Beanie Bagels- High Fiber Easy To Make Flourless Bagels

 

Beanie Bagels: A Flourless Easy To Make Bagel Packed With Fiber

What in the world is a Beanie Bagel? These unique high fiber bagels are made with dry beans instead of flour, creating a hearty, filling, and surprisingly tasty alternative to traditional bagels and they are really easy to make too.

Scrambled Tofu (Better Than Scrambled Eggs?)

You say scrambled eggs, I say scrambled tofu! 

The resemblance is almost uncanny—both in taste and texture—making this plant-based version a satisfying swap for a classic breakfast favorite.

Tofu Bacon- Hold On To The Seat Of Your Pants

Plant-based "bacon"??? Yes please- and it's made with tofu!! This is a treat you won't want to miss out on. 

This delicious recipe takes tofu to a whole new level! 

Tofu "bacon" is very easy to make, and is flavorful, crunchy, and crispy. This method transforms "extra- firm" tofu into something extra -ordinary. 

Do you like BLT's but want something plant-based? Try this- I think you will be in love. 

Simple Tofu Scramble

Do you ever cook with tofu?

This versatile, plant-based protein has long been a staple in Asian cuisine. You might’ve come across it in miso soup or served atop stir-fried vegetables at your favorite Chinese restaurant.

Today, I’m sharing a super simple tofu scramble recipe. 

Warm Up With Miso-Ginger Vegetable Soup

It's 9:00 AM and it's a chilly 45 degrees outside (it will warm up to 75 degrees by noon). We have not turned the heat on yet, so I'm warming up with a nourishing bowl of miso-ginger vegetable soup. 

I just made it this morning in less than 15 minutes. It took no more time than making a bowl of steel cut oatmeal.

Who eats soup for breakfast? 

Blueberry Lemon Muffins

Do you know the last time I made muffins? 

Either do I!!  It's been that long. 

Lately, I've been craving something sweet. Since I want to keep my treats on the healthier side, I decided to make blueberry lemon muffins! Yum!

Irresistible Vegan and Gluten-Free Apple Crisp Breakfast

I'm welcoming fall (it's almost here) with an easy to make and tasty apple crisp breakfast idea that is healthy enough to eat for breakfast but delicious enough to adapt for dessert.

Carrot Apple Breakfast Slaw- Vegan

Grated carrots, apples, and pomegranates- oh my!! A deliciously sweet juicy slaw loaded with valuable antioxidants and nutrients. 

Perfect Steel Cut Oats In the Instant Pot

It's officially fall- the season of pumpkins, gorgeous mums, and trees displaying their colorful leaves. The temperatures have been dipping to the low 40's in the mornings, and I've started to crave a nice cozy bowl of warming oatmeal for breakfast. I use the Instant Pot and my oatmeal comes out perfect every time and doesn't stick to the pot (a bonus). It is important to have the correct ratio of oatmeal to water.

Egyptian Foul Medames/Moudammas

Considered the national dish of Egypt, foul medemas/moudammas is a popular staple in parts of Africa, Israel, Syria, and Malaysia. This inexpensive local bean, the fava bean, is frequently cooked and seasoned with garlic, cumin, salt, olive oil, and lemon juice. 

Dry fava beans

Surprisingly to Americans, foul is eaten for breakfast in most of those countries. 

I spend my winters in South Florida in an area that is a melting pot of cultures. In addition to large communities of people from Russia, Venezuela, Brazil, Morocco, and Turkey, there are many Israelis of Sephardic descent (meaning their families originally come from a Middle Eastern or African countries such as Morocco, Syria, Egypt, etc.). 

This morning I was invited to a brunch that featured foul Medames/moudammas as the main course at the home of an Israeli friend. They also served  baba ganooj, quinoa tabouleh, hummus, salads, beets, falafel etc. with the foul- a vegan's delight!

My late mother-in-law, from Egypt, always made her homemade falafel from fava beans! In the US we are more accustomed to falafel that is made from chick peas.

Foul, or better known as fava beans, can be purchased as dried beans or in the cans. You may need to visit a Middle Eastern grocer to find them. The produce store near the bridge in Morrisville, Pa. actually sells them.

If you are lucky enough to have a Middle Eastern grocery store near by, you can purchase the cans and follow this traditional easy recipe. 

Using canned beans is of course a much faster method than using dried beans that require soaking. This could probably be made in the Instant Pot -but I have not tried that method yet!

