On-the-Go: Peanut Butter and Banana Granola (with greek yogurt in a jar)

Hey all,

Today is a writing day–which is perfect for me– because it’s also a rainy day.

Caillebotte, Rainy Day 1876

I LOVE rainy days! Maybe it’s my nostalgia for northern California and San Francisco, or maybe it’s because I hate hot weather (give me sweater-weather, please), but either way, I love staying inside and feeling cozy on rainy days.

Speaking of cozy, I decided I needed to save money on greek yogurt by buying it in bulk (via the larger tubs) and making DIY on-the-go yogurts. Greek yogurt is an expensive food addiction of mine, and I need to cut corners where I can. I thought about how to make the bulk sizes more convenient and in individual portions (and individual flavors!) that I can still take for a quick snack or meal…….and ah ha! Greek yogurt and fruit in jars with granola to-go!

My cozy little yogurt and granola jar!

Light Lemon-Blueberry Corn Muffins (with Southern Comfort)

Because of my reading/writing marathon, I’ve been going crazy in the kitchen–experimenting with flavors, making food for next week, and trying to decompress and relax.

Kitschy cartoon from NashvilleScene.com.

One thing I’ve recently become obsessed with using is Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix. Jiffy mixes are cheaper than the average brand (I just bought two boxes of Jiffy for 50 cents each at Target!), and they’ve always delivered tasty muffins for me.

With Easter Sunday tomorrow, wouldn’t it be fun to whip up a batch of cute and sweet Southern muffins for Easter morning? I wanted to keep things healthy and quick by using a Jiffy mix as my base and then adding healthful ingredients. I tinkered a bit, and figured out how to make the best damn little corn muffins around: Light Lemon-Blueberry Corn Muffins (with Southern Comfort).

A Southern Comfort for Easter: Light Lemon-Blueberry Corn Muffins (with SoCo)

(Light) Vanilla Chai Greek Yogurt

A new day and a new post, friends!

Yes, my spring fling is over, and I am little sad. My honey and I loved seeing the historical sites in Plymouth and Salem, and through Hotwire, we paid only $80 dollars for a waterfront room at the Radisson Hotel in Plymouth! Gorgeous. We also ate one of the best meals we’ve had in months at a little cafe in Plymouth.

(Light) Cinnamon Mocha Greek Yogurt

You may have noticed that I love sweets. I want my oatmeal to taste like pumpkin pie, I like to mix my savory flavors with sweets, and I’ve even fashioned myself as a (burlesque) baker. In fact, when I was a young girl, I tended to eat lots of cake and would on occasion get my hands in it (without permission). (Myself in a pretty white frock rudely eating someone else’s cake with my hands.)

This morning I wanted to drink my morning coffee with something indulgent for breakfast that’s like a dessert or rich snack, but still light and healthy. Why not Cinnamon Mocha Yogurt? This yogurt has hearty, protein-rich greek yogurt, cocoa powder that has a ton of anti-oxidants, cinnamon (which has medicinal properties, like regulating insulin), and fresh-brewed coffee for a rich taste and even more antioxidants. (Picture from Leaner and Greener.)

Breakfast Sundae: Greek Yogurt with Warmed Banana-Oat Crunch

Hey all! It’s another lazy Sunday!

I decided to not partake in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations last night because I still have a bit of a cold (congestion, yuck!). Plus, I am just itching to get healthy and get back to the gym! Because I’m constantly reading, writing, and teaching as a graduate student, I get NO exercise in my day-to-day routine. I have been trying to start a new workout routine, and this cold really de-railed my efforts (3-4 times a week for 45 minutes).  That’s ok–with all my resting, I think I can jump back in the saddle by this week! Hurray.

This morning I wanted something a little decadent. How about a breakfast sundae? I decided to eat greek yogurt with warmed bananas and a toasted oat topping (crunch)! The topping is somewhat like a fruit crisp topping, but healthier. I use minimal butter (or margarine/light butter), a smidge of honey spices, pecans, and fake sugar (stevia or splenda) and simply toast in a pan. I also warm the banana with vanilla, cinnamon, and pam, which makes this yogurt sundae even more delectable. Healthy dessert for breakfast! Do you all have any good quick tricks to make something boring (yogurt) into a delicious treat? Do tell! And happy eating!

Breakfast Sundae

Ingredients:

1/2 cup lowfat greek yogurt

1 cut up banana

1/4 cup of oats

1 tsp butter and a spray of Pam

1 tsp brown sugar

1 tsp honey

1 tsp of vanilla

a spoon full of pecans (or any other nut on hand)

1 shake of Cinnamon and Pumpkin pie spice

A few dark chocolate chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

Combine oats, spices, honey, nuts, and sugar. Warm the butter and pam in a small sauce pan, and add the oats mixture. Toast on medium heat just for a few minutes. While cooking, put your greek yogurt in a serving bowl. Top yogurt with warm crunch mixture. In same pan, add the sliced banana, vanilla, more cinnamon, and heat for 2 minutes, allowing for some of the banana’s natural sugars to carmelize. Top your sundae with the bananas, and top with a small drizzle of honey.