Sweet snack

Saw this idea from Saucy Sprinkles.  It is so

simple and so yummy.  Just stuff

raspberries with dark chocolate chips

 or white chocolate chips and enjoy! 

Green Monster Smoothie

1/2 cup frozen fruit (bananas, blueberries, pineapple, etc.)
1/2 cup light vanilla yogurt
1 cup Vanilla soy milk (I like Silk soy milk)
2 cups baby spinach (or more, or less)

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. I love
that I can drink my veggies and fruits for lunch or breakfast.  :) 

Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili

1 16-oz can black beans
1 16-oz can kidney beans
1 8-oz can tomato sauce
10 oz package frozen corn kernels
2 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes w/chilies
1 packet taco seasoning
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts  
chili peppers, chopped (optional)

Combine beans, corn, tomato sauce, tomatoes, and
taco seasoning in a slow cooker. Place chicken on top
and cover.  Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours.
Half hour before serving,  remove chicken and shred.
Return chicken  to slow cooker and stir in.  You can
also try it with sour cream and cheese. 

Zucchini, Black Bean and Rice Skillet

 Picture and Recipe from Ready Set Eat

1 tablespoon Canola Oil
1-1/2 cups quartered lengthwise, sliced zucchini 
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
1 can (15 oz) Whole Black Beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (14.5 oz) Hunt's Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes with Garlic

3/4 cup water

1 cup instant white rice
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend

Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini and
bell pepper; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add beans,
undrained tomatoes and water. Increase heat and bring to a boil.
Add rice; stir well. Cover; removefrom heat and let stand
7 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.  Sprinkle with cheese.

No Bake Energy Bites

Recipe from Smashed Peas and Carrots

1 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/3 cup honey

1 cup coconut flakes

1/2 cup ground flax seed

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

1 tsp vanilla

Mix everything above in a medium bowl until thoroughly

incorporated. Let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.

Once chilled, roll into balls and enjoy! Store in an airtight

container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Homemade Egg (Mc)Muffins

These are so yummy and easy to make.  Recipe from Betty Crocker Wannabe

One whole wheat English muffin, toasted
One slice of cheese
One egg
Spray a coffee mug with cooking spray.  Crack the egg in the mug
and scramble with a fork.  Cover with a wet paper towel and
microwave for about 50 seconds.  Place cheese slice on one side
of of English muffin, top with egg and other muffin half. 

Tortellini Vegetable Soup

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 small zucchini, diced

1 medium carrot, peeled and diced

5 1/2 cups chicken stock

1 teaspoon dried basil (more if fresh)

1/2 cup canned crushed tomatoes

1/2 teaspoon salt

8 to 9 ounces fresh or frozen tortellini (cheese or meat filled)

Black pepper, to taste

Heat the olive oil in a medium soup pot or large saucepan. Add onion,

zucchini, and carrot. Saute over moderate heat for 5 minutes,

stirring often, until the onion is soft and translucent.Add the stock,
basil,tomatoes, and salt to the pot. Increase the heat and bring the
mixture to a low boil. Add the tortellini and bring the soup back
to a low boil. Cook it for 2 minutes, then reduce the heat and let
it simmer for 5 to 6 minutes longer.  Makes about 5 servings

Green Salsa

1 (32 oz) can whole tomatoes

1/2 Tbsp salt

1 Tbsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp crushed red pepper

1/2 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 Jalapeno to taste

3-4 bunches cilantro

Juice of 1 lime

Blend everything together adding cilantro bunch by bunch last.

 

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

I know what your are thinking another pumpkin recipe.

But I just love this time of the year and I love trying

out new pumpkin recipes.  I promise I will try to post

some other recipes without pumpkin in them soon.  :)

Recipe from Red Head Recipes

1/2 banana (peeled, frozen, diced)
1/3 cup pumpkin puree (Libby’s)
1/3 cup vanilla yogurt
3/4-1cup milk
Few shakes of pumpkin spice (Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice)
Few shakes of cinnamon (optional)
Pinch of cloves
1tsp vanilla
4-5 ice cubes

Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth and sprinkle with
a little more cinnamon.

Baked pumpkin doughnut holes

Recipe from The Craving Chronicles

For Donuts1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoons nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoons ground cloves
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup canned plain pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 cup low-fat milk

For Coating1/2 stick of unsalted butter, melted
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon

Preheat oven 350°F. Spray each cup in a 24-cup mini muffin tin with baking
spray.In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and spices
(through cloves). In a separate, large bowl whisk together oil, brown sugar,
egg, vanilla, pumpkin and milk until smooth. Add dry ingredients to wet
 ingredients and mix until just combined –do not over mix!
Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. (Using a 2-tablespoon scoop will
ensure uniform size.) Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick
comes out clean. While the muffins bake, melt butter in one bowl and combine
granulated sugar and cinnamon in another bowl. Remove muffins from oven
and cool for 2 minutes, or until just cool enough to handle. Dip each muffin
in melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar to coat.

Healthy Halloween Treat

Idea and picture from Instructables

A great way to sneak a healthy snack into your Halloween festivities.  Just take a sharpie to an orange,  clementine, tangerine, or mandarin and create your Jack o lantern face.  I know my boys would love finding one of these in their lunch box's.  :)

Pumpkin Pie oatmeal

1 c. quick oats

1/2 c. milk

2/3 c. water

pinch of salt

2 to 3 tablespoons maple syrup

1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 c. canned pumpkin

Add all ingredients to a small pan.  Heat on
high for 1 to 2 minutes or until oats start to boil.
Add any additional ingredients to adjust sweetness
(maple syrup or a little sugar).  Top with a little
whip cream and dash of cinnamon.

Chocolate chip pumpkin bread

1 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. pumpkin
1/2 c. applesauce
2/3 c. water
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 tablespoon nutmeg
2 teaspoon baking soda
dash of salt
1/2 c. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour loaf pan.               
In a large bowl, combine sugar, pumpkin, applesauce, water, and eggs.
Beat until smooth. Blend in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and
salt. Fold in chocolate chips. Fill loaf pan.               
Bake for 45 min. to 1 hour, or until an inserted knife comes out clean.
Cool on wire racks before removing from pan.

Baked Mozzearella Bites

1/3 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
3 sticks mozzarella string cheese
1 egg beaten
Marinara sauce

Heat oven to 425.  Cut mozzarella sticks into 1 inch pieces.
Working with one piece at a time, dip cheese in egg and then
dip in panko breadcrumbs.  Place cheese on a baking sheet coated
with cooking spray.  Bake at 425 for 3 minutes or until cheese is
softened and thoroughly heated.  Pour marina sauce into a
microwave safe bowl.  Microwave for about 1 minuted until
heated.  Serve with mozzarella pieces. 

Monster hot chocolate

Idea and picture from Taste of Home

How clever and easy is this!  Just add two large marshmallows with junior

mints in the middle of the marshmallows to your favorite cup of hot chocolate. 

My boys will get a kick out of this!