My Homemade Instant Oatmeal Recipe!

Apr 5, 2013 by

Breakfasts are nearly impossible at our house! All of us getting dressed, getting fed and getting out the door on time is sometimes too much to ask for. So quick, easy, tasty yet healthy breakfasts seem to be a wishful dream. We’re guilty of fast food and even store bought pre-made freezer foods – Yuck! But we try to stick to some where between paleo and “clean” eating in our home and lately we’ve fallen completely off the wagon. In an attempt to get us back on track, I’ve come up with a super easy home made instant oatmeal recipe. If you decide to give it a try then be sure to share what you think in the comments section. Enjoy! :D

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Here’s what you’ll need…

  • - 2 C. Quick Cooking Rolled Oats
  • - 1 Tbsp. Cinnamon
  • - 1/3 C. Raisins

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Here’s what you do…

  • Mix it all together in a convenient storage jar! Wow – was that easy or what!

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Feel free to mix in other dried fruits, nuts, flax seeds or whatever else floats your boat. Notice how there is NO sugar in this recipe? You get the sweet taste from the raisins or any other dried fruits you use! It’s simple, clean and healthy… plus quick to make! Just combine 1/2 C. mix with 1 C. water then microwave for 90 seconds.

For those of you who stay far away from microwaves: boil the water first, stir it all up then set aside until everything is soft. And if you want more of a sweet taste but don’t want the sugar then try drizzling with honey, agave or adding some applesauce! I also like to add a bit of Wholesome Goodness almond milk for a little bit of extra creaminess. YUM-O! My daughter and I can’t get enough!

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If you’re looking for an inexpensive storage container then check out Dollar Tree! That’s where I snagged my super cool, heavy duty glass jar. I wanted something that looked nice-ish because I keep the jar sitting on my counter next to my coffee pot. That way it’s super easy to just toss a couple scoops in a bowl, microwave then go! I’m able to make a bowl while my coffee brews so they’re both done at the same time. ;)

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My Sweet Tooth Solution: This Delicious Chocolate Coconut Raisin Recipe!

Feb 16, 2013 by

I have a serious chocolate addiction (who doesn’t?!) so I thought I’d show you my solution to keeping it under control. ;) I don’t really have a name for this… one day I literally just threw a few yummy things together. Anyway, there are only three ingredients so it’s super easy to make: chocolate, raisins and coconut flakes.

Once I have a batch made up, I store it in the fridge then force myself to make it last a week. So, when I get a sweet tooth I simply grab a chunk of this semi-healthy chocolate stuff instead of pigging out on candy bars, cookies, cake, brownies, ice cream… or any other delicious desert. LOL!

By the way, all of the ingredients were bought in the bulk section of my local Kroger store. I think I paid maybe $2 for everything which is certainly cheaper than the other treats I listed!

Here’s what you’ll need…

  1. 1/2 C. Organic Chocolate Chips
  2. 1/2 C. Organic Raisins
  3. 1/4 C. Organic Coconut Flakes

Here’s what you do…

  • Melt the chocolate on your stove or in the microwave.
  • Once you’ve done that, stir in the raisins.
  • Spoon the mixture onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Sprinkle on the coconut flakes.
  • Place the cookie sheet in the fridge until hardened.
  • Break apart into chunks then enjoy (or store in the fridge like I do)! :D

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The Doctor, My Daughter & Recipe!

Feb 4, 2013 by

We went to the Doctor’s office this weekend. Ugh. To make that sentence even worse, it was actually a minor emergency care clinic.. you know, the place people go when they don’t want to wait 5 hours in the ER. Except you still wait 5 hours.

Anyway, after an exam, a strep test, a flu test and two X-rays we finally figured out that our two year old has Pneumonia. But she’s not letting that stop her from being ornery (as you can see from the picture above). So, I appreciate your patience as I’ve had a lack of posts over the weekend. The patch of Pneumonia found just behind her heart is small but is still making her a very sick little girl so I’ve been a busy (and tired!) mommy.

By the way, during our extended stay at the clinic I was given the opportunity to read quite a few magazines… one of which included this delicious looking recipe. What a healthy yet tasty snack or breakfast idea! Yum! :D

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Snickerdoodle Muffin Recipe + Enter to WIN a Hodgson Mill Prize Pack ($25 Value)!

