Turkey Burgers

I forgot how much I (and the whole family) enjoy homemade Turkey Burgers until I made them again to get these wonderful pictures! Yum!! Our three year old cleaned his plate, I huge win for protein. 

Personally I like to double or triple the recipe and freeze the add ins for later use. I'm all about saving time and energy. =))  Pull the mixture out of the freezer, thaw and add to your ground turkey. Yeah, dinner is ready in a flash!

This is also the only recipe that I regularly use my Lean Mean Grilling Machine, since these DO NOT do well on a regular grill. Way too soft! This recipe gives instructions for stove top cooking. 

Turkey Burgers Recipe (Adapted from Whole Food Bible):

1/4 cup minced onion
3/4 cups coarsely ground oatmeal (put oatmeal in a blender and pulse until the oatmeal is the consistency of bread crumbs)
1 egg
1/4 cup minced celery
1/4 cup milk or soy mild or stock 
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 clove of minced garlic
3 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 pounds ground organic free-range turkey

Mix all the ingredients except ground turkey well in blender. Add mixture to ground turkey and stir throughly. Form into 1 inch thick patties and place in a lightly oiled skillet. Cook the burgers over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until browned and crispy. Flip the burgers carefully (they are quite soft) and cook for 5 minutes longer, or until golden brown. Serve the burgers hot. 

To Your Health, 
Bretta

Smoothie Pancakes

I promise to add pictures asap but I want to start putting this on now. The sooner you start making these the happier a person you'll be. You'll forgive the photo digression eventually. 

Smoothie Pancakes are far and above my favorite thing to make for the family. They are the easiest way to ‘sneak’ in veggies and other healthy foods while still appealing to the crowd. 

They are a great way to introduce your kids to different colored foods; green, purple, and yellow in natural ways which will make their appearance later less off-putting. The possibilities are literally endless and your creativity is your only limit. Here is a basic recipe from which to start.

2 very large handfuls spinach
1 1/2 cup oats (old fashioned rolled, not quick cooking)
1 cup milk (add more to desired thinness)
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon of baking powder
2 large eggs or 3 small eggs
10 almonds
1 frozen banana (fresh is fine, frozen is just more likely in my house)
1/2 tablespoon oil
pinch of sea salt
cinnamon to taste

Throw all ingredients in blender - the better your blender, the better!
Cook on hot skillet or griddle as you would traditional pancakes.

Topping suggestions: syrup (the real, pure, maple sort, in moderation of course), honey (raw, local), fruit spread, fruit salsa, regular salsa, lemon curd.
We put a fried egg on top for anyone in the mood and occasionally serve with a breakfast meat.

Alternative ingredient ideas that actually work~
Spinach: Kale, Chard, Brussels Sprouts
Oil: Coconut oil, flax seeds
Milk: any milk substitute works including yogurt
Almonds: any nut
Additions: Apples (quartered with peel and core)
Blueberries, raspberries, cherries
 
Once the family is used to the change from traditional pancakes you can  stir in some corn, peas, cocoa nibs, hemp seeds, or whatever other superfood of the moment floats your boat. 
 
You get the idea; the possibilities are endless.