Avocado Toast =)

I can't take credit for this delicious breakfast or lunch treat....this from the menu of our amazing local coffee shop Java on Sherman! We love eating it at Java and making it on our home turf. 

Avocado Toast Recipe:

2 pieces of whole wheat toast
1 Tablespoon butter
1 avocado
Salt and pepper

Toast bread to a light golden brown and spread generously with butter. Lay slices of avocado over toasted bread then salt and pepper to taste (I love lots of pepper for this recipe!). 

This is a close friend to Grandpa's Favorite Sandwich posted in April by Erin, so you know if must be a hit if both families love it! 

Green Goodness, 
Bretta

Best Sauteed Zucchini!

Now this may not fall under the category of healthy since there is butter and cream, but it sure is tasty and easy to make.  I love all vegetable, for the most part, however zucchini by itself has never made it to the top of my list. (I guess that is why everyone makes zucchini bread with it!!) I can't take any credit for this recipe but it makes the grade to pass along. 

Zucchini Cream & Cilantro Recipe (Bon Appétit  | May 2002)

2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 3/4 pounds zucchini, trimmed, cut into 1/3-inch-thick rounds
4 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1/3 cup whipping cream

Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté 10 seconds. Add zucchini and 2 tablespoons cilantro; sauté until zucchini is crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add cream and simmer until juices thicken slightly, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cilantro.

Yum to butter and cream, 
Bretta

French Toast

I have to agree with Erin that breakfast is one of my favorite meals of the day!! And I know I have the best chance of getting my oldest (a very stubborn 3 year old) to eat something of value. Yes, Erin I will have more to add about picky eaters (including the story of our 24 hour soup stand off). =)) French Toast is a household breakfast staple that has healthy carbs, fat, protein and fruit/veg! What else could you ask for in a meal?


FRENCH TOAST RECIPE:
Quick morning fill‘er up! I love to sneak in a veggie puree to the dip...no one including my husband usually notices! There a ton of cookbooks and recipes out there for "sneaky foods". I use a carrot/squash blend that I pre-make and freeze in advance. I put them in mini-muffin trays then bag for an easy add in!  Pre-made baby food or apple sauce are great to have on hand if you don't want to make your own! I'm all about healthy and quick....I've got things to do like go to the gym and work off that 10 lbs of baby weight that is still hanging on, not slave in the kitchen every waking minute!

3 eggs
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cardamom
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ teaspoon sugar (4-6 drops liquid stevia for no sugar)
1/8 cup milk (soy or coconut also great substitute)
1 Tablespoon cooking oil (coconut oil or butter is our favorite)
4 slices whole wheat bread
Optional: 2 Tablespoons of veggie or fruit puree (baby food or apple sauce work as well)

Crack 3 eggs in a shallow mixing bowl to dip bread into. Add spices, vanilla extract, sugar, milk and puree then mix well with a fork. Heat shallow pan to a medium heat with cooking oil. Dip each slice of bread in egg mixture on each side. Cook until golden brown on each side of the bread (about 4 minutes each side).

Your Heirloom Pantry

Here are some items that I keep on hand and stocked for back up! You might be surprised by a few things you find on the list This IS NOT a list of EVERY pantry essential,  just the ones we use that might be uncommon to your regular grocery list.

o   Good Oils -

·      Olive Oil – Used daily! Salads, low heat cooking,

·      Coconut Oil - Actually a solid until you heat it up. Good for high heat and great flavor!

·      Grapeseed Oil - very good for high heat and no strong flavor. I use instead of potentially GMO canola oils.

o   
    Sea Salt – Lots of wonderful claims of health and minimally processed

o   
    Organic Chicken Broth – Get low sodium and a list of ingredients you can understand!

o   
    Make Your Own ‘box mixes’ for Cakes, Pancakes, and Waffles - More to come on this!

o   
    Fresh Seasonal Fruits and Veggies – Local weekly pick up delivery services from are wonderful for variety and reasonable prices. Look into Community Supported Agriculture in your area.

o   
    Dried Beans – Soak overnight or get the quick soak varity…..

o   
    Canned Organic Beans and Tomatoes  - If you can’t handle dried beans or just love your can opener!

o   
   Good Vinegars -

·      Quality Apple Cider Vinegar – Apparently the cure to every ailment known to mankind and it taste great!

·      Rice Vinegar 

·      Red and White Wine Vinegar – Save the plain vinegar for cleaning and washing!

o   Romano/Parmesan – Fantastic flavor allowing you to use less then a typical cheese

o   
    Honey – Local raw has many wonderful health claims!

o   
    Soy, Almond or Coconut Milk – Wonderful to mix it up in recipes and your gut.

o   
    Butter – Yes, real butter in moderation we believe is much better for you than “plastic” in a plastic tub!

o   
    Yogurt – Greek variety has lots of protein, acts like sour cream and is so good for you in countless ways.

o   
    Liquid Stevia – Wonderful sugar substitute that come from a real plant not manufacture in one!