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Mini Calzone Recipe

My three kids love this recipe for Mini Calzones, which I created for CanolaInfo’s “Home is Where the Heart is” Recipe Collection in honor of World Heart Day a few years ago. They are so simple to prepare and tasty, your kids won’t even know just how heart-healthy they are.

Like other busy moms, keeping my family healthy is on the top of my list. For me, it’s about making small changes, like using canola oil in a dish as opposed to butter or other oils. I’ve always used canola oil in my kitchen, but have learned so much more during this campaign. Here is some of my favorite info:

1. Everybody needs a little fat in their diet. Fat is a part of every cell in the body. It’s a valuable source of energy, and it aids in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. It also slows digestion so that you feel full longer.

2. Not all fats are created equally. Unsaturated fats are healthy and saturated and trans fats are unhealthy. The type of fat consumed is as important as the amount.

3. Canola oil is one of the healthiest oils in the world. It has the least saturated fat of any cooking oil (half that of olive oil) and is free of trans fat and cholesterol. Canola oil also has the most omega-3 fat of any cooking oil and is a good source of vitamin E.

4. Canola oil can help protect the heart for just pennies a day. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized a qualified health claim for canola oil on its potential to reduce the risk of heart disease when used in place of saturated fat. About 1.5 tablespoons of canola oil a day is enough to help keep the cardiologist away.

5. Canola oil is extremely versatile. Its light and neutral flavor make it ideal for almost any culinary application. In addition, the smoke point is extremely high at 468 F, making it ideal for sautéing or frying.

Also, if you haven’t already, check out the new interactive cooking game at Facebook.com/CanolaInfo, which features my recipe collection! You become the chef and try to beat the clock!

Three Ingredient Blueberry-Banana Ice

This Blueberry-Banana Ice is one of those recipes that is almost too basic (and good) to be true. Simple is sometimes better. Recipes with only three ingredients can be as fabulous and flavorful as if it had more. Who needs all of the fuss?

To prepare this recipe, purchase ripe bananas and in season blueberries and freeze them (I used zip-top plastic bags). Place these ingredients in the food processor or blender with a touch of honey. It’s that easy. Feel free to experiment with other berries if you wish. This is the perfect healthy dessert for summertime. It’s healthy, great for your immune system and all natural. It truly hits the spot.

Easy Strawberry Cobbler

I began planning a Memorial Day weekend menu today, and this recipe for Easy Strawberry Cobbler is on my list. Now that strawberries are in season, it is the ideal time to prepare this warm, succulent cobbler. This recipe is extremely simple, with only fifteen minutes of preparation time. The most time-consuming part is slicing the strawberries.

A Southern dessert, a cobbler is usually prepared with a biscuit topping. For my recipe, I added oats to my topping mixture, which creates a slight crunch and nice texture. When my three kids tried this recipe they said, “Mom, this is the best thing you have ever made.”

Enjoy this for a fresh and fabulous Memorial Day dessert or any time while strawberries are at their peak. Have a fabulous holiday weekend and stay well!

Banana Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins

I am excited to share this recipe for Banana Dark Chocolate Muffins. This recipe is a twist of my very popular banana bread recipe from 10 years ago, which is one of my top posts ever. What’s great about this recipe (besides the taste) is that all of the ingredients can be combined in one bowl, and no mixer is needed. I add nonfat Greek yogurt which adds moisture and increases the protein in the recipe.

These muffins are amazing, and my kids went wild over them. I almost wasn’t able to take a picture of them before they ate them all. Substitute semisweet or milk chocolate chips for the dark chocolate chips if you like (I personally like dark chocolate) Enjoy these muffins for a wonderful breakfast treat, afternoon snack, lunch, or dinnertime dessert during quarantine or any time.

Beat the Heat with Healthy Sparkling Fruit Water

It’s been so hot here, and every day my kids and I are trying to come up with new ways to keep cool. I decided to freeze some pomegranate juice and blueberries and combine it in sparkling lime-flavored water to create this super refreshing and healthy Sparkling Fruit Water. It’s so easy!

No-Bake Nutella Oatmeal Cookies

I made these No-Bake Nutella Oatmeal Cookies a few weeks ago, and they were too good to be true. Not only are they a “No-Bake” cookie recipe, but they are filled with my favorite ingredients: Nutella, peanut or almond butter, dark cocoa powder, oats and almond milk. These are an ideal afternoon gluten-free snack or dessert. I think I definitely need to make a batch for Mother’s Day.

