Game-Set-Match

I love tennis. I love playing and I love watching it on tv. I especially love watching Wimbledon. Out of the four majors, it's my favorite. There's something elegant and timeless about it, and I look forward to it each year.

My favorite out of the fortnight is breakfast at Wimbledon, the men's final.

As a child, we would have a proper breakfast with my aunt, grandmother and I glued to the tv. I grew up with jimmy Connors, Billie Jean king, Chrissy evert and John McEnroe. In the 90's and later, tennis took an awesome turn and you had a few superstars emerge-Martina Hingis, Steffi Graff, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi-then the Williams sisters later on. 

It became fierce.

My grandmother loved Pete Sampras, but in her endearing way, she used to call him Pete Sampson.

I was an Andre Agassi fan. What can I say? I liked the bad boys.

We both liked Patrick Rafter.

This year, I will brew some English breakfast tea.

And have some balsamic strawberries with cashew cream.

To make: 

Strawberries

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Finely chopped mint leaves

1 tsp coconut sugar

1 c raw cashews, soaked in water overnight

1/3 c non dairy milk

Halve the strawberries. Put in a bowl, add vinegar & sugar. Toss to coat. Add mint.

Drain cashews. Purée in blender with milk. 

To serve: put a layer of cream in serving dish. Top with berries.

To finish up, I will toast my grama & aunt with a virgin Pimms.

16 oz ginger ale

1 lime, juiced

1 lemon juiced

Fresh basil

Star anise

Juniper berries, crushed

Fresh mint

1 cucumber sliced thinly

Pour ginger ale, lime & lemon juices and berries into a pitcher. Add anise, mint, basil & cucumber. Chill & let flavors combine for 4 hours before serving.

Maple pumpkin bake

Pumpkin...not just for fall anymore...or my cat

I love all things pumpkin, and this is a great way to start your morning

1 c oatmeal

1 c almond milk

1 tbsp maple syrup

1 can pumpkin (not pie filling)

Handful dried cranberries, flax seeds & pecans

Cinnamon

Mix everything together, bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

It's perfect with Morningstar sausage links! 

Protein pancakes

I have never been much of a breakfast eater. Growing up I never really ate breakfast. My grandmother & aunt were always weight conscious, so they "saved" calories by skipping it. I learned to do it too, which continued into adulthood.

It's only been in the last few years, as I've begun to heal from the inside out, that I'm eating breakfast and enjoying it. Most mornings I have oatmeal, because it's quick & easy as well as portable.

Some days, I just need more.

A lot of healthy eating websites have protein pancakes and there are some great variations.

Mine is super easy and super yummy.

You need:

Egg replacer

1 banana

1/4 c oatmeal

1 heaping tablespoon peanut or nut butter

1/4 c almond milk

1/2 c frozen fruit

Coconut oil to cook

Make your egg replacer:

1 tbsp flax seeds mixed with water. Let sit for 15 minutes. I actually keep some on hand in the fridge.

I buy my oatmeal in bulk at the Co-Op or Pomegranate. 

I purée all the ingredients in the blender. 

Melt coconut oil. Pour batter in pan & cook.

Make sure you flip & cook both sides!

Breakfast in Bed

I was never much of a breakfast eater growing up, and even into my twenties. I always tried to "save" my calories for later in the day. However, it constantly  backfired on me, and I would be starving all day long and pig out. I started to consistently eat breakfast, and are able (most days) make better choices. Fast forward to motherhood. I know have three people to get out of the house this morning, look decent for work and take care of pets. I love make ahead meals, and breakfast is no exception. This is the easiest and so super filling, and keeps you full till lunch time.

You need:

1 c cooked quinoa 

Fruit, sliced (I used apples & pears)

Cinnamon 

Honey or stevia

Flax or chia seeds

Nuts (I used almonds)

1 c milk (I used almond milk)

Preheat oven to 350. Mix quinoa, flax & milk together in a baking dish. Stir in sweetener.

Add fruit and nuts. Top with cinnamon. Bake for 30-45 minutes.

To serve: slice and microwave 30 seconds.

Keeps for about a week in the fridge.

Tostadas!

I like changing things up for breakfast. This woman can't live on oatmeal alone! The other morning I tried a tostada for a change. It was super easy and super quick, and it kept me full until lunch time.

You need:
1 egg
2 tbsp milk
Taco seasoning
Scallions diced
Fiesta cheese
Veggies
Tortilla
Avocado
Salsa

Scramble eggs with scallions and taco seasoning. Heat veggies in microwave. Heat a small saucepan, sprayed with Pam. Put tortilla in pot. Add eggs, veggies & cheese. Heat through until bottom is crunchy.

