Peanut Butter Protein Bites

I've been making Coco Date Balls for awhile.

They're really good and super tasty,

but I was looking for something a little more substantial.

That's when Google helped out once again and I found this recipe! 

I made it literally within hours and love them from the first bite.

They are really yummy, satisfy a sweet craving AND are full of protein.

Oh and did I mention they're peanut butter flavored too?

My boyfriend I and were HUGE fans and I can't wait to make them again.

Here's how you can make them yourself!

The Goods:

Rolled Oats

Vanilla Protein Powder

Cinnamon

Chia Seeds

Peanut Butter

Honey

Vanilla Extract

Peanut Butter Chips

Milk

In a large mixing bowl add the oats, protein powder, cinnamon and chia seeds.

Stir to combine.

Add the peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract and peanut butter chips.

Stir to combine.

Slowly add in milk, one tablespoon at a time, until mixture is sticky and holds together.

  

Roll into balls using your hands.

Let set up in fridge for at least half hour.

Store in the fridge in an airtight container.

Peanut Butter Protein Bites

Inspired By The Healthy Maven

1 1/2 Cups Rolled Oats

1/2 Cup Vanilla Protein Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1 Tablespoon Chia Seeds

1/2 Cup Peanut Butter

3 Tablespoons Honey

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1/3 Cup Peanut Butter Chips

2 to 4 Tablespoons Milk

1. In a large mixing bowl add the oats, protein powder, cinnamon and chia seeds. Stir to combine.
2. Add the peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract and peanut butter chips. Stir to combine.
3. Slowly add in milk, one tablespoon at a time, until mixture is sticky and holds together.
4. Roll into balls using your hands.
5. Let set up in fridge for at least half hour.
6. Store in the fridge in an airtight container.

Whiskey Wednesday: Gold Rush

Happy Wednesday everyone!!!

In 2015, I started a fun new blog series - 

Whiskey Wednesday!!!

If you missed them, here are past posts:
Irish Mule
 Mint Julep
Bourbon & Sparkling Lemonade
Irish Redhead
Old Fashion
Jameson Coke Floats
Bourbon Cherry Coke
Bourbon Spiked Apple Cider
Hot Toddy
Whiskey Sour
Sage Brown Derby

Strawberry Whiskey Smash

While I don't mind making cocktails with a few steps,
one with just a few ingredients are by far my favorite!
A friend suggested that I try out a Gold Rush
and I found this simple recipe that I quickly modified.

Let me show you how it's made!!!

The Goods:

Whiskey

Lemon Juice

Honey

Measure out 2 ounces whiskey.

Followed by 1 1/2 Tablespoons honey.

And 1 1/2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice.

Add all ingredients to a shaker and cover with ice.

Shake for about 30 seconds - until super cold!

Pour into a glass that has one BIG cube!

Sip on and enjoy!!!

I did enjoy the simplicity of this cocktail,

but it wouldn't be my go to easy one to make.

I think it's be best served on a hot summer day!

Whiskey Wednesday: Hot Toddy

Happy Wednesday everyone!!!

Last year, I started a fun new blog series - 

Whiskey Wednesday!!!

If you missed them, here are past posts:
Irish Mule
 Mint Julep
Bourbon & Sparkling Lemonade
Irish Redhead
Old Fashion
Jameson Coke Floats
Bourbon Cherry Coke
Bourbon Spiked Apple Cider

Make sure to check back each month for a new recipe!

Whiskey Wednesday will happen every first Wednesday of the month.

With cold and flu season being in full swing,

I figured it was only right to blog about how to make a Hot Toddy.

You don't have to be under the weather to enjoy these,

but they do usually make me feel A LOT better.

Not only are they a little home medicine,

they make a nice little night cap during the cool months.

Sitting by the fire, sipping on a Hot Toddy

and you'll be warmed up in no time!!

Now let's show you how to make one!

