oatmeal

Now, after you read this your heart may stop, because this is shocking but don't worry, I am certified in CPR. Ready?...one of my favorite foods is oatmeal...yes, you read that right. You probably think is boring and mushy and gross, but i looooveee it! and this website proves that it is so good for you and that you can make it delicious.

check it out

http://www.mrbreakfast.com/article.asp?articleid=27

be watching for some of my favorite and delicious, yes delicious, oatmeal recipes.

Ricky's Peanut Butter Banana Bread

What's better than a warm piece of bread with a cup of coffee in the morning? NOTHING!

My friend inspired me to make this peanut butter banana bread, she's also my guinea pig for all my recipes, so I thought I would help brighten her day with this bread since she tries everything I make, good and bad.

I know you might be saying this is going against my "healthy" food standard, but this is the healthiest bread you could possibly make, any closer and you would just have a pile of flour and with the Lola Apples pinky promise, i promise that its still delicious.

You can't deprive yourself of sweet treats all the time. Sweet treats make people happy, and who doesn't want to be happy. but the key to not gaining weight and staying healthy is MODERATION & PORTION CONTROL. Keep to those to rules and you'll won't be reaching for your elastic waist pants.

RICKY'S PEANUT BUTTER BANANA BREAD

Ingredients

-1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

-3/4 cup of a no calorie sweetener

-2 mashed bananas

-1/2 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute

-1/2 no-sugar added applesauce

-1/2 cup chunky peanut butter

-2 teaspoons baking powder

-1 teaspoon vanilla extract

-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

-1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. in a large mixing bowl, mix together all dry ingredients; flour, sweetener, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.

3. In a mixing bowl, mix all wet ingredients, mashed bananas, egg substitute, applesauce, peanut butter, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly.

4. Add wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir until just blended.

5. Spoon batter into a large loaf pan that is sprayed with non-stick spray

6. Bake for 50 minutes, or until a knife inserted comes out clean.

7. Eat!!!!!!!!

kiwi honeydew Smoothie

Refreshing Kiwi Honeydew Smoothie

Here is a sweet drink that will keep you refreshed on a hot summers day, when all you want to do is stick your face in the freezer.

I used plain greek yogurt to make it thicker and creamery.

Plain greek yogurt compared to regular yogurts has more protein and less sugar, fat* and carbohydrates.

*You can find greek yogurt that is made with skim milk so it has 0 grams of fat in it! Can i get a woot woot?!

There is no added sugar in plain greek yogurt. But then why does it say there is sugar on the container, you may ask. Well, the sugar found in it is natural sugar that is found in the milk that is used. This sugar is not the same as sugar that's found in a candy bar.

This is a great smoothie for breakfast or just as a snack. You wont even miss the added sugar that's found in other smoothies. I pinky promise!

Refreshing Kiwi Honeydew Smoothie

Ingredients:

-2 cups cubed honeydew melon

-1 1/4 cups cubed kiwi

-1 tablespoon lime juice

-2 cups crushed ice

-1 container of plain greek yogurt

makes two servings

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in blender

2. Blend

3. Pour in glasses, garnish with umbrella (to pretend your in the Caribbean)

4. ENJOY!

Tabbouleh Quinoa Salad

Hello everyone!!! Today I made a type of Tabbouleh salad. Tabbouleh is an Eastern Mediterranean and Lebanese dish and also a popular Middle Eastern salad.

Traditionally it is made with parsley, bulgur, mint, tomato, spring onion, lemon juice, olive oil and other herbs and spices.

I didn't have bulgur on hand so I substituted Quinoa instead. Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is a very nutritious seed, originating from the Andes region of South America. It is an excellent substitute for pasta or rice and is a great source of protein. It contains all eight essential amino acids and is high in calcium, B vitamins and fiber.

I also added Chick Peas, also known as Garbanzo beans. I felt like they added a little more sustenance to the meal and provided some extra protein to this meal

*If the lemon/parsley taste is to strong for you, try adding some spinach like I did, it tames the taste a smidgen.

TABBOULEH QUINOA SALAD

Ingredients

- 1 1/2 cups Quinoa or 1 cup bulghur wheat (bulghur wheat is traditionally used in this dish)

- 3 cups boiling water

-1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)

-1/4 cup olive oil

-1 cup chopped gr

een onions

-1 cup chopped fresh parsley

-1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

-3 tomatoes, chopped

-1 can of chick peas (also known as Garbanzo beans)

-1 cucumber chopped

-1 teaspoon salt

-ground black pepper to taste

-Pita bread

-chopped spinach (if desired)

Directions

1. Cook Quinoa according to package. Cover, and set aside.

2. Once Quinoa is made add oil, lemon juice, onions, parsley, mint, tomatoes, cucumber and chick peas; toss t

o combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

3. When ready to eat, cut pita bread in half and stuff with Tabbouleh.

4. DEVOUR and ENJOY!

Let yourself fall in love with this healthy and refreshing dish that is super easy to make. Hope you enjoy!

- Lola Apples

Close up look at the Tabbouleh.

references:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabbouleh, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinoa,http://allrecipes.com/recipe/tabbouleh-i/detail.aspx