Oatmeal Pancakes

Every Sunday when I was a kid my mom used to cook up a yummy brunch after church. Sometimes it was as simple as toast and eggs to as fancy as quiche, but my favorite brunches were when she made pancakes or waffles. I usually go to be the flipper and then had my fill at the table...easily polishing off a tall stack.
Man, I love pancakes! I look forward to carrying on this tradition with my family...which by the way...5 weeks till we meet Baby S!
Oatmeal Pancakes

Ingredients:
3/4 C oat flour (grind 1 cup whole oats (not instant) in a food processor or magic bullet)
1 C whole wheat flour
1 T stevia or sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg
3/4 tsp salt
3 T butter, melted and cooled, I used Land o Lake naturally whipped
1 1/4 C buttermilk
1 C cooked oatmeal, not instant
1 T honey
2 large eggs
1/4 C finely chopped pecans or walnuts or almonds
Instructions:

Mix together the oat flour, flour, sugar, powder, soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a large bowl. In a smaller bowl, stir the melted and cooled butter, buttermilk, cooked oatmeal, honey, and eggs together. Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry until just combined. Fold in nuts. Do not over mix.Heat griddle to medium-high heat. Lightly coat with oil or butter and cook pancakes to perfection.
Keep pancakes warm in an oven at 200F.

Fruit Sauce
I like to make a fruit sauce to go with my pancakes so I don't have to use as much maple syrup. Simply pour a bag of frozen berries into a small saucepan, add 2-3 T real maple syrup, heat until bubbling, reduce to simmer. Puree with a hand blender (careful not to splatter everywhere).

Until next time...
look good, feel good, do good
http://www.sarabconsulting.com/

Chilled Oatmeal with Vanilla Yogurt

J had a business trip in Atlanta a couple weeks ago. Every morning he'd call to express that he was in love with his breakfast. A coffee shop near his hotel served up this chilled oatmeal that has become a "J and I favorite" in our household.

Chilled Oatmeal with Vanilla Yogurt
a PERFECT way to eat oatmeal during those hot summer days


Ingredients:

1/2 cup quick or old fashioned oats (because you don't cook them we find quick to work well)
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt (I use homemade yogurt flavored with Watkins vanilla and honey, you can use plain or Greek yogurt with vanilla flavoring and honey)
1/2 green apple, diced
1/4 c dried cranberries
splash of skim milk
almonds
and any berries you have (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries)
1 T of ground flaxseed (optional)
Instructions:

Mix oatmeal, yogurt, diced apple, cranberries ,and a splash of milk together. When thoroughly combined, top with almonds and berries.
Enjoy!

a balanced breakfast: whole grain carbs from the oats, protein from the yogurt and milk, and heart healthy fats from the almonds and flaxseed.

Until next time...
look good, feel good, do good
http://www.sarabconsulting.com/

Apple, Walnut, Raisin Oatmeal Cookies

phew....that's a lot of goodness in one scrumptious cookie!


This are a very tasty treat...whether you are looking for something to fix your sweet tooth or for a pre workout snack that provides lasting energy.

I mean look at these things....little bites of heaven!
Apple Walnut Raisin Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients:
2 C whole wheat flour
1/2 C ground flax seed
1 t baking soda
1 t sea salt
1 t cinnamon
1/2 C smart balance margarine (slightly melted..about 15secs)
1/2 C Splenda or Stevia
2 eggs
1/2 C honey or agave nectar
1/2 T Watkins vanilla
1 small apple, cored, peeled and chopped
1/2 C raisins
1 C walnuts, chopped
1/2 C old fashioned oats
1/4 C unsweetened applesauce
Instructions:
Preheat over to 350F. Stir dry ingredient together. In mixing bowl, beat butter and Splenda. Add in honey, eggs, and vanilla. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet and beat together. Stir in oats, applesauce, apple, raisins, and walnuts. Spoon onto greased baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes. Enjoy!

Until next time...

look good, feel good, do good

http://www.sarabconsulting.com/

Peanut Butter Oatmeal

One of Jeremy and I's favorite breakfasts is steal cut oats or old fashioned oats.

We both like to dress it up a bit.... here are some options.

Protein packed options:

add scoop of vanilla or chocolate whey protein

make with with milk instead of water

add almonds or walnuts (also healthy fats)

IronMike's Low Cal option:

add maple flavoring

and a touch of Splenda or Stevia

J's favorite:

Tablespoon of Parker's Natural Peanut Butter (today he made it right in the almost-empty -container to get every last bite)

berries

almonds

raisins

this is pretty loaded and higher in calories which J needs while training for the Ironman

My favorite:

1 scoop protein

berries

a bit agave nectar or honey (optional)

Watkins vanilla

walnuts or almonds

made with skim milk

Until next time...

look good, feel good, do good