Another WIAW (before the HUNGER GAMES)

For the longest time I gazed idly over WIAW breakfasts of gorgeous oatmeal concoctions. Topped with sugary granola, nut butters and plump fruit galore, they seemed more fit for dessert than breakfasts. Alas, I tried my hand at creating one for myself, with a little less added sugar and calories.

Disgusting does not quite describe how terrible this first trial was. Quitting at my attempts for the time being I went back to being merely a spectator to the ever-growing oatmeal  bowls (of which chocolate seemed to be not only reoccurring but mandatory).

Then one day I stumbled upon this blogger's Tribute to Oatmeal page and all of my prayers were answer. Here is my simple adaption, low in calories and sugar-free, but quite creamy and wonderful still.

Basic Banana-Chia Oatmeal

Serves 1

Ingredients/Directions: Put 2 Tbsp old-fashioned oatmeal, 1 tsp chia seeds and 1/2 cup of water/almond milk in a small pan over medium heat. Heat until boiling then add 1 Tbsp chopped banana. Let simmer and then whip in the banana until melted and smooth. (Add more liquid and adjust heat as necessary)

My favorite topping combination to date:

• Stir 1/2 tsp cinnamon into oatmeal.
• Top with utopia nut butter (recipe to come soon!), more cinnamon, and frozen raspberries.

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Now onto the other stuff that I have been munching on!


LUNCH
Chili Salad with pistachios and carrots.

SNACK
Apple peels topped with utopia nut butter

DINNER
Light General Tso's Chicken. Recipe adapted from HERE. I used date puree in place of the brown sugar, less oil, and I used powdered spices instead of fresh. It was delicious!

Served with peas, water chestnuts and red peppers.

SNACK
Pistachios... Green, right?

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I would have put more recipes and more pictures up, but this is not my computer and I have had zero-opportunity to blog. Hopefully that will change soon!

In the meantime, questions:

Do you prefer recipes to have nutrition facts?

ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT THE HUNGER GAMES MIDNIGHT PREMIERE? I am.



What would you bring with you into the HUNGER GAMES? If you could only bring one thing, like Katniss's mockingjay pin...

Chocolate Microwave Bake (WIAW)

Yea, chocolate is not exactly GREEN is it? Well, I missed the memo about this month's WIAW theme, so my green food will have to wait until next week...

So, onto to today's Green-less post:


Remember my Strawberry Microwave Bake? Well, you should, because I just posted it a few days ago. And... I already have a fantastic recreation. This time, with chocolate!


*I'm still not sure which I like better, so try out both and let me know.

Chocolate Microwave Bake

Calories: Around 120 or 130 calories

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp oatmeal (10 grams)
• 1 Tbsp unbleached flour (7 grams)
• 1 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp baking powder (I used sodium-free)
• 1 1/2 Tbsp egg beaters (20 grams)
• 1 Tbsp unsweetened applesauce (20 grams)
• 1 tsp unsweetened strawberry jam (6 grams)
• 1 extra large strawberry (40 grams)
• Carob chips (optional... I tried them tonight and it was awesome!)

Directions:

1. Combine dry ingredients in small bowl. Add the wet ingredients and stir until combined.
2. Chop up the strawberry and mix it into the batter.
3. Either spray a separate microwave-safe bowl or place the previous container directly into the microwave.
4. Cook on 80% for 30 seconds. Cover and cook for 45 seconds at 80%.

*Note: Microwave times vary a lot based on age and watt power. These times won't work for everyone. You will need to try this out a few times before you get the times and power right. For my original bake I cooked it for a total of 60 seconds, but after 60 seconds with this recipe it was still a little gooey so I cooked it for another 15 seconds.

This chocolate bake is slightly moister than my strawberry bake, and has almost a chocolate pudding texture in the center if you don't cook it long enough (see note above). At 60 seconds I would imagine that it would be similar to a molten lava cake, and at 90 seconds more like a muffin. Thus, 75 was the perfect medium.

