CRANBERRY SAUCE PARFAIT
Its the weekend after Thanksgiving (Or Christmas) and I K-N-O-W you have a bowl full of leftover cranberry sauce in your fridge… maybe even some cornbread (or biscuits, those would work for this recipe too!). This recipe I created for Pure Taste last year has only three ingredients and you probably have then all in your fridge right meow!!!!!
Visit the link below for the recipe on Pure Taste Recipes!
CRANBERRY YOGURT PARFAITS
2 INGREDIENT PUMPKIN PANCAKES
It’s that time of year where we go crazy for all things pumpkin for month or so and then forget about that delightful squash until next October.
This easy recipe kind of came out of necessity because I was really craving pancakes but did not have almond flour and was stranded without a vehicle. Oh the joys of a one car family! So I because resourceful and made pancakes out of only two ingredients… eggs & pumpkin puree. Oh and a little bit of cinnamon and salt (because everything is better with cinnamon and salt!).
I made silver dollar pancakes, because these are a little tough to flip because they are so… the word everyone hates… moist. So smaller is better with these pancakes, they won’t end up all over your stove top.
These pancakes would also be GREAT for babies! Just omit the salt and they’ll gobble them up.
2 INGREDIENT PUMPKIN PANCAKES
2 large eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 tsp salt optional
1/4 tsp cinnamon optional
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl while the pan is heating over medium high heat with butte/ghee/coconut oil.
Use a 3 tablespoons of batter to create a silver dollar pancake. Allow to tiny bubbles form (about 2 minutes).
Flip and cook 1 minute more or until cooked through. Enjoy
BAKED OATMEAL | OPTION FOR LACTATING MAMAS
Baked Oatmeal recipe that is full of heart healthy goodies as well as a boost of lactating encouraging ingredients like flaxseeds and brewers yeast.
Our little guy, Elijah Clark, is now 9 months old and as cute as can be. I've been toying with the idea of sharing his birth story. It is actually written I just haven't brought myself to hit publish. .
This change from no baby to one has been a dousy! Every single aspect of my life has changed, not to mention I've been solo parenting while my Air Force pilot husband has been going on trips. So that has left little breathing room but now we have a good rhythm. I finally feel like I'm starting to have some "free-ish" time. Elijah prefers to put himself to sleep and he is very good at entertaining himself for a decent amount of time, not to mention bedtime is around 7:30pm now! Love those 2 hours I get to myself at night. You can usually find me curled up with a book and a glass of wine. Although sometimes all I want to do is fall asleep right there with him!
Onto the Lactation Baked Oatmeal.
This recipe is definitely one you are going to want to keep in your breakfast arsenal whether you are breastfeeding or not. You can definitely make it without any of the lactation encouraging ingredients. In fact thats how I was introduced to it. Many many years ago my friend Hilary made this baked oatmeal recipe for us. We loved it and it has been in our normal breakfast rotation for years. So thank you Hilary for introducing this baked oatmeal recipe to us!
Let's talk the lactation part of this recipe. I am by no means a lactation expert and breastfeeding has not been the easiest thing for me like I thought it was. We dealt with a poor latch, cracked nipples, thrush and worrying that my PCOS was going to effect my production. So in those early weeks I made all the lactation cookies and treats I could to boost my supply with. I don't know if it helped or the fact that I nursed Elijah every 2.5 hours around the clock through all that pain for what seemed like forever but I have a freezer full of milk! I'm ecstatic I have been able to feed him solely on my milk for 5 whole month! My goal is a year of nursing but one day at a time right?
I'm definitely not saying that the lactation baked oatmeal is going to be your ticket to a freezer stash but I am encouraging you to try it. Just see if it works along with frequent emptying, increased hydration and a solid, healthy meal plan.
Lactation Baked Oatmeal Powerhouse Ingredients:
Oats - Packed full of iron and calories.
Flaxseeds - Increases the alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3 fatty acid) in breastmilk.
Brewer's Yeast - It is full of B vitamins, protein, iron and minerals. Great for helping along your milk production.
Have I mentioned how versatile this Baked Oatmeal recipe is?
Both the contents and toppings can be changed to your preference. It is also both dairy-free and gluten-free! You can make all different combinations. My favorite combination of flavors is blueberry-pecan. Try that one or another like apple-walnut, strawberry-almond or go crazy and throw a banana-chocolate chip together!
I can’t wait to hear about your adventures trying out this recipe! Please come back and tell me how it goes and stay tuned for more recipes! Leave a comment and rate it!
Head over to my Instagram and Facebook to know when I post new recipes and adventures in my kitchen!
xoxo Cheers friends!
