Baked Cherry Oatmeal

Baked Cherry Oatmeal
Source: The Bistro Bar & Grille
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Total Time: 45 minutes
Makes: 8 servings

Ingredients:
5 cups regular oatmeal
1 cup brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
4 tsp baking powder
4 beaten eggs
1/2 cup safflower oil
2 cups skim or 2-percent milk
2 cups cherries, fresh or canned

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In one bowl, mix together oatmeal, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder. In another bowl, mix together eggs, safflower oil, and milk. Mix ingredients from both bowls together.
2. Oil a 9X13 inch pyrex baking dish. Place a 1/2 inch layer of cherries on the bottom of the dish. Pour the other ingredients over the top of the fruit.
3. Bake at 325 degrees for 27 minutes or until firm. Serve warm.

Apple Peanut Butter French Toast

Apple Peanut Butter French Toast
Source: Parade Magazine (April 2014)
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Total Time: 35 minutes
Makes: 4-6 servings

Ingredients:
1 apple, peeled and divided: 1/2 diced, and 1/2 thinly sliced
2/3 cup maple syrup
1 cup 1% milk
3 large eggs, beaten
1 tbs apple cider
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla
8 slices whole wheat bread (I used cinnamon swirl bread I wanted to use up)
8 tbsp peanut butter, divided
1 tbsp butter

Instructions:
1. Make apple syrup: Combine diced apple, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer; lower heat so syrup bubbles gently and cook 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
2. Meanwhile, beat milk with eggs, apple cider, cinnamon, vanilla, ground finer, and a big pinch of salt in a measuring cup. Pour into a shallow bowl or pie plate.
3. Spread 4 slices of bread with 2 tbs of peanut butter each. Top each with thinly sliced apple; drizzle apple with honey if desired and sprinkle with cinnamon. Sandwich with remaining 4 slices of bread and press together.
4. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Working 2 sandwiches at a time, soak sandwiches in milk mixture on each side, letting excess drip off. Cook in skillet for about 6 minutes for each side, until browned and warmed through. Cut into halves. Serve with apple syrup.

Apple Peanut Butter French Toast

Banana Walnut Chocolate Chip Muffins

We had more ripe bananas to use up!

Banana Walnut Chocolate Chip Muffins
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Makes: 
Prep Time: 10 min
Bake Time: 20-30 min

Ingredients:
1 stick softened butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
3 ripe bananas, mashed
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
3 tbs brown sugar
3/4 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup pecans/walnuts, chopped

Instructions:
1. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and bananas and mix until incorporated.
2. Add flour, baking soda, brown sugar, salt, and vanilla and mix. Add chocolate chips and pecans and stir.
3. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

Banana Walnut Chocolate Chip Muffins

French Toast

This is another recipe from Snack Girl. I haven't made any breakfast recipes yet, so this one is super simple to start off. Also, I didn't have any frozen berries, so I skipped that step!

French Toast
Source: Snack Girl (LINK)
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Makes: 2 slices
Calories: 125 per slice 
   
Ingredients:
1 egg
1/4 cup milk (soy, almond, cows)
dash of spice - cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, etc.
2 slices of 100% Whole Grain bread
1/4 cup frozen berries
low fat cooking spray

Instructions:
1. Beat egg, milk, and spice together. Heat griddle or non-stick pan over medium heat.
2. Add cooking spray and dip bread in egg mixture. Place of griddle and cook for 3 minutes on one side. Flip and cook for one more minute until egg is cooked through.
3. While toast is cooking, thaw berries in microwave (about 30 seconds on high). Cut center of toast with a cookie cutter and pour berries into the hole. Enjoy!

French Toast

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

This is a really simple recipe for a snack or breakfast because the protein in the Greek yogurt will keep you full for a while. You can adjust the measurements to how you like it. If you like peanut butter, add more. If you want it to be thicker, add less milk but more ice. Experiment until you find the right proportions for you! Enjoy! :)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
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Prep: 5 minutes
Makes: 1 serving

Ingredients:
1 large banana
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1/2 cup (4 oz) of Oikos chocolate Greek Yogurt
1/4 skim milk
3 ice cubes

Instructions:
1. Place banana, peanut butter, Greek yogurt, milk, and ice cubes in blender and blend until smooth.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie