HOMEMADE BANANA FRUIT LEATHER (NO DEHYDRATOR NEEDED)

  Fruit leather has to be one of the easiest recipes out there and now is the season to do so! Summer is filled with bright and tasty fruits to experiment with and get your kids involved--it's so cheap and ALL NATURAL!
I only had bananas at home, so that is what I tried this time, and I am glad I did because the flavour was AMAZING!

You will need:
4 ripe bananas
1 tbsp of honey (optional)

Directions:

1. Pre-heat your oven to 175 degrees F and either grease or place a piece of parchment paper down on a baking sheet.

2. Chop bananas into larger chunks (see photo).

3. Place bananas and honey in blender/food processor and mix very well.

4. Pour mixture right onto baking sheet and spread evenly with a spatula to  cover entire surface. Make sure it is a thin layer and not too thick!

5. Bake for approximately 3 1/2 - 4 hours, depending on how powerful your oven may be. Trust me, the long wait is worth it ;)

6. Remove from oven--once cooled,the leather should be easy to peel from sheet, if not, pp back in for a little longer.

7. Cut into strips (or shapes)--I found scissors or even a pizza cutter to be the most effective!

You and your kids will LOVE this healthy, all natural snack!!

KALE CHIPS RECIPE

I am absolutely in LOVE with Kale chips! Not only are they super tasty, but they are HEALTHY too!

Try them today:

Ingredients

1 head kale, washed and thoroughly dried
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and garlic powder for sprinkling

Directions

Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.Remove the ribs from the kale and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Lay on a baking sheet and toss with the olive oil, garlic and salt. Bake until crisp, turning the leaves halfway through, about 20 minutes.

Homemade *Banana Peanut Butter* Ice Cream

I originally saw the idea for this ice cream on Pinterest, but like with any recipe, I always tweak it to my liking. You honestly CANNOT go wrong by trying this idea! Not only is it super tasty (for both adults and kids alike), but it is HEALTHY, GLUTEN-FREE & DAIRY-FREE!! Yes, that must sound a bit funny considering dairy is generally the main ingredient in ice cream, but I assure you that the taste and consistency is the same!

Ingredients:

4 Ripe Bananas
2 tbsps Peanut Butter

Directions:

1. Chop bananas into pieces (size shown in photo)

2. Place flat on baking sheet and place in freezer for 2 hours

3. Remove from freezer and place all pieces in blender -- the bananas may stick a bit to the baking sheet, but just use a plastic spatula or knife to lift off!

4. You MUST have a powerful blender for this recipe to work properly! Begin blending frozen bananas. BE PATIENT--I cannot stress this part enough because it will take awhile to obtain a 'creamy' consistency. The first time I made the recipe, my bananas were almost going 'powdery' and I thought for sure something was wrong but I kept going!

5. Every few minutes, take a spoon and push down the bananas to start forming a base.

6. After the creaminess sets in, add the 2 tbsps of peanut butter.

7. Blend for 1-2 minutes--you will know when it is 'just right.'

8. You can serve right away, but after placing in a bowl, I popped mine back in the freezer for a bit.

I HOPE YOUR FAMILY ENJOYS THIS LITTLE TREAT AS MUCH AS MINE--YOU CAN TELL HOW MUCH MY LITTLE ONES DO BY THE PHOTO POSTED! ;)

DETOX--Green Smoothie Recipe

I have recently began whipping up this little concoction after hearing how 'Green Smoothies' are all the rage these days! I had no expectation, because the thought of 'spinach' going into my drink  really didn't seem all that appetizing!
Now, I can tell you I am ADDICTED! Not only IS the entire smoothie delicious, but it is jam-packed with healthy ingredients and you are sure to see the pounds dropping if you stick to it!

Here is the recipe:

2 handfuls of baby spinach
5 strawberries
1 banana
1/2 peeled orange
1 apple (optional)
1 cup of yogurt (any flavour)

Blend and Enjoy! :)

CROCKPOT APPLESAUCE

I thought I would share my delicious recipe for my homemade crockpot applesauce!

Ingredients:
8-10 medium size apples (I use a mixture of Golden Delicious & Empire, but the choice is up to you)
1 cinnamon stick
2 pieces of lemon zest
4 tbsp of brown sugar

Peel and cut apples and place in crock pot with all other ingredients. Cook on low heat for 6 hours. One hour before completion, open lid and stir apples--they should be soft by now. Once done, let cool and serve. Very easy and yummy! :)

Kid Snack Ideas

Here are a few quick snack recipes that your kids are sure to love!

1. Rice Krispie Sushi--spread a banana with peanut butter, slice into bite size pieces, roll in rice krispie cereal

2. Banana Popsicles--cut bananas in half, stick popsicle stick in one end, roll in greek yogurt then crushed almonds & cinnamon. Freeze then serve.

Baked Apples in a Bag

 Great for the whole family!

Want a healthy, quick snack that will satisfy your cravings?? TASTES LIKE APPLE PIE FILLING AND
LESS THAN 100 CALORIES!

I had originally saw this recipe posted on Pinterest, but I played around with it a bit until it was to my liking!

