Happy Monday! Yeah, yeah, yeah…I know 🙂 But I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! 😀
A quick “Hello!” from Lily! If that wrinkly face doesn’t brighten your Monday morning…you need more coffee! 😉
Tina over at Carrots ‘N’ Cake posted this picture yesterday…how cool is this! I want to borrow this idea and put this in my house! 🙂
Sums me up perfectly! I’ll run it past Mr. Prevention…
And a weekend isn’t a weekend without some serious sweat and tears in the kitchen. Those blasted decadent leftover truffles are going to WORK today! That is the only way to PREVENT me from inhaling them all!
And in addition to those truffles, I tried out 2 other new recipes! Both are deeeelic-e-oh-so! I also made MY Coconut-Almond (Kind) bars for the weeks…mmm!
PB & J Banana Bread from Healthy Food for Living and slightly adapted from Lucky Taste Buds
Yield: 12 slices
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp salt
1/4 cup NuNaturals Stevia Baking Blend (or other sweetener of your choice — I used Splenda Granular)
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 Tbsp ground flaxseed meal mixed with 4 Tbsp water or 2 eggs, lightly whisked (I used eggs)
1 cup all-natural smooth or chunky peanut butter (I used Krema smooth and chunky)
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 medium banana, mashed
2 Tbsp canola oil
1/3 cup jam of your choice (I used pomegranate – yum!)
Directions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a loaf pan with canola oil cooking spray. Line the prepared pan with parchment paper.
Stir together dry ingredients (flour through baking powder) in a large bowl.
Combine wet ingredients (milk through canola oil) in a medium bowl. Pour wet ingredients into dry and combine until just moistened. Pour one half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spread a layer of jam over the top of the batter. Pour the remaining batter on top of the jam.
Bake in oven for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of bread comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then remove the loaf with the parchment paper (this allows for easier cutting). Let cool another 10 minutes or so before slicing and devouring.
Nutrition Information (per slice): 260 calories*; 14 g. fat; 36 mg. cholesterol; 121 mg. sodium; 26.6 g. carbohydrate; 3.8 g. fiber; 9.8 g. protein
*While this bread is higher in calories it is high in healthy mono and polyunsaturated fat, low in sodium, and contains a generous 9.8 grams of protein per slice. This bread is much more filling than most breads (thanks to the fat, protein, and fiber!) and will make a great breakfast along side a piece of fruit.
And yes, we’re celebrating Mardi Gras a little late with this meal. But, better late than never! And besides, I am always a sucker for spiccccy jambalaya!
Forgotten Jambalaya adapted from Taste of Home
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef or chicken broth
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
2 medium green peppers, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
3 celery ribs, chopped
5 garlic cloves, minced
3 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
2 teaspoons dried basil
1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1-1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon 1 Tbsp hot pepper sauce
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 pound 14 ounces turkey smoked sausage, halved and cut into 1/4-inch slices
1/2 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 cups dry brown rice, prepared
Directions:
In a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the tomatoes, broth and tomato paste. Stir in the green peppers, onion, celery, garlic and seasonings. Stir in chicken and sausage.
Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until chicken is tender. Stir in shrimp. Cover and cook 15-30 minutes longer or until shrimp turn pink. Serve with rice.
Yield: 11 servings.
Nutrition Information (per serving): 349 calories; 6.2 g. fat; 56 mg. cholesterol; 519 mg. sodium; 33.4 g. carbohydrate; 4.3 g. fiber; 23.8 g. protein
Question: Do you like something in your water to jazz it up?
Pretty clearly, I am on a citrus kick…and I think it’s helping me fight whatever my body’s trying to fight off! 😀
Have a wonderful & healthy week!
I need to remember to add more lemon and lime to my water– I think it’d help me drink more!
You KNOW I love that jambalaya!! Yum!
oooo what a great meal!
girl feel better and rest up!
Great thing you are getting the truffles out of the house. Those are very hard to live with! Love jambalaya…such a warming, satisfying, filled with flavor meal. Citrus is great in the drinky….just dedicated a post to it!
Lemon water is awesome but the best flavored water I’ve ever had floated chunks of watermelon in it. It wasn’t overpowering like anything artificially watermelon flavored. It was light and sooo refreshing! I love to do it in summer when they’re in season.
I don’t really like watermelon, but I would love to try this with honeydew or cantaloupe!
Lily is SO cute. I like cucumbers in my water….it’s so fresh tasting!
That PB&J bread is such a cool idea! I’d love to see a picture of it sliced.
I’m usually okay with plain water, but sometimes it’s nice to flavor it up with some lemon.
I like cucumbers in my water… it reminds me of being in a spa 🙂
Awww….that picture definitely made my Monday. 🙂
Actually, I never really put anything in my water (except for when I’m at a restaurant – ALWAYS a lemon, please!). I’d love to try cucumbers, though – that sounds refreshing.
Good morning to Lily and you of course. I am looking forward to trying your Jambalaya recipe.
PB & J Banana Bread sounds yummy and the jambalaya is excellent, sounds good with the turkey smoked sausage!
