Category: Breakfast

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Breakfast Gluten Free Mealtime Monday Recipes

Protein Blender Muffins: Back-To-School Time Saver

I am a Brand Ambassador for Nuzest Usa and have included an affiliate link in this post that I receive a commission from purchases. My full disclosure policy

Back to School, YAY!

How were you the first week of school? For some of you, it’s been a few weeks and you probably have settled back into a routine and life is starting to take on its new normal for the next 8+ months.  For us Jersey peeps we have just finished up the hours’ long paperwork confirming that are a child is still the same child, with the same parents, living in the same house just another grade older.  After school activities have taken our chill summer nights away and we are anticipating the homework to come trickling in to add to our now more full to do list.  Oh, what happened to those preschool days where you just had to make sure they had a change of clothes and snacks.  My girls are now in fourth and eighth grade, and I remember from my now eighth grader. Third grade is where things start to become a little more challenging. More responsibilities are assumed, and that wonderful common core is in full swing.  I am happy that I got to go through it from Kindergarten-Seventh grade, or it could be a daunting task sitting down for homework.

Prep and Plan

I’ve been here before, so I thought this summer, “How can I make things a little easier?” Prep and Plan! That is my security blanket. I am an avid planner from our meals, schedule everything is done a month in advance.  So, late July early August it began. I gathered recipes for easy, healthy dinners so that I can feed my hungry brood and make Soccer and Field Hockey games and practices without sitting down at the end of the day feeling like I was just swept up in a Whirlwind.  I found these Blender Muffins on Cooking Light, but I had to change up the recipe a little to meet my daughter’s needs.  One daughter is lactose intolerant we have all adapted to a less dairy lifestyle in my home.  The other thing is protein. My middle daughter is a self-proclaimed Vegetarian except for hot dogs and tacos. (Yep! Hot dogs…sigh and slight eye roll) I am always trying to find ways to get my only fruit and veggie child to get more Protein.  After two experiments the first one didn’t turn out so well, I came up with these delicious muffins that feed everyone for a week, and I just have to make one batch.  You can make them in a variety like I did or just do one flavor.  I did the variety to mix it up during the week.

protein-blendermuffins

 

Convenient and Healthy

My tween & teen can grab and go in the morning, and she’s all set, and my middle can eat, and I know that she is getting everything she needs to start her day. I also made Egg Muffins which the in between child wants no parts of but my husband has found these convenient too as he is a Kindergarten teacher and is trying to remain on the clean eating plan that he has fully embraced over the summer months. My personal favorite is the Chocolate Walnut Muffins, but there are so many topping options you can do. We have Apple Chai, Chocolate Almond, Strawberry Chocolate, Strawberry Blueberry, Blueberry and next week going to give Mango and Banana a try. I hope you enjoy these fast, easy, yummy treats for your family, and if you try any new flavors, please let me know. I am always looking for ways to make meal time fun, healthy and tasty.

Add Some Fruit and Veggies in a Scoop

Nuzest has just come out with some great additions to their plant-based smoothie line. Now they have Fruit and Veggies which gives these protein muffins an extra punch of power for my girls.  Nuzest Just Fruits & Veg comes in three different flavors Wild Berry, Fresh Coconut, and Caco Mint. I used the Wild Berry in the protein muffins and they were delish. It’s also great for their after school needs post field hockey and soccer practice even as an easy tasty snack when they get home.  I love it because it is no artificial sweeteners, a great form of plant-based protein in their pea protein powder and an ingredient list of all real, junk-free ingredients that I recognize. Each scoop contains 5 fruits and 5 veggies and 9 essential amino acids. My oldest daughter is lactose and casein intolerant so this is easy for her to digest.  I rather they have fresh, fruits and veggies but I can find comfort in the Nuzest Just Fruit & Veg Smoothies and it also adds a great flavor to the protein muffins. Use coupon code “FaithFueled” to get 15% off your order!

What are your quick breakfast ideas?

 

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Breakfast Recipes

Protein Pancakes

This is a sponsored post. I received this product in exchange for a review there are also affiliate links that I make a commission. I make a commission off the links in this post and am a Nuzest USA Ambassador. I’d tell you if I didn’t like it and why. My Full Disclosure Policy

Pancakes, Bacon, and Eggs are like our Sunday morning go-to. I usually make a double batch on the weekend and freeze them for the lil diva’s breakfast during the week. I place each one in between parchment paper, so they are easy to pull out and toast just like your convenient frozen pancakes already made in the store. It allows me time in the morning to provide them with a homemade breakfast in minutes.

