Ah, Greek Yogurt...

I am obsessed with greek yogurt. I admit it. Who wouldn't be? It's creamy, thick, and reminiscent of ice cream. My greek yogurt of choice is "Fage," which can be found at Trader Joe's. Sometimes I'll make tzatziki out of it, but for a quick treat I usually make a parfait with honey and granola. I ran out of granola this morning, so I toasted some hazelnuts and walnuts, gave 'em a quick chop, and sprinkled those on top instead. A few plump blueberries, and you've got a pretty treat!

Did you know...? : Yogurt helps regulate the body's yeast levels. It is rich in calcium, protein, and contains probiotics. Probiotics are live bacteria which flush out your digestive system.

Muesli!

Muesli was created by Dr. Maximilian Bircher-Benner, a Swiss German doctor who urged his patients to live healthily by keeping active with daily activities, such as gardening, and nutrition. He wanted to create the perfect nutrition-dense meal for his patients, so he concocted what we know today as "muesli!" Muesli is a cereal usually made from uncooked oats, nuts, and dried fruits. Sugar and/or sweeteners can be added, but sparingly. You can make your own, but Trader Joe's and other markets sell packaged muesli, as well. It took me a while to find just the right flavor combinations, but I finally found the
right mix:

Kristina's Muesli

1/2 cup organic multigrain oats

3/4 - 1/2 cup water

1 tsp ground flaxseed

1 tsp raw wheat germ

1 tsp 100% natural maple syrup

small handful raw walnuts

small handful raw almonds

dried cranberries (to your liking)

raisins (to your liking)

1. Heat the water to the point that it is very hot, but not boiling. You don't really want to "cook" the oats. Then add a small amount into the oats and stir. Keep adding until the oats are just moist throughout.

2. Add the flaxseed, wheat germ, and maple syrup. Mix together.

3. On top, add your nuts and dried fruits, and you're ready to go!

The great thing about muesli is that if you don't eat it all, you can put it in a jar and refrigerate it. Then the flavors marry and it's just as good, if not better!

Did you know...? : Flaxseed is filled with Omega-3s and lignans (a phytoestrogen that may work as an antioxidant). Flaxseed is also great for digestion, with it's high fiber content; however, it must be consumed ground. Otherwise, flaxseed usually passes through the intenstines undigested, which ultimately means you would not recieve any of the health benefits.

Sweet Tooth Breakfast :]

Got a sweet tooth? I sure do! When I wake up in the morning, I usually prefer sweets. I was looking on the Whole Foods website, and was inspired by a similar recipe. Here is my version:

Nectarine and Walnut French Toast

1 Egg

1 tablespoon of butter

a few pinches of cinnamon

a pinch of salt

1 slice of whole wheat bread

1 Nectarine (sliced)

Agave Nectar &/or 100% Natural Maple Syrup

A handful of raw walnuts (roughly chopped)

-In a flat-bottom dish add 1 egg, a pinch of cinnamon, a pinch of salt, and a teaspoon agave nectar. Whisk together.

-Cover your bread in the egg mixture, and place in a heated pan. (Cook on both sides, as you would cook french toast).

-In another pan, melt the butter on medium/low heat and add the nectarine slices. Add a tablespoon of maple syrup. (You can add more to your liking, but remember the nectarines are sweet). Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the nectarines begin looking soft and succulent.

-Add the walnuts after the heat is off, just to coat them in the sweet juices. We still want them raw.

-Pour mixture over your french toast and scarf the yummy goodness down!

*Did you know...? : "In the 16th and 17th centuries, herbs and foods used in medical practice were often prescribed due to their resemblance to a particular body part or organ. The resemblance between the walnut and heart made walnuts a popular treatment for this organ." In fact, walnuts can decrease the risk of cancer and heart disease.

Source:http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0675/is_5_20/ai_92840213/

Yum!

Off to a HEALTHY Start!

Hey guys, this is my first post. Woo!

I've been thinking about getting a blog for a while now, so I finally decided to get one here at blogger.com. This blog is going to be about eating healthy, and how you can make each meal as tasty as junk food, but without all the grease and icky stuff. I will post pictures and recipes of meals that I make.

I recently discovered how well avocado and tomato go with breakfast, particularly eggs. Try a slice of whole wheat toast with a poached egg on top. Slice half an avocado and a small tomato. Sprinkle it all with salt, and a dash of pepper for your egg. Can you say SCRUMDIDDLYUMPTIOUS?!

The bread pictured here is "Alpine Valley" brand. You can find this bread at Costco. I am always raving about this bread. It is absolutely delicious. Anyone that has ever tried it loves it. It is somewhat sweet, and very textured. It contains nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Oh, and it makes the best peanut butter sandwiches EVER!

Did You Know...? : Avocados are packed with Omega-3s ( which lower inflammation, cholesterol, blood pressure.. oh, and that's not even the half of it ;] )! They also have more protein than any other fruit.

Mmmmm. Eat up!