For this version I topped it with chocolate frosting. Sugar-free chocolate frosting that is, whose recipe I am pleased to present below:

Chocolate-Date Frosting (Sugar-Free)

Ingredients:
1/4 cup dates (40 grams)
3 Tbsp water + more as needed
1 Tbsp cornstarch (or other thickener)
almond milk (optional)

Directions:
1. Place dates in a microwave safe bowl and fill with water. Cover and microwave for 2 minutes to replicate "soaking" time.
Put dates and the remaining liquid in a food processor and blend until smooth.

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Now, obviously chocolate is not all that I've been eating (although I wish that were socially acceptable). Here is my WIAW for March 7, 2012:

BREAKFAST

More buckwheat pancakes, because I just can't get enough of them!


I used frozen raspberries in these.

LUNCH

Ground turkey patty on homemade (gluten-free) brown bread. Sides of lettuce and almonds.

DINNER

Quesadilla made with a gluten-free tortilla.... SAY WHAT? That's right. The gorgeous tortilla-looking food below is actually gluten-free, and based on my buckwheat pancake recipe. To make the tortilla version, just add another 2 tbsp of almond milk. Spread out with a spoon to the desired size. Then just follow my instructions for my healthy quesadilla found here. This quesadilla in particular contains grilled chicken, sliced peppers, 1 tbsp tomato puree and 1 tbsp fat free shredded cheese. Then I dipped in fat free sour cream. Yumm-o!

Hey! There's GREEN in the background. Does that count? Maybe...

Strawberry Microwave Bake

I have seen these so called "bakes" floating around the blogging world for quite some time now. At first I thought that they were just a way to make a muffin or cupcake seem like a "healthier" option. Then a few days ago I decided to give them a try, and in fact they can be quite healthy and filling!

Except I had a few restrictions of my own:

1. It had to be easy to make, with no strange ingredients.
2. I wanted to be able to make it in the microwave for convenience sake.
3. The "bake" had to be low in calories, but not be super tiny.
4. It had to be sugar free (I gave up sugar for lent).

Then I just threw some ingredients together and something amazing happened:

Strawberry Microwave Bake

Servings: 1 "bake"

Calories: 120 (and no added sugar)

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp oatmeal (10 grams)
• 2 Tbsp unbleached flour (14 grams)
• 1/4 tsp baking powder (I use sodium-free)
• 1 1/2 Tbsp egg beaters (20 grams)
• 1 Tbsp unsweetened applesauce (20 grams)
• 1 tsp unsweetened strawberry jam (6 grams)
• 1 extra large strawberry (40 grams)

Directions:

1. Combine dry ingredients in small bowl. Add the wet ingredients and stir until combined.
2. Chop up the strawberry and mix it into the batter.
3. Either spray a separate microwave-safe bowl or place the previous container directly into the microwave.
4. Cook on 80% for 30 seconds. Cover and cook for 30 seconds again at 80%. Note: Microwave times vary a lot based on age and watt power. These times won't work for everyone. You will need to try this out a few times before you get the times and power right.

After I take it out of the microwave, I place the bake directly in the freezer for a few minutes to let it cool down. Then I top it with another teaspoon of unsweetened strawberry jam and a drizzle of almond butter.

This recipe only takes two or three minutes to make if the ingredients are easy to find. Plus, you can make it in the microwave so it is super versatile! Another reason that I wanted it to be so convenient was so I could make this recipe in college for a late night, but healthy snack when I get the studying munchies...

The options for this recipe really are endless:
- Replace the jam with a tsp of sugar or honey for a sweeter "bake"
- Use a different type of jam like peach for a different flavor (Tried this)
- Replace the strawberry with blueberries or another type of berry (Tried this)
- Replace 1 Tbsp of oatmeal with cocoa powder. Top with peanut butter.
- Make this vegan and use another replace the egg beaters with applesauce.
- Make this gluten free and replace the flour with oat flour or a gluten free mix.
- I have also made it without berries and it made a nice sandwich-like biscuit.

I will post more versions of this recipe when I remember to snap pictures! Enjoy...