Red, White, and Blue Pops! Happy Fourth!

Greek Yogurt White and Blue Pops :)

These popsicles were so easy........ 2 cups of plain greek yogurt, 1/2 cup or orange juice, and 1 cup of blueberries..... oh and 1/4 cup of sweetener.  I used Maple Syrup!  Stir and pour into your mold of choice.  I only made a few to test but they were delicious and festive.  My son loved them.

These Firecracker pops took a little longer to layer but they were delicious and simple.   First layer of red was 1 cup of strawberries and a quarter cup of maple syrup blended.    White layer was 1 cup of greek yogurt and 1/4 cup maple syrup with 1/4 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut.  I used Bob's Red Mill coconut.  The last layer was 1 cup of blueberries with 1/4 maple syrup blended.

The consistency of your berries may vary, if you need to, add a little water for your puree if it needs more liquid or if you are using frozen berries.  Enjoy the process of using seasonal produce to fulfill your sweet-tooth and your nutritional needs :)

When removing the pops, I had to persuade them a little by running the outside of the mold under a little hot water to loosen it.  

Morning Oats

Refrigerator Oats:

1/2 Cup Greek Yogurt

1/4 cup Rolled Oats

1 Tbsp Flax Seeds

1 Tbsp Chia Seeds 

(I used seeds from Bob's Red Mill)

Raisins

Coconut Milk (I used Vanilla So Delicious brand)

In 1/2 mason jar or any container that holds roughly 1 cup of contents, put in 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt.  Pour in your 1/4 cup of rolled oats on top, then a layer of flax seeds and Chia seeds.  Next layer your raisins on top, enough for roughly two row layers (helps sweeten the mixture a bit).  Then pour in your coconut milk till the jar line and screw on an airtight lid.  I use the regular mouth plastic lids by Ball.  Leave them to soak in the refrigerator overnight until the seeds plump and the oats "cook".  

It looks like the picture below in the morning.  Make sure you stir it well to have an even consistency.  You can sprinkle in some coconut, preserves, or additional dried fruit. 

Enjoy your healthy breakfast!

Turkey Nuggets

Here is what you need for Turkey Nuggets:

Organic Ground Turkey Meat

1 cup Rice Flour (I used Bob's Red Mill)

2tsp Italian Spices

Salt and Pepper

1 cup Olive Oil or egg wash (1 egg whisked with 1 Tbsn water)

Preheat oven to broil on 375 degrees.  I put the rice flour in a shallow dish mixed with the Italian Spices.  Also put the Olive Oil in a shallow dish to prep for the breading on the nuggets. Take a small ball of turkey meat, then roll it first in the Olive Oil (I have had a little more crispiness with an egg wash), and then in the Rice Flour mixture.  Place the balls of turkey on the pan, and press down on them with a flat surface like a spatula.  Place nuggets in the oven for 15 minutes.  Test them at 15, and if not quite browned on the outside (they should be slightly crisp) then check every few minutes until they are done.  Make sure they have sauce!  I used some ranch dressing and a honey mustard.  Let your creativity kick in on this one.  

The Ninja Warrior

I call this smoothie "The Ninja Warrior"

The boys in my household love that show.  My son says "Climb!"  On days like today when he just can't stop eating......... I decided to feed him this:

Makes two smoothies

1 cup vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup coconut milk

1/4 cup orange juice

2 Tbs whey powder or liquid whey

2 Tbs unsweetened shredded coconut flakes

1 Tbs Flax Seed Meal

Homemade Peppermint Extract

Homemade Peppermint Extract:

For all of those peppermint baking creations, toothpaste remedies, and I read bug repellent this morning.  :)  We are growing a ton of mint in our Garden ad this is one of the uses I have found.

Take 1/3 cup of chopped mint and put it in a half pint mason jar.
Pour 2/3 cup vodka (can be bottom shelf)  I went local Hood River Distillery ..........

You leave it sitting like this, shaking it a little once a week for about eight weeks.  The longer you leave it, the stronger the flavor.  The alcohol has to be at least 35% because it extracts the oils from the leaves.  

You can also use rum!  Enjoy your creations.  Could be a Holiday gift for loved ones if you put it in a pretty jar, or just find a great label for this jar.

Custard French Toast

I whisk the ingredients below, sprinkle them with cinnamon and nutmeg, and pour it over my bread in a pyrex dish.  I leave them to soak overnight, and then when I wake up they are ready to brown in a pan.  They are very dense, so they may same like they will take a while to cook even though they are already done.  Check the consistency all the way through, that is how you will know to eat it!

4 farm fresh eggs
1 cup milk
4 Tbspns Maple Syrup
1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
Pinch of salt
Juice of 2 Lemons
Cinnamon and Nutmeg
Ends of Homemade bread or any french bread (4 large pieces or 8 small)

Today I harvested my first greens from the garden....... While my son played with his new digger toys in the yard from his #2 birthday, and my daughter rolled over for the first time ever. I was working in the Garden to get us some Kale, Swiss Chard, Collard Greens, Romaine, Chives, and Mint.  I made Orange and Chocolate Mint Kefir Water and I bagged up our goodies for the week.  I feel so blessed that our yard produced such healthy veggies for our nourishment.  Can't wait to enjoy our handwork!