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By Midlife Army Wife, on June 12th, 2011
Starting tomorrow, Lovebug has 2 weeks of swimming lessons first thing in the morning, followed by a week of Science Camp in the mornings. That means we will not be sitting down at the table for a leisurely breakfast for quite some time, so we needed something we could “grab & go”.
It couldn’t be just any food though. It needs to be healthy and packed full of nutrients so that she can get through the morning with enough energy and is able to focus.
Today I made “Egg Cupcakes”, and “Apple Muffins”, and I made a ton of them so I can throw them in the freezer and just pop a couple out each day. One of each, and a side of grapes or apple slices will make a perfect breakfast that can be eaten easily in the car if needed.
The Egg Cupcakes have eggs, chopped ham, zucchini, red bell pepper, spinach and seasonings. Lovebug will eat almost anything, but she doesn’t like zucchini or red bell pepper. However, thanks to my food processor, she can’t even taste it in there – as evidenced by the fact that she ate 3 of them tonight fresh out of the oven!
The Apple Muffins have apples (of course), banana, grated carrots, & raisins. They are also GFCF, and made with almond meal instead of flour. Delicious!!
These also make great snacks, or a quick lunch too!
What is your favorite “on the run” breakfast?
By Midlife Army Wife, on June 11th, 2011
I love my Vitamix!! It was a generous gift from my parents 3 years ago, and I bet not 10 days have gone by that we haven’t used it. It is the BEST gift they’ve ever given us!
I love almond butter, but it’s so expensive. Not with the Vitamix! I buy almonds in bulk at Sam’s and got 3 pounds for under $9.00.
Then, I pour about 3 cups at a time into the Vitamix, crank that baby on high and in a matter of minutes, I have fresh, creamy almond butter at a fraction of the price I would pay for the pre-jarred stuff. If you are trying this, it doesn’t just grind them all up by itself – you have to use the tamper for this and keep pushing the nuts down into the blades. That’s another thing I love about the Vitamix – the tamper will NOT reach the blades, so no getting plastic pieces in your food. Not that I ever had that happen with a regular blender…nope, not me 
Lovebug loves to help me make it, and I have so much fun with my favorite sous chef in the kitchen!
The blender looks dirty because I had just made a batch of macadamia nut butter and didn’t rinse it out. I didn’t really care if they mixed a tiny bit.
 
Taste testing!
Final products: Almond Butter and Macadamia Nut Butter! The macadamia nut butter is much more runny, but is better after sitting in the fridge for a couple days. It is super runny coming out of the blender because it gets so warm. It’s oh so tasty though!
By Midlife Army Wife, on November 5th, 2010
Today the kids and I were checking out a brand new Whole Foods that just opened near us. We shop at Whole Foods all the time, but this location is much closer. Plus, it’s new
Today I saw something that took me back to my Junior High days and an old favorite! I saw a blue package, the triangle shape chip, and then….the word RANCH!
Could it be? Could these possibly taste as good as my old favorite?
I stopped eating the Doritos brand years ago because they have artificial coloring in them, along with other stuff I can’t pronounce. I’ve missed them though.
But these Kettle TIAS! taste just like the Doritos…only better! No MSG, no artificial coloring…just yummy-ness!
I used to dip the Cool Ranch Doritos in Hidden Valley Ranch dressing! Good use of my lunch money, right? Tonight, I just couldn’t resist. I had to try it with these. It was as good as I remember.
Too bad I can’t kick my Hidden Valley Ranch dressing habit. We try to avoid MSG and to eat mostly organic or all natural so I’ve tried. I’ve tried so many other brands, and they just don’t compare. I did get excited recently when I saw a Hidden Valley ORGANIC Ranch dressing. No MSG! Also…..no taste! At least, not the same taste as the “original” version. I guess it’s the MSG that makes it so good. Too bad. I do limit my intake, but I just can’t get rid of it completely.
So, what are some of your old favorites that take you back? Come on, share! I can’t be the only one!
By Midlife Army Wife, on August 13th, 2010
Yesterday, I had a meeting to go to that took me just a couple blocks away from a very dangerous place. A place that could seriously affect my budget, and my health. A cute little popcorn store that sells gourmet popcorn.
They have a combination I like to call “Bliss” – a mixture of White Cheddar & Caramel popcorn mixed together. You can have a bite of sweet. You can have a bite of salty. Or, you can get crazy and put them both in your mouth at the same time for a moment of pure bliss. MMMM!
Dangerous I tell you! I bought a medium size bag to bring home to the family, and a “mini” bag to take with me to the meeting. I did offer to share, and a few took me up on it, but I’m still sure I managed to eat at least half the mini all by myself. I enjoyed every single bite, too!
I also just noticed on the website that they have a dark chocolate popcorn. I never noticed that in the store before. Guess I’ll have to go back
By Midlife Army Wife, on August 9th, 2010
One of our favorite things about summer is enjoying sweet, juicy watermelon! This summer, we made a new twist on an old favorite. It’s tasty enough to be a treat, and healthy enough to have for breakfast!
Servings: We made this for 3 people, but there was plenty of everything to make twice that many as long as you have more bananas!
Difficulty: Super Easy!
Prep Time Needed: 10 minutes for chopping fruit
Cook Time Needed: None!
Ingredients:
3 bananas
Medium sized watermelon sliced in half (you will at least need a large piece a few inches thick for making the scoops)
1 cup diced fresh blueberries
1 cup diced fresh strawberries
1 cup diced pineapple (fresh or canned)
3 TB strawberry all-fruit preserves, heated
1 cup your preferred yogurt (we use plain, nonfat yogurt and sweeten with honey or applesauce)
1/2 cup grated unsweetened coconut
Directions:
1. Slice bananas lengthwise and place in bowl.
2. Using an ice cream ball scoop, top bananas with 3 scoops of watermelon.
3. Top one scoop with pineapple,
one with strawberries,
and one with blueberries!
4. Drizzle with yogurt
5. Drizzle with warmed preserves
6. Sprinkle coconut on top
7. ENJOY!
By Midlife Army Wife, on August 7th, 2010
This recipe is so easy, the kids can make it! Just make sure a grownup puts them in and takes them out of the oven!
Ingredients:
3 ripe bananas
2 cups rolled oats (not quick cooking) **Use certified Gluten Free, if needed**
1 cup dates, pitted & chopped (may substitute raisins, dried cranberries, or any dried fruit)
1/3 cup applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1/2 cup unsweetened grated coconut (optional)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, mash the bananas. Add the oats, dates, applesauce, vanilla, cinnamon, nuts & coconut. Mix well. Drop by spoonfuls on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
**NOTE** These cookies will come out of the oven the same shape they go in. If you want a flatter cookie you may press down before baking, or form them into bar shapes.
3. Bake for 20 minutes, or until lightly brown.
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