In the Kitchen

I have been creating all sorts of things in the kitchen lately. All healthy, all good! Linc joined me in the healthy eating arena (he is so good at supporting me!) and so I have upped the ante and been trying all sorts of new things:

Hummus

This has greek yogurt in it instead of olive oil as the stuff I have made in the past does. I didn't have any natural peanut butter the second time I made it, so I just threw in some dry roasted peanuts- tasted the same! I really like it with the cumin, but I think you could substitue any spice to mix it up, or leave it out. I am now experimenting with making a raw batch, soaking some chickpeas overnight and using those instead of the canned ones. We shall see! 

Banana Bran Muffins

If you like the texture of bread pudding, these are amazing! I used Fiber One cereal instead of the wheat bran and 1/2c natural applesauce instead of grating an apple. So moist and good!

Pumpkin Carrot Bran Muffins

These are next on my muffin quest. Its hard to find something fast and easy for breakfast for Linc, so muffins seem to be the answer. I will report back! I got this link off another blog and have liked all her reviews, so I imagine they will be a win!

Pita Chips

These are my own process. Heat the oven to 400. Take a few whole wheat pitas and cut them into triangles. Then separate the layers and spread them out on a cookie sheet. Spray them with water and then sprinkle on some kosher salt*. Bake them for 7-10 minutes or until crispy. *Depending on if you flavored your hummus, you can really flavor the pita chips anyway you want. I make them spicy for Linc by adding some garlic powder and cayenne pepper. For me, I like to add thyme, sometimes lemon pepper. You really can play around :)

Yogurt

I have to admit that it took me a long time to try making yogurt, and once I did I wanted to smack myself for waiting so long. It's so easy and so, so good! The next batch I make I will add gelatin because my girls like it a little thicker. I also use the cooler method rather than the heating pad method, mostly because we don't have a heating pad ;) Make it. Seriously. You won't regret it! Also- if you make the hummus above, you have just enough yogurt left over to start a 2 cup batch of yogurt. Ya know...use it up!

Gnocchi

This was good, Linc ate it but said it wasn't something he would eat if he wasn't eating healthy...okaaaay? The girls liked it except the kale- which I knew would happen. I loved it. LOVED. Heating it up the next day for lunch was even better. Win!

This is what is on the menu for tonight...I'll let you know how it goes!

Update: They all loved the meatloaf muffin things. Linc was kinda skeptical, then realized that the muffin tin made each peace have a "crust"- which is his favorite part ;) I'm not a big meat eater, but I dug them too!