Thoughts....

My thoughts are here today...

found here

 

Out With The Old....

Nope, not a recipe. (he he he....)

Don't be sad.  I have PLENTY more to share. I just chose something different today.

Even with the busyness of the holidays, I have managed a FEW itty bitty household projects.  Actually, it was because of the holidays that these repairs came about.

First off.....

I have strongly disliked our stinkin' kitchen lighting fixtures since the day we moved in.

 I mean, are we running a poker parlor or something?  Who buys this kind of stuff?  Seriously?  

I have been dragging my feet, as far as doing anything about it, for several months now (I blame pinterest for that...too many ideas).  But, as I attempted to decorate for Christmas, I tried a few things to dress it up, make it less ugly, to no avail.  THAT IS IT!

A trip to Walmart-o and $16 dollars later........ 

I'd still have plans to spray paint it something other than gold, but a VAST improvement, if I do say so myself.

Still haven't found anything size appropriate for this one but, heck, it's still improved from before, don't you think? 

Secondly, we finally broke down and ordered a new computer.  I, personally, was just fine with our 8 year old one, but Roberto felt it was time to upgrade.  Sigh....  I REALLY didn't want to spend the money on it....but finally gave up after Rob's relentless pestering.  

We're still waiting for it to get here but, resigned, I dismantled what was left of the old one, and finally.....yes....FINALLY threw this old mouse away.  Taped button and all.

(I hope all you frugal-(possible super cheap)-hold-onto-things-until-they-are-absolutely-unusable-taped- button haters are happy (aka Ken).)

 

Chocolatey Sweet and Salty Energy Bar

It's no secret that I've been trying to lose weight lately (4 weeks, 9lbs down, 5lbs to go). In order to do so, I had to make a few changes to my current lifestyle. I ramped back up my exercise regime from 3 days a week to 5-6 days a week, started making better food choices, and have been far more careful about portion size.  The way I keep track of it all?  MyFitnessPal.com  (super quick MFP plug--It's free, easy, and a fantastic resource to help you set goals, keep track of food and exercise, and encourage friends and family who are on the same journey.)  It seriously rocks the house. Go check it out.  :) 

But for me it's not just about losing weight, it's about becoming healthier, for both me and for household of boys/men.  Believe me...I didn't put on the extra weight by eating what was good for me (unless you count candy and ice cream in large quantities every day good for me....he he he).

To describe how drastically things have changed in the last 5 weeks, I give you a direct quote from Roberto last night, "Mel, I don't remember the last time we went so long without candy in the house (minus the week of Halloween, or course).  Sometimes I hate it, but most of the time I don't even think about it."  Ha ha ha....makes me laugh.

Anyhow.....

It was while I was browsing the recipe forum on myfitnesspal.com today that I came across a recipe, well, not even a recipe, they call it a FORMULA, for The Ultimate Energy Bar.  The idea behind this "formula" is that you are given the basic components and their measurements.  Next you are given a list of recommended options for each component.  It's amazing.  The possibilities are endless....I mean ENDLESS.  The woman who made the formula even gives 3 "recipes" built from the formula to give you a jumping off point. 

I just about died, or cried, or shouted for joy.  It doesn't matter.  I was THAT excited.

I put my kiddos down for naps and went to work.

I was in the mood for chocolate so I took the formula and let my thoughts roll in that direction.  Here's what I came up with: 

But first, my recipe posting disclaimer:  I do not pretend to take fantastic pictures.  Please do not be turned off of the recipe because of my lack of photographic abilities.  I do, however, possess excellent taste testing skills and only post things I deem worthy of my taste buds.

 Chocolatey Sweet and Salty Energy Bar

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed (or 1.5 cups cooked beans)
1/2 cup natural peanut butter (they sell this GV brand at Walmart now)
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp sea salt
1-1/2 cups oats
1/4 cup cocoa
1/4 cup brown rice flour (see pics below)
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup crushed pretzels

1/2 cup chocolate chips

First things first:  I chose to use brown rice flour.  Since I didn't have any on hand, and have actually never bought it from the store, I had to make my own.  Really simple.

Place 1-2 cups of brown rice in a blender.

