Sweet Pumpkin Seeds! November 16, 2009

Sweet Pumpkin Seeds

Kathryn says:  For Halloween, we carved some wicked pumpkins!  (Mom and I made one with UF on it.)

We cooked our first batch of seeds with salt – the traditional style.

For our second batch, I felt like satisfying my sweet tooth and experimenting a bit.  I sprinkled brown sugar, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and a couple drops of almond extract on the seeds.  Then, I baked them in the oven at about 400 degrees for a few hours, until they were crispy.  Yum!

I’m addicted to this Chocolate Banana Milk Shake September 10, 2009

Chocolate Banana Milk Shake

Cheerios with Chocolate Banana Milk Shake

Jamie says:  I’m addicted to this chocolate banana milk shake.  I began making them this summer, and I just can’t seem to get enough of them.  They’re amazing, healthy, and easy.  What could be better!  I just add 2 ice cubes, 1 large banana, and about 1 tablespoon Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa to my Bella Cucina Rocket Blender and fill the cup to the max line with skim milk.   It makes for the perfect breakfast, too.  Just add Cheerios- and you have a delicious breakfast!  You’ve got to try one…

Nutrition note:  One Tbsp of the Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa has only 5 calories, no sugar, antioxidants, and 10% of the daily value of iron!

P.S.  Thanks for the early birthday present (my awesome Bella Cucina blender), Aunt Angi and Uncle Rick!

Guac – It’s Simple September 9, 2009

Guacamole with Terra Exotic Vegetable Chips

Kathryn says:  After a light dinner, I felt like whipping up a late-night snack – guac and chips.

I was inspired by a nearly-rotting avocado in the fridge and a classmate who said her favorite food is guacamole, but she doesn’t know how to make it.

I simply cut some avocado out of its skin, diced some tomatoes, and put them in a bowl.  Then, I added garlic salt and pepper, and mashed it all together with a fork.  Voilà!  It’s guacamole.

I had mine with crunchy Terra Exotic Vegetable Chips – the new Exotic Harvest Sweet Onion edition.

See, it’s simple and delicious.  Other modifications include adding olive oil or lemon juice.

Sweet & Salty July 26, 2009

Sweet and Salty Cottage Cheese

Jamie says:  Sometimes, there’s nothing as satisifying as the combination of sweet and salty foods (i.e. Peanut M&M’s, trail mix, etc.).  I was in a time crunch yesterday and needed a quick bite to eat before going out to play tennis- and that’s how I came up with my Sweet and Salty Cottage Cheese.  Here’s the breakdown: Breakstone’s LiveActive Cottage Cheese, cubes of apples, grapes, mixed nuts, and crunched-up pretzels (like the ones you find at the bottom of the bag).  It was so good.  I am already thinking of other combinations to try…

Afternoon Tea July 24, 2009

Sweet Apple Chamomile and Decaf Green Tea with Milk and Almond Milk

Our Prom Dress Tea Party

Jamie says:  We brought out our prom dresses yesterday and had a tea party.  It was lovely.  My cousin who does not even like tea, actually liked my tea creation.  I mixed two tea bags (I learned this from my Dad).  I used Celestial Seasonings Sweet Apple Chamomile and Celestial Seasonings Decaf Green Tea.  To our cups of tea I added skim milk and Almond Breeze Original Almond Milk.  The almond milk added a nice hint of sweetness.  We served also peaches and sweets- Back to Nature Peanut Butter Cookies, Back to Nature Chocolate Chip Cookies, Dove Dark Chocolate Promises, and Publix Marshmellows.

Waffle Power House July 15, 2009

Waffle with Peanut Butter, Bananas, Cinnamon and Honey

Kathryn says:  One of my favorite afternoon snacks, this waffle recipe is full of energy and healthy ingredients.  It also makes for a great breakfast.

 

I toast a Kashi Honey Wheat Waffle and spread Smucker’s Creamy Natural peanut butter on top.  Then, I add sliced bananas, drizzle with honey and pour on the cinnamon.  Yum!

Pumpkin Pudding – SuperFood Status July 10, 2009

Patty's Pumpkin Pudding

Kathryn says:  I recently finished reading the book SuperFoods HealthStyle (http://www.superfoodsrx.com/products/superfoodsrx-books/superfoodsrx-healthstyle.html), and I learned that pumpkin and cinnamon are SuperFoods – low-calorie nutritional powerhouse foods loaded with nutrients that promote longevity and prevent disease. I definitely recommend the book.

One of the recipes in the book was for Patty’s Pumpkin Pudding: http://www.superfoodsrx.com/kitchen/pumpkin/pattys-pumpkin-pudding.html.  This treat took about five minutes to prepare and it was tasty.  I would try it without ginger next time though. 

I served it in a custard dish.  I enjoyed the taste and texture best refrigerated.  I added milk, drizzled (SuperFood) honey and mixed nuts (walnuts are a SuperFood too!) on top for a delicious snack.

Who knew pumpkin could break out of its traditional pie shell?!

Simply Sweet Fruit Smoothie July 9, 2009

Orange, Nectarine, Banana and Blueberry Smoothie

Kathryn says: I made a smoothie this morning and it was so sweet, yet so simple, that I had to share it with you!

I blended half of a banana, half of a nectarine, a handful of blueberries, about 3/4 cup of orange juice, a splash of Lactaid fat-free milk and three ice cubes together.  I topped it with wheat germ for a filling, cool summer breakfast.

For Those Who Want More July 9, 2009

Berry Delicious Cottage Cheese

Jamie says:  I really enjoy fruit in my cottage cheese.  I buy the 4 pack of 4 oz individual servings of Breakstone’s LiveActive Cottage Cheese.  Usually, I wash some fruit and add it to the little cottage cheese container as I go.  However, this time I washed lots of fruit- blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries- and put it in a bowl; I then scooped all of the cottage cheese out of the 4 oz container on top of the fruit.  I was really surprised how much cottage cheese was in that little container!  For those who want “more,” I would highly recommend eating it this way.