My husband's family eats foul with pita bread. A gluten-free wrap would work! Actually, I like mine without bread. It's just a bowl of tasty beans.

Ingredients: 

2 cans of cooked fava beans with the liquid from the can

1 tablespoon of ground cumin seed

3 cloves of pressed fresh garlic or garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon) 

Salt and cracked pepper

Toppings: sliced green onion, chopped tomato, lemon juice and chopped cilantro

Directions: 

Pour the fava beans and liquid into a sauce pan. Add the garlic and the cumin and stir. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and simmer for 2 hours, covering the pot the last 1/2 hour. When the beans are soft, add salt and cracked black pepper to taste. (Add a tablespoon of olive oil if desire- I do not) . Pour into a serving bowl and eat with green onion, chopped tomato, lemon juice and chopped cilantro if desired. (Some people eat it with chopped hard boiled eggs as well but being vegan, we do not.)

My Notes: 

1. It is difficult to know the exact spelling of a word that is translated from another language. It goes by many different spellings. 

2. My husband said that cooked foul was a popular street food in Egypt when he was young (1950's) and that it was very inexpensive and eaten by the poor people. Actually, foul is full of iron, protein and fiber making it a very healthy food!

Hadassah Presentation Notes and Links

                                                                                                

This page is the notes and links from a presentation that I did for a local Hadassah group! Hadassah ladies, if you have questions, you can text me.. Remember to always check with your doctor before making any dietary changes. Each person is different.

 

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Link to the book on Mastering Diabetes - by Dr. Cyrus Khambata - new cutting edge onto on fat and insulin resistance and rising blood sugars. A great read..

**** If you don't want to read the book, go on Youtube and look for his videos that are free and give lots of the information too... 

(same link to Mastering Diabetes: The Revolutionary Method to Reverse Insulin Resistance Permanently in Type 1, Type 1.5, Type 2, Prediabetes, and Gestational Diabetes

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Quinoa "Oatmeal" - A Delicious Breakfast Cereal

Do you like to eat oatmeal for breakfast but sometimes just get tired of it and want to switch it up? It turns out that you can make a wonderful easy hot breakfast cereal from quinoa (pronounced Keen-wah). read more

Scottish Oatmeal Vegetable Soup

Oatmeal soup? 

Sounds strange, but it is a popular dish in Scotland where oats have been grown for centuries and is a staple of the country. Scottish oatmeal vegetable soup is simple yet unusual. It's fast and easy and worth making. It often includes carrots, cabbage, turnips, onions,  leeks or even tomatoes. It comes out creamy and filling.

Zucchini Noodle Soup - A Perfect Breakfast Soup

Zucchini noodle soup is flavorful, warming, soothing and nutritious. Everything you want and expect from a noodle soup. 

Mini Blueberry Muffins-Vegan, GF, Oil-Free

If you are looking for the perfect mini blueberry muffin, this is it! 

Who would have ever thought that these vegan, GF, oil-free mini blueberry muffins would taste so amazing. 

Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies - oil-free and vegan

Soft and chewy, these simple cookies make a delicious and nutritious breakfast. 

Do you like eating oatmeal for breakfast? 

These easy to make mashed oatmeal breakfast cookies are a tasty and healthy alternative to a bowl of oatmeal. Without sugar, flour or any processed additives, this flourless cookie recipe could become a family favorite.

Oats are a whole grain, and studies show eating oats may provide many health benefits including reducing risks of heart disease, lowering blood sugar levels, and helping with weight loss. Oats are also loaded with nutrients and antioxidants and just a 1 cup of dry oats supplies 8 grams of fiber and 13 grams of protein.

The convenient gluten-free cookies (I always use these certified gluten-free oats-affiliate link) are prepared by using just a fork for mashing the banana and a small bowl. 

The best part of making these cookies is that they can be made on the spur of the moment since they use so few ingredients and require very little work. The base of the cookie is oatmeal and mashed banana which I then sprinkle with cinnamon and ground cardamom. Of course any seasoning or additions of your choice would be a nice addition such as raisins, chopped dates, chopped apples, or chopped walnuts.

I picture eating them when I don't have time for a proper breakfast or when I'm traveling or on the run.

Yesterday, we went to visit my 96 year old mother in law in her assisted living facility.  

I had to be out most of the day, so I kept these cookies in a baggie in my purse for a healthy snack on the drive home. Having these healthy cookies on hand kept me from making a less healthy choice and filling up so I wasn't starving when I walked in the door.

