Monthly Archives: March 2015

recipe, snacks, vegetables

Easter Party Recipes

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Colby and I just got back from a trip to Sacramento and the Bay Area. We were there for his grandpa’s funeral, but also enjoyed some hiking and restaurants. Grandpa Jim died at the age of 93 after living a full life and shaping a large family of Christ followers. He has 6 children, 16 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren! Isn’t that amazing? 

Next weekend is Easter and I will be catering a party for work on Saturday! The menu will consist mainly of healthy, bite-sized appetizers and desserts. Here’s a roundup of fresh springtime recipes to make at your Easter party:

First up, a great tutorial for making professional looking chocolate dipped strawberries from Doll House Bakeshoppe here.

  

Next up, some easy and gorgeous caprese tortellini bites from Southern Living here.

  

I’ve been yearning to make something like these adorable phyllo cup Brie bites from A Spicy Perspective for months! Check out the recipe here.

  

These beet dyed deviled eggs are so pretty and dyed naturally! The recipe is provided at Create by Diane here.

  

Colorful Peeps and fruit kabobs are beautifully laid out on The Frugal Girls site here.

  

I like the way Catch My Party styles this simple appetizer of fresh veggies in ranch! Link to it here.

  

Finally, this fresh farro salad with lightly roasted vegetables looks delightful! The Proud Italian Cook teaches you how to make it here.

  

Do you have any other favorite Easter party recipes or traditions? Next Sunday we’ll be headed out to Valley of Fire for sunrise service in the desert. I’ll be sure to take pictures! After an Easter nap, I’ll be cooking lamb for the first time. Wish me luck! If it turns out well, I’ll share the recipe with you!

Oh yeah, one more thing. The image for this blog post comes from Martha Stewart’s lace dyed eggs tutorial here. I’ll be making these for our annual egg fight. 

  

breakfast, recipe

Baked Oatmeal Recipe

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I love brunch! How could I not? We have beautiful weather and great friends joining us for bible study this fine day! This recipe is simple, filling, and nutritious. I hope you’ll try it and tell me what you think!

Ingredients:

(Serves 4-6)

2 cups rolled oats (or 1.5 cups rolled oats + 1 scoop vanilla whey protein isolate)

2 ripe bananas, sliced into 1/2″ disks

1.5 cups fresh or frozen berries (I used fresh blueberries)

2 cups milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)

1 large egg

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp baking powder

Dash of sea salt

5 packets stevia (or 1/3 cup maple syrup)

1/2 cup chopped and toasted walnuts or pecans

3 tablespoons melted butter

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease the bottom of an 8×8 square baking dish with cooking spray.

2. Line the bottom of the dish with a single layer of banana slices and sprinkle half the berries on top.

3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, half the butter, vanilla extract, and maple syrup (if using).

4. In a separate bowl, stir together the dry oats, half the chopped nuts, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, protein powder (if using), and stevia (if using).

5. Stir the wet and dry ingredients together and pour into the baking dish. Sprinkle remaining berries and nuts on top.

6. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the mixture is set and golden brown on top. Allow to cool for several minutes.

7. Top with remaining melted butter (optional) and a sprinkling of brown sugar (optional). Serve with Greek yogurt, sliced almonds, maple syrup, and/or fresh berries!

Dig in!

I topped mine with greek yogurt mixed with vanilla extract and stevia.

And there are still leftovers for tomorrow! Yesss!

breakfast, protein, recipe, treats

Carrot Cake Protein Pancakes with Greek Yogurt Cream Cheese Frosting

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How can something so healthy taste so decadent? I don’t understand it, but I’m so excited to share this recipe with you! I’m always looking for tasty ways to use up the leftover pulp from my juicer. This recipe is perfect for using up carrot or carrot/apple pulp! You can even freeze the pulp in a sandwich bag if you want to make this pancake recipe another time. 



For 5-6 pancakes (serves 2)

 Ingredients:
1 cup grated carrot (or 1 cup carrot pulp from a juicer)
1 cup skim or almond milk
1 egg or 2 egg whites
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon brown sugar Splenda blend
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ginger
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg Dash  ground cloves
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 scoop vanilla whey protein isolate 1/3 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Icing:
2 ounces Greek yogurt cream cheese
1-2 tablespoons milk
2-3 packets stevia
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon grated orange rind

Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients from grated carrot down to vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together and allow to sit for 5 minutes to absorb liquid.
2. In a separate bowl, stir together remaining dry ingredients (protein powder through salt).
3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir together to incorporate.
4. Cook the pancakes on a lightly greased pan or griddle, flipping carefully when bubbles begin to form around the edges.
5. To make the icing, combine icing ingredients in a small bowl and mix well using a fork or whisk until smooth.
6. Serve pancakes topped with icing and chopped nuts.



Yes, they’re as tasty as they look! I hope you’ll try them out!



Half the recipe= 280 calories, 5 g fat, 24 g protein, 34 g carbs