Clean Recipe - Granola

Making granola at home is a very quick easy and affordable alternative to buying granola at the store.  I have been making granola at home for years! Over the years I have modified and tweaked different ingredients until....Viola!

I made my favorite version yet, it not only taste delicious, but it is also an excellent combination of ingredients that will keep your body's immune system nourished and strong during the cold and flu advisory months. (see below recipe for more info on nutrients)

Recipe

1 Cup Rolled Oats

2 Tbsp Quinoa Flakes (found in most health foods stores in the "grain" department)

2 Tbsp Pepitas 

2 Tbsp Chia Seeds

2 Tbsp Brow Rice Syrup

1 Tbsp Cranberries

2 Tsp Cinnamon

Heat oven to 350 degrees; Bake for 15 minutes turning half way through.

*Makes 4 (1/2 cup) Servings

198 Cal     5.5g Fat     32g Carbs     5.25g Pro     7g Sugar      5.25g Fiber

(nutrition per serving)

Sprinkle on top of greek yogurt and top with grapefruit, blueberries and your other favorite fruit. Enjoy!!

Why is this granola good for battling the cold and flu season? 

It is loaded with Zinc and Anti-Oxidants. Pepitas and Chia seeds are excellent sources of zinc which helps to support the immune system. Pepitas are also full of vitamin E. and Chia seeds are full of vitamin C, two main vitamins that the immune system loves! Topping the granola with grapefruit and blueberries further boost the the antioxidant level to this delicious breakfast/snack. 

Kids Valentines Day Treat

Kids Valentines Day Treat Idea- Chocolate Covered Pretzel Heart Bow and Arrow

This year at the kids school I am in charge of bringing food for the kids party in the "other" category. I wanted to think of something fun and festive that would still be savor worthy in the younger crowd. After much brain storming I came up with the idea to do these chocolate covered pretzel hearts with a bow and arrow. Hope you and your loved ones enjoy!!!! <3

Here is what you will need:

Parchment or Wax Paper

Sweethearts Candy 

White and Milk Chocolate Chips (or white and milk melting chocolate-found at craft stores)

Pretzel Minis

Pretzel Sticks

Red Food Coloring

                                                                                            

1- (optional, it helps the preztel stick to candy hearts better) With a small knife carve a hole into the top of the heart. Do this by pressing knife into candy and turning knife in a swivel motion.

2- Melt chocolate according to directions on package (I find stovetop double broiler method works best)

3-Once chocolate is melted dip pretzel sticks (bow and arrow) into chocolate until fully coated then stick one end of pretzel into carved hole in candy heart. Set the pretzel and candy heart onto parchment paper to harden. Make sure the pretzel and heart and well pressed together as this will insure a strong bond between them.

(my pretzels sticks had finger marks so I put the remaining chocolate in a bag with the corner cut off and touched up any uneven spots)

4- Allow chocolate to harden, it will take up to an hour.

5- Melt White chocolate and add drops of red food coloring until desired color is achieved.

6-Coat pretzel minis (hearts) in this mixture and lay on parchment paper to harden.

7- Once all "hearts" are coated immediately take the "bow and arrows" and place them diagonally across. You want to do this while chocolate coating on hearts is still pliable because as it hardens it will secure and ensure the bow and arrows are attached.

******This whole process will take about an hour to do. For a shorter version you can buy pretzels that are already coated (my local grocery store has raspberry yogurt covered pretzels that would work great as the hearts!) and melt chocolate to secure each piece together!!

Freeze Dry

This is a great quick dry nail tip for my fellow impatient women out there! I have the hardest time sitting still and waiting for my nails to dry after I paint them. Not to mention as a mom, down time to sit and allow the proper time for my nails to dry is few and far between. Plus I will admit it, there are few things as frustrating as taking the time to paint my nails only to discover 5 minutes later that one is smudged or dinged. I discovered this fabulous little trick a couple years back and it has become one of my favorite beauty short-cut. 

Before you paint you nails get a bowl, fill it up with cold water and some ice cubes. Let it sit while you paint your nails. Once complete with the painting process submerge your nails in the ice water for 2-3 minutes and whallah. Dry, smudge free nails!!

All Natural DIY Face Mask

 All Natural Coffee Facial Mask

This here is one of the best all natural coffee facial masks. (clarification in case you were wondering what that brown goop face picture is, haha) I try to do this mask about once a week myself. All the ingredients have such great nutrients in them that are incredibly beneficial to the skin.  Every time I rinse this off my face I am amazed at how clean, fresh and even my skin looks (as you can see in the bottom pic, no make-up and no touch-up at all!!!)

I hope you try this at home, I guarantee you will be hooked after one try!!!

Here is how to do it:

1 Tbsp Coffee

1 Tbsp Pure Cocoa Powder

1 Egg White

1/2 Tbsp Honey

Mix all the ingredients together until a paste forms, spread onto face and let dry (usually takes about 15 minutes), rinse off with warm water and follow up with your favorite moisturizer!!

                                                                       

                                              Simple ingredients.

Afterwards. Fresh looking' skin!

Clean Eating Recipe - Sweet Potato Chips

These are great to make and keep for future snack time! 

How to:

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees

Cut sweet potato into thin slices 

Put in a bowl and toss with just enough olive oil to coat the slices

Lay flat on a baking sheet and put into oven

Bake 8-10 minutes then flip sweet potatoes over

(At this point you can also sprinkle with sea salt for added flavor)

Return to oven and bake an additional 8-10 min 

Let them cool and enjoy!

Ab Workout - Spider Man Plank

I recently discover this gem of a calisthenic! No kidding it works almost every hard to work muscle in my body! With the very limited time I have between my kiddos, work, cooking, and life, I try to maximize my workouts by incorporating exercises that work multiple body areas at once. The Spider-Man Plank works my shoulders, abs, and glutes among many other muscles. It's a new addition to my workouts and is quickly becoming my go-to exercise on days I only have 10 min to fit in a workout!

Here's How:

Place your forearms on the floor, elbows under your shoulders, and extend your legs behind you with your knees on the floor.

Lift your right foot behind your right knee and bring your knee to the out side of your right elbow. Hold for a second.

Extend right leg back behind you, lower your knee back to the floor and repeat with on your left side.

Green Smoothie Recipe -Mixed Berry

This Vitamin packed smoothie is the very first smoothie I ever made! It is delicious AND my children love it. They even ask for it. It is the perfect basic smoothie with minimal ingredients that are all nutritionally beneficial. I have been drinking it 2-3 times a week for over 3 years now and still enjoy every sip!

Recipe:

1 banana

1 Cup frozen berries

3/4 Cup kale or spinach

2 Tbsp ground flax seed

~3/4 Cup coconut water

Blend well and serve!

* makes about 2 servings