Pulse or blend until you reached the consistency your are looking for.  I was going for fine.

That's it.  Now you have extra for next time too.

In a food processor, combine beans, peanut butter, honey, applesauce, vanilla and salt until smooth. 

for an even smoother texture smash or blend beans beforehand

Add oats, cocoa, rice flour, and whole-wheat flour and pulse just to combine.  Add crushed pretzels and chocolate chips and pulse, again, just to combine.  If consistency seems to be spreadable, you are done.  If it seems to dry, add 1/4 cup water, if it's too runny, add an additional 1/4 cup wheat or rice flour.

Grease 9 x 13 pan with baking spray or rub pan with 1 TBSP oil, then spread in mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes.

Makes 12 servings

They turned out pretty darn tasty and most of my boys ate and liked them (success).  My super picky (unless it is covered in Ketchup) one saw a whole-ish bean and asked "What is this, mom?"  When I chose not to answer him, he chose not to finish it.  (ha ha ha!)  He ain't no dummy.

Next time I'll blend the beans until they are unrecognizable.  Muahahahaha!   

I think I will try pumpkin something or other next.


Nutrition Information (provided by myfitnesspal.com) 1 serving:  

Calories 243, Carbohydrates 37g, Fat 9g, Protein 8g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 159mg, Sugars 12g, Fiber 6g

 

Blender Wheat Pancakes and syrup recipes too.

Yeah, I know I've been sharing a lot of recipes lately.  And there are more to come.  I just can't help it.  I've been looking at/for a lot of recipes lately and have found some real goodies. 

This one is not only quick to make, easy to follow, extremely easy to clean up after, but it can be made entirely from food storage.  Not that I make it all from food storage but I COULD if I wanted to.  And I think that is pretty dang cool.

Blender Wheat Pancakes 

recipe from Everyday Food Storage  (buttermilk substitution added by yours truly)

1 Cup Milk (translation for powdered milk is 3 T. Milk and 1 C. Water) **

1 Cup Wheat Kernels, whole & uncooked
2 Eggs (2 T. powdered eggs 1/4 C. Water)
2 tsp Baking Powder
1-1/2 tsp Salt
2 Tbs. Oil
2 Tbs. Honey or Sugar

**Milk can be substituted for buttermilk.  Don't have buttermilk?  Try this.  Put 1 TBSP lemon juice (or vinegar) in a one cup measuring cup and fill the rest of the way with milk.  Let sit for 5-10 minutes to allow time for the milk to curdle and use in recipe as directed.

Put milk ( or buttermilk) and wheat kernels in blender.Blend on highest speed for 4 or 5 minutes or until batter is smooth. Add eggs, oil, baking powder, salt and honey or sugar to above batter. Blend on low. Pour out batter into pancakes from the actual blender jar (only one thing to wash!) onto a hot greased or Pam prepared griddle or large frying pan.Cook; flipping pancakes when bubbles pop and create holes.

Berry Syrup 
2 C. Mixed Berries (Raspberries, Blueberries, & Marionberries or any mix that are red and blue
3 T. Sugar
Mix together and let stand for 10-15 minutes before serving.

I love pancakes.  Lots of room for interpretation. 

Other topping ideas:
I LOVE peanut butter and bananas on mine.  Peanut butter is an excellent source of protein and a good addition of flavor without a bunch of empty calories, like most syrups.  Try adding peanut butter to the berry syrup recipe above.  Yummy.  Like a PB and J sandwich.

If you think pancakes just aren't the same without syrup (my boys wouldn't DREAM of venturing away from their beloved syrup), try this amazing recipe from Our Best Bites, Buttermilk Caramel Syrup.  You may just think you have died and gone to heaven.  Sigh.

Or

Here is a basic of all basic maple syrup recipes.  A great alternative to store bought (super bad for you) syrups with additives and high fructose corn syrup.

Homemade Maple Syrup
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
1/2 tsp maple extract (or any flavor you desire)

Place sugars and water in small pan.  Bring to a boil on med-high or high heat.  Allow to boil for 30 seconds, or until sugar is completely dissolved.  Take off heat and add extract.

