Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Muffins

Today at my sons school, it is "Teacher appreciation breakfast" day. And being the over achiever MOM that I am, I had to make something instead of save tons of time and buy something. LOL! At least we have extra goodies for us now. YUM!

This recipe came from my friend Domenica Morello-Cresta AKA project mama. You rule mama!!! I revised it just a touch. These scrumptious muffins are perfect with some tea or coffee for breakfast, for snacking, or even a healthier desert choice. They are chock full of fiber and antioxidants, (I keep telling myself this as I eat them!) and then a lil bit of refined sugar to splurge.  

This recipe is definitely worth a share! Plus too many friends are asking for it.  

ENJOY!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 cups oats old fashion
• 1 cup of white flour
•  1 & 2/3 cups whole wheat flour
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 oz of brown sugar
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk or whole coconut milk
• 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 6 ounces chocolate chips 

DIRECTIONS:

Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Stir to blend. In a separate small bowl, mix the eggs, milk, vanilla and oil.

Stir the wet mixture into the dry mixture until moistened. Add the chocolate chips and blend thorough.

Fill lined muffin cups full with batter. Bake at 400 degrees for 16-18 minutes, or until tops are light golden.

Makes approximately 16 muffins.

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Perfect Granola

I have been craving granola for 2 weeks! I LOVE oats and a yogurt parfait is one of my favorite foods. But all the store bought granola has things I don't like. Too much cinnamon, too many nuts, or just TOO MUCH! Not to mention preservatives and junk. So, I ventured into the kitchen and came up with this! THE PERFECT GRANOLA! What makes it perfect is it has everything I LIKE. It's simple and only has the flavors I enjoy. So when you use this recipe, add or remove ingredients to make it your own per your own tastes. It's the only way!

Make it YOUR PERFECT GRANOLA!

 You could add any other ingredients if you wanted to: Roasted quinoa, flax seed, sunflower seeds, almonds, cinnamon , etc. The choice is yours! What do you like? 

My perfect recipe consists of this:

PREP TIME:

5 mins

COOK TIME:

30 mins

TOTAL TIME:

35 mins

 Serves: 6-8

INGREDIENTS:

• ½ cup organic extra virgin coconut oil
• ⅓ cup organic local honey
• ½ teaspoon organic vanilla
• 3 cups gluten free oats or regular baking oats
• ¾ cup unsweetened shredded Coconut flakes
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts. I like walnuts or cashews
• 1/4 cup golden raisins
• 1/4 cup dried berries
• Dash of Himalayan pink salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large bowl, combine oil, honey and vanilla and whisk together until well combined. Add oats, coconut, cashews, walnuts, raisins and cranberries. Stir to coat evenly. Add pinch of salt if desired.
2. Line a rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper. Pour mixture and spread out evenly. 
3. Bake at 300 degrees for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. Stir every 10 minutes bake evenly.

4. Let cool and harden for about 10 minutes. Store in an airtight container. Large plastic bag works just as well. 

Sometimes I like to bake the oats without the fruit and nuts. Adding the coconut, cashews, walnuts, raisins and cranberries after baking the oats so it wont be as chewy. I like it both ways. Depends on my mood.

I can't stop eating it!

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Guilt Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

What's the best flavor in the world? 

Chocolate and Peanut Butter right? I know! 

How amazing would it be to have a 100% guilt free treat!? Or even better, a chocolaty pre-workout snack! That's right I said it! A healthy Peanut Butter cup you can feel GOOD about eating. My ONLY problem with these is my son likes them a ton. He gets one for "desert" often so I have to make them all the time to have enough on hand for everyone. But since they take 10 minutes TOTAL to make....... WHO CARES!!!

Makes 4 large  cups:

 1 packet of Chocolate Shakeology
 2 Tbsp of Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
 4 tsp Organic Peanut Butter
 4 mini cup cake liners

                                                                                                                                                 
Directions:

• Melt 2 Tbsp of Coconut Oil. In a small bowl mix Chocolate Shakeology packet  and oil until smooth.

• In cupcake liners, Pour about 1 tsp of chocolate sauce.
• Add 1 tsp of Peanut Butter on top of chocolate.

• Pour remainder of chocolate over Peanut Butter covering each tsp.
• Place in freezer for 5-10 minutes & enjoy! 

You can put them in plastic bags once they set to have on hand for the following week. 

YUMMY!
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Tomato, Basil and Garlic Angel Hair Pasta

I truly believe you shouldn't eliminate ANY food you LOVE completely unless you have to. What kind of world would that be? And you will probably blow it big time by doing so. Everything in moderation is the key to a healthy happy life in my opinion.

Pasta is one of those dishes! Twice a month is a great goal for my family. A nice yummy comforting side dish. Nothing beats fresh REAL pasta but there are some great gluten free brands out there. One of my favorite brands is Tinkyada Gluten Free Brown Rice Pasta.

On those busy nights at home, when you need to make a quick meal, THIS is the go to pasta recipe. So quick and easy! So fresh and delicious! Kid friendly if you omit the garlic. My son LOVES this! 

YUMMY YUMMY IN MY TUMMY!

Ingredients:

Makes 2 servings. I wing this recipe each time with the amounts, so play with it and make it taste to your liking! Adding more or less, of the ingredients.

• 1/4 box of Angel Hair pasta
• Half a box of Cherry Tomatoes-Halved
• 1 Garlic clove- Chopped
• 2 Tbs Extra Virgen Olive Oil
• 2 Tbs Grass Fed-Butter
• 5 leaves of Fresh Basil - chopped
• Garlic Salt to taste

Directions:

• Cook Pasta per directions.
• Add Olive Oil,1 tbs of Grass-Fed Butter, Tomatoes and 3/4 of the Fresh chopped Basil to sauté pan. Saute on medium/low for about 4 minutes. If it seems like you are frying the Tomatoes and Basil add a dash more oil and butter. You are sautéing not frying them. 
• Add chopped garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Or until tomatoes are tender and sweet. *Do not over cook the garlic. Burning the garlic will ruin the flavor. 
• Add the remaining Tbs of Grass-Fed Butter to drained, warm pasta with the warm Tomato, Basil and oil mixture. Add salt to taste. Serve immediately.

Light, Fresh, Delish and full of Healthy Fats!

*Make sure you use Organic ingredients and Grass-Fed Butter for health benefits. All butter is not created equal. :) KerryGold is a great butter. You can find it at Trader Joes or Whole Foods. 

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Apple Cookies

Apples and Peanut butter are already one of my favorite things in the UNIVERSE! Adding coconut, chocolate chips, walnuts and raisins make it a dream come true! 

Best recipe EVER! 

Another amazing version is adding Almond Butter and dried fruit! HELLO! You really can't go wrong. A sweet healthy treat to feel guiltless about!

My son thanked me a million times when I made these today and he had the biggest smile on his face. 

Ingredients: 

Your choice! Whatever you like! My version consists of:

• Apple cut in round slices
• Peanut Butter or Almond Butter
• Unsweetened coconut flakes
• Chocolate Chips
• Raisins or any dried berries
• Walnut pieces

These are a regular in my house. Enjoy and you're welcome!

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