Fun With Fiber

I have been having way too fun with fiber! It began a few weeks ago with making some bran muffins. Then, this beautiful pear from my Harry and David package was staring at me and I decided to make Pear Spice Muffins! Fan-Tastic!

Pear Spice Bran Muffins

makes 8

• 1 (7oz) box Hodgson Mills Bran Muffin Mix
• 1 large very ripe pear
• 1/2 cup flax milk
• 3/4 Tbsp light buttery spread
• 1/4 cup liquid egg substitute
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Preheat oven to 350F. Chop the pear into bite-size pieces. Combine all ingredients and half the chopped pear. Once thoroughly mixed, fold in the remaining pear and divided amongst 8 cupcake tins, lined with cupcake paper. Bake for 15 minutes and enjoy!

Nutrition: per muffin (1/8 recipe)

Calories: 128, Fat: 1.6g, Sat. Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 178mg, Carbs: 26.2g, Fiber: 3.4g, Sugar: 8.2g, Protein: 3.9g

Dad and I adored the end result! He kept taking them to work for an on-the-go breakfast. I warmed one up at work and spread a little PB on top and the spread melted and it was fantastic!

Last night, after making two batches on Blueberry scones, I really went into baking mode! I zested 1 lemon, with the zester dad got me for Christmas, and combined it with powdered sugar, and enough warm milk to make a glaze. Wow! Genius! I love lemon and blueberry!

A few days ago, I began to make my own crackers… yes…. crackers… and dad? He loved them! “I need to put these away before I eat the whole bag!” he said.

The first time I made these, I used ground flax. This last batch, I used milled bran.

Fiberful Crackers

make 48 per batch

1 cup ground flax (meal)	OR	¾ cup plus 2 Tbsp milled bran
1/3 cup reduced fat grated Parm		1/3 cup reduced fat grated Parm
½ tsp basil		½ tsp basil
1 ½ tsp granulated garlic		1 ½ tsp
Pinch of salt		Pinch salt
½ cup water		¾ cup water
		2 Tbsp flour of choice

Preheat over to 350 F. Mix all ingredients together and spread into a thin rectangle on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and slide a sharp knife over the sheet of fiber to cut 8 strips across and 6 horizontally (Sorry, guys, I’m pretty bad at dimensions). Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from the oven. By this time, the squares are formed enough to be broken. Break up the sheet into 48 separate crackers and return to the oven for a final crisp (5-8 minutes)!

I’m seriously hooked! They go with everything! Salsa, peanut butter (of course), fresh fruit… I even crisped these up more and broke them into my salad as croutons!

Well, being on this bran kick, and in quite a baking mood, I went with the flow and after 2 batches on scones and a batch of crackers, I made another batch of bran muffins. This time with apples (and apple butter)!

Double the Apple Bran Muffins

makes 8

• 1 (7oz) box Hodgson Mills Bran Muffin Mix
• 1/2 cup apples, skin on, finely chopped
• 1 Tbsp apple butter
• 1/2 cup flax milk
• 1/4 cup liquid egg substitute
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 packet Splenda
• 1 tsp apple pie spice
• 1 Tbsp reduced sugar Craisins, chopped

Preheat over to 350 F. Combine all ingredients! Divide amongst 8 cupcake tins, lined with cupcake wrappers. Bake for 15 minutes. Dig in!

Nutrition: per muffin (1/8 recipe)

Calories: 118, Fat: 0.9g, Sat. Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 169mg, Carbs: 24.8g, Fiber: 2.1g, Sugars: 7.9g, Protein: 3.8g

Can you guy what dad’s breakfast was, this morning?

Fiber is freakishly filling, fun, fiberful, fit, and makes you feel fabulous!

Talk about a recipe overload!

PS. The muffins freeze really well!

Last Saturday

This is not only the last Saturday o f December, nor is it only the last Saturday of 2013, but it is also the last free Saturday that my dad has. The last few weekends, dad has not had to work, so last night, after work, I went to his house to to advantage of this “last Saturday” morning.

We stayed up late last night, surrounded by home-baked cookies (yum). Upon rising and shining this morning, I discovered some Harry & David pears in the refrigerator quickly ripening. Dad mentioned pancakes in conversation, last night, and I whipped up some breakfast.

He was rather skeptical of the idea, but quite pleased with the results.

