Perfectly Healthful Blueberry Banana Muffins

SONY DSC

So these have sort of become a weekend breakfast staple for us.  They are quick and easy to put together and the leftovers freeze wonderfully for quick breakfasts later on in the week.

They are healthful and full of nutrients without refined sugars and flours which makes me pretty darn happy…and pretty darn ok with the fact that my kids always want seconds. Continue reading

Open Faced Roasted Salmon Salad Sandwich

SONY DSC

I once wrote an article about the positives of having a traveling husband.  And I totally forgot to include a very important perk.

When your husband travels, particularly to Seattle, he feels terribly bad that you are missing out on all the ‘fun’ so he has fresh fish from Pike Place Market sent home for you.  That Nickyboy.  He’s a total winner.  Continue reading

Apple Pie Oatmeal

SONY DSC

Breakfasts can get a bit monotonous in my home.  This Apple Pie Oatmeal is a favorite of my kids and an awesome way to switch things up from these, these and these breakfast favorites around here.

My four year old named this simple, healthy, quick number “Apple Pie Oatmeal” and for very valid reasons.  It’s rich, comforting and has all those wonderful flavors that apple pie has to offer without all of the hassle and useless ingredients.   Continue reading

Carrot Spice Cake Bars

SONY DSC

One bite of these yummy bars and I was immediately taken back to grade school.  My elementary school had some pretty amazing hot lunches they served; the same ladies in the kitchen every morning as the sun came up whipping the children up homemade, heart-filled food.  We were lucky; so different than things today, and because of it, I have serious aspirations of doing that lunch lady thing someday myself, in some capacity.

Getting nutritious, balanced meals into children’s bodies just once a day over lunch at school could be so beneficial for their health.  Regardless of what they are getting at home, how comforting to know they can be guaranteed one solid meal at school.  In my opinion, that should be part of the curriculum, along with a quick five minute chat with them about what they are eating, where it came from, and what it can do for their impressionable bodies.   Man, wouldn’t that be a game changer.  To me, this is just as important as learning about history or 2 + 2.  Because none of those fun facts and concepts can be properly maintained and applied without a healthy, nourished body to absorb it all. Continue reading

Sweet, Salty, Antioxidant Rich Snack Mix + Thanksgiving Meal Inspiration

SONY DSC

I planned on just leaving you with a bit of Thanksgiving meal inspiration today.  I did.  But it felt wrong, you know, not sharing a new recipe and all.  It felt like going to a dinner party empty handed.  No dish to share, no bottle of wine or even fresh flowers.  It felt icky.  So it’s not going to happen.  This snack mix is your hostess gift.  I hope you like it 😉 Continue reading

Cinnamon Pear Sauce

SONY DSC

So friends, as you may remember, I am a total fan of homemade applesauce.  It’s unbeatable…store bought varieties just don’t compare.  Not to mention when you make it homemade you’re not stripping away a ton of the nutrients through processing and preserving.  I’m just sold on the whole deal, especially considering how simple it is to prepare at home.

Now, theres a couple of kinds of food love, in my book.  Theres being a total fan, as I told you I was of the applesauce in the paragraph above.  And then theres Hallelujah, over the moon, this-is-out-of-control, party-don’t-stop food love.  This Cinnamon Pear Sauce?  I would classify it under the latter.   Continue reading

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

SONY DSC

Anything that tastes like dessert but is eligible to be served for breakfast is always welcomed around here.  And this Pumpkin Spice Smoothie definitely fits that bill. Continue reading

Blackberry Oat Breakfast Bars

SONY DSC These are a result of a kitchen accident.  A while back I set out to create a recipe for a crumble or cobbler topping.  Now, you know me and baking.  It takes a good handful of tries for me to achieve greatness on that end.  Baking + healthful doesn’t always make the best couple.  Textures have to be played with and ratios have to be changed and changed as I go.  It’s not like adding this or adding that to make them taste better…its science.  And people, I am no scientist.  Continue reading

Nourished Banana Bread

This is the good stuff, right here, friends. Our very favorite banana bread recipe. Now, I must warn you.  This recipe contains no refined sugar.  No gluten or crazy “healthy flour blend” that you need to go buy.  And chances are, if you utilize any of my “baking” recipes you already have all of these ingredients sitting right in your freezer or pantry-they are my baking “staples”.

SONY DSC

My kids beg for more. My friends are shocked that a sweet treat that’s typically packed full of unhealthful ingredients can actually be transformed into something they can feel good feeding their kiddos for breakfast.  This, right here friends, is why I love to cook.  Because it really is possible to turn traditional favorite recipes into more nourishing versions…and this banana bread recipe is the perfect display of just that. I hope your family enjoys this one as much as we do!

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

SONY DSC

Nourished Banana Bread

*note: you can purchase pre made oat flour, but it’s a piece of cake to make your own:  just place  rolled or old fashioned oats (gluten free for a GF version) in a food processor or blender and process until it becomes a fine, flour-like texture.

Ingredients

1 1/4 Cups Gluten Free Oat Flour

1/4 Cup Flax Meal

1/4 Cup Almond Meal

1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

3 VERY Ripe Bananas, mashed *about 1 1/2 cups

6 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted and slightly cooled +more for greasing the pan

1/4 Cup Honey, Pure Maple Syrup or Agave Nectar

2 Eggs, lightly beaten

1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

1/2 Cup Chopped Walnuts, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with butter.  Place the oat flour, flax meal, almond meal, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl and whisk to combine.

In a large bowl whisk the bananas, honey/maple/agave, butter, eggs and vanilla together until well-combined.  Pour the dry ingredients into the banana mixture and stir gently until all ingredients are just incorporated.  Fold in walnuts. Pour into prepared baking pan (and sprinkle the top with whole oats, if desired) and bake for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Let cool before removing from the pan.