Gluten Free: Grain-Free Granola

One of my food weaknesses is definitely granola so I thought I would develop a recipe for a Grain-Free Granola for all of those who can’t have grains, are gluten-free, are following the Paleo Diet or are watching their carbohydrate intake. This recipe for Grain-Free Granola is super easy to make, and it’s full of my favorite seeds and nuts. Feel free to use whatever you have on hand as all of the nuts and seeds are easily interchangeable. This granola makes a great breakfast idea stirred into nonfat Greek Yogurt or with almond milk. It also makes a great afternoon snack, a healthy sweet to put in your children’s lunch, or a wonderful dinnertime dessert served with fruit.

Buttermilk Pancakes & Guest Post by “Today’s Nest”

I am so excited to announce that my post today is by Sam Henderson of Today’s Nest, one of my favorite sites. Please be sure to check out his site and his incredible talent! I am honored to have him share his incredible work with you for National Hot Breakfast Month. Take it away, Sam….

Pancakes are an American staple and go by many names–flapjacks, hot sales, griddle cakes, etc. The breakfast standard has a long history and is even surrounded by a bit of folklore. Perhaps you have read the story of Paul Bunyan and his love for flapjacks. Some say it took nearly 20 men to make enough pancakes to satisfy him. I sometimes feel as though I could use a little help getting enough for my crew. They seem to disappear from the plate faster than I can flip them. We used a box mix for a long time until we discovered we could make better cakes on our own.

There is no magic in box pancake mix. The ingredients are, for the most part, already in your pantry. The only exception here is that many pancake mixes require just water to be ready to go. If you desire the taste of true buttermilk pancakes, you will be required to keep some buttermilk on hand. The good news is you can make some Homemade Butter or purchase some and keep it for other purposes.

Sam’s 10 Pancake Tips:

1. A word about syrup… I believe in saving money where it is sensible and doesn’t compromise good taste (in every sense of the word). REAL Maple syrup is not a meaningless purchase. Buy REAL Maple Syrup.

2. As a nice gift, double the dry ingredients and place them in an airtight jar. Tie a card around the top with the recipe written inside.

3. When you pour in the wet ingredients, mix quickly and just until moistened. That’s all. There may be some lumps, but it won’t be evident when your light and fluffy pancakes are served.

4. If you have the time, allow the batter to rest before using. Even after an hour the results are better.

5. Pancakes should be flipped only once. Pull up the side to see if the bottom is the color you want and then flip it gently. The second side should only take half to three quarters the time it took for the first side.

6. If you are using a non-stick pan or griddle you should not need any additional butter or oil.

7. I find a griddle much easier to manage for pancake making. I don’t have to struggle with the side of the pan and I can cook many more at a time.

8. I use an ice cream scoop to measure out my pancakes. Ours holds exactly 1/4 cup of batter, and I am able to maintain consistent results.

9. Freezing pancakes is simple. Place cooled cakes on a parchment lined baking sheet. Top with another sheet of parchment and another layer of pancakes. Continue until all are single layered between parchment sheets. Place in freezer until frozen. Remove frozen pancakes from parchment and store in a sealable freezer bag.

10. Reheat frozen pancakes covered with a damp paper towel in a microwave for 1-2 minutes.

Leap Year Discoveries and $75 Visa Giftcard Giveaway

It’s so cool that this year is a Leap Year. It’s like we have an extra day on the calendar (I know I could use one :)). I am so excited to partner with Quaker on their “Leap Day Delightful Discovery Campaign” and to be able to introduce their new flavor variety of Quaker Oatmeal Squares, Honey Nut Quaker Oatmeal Squares. In honor of Leap Year and this fun campaign, I have an awesome giveaway. One winner will win a $75 Visa gift card to put towards something new for you in celebration of an extra day this year as well as the full product line of Quaker Oatmeal Squares. To enter, do as many of the following and leave a comment letting me know you did. Winner will be drawn on Sunday, February 19th at 2 p.m CST.

1. Leave me a comment telling me what you would like to discover with an extra day on the calendar year. Is it a hobby? recipe? more quality time with friends or “me time”?

2. Join the Quaker Oatmeal Squares Facebook page. Those who join the page will also receive a free sample of the new Honey Nut Variety of Oatmeal Squares to try for themselves.

3. Join Ingredients, Inc. Facebook page

4. Follow Alison Lewis on Twitter

5. Follow Quaker on twitter

6. Follow Alison Lewis on Pinterest

7. Subscribe to Ingredients Inc by email

This post is sponsored by Quaker, but all opinions of this post are my own.

Valentine’s Day Trail Mix

Valentines is almost here, and I thought I would share my latest healthy idea of what you can snack on at home, in the office or at your kids’ class parties. This Valentine Trail Mix is filled with healthy nuts, yogurt covered pretzels and raisins. Feel free to add your favorite nuts and dried fruits. Top it off with a small amount of regular or peanut M & M’s, and you’ll have a winning Valentine’s Day treat that is fairly healthy too.