Red Raspberry Banana Chia Seed Pudding (DF, GF)

My taste tester LOVED this... she wanted more of it !!!

I LOVE raspberries and I LOVE bananas - so why not put the 2 together.  This was SOOOOO good - it did have a strong raspberry flavor - which I wanted and LOVED !!!!

You can eat this as a snack or for dessert or for breakfast or for lunch.  

This is a GREAT way to eat more chia seeds, which are high in fiber, Omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, manganese, phosphorus, and protein.

This recipe is adapted from this recipe.  

Ingredients:
3 Tbsp Chia Seeds
2 very ripe bananas, sliced
1 and 1/2 cups frozen red raspberries  (partially thawed)

Directions:
Blend the bananas and raspberries  in a blender until smooth.

Put all the ingredients into a glass jar with tight fitting lid and stir or shake until well combined.   
Then refrigerate for a few hours or overnight (shake or stir occasionally).

  

My favorite food processor is the  KitchenAid  7-Cup Food Processor. 

For blenders, I use both the  Vitamix Blender and Ninja Master Prep Professional Blender

Estimated Nutritional Value per serving based on 4 servings:  Calories 97,  Total Fat 1.9g, Cholesterol 0mg,  Sodium 1mg, Carbs 20.9g, Fiber 5.1g, Sugars 9.6g, Protein 2.5g



In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.
Philippians 2:5 (NCV)

Cinnamon Almond Walnut Pecan Coconut Raisin Trail Mix (DF, GF)

  This is GREAT to snack on - or take along when traveling or hiking or take to a party !

Adapted from this recipe.

Ingredients:

1 cup toasted cinnamon almonds

1 cup toasted cinnamon walnuts
1 cup toasted cinnamon pecans
=========
2 cups raisins
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1 and 1/2 cups toasted coconut flakes (I used Let's Do...Organic from Edward & Sons ) 

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. 

Toasted Cinnamon Nuts:
3 cups nuts
2 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp salt (if using unsalted nuts)

Directions:

Place the nuts in a bowl, sprinkle with water to get the nuts wet so the cinnamon will stick to the nuts.  Add the cinnamon and salt.  Stir together until the nuts are coated with the cinnamon and salt.

Arrange the nuts in a single layer on a large baking sheet.  Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour.

Never stop praying.
1 Thessalonians 5:17  (NLT)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Raisin Bran Muffin - Wheat Flour

I thought these were DELICIOUS - as did my taste testers.  I liked the raisins from the cereal.  I did not get the peanut butter mixed in really good, so I had peanut butter swirls in my muffins - that was SOOOO good !!!! 

Adapted from this recipe.

Ingredients:

1 and 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (I use Bob's Red Mill Whole Wheat Flour )
1 and 1/4 cups Raisin Bran cereal
1/4 cup Hershey's Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup Sucanat   (or brown sugar)
2 Tbsp Ground Flaxseed
1 and 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1 and 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
--------
1/3 cup peanut butter
2 large very ripe bananas, mashed
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp molasses
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk 

Directions:
Mix the peanut butter, bananas, vanilla, molasses, applesauce, and almond milk in one bowl. 

Mix the dry ingredients in another bowl.    

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until the dry ingredients are moistened.  

Pour into muffin pan.   Bake at 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

I like using the silicone bakeware for my muffins.  The muffins  come out so easily and I don't need to grease the pan.  My favorites are:   Casabella Silicone Standard Muffin Pan,Casabella Silicone Large Muffin Pan, Casabella Jumbo Muffin Cups.

The OXO Large Scoop is GREAT for scooping out batter into the muffin pan.  It is MUCH neater than when I used a spoon to scoop the batter into the pan - I no longer get batter all over the muffin pan !!!

Estimated Nutritional Value per muffin based on 12 muffins:  Calories  177, Total Fat  4.7g, Cholesterol 0mg,  Sodium 177mg, Carbs 31.4g, Fiber 3.5g, Sugars 11g, Protein  4.8g

This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God - who does not lie - promised them before the world began.
Titus 1:2  (NLT)

Red Raspberry Banana Smoothie (DF, GF)

 I decided to try bananas and raspberries  !!!  I REALLY like it - it has a nice strong raspberry flavor - which I LOVE.

