Category Archives: Oatmeal

Recipe: Coconut Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

July 10, 2012

Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men.

~ Goethe

Well it is officially summer here in Vancouver. After a long spring, and many, many cold & wet & rainy days, the temperatures here are now warm again! I thought it would never come, but it did!

And oh, how sweet it is. One can hear many times the words of those who live and love in this dear part of the world. The words that forgive the endless days of rain and cold to be grateful to live in such a stunningly beautiful place.

It’s a good life.

I am one lucky girl.

Today’s recipe comes from an ingenious idea for a salad that captured my attention here at Sprouted Kitchen. I was so intrigued at the idea of cooking quinoa with coconut milk that I knew I had to try it.

But instead of salad, something about the combo said breakfast to me the day I read it (likely thanks to the long run the day before), and so with that, I went to work that very day.

Coconut is a vegan favorite, prized for richness and flavor that fills the gap when other things just won’t. I used full fat coconut milk for this (I use full fat everything or nothing at all) and the result was gloriously rich and satisfying, not to mention loaded with healthy fats to provide long burning fuel all day.

It was dreamy. So whether you are celebrating summer or the start of winter where you are, rest knowing you can be taken away to a delicious dream like state with a mere heavenly recipe. I hope you like this one. I sure did!

The Less:

Less boxed, packaged convenience cereal means more whole grain, whole fibre goodness. Less refined sugar and carbs means less sugar spikes and crashes. Less boredom at breakfast time means more looking forward to morning, because kitchens are delightful at the start of the day too :)

The More:

More fuel at the start of your day means less likelihood to crash later. More whole grain and high protein quinoa means more high nutrition for less cost. More creative vegan options means eating lighter can be easy, without worry about calories or content.

Coconut Quinoa Breakfast Bowl:

  • (1) cup quinoa
  • (1) cup coconut milk
  • (1) cup cold water
  • (1/8) tsp salt

Add per serving:

  • (3) tbsp shredded coconut
  • (1) tbsp brown sugar or maple syrup to taste
  • (1/4) cup fresh blueberries
  • (5-6) fresh cherries, halved and pitted
  • (3-4) chopped pitted dates (optional)
  • (1/4) cup plain yoghurt (optional)

Combine the coconut milk, quinoa, water, and salt in a medium saucepan and stir to combine. Bring to a boil on medium-high heat with the lid on, once it boils, turn the heat to low, and cook (covered) for 25 minutes.

Once the quinoa is cooked and all the water is absorbed, remove from the heat and fluff with a fork inside the pan.

To serve, scoop one cup of the coconut quinoa into a bowl, add the brown sugar (or maple syrup), and stir. Top with coconut, fruit, and optional dates and yoghurt. Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy!

Local summer fruits are abundant here now and I know there are many of you who (like me) revel in the beauty and taste of fresh stone fruits and ripe sweet berries.

I wish the world over could enjoy them with me this time of year, and I am always grateful for each morsel.

One becomes older in order to become kinder.

~ Goethe

I always imagine the long hours it took for whomever picked my fruit to do it. It is fun to go for an hour or two, but could you do it all day? It’s tough out there in the hot sun. I try not to waste even one if I can help it.

This bowl came courtesy of the ‘leftover’ runt cherries my daughter didn’t eat.

They sure were the stars of this dish. Her loss.

Nothing should be prized more highly than the value of each day.

~ Goethe

To all of you who left me comments on my last post – thank you – I am looking forward to catching up on my blog reading and friendships this week!

You know how much I adore hearing from each and every one of you, and it was wonderful to see that some of started rolling right away!

  • What is your favorite way to eat quinoa?
  • Have you enjoyed it for breakfast too?
  • Are you a fan of coconut like me?

This new way to enjoy one of my favorite nutritious grains will now be added to the permanent rotation of hot hearty breakfasts here at the world IPOM headquarters (just writing that makes me laugh – sorry I can’t help it!). You can also find this recipe submitted as part of Healthy Vegan Fridays.

I felt pretty amazing the day I ate this combo ~ almost as good as I feel knowing summer really has come for good here.

It’s a good thing! A very, very, good thing :)

Yours in Less,

103 Comments

Filed under Cooking, Food, Gluten Free, Oatmeal, Photography, Recipes, Rich & Simple, Sweet Treats, Vegan, Vegetarian

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Recipe: Superfood Chocolate Chip Cookies & Guest Posting!

June 15, 2012

Why fit in when you were born to stand out?

~ Dr. Seuss

Welcome to a special 2 Post Friday here at IPOM! Holla! *So much fun*

Another link at the end of this post too!

Today I’ve got a guest post up at Cara’s amazing blog, Fork and Beans.

If you’ve never had a chance to visit her before now, I highly suggest you do after I tempt you with these delicious cookies (the link is up at the end of the post too!).

Today’s recipe, here at IPOM, is Carla’s favorite homemade cookie recipe, the one given to her on her wedding day in a family cookbook.

This version is slightly updated and it incorporates a few of our latest favorite super foods.

It is super. For reals.

I’ve also got to thank you readers for your responses and messages regarding the last post about Chris and Carla – if you liked what you read then be sure to keep up with us as we share more and more…it is only just beginning!

Now for the cookies…

Cocoa nibs are a nutritional wonder finding their way into yummy treats all over the blogosphere. You can enjoy them in granola, or these raw cookies.

But today – they team up with chocolate chips for an extra hit of rich sweet goodness!

Look for cocoa nibs online or in most health food stores these days. They aren’t cheap, but a little goes a long way.

