Category: Breakfast

hot cocoa mix

Hot Cocoa Mix and The Power of Intentional Nurturing

We’re on our third snow day here in Bend, so I thought it would be a good time to finally post this super simple hot cocoa mix recipe in case you run out of store-bought stuff. I wrote what follows a few weeks ago, but I had no pictures to go along with it as hot cocoa is usually made at the spur of the moment and consumed quickly around here.

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crustless spinach and tomato quiche

Crustless Spinach and Tomato Quiche

Jump to Crustless Spinach and Tomato Quiche Recipe

Okay, so quiche isn’t very Valentine-y or Mardi Gras-y or whatever else you might be celebrating this week but it’s what I’ve got. At least it’s very brunch-y and Valentine’s Day is on a Sunday this year. Also, Mardi Gras is actually over and, for some, it’s the first day of lent which means there are only 46 days to plan Easter brunch. On second thought, this should be quite a timely post. Good for me.
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Banana Bread

banana bread
Scroll down for banana bread recipe.

My girls are 8 years old, just entered third grade. In many ways, they are becoming much more independent. They can read chapter books on their own, do their own laundry (major victory for mom over the summer!), they are becoming quite capable in the kitchen using the stove and oven (with supervision, don’t worry) to scramble eggs and bake cookies and cupcakes… they could practically move out of the house any minute now. Continue reading “Banana Bread” →

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Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

 

I had company coming a couple weeks ago and was all set to make my pumpkin bread  when I realized I was seriously low on wheat flour, nowhere near the three cups I needed. So, emboldened by some luck I had with cupcakes this summer, I decided to use the gluten free flour I had on hand and see how it worked. I was very pleased as were my houseguests. Even Ella thought it was great which, if you’re one of the handful of people who actually follow this blog, you know is really saying something. I daresay this recipe would even be quite good without the chocolate chips, perhaps adding some delicious pecans or walnuts instead. Of course we’d lose Ella at that point.
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How to Make Granola

granola
I’m going to be honest with you, it’s kind of brutal looking at this granola today. You see, I’m about 36 hours into 48 hours of absolutely zero sugar calories (that means no carbs of any sort) and it’s actually not getting easier as the day goes on. Weird. Don’t worry, I’m adding them back in tomorrow. I just find it necessary to reset the system when I find a dozen or so empty red and green Rolo wrappers in the pocket of my robe with little memory of how they arrived there. I’m also starting to feel a little spacier than normal, go figure, so we aren’t going to chat for long. I just really need to stop procrastinating and get a recipe posted already!

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Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins

 School is fast approaching for us and it’s already started for some so I thought I’d share a fun (occasional) breakfast option. I made them a few Saturdays ago and the girls thought I’d lost my mind making such a sinful treat for breakfast! They were positively giddy, hugging each other and giggling like they do. I think it’s funny that people automatically assume that because something is chocolate, it’s somehow “worse” for you. It’s been proven, and well publicized, that cocoa powder and dark chocolate are not bad for you, quite the opposite in fact when eaten in moderation, yet the perception remains. The truth is, the amount of sugar, starch (think white flour) and fat are the more determining factors when it comes to nutritional value. Let’s face it, any sort of muffins, scones or other baked goods are not the best choice for breakfast but, depending on the other ingredients, the chocolate ones are certainly no worse than the cinnamon. So, go ahead and enjoy some chocolate in the morning for a special treat! I’ve been doing it for years and I feel so good about it I’m passing the tradition on to my girls.

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Ginger Mint Smoothie

I like for the heat to top out at about 75 degrees, 80 tops. Anything hotter than that and I get super lazy, and maybe a little cranky. I even lose my sanity and do crazy things like take my swimsuit cover-up off and get in to the pool next to my super fit, marathon running, yoga practicing friends who’s skin actually tans instead of freckling and burning. I love them, they’re actually really nice people but, seriously, Bend is a tough town for a normal size, fair skinned girl when bathing suit season comes around. Thank goodness it only lasts for about three months.

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