Apricot Marmalade Sweetness

This idea came to me when I was teaching a nutrition and wellness class several months ago. It took me until now to try this simple, delicious, and healthy idea! I really think these proportions came out just right. Still, it's very sweet, so if you find it's too much for you, add lemon juice.

Non-Cook Apricot Marmalade

2 c unsweetened dried apricots
1 c water
1/8 c lemon juice or the juice of half a lemon, optional
1/4 c chia seeds

Blend for just a minute or so to desired consistency, and enjoy!

Some cranberry or orange peel would probably be tasty!

How cute are these Triscuit Minis?! My kids love them :)

This spread would be great on Ezekiel Bread or on or in pancakes!

Chia Seeds -- Energy Food of the Aztecs!

Believe it or not!  You've probably already had chia in your house!

It's the same stuff that grows as a CHIA PET!

Actually, CHIA SEEDS are good for more than growing a window pet!

They are SUPER NUTRITIOUS!

They have been used for hundreds of years by the Aztecs as their primary energy source; with the Mayans as well, so much that the word "chia" means STRENGTH in Mayan!

Why are CHIA SEEDS SO Awesome?

Benefits of Chia

1.  Load of OMEGA-3 -- anti-inflammatory, pain reduction Among other benefits!
You find omega-3 in few plant foods besides flaxseed and walnuts.

2.  Awesome non-meat, gluten-free, complete source of PROTEIN!  Why would you want non-meat protein?  Why would you want gluten-free protein?  Here are some other non-meat sources of protein and PROTEIN BENEFITS

3.  Soluble FIBER -- really helpful for BLOOD SUGAR control, weight loss (increases the volume of food by 9x while only adding minimal calories...see note on GEL below), sustained energy (Aztecs used as primary energy source!) -- it keeps you going strong for a long, long time!

4.  Lots of antioxidants (quantity comparable with blueberries!), protecting it's omega-3 fats (#1) from oxidative damage (avoid rancidity -- yucky!, AND destructive to awesome health benefits!).  Plus, the antioxidants protect YOUR BODY from free radical damage!  More HERE on antioxidants and chia seeds!

5.  Here are just SOME of the other nutrients: CALCIUM, POTASSIUM, MAGNESIUM, IRON, and ZINC!

Chia GEL = Combine 1 part seeds and 9 parts water, and SOAK for at least 10 min.  Add to any food that blends with liquid, such as oatmeal.

Recipes to Try!

CHIA FRESCA:  add chia to 100% fruit juice or add chia to water and a bit of lemon or lime juice!  A Mexican tradition!

Plus, 7 fresh-you chia seed recipes!

4-Ingredient Chocolaty Goodness

Choco-Peanut Crunch Laraballs

Chocolate Oatmeal

Chocolate Raspberry Kiss Muffins

Healthy Mexican Lasagna

Hearty "Turkey" Meatloaf

3-Ingredient Super Shake

BONUS CHIA USE: Better Baking Breadcrumbs!  Use them in every dish!

COMMENTS: Did you ever have a chia pet growing up?  I don't remember ever doing it!  Did you ever do a funny one, like Garfield?  I see there are still a lot of options to choose from!

Better Baking Breadcrumbs!

How will you try this Healthy Breading /Breadcrumb Alternative!?

For Healthy Breadcrumbs -- Use the following in Equal Parts:

Nutritional yeast
Chia seeds
Wheat germ
Flaxseed, ground

You could also add ground almonds, or any nut!, or some wheat bran!

Use this on anything you want to bread or as a topping to any casserole or other baked item.

Sprinkle it over veggies you are baking or anything at all!

It's the perfect alternative to traditional breadcrumbs, which are ENRICHED, filled with salt and other preservatives, and perhaps sugar.

If you prefer Italian flavored breading, just add whatever spices you fancy!

Nutritional yeast is a super, non-dairy Parmesan cheese substitute! 

CHIA seeds -- are superfoods for so many reasons, high in protein and fiber, as well as many vitamins and minerals, and they are high in omega-3 fats!

WHEAT germ -- this is basically the "embryo" of the grain -- so it's gotta have all the good stuff -- great source of iron and zinc, and one of the very best sources of folic acid, the nutrient so important for women of child-bearing age to get plenty of, to avoid birth defects, fiber, and phytochemicals that work as antioxidants!

Always (once opened) store in refrigerator in tightly sealed container to avoid rancidity.

Flaxseeds additionally provide fiber and omega-3 fats!