I have never really liked pancakes, but my daughters do. After flipping pancake after pancake and not being able to indulge in anything with wheat, guess what I want, crave, obsess? Yes, pancakes. You always want what you can’t have well not anymore. These pancakes are so easy to make, delicious and don’t add extra time and a whole lot of ingredients to your regular breakfast routine. I even had the kid and husband approved, and they gave it a two thumbs up. Since finding out about my wheat allergy, I have been making a conscious effort to eliminate wheat in my diet. I just feel so much better and can get the full benefit of living a healthy lifestyle.

These pancakes are a great alternative to your traditional pancakes. Its a very simple easy recipe to follow and most people have the ingredients.  I prefer to use plant-based protein powder, I use Nuzest Vanilla because I don’t do well with Whey because of my lactose intolerant and prefer not to have soy products. Nuzest Protein is more does not have lots of the artificial junk that can be found in most protein powders. Just as a personal preference. Like I said, these pancakes taste like the real deal. You can top them with your favorite fruit, nuts and I used Lakanto Maple Pancake Syrup, which is Sugar-Free, Calorie Free and tasted pretty decent its junk free made of Monk Fruit Sweetener. I have had sugar free pancake syrup before, and this is the best one yet.

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Breakfast Mealtime Monday

7 Healthy Snacks to pack when your traveling

Whether it’s a bus, plane, car or train. It’s hard to think of healthy snacks that pack well my first go to would be, chips.  That’s because I just love chips and when spending hours idle I would love nothing better than to dive into a bag of Fried Pickle Chips.  I used to use traveling as an excuse to eat anything that I pleased.  It was a couple of years ago I realized that vacation eating makes me feel awful on vacation.  Feeling awful while on vacation is the worst that’s when you want to enjoy yourself the most. Not be laid up feeling ill because you overindulged. So, I try to maintain the same food we eat at home we eat when we’re away.  We do indulge, but it’s not a complete eating change.

Some snacks I like to take with us for the same reason anyone would bring snacks. It cost money on the road, and it’s a way to save and have the choice that you prefer by taking your own snacks.  So grab an insulated bag some ice packs and grab these:

Seven things to pack when you’re traveling.

1.Eggs

I usually make these first, and with my little diva’s and I, these are the first things to get devoured. We love Hard Boiled or Soft Boiled Eggs. I buy over five dozen eggs a week, so yes, it’s already a typical snack in my house.  You can make them ahead, stick them in the fridge and they have their own case.  Throw them in a resealable container, and you have a place to store your shells until you get to trash and away to keep your eggs from cracking on their own.

2. California Almonds

Easy to pack and easy to portion control.  23 Almonds are a serving if you want to get technical and almonds are a very satisfying satiating snack. Excellent source of protein, fats, fiber, and carbs it’s the perfect snack when eaten within the portion. It’s a great snack because it gives you the nutrient boost you need, very easy to grab and go and the crunch that you are sometimes searching.

3. Clean Lean Protein Bars

Protein and snack bars are great to travel with because they aren’t perishable, don’t have to worry about the mess and if you try Nuzest Clean Lean Protein bars you don’t have to worry about junk.  There are so many options on protein bars I am so glad that I found Nuzest.  They avoid process chemicals, and they also are conscious of sugar intake.  They come in some delicious flavors and are satisfying when on the go.

If you are looking to get more fruits and vegetable in, I also recommend the Good Green Snack Bar.  It is filled with nothing but dried fruit, pea protein and probiotic goodness that will keep your tummy happy.  Giving you the product you need even while traveling.

4. Clean Lean Fruit & Veg Smoothie

Eating more fruits and vegetables can improve your health, help you stay full longer and give you the micronutrients you need to fuel your body.  When you are traveling, you don’t often get healthy fruits and vegetable options. I love that these come in a bag because they pack really well can be taken anywhere, just add water or almond milk, and you have a nutrient dense smoothie that tastes delicious on the go.  A great travel companion. “Just Fruit and Veg helps you to increase your fruit and veggie intake in a tasty, convenient drink.”

5. Celery and Cottage Cheese Cup

My middle daughter Lailah aka Boo loves cottage cheese and celery. Actually, it’s her version of Ants on a Log with Cottage Cheese replacing the peanut butter.  We love Good Culture Cottage cheese cups, and I pack them with celery sticks and a mini package of raisins.  She can dip and bite or build her own. She’s ten so it’s not messy, but I wouldn’t let Mimi develop her individual Ant on a Log.  Another, a snack that curbs cravings and an excellent source of protein, fat, and fiber.

6. Popcorners

We love popcorn in our house.  I like to make it air-popped when I am at home but when on the go. I trust Popcorners. They have a variety of flavors less than seven ingredients and give you that salty popcorn crunch you often crave.  I find that these are great travel companions for anywhere you go and unlike other popcorn products you can trust the ingredients.  We have tried almost every flavor and is my little diva’s favorite.