Baked Oatmeal (Lactation friendly!)
Dry Ingredients
2 cups rolled oats
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinammon
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp chia seeds
3 tbsp brewers yeast
2 tbsp ground flax seeds
Wet Ingredients
1/4 cup Nut Butter I used almond
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 cup yogurt I used almond milk yogurt
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup almond milk more if needed
Topping Ideas
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a baking dish with coconut oil and set aside2
Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Then add in the wet ingredients. The "dough" should be somewhat scoopable/pourable, so if it is to dry add a little bit more milk.
In your baking dish, lay a layer of fruit, a handful or so, like sliced bananas and blueberries. Then top with the oat mixture. Then add another handful of fruit and top with whatever you have on hand. I just tossed on what I mention in the ingredients.
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until lightly browned. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
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If you don’t want the lactation enhancers omit the brewers yeast and flaxseeds.
PALEO CHILI LIME SHRIMP SALAD
This Chili-Lime Shrimp Salad on a bed of spicy arugula is just what is needed to kick your butt into springtime gear. he weather has been inching slowly above freezing which means SPRING IS COMING! And what better way to welcome spring inside than with a refreshing salad.
This time of year in the Eastern Washington we can get a bit stir crazy. Too much snow and not enough sun. I'm popping vitamin D supplements left and right. Trying to get my endorphins pumping by hitting the gym regularly. It can be so difficult to not get sucked into the rotation of chili for dinner one night and roasted chicken the next. Let me just tell you, I have been there too many times to count my friends.
But I'm so sick of winter eating! It may be gloomy outside but MY plate doesn't need to be!
This Chili-Lime Shrimp Salad on a bed of spicy arugula is just what is needed to kick your butt into springtime gear. I have been craving fresh greens and berries for a couple weeks now. The weather has been inching slowly above freezing which means SPRING IS COMING! And what better way to welcome spring inside than with this refreshing salad.
Peppery arugula is combined with zesty shrimpy fresh berries and toasted cashews and it's all dressed with a simple and bright splash of lime juice.
Plus, just 15 minutes and 10 basic ingredients to prepare -my idea of salad perfection! (Hopefully you're like me and always have frozen shrimp in the freezer.)
This would make the perfect light and healthy dish to help you fill up on plants and erase that valentines day chocolate indulgence guilt. We've all been there. Salad to the rescue!
I am already dreaming of what to plant in my garden this spring. Arugula is definitely a must have in my book! It grows best in cool weather so planting it early is the key to success. All the snow piled high on top of my garden just needs to melt first. Arugula tends to be an acquired taste because it has a peppery linger. It's no surprise to you that leafy greens have health benefits but this green contains high levels of folic acid and antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin K, and vitamin A. It is also packed with phytochemical, which are beneficial in preventing cancer. Because of its high levels of folic acid I would highly recommend this green to expecting mothers.
Now that your tummy is full of delightful goodies let's chat about life for a minute.
Life. Le sigh.
This time of year the hustle is strong. Everyone is settling into their new years goals and getting this rolling in 2017. I however just feel the pull to slow down and reflect on 2016. Slow down and relax? The concept is so foreign but so necessary.
To be grateful. But what about when life it hard, or things don't go as planned, or something happens and your sense of reality shifts? What then?
2016 was perhaps my most personally challenging year yet, one wherein things didn't go 'as planned' for me. I was left feeling very sad and angry and frustrated, and just generally not like myself (which is such bizarre feeling). It made me realize I'm not as resilient, independent or in in control as I thought I was. Which I guess in hindsight is a good thing.
The details aren't important. The important part is, I think it's OK to be sad, or angry, or disappointed, or tired, or whatever it is you're feeling right now that is anything other joy. It doesn't mean we aren't thankful. It just means you're giving yourself permission to feel your feelings (which is perfectly healthy). And its OK if what comes out isn't all roses and sunshine.
My encouragement to you, cry it out if you need to. No one is looking anyway. And if they are know that you are safe. It is OK to be vulnerable, that's the only way to be known. And while you're at it, eat some of that valentine's chocolate and hug your mom. I've found these to be equally sufficient remedies.
OK, back to the salad because, delicious.
I hope you love this recipe. It's:
Simple
Fresh
Healthy
Refreshing
Satisfying
Flavorful
& Perfect for welcoming Spring in!
If you give this recipe a try, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it (once you've tried it) and don't forget to take a picture and tag it #simplifiedkitchen on instagram. I'd love to see what you come up with. Oh and share it with your friends on Pinterest and Facebook!! Cheers (& hugs), friends!