Spiced White Pear Pancakes

makes 8 pancakes

• 1 medium pear, ripe, divided
• 1 1/2 servings complete pancake mix
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 packet Splenda
• 3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 Tbsp white chocolate chips

Slice the pear in half. With one half, finely chop the pear, with the skin, and add to pancake mix. Add the vanilla, Splenda, and spice to the mix, and mash with a fork. Chop the white chocolate chips and stir into the batter.  Slowly incorporate desired amount of water, mashing with a fork, all the while.

Spray a skillet with non-stick spray. Over medium heat, dollop 2 Tbsp batter, at a time. Thinly slice the other half pear into bite size pieces and top each  batter mound with some pear. Once edges begin to brown and batter bubbles, flip the pancake.

Serve it up!

I loved how moist the pancakes were from the pear! And the occasional bite of chunked pear added another dimension! Dad even mentioned how much he enjoyed the note of the pumpkin pie spice.

Scrapple and a mug off coffee topped off this meal!

Have a great Saturday!

Date Week

By some stroke of luck, Barry and I actually had like 9 days off… Together! For the past week or so, we had been working opposite schedules so we wanted to take advantage of the vacation.

The Philadelphia Zoo

Monday, July 15, we began the week with some monkeying around. Seriously, I love the primates at the zoo! We arrived at the Philadelphia Zoo around 11am or so to begin our wickedly humid day. I felt like I was 5 again! The entire drive to zoo, I was singing, “We’re going to the zoo! We’re going to the zoo!”

Barry was starting to get a bit hungry, so we made a pit stop to the nearest kiosk and he ordered chicken finger n fries. I love this picture, mid-chew!

Yeah, Barry, it is hot! Right out of the fryer! Barry and I both have little things that get us oddly enthused, especially when it comes to food. So when he saw the blend-your-own-ICEE wall, he needed to get one!

Seaside

Tuesday began around 9am, with the Dunkin Donut breakfast sandwich for Barry. We spent the next 2 hours driving until we reached my favorite place in the world: Seaside Heights. I love being able to share this place with others. Although the hurricane wiped out all the rides, just being there and walking the boardwalk was a nice time!

I introduced him to Kohrs Bros. Orange Cream, with jimmies, or course.

Last week, I mentioned that place that fries everything so Barry got deep fried Reeses, and a deep fried cannoli to appease me. Not impressed….

He was reunited with Sawmill Pizza! MMMMM Buffalo chicken pizza and a beer! And I took him to few of my favorite games, like Shoot the Geek (its a paintball game that dad and I are obsessed with), the old carousel, and a few super ancient games, like Bimbo. And lastly, delving into his sweet tooth a bit more, I introduced him to Berkeley’s fudge!

Valanni?

Thursday, begin in my house with one of my favorite shakes: White Chocolate Pear, inspired by Harry and David’s Chocolate covered pear collection. I made dad and Frank shakes, too.

Rather than going back to Valanni as planned, I suggested we stay home, to save money (and calories), and cook. To stick with the Valanni theme, I tried my hands at those delicious Brussels sprouts! I found a recipe for Roasted Balsamic Brussel Sprout and Toasted Walnuts and used that as my base.

After buying a pound of fresh brussel sprouts and cutting them into quarters, I sprinkled black pepper, a touch of salt and granulated garlic, and 2 Tbsp of balsamic vinegar over them, shook them up, and let them sit. Meanwhile, I chopped 2 Tbsp of slivered almonds, and finely diced half a large granny smith apple. (The other half found its way into my tummy.)

I sprayed a baking sheet with non stick spray, emptied the sprouts on it and baked them uncovered for 20 minutes, tossing occasionally, at 375 F. Sprinkle the chopped almonds over top and bake for another 5 minutes. Removed from the oven and toss with the apple.

While these were baking, I marinated some chicken breast in Annie’s Hot Chipotle BBQ Sauce and threw them on the grill.

Although the sprouts weren’t like the ones at the restaurant, I still enjoyed them. I, did, however, learn a few things in the process of making these:

• fresh brussel sprouts take much longer to roast than frozen ones
• Valanni must dowse the sprouts in balsamic vinegar, because the sprouts that were well coated tasted the closest to the originals
• try and try again… Since I know I’m on the right track, it only gives me more incentive to try to get this down!

Harry Potter

Every night for the past week, Barry and I have watched a Harry Potter movie. Needless to say, when Barry found this shirt at the zoo, I just couldn’t stop laughing!