PB&J bread sounds right up my alley! Sometimes I use lemon or lime in my water, but sometimes I also like to experiment with cucumber. I had this at a restaurant before and it’s delicious. Just put a few slices of raw cucumber and let it steep in the water…gives it a nice subtle taste.
LILY! what a cutie. gotta love that underbite lol. omg that is the best poster ever, must have! although i don’t drink much coffee anymore, so i’d insert a diff drink ;). wow that pb&j banana bread sounds like an amazing breakfast treat, i’m bookmarking this blog for future recipe use!
I like Jambalaya but non of the cajun resturants here in Houston have a vegetarian Jamb..
Nice & delicious bars…Nice pics too
The PB and J banana bread looks awesome. That sounds soooo good and a perfect combo. Gotta rock the jambalya too. As for water, if it is bubbly water then I like lime or lemon in it.
mmMM PB&J bread is right up my alley! I love that combination. The jambalaya looks amazing too! Thanks! I can drink my water plain but sometimes I like squeezing oranges, cucumbers and mint into mine. Kind of mixes it up a bit! Have a great day!
ahhh nicole you made my Pb&j bread!! I am SO freakin’ honored and I’m so glad that it get a thumbs up from you in terms of flavor and nutrition. 🙂 This seriously makes my day!
It was delicious! I had a slice this morning with a banana and I was full from 6 to 1!!! Awesome recipe!
Lily didn’t brighten my morning!
The PB and J bread looks great!
I always love lemon in my water. I have always wanted to try adding orange slices to my water but always forget about it.
I meant to say she DID brighten my morning!! Haha, sorry.
Wow that’s a good amount of protein in the bread! I love that in carby foods because it’s so much more filling and satisfying then.
Oh, I hope you’re not getting sick! All of those recipes look delish! I’m usually a plain jane kinda girl when it comes to water. Although, I do love sparkling water.
I love to add lemon or lime to my water! There is no need to buy pricey flavored water when I can do it myself! Happy Monday! 🙂
Lily’s face is too cute for words!! Girl, you have some awesome recipes going on this post!! That bread looks and sounds incredible!! 🙂
Love the jumbalaya! Hubby doesn’t do spice, and without it, it’s not worth it!
Happy Monday back! 😀
Your dog is adorable! I cannot make sweets and goodies, they will be gone before I blink. I drink my H2O plain, out of the tap, and absolutely LOVE it!
I LOVE citrus fruits in my water, especially lime. I also like it in my vodka water. 😉
Lily is so cute!
I actually prefer my water plain. Whenever a restaurant puts a lemon in, I take it out.
I have to have lemon in my water. It’s an odd but I don’t like water unless it has lemon.
I want some spicy Jambalaya with the PB&J Banana Bread to follow…Please?!
Aww, Lily is adorable…she definitely brightened my day! 🙂 PB&J Banana Bread sounds incredible! A little citrus in water is delish…so are fresh berries…yum!
That pb+j banana bread sounds yummy.
I add lemon juice to my water, I’m a big citrus fan, and I think its so much more refreshing that way.
Love me some jambalaya and the hotter the better. If I’m at a bar/rest. I’ll ask for lemon in my water but don’t bother with it at home.
Aww, hello Lily! 😀 You’re so adorable!
I always have to bring my leftover treats to school or to friends so I don’t eat them all. It’s the curse of being such a good baker 😛
Sometimes I like to put cucumber in my water to flavor it, but usually I just drink it straight up!
AWWWW LILY!!!!!! she is so cute!!!! That Jambalaya looks freaking amazing!!!!!
I’ve been craving hearty dishes like that Jambalaya all day!! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
I get on a citrus kick also! It’s always refreshing (and good for you!) to add some lemon to your water : )
xo
Jocelyn
The PB&J bread looks delicious! And Lilian is as cute as ever 🙂
My mom always texts me pictures of my bully at home–he surely does make the day a bit brighter 🙂
Wow, you sure were busy baking away this weekend! Wish I would have had some time to bake something–you can always send some more of those truffles my way hehe!
YUM!! I love jambalaya. Whenever it’s on a menu, I order it. I especially love it when it’s nice and spicy. The more spicy, the better. You’ve been such a chef lately!
As for my water, I don’t like it jazzed up, just plain. Like my coffee, I don’t like it jazzed up either. I’m boring!
mMM jambalaya!! i need to make me a vegan version soon…i never got any during mardi gras! theres just something about tomatoe-y rice that is just soo darn good…my fav is with some red beans yummmmerz haha im dreaming bout food and i just had lunch hehe
-Lena
Aww, Lily is so cute! PBandJ banana bread is such a great idea – yum! And I just bought stuff to make Jambalaya 🙂
I always find the water thing funny – I never like lemon in water, but there’s a Thai restaurant I go to that makes the best water – they will do mixes of fruits – apples, oranges, mint, cucumber, lemon, etc. It will only be two or three of those – but it always makes the water so refreshing – so plain lemon no thanks, but a nice mixed infused water – definitely!