7. Cucumber Bites

These are my favorite snack in general.  It’s nitrate-free deli turkey, plum or Roma tomato (for size circumference), avocado and cucumber.  Make it a sandwich cucumber as the “bread” it’s so satisfying and travels well too in a resealable container.

There are affiliate links in this post. I am a Nuzest Ambassador and in partnership with Nuezest. I make a commission of the sales from my affiliate links. My Full Disclosure Policy 

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Breakfast Dessert Gluten Free Recipes

Apple Crisp for 1, please

 

Yep, It’s that time of year! Apple Picking! It brings back so much nostalgia and memories and a tradition that I happily keep each year with my girls.  It’s been especially fun the last two years apple picking with a curious toddler.  The older girls make it fun too but those little eyes of amazement and little hands stuffing apples in a bag melts this Mama’s heart.

I know everyone has gone Pumpkin crazy but we can’t forget about, good ole American apple pie.  I am a huge fan of both Pumpkin and apple so this recipe actually works for both! It takes 2-5 minutes and you will be in that fall-warmth-comfort-food-bliss in less than 10 minutes and it is so much better for you!

applecrispfor1

There are so many to both as a snack!

Apples have many benefits to your diet four benefits:

  1. It’s good for you I know you’re like “Duh, an apple a day…” but they are a great source of soluble fiber which is needed in your diet for healthy protection, diabetes prevention, and weightloss and one medium apple is half of your daily 2 cup of fruit goal based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Apples also provide 14% of the daily value of Vitamin C requirements.
  2. It’s helps you with weight loss. How? You say? Apples are a great hunger crusher and for fewer calories than most small meals or snacks.  There has also been studies that daily diet of apples will lower your cholesterol and heart disease.
  3. It’s great for your Heart health. Numerous studies has connected apples to lower risk of death due to heart diseases and cardiovascular disease.  It is believed there are mutiple factors that contribute to this such as:
    • antioxidants found in apples
    • Helps prevent LDL cholesterol and lower cholesterol
    • Inhibits inflammation
    • Soluable fiber
  4.  It helps prevent and protect you against metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is symptoms that causes the body to function improperly increasing the risk for heart disease and diabetes. A study found that apple eaters has 27% less chance to have metabolic syndrom symptoms.
  5. Give you a boost. Apples contain an antioxidant called querctin, which helps make more oxygen for your lungs helping with endurance.  So, it’s a great preworkout snack.

This recipe has no refined sugar and is a great treat for this fall.  What is your favorite fall dessert?

 

Check out my Chai Spice Recipe!

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Breakfast Mealtime Monday Recipes

Adult Grits and Eggs: Fancy Breakfast

Meal Time Monday [Autosaved]

gritseggs

 

My New Quirky Habit

I have this new quirk, and my husband had to point it out to me. I like eating fancy food. From creating blog and Instagram post I now pretty much style all my meals. Healthy food just tastes better when designed in my opinion, and it’s a part of the food experience. Before I became a health nut, the food experience consisted of a greasy bag, lots of napkins and a stain every single time on my shirt. It was usually eaten in the car, in a hurry, on-the-go and the most memorable thing about the experience are the stains it left on my shirt.

gritsaneggs

Fine Dining Experience

Now that I eat clean food is an experience. It’s not a quick fix, never fully satisfying thing to pass the time away. It’s a production (not my meals or 30 minutes or less but what feels like a production) flavorful, expression of my creativity. I make new recipes regularly, try new vegetables and fruits weekly. Slice, dice, cut and mince and create amazing flavor combinations and aromas. Then I sit down and enjoy a beautiful meal photogenically styled for all of our enjoyment. Well, that does somewhat happen maybe two days a week. All the others I take regular meals and put it on the plate pretty and just my plate because by the time I am finished the Lil Divas are on their seconds. Then, I eat it and enjoy it. It’s portioned just right and beautiful like from a restaurant. Do I waste my dinner time? Yes, but rather than scarfing down a plate and being on my seconds. I am eating my first. Finishing with the family and not sitting there watching them eat their seconds. Ah-ha, you say? Try it! Works for me!

gritsandeggs

Little touches make the magic

Well on one of my particularly creative breakfast I decided to grab almost every herb in my garden. A box of grits and some eggs and make adult grits. I never had adult grits, but I wanted to do something other than butter or sugar (I have never done this, but my cousins do) and cheese, grits require cheese UNLESS you are lactose intolerant like me, so that leaves me with, boo. Exactly, so I came up with this simple as making a not adult grits recipe to get fancy at the table, and you can just do this for your bowl and let the family have their regular meal while you dine at your gourmet restaurant 😉 😉 Enjoy!

How do you like your grits? Have you ever “dressed them up”?

 

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