Strawberry - no Banana Smoothie

In a blender, blend well

1 to 2 cups strawberries

1 - 2 oranges

1 1/2 cup hot water

1 tablespoon virgin organic coconut oil

1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon cinnamon (to taste)

stevia (to taste if desired)

3/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup morning moo or powdered milk

2 large carrots

1 scoop protein

blend well

You can put half in another container for lunch or you can drink it all at once if you wish.

If you are going to drink it all at once, add ice (a little at a time, blending in between so you don't break your blender) for the full drink add enough ice to make from 8 - 9 cups. Blend until smooth.

If you are going to drink half now and the other half later, add ice to make 4 - 4 1/2 cups now and the same when you drink the other half.

Note: if you wish, you can substitute the strawberries for the banana in any of the smoothies.

Here are some possible protein's you might consider.  I've included a number so you can compare health benefits.  You may want to consider your personal needs according to your own health.
Click on the link for a variety of information.

Whey protein powder

Casein protein powder

Soy protein powder

Pea protein powder

Brown rice protein powder

Hydrolysate protein powder

Egg protein powder

Greek Yogurt Smoothie

In a blender, blend well

1 banana

1 tablespoon virgin organic coconut oil

1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon cinnamon (to taste)

stevia (to taste if desired)

3/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats

2 large carrots

1 to 2 cups Greek yogurt.

blend well

You can put half in another container for lunch or you can drink it all at once if you wish.

If you are going to drink it all at once, add ice (a little at a time, blending in between so you don't break your blender)  for the full drink add enough ice to make from 8 - 9 cups.  Blend until smooth.

If you are going to drink half now and the other half later, add ice to make 4 - 4 1/2 cups now  and the same when you drink the other half.

Note: if you wish, you can substitute the milk and protein for the Greek yogurt in any of the shakes or smoothies.

Squash Cake

Squash Cake

This isn’t a completely healthy cake; however, it is an alternative way to sneak some very healthy food into the cake you are making and extend your budget, especially if you get the squash from your garden or a friend’s garden.

Preheat oven to whatever temperature called for on the box.

Start with 5 to 6 cups shredded; Patty Pan, Zucchini, or Butternut squash. (Be sure and cut it and if there are seeds inside, remove the seeds)

Pour into a sauce pan twice the amount of oil called for in a standard boxed cake mix. For example, if it calls for 1/3 cup oil, pour in 2/3rd cup oil (or just a little less, but not more.

Lightly saute the squash.

Add in a large bowl, twice the eggs called for on the box.

Add 1 teaspoon baking powder

Add 25% more water than called for on the box. For example, if the box calls for 1 cup water, add 1 and 1/4 cup water.

Add the cake mix from the box. You can use anything you like. I prefer white or lemon.

Add the sauteed squash.

Mix well.

Spray oil in a large cake pan.

Pour the mixed ingredients into the pan.

Bake for approximately 5 minutes more than is called for on the box...or until you can poke a knife in the middle of the cake, to the bottom and it comes back out clean (without any 'not fully baked' cake mix).

Add frosting to the top.

Because I try very hard to avoid sugar, I would not eat this, but it is a slightly healthier alternative for some and something I have made for others many times and is usually enjoyed very much. Sometimes they enjoy it a little less once they learn how much squash there is but usually no ones has any idea until they are told.

Banana Orange Miracle Shake

In a blender, blend well

1 banana

1 - 2 oranges

1 1/2 cup hot water

1 tablespoon virgin organic coconut oil

1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon cinnamon (to taste)

stevia (to taste if desired)

3/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup morning moo or powdered milk

2 large carrots

1 scoop protein

blend well

You can put half in another container for lunch or you can drink it all at once if you wish.

If you are going to drink it all at once, add ice (a little at a time, blending in between so you don't break your blender)  for the full drink add enough ice to make from 8 - 9 cups.  Blend until smooth.

If you are going to drink half now and the other half later, add ice to make 4 - 4 1/2 cups now  and the same when you drink the other half.

Here are some possible protein's you might consider.  I've included a number so you can compare health benefits.  You may want to consider your personal needs according to your own health.
Click on the link for a variety of information.

Whey protein powder

Casein protein powder

Soy protein powder

Pea protein powder

Brown rice protein powder

Hydrolysate protein powder

Egg protein powder

Butternut Squash Pie

Butternut Squash Pie

(Sorry, this one is not super cheap)



Wash squash.

Cut butternut squash in half and remove seeds.

Cut squash into about 2 inch chunks. (I leave the outer skin on and include it in the pie)

In a pot of boiling water, add the squash (about 9 cups of squash)

Allow the squash to boil until it is soft.

Drain off the water and mix the squash into a consistency similar to mashed potatoes. You may be able to use a blender, a mixer, or even a hand held old fashioned potato masher.

Put the squash mash into a large bowl.

Add:

12-16 eggs

3-4 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice

2 cans evaporated milk

2 cups maple syrup

mix well

Add mixture to pie shells

Bake at 350 for approximately 35 - 40 minutes or until you can put a butter knife in the pie and it comes out clean.

Fried Brown Rice: Vegetarian and Gluten Free

The secret to both brown rice and hard beans is to soak them at least over night and preferably for 24 hours. Brown rice is much more healthy than the white rice most people eat and if you soak it for 24 hours in advance, it’s just as easy to use.



So...

In a pot, add:

1 cup brown rice

3 cups water

Put a lid on it and allow it to soak for 24 hours.

　

After allowing the rice to soak in the pan for 24 hours, pour off the excess water.

In another pot add 3 cups of water and put on the stove on high. Bring the water to a hard boil.

Add the rice.

Again bring the water to a hard rolling boil.

Turn to low and let the rice sit and simmer for at least another 15 minutes.

In a frying pan (cast-iron if you have one) with the burner on medium:

Add either 4 tablespoons butter (not margarine)

or

4 tablespoons olive oil

or use a spray oil.


Cut into small pieces any vegetables you would like to add

I always include two onions; however, it’s best to add the vegetables in their order according to hardness

For example, if you have butternut squash, cut it into very small pieces and add it first, then add the onions, then add something like peas.

You can add almost any vegetables you want to add. Avoid vegetables high in starch such as potatoes or corn.

Cabbage, peppers, fresh green beans, cauliflower, are some possible options.

If you have a garden or can get them, green tomatoes are a great addition.


Sautee the vegetables until they are soft

Pour off any excess water from the brown rice which has been simmering and add to the frying pan with the vegetables.

Add two large eggs.

Stir periodically for about 15 minutes with the stove still on medium.

Done 

Alternative Ingredients:

You may also want to add:

Tuna (no longer vegetarian)

Sliced Apple

Shaved or sliced Almonds

Hummus

This is one variation of a popular Middle-eastern treat best served in small amounts on bread or crackers.Lightly saute in a sauce pan or small cast-iron frying pan at a medium setting on the stove:
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup sesame seeds
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
1 chopped clove garlic:Stir and saute for 10 minutes only.  (Sesame seeds burn easily)
In a blender add:
1 pealed lemon
1/2 cup (already cooked) brown rice
2 cups (already cooked) black or garbanzo beans 
Blend

Add sauteed ingredients

Blend well and refrigerate in an airtight container until used