Quinoa & Flax Muffins

I recently found a muffin recipe on the back of a hot cereal box that was too good not to share.  Just reading over the ingredients, I knew I had to try it.  And it did not disappoint!

The cereal is: Hodgson Mill Multi Grain with Quinoa & Flax Hot Cereal.

The recipe is:

• 1 cup of Hodgson Mill Multi Grain Hot Cereal
• 1 cup of flour
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1 cup carrots, shredded
• 1 cup apples, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1 tsp. vanilla

I substituted 1/4 cup of brown sugar and 1/4 cup of honey for the 1/2 cup of sugar.  I used coconut oil.  There were chopped pecans in the recipe originally, but I generally don't like nuts in my baked goods.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Line 12 muffin cups with paper liner, or grease the muffin tin.  Blend together the dry ingredients.  Add remaining ingredients and mix until well blended.  Batter will be thick.  Spoon into muffin cups and bake for 20-22 minutes, or until golden brown.

So good!

Coconut Flour Buttermilk Pancakes & Turkey Bacon

I was specifically searching for a coconut flour buttermilk pancake recipe, and I decided to try this one from The Coconut Mama because it has such few and simple ingredients, unlike others that I saw.

The first step is to mix 1/4 a cup of buttermilk, 3 pastured eggs, and 2 tablespoons of raw honey in either a blender or a bowl.

Just look at those dark orange yolks!!!  These organic, pastured eggs came from a local farm.

After beating the buttermilk, eggs, and honey together, you add 1/4 cup of coconut flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp baking soda.

After letting the batter rest for a few minutes, pour mini-sized pancakes onto a heated griddle (I greased with grass-fed butter) and flip them after they're solid on the bottom.

Meanwhile, I had already cooked some turkey bacon.  We love Applegate!

The pancakes were great!  All the kids ate every bite and asked for more.
I'll have to make a double batch next time. :)

Peanut Butter and Banana Oatmeal Squares

Got overripe bananas?

Tired of the same old banana bread you resort to every time you have overripe bananas?

I was.  So I decided to try something new for breakfast.

Peanut Butter and Banana Oatmeal Squares

• 1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (I used crunchy!)
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 1 egg
• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 2 tablespoons of ground milled flaxseed (optional)

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl, then spread evenly into baking dish.

Bake 20-25 minutes, or until edges are golden brown.

Let cool, then cut into squares.

This is delicious all by itself, but I recommend enjoying it topped with vanilla yogurt and fresh sliced bananas.  And bacon.  Always bacon.

Breakfast Baked in a Muffin Tin

This is one of my new favorite ways to eat breakfast!  It takes a little bit of time to cook, so I like tossing it in the oven and going about my business (tending to babies or taking a shower or quietly sipping coffee) while it cooks.  Very minimal effort.

You need a muffin tin, meat of your choice (sausage or bacon), eggs, and bread.  I'm using Applegate's pre-cooked chicken & apple sausage, organic free-range eggs, and organic sprouted whole wheat bread.

I cut the bread into triangles and arranged into muffin tins like so.

I chopped up the sausage & piled into the cups, then cracked an egg on top of each one.  If you're using raw sausage meat or bacon, you'll probably want to brown it before you lay it in.

Is it just me, or do these kind of resemble a golden snitch? ha! I stuck them in the oven at 350 degrees for maybe 15 minutes.  It was long enough for me to blow dry my hair & nurse the baby for a little bit.  I'd occasionally open the oven and shake the pan: if the yolks were still wiggly, they aren't done.  When they don't wiggle anymore, they're done.

I like to pair mine with avocado and sprinkle with salt.