A healthier take on the famous "No Bake"...Cookie that is!

These little beauties are what I came up with in my quest to make healthier treats.

You really should try them.  Don't look at the ingredients and decide..."Gross!"  I am a huge dessert junkie and I think they are really good.  They don't taste a whole lot different.  One thing though when using no sugar and whole grains you will have a "grainy" aftertaste.  This isn't a bad thing.  We are just so used to everything being refined we have to get used to it.  For me it is super exciting to eat a cookie that is good for me and I don't have to feel guilty about eating.

Here's What you'll need:

1/2 cup of all natural peanut butter

1/2 cup of raw honey

1/2 cup of chocolate chips (I used some organic, dairy free, soy free chips, but any will do)

1 cup of oats

1/2 cup of wheat germ

Combine the honey and peanut butter over low heat until combined.  Stir in chips until melted.  Remove from heat stir in oats and wheat germ.  Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper lined sheets.

Now just give them a try...you might be surprised how good they are!

~One more time...take a look...you know you want to give them a try~

Cheesy Mexican Rice and Beef

Yummy!  Don't you just love the way melted cheese looks on top of food...makes you want to dive right in and eat it all!

The recipe I'm sharing today I came up with the other night when I needed a quick meal. I was really happy with the results of this dish.  It is SO simple and very tasty.  Personally I thought it tasted better the next day, but that's just my opinion.

Here's what you need:

2 Cups of water

1 Cup of brown rice ( You could use white, but the brown is so much healthier)

1 Cup of sour cream

1/2 cup of milk

2 Cups of Mex. blend cheese

1 1b of ground beef

1/2 tsp. garlic salt

1 Tab. of minced onion

1 can of diced tomatos with green chiles (14.5 oz.)

Bring the two cups of water to boil and add the rice.  Cover and simmer over low heat until light and fluffy.  Remember brown rice takes about 1/2 hour or so. While rice is cooking, brown beef in skillet stirring in the garlic salt and minced onion.  When done, drain if necessary, and put into a greased casserole dish.  Add the cooked rice, sour cream, milk and 1 cup of cheese.  Mix well.  Top with remaining cheese.  Bake at 350 until cheese is melted and starts to bubble on the sides.   Serve with a nice salad and some breadsticks or cornbread and you've got a very quick and tasty meal.  I served mine with refried beans and that was very good also.

Coffee Onion Jam

This is a great recipe to whip up to go along with a roast or some steaks.  I served it over roast this evening and it was fantastic.  It only takes about 1/2 hour and taste FABULOUS!  Give it a try.

You will need:

3 large yellow onions, slice 1/4 inch thick
6 T of veg. oil
1/2 cup hot strong brewed coffee
1/4 cup of sugar (I used sucanat)
1/2 tsp. of salt
1/4 tsp. of pepper

COOK onions in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat,stirring often, 15-20 minutes or until onions are caramel colored.  Stir in coffee and remaining ingredients, and cook, stirring occasionally, 5-10 minutes more or until liquid has evaporated.  MAKES 2 1/4 cups.

~This is what mine looked like when they were done~

~Pay no attention to the few black onions...I had to attend to the kids for a moment.~



Give it a try...you'll love it...if you like onions and coffee that is!

This is what we made this afternoon. Our first whole wheat apple pie. After we test it later I'll post the recipe...if it's good. It Looks great!

~This is the Pie after we just filled it...mess and all!~

~This is the very yummy topping~

~This is my son Danny adding the topping to the pie~

(Please note:  My hand has not been this small for a very long time)

~Here it is in all it's delicious splendor waiting to bake in the oven~

I just took it out a few minutes ago, so after everyone tries it I will post the recipe!

Simplify!

I've been thinking a lot lately about simplifying life. I realize more and more we don't need as much as we think we do. So many times our lives are "cluttered" up with so much...clutter. I'm a very organized, clean person, but I've been organizing even more lately. Getting rid of clothes, toys, things. It's just too much stuff. I love the simple life. Family time, good food, church...that's what makes me happy. In line with this I've been trying to get more simple with food. Not faster...simpler. Meaning...I'm really making an effort to eat food that is not processed in anyway. White sugar, flour etc...are taking a back seat to whole wheat and Sucanat...my new sweetener of choice. Food is really beautiful when it doesn't have a bunch of junk added to it...Simple. I really hope to be adding lots of healthy, whole grain recipes...including desserts to my blog. Be assured that if I don't think it taste really good...I won't post it. So what are you're thoughts on simplifying? By the way...trying to simplify my blog as well. Is anything with computers simple? Just wondering!