Gluten Free Egg Free Waffles

I love playing with food and modifying recipes so that each time I make them the dish seems new. Pamela's Products makes a magnificent Baking & Pancake Mix that can be used to make waffles. I modified the recipe on the package to make the recipe my own.

Ingredients:

• The recipe calls for 2 eggs ... I substituted 2 flax eggs
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 cup Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix
• I added: 2 TBSP cinnamon and 2 TBSP hemp seeds

I cooked the waffles in my waffle maker and topped with fresh fruit and walnuts. My husband topped his with honey and I added Sunbutter ( No Sugar Added variety).

The recipe is easy to make and simple substitutions can make the recipe your own.

Variations:

• Add vanilla or maple flavor instead of cinnamon
• For a denser waffle, add the version of milk you wish instead of water ... or for part of the water
• Add gluten free chocolate chips, dried fruit, seeds, coconut, and /or nuts into the batter or as a topping

Date and Seed Bars

Cooking is something that brings me joy! I get excited to try a new recipe or make a few changes to a tried-and-true No Bake Date Delights Energy Bar Recipe.This recipe allows for customization in flavor profiles and well as presentation. You can make them in squares, rectangles, use a cookie cutter, or even roll into balls. Have fun! Play with your food! Make cooking fun!

Recipe:

• 2 cups pitted dates (I get mine from Futterman Farms)
• 1 cup nuts of choice (I used peanut this time)
• 1 cup oats (I use gluten free)
• 1 serving SunWarrior Classic Plus Chocolate Flavor Plant Based Protein
• 1/4 cup pepitas/hemp seeds to garnish top - optional

Options:

• Substitute 1 TSP vanilla flavoring or vanilla protein powder for the chocolate protein powder
• Substitute I TSP coconut flavoring for the chocolate protein powder and ADD 1/4 cup dried cranberries and 1/4 cup coconut 

Instructions:

• Combine 1/2 of the ingredients at a time in a Vitamix and blend until a paste is formed. 
• Add the "dough" to a glass pan and flatten with the flat end of a spatula
• Sprinkle the seeds to the top and push into the bar with the flat end of a spatula
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes
• Cut into bars the size of your choice

NOTE: From time to time, the mixture can be extra moist depending on the moisture of the dates you are using. When the mixture is extra moist, the bar "dough" could bunch up and stop the mixture. If this happens, use a spatula and remove the mixture from the Vitamix. After a few minutes, add 1/2 back at a time and pulse until a thick smooth paste.  Add a bit more oatmeal if necessary. Each batch of dates is different!

Everyone WANTS Be Better Protein Squares, Don't They?

Everyone WANTS Be Better Protein Squares, Don't They?

I am always seeking knowledge and resources so that I can be a better person and BE BETTER  at making healthy nutrition choices and fitness decisions.

BE BETTER Protein Squares provides you with  a gluten free, soy free, dairy free, and Non-GMO way for you to snack better and refuel better after a workout! Do you have a weak spot for chocolate? Be Better will satisfy your craving! Their Be Better Protein Squares come in a variety of flavors in a dark chocolate base.

Each flavor is wonderful and has texture that adds a nice crunch to each bite. CAUTION ... in the extreme heat of the summer, these squares may melt in your hot car or in your pocket. Keep them in a cool place so you can enjoy WITHOUT the mess!

I added the Almonds & Hemp Seeds to Chia Pudding (made with light coconut milk). My Chia Pudding was a modification of my Chocolate Chia Pudding Recipe. I used 1 can of LITE Coconut  Milk and added 3/4 a cup of organic chia seeds. I stirred in the seeds to coat them with the liquid and refrigerated the mixture for about 30 minutes until the "pudding" texture formed.

Pictured is ONE cup of Coconut Chia Pudding with a Almond & Hemp Seed Be Better Protein Square diced into it. This was a great post workout and teaching 4 classes snack. I was able to refuel on a day when temperatures neared 100 with this cool, refreshing, and nutritious meal.

Be the best YOU that YOU can Be! Make healthy choices when it comes to food, fitness, and friends! 

Pacakes with Seeds and Fruit

I keep going back to my TRIED-AND-TRUE recipe and making two/three ingredient pancakes and modifying the recipe.

Today I used:
Three Eggs from Papas Garden
Three RIPE bananas
1 TBSP cinnamon
2 TBSP Coconut oil (to coat the pan when cooking)
NOTE ... Eggs to Bananas Ratio is 1 to 1

I topped the dish with:
1/4 cup Hemp Seeds from InterstateB8
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (shelled/raw)
1 cup organic raspberries

Optional:
Add a drizzle of honey or SunButter
Add nuts

Instructions:
Mash the bananas, add the egg, and stir to combine
Add cinnamon (or vanilla or maple or almond - you pick the flavor) and combine
Let rest 5 minutes
Warm the pan and add part of the oil (cook on low to medium heat)
Add the pancakes
Flip when the edges are sturdy enough to support the flip ... 2-4 minutes per side