Monday, June 25, 2012

Honey Oat Bread

Yum
My mom recently got me a subscription to Eating Well magazine and this is the first recipe I made from them.
the nutrition profile description read as: Low calorieLow cholesterol, Low saturated fatHeart healthy, Healthy weightHigh fiber 
Typically if I read that I instantly think: no flavor/cardboard
Boy was I wrong! This bread is so good fresh out of the oven, toasted and dunked in chili, as a grilled cheese sandwich, topped with hummus and olives or served with jam.
The house smells great while baking it, it's easy to put together, it's healthy and both my kids loved it. This bread will be a regular in our house for sure!

Honey Oat Quick Bread

  • 2 tablespoons plus 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, or quick-cooking (not instant) oats, divided
  • 1 1/3 cups whole-wheat flour, or white whole-wheat flour (see Tip)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 8 ounces (scant 1 cup) nonfat or low-fat plain yogurt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 1/4 cup clover honey, or other mild honey
  • 3/4 cup nonfat or low-fat milk
  1. Position rack in middle of oven; preheat to 375°F. Generously coat a 9-by-5-inch (or similar size) loaf pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon oats in the pan. Tip the pan back and forth to coat the sides and bottom with oats.
  2. Thoroughly stir together whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Using a fork, beat the remaining 1 cup oats, yogurt, egg, oil and honey in a medium bowl until well blended. Stir in milk. Gently stir the yogurt mixture into the flour mixture just until thoroughly incorporated but not overmixed (excess mixing can cause toughening). Immediately scrape the batter into the pan, spreading evenly to the edges. Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon oats over the top.
  3. Bake the loaf until well browned on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. (It’s normal for the top to crack.) Let stand in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Run a table knife around and under the loaf to loosen it and turn it out onto the rack. Let cool until barely warm, about 45 minutes.
And now for something NOT healthy but still delicious.....my burger
Please please please vote HERE once a day until July 3!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Jar-garitas

Yum
 
Jar-garitas
yeah, you heard me right
margaritas made in a large batch, poured into mason jars and stored in the freezer
when you feel like it's time for a refreshing end to your day...or afternoon, just grab one out and shake it up
you end up with frosty perfection in an instant
I've seen this idea numerous places so I don't know where exactly it originated but I want to thank the first person that made these!
Genius.
No one wants to be stuck squeezing limes in the corner to make everyone a drink at a party and this is the perfect way to avoid that
I always make my drinks to taste, not by measurement and this is what I did:
In batches blend 1/2 of a small seedless watermelon, 1 cucumber, a large handful of fresh mint leaves, the juice of 4-6 limes and agave to taste. Strain the juice through a fine mesh strainer into a large pitcher and add your favorite tequila. Stir, taste and adjust if needed. Pour mixture into mason jars and fill one ice filled glass with the rest. That's your reward for all the hard work you just put into making drinks for everyone.
When I served mine I garnished each with a mint sprig in the jar and cucumber and lime wheel on the rim.
Delish!

And please don't forget to VOTE HERE for my burger! The recipe with the most votes by July 3 gets a guaranteed trip to New York to compete for $10,000!
I could buy a lot more jars if I won

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Bikes and Burgers

Yum
Our gorgeous trip to Tahoe is over. 
 I even got to see snow on the last day....which was strange to see knowing that at the same time Austin was sweltering
 I am SO proud of my husband and his team for the money they raised for cancer research this past weekend. 
 120 mile bike ride around Lake Tahoe....can you imagine?! My body hurts just thinking about it!
Please excuse the shiny face in this pic. While my husband and his team were making their way up and around a mountain on an 8 hour bike ride, pushing themselves when it got hard and when they were tired, never giving up, all in the name of raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society
 I was at the spa with a friend getting a facial
Don't judge....cheering and supporting is hard too!
I enjoyed myself more than I even thought I would on this trip but it was so good to get back home to the kids
 I am home and surrounded by a mess right now, but instead of doing laundry or any of the other boring duties that are calling to me I am dreaming of burgers and hoping one of them will have me planning another trip fairly soon
Which one would you rather try?


And if you find yourself trying to avoid chores like me, voting is a great way to pass the time! I promise, the dishes and laundry will still be there after you are done

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