Ice Pops!

Summer fun has already begun at our house!  We just got in our Norpro Ice Pop makers!  They are a silicone sleeve with a top designed to be reused in the freezer.  We put organic strawberries, pineapple, and oranges in the blender and pureed them.  Then we poured them in the makers and left them over night.  They are better than any popsicle you can buy at the store.  These provide a healthy and more economical alternative to many bought summertime treats.  So easy, very healthy, and something the kids can make together!  Thank you Sallie Belle for telling us about these!

Homemade Pizza

We really enjoy making homemade pizza at our house!  This time I just used our basic bread dough recipe since I was making homemade bread for the week. I rolled the dough out and transferred it to the pan.  I pricked it all over with a fork and baked it at 400 for 8 minutes then took it out of the oven. I had marinara sauce leftover from spaghetti from the week that we added on top of the crust.  Then we sprinkled what we had left over - broccoli, onions, and spinach.  We added 1/2 teaspoon of italian seasonings and fresh garlic.  Then we sprinkled cheese on top and baked at 400 for about 15 minutes until the top began to bubble and turn brown.  I made a salad to serve with it!

I made two pizzas, so I would have an extra one to freeze for later.  

Homemade Granola

Ingredients:

7 cups of whole oats

1 cup flax seed meal

1 cup almonds

1 cup walnuts

1 cup pumpkin seeds

1/2 cup sesame seeds

1 1/2 cups honey

1/2 cup melted coconut oil

2 cups dried fruit (I used cranberries this time.)

1 tsp cinnamon (optional)

Put almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds in the food processor and pulse until they are chopped to the consistency that you like.  (You can use whatever nuts you like best or whatever you have on hand at the time!) Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl and stir well.

Combine honey and coconut oil in a pan.  Heat on the stove until coconut oil is melted, and it is combined with the honey.  Pour the mixture over the dry ingredients and combine until the mixture is coated.  You may need to use your hands to combine it well.

Spread it evenly in a baking pan.  Bake on 325 for 15 minutes.  Then stir it well on the pan.  Continue to bake for 5 minutes at a time and stir well until granola is dry and slightly toasted.  Be sure to watch it well as it can easily get too brown.  Store in an airtight container.  This recipe will easily freeze for use whenever you are ready!

Almond Butter, Banana, and Honey Sandwich!

Ingredients:
Homemade Bread
Almond Butter or your favorite nut butter
Banana
Flax Seed Meal
Raw Honey

Slice bread and spread your nut butter on it. Add bananas and sprinkle flax seed meal on top. Drizzle honey. My kids love this as a meal or snack. You can add another piece of bread on top for lunch to go!

Blueberry Muffins

Ingredients:
4 cups freshly ground flour
1/2 cup ground flax seeds
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp Celtic sea salt
2 1/2 cups almond milk
1/2 cup coconut or canola oil
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 - 1 cup raw sugar or honey
2 eggs or egg substitute
1 1/2 cup blueberries

Combine dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients. Stir just until all ingredients are well combined. (When using coconut oil, melt in a pan, then add with the wet ingredients.) If you do not have flax seeds or flax seed meal on hand, substitute it with 1/2 cup flour.  Bake at 350 for approximately 15 minutes.  This recipe will make 24 regular muffins.  Take them to a brunch, to your new neighbors, to a mom who has just given birth, etc!  They will freeze well.

1/4 cup of blueberries have 15 grams of fiber and are loaded with antioxidants!  The whole grains from the flour and flax have fiber as well!