 

The Goods:

Bourbon

Honey

Hot Water

Lemon Zest

Cinnamon Stick

Whole Cloves

 

In a glass, add 1 Tablespoon Honey

 

Then 1/2 Cup Hot Water.

Stir to dissolve honey.

 

Add 2 Ounces of Bourbon.

Stir again.

 

Add one strip of lemon zest, one cinnamon stick and two whole cloves.

Let stand for a minimum of five minutes.

 

Cheers with your friend...

 

Then sit back by the fire, relax and enjoy!!!

Baked Donut Monday: Apple Cinnamon!

At my office, we have Bagel Fridays every week.

Recently a coworker told me she wished we had donuts instead.

I've taken homemade donuts to work on a Monday more than once,

so as soon as she said she wished we got donuts and not bagels,

I immediately had a light bulb go off in my head!

I've decided to make Baked Donut Monday into a blog series.

I'm hoping to post a NEW baked donut recipe every 1st Monday of the month!

Make sure to check back each month for something new.

For the very first Baked Donut Monday post, 

I'm going to tell you all about some delicious

APPLE CINNAMON DONUTS!!!

The Goods:

Flour

Sugar

Brown Sugar

Baking Powder

Baking Soda

Salt

Cinnamon

Egg

Apple Butter

Vanilla

Honey

Apple Juice

Sour Cream

Vegetable Oil

Butter (Oops! Not pictured!)

(Full Recipe at bottom of post!)

I was inspired by this recipe on a blog I read often.

Silly me, I didn't read the recipe fully the first time,

and when I went to make it, I was missing Apple Butter.

So I tried to make do, but I didn't love the end result.

After purchasing the Apple Butter weeks later,

I decided to try again, but was now without Apple Cider.

I didn't want to buy a HUGE jug of it,

so I substituted Apple Juice for the Apple Cider

and made a few other small changes too.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Grease your donut pan and set aside.

Now get to work making the dough!

In one large bowl, combine the following:

flour baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and brown sugar.

In another large bowl, combine the following:

egg, apple butter, vanilla, honey, apple juice, sour cream and oil.

Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients and mix until blended.

After making a few batches of donuts,

I've found it's easiest to transfer your dough to a gallon zipper bag.

This will make filling the donut pan MUCH easier!

 Cut off the the tip of the zipper bag and fill your donut pan 1/2 to 3/4 full. 

Bake for about 10 minutes, remove from oven and start cooling in the pan.

After a few minutes, remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.

While they're cooling, get your topping ingredients ready.

Simply melt your butter in the microwave 

and combine your cinnamon and sugar in a separate dish.

Your donuts should still be slightly warm and it's time to finish them.

Brush both sides with the melted butter...

Then roll in cinnamon sugar mixture until coated.

And then they're done!

(Note - there are so many here because I doubled the recipe.)

I didn't wanted to be temped by all those donuts, 

so I packaged some up for neighbors...

Then I ate one (ok maybe two!) 

and got the rest ready to take to work!

Apple Cinnamon Donut Recipe

Adapted from Christina's Recipe

For the donuts:

2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2/3 cup brown sugar

1 egg
1/2 cup apple butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup apple cider
1/3 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons canola oil

For the topping:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup sugar

3 tablespoons cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees, grease a donut pan and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and brown sugar. 
3. In another large bowl, whisk the egg, apple butter, vanilla extract, honey, apple cider, sour cream and oil. 
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a hand mixer.
5. Transfer donut batter into large zipper bag and fill donut pan until 1/2 to 3/4 full. 
6. Bake for about 10 minutes and cool on a wire rack. 
7. While donuts are cooling, melt butter for the topping in a microwave safe dish. 
8. In a separate dish, combine the remaining sugar with the cinnamon. 
9. Brush both sides of the donut with butter and roll in sugar mixture until coated.

Makes 8 to 10 donuts.

(Note - I had so many because I doubled the above recipe!)

Don't forget to check back in April for the next yummy donut!!!

Homemade Chewy Granola Bars: Take 2!