Note:  This syrup is a lot runnier that you would find in the store (because it is made without thick corn syrup).  If you want a thicker syrup, try whisking in corn starch or refrigerate for several hours before use.  Warm to serve. 

Happy Pancaking!

Do YOU have any yummy topping combos to share?
 

Heaven on Earth "Skinny" Soda Bread (commonly known as Beer Batter Bread)

Have you ever heard of Tastefully Simple? I LOVE Tastefully Simple food. So, so good. So many favorites...this Beer Batter Bread being right at the top.  Others super tasties include, but are not limited to their Key Lime Cheese Ball and my newest indulgence the Irish Cream Fudge Sauce  (added a TBSP to my hot chocolate yesterday.  Squeal! I think I may be drooling...yep, I'm drooling.) 

Anyhow...

I'm not trying to steal their thunder here. I promise.  I LOVE them.  And it's not the price of their products either, okay....maybe a little...but usually I am totally willing to pay that kind of money for that kind of perfection.

That's not the problem .  The problem for us is that a lot of my favorite products, including the Beer Batter Bread, are manufactured in a plant with peanuts/tree nuts. That doesn't bode well for my child who is deathly allergic to cashews. I can make it here but he can't have any.  Which means I can't give any to my other kids ("not fair").  Which means I end up making it AFTER the kids are in bed.  And then it's just the hubby and I.  And then I end up eating half of the loaf on my own (true story, happened yesterday).....and that doesn't go along so well with the whole "trying to lose weight" thing so I just HAD to find a better solution. These kids should not have to be deprived of such a delicacy and I should not be allowed to indulge alone in it.

I found a simple copy cat recipe and tweaked it a bit, making it a bit more skinnylicious.

So, without further ado.

Heaven on Earth "Skinny" Soda Bread  

(commonly known as Beer Batter Bread)

adapted from this recipe at Food.com

Ingredients:
3 cups flour
1 TBSP baking powder
3 TBSP sugar
1 tsp salt
1 (12oz) can carbonated soda**--see notes
3 TBSP unsalted butter, melted (omit for "skinny"--trust me, it doesn't need it)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  In a mixing bowl, whisk together dry ingredients.  Add soda/beer all at once.  Mix vigorously for 20-30 seconds, just until well combined.  Batter will be thick and lumpy.  Scrape and spread batter into a greased 9x5inch loaf pan.  Bake in the oven 35-40 minutes, until sides separate from pan and knife in the center comes out clean.  Turn out onto rack to cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.   12 servings per loaf  (Nutrition Info--each slice:  calories: 125, carbs: 30g, fat: 0g, protein 3g)

Notes:
The sweeter the soda, the sweeter the end product will be.  Lemon-lime is fairly middle ground.  Orange soda will make it VERY sweet and ginger-ale or club soda will drastically cut it down.  Play with the recipe.  Experiment.  You can even use rootbeer, cola, or carbonated juice.  Whatever.  The carbonation is the key.

 This recipe is fantastic as is.  FANTASTIC!

But it's also very versatile.  If you feel like mixin' it up a bit, here are a few variations.


Melanie's (that's me) Cinnamon and Sugar Soda Bread (pictured above)
Prepare recipe as directed above.  Once the loaf is spread into the pan, pour 1 TBSP melted, unsalted butter over the dough.  Combine 3 TBSP sugar with 1 tsp cinnamon.  Sprinkle over melted butter and bake as directed above.   Or divide into muffin tins for a scrumptious breakfast treat.  12 servings per loaf. (Nutrition info--each slice:  calories: 145, carbs: 33g, fat: 1g, protein: 3g)

Other ideas from Tastefully Simple, themselves:
*Mix Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese into batter for an Italian twist. 
*Add carbonated juice, nuts, and diced fruit to make muffins or breakfast breads.
*Make cornbread by substituting liquid with a 16 oz can of creamed corn and 1/3 cup oil.
* Drizzle with honey
*Spread with butter and sprinkle with Seasoned Salt; then grill.
* Use cubed bread for bread pudding.

Also...a not so sweet version of this is SO SO SO GOOD with warm dips.  Think spinach, and/or artichoke, nacho cheese, you get the idea.  Ooohhhh...I think I may need a bib.

I hope you enjoy it.  I know I will.