Dec 6, 2012 by

I’ve been given yet another great opportunity to bake for Hodgson Mill! This time I’ve created some tasty Snickerdoodle Muffins that pair perfectly with a nice tall glass of egg nog. They’re soft, warm and contain just the right amount of cinnamon to make you feel festive! :D

Here’s what you’ll need…

  1. 2 Sticks Butter
  2. 1- 1/2 C. Sugar
  3. 2 Eggs
  4. 1 Tblsp. Vanilla
  5. 2-1/2 C. Hodgon Mill Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
  6. 2 Tsp. Cream of Tartar
  7. 1 Tblsp. Baking Soda
  8. 1 Tsp. Cinnamon
  9. 1/3 C. Brown Sugar
  10. Cupcake Pan
  11. Cupcake Liners
  12. Rolling Pin

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Here’s what you do…

- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix ingredients #1 – 7 listed above into a large bowl.
- Once combined, sprinkle a little extra flour onto a flat surface then use a rolling pin to roll the dough flat.
- In a separate small bowl, stir together the cinnamon and brown sugar then sprinkle evenly over the dough.

- Afterwards, roll the dough similar to a cinnamon roll.
- Cut the dough into small enough circles to fit inside the cupcake liner.
- Fill all your liners then bake for 12 – 15 minutes.
- When they’re done simply cool then serve! Yum!

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Basically, this is just a fun yet easy twist to the classic Snickerdoodle Cookie recipe. These are perfect to serve at Holiday parties, dinner gatherings and more! Plus, by using Hodgson Mill ingredients you can have peace of mind knowing you are serving a delicious treat that is good for you too. Okay, so now for the giveaway…

One (1) lucky reader will win a Hodgson Mill Prize Pack ($25 Value)!

HOW TO ENTER: Simply comment on this post telling me you’d like to be a winner. GOOD LUCK!

The Growing Up Natural WINNER will be chosen from comments left on this post only. Entries into this giveaway will end MONDAY 12/17/12 at Midnight. The winners will then be randomly chosen from the list of those who comment and announced on Tuesday, December 18th 2012.

Aside from my Growing Up Natural giveaway, you can also head on over to HodgsonMill.com to enter your e-mail address for a chance to win one of 50 Holiday Gift Packs from Hodgson Mill. And lastly, you can go here to score a rare $1.00 off Hodgson Mill Flour or Cornmeal printable coupon.

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Recipe: 5-Ingredient Cheesy Potato Soup!

Dec 4, 2012 by

Yesterday I promised you a tasty Potato Soup recipe so here it is! :D Like I said, it only has 5 ingredients so it’s super duper easy to make yet oh-so-delicious. If you don’t have the actual name brand ingredients below then just sub them for your favorite off-brands or whatever you have on hand. Enjoy!

Here’s what you’ll need…

  • 10 – Small Organic Banana Fingerling Potatoes
  • 2 – Pacific Natural Foods Organic Cream of Chicken Cartons (12 oz)
  • 1 – Pacific Natural Foods Organic Beef Broth Carton (32 oz.)
  • 1 – Horizon Organic Shredded Cheddar Cheese (6 oz.)
  • 1 – Applegate Organic Bacon Package (4 Slices)

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Here’s what you do…

  1. Boil all ten potatoes in a large pot for about 30 minutes or until completely soft.
  2. While your potatoes are boiling, fully cook the 4 slices of bacon in a separate pan then set aside to cool.
  3. Once the potatoes are finished you’ll then need to drain out the water and smash them apart with a fork. I do not completely mash mine as I like my soup a little chunky. I also keep the skins on.
  4. Tear the 4 slices of bacon into small pieces.
  5. Combine the potato chunks, cream of chicken, beef broth and bacon into your large pot.
  6. Add the entire bag of cheese once all the other ingredients are well blended and heated up.

That’s all there is to it! The soup turns out creamy, cheesy and is wonderful to eat on a cold winter day! If you decide to make this recipe for yourself then feel free to tell us all what you think in the comments section by clicking on the ‘Read More’ button below. :D

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Vegan Recipe: Delicious Fruit Pizza Made with Hodgson Mills Organic Flour + More!

Oct 13, 2012 by

I’ve come up with a NEW recipe for you guys! This time, you can learn how to make a super tasty Fruit Pizza. Doesn’t my picture look cool?! It makes my mouth water just looking at it. Don’t worry, despite how this recipe appears it’s actually really easy to make. Honestly, I’m not a huge cook so if I can do it, so can you!

Also, the ingredients I used are natural, organic, vegetarian and dairy free which is a bonus for those of you who eat that way anyway. If you aren’t currently vegan, you’re still going to love love love the way it tastes. So yummy! Come back and tell me if you made this for yourself. I’d totally enjoy knowing what you think!