Try it this weekend, and instead of giving your family empty calories, you can give them all the extra nutrients that the above ingredients provide!

COMMENTS: What dishes do you use breading for?  Can you think of any good uses for Better Baking Breadcrumbs?

Chocolate Raspberry Kiss Muffins

Happy Valentine's Day!

Enjoy these delicious sugar-free (besides the semi-sweet chocolate chips) muffins!

Chocolate Raspberry Kiss Muffins

2/3 c walnuts
1/2 c almonds
1/2 c raisins
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 c chia seeds
1 c rolled oats
3/4 c raspberries, frozen or fresh
1/2 c semi-sweet chocolate chips (CLICK here for benefits of chocolate!)

Heat oven to 375.
Cover rolled oats in water in a large bowl and microwave for 4 min.
Blend oatmeal with all other ingredients in food processor to desired consistency.
Fold in raspberries and chocolate chips.
Fill muffin tin, bake for 20, and ENJOY!

Recipe makes a dozen regular-sized muffins, or 2 dozen mini-muffins (shown).

Note: there are no eggs, so you don't have to be sure they are "done".  Cook to desired texture.

These muffins are a variation of Cranberry Cookies and Cinnamon Cranberry Confection Laraballs, so you may like these recipes too!

SHARE IF YOU DARE! Valentine's Day, love it or hate it? I assume if you clicked on this recipe, you probably love it, but who knows?!

YUMMY Flavored Oatmeal! -- try MINT CHOCOLATE!

Love those packets of INSTANT OATMEAL with all the yummy FLAVORS?

Here is a way to have them, and AVOID sugar or artificial sweetener!

Ahead of time, you can prepare any LARABALL flavor, but leave as a crumble, instead of shaping into balls.

We have been especially enjoying MINT CHOCOLATE OATMEAL!

2-3 Tbsp ground flaxseed

1 c or so of rolled oats (Old Fashioned Quaker Oats are great!)

1/4 c or so of Laraball SKINNY MINT crumble

In a large microwaveable, glass bowl, combine all ingredients and cover in water.  Cook in microwave for 4 min or so.  Stir up and enjoy!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  Do you enjoy your oatmeal plain or sweetened?  Do you do it yourself, or packaged?  What crazy flavor can you imagine?:

Choco-Peanut Crunch Laraballs

Peanut Butter Cup Laraballs!

(Learn about Laraballs HERE.)

These are a simple variation of the Brownie Bites.

1/2 c peanuts, roasted, unsalted

1/2 c dates

1/8-1/4 c cocoa, unsweetened

1-2 Tbsp CHIA SEEDS*

2 tsp vanilla (optional)

1/8 tsp salt (omit if using salted peanuts)
*for less crunch use 1 Tbsp + 2 Tbsp water

Combine everything with a food processor until well blended. Empty contents into large re-sealable plastic bag. Form into one inch balls. Enjoy!

 

If you're feeling WILD, just try eye-balling these quantities and see how it turns out! I'm sure it will be a SUCCESS!

 

The CHIA SEEDS are a new and unusual ingredient for a Laraball. They are tasteless and only provide the tiniest little crunch (like a raspberry seed, or the crunch you might notice when chewing a Fig Newton). Barely noticeable, AND SUPER nutritious!! = add as much in to your diet as possible! You can throw chia seeds into anything!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  Do you ever remember a winter like this one?  62 today - really?!  It sure is great for runners, like me!  Are there wintry things you want to be doing, but haven't been able too?  A friend of mine's husband built an ice skating rink for their boys for this winter, and it hasn't gotten much use, bummer for them.  She IS a runner, so at least she is loving the random warm days!

Parfait for Today!

I enjoyed yesterday's parfait so well, I tried a new one today! I made PB&J Poppers with walnuts instead of peanuts, and I added some chia seeds!

So this is it!

1/2 c walnuts

1/3 c raisins (avoid Dole -- there is added sugar!)

1/8 c dried cherries (tell me if you find unsweetened!)

1-2 Tbsp chia seeds

Grind above ingredients with a food processor for 3-4 minutes, until well blended.

1/2 c non-dairy Greek yogurt

Top yogurt with 1-2 Tbsp of above mixture.

Add banana slices, about 1/2 a banana.

Top with a few more crumbles, and enjoy!

If you like this treat, you can check out this Choco-Candy Apple Pafrait!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  What is your favorite blog?  Do you write one that you want to share?