Monday, August 22, 2011

.Recipe{s} of the week.

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend. We sure did, but as always, it was over too soon. On Saturday we went to the baptism of Sebastian Diaz-Yoshikawa {son of out friends Luis & Sayuri} we had a great time and there were lots of little ones at the party afterward for Amelia to play with. Yesterday we had the perfect Sunday with a lazy morning then 3 hours of playing in the pool {Amelia is like a fish} followed by a "picnic" {fried chicken, mac & cheese, coleslaw & iced tea} on the grass in our backyard with breaks to play in the sandbox or play "chase" around the yard clear up until bath/night time. Amelia was so exhausted that she slept in an extra hour today!
Now the week starts and we're "back to the grind" but I'm in a pretty good mood...if not a bit too mellow. I got the idea for today's recipe, well three recipes actually. when making breakfast for Peanut. Im a big big believer in "breakfast is the most important meal of the day" even if I myself am bad and rarely partake these days {mornings are a lot of rushing for me now that I've got a little someone to chase around} but I do make sure that Amelia ALWAYS eats a very healthy breakfast. I have a few reasons, first of all I can tell there is a big big difference in her energy level and mood if we dont get a good breakfast in her and since she's such a light eater I find that if I can make sure that she gets a really healthy nutritious breakfast that covers all of the health bases then no matter what else happens the rest of the day food-wise at least she got a good meal in.
For me, as the cook and mom, a "good breakfast" means that it's going to have whole grain, omega-3's, iron, calcium, and at least one dark colored fruit or veggie {reds, dark greens, purples, or blues} for the antioxidants, and at least one orange or yellow fruit or veggie for some vitamins A & C. It seems like a lot to ask for when spelled out like that but it's actually really really easy to incorporate all of these elements into a breakfast {or any meal, but I find breakfast easiest} since there are so many foods that cover more than just one of those categories. I actually have a repertoire of breakfasts but for time reasons I'm just listing three today. All of these recipes are easy to make, quick to prepare, and {most important} yummy while being fantastically healthy. Give them a try for yourself or your little one and I promise that you'll feel great all morning!

Hot Quinoa Breakfast Cereal

Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
1/2 cup of thinly sliced apples
1/4 cup of raisins
1/4 cup of dried apricots, chopped
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons flax seeds
almond milk, warmed
agave nectar

Directions:
1. rinse quinoa then add to water in a saucepan & bring to a boil.

2. Reduce heat & simmer for 5 minutes.

3. Add apples, raisins, apricots, & cinnamon stirring until the water is absorbed.

4. Serve with almond milk {like you would with a traditional oatmeal} then sprinkle flax seeds over the top and drizzle with a little agave for sweetness if needed.

*Notes: health benefits & information on quinoa found here.
Health benefits & information on flax found here.
Health benefits & information on almond milk found here.
Health benefits & information on agave nectar found here.

Blueberry Chia Seed breakfast "pudding"

Ingredients:
5 tablespoons of chia seeds
2 cups water
1/2 cup blueberries
1 tangerine
1/2 a banana
2 teaspoons of lucuma powder
2 tablespoon flaxseed
Coconut milk to taste

Directions:
1. mix the chia seeds & water until you get a gel-like consistency.
2. Mix the "chia gel" & remaining ingredients in a blender until smooth.

*Notes: Health benefits & information on chia seeds found here.
Health benefits & information on lucuma powder found here.
Health benefits & information on coconut milk found here.

Hot Amaranth Cereal with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds & Cranberries

Ingredients:
1 cup whole amaranth grains
3 cups water
2 tablespoon toasted pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup dried cherries
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed

Directions:

1. Soak 1 cup of amaranth in 3 cups of water overnight. In the morning place grain with soaking water a saucepan over medium heat and cook for 3-5 minutes or until amaranth is soft. Be careful to watch grain so as not to burn.

2. Toss in the flaxseed, cranberries & cherries.

3. Serve with warmed milk of your choice {cow, rice, goat, almond, coconut, hemp, or whatever you like} top with toasted pumpkin seeds and sweeten with cinnamon and/or agave nectar if desired.

Notes: Health benefits & information on amaranth found here.
Health benefits & information on pumpkin seeds found here.

No comments: