about 1 1/2-2 minutes

2. Place yogurt in a small bowl and mix in honey and vanilla extract

3. Get a jar, or another bowl and start to layer ingredients. Place 1/2 of the oatmeal on the bottom, then place 1/2 the banana slices on top of the oats. Next, place all of the yogurt mixture on top of bananas. Place rest of oatmeal on top of yogurt and top off with the remaining banana slices and crushed walnuts.

Health Benefits

Lots of fiber
Vitamins and minerals
Calcium
Low glycemic carbs
low-fat
All-natural
No added sugar or preservatives

This decadent breakfast will be guaranteed to fill your stomach, and your taste buds. Comment your favorite flavor of pie and I will recreate it into a healthy, yet tasteful breakfast!

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