No Bake Cookies

Our Family LOVE these.  I make 4-5 dozen every time and they go so fast!  

1/2 cup butter

2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup milk

4 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa 

pinch of salt

1/2 peanut butter

2 teaspoons vanilla

3 cups quick cooking oats

Make it:

1. Add the butter, sugar, milk, cocoa, and salt into 4 quart pot.  

2. Bring to a rapid boil and boil for 1 minute

3. remove from heat and mix in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth.

4. Stir in the oats.

5. Using a 2 tablespoon scoop, drop each spoonful onto parchment lined baking sheets.  Let sit at room temperature for at least an hour before serving! 

Note: To store them (if they last that long), put them in an airtight container and store on the counter at room temperature. 

Substitutions: Add in 1/2 coconut, or use crunchy peanut butter so you get a crunchy texture. 

Healthy Breakfast

So in case you haven't noticed, I LOVE BREAKFAST!!!  The best meal of the day!  But being from the south, I would love to sit down to a bowl of grits and a huge plateful of biscuits and sausage gravy, with eggs on the side!  However, My hips would NEVER forgive me!  So I try to eat a healthy breakfast, so that I start my day off right.  I found this awesome article the other day with some breakfasts on it.  The author of Eat This, Not That, also has a website, and guess where I found that article....  You got it, on that website!  Here are a few I liked!!!

Quick and Healthy Oatmeal
Ingredients:
1 cup Vanilla Soy milk
1/2 sup Old Fashioned Oats
1/4 cup Blueberries or Raspberries
1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup

Directions:
1.Combine milk and oats in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
2. Serve topped with berries and maple syrup.
Only 360.7 calories, 7.4 g fat, 0.6 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 57.9 g Carbs, 17.8 g sugars, 8.1 g dietary fibers, and 18.3g of protein to each serving!

Easy Cheesy Mushroom Scramble
Ingredients:
3 eggs
1/2 cup pre-sliced fresh mushrooms
1 ounce 2% shredded Mozzarella
1 teaspoon pam cooking spray

1. Crack eggs into bowl, and whisk to break yolks.
2. Add mushrooms and cheese
3. Spray pam on hot pan
4. Add eggs and cook until firm sirring and flipping often.
5. and in my case, I end sharing with at least three of my six kids!  LOL!

293.1 calories, 19.1g fat, 7.2 g saturated fat, 649.7mg cholesterol, sodium 414.2 mg sodium, 3.3 g carbs, 1.7 g sugars, 0.4 g dietary fiber, 28.1 g protein

Hope that helps add to your healthy breakfast recipes!!!
~Mommy of 6 <3

Crock Pot Oatmeal

Crock pot Oatmeal

2 cups milk

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp. melted butter

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 cup old fashioned oats (not quick cooking or instant)

1 cup peeled, cored, and chopped apple

Directions:
1. Spray the inside of a 3-4 quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker and mix well.
3. Cover and turn on HIGH setting. Cook 3-4 hours (or on LOW setting cook 5-7 hours) until oatmeal is tender. Stir well before serving.
This a great recipe for holiday mornings, or just start on a busy morning, and let it go.  This recipe makes 8 servings so its great for the whole family!  What a way to start your day, a warm, hearty breakfast with your family?  Sounds like a great day to me!

Enjoy,
~The Mommy of 6 <3

Pumpkin Oatmeal

Pumpkin Oatmeal

1 cup milk

1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup canned pumpkin (more or less depending how much you like)

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon

1 cup old fashioned oats

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie seasoning

2 Tbsp milled flax seed (opt)

Dried fruit and nuts

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the milk, sugar, pumpkin, vanilla, flax seed, and spices. Bring to a gentle boil and stir in the oatmeal. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes , until the oatmeal is soft and creamy.
2. Spoon the oatmeal into bowls, sprinkle with dried fruit and nuts. If you like, serve with warm maple syrup (my kids love the maple syrup, but they think they are getting extra sugar...  Too bad its sugar free).
~The Mommy of 6 <3