I also truly love this glass! It took everything in me not to buy it! If you have to, click on the picture to enlarge it. Its hilarious!

To finish off Date Week, we watch Deathly Hollows Part 2, and each enjoyed a bowl of Edy’s Slow Churned Caramel Praline Crunch Yogurt Blend, topped with jimmies! We’ve been having a debate, since Seaside, as to call them sprinkles or jimmies…. Its okay, I know the truth… Jimmies (wink).

Soy Nut Butter

This morning had a sleepy start, resulting in me forgetting to take my medication before I left for clinical and, oh yeah, my wallet! Thank God I didn’t get pulled over!

My dad is the best and, on his way, to work, brought me my meds and my wallet!

Despite this mornings chilly 30 degree morning, I prepared a shake to get my day started, inspired by Harry and David’s Chocolate covered Pears! (maybe next time I’ll add some caramel!)

1/2 frozen pear,

2 scoop Vanilla Herbalife,

1 Tbsp sugar free White Chocolate Pudding mix

Ice

This was very filling and I wasn’t hungry for long while! I think it had to do with the natural fiber packed inside the pear.

I was absolutely exhausted by the time clinical was over and had absolutely no motivation to workout. I headed home, and while listening to my growling stomach, whipped up an early dinner.

It was very green! A ton of spinach in egg whites,  topped with fat free shredded mozzarella. I ate it with a slice of marble rye and hot hot sauce!

Eating has been getting better, aside from the fact that I downed a whole bag of chex mix last night. I’ve been pretty bummed about it, though. That, combine with my exhaustion, just equaled laziness, today. So lazy, that I only had three goals for the day: take a shower, watch lectures, go to sleep.

I’ve felt bloated all day today, but tell that to my stomach! Snacks were in the form of rice cakes, nutella and soynut butter.

So here the down low on the Soy Nut Butter: I just can’t do it. Unless nutella is somehow involved to mask the taste of the soynut butter, its just not happening… I can’t really describe the flavor, either, but I’m just not digging it. I’m going to give it a shot in some oatmeal Thursday morning, so I’ll let you know how that goes.

I have another long Tuesday ahead of me tomorrow, so I wanted to be prepared. I took a shower tonight, then prepared ALL my meals for tomorrow! In fact, I planned my entire day, work out and all!

Night Shift and The Purple People Eater

Wednesday:

Another early morning. I had to finish some homework before heading to class. As I was working on the homework, I began  to think about the events of the next few days, and just how utterly sleep deprived I am going to be. (You’ll find out why.)

Class was educational and then I had to go to a seminar. During class, I ate Dannon Light and Fit Greek Peach yogurt topped with some chis seeds. On my way to the seminar, I could feel some hungry starting to arise so I swung by Wawa. Thanks for the convenient snack packs, Wawa!

I always have issues driving in Bear… I’m always getting lost! I found the location and we learned about stroke prevention. Our project is to conduct stroke assessments on members of our communities to evaluate their risk for a stroke.

I was starving when I got home, so I grabbed a quick bite and I’m headed to bed.

I am working night shift tonight, so I’m praying I’ll get some  sleep before then. Tomorrow night, I am attending a black and gold (ie. we wear black and gold). My girlfriends are in a sorority and I go every year, which is why I was freaking out about having a dress.

Thursday:

I was woken up by my mom and step dad last night. Must they always feel the need to talk outside my bedroom foot when I’m sleeping?
I like to start nightshift with a smoothie. All the protein and fresh fruit gives me an nice buzz to get me going. Yesterday, was National Strawberry Day, so i wanted to incorporate some in my shake. I must say, though, the blueberries took control of this one. “Mom, is it weird that I just named my smoothie ‘the purple people eater?'” “Yes.” “Thanks, mom.”

Into the bullet went:
spinach,
frozen strawberries,
half a frozen banana,
fresh blueberries,

vanilla protein powder

raw cashew butter,

ice
When it was all mixed up, it was a purple “monster.”

I’m pretty happy about my eating last night. Julie is always raving about Milk Chocolate Moose Munch,but last night was the first time I got to try it. Can you guess what I liked the most about it? The nuts, duh!!! I also snacked on baby carrots, these new Back to Nature Sweet Potato and Cinnamon crackers I’ve recently been obsessed with, and granny smith with Chocolate PB2 and graham crackers.

    

Eight hours, three cups of coffee and a dark chocolate covered espresso bean, I kept busy most of the night and even caught up on some reading for school.