The amazing thing is that they actually taste sweet and delicious. 

They are a soft cookie and don't usually get hard and crisp up- but I actually like soft cookies. 

A friend, (Stephanie S.), said that she adds a little gluten-free flour to the mix to achieve a crispier cookie.

You can make them in advance and they will last up to three days. 

They are very allergy friendly as they are naturally gluten-free, oil-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and nut free. 

It's a great treat when you are having company and someone has a food restrictions. This may be a safe cookie.

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup of rolled oats (I use certified gluten-free oats-affiliate link)

1 large ripe banana 

1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon of ground cardamom

Optional: chopped apple, chopped walnuts, raisins, chopped dates, etc. 

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees

In a small bowl, mash a large ripe banana. Stir in the rolled oats, cinnamon, and ground cardamom and any other mix-ins of your choice. Using a tablespoon, spoon heaping tablespoons onto a parchment covered cookie sheet. Bake for 12 minutes, checking to prevent burning. Remove cookie sheet from oven and allow to cool . Using a spatula remove and place on a plate.

Sharing this post on Weekend Cooking  where everyone is welcome to share a food related post. Come see what's cooking this weekend.

My Notes: 

1. This recipe makes about 9-10 cookies . Double the recipe for a larger amount. 

2. When I use a tablespoon to drop the cookie batter, I round out the mound. 

3. Make sure your banana is ripe and large- otherwise use two bananas.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor and am not trying to give medical advice. The information in this blog post and all my blog posts are for informational and educational reasons only. Always check with your medical doctor before making changes in your diet and for medical advice.

I am an affiliate for Amazon and if you follow a link from my site and make a qualified purchase, I may receive a small compensation at no charge to you. It helps defray the cost of running a blog. Thank you for your support.

Overnight Oats

Overnight oats, or it could be called no cook overnight oatmeal, is not only super convenient, it is super nutritious and delicious. 

If you feel that your breakfasts could be healthier, overnight oats may solve your problem. Oatmeal is highly recommended by doctors and nutritionists because oats may help lower cholesterol, keep you regular, and help stabilize blood sugar. In fact, I've heard some doctors say it may be good to eat some oatmeal everyday!

This basic recipe contains lots of healthy plant-based protein, lots of fiber, good fats, and valuable nutrients. It's a super breakfast that is convenient and taste great. Eat in cold or warm it up (I eat mine cold).

 

I use simple rolled oats.   Of course the brand I purchase is certified gluten-free. Please note: Oats are naturally gluten-free, however they also may cross contaminate if grown near wheat or processed in a factory that processes wheat. Therefore to be safe, I always purchase oats that are certified gluten-free. 

So excited about my overnight soaked oats because they taste so darn  good. There is only a basic and you can use whatever ingredients you prefer. 

No more excuses! This is a very healthy breakfast that is easy and convenient! It's ready when you are and it can be a "grab and go" as well.. 

Kids Love It Too!

Kids can help or make their own overnight oats the night before. They love it because they get to choose their favorite ingredients. The great part is that in the morning a healthy delicious breakfast is already prepared and just waiting for them. 

The Basic Recipe 

3/4 cup of uncooked rolled oats (I use gluten-free)

1 and 1/4 cups of almond milk ( I use the 30 calorie one)

Berries (1/2 cup of blueberries, strawberries, or blackberries)

1/2 sliced banana or sliced kiwi 

1/2 teaspoon (or more) cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon of turmeric 

Other spices of your choice (I like a pinch or two or cardamom or a teaspoon or unsweetened cocoa)

1 teaspoon of ground flax seed or chia seeds

2 walnuts, chopped

Directions: 

Use a wide mouth mason jar or any wide mouthed jar. Add rolled oats, nut milk, spices, seeds, and chopped nuts. Add berries and fruit of choice. I like cover with a lid and store for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. You can eat it with a spoon directly out of the jar cold or warm it up if you prefer.

My Notes: 

1. Time Saver: Make multiple jars at a time. This recipe will last for three days in the refrigerator. 

2. Snack: Overnight oats are great to keep in the refrigerator as a quick healthy tasty snack too. 

3. After School Snack: Overnight oats are a nutritious after school snack. 

4. Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, soy-free ( do not use soy milk if you want it to be soy free- use almond or cashew milk)

Oatmeal Breakfast Bars -Oil-free

If you are looking for something tasty and healthy, these oatmeal breakfast bars are a quick and easy, grab and go breakfast or snack that you can make for your kids or yourself. 