Top with salsa & avocado

Chocolate Chip

We had quite a storm over night with hail, drenching rains, flooding and hours of continuous thunder and lightening. More storms are predicted for today. Our region has been saddled with a drought for the last year, so the rain is welcome. However, it is very scary when it happens when you're sleeping. This morning called for a bit of comfort food that doesn't require much thought.

Today we are having Nutella chocolate chip muffins. It's that easy peasy no brainer that is so yummy recipe.

2 c jiffy baking mix
1 c applesauce
1 c sugar
1/2 c chocolate chips
1 egg
1/2 c milk
1 tbsp Nutella
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350

Mix baking mix, applesauce, sugar, egg, milk & vanilla. Add chocolate chips. Pour into muffin cups. Spoon in Nutella. Bake 20 minutes.

Ooey gooey love

Take it On the Run

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, or so we've been told. Studies have shown that people who consistently eat breakfast have more lean muscle mass and are less likely to overeat during the day. Equally important is what you choose to start your day. For years, I skipped breakfast. I drank black coffee and literally starved myself all morning to stay skinny. No wonder I gained weight-I would make poor food choices because I was starving!
There are a lot of healthy options for a quick breakfast on the go that will feed your body.

Banana & peanut butter
Homemade granola or protein bars
Breakfast burritos
Yogurt & fruit parfait
Smoothie

One of my favorites in the am are smoothies. I even have a Pinterest board dedicated to them (http://pinterest.com/mommydom/smoothie-up-in-ya/)! One of current faves is cherry berry mocha madness.

1 c cold black coffee
1/2 scoop chocolate protein powder
1/2 frozen mixed berries (no sugar added)
1/2 c frozen mango (no added sugar)
1 c frozen cherries (plain, no sugar)
1/2 c milk (cow, soy or almond)
1 tbsp almonds
1tsp chia or flax seeds

In a blender, add all the ingredients and purée.
Nutritious and delicious!

Easy Peasy Cinnamon Muffins

2 c bisquick
1 c milk
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/3 c brown sugar
1/2 c applesauce

Preheat oven to 375
Mix bisquick, milk & applesauce together. Stir in brown sugar & cinnamon. Drop into muffin cups. Bake
For 20 mins.

For the glaze mix together 1/4 c confectioners sugar & 2 tbsp milk. Drizzle over muffins

Fruited pancake bake

I love super easy, super fast breakfast options. Most mornings I don't have time to make an elaborate spread, but want a healthy option.
This fits both criteria

2 tbsp baking mix
Splash vanilla soy milk (or regular milk and a dash of vanilla extract)
Fruit
Silken tofu or cream cheese

Mix baking mix, milk & tofu combining well. Add fruit. Microwave 2 minutes.

Easy, Like Sunday Morning

A long, long time ago, we used to have leisurely Sunday breakfasts. We would linger over the New York Times & Trentonian (best of both worlds!) before id go to church. Sometimes it would be bagels, lox & cream cheese, others something more fancy.
Fast forward nearly a decade. Sunday mornings can be chaotic at best, downright ornery at the worst. I am attempting to slow things down this summer, and breakfast is a good place to start.

Waffles and orange juice. So simple yet so filling on so many levels.

I adapted the waffle recipe from Two Peas in their Pod (http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/waffles/)

BASIC WAFFLES
Adapted from Alton Brown

1 c whole wheat flour
1 c all purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3 T sugar
3 eggs
2 T butter, melted
2 cups buttermilk
Cooking spray for the waffle iron

Preheat waffle iron as directed.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar. In another bowl whisk together eggs and melted butter. Then, whisk in the buttermilk. Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until . Let it rest 5 minutes.
Cook the waffles according to the directions for your waffle iron. Serve immediately

I served mine topped with blueberries. So yummy!

To drink, I made orange juice. In the blender. It was so easy.
I peeled 6 oranges, put them in the blender and hit the liquefy button, and let it run for several minutes. If you want it a little thinner, add more water. The oranges I picked were so sweet nothing else needed to be added!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtc_Io24nsY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Brocham Iam

I tried something new for breakfast this morning: quinoa porridge. Quinoa, a south American grain is (according to Wikipedia)
Quinoa was of great nutritional importance in pre-Columbian Andean civilizations, secondary only to the potato, and was followed in importance by maize. In contemporary times, this crop has become highly appreciated for its nutritional value, as its protein content is very high (18%). Unlike wheat or rice (which are low in lysine), and like oats, quinoa contains a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans, making it a complete protein source.[13] It is a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa is gluten-free and considered easy to digest.

I usually make burritos with it, but decided to try breakfast today.

1 c sunflower milk
1/2 c quinoa
1/4 tsp chia seeds
1/2 tsp almond butter
1/4 tsp agave nectar
2-3 dates

Bring milk to a boil. Add quinoa, cook 15 minutes until all liquid is absorbed. Add dates, agave & almond butter. Stir well. Serve hot.

