Energy Bites

1 cup old fashion oatmeal
2/3 cup coconut flakes
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup ground flax seed
1/2 cup cocoa nibs
1/3 cup chia seed
1 tsp vanilla

Mix together, form into rounds the size of a walnut or a little larger, freeze.

Dianne made a variety of this recipe Spring 2016, they are good, not at all sweet, and filling

Peanut Butter and Honey Granola

3½ cups old-fashioned oatmeal
½ cup shredded coconut
½ cup chopped nuts (any kind)
¾ cup peanut butter 
½ cup honey
⅓ cup butter (or coconut oil)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
dash salt

Preheat oven to 325. Combine oatmeal, nuts, salt, and coconut. In a small saucepan over medium heat add the butter, peanut butter, and honey. Stir frequently. Once melted, remove from heat and add vanilla.

Pour the melted ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Combine the ingredients. Pour the granola on a baking sheet. Bake for about 25 minutes, stirring a few times. The more you stir, the less clumpy it will be. Also the less chance of burning.  Store in an air tight container for two weeks. Use on yogurt or dip your banana in it or add in some dried fruit or chocolate chunks and call it trail mix. 

I like having snacks around that are really tasty but not filled with heavily processed ingredients or refined sugar. The problem is, this doesn't stay around long!

Brownie in a mug

2 Tbsp butter, melted

2 Tbsp water
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 dash salt
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa
4 Tbsp flour

In a 12 oz coffee mug, add water, butter, vanilla, and dash of salt. Stir well. Add cocoa, stir. Add sugar, stir. Add flour, stir. Microwave for 60-90 seconds. (I think I did 75 seconds) Do not overcook. Enjoy with a spoon. Now you have one serving of a fresh, fudgy brownie whenever you want! Plus you don't have to worry about what to do with the leftovers!

For an ever better sized portion, I halved the recipe and cooked it for 1/2 the time.

Soaked Whole Wheat Pancakes

2 cups whole wheat flour

1.5 cups whole milk

2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

2 eggs lightly beaten

2 Tbsp melted butter
1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder

Notes/Story: Mix vinegar into the whole milk in small dish and add to whole wheat flour in big glass mixing bowl. Cover and place in a warm spot for 12-24 hrs. 

Then add rest of ingredients and make into pancakes on griddle. 

"Because they are acidic, buttermilk, cultured milk, yoghurt and whey (as well as lemon juice and vinegar) activate the enzyme phytase, which works to break down phytic acid in the bran of grains. Sour milk products also provide lactic acid and lactobacilli that help break down complex starches, irritating tannins and difficult-to-digest proteins. Soaking increases vitamin content and makes all the nutrients in grains more available. This method has the further advantage of so softening whole meal flour that the final product is often indistinguishable from one made with white flour." - Nourishing Traditions (where I found the recipe)

Creamy cauliflower soup

2 tbsp butter

1 small onion, diced

2 cups chicken stock 

2 cups cream

1.5 heads chopped cauliflower 

8 oz shredded cheese of choice (cheddar is recommended)

1/2 tsp paprika

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1 tsp salt

Pepper to taste

Notes/Story: Saute onion in butter until soft. Add cream and chicken stock. Bring to a simmer and add chopped cauliflower. Boil for 20 min until the cauliflower is really soft. Then put soup in blender and blend until puréed or use immersion blender if you want it more chunky. Pour back into origional soup pot and add spices and cheese. Stir until cheese is melted and serve immediately. 

I love the creamy cauliflower soup at Cafe  Zupas so I blended a couple recipes together and came up with this one. It's pretty close to the Zupas one and Will even likes it!

Caramel Sauce

5 Minute 5 Ingredient Caramel Sauce

1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter
1 cup brown sugar
2/3 heavy cream
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. salt

1. In a medium saucepan set over medium-low to medium heat and melt butter.  Mix in brown sugar and stir for 2 minutes (or until the sugar has completely dissolved).  Mix in heavy cream and stir for 2 more minutes.  Remove pan from heat and stir in vanilla and salt until well incorporated.
2. Pour hot caramel sauce in a jar and allow to cool completely.  Store in refrigerator for up to a month.

I made this at Laura's for Thanksgiving.  We were looking for a "fruit dish" to bring over to the Vigesaa's.  I found this recipe and it seemed simple enough.  The sauce was a hit served with green apples.  It also goes well with ice cream or just on a spoon!  So easy, and I usually have the ingredients on hand so it's easy to whip up a batch quickly to bring to someone's house.

Tuscan Soup

Olive Garden Copycat Zuppa Toscana Soup

1lb. ground Italian sausage
1 1/2 tsp crushed red peppers
1 large diced white onion
4 Tbsp. bacon pieces
2 tsp. garlic puree
10 cups water
5 cubes chicken bouillon
1 cup heavy cream
1 lb. sliced russet potatoes, or about 3 large
1/4 bunch of kale

1. Saute Italian sausage and crushed red pepper in a large pot.  Drain fat, refrigerate while you prepare other ingredients.
2. In the same pan saute bacon, onions, and garlic over low-medium heat until the onions are soft.
3. Add chicken bouillon and water to the pot and heat until it starts to boil.
4. Add the sliced potatoes and cook until soft, about half an hour.
5. Add the heavy cream and just cook until thoroughly heated.
6. Stir in the sausage and kale, let all heat through and serve.

I found this recipe while living in Japan.  I was craving Olive Garden and this soup is better than the restaurant.  The first time we made it Dale and I were licking our bowls!  I now make it often, even in the summer.  I shared it with the family at the lake during Christmas 2013.