RECIPES Archives • Page 45 of 68 • New Nostalgia

Healthy Eating/ HOME/ Homemaking/ How-Tos/ RECIPES

My New Favorite Kitchen Toy

Guess how much time it took me to cut all those veggies? Looks time consuming, huh? Well, it wasn’t. It literally took me 3 minutes with my new, handy dandy mandolin!

I have been wanting one of these forever, and found this one for a buck at a garage sale. It is not fancy, but it is sharp and gets the job done! It makes eating raw fruits and vegetables fast and fun. I find that we have greatly increased our veggie and fruit consumption in this house due to this handy gadget.

My girls beg me for apples now that we can slice them so thin. They liked apples before, but now they eat them like they are candy!

I like this model for basic slicing, but one of these days I am going to get a mandolin that allows you to adjust the thickness of your slices, like the fancy one below. That would be great!

{I’m asking for these for Christmas!:)}

**Caution..do not let children use these. It is very sharp and way too easy to slice a finger. I’m currently growing back half my fingernail–yea, ick.

GF, Vegan & Raw/ RECIPES/ Sweets

Raw, Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites

These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites were a snap to make! Dump ingredients into the food processor, roll into balls and in minutes you have a healthy, sweet treat. These are nutty, wholesome and have a touch of sweetness from the dates. Do not let the dates turn you away. I am not a date lover, but in these treats they add a great sweetness that does not taste like dates, and will not give you a sugar high. They do not taste like chocolate chip cookie dough, but are filling, wholesome and delish!

Raw, Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites

adapted from Oh She Glows

2/3 cup cashews

1/2 cup + 1 tbsp regular oats

3/4 cup whole wheat flour (or spelt flour or any flour)

1 tsp kosher salt

5 pitted medjool dates, chopped

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

3-5 tbsp pure maple syrup, to taste

3-4 tbsp dark chocolate, chopped

(for true raw foodies, here is a recipe for homemade raw chocolate}

Directions: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a non stick mat. In a food processor, process the cashews and oats until a fine crumble (see picture below). Now add in the flour, kosher salt, and roughly chopped pitted medjool dates. Process until fine.

Add in the vanilla and pure maple syrup and process until the mixture comes together in a ball.

Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the 3-4 tbsp of chopped dark chocolate. Roll into balls

RECIPES/ Sides

Healthy No Fat Pumpkin Bread

I am so very happy to have found this recipe! I have made it twice in 4 days and may make some more tomorrow…it is THAT good. It is a vegan recipe, but it would be a keeper even if I were not vegan. It is a recipe by Happy Herbivore that has been getting lots of attention on twitter, so I am not the only one who loves it.

Back to the bread..it was super moist but had a nice crunch on the sides and bottom. Loved that. I cut the brown sugar down to 3/4 cup, that was plenty. I used almond milk. I loved that there was no fat used, and if you are out of eggs, NO PROBLEM, for there are no eggs in this recipe. It is amazing how much cheaper a recipe is with no butter and eggs!

Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

1 hr

Total Time

1 hr 10 mins

The Happy Herbivore Cookbook (p. 52)

Recipe Type: sides

Servings: 12

Ingredients

½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups whole wheat flour
1-2 tbsp pumpkin pie spice I only use 1
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp pure maple syrup
1 cup brown sugar
15 oz pumpkin
¼ tsp lemon juice
¼ cup non-dairy milk

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease or spray a standard bread pan.
Whisk non-dairy milk and lemon juice together until bubbly and set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl, cream pumpkin, sugar, syrup and extract together.
In a large bowl, whisk pumpkin pie spice, flour, baking soda and baking powder together.
Pour both wet mixtures into dry mixture and stir until just combined.
Pour into bread pan, using a spatula to evenly distribute and smooth out the top.
Grab a large piece of aluminum foil and make a tent over the pan.
Bake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Once the bread has cooled but is still slightly warm, gently remove it from the pan and on to a serving plate.

