Smart Fart Granola

So last weekend I realized that I would be extremely busy this week. Between group presentations, training for a run, being nice and cooking for others, a show on thursday night (which was really fun), and pulling a concert out of my ass on Friday, my food blog seemed really trivial. Although, last weekend I was smart enough to "check myself, lest I wreck myself," and make food ahead for the week.

Story behind the name is this: My mother comes up with the funniest things on the planet sometimes. You know Smart Start Cereal? Well, it makes you pretty gassy--all good cereals do! Thats how you know it works! But be careful, if you don't usually eat a lot of fiber, and you start downing granola as easily as I have, your body can have a more gaseous reaction than you want. It is okay to slowly introduce it into your system, but try not to eat it twice a day at first.

For nutrition factor, the big one here is fiber and all the health benefits from whatever nuts you decide to put in it! Also, the antioxidant power of dried cherries and nutrients from raisins will give you a super-boost. I felt bad about the stick of butter though, so if you want, do half a stick of butter and 5 Tbls vegetable oil. Also, if you want to use ALL honey instead of honey and brown sugar, that is an option. (Try using Agave nectar too. I need to get me some of that, but it is expensive).

Which reminds me, this is a pretty expensive thing to make but here are some tips:

-Buy your dried fruits and nuts at Trader Joes (so much cheaper) 

-Buy store brand oats 

-Buy the cheapest honey (honey is honey no matter what, but the taste usually gets better as the price goes up. Don't be fooled by a neat package!)

-If you can't find wheat germ (like me) use something like "Scottish oats" I found those at the "Greenwise" section at Publix.

Smart Fart Granola

4 c rolled oats

1-2 c chopped walnuts

1 c sliced almonds

1 c wheat germ or Scottish Oats

1-2 c dried fruits (I like cherries, craisins and raisins)

3/4 c sunflower seeds

For the stick stuff:

1 stick unsalted butter (or half oil-half butter)

1/2 c honey or agave

1/3 c brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp almond extract

cinnamon + whatever spices you like!

1. Put first 6 ingredients into a LARGE mixing bowl. Preheat oven to 400.

2. In a small saucepan, melt butter, sugar and honey together. Add the vanilla, almond extract and spices. Let it come to a boil and stir constantly for about 3 minutes. (mixture should look like the beginning stage of caramel)

3. Pour mixture over oats and stir well. Place on a greased or lined cookie sheet and press the mixture down tight. Bake for 10 minutes only--mixture will not be browned. Let it cool for 15 minutes. (when I took my granola out, only the edges and top of the mixture was clumped. So if you want more clumps, take out the already made clumps, repress the mixture into the pan, and have a second go. 10 minutes in the oven, then 15 cooling) Repeat if necessary, but try not to cook the fruit, it gets a bit hard and gross!

4. Eat with yogurt or milk, or on its own!

Spinach and Feta Frittata

My new go-to meal is the Frittata. I usually make it when I have forgotten to thaw out a protein for dinner or lunch.

It is pretty simple to make, and you can customize it however you like! Chopped ham would be yummy too!
I added spinach for its nutrients and flavor. Spinach, along with those fruits and veggies high in Vitamin A like carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, mangoes, guavas, kale, and pumpkin, are excellent for people with acne. As David Grotto states in his book 101 Optimal Life Foods, "Six to nine servings of fruits and vegetables a day will keep acne away. These same vegetables also support your liver's detoxification ability" (25).

                          

Spinach and Feta Frittata

6 eggs

3/4 package frozen chopped spinach

1/4 c milk

1/2 medium onion

1 clove garlic

Feta cheese

salt & pepper

1. Chop the garlic. Sprinkle with salt and mash with the side of your knife to make a paste. Slice the onion. In a small pan, sautee onions with salt, pepper, and olive oil on medium heat. As the onions start to get softer and brown, add a splash of water. Do this every couple of minutes until you get the consistency that you want (I made them soft, easy to cut with a fork). Then add in garlic paste to slightly cook it.

2. Thaw the spinach in the microwave (about 6 minutes) then place in a couple paper towels and squeeze it until most of the excess moisture is out. Meanwhile, heat a large, oven-proof pan on medium and turn on your oven broiler to a high setting (about 425). In a bowl, crack the eggs and whisk with milk. 

3. Thoroughly spray the pan with cooking spray. Add the onions and spinach to the egg mixture, season with salt and pepper, then pour into the pan. Using a rubber spatula, stir the eggs around a bit until they start to set. Turn down the heat a little bit as not to brown the bottom. Run the spatula around the edge of the frittata as it is cooking so it does not stick.

4. Let the frittata cook on the stove until most of the eggs are set. Place pan under the broiler until all eggs are cooked. Slice into thirds and top with Feta cheese.

(good for breakfast, lunch, or dinner)

Funds

eggs= 1.59 carton =.79 (for 6 eggs)

feta= about 3-5

half onion=.74

Total Tally= $3.00* (for whole frittata)

*prices based on individual ingredients, not the whole package they come in.

Breakfast of Champions

(courtesy of my father)
When I was little, many Saturday mornings were full of excitement as my father got ready for his tennis match (my mother played too, but she never took it as seriously as my father did, I don't think). I remember standing at the kitchen peninsula on countless sunny summer mornings watching my dad make what he liked to call "Breakfast of Champions."

I'm sure my parents will argue many "Breakfasts of Champions" that they made before going to tennis, but I specifically remember this one. I guess I thought my father was crazy...putting milk, PB, honey, banana and OATMEAL? all in one blender. I had my doubts. "It's just like a peanut butter-banana sandwich, Liv," he argued. Of course, why didn't I think of that.

This breakfast shake probably will fit in your Disgusting (looking) but Delicious category. But it IS quite delicious (if you like all of these ingredients), and the texture--be prepared for something a little chewy; it makes you feel like you're eating an actual breakfast. But you are!

The oatmeal (whole grain carbohydrate) will keep up your energy and maintain your focus throughout the morning because oats are rich in Arginine which helps blood circulation. The peanut butter (natural please!) is high in protein and will keep you going after the oats wear off. It also replaces an egg you may have skipped to have this shake. Honey has many antioxidant properties and also gives you a different kind of energy boost. Milk "helps build strong bones" of course, and the banana...well, the vitamin B6 helps the nervous system in dealing with stress.

Breakfast of Champions, eh?

Breakfast of Champions

1 banana

2-3 Tbls natural peanut butter

1 c milk

sprinkling of oats (3Tbls is plenty)

drizzle of honey (optional)

Funds

banana= .30

Smukers Natural Creamy Peanut Butter= .20 (per serving)

milk =.22

oats= (1.59 for the 18 oz container) so what... 5 cents?

honey= (2.19 for 8 oz) again... 5 cents

Total Tally: $0.82