They are hearty and filling. Made using all whole food ingredients, these sugar-free and oil-free bars are gluten free, high in fiber, provide antioxidants, and are sweet and delicious. To me, they taste like a muffin!

I sometimes add nuts or seeds to the recipe

They are also very versatile and adapt well to additions such as seeds and nuts (pumpkin seeds, chopped walnuts, slivered almonds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds etc.) or even more dried fruit such a raisins. You decide and you choose. I sometimes like to keep mine simple and plain without any additions but sometimes I like it all!

I've shared my basic recipe and you can add whatever nuts, dried fruits, or seed that you like. 

My favorite addition to the finished batter before baking is 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts and 1/4 cup of additional raisins to the  Then I pour the batterf into the pan to bake. 

My friend Nancy Andres from Colors 4 Health reminded me to mention oats or oatmeal need to be certified gluten-free to be considered_gluten-free- Read about it here:gluten free oats

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Read the remainder of this post only if you want to know more about my diet and oil-free eating or just skip and go directly to the recipe at the bottom of the page . 

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Why oil-free? I'm following Dr. McDougall's lifestyle plan which excludes oil  because it is a highly caloric, contains zero fiber ( which is essential to good health) and very few, if any, nutrients. In other words- empty BIG calories. (Yes, I know olive oil is supposed to be good for you-)  

There are healthier ways to include good fats in the diet such as eating the whole food such as avocados, nuts, olives, and seeds which do contain lots of heart healthy fiber, vitamins, and lots of other nutrients. 

I am very happy eating whole food plant-based diet ( based on the book The Starch Solution or Dr. Mc Dougalls diet for weight loss

Incidentally, many best selling authors (who are also medical doctors) suggest an oil-free diet such as Dr. Fuhrman and some of the  18 doctors ( link to a great article) 

18 Vegan Doctors Who Drive the Plant-Based Movement

 

recommend a Whole Foods Plant-Based diet to reverse or prevent heart disease and other diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, and other degenerative diseases.  You want to listen to cardiologists, internists, diabetic specialists or do you want to keep getting your information about food from television commercials and magazine ads?

One more piece of information- the more sugar and salt you eat in your food, the less likely you are to enjoy whole food because salt and sugar are addicting. You will continue to crave highly processed foods that are making Americans fat and sick... 

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Ingredients for the bars.

2 cups of rolled oats blended in the blender into flour (in a blender)

1 cup of rolled oats

2 tsp baking powder

2 tablespoons of cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon of cardamom (optional but I LOVE it)

1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tablespoon ground flax seeds 

1/2 cup of raisins, soaked for at least 1 hour or more, and drained

1/2 cup (about 6 dates) of pitted dates, soaked overnight or minimum of 1 hour or more, and drained

1 ripe banana

1 cup of almond milk

Optional: seeds, walnuts, 

I like to add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts and 1/4 cup of raisins!

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8 inch non-stick baking pan with parchment paper. 

Mix oat flour, oats, baking powder, cinnamon, cocoa powder, and ground flax seeds to a mixing bowl. Mix well and set aside. Blend drained raisins, dates, and almond milk to the blender and mix until well blended. Mix the wet blender mixture into the dry mixture. Pour into an 8 inch lined pan and bake for 35-40 minutes depending on your oven.                                            

Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats- oil-free

There is nothing like a steaming bowl of hot creamy oatmeal for breakfast- and steel cut oats are both delicious and nourishing.

I love the Instant Pot for making oatmeal. 

I buy these steel cut oats (link for Amazon purchase)

 

I used to cook instant or rolled oats because they cook faster than steel cut oats. However, now that I use an Instant Pot (pressure cooker), making the highly nutritious steel cut oats is a snap. 

Oatmeal can be classified by the way it is cut and processed. 

Oats are naturally gluten-free -HOWEVER- I always buy certified gluten-free oats BECAUSE oats can cross-contaminate when growing near wheat fields AND they can become contaminated in the factory if processed near wheat products. 

1.  Steel cut oats- the least processed, the highest protein and fiber count which is 5 grams of fiber and a full 7 grams of protein per 1/4 cup serving. Amazing!
2.  Rolled oats- close to steel cut oats in nourishment but digests more quickly and many cause blood sugar to rise more quickly than steel cut oats.
3.  Instant oats - the most heavily processed and most likely to raise blood sugar levels, especially if it contains sugar which many of the instant oat packages do. 