Ingredients:

2 very ripe bananas, sliced 
1 and 1/2 cups frozen raspberries (partially thawed)
1/4 to 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (optional)

Directions:
Put everything in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.  

You may need to add more liquid if you do not have a high-powered blender.

My favorite food processor is the KitchenAid  7-Cup Food Processor. 

For blenders, I use both the  Vitamix Blender and Ninja Master Prep Professional Blender


Guard your heart above all else,  for it determines the course of your life.
Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

GiveAway - Bob's Red Mill - Quinoa Flour, Red Quinoa, and Chia Seeds

I LOVE Bob's Red Mill products and use them on a regular basis.  I use Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Flours, Arrowroot Powder, Whole Wheat Flour, Bulgur, Chia Seeds, Flaxseed, Oat Bran, Potato Starch, Quinoa, Steel Cut Oats, Sunflower Seeds, Tapioca Starch, Vital Wheat Gluten, Rye Flour, Cornmeal and I'm sure I've forgotten some !!!!  

All Bob's Red Mill products are high quality - I have NEVER been disappointed in any of their products I have tried.  They take pride in making sure they provide the highest quality products available to their customers.  This is reflected  in their effort to meet with their farmers to ensure they provide the best grains possible, and that the farmers are using good farming practices.  

I am SOOOOOOOOOOO excited to be able to offer this giveaway !!!!!  I was THRILLED when Bob's Red Mill gave me this opportunity.  I was SOOOO excited to open the package and see the WONDERFUL goodies inside !!!

NOW....for the WONDERFUL goodies inside the box that ONE (1) LUCKY winner will receive!!!


Organic Quinoa Flour  - Quinoa is the most nutritious grain available.  It is also one of the oldest cultivated grains in the world.  Quinoa is high in protein, calcium and iron.  Use this delicate flour when baking.  You can substitute this flour for half of the all-purpose flour in many recipes or completely replace wheat flour in cakes and cookie recipes.  Bob's Red Mill Quinoa Flour is finely stone ground from whole grain Quinoa grown in the Andes region of South America.  It is a good source of fiber and contains all 8 essential amino acids.  Easily digestible and gluten-free, Quinoa has a delicate, nutty flavor.  Bob's Red Mill Quinoa Flour is a multi-purpose flour and is second only to wheat in versatility.  This superb flour brings a tender moist crumb to all your baking projects.  

Check out some of the recipes I have made using Bob's Red Mill Organic Quinoa Flour:

• Double Chocolate Coconut Muffins (GF)
• Double Chocolate Coffee Muffins (GF)
• Chocolate Coconut Fudge Muffins (GF)
• Chocolate Cinnamon Muffins (GF)
• Gingerbread Muffins (GF) 

Organic Red Quinoa   -   Organic Red Quinoa is native to South America, is a "pseudo-grain".  It is actually a gluten-free seed, but is used in cooking like a whole grain.  Quinoa was a mainstay in the diet of the ancient Incas.  Red Quinoa is delicious on its own, in pilafs, soups and salads.  Bob's Red Mill Red Quinoa has been thoroughly rinsed and air dried to remove the naturally occurring bitter saponins.  Quinoa is a good source of iron and high quality protein.  Try it in any recipe using whole grains.  

This is the first time I've used the Red Quinoa - this salad was SOOOOO good !!!

