Breakfast (part 1)

I have been compiling some healthy and delicious breakfast recipes that also pass the kids' taste test (and most also made it to the "yummy" list). I usually don't plan out breakfasts in advance but I thought some exciting new recipes could help us all out a bit. I don't know about in your house but for some reason meal times (especially breakfast) can be a battle. Here are some ideas for ya.

orange bran flax muffins
adapted from Barlean's  flax oil recipes

makes 18 muffins
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups oat bran
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup ground flax seeds (in blender or coffee grinder)
1 cup wheat bran (or more oat bran)
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup oil (I used coconut)
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cup raisins (a mixture of golden and red looks pretty)
2 small oranges, washed, quartered, and seeded (with peels)

1. In large bowl, combine the oat bran, wheat bran, flax, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a blender or food processor, combine oranges, brown sugar, buttermilk, oil, eggs, and baking soda. Blend well. Pour into dry ingredients. Mix until well blended. Stir in raisins. Fill paper lined muffin cups almost to top.
3. Bake at 375 for 18-20 minutes or until tooth pick comes out clean. Cool in tins for 5 minutes before removing to a cooling rack.

best oatmeal
adapted from Barlean's flax oil recipes

servers 4

Ingredients:

1 cup oat groats (whole oat grain)

4 cups milk (I used part whole milk and part almond milk)

1/2 cup rasins (if you aren't a fan, substitute dried apricots or apples)

1/2 tsp vanilla

dash of cinnamon

raw honey, agave, or maple syrup to taste

4 Tsp flax oil (optional)

2 Tbsp ground flax seeds (optional)

plain yogurt to top

1. Grind the oats in a blender or coffee grinder to desired consistency (depending on your preference for coarse or fine cereal.

2. Bring milk to a rolling boil. Whisk in ground oats. Add raisins. Reduce heat and summer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Add vanilla, cinnamon, a sweatener. Stir in flax oil. Serve topped with yogurt and flax.

orange peach smoothie

serves 1
blend together:
1 cup vanilla or plain yogurt
1 cup frozen peaches (or nectarines)
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 banana
1 Tbsp ground flaxseed
pinch nutmeg

vanilla raisin cream of rice
adapted from Barlean's flax oil recipes

serves 3-4
Ingredients:
1 cup brown rice
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups milk (rice, almond, regular or a combination)
4 Tbsp flax oil
1/2 cup raisins
maple syrup or other sweetener to taste (if desired)
plain yogurt for top (if desired)
ground flax (if desired)

1. Finely grind the rice to a powdery consistency in a blender or coffee grinder.
2. Bring milk to a boil in a large pot. Whisk in the rice powder. Add the raisins. Cover and summer gently over low heat for about 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and flax oil and sweetener if using and top with a drizzle of yogurt if desired.

The picture isn't the best but this is so good. It reminds me of rice pudding.

whole grain waffles
adapted from allrecipes

makes about 6 waffles
Ingredients
2 eggs, beaten
1 3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup ground flax seeds
1/4 cut wheat germ
4 tsp. baking powder
1 Tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt
dash cinnamon (optional)

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1. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, oil, applesauce, and vanilla. Beat in flour, flax seed meal, wheat germ, baking powder, sugar, salt, and cinnamon until batter is smooth.

2. Preheat a waffle iron, and coat with cooking spray. Pour batter into waffle iron in batches, and cook until crisp and golden brown. 

You can double the recipe and save extra waffles in the freezer. Just toast in the oven or toaster for a quick breakfast.

date and almond energy bites
adapted from ecosalason.com

makes approx. 15 bites
Ingredients
1 cup oats
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
3/4 cup dried dates (can substitute other dried fruit such as figs or apricots), cut into small pieces
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 cup almond butter
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp almond extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp salt

1. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl, then add almond butter and honey. Mix together and let sit in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
2. Roll into balls.
store in refrigerator (they last at least 1 week)