Lastly, this recipe is my entry into the Hodgson Mill “Build A Better Pizza” contest so stay tuned for an opportunity to win an awesome Hodgson Mills Prize Pack valued at $25! You’ll hear more about that next week!

Here’s what you’ll need…

  1. 1/4 C. Earth Balance Margarine
  2. 1/4 C. Coconut Oil
  3. 1/4 C. Brown Sugar
  4. 1 C. Hodgson Mill Hodgson Mill Whole Wheat Flour (or 1 C. Hodgson Mill White Unbleached Flour)
  5. 1/2 C. Quick Oats
  6. 1 Banana (Mashed)
  7. 1 Packet Hodgson Mills Active Dry Yeast
  8. 1 Container Galaxy Veggie Cream Cheese
  9. Fruits of your choice!

Here’s what you do…

  • Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
  • Melt the Earth Balance Margarine and Coconut Oil together.
  • Dissolve the yeast in 1/4 C. Water with 1/4 tsp. sugar. Let it sit for 5 min.
  • Once you’ve done that, mix it along with ingredients #1 – 6 in a large bowl until completely blended.
  • Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes then let it rise in a warm place for a bit.
  • Get your rolling pin out and spread the mixture over a large cookie sheet.
  • Bake for 10 minutes. Broil for 2 minutes to brown the crust.
  • After you’ve allowed it to completely cool, spread the container of Veggie Cream Cheese over the crust.
  • Top with whatever fruits you’d prefer!

That’s it! I told you it would be easy. ;)

You can either eat it right away or store in the fridge and chill until you’re ready to serve it. My tasty Fruit Pizza makes about 6 servings, more if you slice the pizza into smaller portions.

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Blueberry Muffin Chewy Squares Recipe!

Sep 3, 2012 by

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Blueberry Muffin Chewy Squares

If you have a craving for some tasty yet allergen friendly snack bars then you’ll totally want to make these Blueberry Muffin Chewy Squares as they consist of only four ingredients so they’re super easy to make.

As an added bonus, the squares are gluten free, dairy free, nut free, soy free and just about anything else free. So relax! It is possible to enjoy something sweet and delicious without have to worry about ingredients. ;)

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Here’s what you’ll need…

  1. 2 ripe bananas
  2. 1/2 c. blueberries
  3. 1/2 c. quick oats
  4. 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

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Here’s what you do…

  • Throw all the ingredients into a mixing bowl.
  • Once thoroughly mushed together, spread the mixture over parchment paper on a cookie sheet.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
  • Set out to cool then cut into squares!

How super easy is that? The best part is, even if you polish off all the bars in one sitting (which my daughter and I have been known to do!) you’ll have only eaten a bunch of fruit and some oats! If you decide to make this recipe then come back and tell us what you think. ;) Enjoy!

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Delicious Banana & Cranberry Muffins!

Aug 29, 2012 by

I posted this recipe a while back but I decided to go ahead and do so again because these Banana & Cranberry Muffins are so tasty! I was reminded of this as I munched on them for breakfast yesterday. ;)

As an added bonus, this recipe is Paleo friendly, dairy free, gluten free, and soy free so you can rest at ease knowing you’re enjoying something truly delicious and good for you too!

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Here’s what you’ll need…

  1. 2 c. Bob’s Red Mill Almond Flour
  2. 2 tsp. Baking Soda
  3. 1 tsp. Sea Salt
  4. 1 Tbsp. Cinnamon
  5. 1 c. Dried Cranberries (You can also use raisins, blueberries, etc.)
  6. 2 Ripe Bananas
  7. 2 Eggs
  8. 1 tsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
  9. 1/4 c. Coconut Oil

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Here’s what you do…

  • Preheat your oven to 350° F.
  • Combine the first four ingredients listed in a small mixing bowl then set aside.
  • Blend (That’s right! Get your blender out for this one!) ingredients #5 through 9 for about 45 seconds or until everything is thoroughly blended.
  • Add the blended ingredients to the bowl you had set aside then fold all the ingredients together.
  • Grease your muffin pan with a thin layer of coconut oil then scoop the muffin mix into your pan.
  • Bake for 25 minutes. (Let them cool just a bit before taking them out of the pan) Let me tell you, my husband is a picky eater and he simply cannot get enough of the deliciously moist muffins.

That’s it! For many of my ingredients I use Bob’s Red Mill products because, let’s face it, they’re awesome.  However, you can make this recipe with just about any brand and it’ll still turn out super tasty! So give this one a try. I promise you won’t be disappointed. ;)

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