Healthy Honey Banana Muffins

These muffins are the perfect part of a healthy breakfast or snack.

1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. round nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
6 T. honey
1/2 cup golden raisins (optional)

Ina large bowl combine the first 5 ingredients. Combine the eggs, banana, applesauce and honey; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in the raisins.

Coat muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray;fill two-thirds full with batter. Bake at 375 degrees F for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

Pancakes (Putting the "cake" back into panCAKES!) Original Recipe by Melissa Taylor

These are the yummiest pancakes I have ever had, hands down. I hope you'll give these a try!

1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1-2 T. lemon juice from concentrate
1-2 tsp. Madagascar vanilla
2 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
4 tsp. baking powder

Whisk wet ingredients in medium size bowl. Add remaining dry ingredients, making sure baking powder is on top. Gently stir until mixed. Leave for 2-3 minutes while heating griddle--mixture should be spongy. Spread (it won't pour) onto griddle. Makes about 12 medium size pancakes.

Pita Pizzas

Here is a great recipe that comes from a friend of mine. It is a family favorite of ours. I will post a picture when I make it next.

2 tsp. olive oil
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
1 clove garlic, pressed or chopped
4 flat bread (Pita bread without pockets. I get mine at Sprouts).
1 cup, approx. mozzarella cheese
2 cup, approx. fresh chopped vegetables to top pizzas (tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms, etc.)
1 cup, apporx. pepperoni, bacon, ham or sausage to top pizzas (optional)
2 T. fresh basil leaves, chopped

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Mix olive oil, Italian seasoning, vinegar and garlic together in a small bowl. Brush this mixture on one side of each flat bread and place flat breads on a cookie sheet. Top flat bread with your fresh vegetable toppings, meat (if desired) and end with mozzarella cheese on top. Bake 10-12 minutes or until cheese is melted and edges are lightly browned. (I find that my oven cooks these in about 8 minutes). Top pizzas with fresh basil.

Note: I usually double or triple this recipe to make 8-12 pitas at a time.

Frozen Lemon Pie

Frozen Lemon Pie

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 c butter, melted
1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream, softened
1 (8 oz) tub cool whip, thawed
6 oz (undiluted) lemonade frozen concentrate
juice and zest of one lemon

Prepare a graham cracker crust by combining graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Pat into pie pan and freeze until firm. (Or just do what I did and buy a pre made crust for 89 cents!)
In a large bowl combine softened ice cream, cool whip, lemonade concentrate, and the juice and zest of one lemon. Stir until blended. Pour over chilled pie crust. Freeze overnight or for several hours. Garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves if desired.

**I am thinking it would be delicious with limeade concentrate and a lime instead of the lemonade and lemon. I haven't tried it yet, but how could that not be good!

Baked Potatoe with Chicken and Broccoli

Okay so I know this is basic, but we are posting things that we make right? So... here is one of my very favorite meals.

1. Bake your potatoes. (I spray with butter and wrap in tin foil to give a little flavor)

2. When there is about 30 minutes left with the potato, cook the chicken how you desire. I like to boil mine in chicken broth and seasonings. Then cut up. Top the potato how you like. Cook Broccoli according to package.

I love that this is a mostly all vegetable meal and that the kids can add stuff to up the calories for them. (I have skinny twigs in my family).

Cafe Rio Pork

This recipe is exactly like Cafe Rio! You must try this! You can serve this as a burrito with rice on bottom, beans, pork, shredded romaine, and dressing, and if you like, guacamole. (all of these recipes are posted below) Or for a salad, put a tortilla down in a plate with rice, beans pork, romaine, dressing, shredded cheese on top! so extremely delicious!

these recipes do have a lot of ingredients, but it is most definitely a meal to make once in a while for sunday dinner or for guests!

enjoy!

Pork- night before eating:

3 1/2 - 4 lb. pork roast

2 Tlbs. Brown sugar

1 to 1 1/2 cayanne (less for less spice)

2 Tsp. cumin

1 tsp salt

* mix together and rub on pork roast. put in crock pot on low

the next moring add:

1 can coke

1 C. chicken broth

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 small onion, chopped

*about one hour before serving, shred roast and add 1 to 1 1/2 C. brown sugar.

Cafe Rio Salad Dressing

1 1/3 C. sour cream
3/4 C. Mayo
1 bunch cilantro
1 package ranch dressing mix
4 Tbls. salsa verde ( green salsa)
2 cloves garlic
1/8 tsp. Tabasco sauce
juice of one lime

Mix together in the blender.... and thats it!

Cilantro-Lime Rice

1 C. uncooked rice
1 tsp. butter or margarine
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. lime zest
1 can (15oz) chicken broth
1 1/4 C. water
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed line juice
2 tsp. granulated sugar
3 tbls. fresh chopped cilantro

In a saucepan, combine rice, butter ,garlic, lime peel,chicken broth, and water. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook 15-20 min., until rice is tender. Remove from heat. In a small bowl combine lime juice, sugar and cilantro. Pour over hot cooked rice.

Black Beans

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/3 cup tomato juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. ground cumin
2 Tbls. olive oil
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbls. fresh chopped cilantro

In a nonstick skillet, cook garlic, and cumin in olive oil over med. heat until you can smell it. Add beans tomato juice, and salt. Continually stir until heated through. Just before serving, stir in the cilantro.