Breakfast for Dinner

We love having breakfast for dinner around here but most of the time that consists of fried eggs, bacon, and pancakes with syrup.  Obviously (for many reasons) that doesn’t happen any more but I think last night I found my solution!

I was searching around online and came across this recipe for “pancakes”.  I had pumpkin as well and wanted to tweak it a bit so I came up with this:

• Two bananas, mashed w/
• Equal parts pureed pumpkin
• Five T. of almond butter (or a little less, whatever your preference)
• Tsp. of vanilla
• 2-3 eggs
• cinnamon

Heat a skillet to medium low.  Mix all ingredients together and then spoon onto the greased skillet.  They are very delicate so don’t try to flip the pancakes until one side is cooked.  Add a little melted butter (or not) and enjoy.

The picture above really doesn’t do the pancake justice. It was sweet and light, and my non-healthy eaters ate them as well.  I think next time I may try grated apple with cinnamon.

Happy Eating!

~Rebecca

The 4 Best and 3 Worst Sweeteners to Have in Your Kitchen

Interesting article about sugar and sweeteners. Still have some questions about a few of their assessments (sugar alcohols???), but it’s definitely worth the read for those of us seeking a healthful alternative to refined sugar.

The 4 Best and 3 Worst Sweeteners to Have in Your Kitchen.

~Rene’

Sugar Alert: Wendy’s Chili

How many times have I driven through Wendy’s and ordered a small chili for a buck and felt like I was making a healthy choice?  Too many to count.  In fact, I did this today.

Since I didn’t have time to eat my healthy Wendy’s chili right then, I dashed out the door and came back later.  As I walked by the chili, still in the kitchen, I opened it, grabbed a spoon and took a quick bite.  And the very first sensation I got was:  sweetness. 

Don’t take it from me, just look on the Wendy’s website.  In the nutrition facts for a small chili, sugar or corn syrup is listed no less than five times.

Sometimes it pays to have a sweetness radar.  I expect to find plenty of sugar in a Frosty, but not in their marketed-as-healthy chili.

Will I still grab a Wendy’s chili now and then?  Maybe (in a pinch) or maybe not, in the interest of the principle of the thing.  But I will definitely still pass the word about hidden sugar, and possibly contact Wendy’s and ask them to clean up this act just a bit.

~Stephanie

Move over chips, bring on the Fruit Crisps….

I am a snacker!  So, in my efforts to live Sugar Free Naturally, I am always on the lookout for snack ideas that offer taste, crunch, and a touch of sweetness.  It’s actually turned into a fun little challenge for me!  If you’d like some guilt-free snacking as well, here’s one of my latest pleasures:  Brothers-ALL-Natural Fruit Crisps!  (And, no, I haven’t sworn off chips, but this little bag of goodness offers an alternative to both chips and candy.  Mmmmm….. )

*Image via company website.

Right now they are even offering free shipping on all orders. Can’t beat that!

~Rene’

For Help with the Soda Cravings?

For those who crave a soda now and then, I found this product this week at my local health food store and was intrigued:

Image via Synergy’s website.

The ingredients listed are:  95% G.T’s organic raw kombucha, organic strawberry puree (and 100% pure love).  The label also lists additional nutrients (a variety of B vitamins), probiotics, antioxidants and organic acids, whatever those are.

One serving (2 per 16 ounce bottle) contains 4 grams of sugars (probably naturally occurring), and 35 calories.

Don’t know much about kombucha tea, but I hope to learn more.  This drink tasted really good to me today.  Mmmmm.

~Stephanie

Strawberry Feta “Salsa”

The title of this post (and the original recipe) calls this dish salsa but here in Texas, it’s not salsa without a few jalapenos and a handful of cilantro.   In spite of that, it’s been one of my favorites this summer.

1 pint strawberries, chopped

1 avocado, cut into chunks-not mashed

1/4 cup finely chopped purple onion

juice of one lime

1/4 to 1/2 cup of crumbled feta (depending on your personal taste-I always go for more)

2 tsp. olive oil (optional)

pepper, to taste (optional)

Gently stir all ingredients together.  Serve with pretzel rounds, crackers, or if you are like me- grab a spoon and eat it straight from the bowl.

~Rebecca