Drinks/ RECIPES

My Everyday Green Smoothie

What do you get when you blend 2 large handfuls of spinach, 1 banana, milk, scoop of vanilla protein powder, and a cup of ice? A super easy, super filling, and super nutritious snack. I often whip this together minutes before I’m heading out the door, pour it into a mason jar or insulated cup with a large straw, and sip as I drive. It has kept me away from hitting up fast food, which is tempting to do when hungry in the car.

If you think about it, this is easily a meal in a cup. There is enough spinach in it to fill up a large plate, a whole banana, protein from the powder. The cup of milk or milk substitute (I use almond milk) is also nutrient rich and filling. I sometimes add chia seeds for extra omega, fiber and protein.

I know there are times that I just don’t want to eat another green salad on a plate, or have the time to shovel it in my mouth and chew! On days I am in the mood for a plate of salad greens, I still have my smoothie, and it feels good knowing I am getting so many nutrients into my body in one day.

I do not have a fancy blender, you don’t need one for this. Mine is Oster brand (the one above) and it has served me well!

The finished product is an interesting color, but it is smooth, creamy and you cannot taste the spinach. It tastes like a banana shake. The vanilla protein powder and banana both add enough sweetness so no added sweetener is needed.

The protein powder I use is Plant Fusion Pea Protein Powder. It is vegan and is sweetened with stevia herb. No yucky artificial sweeteners. Love it!

If I am ever in a chocolate mood, I use chocolate almond milk, or add some cocoa to it. It is also great with a scoop of peanut butter or almond butter. MMM..This makes it into a chocolate, peanut butter, banana smoothie! Delish.

If you have digestive issues, these smoothies are a great way to get fiber into your diet. I notice a huge difference when I drink them regularly. I feel they are very cleansing to the system.

Want one more reason to drink your greens? I have people tell me my coloring looks great. Well, after reading this article, titled “Want a golden glow? Don’t Bother With a Suntan, Eat Your Greens Instead,” I think I can thank my green smoothies for that!

Easy, Everyday Green Smoothie

{inspired by Green Monster @ Oh She Glows}

2 large handfuls of spinach (about 2 cups)

1 cup almond milk (or milk of choice-coconut, soy, dairy)

1 banana

1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I use Plant Fusion)

1 cup ice

2 tbls chia seeds (optional)

Place spinach, almond milk, banana, chia and protein powder in blender. Blend until smooth. You should see a cortex in the middle, if you don’t add a bit more milk until you do. When smooth, add ice. Blend a bit more. Pour and enjoy!

Chia Seeds

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Brunch/ RECIPES

Cinnamon Apple Cranberry Oatmeal

If you have read many posts here at New Nostalgia, you will know that I have a thing for oatmeal. I have oats almost every morning. I love how filling and nutritious they are. I like ’em cold in the summer (overnight chia oatmeal pudding) and hot in the winter, just like my coffee!

{I miss them already}

My sister, Laurie from Beauty Divine, and her boy came to visit last week and I made them Cinnamon Apple Cranberry Oatmeal. My sister loved it and called me for the recipe the minute she got home. I told her I would post it, so here it is!

Cinnamon Apple Cranberry Oatmeal
Serves 2.

1 cup water
1 cup milk or milk substitute (I used almond)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt
pinch nutmeg
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1 cup oats
1 apple, sliced thinly, then chopped

Sweetener of choice-I drizzle with real maple syrup
Pat of butter or butter substitute (I use Earth Balance) (optional)
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Bring water, milk, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg & cranberries to a boil. Add oats. Stir and reduce heat. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add thinly sliced apples. I use a mandolin, then do a rough chop. This makes them small enough for the hot oats to soften them just enough. Drizzle with maple syrup or sprinkle with brown sugar.

Cinnamon Maple Pumpkin Oatmeal

Overnight Breakfast Chia Oat Pudding

2 Minute Steel Cut Oats

What’s your favorite way to eat oats?