I love wild blueberries and walnut topping 

Oatmeal can be enjoyed topped with berries ( I use frozen), flax seeds, chia seeds, chopped nuts, nut milk etc. - anything that you enjoy. 

  

Recipe for basic steel cut oats   steel cut oats  (Amazon link)

Ingredients : 

2 cups of steel cut oats ( I use GF oats)

4 cups of water

Salt 

Directions for the Instant Pot 

Place oats, water, and salt in the Instant Pot. Set to pressure cook for 4 minutes. When done, allow steam to release naturally for 12 minutes. Release any remaining steam if there is any, open lid, stir and enjoy with additions of your choice. 

Since my husband does not eat breakfast, I am the only one eating the oatmeal. Therefore, I place the oatmeal in a mason jar and I eat some each day. It usually lasts for about 4 days. I simply heat up the amount I like each day. 

Disclaimer: I am an affiliate for Amazon and I am compensated a small amount if you click on a link and make a qualified purchase. It helps defray the cost of publishing a blog. Thank you for you support. 

Apple Berry Cream Parfait- Vegan

I love when I surprise myself with a spectacular dessert made from whatever ingredients I have in my kitchen. No, I had no recipe and yes I used whatever I had. I took the individually made dessert parfaits out on the pool deck (I live in Florida) to share with friends and everyone love it.

I had Apples, blueberries, walnuts, and oatmeal which I used to make a vegan and parve parfait that is tasty enough to serve for dessert but can be made healthy enough to also eat for breakfast.  

WHAAAT?? you say. 

I had too many apples and realized that I needed to try to use them up. I was originally thinking about making an apple crisp but my idea sort of morphed into this delicious dessert that would also eat as an overnight oatmeal.

I did not want to add sugar, so I pondered about how to make the filling somewhat sweet. I decided that pure maple syrup would work. 

However, 

My husband buys little fruit flavored crystals to add to water to make a fruit flavored drink. The packets are very flavorful and contain, lemon, lemon oil, cane sugar, stevia, natural flavor and vegetable juice for color.  Are they healthy or unhealthy? I'm kind of neutral on the decision. 

The packets do contain a tad of sugar but have only 10 calories per packet, so there is not even a teaspoon of sugar in a full packet. I used 1 packet to make 8 individual parfaits.  

 You could substitute maple syrup especially for breakfast.

After all how many people eat pancakes with sweet syrup. 

I'll let you choose. I've adapted the recipe so you can choose your sweetener of choice. If maple syrup seems healthier to you, then substitute maple syrup for the little packet of naturally flavored sweetener. DONE!

I used the packet. It was bursting with fruit flavor, very low in sugar, and worked perfectly. I served it as dessert. If I want it as breakfast, I will use maple syrup or no sweetener at all. 

Ingredients: 

4 cups of chopped or sliced organic apples with skin

1.5 cups of water 

2 tablespoons of non-GMO cornstarch dissolved in 1 cup of warm water

1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice

1 cup of blueberries (fresh or frozen)

1 packet of True Lemon or 1/4 cup of maple syrup

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger 

1/2 cup of chopped walnuts

1 cup of nut creamer divided between 8 parfaits

Topping: 

2 cups of gluten-free rolled oats

1 cup of unsweetened applesauce 

Mix together applesauce into the oats to moisten and set aside.

Filling: 

Mix corn starch and 1 cup of warm water and set aside. Add chopped apple and 1.5 water to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and then simmer. Add corn starch mixture and stir well. Add lemon juice and continue to stir. When mixture begins to thicken, the True Lemon flavored packet, cinnamon, ginger, and walnuts. 

Put a teaspoon of topping on the bottom of a glass. Add some filling, some topping and end with filling. 

Pour 1tablespoon or more of nut creamer over each dessert. 

Enjoy this delightful apple berry cream parfait that is easy to make and extremely tasty. It's made with fresh fruit, nuts. oatmeal, and almond cream

Notes: 

1. I get the box of packets on Amazon or at my local supermarket. Beware that they have an energy version as well which contains caffeine from green tea.

2.  This is a vegan dessert. I use the BetterHalf  creamer which is made from coconut cream and almond milk. It is certified vegan, gluten-free, kosher, nonGMO and has 15 calories for 2 Tablespoons and tastes creamy and delicious. I get it at Whole Foods or some local supermarkets in the refrigerator case. 

3. The True Lemon Packets are kosher, gluten-free, and non GMO.