Several New Things!

So, this last I've been a busy person with trying out some Pinterest recipes! 

First is called Energy Bites, and these were Ella's Favorite!  These were super easy to make, and no baking involved. Mix together:

1 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup peanut butter (or other nut butter)

1/3 cup honey

1 cup coconut flakes

1/2 cup ground flaxseed

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1 tsp vanilla

Refrigerate for about 15 minutes to be able form into balls, then refrigerate for another hour at least to let form up.  Yummy in our tummies!  Next time we're going to do half peanut butter and half sunbutter because Lyle doesn't like it "just tasting like peanut butter."

 Next was some Oatmeal Banana Breakfast Bars.  Preheat oven to 375 and grease 8 inch square baking dish.  In one bowl, mix 2 cups old fashion oats, 1 cup coconut flakes, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, 1/2 cup dried apricots, and 1/2 tsp salt.  Another bowl mix together 2 mashed bananas, 1/2 cup light brown sugar and 3 Tbsp melted butter.  Add together and mix until evenly incorporated, and spread into baking dish.  Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes and let cool.   This was pretty good, but fell apart easily, so not very portable.

 The next breakfast bar is My personal new favorite.  Of course it has more not as good stuff for you in it than the others.  I'm cutting and pasting the recipe as it's supposed to be...but I couldn't find a few ingredients.  I couldn't find psyllium husks, so I used ground flax seed.  No vanilla soy protein powder so I just added vanilla.  No gogi berries, so I did dried cranberries.  At this point I was substituting so much I stopped looking for special things...so we had plain normal honey and regular caramel sauce.  But I think it turned out great! :)

Banana Berry Granola Bars

Serves 24

2 cups gluten-free quick cooking oats
1 cup gluten-free oat flour
1/4 cup ground psyllium husks
1/4 cup vanilla soy protein powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup gogi berries
1/2 cup honey-roasted sunflower seeds
1 large, over ripe banana
1/4 cup dark amber honey
1/4 cup homemade (or storebought) salted caramel sauce*
2/3 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup melted coconut oil

1.      Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a 9x13" pan with greased foil or parchment.

2.      In a large bowl, combine the oats, oat flour, psyllium, protein powder, cinnamon, salt, chocolate chips, gogi berries and sunflower seeds.

3.      In another bowl, mash the banana with the honey, caramel sauce, brown sugar and coconut oil.

4.      Add to the dry mixture and stir well, until everything is thoroughly coated.

5.      Press into the prepared pan, smoothing the top.

6.      Bake for 20 minutes.

7.      Cut into pieces while still warm - they will crumble when cut cold

Banana Berry Breakfast Bars

And last, but not least.  Vegan "fried" rice.  I put chicken in it to make it chicken fried rice.  It's super easy to make too.  I've made it twice this week.  You cook brown rice first.  This gives it the fried appearance.  Then in a skillet, put in 1 tsp of sesame oil, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, and 3 Tbsp water.  Heat on high and when bubbling add in 1/2 cup of frozen peas and let boil until cooked.  Then toss in about 1/4 cup of orange pepper diced up.  Turn down head and add 2 cups of cooked rice, heat through then add 1/4 cup chopped green onions.  Turn off heat and mix well.  Enjoy!

 I also made this allergy friendly for Eli by making a skillet exactly the same but omitting the soy sauce. Easy :)