Marshmallow Toasted Oat Treats

One proven fact is that my son loves marshmallows. I decided to surprise him with a marshmallow treat, but of course I had to make it as healthy as possible (in spite of all the sugar). Similar to Rice Crispy treats, but I used toasted oat cereal (similar to Cheerios) and with only 1 gram of sugar per serving.

In a bowl, I mixed together:

• 5 cups toasted oat cereal
• 1 cup oatmeal
• 1/2 cup hemp seeds
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Then, I melted 10.5 oz of marshmallows in 3 tablespoons of butter on the stove.

Mix the dry ingredients just before combining with the marshmallow mixture, because all of the small seeds and oatmeal fall to the bottom. Mix quickly. Press into a pan. Cool. Eat. Voila.

I must admit that I probably ate as many of these or more than my son did. The day I made them, I took him four when I picked him up at school thinking he might share with someone. He ate all four. Quickly. Wouldn't even share one with me :) The great thing is that you have so many choices of things to add: nuts, seeds, dried fruit, etc.

These remind me of the energy bars I mentioned a while back. Look at the two recipes and make your own creation! The energy bars, though full of calories, offer more nutrition, but it's the same idea of making these to suit your own taste preferences.

I didn't take a picture, so I'll just need to make another batch. The 1/2 cup of chocolate chips was just enough to melt nicely and hide any hint of oatmeal or hemp seeds from little prying eyes! Here's a photo I found online that looks similar though with a bit more chocolate...

Action Item: Next time you make a dessert, see what you can add/change/omit to make it a little healthier.

For Further Reading: Try this recipe for energy bars before your next hike, run or bike ride. The October issue of Runners World also includes some great granola bar recipes.

Soaking Oat Mix

Photo is from www.twopeasandtheirpod.com
 

This is the name my husband gave his delicious mid-morning snack (blueberry/maple) of overnight oats. Our son also took one bite of his no-cook oatmeal (banana/maple) for breakfast and gave me an enthusiastic "mmm, this is good!"

So, I'd have to say these are a hit in our house, and I truly thought they'd be a big flop. A couple of people had mentioned it to me, and I thought it looked like more work than it was worth. Some times a new idea looks that way until we give it a try. With warmer temps rolling in, I decided I'd take a chance on cold, overnight oats.

The recipe I based our creations on is from 100 Days of Real Food.

Here's the recipe from that website:

• ½ cup rolled oats
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tablespoon plain yogurt
• ½ teaspoon honey
• 1 to 2 tablespoons raisins (depending on how much you like raisins!)
• ⅛ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 to 3 pinches cinnamon

Mix together all ingredients, cover, and refrigerate for a minimum of 5 hours before eating. Alternatively mix in an insulated thermos container (left unrefrigerated) and wait no more than 7 hours before eating.

 

Easy enough, right? I used the ½ cup rolled oats and 1 tablespoon plain yogurt, but then added ½ cup of vanilla almond milk. That way I didn't need to add vanilla. I used maple syrup instead of honey. For one mason jar, I added frozen blueberries. The other I mashed a banana to use. I'm sure I'll also try cinnamon, honey, chia seeds, apples and probably peanut butter! The possibilities are endless.

Action Item: Try some "soaking oats." Try them with different flavors, then when you find a combination you like, make enough for one week. Then grab and go!

For Further Reading: Probably tons of different recipes can be found, but here are several to try from The Yummy Life.

Let's Talk Cookies

Most of us want a cookie every now and then, right? Give these a try. Recipe, as I received it from a friend, is below with my comments added.

Pumpkin-Oatmeal Raisin (or Chocolate) Cookies

Prep: 30 mins

Cooking: 14 mins

Level: Easy

Cooling: 15 mins

Yields: 48 cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (I used whole wheat flour and a little walnut meal for about 1/2 cup)

• 1 1/3 cups quick or old-fashioned oats

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened (I try to use half unsalted butter and half greek yogurt or unsweetened applesauce. The last two make the batter runnier, so you might need less than the one cup.)

• 1 cup packed brown sugar (I never pack it, and usually use less at least 1/4 less than what is called for)

• 1 cup granulated sugar (Again, I use about half and substitute with honey or agave nectar)

• 1 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin 

• 1 large egg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts (if desired)

• 3/4 cup raisins (I used dark chocolate chips!)

PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Lightly grease baking sheets. 

COMBINE flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in medium bowl. Beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until light and fluffy. Add pumpkin, egg and vanilla extract; mix well. Add flour mixture; mix well. Stir in nuts and raisins. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets.

BAKE for 14 to16 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned and set in centers. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. 

To be totally honest, my cookies don't always turn out perfectly but they can always curb the sweet tooth! The more unsweetened and unsalted food you eat; the less you will want/crave in the future!

Action item: Try these the next time you want some cookies! Oatmeal, pumpkin, whole wheat flour, cinnamon, honey, and dark chocolate are all much better choices and can provide your body with fuel. Please keep in mind -- they are cookies and they do provide CALORIES. So watch your portions. But wouldn't you feel better feeding this to yourself or your child than a cookie with white flour and tons of sugar?

For Further Reading: 10 Totally Unexpected Ways to Cook with Pumpkin or try a faster cookie recipe for Peanut Butter Cookies (again, I recommend trying it with less sugar!)