Banana Coconut Chia Pudding

I haven't been doing very well at updating this at all.  Today I did make something that I wanted to share.  I found a recipe and tweaked it to how I want to be eating.  My goal is healthier and organic.  I haven't quite figured everything out yet, but I am getting there.

In the picture you can see the ingredients that I used.  (Making this was on a whim)
*2 cups Almond Milk
* 4 Tbsp Chia Seeds
*1 Organic Mashed Banana
*1/2 cup Organic shredded unsweetened coconut
*1 Tsp vanilla extract
*1 Tbsp Organic Honey
*Pinch of Cinnamon
Berries and Mint leaves for Topping

First you want to place the almond milk and chia seeds in a saucepan over medium heat.  Bring the solution to a low simmer using a whisk to stir occasionally.

The mixture will eventually begin to thicken.  Using the whisk combine other ingredients EXCEPT TOPPINGS.  Allow the pudding to simmer 5-10 minutes.  (I only did 5.)                                                        

The pudding should look about like this in the end.  Don't freak out if the banana doesn't mix well, and stays in slight clumps here and there.  

Afterwards, divide the pudding into 4 containers, and place the topping onto each.  Allow for the pudding to cool in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.  

Baked Cinnamon Apples with Blueberries

Today is a Cleanse Phase 2 day, and for a snack I made Baked Cinnamon Apples with Blueberries.  You want to preheat the oven to 350.  During the time it preheats, the prep will be done.  I used an apple and sliced it up into pieces.  Afterwards, I drizzled honey, and sprinkled cinnamon on top.   I used a loaf pan to bake it in, and you bake the apples for 15 minutes.  After I placed the apples on the plate, I microwave the blueberries until they are warm and bubbly.  This is typically between 15-30 seconds for me.  

Warm Avocado and Blueberry Salad with Cinnamon Honey Drizzle

    I have been on a desire to be healthier, and my boyfriend has been bringing it up lately too.  I have decided to start a cleanse that TeamTaralynn is doing.  Since I am constantly in between Indy, Bloomington, and Terre Haute right now I haven't been able to start the "full kick butt" mode yet.  Sunday night I will be home, and things will get serious!!!  I will even have time to work out, and hopefully when IU starts back up, I will be able to continue the routine.

     I am currently on "Phase 2" (Please note I haven't been sticking to everything 100% this week).  This Phase consists on 3 days of all fruit.  You can choose from grapefruit, strawberries, blackberries, cranberries, blueberries, apples, oranges, lemons, limes, watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, cherries, pomegranate, kiwi, pear, mandarin, apricot, peach, plum, dates, prunes, figs, tomatoes, and avocados.

Now, what you all have been waiting for my breakfast!  Warm Avocado and Blueberry Salad with Cinnamon Honey Drizzle!  I got the it from the UndressedSkeleton Blog.  She is also the one behind the cleanse.

She grilled hers, but I baked mine.  You slice an avocado longwise.  I placed them in a loaf pan, and baked for 5 minutes, and then flipped them over.  Afterwards, I baked for 7 minutes.  After I removed the Avocado and placed them on the plate, you warm up the blueberries, by placing them in a bowl, and microwaving.  This will depend on the microwave.  The one that I used the spinner is rotating.  I microwaved for 30 seconds.  You should only need 15.  Microwave the blueberries until they are hot and bubbly.  (I could eat the blueberries by themselves, lasted just like a warm pie!)  Place the blueberries on top of avocado.

    Time for the finishing touches, use some honey and drizzle it over the salad then sprinkle with cinnamon.

   I had a glass of hot lemon water (half of a squeezed lemon and boiled water) and this salad for breakfast.  At first I thought that it wasn't enough, until I finish my water, but it was just enough to hold me to the mid-morning snack!  I didn't really start to like avocado until I gave it after try until this summer, and now I believe I could it eat here or there, in a house or with a mouse, in a box or with a fox!  If you are wondering why that sounds familiar, yes I did just use Green Eggs and Ham from Dr. Seuss.  I am going to be a teacher you know.  ;)

Apple Cranberry Oatmeal Crockpot Style

So, as I stated before I am working on eating healthier.  I am CONSTANTLY on the go.  The quicker I can get breakfast made, or have it pre-prepared the better!  That is what is great about this recipe.  Although it made a bunch, and I am just one person.  I forgot it was in the crockpot after I came home, and I only ended up with one more serving, because it ended up burning from setting too long.  

You could most likely freeze the excess amount in serving sizes.  I am still new to the freezing concepts.  I would imagine the night before take out a serving and let it thaw in the refrigerator.  I used old-fashioned oats this time, next time I want to try steel-cut oats.  I might even add chia seed just to add some extra health benefits.  Chia seed health benefits  gives information about the various benefits provided.  

Anywho you're probably tired of my rambling and waiting for the recipe.  Oh, try using ziplist.com to save your recipes.  In the end its a HUGE time saver!  It has a meal planner, creates shopping lists off your recipes, and stores your recipes.  AMAZING!

Apple Cranberry Oatmeal (Crockpot Style)

6 cups of water

3 cups of old-fashioned oats

2 apples (chop and peel them)  (This is going to seem like a lot of apples, trust me)

3/4 cup dried cranberries

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

Brown Sugar or Honey to taste (Added prior to serving)

1.  I haven't tried the liners by Reyonds yet, but you could use these, or just spray the crockpot with a cooking spray.  This avoids oatmeal sticking.

2.  Mix the ingredients from the water-salt.   Place the lid on the crockpot, and place on a low setting for 6-8 hours.  (I did 8 hours)

3.  Serve.  (Plain it didn't taste good, but the first time I added brown sugar, and the second I tried honey.  The honey was my favorite.  

One serving has about 250 calories.  

Next time I make it, I'll try and get pictures.  

Recipes

When I was in high school I was involved in tons of school activities, and had a job at the local Dairy Queen.  I wasn't exactly eating healthy.  My mom passed away when I was 17, and well the home cooked meals stopped and it was fast food and meals from the freezer.   For the last few months I have been learning to cook, and lately I have been trying to cook healthier

My cousin and I cooking for family a few years ago.  

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This journey has been a tough one, I was known for burning 300 cookies during one session.  This actually did happen once.  I had made the kitchen smell of smoke from boiling water.  

I now can manage to cook well enough that during the first month that my boyfriend and I had been dating he called me Betty Crocker (AND WAS SERIOUS).  I went from the girl who could burn water to Betty Crocker!  Little does he know, I just have him tricked!  ;)  

The key to my success as weird as this is going to sound, has been pinterest.  This is how I found most of the items that I made, or was led to them.  I gained an interest in cooking through pinterest.