I Can't Help It

I'm struggling right now with getting things back on track. I've had a few struggles over the course of the past year with a healthy lifestyle.
When the going gets tough, I eat and not exercise. I punish myself.
So instead of being my best, and reaching my health goals, I'm starting over.
Again.
I tend to stuff my feelings with food, which makes my life that much harder. All of the stress of the past year-from needing another surgery to the complete disaster that was possibly adding to our family-caused me to follow that downward spiral.
Some people drink.
Others use drugs.
I eat.
And it's not salads that I crave either.
Fast food. Sweets. Junk.
I don't work out either, because I don't have the energy to (because I'm fueling my body with crap). It has a trickle down effect because the not eating & not exercising leads to not sleeping and the unholy trifecta of unhealthy living.
So here I am, again. On my third morning of getting back into healthy living. I packed a good lunch: salad, black bean salsa wrap topped with avocado and a salad. I have egg whites and avocado for breakfast. I am trying to drink water and not soda. I'm slowly easing back into working out.
What I'm frustrated about the most is the fact that I'm here.
Again.
It seems I've spent a good chunk of my life on this roller coaster, lose weight, gain weight and repeat. I've tried to lose weight for special events, to make others happy, and for a variety of other reasons. I dont always buy 100% into it, and believe me it's hard to make a total lifestyle change.
This time I'm doing it for me, and doing all that I can to make it stick. I can't help it if I want to be my healthiest.

Egg white avocado scramble
2 egg whites
1/4 avocado diced
Sprinkle of shredded cheese
Veggies
Dollop of salsa

Mix everything together & scramble over low heat till cooked

(talking about) resolutions

It's a new year and everyone is talking about their resolutions, goals and what not (find mine here:http://mommydomchronicles.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-years-resolution.html?m=1)
My intention today is to do three healthy things. If I do more, great. If not, It doesn't mean I'm naughty or anything. Better choices means better for my family and better for me (its a win all the way around!)
It's a simple start. 3 little things-moving, water and saying no to soda. The water and soda issues are more work related, because it's choices I make for 8 hours a day.
The movement choice is a different story.
I work out at home, mainly because of time constraints. I have cardio equipment, free weights and a husband who used to be a body builder.
What I dont have a lot of is willpower.
However, the older I get, the more I realize that I need to take better care of myself, completely. It's eating better, it's getting enough sleep, it's moving more. There are so many different tactics to my war on being unhealthy. My struggle is 8 hours at work, with unhealthy vending machine and cafeteria choices surrounding me. I even bring healthy snacks...and succumb to temptation some days. I know that it will happen, and I can't beat myself up over it.
Instead of feeling low, I need to think of it as a journey towards the zenith of healthy living.
Each journey starts with a step, and today's step is this:

Eggnog oatmeal
1/2 c oatmeal
1/2 c Ricenog
1 tbsp dried cranberries

Mix together, microwave for 60 seconds.

Mocha smoothies

1 c cold coffee
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
1 c milk

mix together in a blender. serve immediately

Pumpkin pie pancakes

1 c bisquick
1 c canned pumpkin
1 egg beaten
1 c milk
2 tbsp sugar or stevia
1 tsp pumpkin pie seasoning

mix together and make pancakes as usual. top with warm maple syrup

Peanut butter berry smoothies

1 tbsp crunchy peanut butter
1 tbsp chocolate protein powder
2 c soy milk
1 c plain yogurt
1 c frozen berries

put everything in a blender. puree. serve. yum.

Breakfast

I have a confession to make-I was never a breakfast eater growing up. I remember in kindergarten having to bring in what you ate for breakfast, then we did a lesson on a healthy, nutritious breakfast. I brought in toast, because that was what I ate.

 Then there was a place set for each of us, and I was stunned. There was toast, fruit and juice plus cereal. I definitely did not eat that much in the morning!
 As I got older, I began to skip breakfast because I could “save the calories”.  It wasn’t until I was in my 30’s and a mom that I realized the importance of a healthy breakfast. During the week, my son has cereal

and I have either cereal

or oatmeal myself.

He likes his chocolate milk,

 and I have either coffee or juice.

I have fruit

and toast, and I am not hungry until lunchtime.

On the weekends, we have special breakfasts. Saturdays are waffle days

 or cinnamon rolls,

and then on Sundays we have something special like quiche, egg bake or

 overnight French toast.

Quiche Lorraine
1 pie crust
6 eggs, beaten
6 strips turkey bacon, cooked
1 pkg silken tofu or 2 c heavy cream
1 c shreded cheese (I usually use either swiss or monterey jack)

Preheat oven to 375.
Blind bake crust for 10 minutes, let cool. mix ingredients together. pour into pie shell. bake for 35 minutes.