Have you checked out my awesome giveaway from KraftyKash??

Healthy Eating/ RECIPES/ Sides

22 Simple Ways To Eat Fruits And Vegetables

22 Simple Ways to Eat Fruits And Vegetables

Frozen berries in cold cereal
Frozen berries in oatmeal
A bowl of frozen berries thawed to perfection during dinner in time for dessert
Apple slices almond butter
Bananas sliced on bran flakes for breakfast
Banana slices on whole wheat peanut butter bagel
Celery and peanut butter or cream cheese
Pepper strips and hummus
Cucumber slices and dip
Frozen grapes– so refreshing!
A 6-cup muffin tin full of different colors for snack
Clementine slices on our salads
Frozen mango chunks in a bowl
Edamame with sea salt-my kids favorite
Fruit smoothies made green by blending in spinach
Eggplant in place of beef in our spaghetti sauce
Fruit kabobs-so pretty and fun
Fresh berries in pancakes
Homemade, no-cook berry jam
Sliced berries on ice cream
Spinach salad with mason jars full of vegetable toppings to add themselves
Make our own fresh vegetable and fruit juices using our juicer.

Drinks/ HEALTH/ Healthy Eating

5 Reasons To Drink Lemon Water In The Morning

Number 1

It balances pH–Lemon is an acidic food, but once metabolized, it becomes alkaline. I work very hard at keeping my body alkaline. Why?

To put it most simply, alkalies help keep the oxygen in our blood at a safe pH level, and this helps our body heal itself, assimilate nutrients and fight off unwanted sickness.

-Nicole Bennet

I have read of many people who have fought their cancer nutritionally by focusing on the body’s pH levels. Kris Carr, of Crazy Sexy Cancer has halted tumors growing in her liver for over 7 years by focusing on nutrition, including alkalizing foods. I think that is crazy cool. Even a little crazy sexy cool!

I regularly check the pH of my body using these little pH strips. I now know what foods –GREENS!–will keep my levels where they need to be. I also believe lemon water helps this process.

Number 2

It keeps skin clear and glowing! I have noticed this. Hydration from drinking lemon water is great for moisturizing our skin from the inside out. Lemon also contains lots of Vitamin C, which helps with wrinkles and blemishes.

Number 3

It kick starts the digestive system–a big glass of lemon water is a great way to start the day. It encourages the liver to produce bile which in turn aids in digestion. It increases urination which helps purify it. It also helps with heartburn and constipation.

Number 4

It helps with weight loss–I have read that keeping the body in an alkaline state helps people lose weight faster. Lemons are high in fiber pectin, which helps keep one full, longer. They also have a diuretic effect, which helps with water weight gain.

Number 5

It helps control the coffee habit–I will drink coffee sometimes, but only if I have had my entire glass of lemon water. Many days I feel like the lemon water wakes me up more than coffee does…

…which brings me to bonus Number 6:

It helps kick the pop habit--I have found that adding lemon to sparkling water and adding a whole lot of ice satisfies any soda craving I might have. I gave up soda pop the minute I was diagnosed a year ago, and I really don’t miss it. I don’t think I could stand the sweetness of it now, but I DO miss the fizz, so my “Lemon Spritzer”–lemon +sparkling water+ice–is the perfect solution!

My mom gave me this lemon press. I just love it. I think it is cute so it stays out on my counter top, on display, which is perfect since it is used every morning.

I use 1/2 lemon, add ice to a 24 ounce mason jar, and add water to the top.

So easy fun and easy to use!

I save the second half for a refreshing “Lemon Spritzer” (see #6) later in the day.

When I pour freshly squeezed lemon juice over ice, I get the same feeling one might get when popping the top of their pop can and fizz leaks out, Ahhh…. or maybe the same feeling of the champagne cork popping? Ok..maybe not THAT good…