“Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within the reach of every hand.” ~ Mother Teresa

When I’m trying to eat healthier, one of the things I try and keep on hand are ingredients for smoothies. Frozen fruit, yogurt, juice, protein powder etc.

They are tasty, filling and if you make them right – good for you.

I usually have the typical one with strawberries, blueberries and bananas but I wanted to switch it up a bit.

The following recipe did just that and it did not disappoint.

Citrus Banana Oat Smoothie

(adapted from Cooking Light)

  • 2/3 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1/2 cup prepared quick-cooking oats
  • 1/2 cup plain 2% reduced-fat Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated orange rind
  • 1 large banana, sliced and frozen
  • 1 cup ice cubes
  • 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder

Pour everything in blender and blend until smooth.

Makes 2 servings. Around 260 calories per serving.

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-abp

“Expect problems and eat them for breakfast.” ~ Alfred A. Montapert

Some people prefer a savory breakfast and some prefer a sweet breakfast.

I, on the other hand prefer both. 🙂

Go figure – I love everything.

So, on Christmas morning I fixed both. Today I will tell you about the sweet one. It was ridiculously simple and very good.

Blueberry Croissant Puff

(adapted from The Girl Who Ate Everything) – I think she and I could be good friends. 😉

  • 3 large croissants (torn or cut into 1 in pieces)
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (I used frozen)
  • 1 8oz cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup milk
  • powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350º

Place croissant pieces in a 9×9 pan.  Sprinkle with blueberries.

In a separate bowl with a hand mixer, cream the cream cheese, sugar, eggs and vanilla until well blended. Slowly add in milk until incorporated. Pour evenly over croissant pieces. Let stand for 20 minutes.

Cook for 35-45 minutes until brown and center is set.  If it begins to brown too much before set, cover with foil and continue to cook.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.

This will be a new morning go to recipe for me. Could easily be doubled for a crowd.

photo-abp

  • 3 large croissants, cut up (about 5 to 5 1/2 cups)
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
  • 2/3 cup sugar
    campaignIcon
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup milk

Read more at http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2013/02/blueberry-croissant-puff.html#gPh3vukpRmuYTh6W.99

  • 3 large croissants, cut up (about 5 to 5 1/2 cups)
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
  • 2/3 cup sugar
    campaignIcon
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup milk

Read more at http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2013/02/blueberry-croissant-puff.html#gPh3vukpRmuYTh6W.99

  • 3 large croissants, cut up (about 5 to 5 1/2 cups)
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
  • 2/3 cup sugar
    campaignIcon
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup milk

Read more at http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2013/02/blueberry-croissant-puff.html#gPh3vukpRmuYTh6W.99

“Without an open-minded mind, you can never be a great success.” ~ Martha Stewart

I have always loved omelets but have also been afraid of them.  It was always easier just to scramble the eggs.

So when I told my husband I would be attempting an omelet for dinner, I warned him that he would more than likely end up with scrambled eggs.

But alas! It worked and I must say I’m pretty proud of myself.

When contemplating making omelets, I have always envisioned the good old hearty cowboy omelet with tons of cheese, onion, ham, bacon, tomatoes etc. because that’s how I always order my omelets (i.e. IHOP). But my health conscious better half (my husband) always liked the lighter style with no cheese and just herbs – he ordered one in NYC this past June, shared with me and I have to admit – you don’t need all the hoopla to be good.

So, when perusing one of my Martha Stewart mags – I came across the recipe “The French Omelet” and I just knew this would score me brownie points with the hubs. But to do so, I must first overcome my fear of omelet making.

The fear is now gone, which is a good thing because I have a feeling this will be requested frequently.

The French Omelet

(adapted from Martha Stewart Magazine)

  • 3 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 teaspoon water
  • Large pinch of coarse salt
  • 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter – ½ cut into small cubes
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh tarragon, chives, chervil (or other fresh herbs you may have), finely chopped (I used chives and parsley)
  • Freshly ground pepper, to taste

1. Add eggs, water and salt to bowl and whisk with fork until blended.

2. Add cubed butter, herbs and pepper. Stir to combine.

3. Heat a non-stick 10 skillet over medium-high heat for 30 seconds.  Add butter, melt, swirl to coat pan.

4. Add egg mixture and let sit for about 15 seconds or until edges start to set.

5. (Here’s the tricky part) Holding a fork flat, stir the eggs (not touching bottom) in a figure 8 pattern with one hand while shaking the skillet back and forth with the other. Keep incorporating edges into running center until almost completely set.

6.  Turn off heat, tilt skillet away from you and roll the omelet onto itself, then fold in the other side. Press slightly to seal and slide onto plate.

7. Garnish with extra herbs.

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See – that wasn’t so bad. 😉

-abp

“It’s funny how fast you can get up in the morning once you’ve realize you overslept.” ~ unknown

Since I have been in search of new, tasty, simple ideas for my quickly approaching new lifestyle, I thought it would be a good time to try out the “cinnamon roll in the waffle iron” idea I have seen all over Pinterest for months.

You know what??

That was a pretty good idea somebody had!!

I already took the easy approach when it came to cinnamon rolls by buying the ones in the can (or better yet – picking them up in a bakery) but it still was a weekend morning thing because you had to preheat the oven (10 mins) then bake for some 15 or so minutes more.  They were on the table I’d say in 30 minutes, give or take. (I know this doesn’t sound like a whole lot of time but compared to grabbing a Fiber One Bar as your walking out the door – that’s a whole lot of time.)

Well. Let me just tell you – I had all 5 rolls (one at a time -mind you) cooked and on the plates by the time my oven would have normally just heated up.

Score.

Granted, you are going to have more of the crunchier outside than the gooey inside that comes with traditional cooking but I like that too.

I would definitely give it a try on those time crunched mornings!

photo-33Happy Wednesday!

-abp