Oat Bran Breakfast Bowl: YUM-E!

Nothing is better on a Saturday morning than hot coffee and a comfortably satisfying breakfast in my pajama's on the couch, watching cooking shows!

It's been a long week and I want to do absolutely nothing productive until at least noon today.  I live alone, so I guess I have to do something before noon or I won't get my coffee and breakfast; that just won't work! The first thing I think about every morning I wake up is coffee! Must. Have. Coffee. So, first thing's first, I brewed my coffee making sure to use plenty of coffee grounds because I like my coffee like I like my men: Strong! Now for this amazingly comforting, healthy and YUM-E breakfast, in less than 5 minutes!!

Recipe for 1 YUM-E serving:

1/4 cup Oat Bran cereal

1 cup* water

1 T. reduced sugar added dried cranberries

1 t. splenda

1/4 t. cinnamon

dash of salt

1 T. chopped walnuts

1/2 banana, chopped

1 T. wheat germ (optional)

1 T. sugar-free Cary's syrup (optional)

*I use slightly less water for a thicker cereal, about 7/8 cup water

Add Oat Bran, water, dried cranberries, splenda, cinnamon and dash of salt to microwavable bowl (make sure your bowl is big enough so the cereal will not boil over). Microwave for 1 1/2-2 minutes, stirring once half way through cooking time. Stir and top with remaining ingredients. I also sprinkle extra cinnamon on top.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 278

Fat 8.6 g (.75 g Sat.)

Fiber 11.5 g 

Sugar 11 g

Protein 10.65 g

(and lots of healthy whole grains & vitamins!)

Healthy: YUM-E!

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Peanut Butter and Pomegranate English Muffin: YUM-E!

I have such a sweet tooth, especially at night... I get it from my grandfather (R.I.P. Papa). I swear, if it weren't for my sweet tooth, I would be underweight. Anyone else have a sweet tooth like me? I know I am not alone...

Tonight I was craving peanut butter AND something sweet... double whammy (anyone remember that game show, Press Your Luck? - random thought of the day!).

I made a deal with myself... give in to the sweet tooth, but give in wisely! This is what I came up with... and OMGoodness... Soooo YUM-E!

Lightly toast 1/2 Multigrain English Muffin (50 calories)

Spread on 2 teaspoons of your favorite peanut butter (about 65 calories)

Top with a sprinkle of fresh pomegranate seeds (maybe 15 calories?)

The results, in a YUM-E 130 calories...

Peanut Butter & Pomegranate English Muffin: YUM-E!

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How to... Chop Fresh Garlic: YUM-E!

Fresh Garlic: YUM-E!

No jarred or granulated version can substitute for the robust aroma and delicious flavor that fresh garlic provides. I sometimes wonder why anyone uses anything else than the fresh version. It's pretty cheap, usually 3 heads of garlic go for about $1.00, give our take a few coins. But, then I think of the negative perception that some might have surrounding the topic of handling the fresh version...

Although the aroma fresh garlic provides smells delish in a meal, most people don't like their hands taking on the smell. And that darn, papery shell that surrounds those individual jewels... what a pain to peel off, right?

So, okay... I get the apprehension. I get the desire to spoon some out of a jar or utilizing a simple shake of a spice container to just not deal with it due to the aforementioned. However, I have some tricks... special thanks to my Italian grandmother, my Nonna Maria.

How To... Chop Fresh Garlic: YUM-E!

Step 1: Separate the number of cloves you want to chop from the head of garlic

Step 2: Using a large chef's knife, smash the heck out of those cloves! Yes, smash them; smash them 3 times. Take out your stress on those cloves! 

*Important side note: needless to say (maybe), please be mindful of that knife's sharp edge. Note the dull side up, sharp side down.

Let's talk about how far we've come... do you see how that measly papery peel is falling off, ready to get out of your way? Plus, you just smashed your garlic! Can you give that smashing a little credit... it just took care of some of your job in chopping those cloves! Exciting, right?! That brings us to our next step...

Step 3: Using a damp paper towel, grab those smashed cloves and wipe away the peel from your garlic cloves using the paper towel. This will save your hands...

Step 4: Line up your cloves and chop in one direction creating "strips" of cloves. Turn the strips (or just turn your cutting board), and chop the other way. Then, let your knife do the work... it'll take just a minute to get to a finer mince.

Hint: keep the tip of your knife on the board, and rock the base of the knife near the handle up and down, up and down, to continue to chop the garlic to your size of choice.

Ta Da!

Chopped FRESH Garlic: YUM-E!

Stuffed Poblanos: YUM-E!

More to come... but, here is a picture to entice you thus far :)

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Join me on my journey of Healthy, YUM-E eating!

When most people think of healthy food, they think bland, boiled chicken, plain steamed broccoli, little to no carbs, and little to no flavor. Welp - I am hear to tell you, show you and prove to you that healthy food tastes YUM-E! How does stuffed poblano peppers, cilantro-lime chicken breasts, huge salads, and ground turkey bolognese over rice pilaf sound? YUM-E, right?! Stay Tuned...

I am so excited to start this blog... I have blogged in the past, but this is something special to me.

Food and I have not always had the best relationship. In fact, we had the worst relationship imaginable. But, that was last lifetime. I have started over. And I  am incredibly excited to say, we have the greatest relationship these days!

I love food. I have always loved food, but these days I reallllly love healthy food! I love reading about it, cooking it, eating it, telling people about it... I'm here to share that with you.


If you're gonna eat, eat Healthy: YUM-E!

#HealthyYumE