All you need is:

1 small-medium sized apple (the original called for Granny Smith, but I used Empire)
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1/4tsp Cornstarch
1 spoonful of sugar (or sweetner if preferred)
1 tsp of water
 1 Medium Sized Ziploc freezer bag (durable to withstand heat in microwave) or use a microwave-safe contained with lid.
Raisins, nuts, etc optional

Instructions:

1. The original recipe called for peeled OR unpeeled apple slices, however, the first time I attempted the recipe, I wasn't too fond of the cooked 'skin' taste.
2. Place apple slices & all ingredients in Ziploc bag, close and shake until all pieces are covered.
3. Open a small corner of the bag to act as a vent for steam.
4. Microwave for 2 minutes--let sit before removing from microwave as the bag will be VERY hot!
5. Open up, take a fork and dig in!!

SO DELICIOUS!

Valentines Day Meal Idea--Beef Wellington

Have you ever watched "Hell's Kitchen" and wondered how to make that 'oh-so-yummy-looking meat, covered in a pastry dish?' Well, I used to think the same thing and so I decided to research a recipe and alter it into my own! On the show, it always looked so difficult to master, but honestly, although a bit time-consuming, it is quite easy!

This is perfect recipe to produce a delicious Beef Wellington for your significant other, on what better day than the one you celebrate your love for one another!

What you need:

2 lb Beef fillet
1/2 lb Portobello mushrooms (chopped)
1 large onion (chopped)
handful of finely chopped flat leaf parsley
2 eggs
1 sheet of dough (President's Choice has a great boxed one that contains 2 sheets)

Instructions:

1.  Sautee mushrooms and onion in large frying pan. Once browned, remove from stove top and let cool.

2. Sear beef on ALL sides; make sure to NOT cook beef while searing for too long--ensure all sides are just lightly browned then remove from pan.

3.  Take sheet of dough and flatten out, ensuring to stretch out VERY lightly as to not tear.

4. Place meat on top of dough sheet, then place mushroom & onion mix in a generous line on top of meat.

5. Carefully take one side of the dough and bring up over top of the meat, then repeat with ALL sides--smooth down creases in dough where sides meet.

6. Whisk 2 eggs in bowl until thin, then brush over dough.

7. Place in oven at 400 degrees until temperature reaches 125. Wait approximately 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Serve with a nice mixed green salad or potatoes.

Chicken Carbonara

To make Alfredo Sauce:

1. Heat in a pot: - 1/4 cup oil, butter or bacon grease (any type of fat)
                         - 1/4 cup flour
                         - 2 cups milk (any %)
                         - splash of WHITE WINE
                         -  dash of garlic powder
                         - dash of dried parsley flakes
                         - grate parmesan cheese into mix or add the powdered cheese

2. Stir until sauce is thickened--if it becomes too thick, you can add a splash of water to thin out.

Remainder of Recipe:

Boil Penne pasta noodles

Dice chicken, sprinkle with a dash of Thyme & cook in skillet

Cook bacon in oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, then dice and place in skillet with chicken

Once bacon is crispy, you will see tiny crumbles stuck to bottom of pan--add a splash of WHITE WINE and watch it boil. Add Alfredo sauce to pan and cover all chicken & bacon.

Place cooked pasta on plate and spoon out sauce and meats over top.

DIG IN! :)

Mexican Style Mushroom Pizza

These are SO delicious!! They only take a few quick steps to complete and are only 90 calories!!!!

What you need:

2 large Portobello mushrooms caps
Salsa
Shredded cheese (mixture of your choice)
Dried cilantro
Spinach leaves

Instructions:

1. Line mushroom caps with baby spinach after thoroughly cleaning mushrooms and removing stems
2. Top with a 2 tbsp of salsa
3. Layer with shredded cheese
4. Sprinkle with dried cilantro
5. Place in oven for 20 minutes at 350 or until cheese is melted.

Chicken Quesadillas

This recipe is such a crowd-pleaser and takes little time to prepare!

What you will need:

1. 2 chicken breasts
2. 2 cups shredded cheese (I use both Mozarella & Cheddar)
3. 3 green onion stalks (chopped)
4. 1 Roma tomato (diced)
5. Salt & pepper
6. Small sized tortilla shells

Instructions:

1. Bake chicken at 375 degrees for approximately 10 minutes.
2. Mix all ingredients together in large bowl and toss with salt and pepper.
3. Lay all tortilla shells out, then lauer mixture on one half of each shell.
4. Once chicken is cooked, dice into small cubes and toss in Buffalo Wing sauce. Place on top of mixture on shells. Top with a bit of shredded cheese.
5. Fold empty side of shell over on top of full side to make a half moon shape.
6. Bake for a few minutes in oven to crisp shell. SERVE.

Homemade Burgs

I love to make everything from scratch, especially my hamburgers! This way, you know every ingredient that is going into your food, and it is much healthier as well.

What you need:

1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
2 tbsp barbecue sauce
Salt & pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 egg
1 tsbp bread crumbs
1 tbsp basil
1 tbsp thyme

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.
2. Once mixed, form tennis size balls of meat, then lightly flatten.
3. Heat frying pan, sear both sides of patties on medium heat (3 minutes each side).
4. Place patties on baking sheet and cook in oven at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.
5. Toast buns if desired and SERVE.

***These hamburgers go well with a side of homemade french fries:

1. Cut 4 large potatoes into 1/2 inch wide strips, while trying to maintain round shape of potato (leave skin on).
2. Heat pot of oil on stove and place potatoes in oil when ready (as stated in previous recipe, test oil by placing tip of fry in oil, if it sizzles a bit, its ready!)
3. When fries rise to top of pot and turn golden brown, remove and place in large bowl.
4. Sprinkle with salt and toss. SERVE.