I've made Homemade Chewy Granola Bars before.

In fact, I've even blogged about it before!

(You can read about that here.)

Even though I've already shared a Chewy Granola Bar recipe with you,

I found another, made it recently and couldn't help but share it too!

So without saying much more,

take a look at the process to making these treats!

The Goods:

Oats

Butter

Brown Sugar

Honey

Cinnamon

Salt

Vanilla

Raisins

Sunflower Kernels

Almond Slices

Chocolate Chips

Toffee Bits

Coconut Flakes

Feel free to change up the recipe and use your favorite add-ins.

Add as many or as few if you'd like.

As you can see above, I went a little crazy and 

basically added everything but the kitchen sink to mine!

I'm always looking for different ways to make things I enjoy, 

so If you have a Chewy Granola Bar recipe you love - please send it my way!

Homemade Chewy Granola Bars

I've tried to make Granola a couple times, but for some reason I cannot get it to come out right! Because of that I was a little reluctant to make these granola bars, but they sounded AMAZING and I'd discussed it with my brother so I decided I'd give it a go. Plus - I already had almost everything I needed on hand so I wasn't going to be spending that much!

I won't say anymore before I show you how to make these homemade treats!

The Goods:

Oats

Sugar

Butter

Raisins

Craisins

Pecans

Almonds

Shredded Coconut

Peanut Butter

Honey

Corn Syrup

Vanilla

Cinnamon

Salt

aka 

The Kitchen Sink!

Combine ALL the dry ingredients including the fruit, 

nuts and chocolate. 

Mix together the melted butter, corn syrup, 

honey and peanut butter.

Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and combine. 

It'll look something like this!

Dump into a parchment lined square baking dish.

Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.

When done, it should still be a little soft to the touch!

Once cool, cut into individual bars.

I wrapped them in plastic wrap and 

kept them in a zipper baggie.

I'm happy to report that my track record with regular granola did NOT follow me and these came out amazing! I am, without a doubt, going to be making them again and I cannot wait to try other fun combinations!!

Sunday Night Dinner: Take 14!

It's been FOREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVER since I did a Sunday Night Dinner Post! I haven't stopped cooking Sunday Night dinners - I just haven't been taking pictures and blogging about them. I've been a little busy and I'm sorry.

So without me going on and on, lets get to the wonderful meal I made for dinner tonight!

On the menu this wonderful January evening was Homemade Sesame Chicken with Broccoli Stir Fry served with Brown Rice!

I've enjoyed Sesame Chicken numerous times, but this was my first time actually making it! Take a look at the cooking process.

Ingredients

·      5 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce

·      2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

·      5 teaspoons honey

·      1 1/4 pounds skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks

·      2 tablespoons canola oil

·      2 green onions, white parts thinly sliced and green tops reserved

·      1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

·      3 cloves garlic, minced

·      1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

·      4 teaspoons cornstarch

·      1 tablespoon rice vinegar

·      1 teaspoon chili paste

·      1 small head broccoli, cut in florets, steamed until crisp-tender, 4 to 5 minutes

·      3 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

·      Hot cooked brown rice (optional)

In a medium bowl - whisk together 3 Tbsp. of soy sauce, 1 tsp. of sesame oil and 2 tsp of honey. Add chicken, toss to coat and marinate at least 20 minutes. 

 In a large nonstick skillet or wok heat 2 tsp. of canola oil over medium-high heat and cook chicken. 

In the same skillet heat the remaining 2 tsp. canola oil over medium-high heat. 

Add the white parts of onions, ginger, and garlic. 

Cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. 

 

Add chicken back to skilled, lower heat and make Sesame Sauce (in a small bowl whisk together broth, remaining soy sauce, remaining honey, the cornstarch, vinegar, and chili paste until cornstarch and honey are incorporated. Add remaining sesame oil.) 

Add sauce to skillet and cook until slightly thickened.

I have some leftover and I can't wait to have it for lunch tomorrow! I'm hoping it'll be just as tasty!