Tuesday, January 3, 2012

No Bake Snack Balls

I've made this recipe many times growing up, and now my kids absolutely love it. Just like the previous recipe, this one is very forgiving as well. Add, subtract, and substitute to your liking.

No Bake Snack Balls
1 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup peanut butter (or other nut butter)
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup ground flaxseed (or wheat germ, which I like better)
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (or you can substitute dried fruit or even rainbow sprinkles for the kids)
1 tsp vanilla
 
1. Incorporate all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Let chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
3. Roll into balls and enjoy!

Serving Size: 2-ish balls (depending on the size of your balls)


Homemade Granola

I will preface this post by telling you this: I do not count calories, so none of my recipes will have calorie counts, just relative serving sizes. However, I DO limit my servings to one and I do my best to use high quality ingredients.

Granola
4 cups rolled oats
1 cup wheat germ (or you can substitute ground flax seed)
2 cups sunflower seeds (you could substitute one cup each of any nut and/or seed you like)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup olive oil (you can substitute any oil you'd like)
1/4 cup honey
14 cup water
1 1/2 to 2 cups dried fruit

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
2. Mix together all dry ingredients (except fruit).
3. Make a well in the center and add all liquid ingredients.
4. Incorporate well, and spread onto a large baking pan.
5. Bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown on top, stirring every 15 minutes or so to make sure it doesn't stick.
6. Let cool and add fruit.
7. Stir well and ENJOY!


Now, as you can see, this recipe is very forgiving, and you can add or subtract things to your liking. If you like your granola a little stickier, add more honey (this granola is pretty dry). This recipe will yield 13 servings of 3/4 cup.



Today's the day

Today is the day that I start really living my life, not just existing.

Today is the day that I take control of myself.

Today is the day that I do better not only for myself but for my family.

Today is the last day I will weigh 236.4 lbs.

Today is the day that I will start being aware of everything that I put into my mouth.

Today is the day that I will workout even if I don't want to.

Today is the day that I will start doing better than the day before.

Today is the day that I will start taking my life one day at a time.

Today is the first day of the rest of my life.