• Red Quinoa Black Bean Corn Salad

Check out some of the recipes I have made using Bob's Red Mill Organic Quinoa:

• Sweet Potato Quinoa Black Bean Corn Veggie Burgers
• Kidney Beans Quinoa Sweet Potato Spinach Burgers
• Quinoa Veggie Burgers
• Quinoa Corn Bean Edamame Tomato Salad
• Quinoa Corn Bean and Edamame Salad

Chia Seeds   - The chia seed was a staple in the diets of ancient Mayans and Aztecs.   Today this tiny seed is a favorite of athletes, especially distance runner, who tout it as an endurance enhancing superfood.  Chia seeds contain a wealth of fiber - 5 grams in just one tablespoon.  It is the fiber in the chia that causes the chia seed to swell when combined with liquid, creating chia gel.  Eating chia seeds will help keep you full longer than many other seeds.  Chia gel can also be used as a substitute for eggs in many baked goods.  Use a 1 to 6 ratio of chia seeds to water to make chia gel.  Use approximately one tablespoon of chia gel to replace one large egg in your baked goods.  The mild, nutty flavor of chia seeds goes well with both sweet and savory dishes.   Use chia seeds in puddings and smoothies, sprinkle on oatmeal and salads, use in baked goods instead of flaxseed or poppy seeds.  The gelling nature of chia seeds also makes it an ideal substitute for pectin in jam. 

Check out some of the recipes I have made using Bob's Red Mill Chia Seeds:

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Chia Seed Pudding
• Chocolate Coconut Peanut Butter Banana Chia Seed Pudding
• Mocha Coconut Peanut Butter Overnight Old Fashioned Oats
• Chocolate Coconut Peanut Butter Old-Fashioned Overnight Oats
• Oaty Banana Bars

Now - for details of the giveaway !!!!

Bob's Red Mill is being VERY generous and offering this set of products to ONE (1) LUCKY winner !!!  This giveaway is open to US and Canada residents.  


See below to enter the giveaway.  This giveaway will end on May 26, 2014.  I will pick the winner on May 27, 2014 and send an email.  I will also post the winner's name on the blog.


GiveAway - Bob's Red Mill - Quinoa Flour, Red Quinoa, and Chia Seeds  







Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.  He did not give up because of the cross !  On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God's throne.
Hebrews 12:2 (GNT)

Red Quinoa Black Bean Corn Salad (DF, GF)

This is SOOOO good - I couldn't stop eating it !!!  It makes GREAT  lunches !!

I modified my Black Bean and Quinoa Salad recipe to come up with this.

Ingredients:
2 cups cooked Quinoa  (I used Bob's Red Mill Red Quinoa )
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can corn, drained
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 Tbsp dried cilantro flakes
1 tsp minced jar garlic
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 cup brown rice vinegar
1/4 to 1/2 tsp assorted chili peppers spice (I used  Nanami Togarashi   ) or use 1/4 to 1/2 tsp chili powder - depending on how spicy you want it
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1/4 tsp ground ginger
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp Bragg Liquid Aminos 


Directions:
Mix everything together in a bowl - serve immediately or after it has been in the fridge.  I thought it tasted better after it had been refrigerated first.


Estimated Nutritional Value per serving based on 8 servings:  Calories 179, Total Fat 2g, Cholesterol 0mg,  Sodium 406mg, Carbs 35.2g, Fiber 5.7g, Sugars 3.3g, Protein 7.6g




See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
Hebrews 3:12 (NIV)

Mango Banana Chia Seed Pudding (DF, GF)

You can eat this as a snack or dessert or breakfast or lunch.  

This is a GREAT way to eat more chia seeds, which are high in fiber, Omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, manganese, phosphorus, and protein.

This recipe is adapted from this recipe.  

Ingredients:
3 Tbsp Chia Seeds (I use Bob's Red Mill)
2 mangos (about 2 cups), chopped
2 very ripe bananas, sliced
2 Tbsp maple syrup or date syrup (DF use date syrup)

Directions:
Blend the mango and banana in a blender until smooth.

Put all the ingredients into a glass jar with tight fitting lid and stir or shake until well combined.   
Then refrigerate for a few hours or overnight (shake or stir occasionally).
  

My favorite food processor is the  KitchenAid  7-Cup Food Processor. 

For blenders, I use both the  Vitamix Blender and Ninja Master Prep Professional Blender

Estimated Nutritional Value per serving based on 4 servings:  Calories 166,  Total Fat 3.9g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 36mg, Carbs 29.4g, Fiber 7.2g, Sugars 20.4g, Protein 3.1g



But if we live in the light - just as he is in the light - then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin.
1 John 1:7 (GNT)