Hemp hearts are one of my all time favorites.

Grown here in Canada (you’ve got to love local), they are loaded with healthy fats and protein that fill you up and keep on giving well into the end of your day.

I am a giant fan of enjoying them in the morning, they provide fuel for an evening run or workout that is amazing, and did I mention just a few tablespoons keep you satisfied for hours too? Pretty killer.

The Less:

Less hydrogenated fats and oil mean less hard to identify compounds for your body. Less store bought treats means less packaging, waste, and preservatives. Less reliance on outside sources for snacks and goodies means more ways to make life simply delicious. Especially when it is this super-charged.

The More:

More superfood ingredients means more super-charged nutrition. More pure easy ingredients means more goodness that’s easily at hand. More homemade chocolatey treats means more tasty ways to share blessings, so you can spread thankfulness for today :)

Superfood Chocolate Chip Cookies:

Cream Together:

  • (1/2) cup brown sugar
  • (1) cup butter (at room temperature)

Wet:

  • (2) eggs
  • (2) tsp vanilla extract
  • (2) tbsp milk

Dry:

  • (1) cup whole wheat flour
  • (1) cup white flour
  • (1) tsp baking soda
  • (1) tsp baking powder
  • (1) tsp salt
  • (1/2) tsp salt
  • (2) cups oatmeal
  • (1) cup shredded coconut
  • (1) cup hemp hearts (sub 1 more cup coconut of you don’t have these)
  • (2) cups chocolate chips
  • (1) cup cocoa nibs (sub 1 more cup chocolate chips if you don’t have these)

Start by heating the oven to 350 degrees.

Cream together the butter and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the wet ingredients and stir to combine.

Combine the dry ingredients in another mixing bowl and add to the wet ingredient bowl in batches, stirring in between to incorporate. Get in there with your hands!

Shape your cookies and set on a flat un-oiled cookie sheet. No need to press these down as they will make a lovely ‘cake-like’ cookie (like my mom used to make).

Bake for 8 minutes. Once ready, remove from the oven and let sit on the hot dry another 5 minutes before removing to cool on a wire rack.

Pack up in your favorite tin and share, share, share!

This recipe does make a rather large batch of cookies. Of course, you could halve the recipe though I am sure the large batch size is for a reason ~ for sharing!

After all, who in your life could use a little thank you? Got a friend, co-worker, neighbour that likes cookies? I bet you do! Accountant, boss, arch enemy? No one could say no to a home baked cookie.*

*(unless you could)

There is no delight in owning anything unshared.

~ Seneca

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.

~ Winston S. Churchill

The world is what YOU think of it, so think of it DIFFERENTLY and your life will change.

~ Paul Arden, Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite

Consider this the official invite..

I’ll be busy planning an extra special dinner with some very special friends next weekend. I’ll be sure to update you all very soon on that one!

  • What is your favorite cookie recipe?
  • Anyone in your life that could use a little thank you?

I am so happy to share Carla’s favorite way to perk the office up with you today, we are always thankful for home baked treats!

Let us know your thoughts, and as always giant thanks to all for reading!

Make sure to come see us at Fork and Beans and meet Cara, you’ll be so happy you did, and thanks again to Cara for hosting me today!

Yours in Less,

52 Comments

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Recipe: Coconut Maple Granola with Cocoa Nibs & Love

March 10, 2012

Oh heavens! (Take 2)

When the sun came out this week I knew it would bring with it good things. Boy, was I in for a pleasant surprise!

I think it’s safe to say I was stunned, delighted, and totally honored to be Freshly Pressed by WordPress this week!

(Thank you WordPress!)

These things often happen when you ‘don’t feel ready’ as there are a few changes/additions I had been planning for this blog, but as it always goes…..you just go with it!

A favorite quote of mine from a Paul Arden book says:

So in that vein, I ‘fixed up’ a Facebook page for IPOM that you can like (or I hope you will!) it’s here, or just to the right on the sidebar – thanks so much!

I am beyond thrilled to meet all of my new (and fabulous) IPOM readers and continue to share the journey with all of you – thank you for joining me in my pursuit of finding more with (just a little) less, and a most hearty welcome!

Now let’s get going….shall we?

Love is the light. Forward is the motion.

~ Unknown

Granola is a favorite of mine.

Not in the hippie-patchouli-incense way either (though all of those things are lovingly fixed squarely in my DNA)…but the yummy, nutty, clean eating breakfast way!

Real Vanilla Extract, Real Coarse Sea Salt, Real Maple Syrup.

I love to grocery shop. I love markets, and I love color. A good grocery store is my happy place, always has been.

I avoid the center aisles as much as possible (save for pasta, pasta sauce, and boxed snacks for my cracker loving 8 year old), and this means the cereal aisle.

My dad joked to me years ago as a child that the cardboard box processed cereal comes in had more nutritional value than the sugary refined ‘dessert’ the box contained. I am sure there could be (just a little) truth to that – but regardless, I avoid food from a box as much as possible in favor of inexpensive bulk staples and fresh, colorful, inspiring foods…because (IMO) it’s just better.

One of those cheap staples is oats. Enter an easy, convenient, delicious alternative to bagged granola and boxed cereals.

This real granola is made with 100% clean, 100% natural, and 100% accessible ingredients.

You won’t feel too full after eating this, as you don’t need a lot (a little goes a long way). It’s chewy (great for mindful eating), and you don’t want to rush this, it’s just that good…….and I promise, your whole family will love it!

The Less:

Less oil means a granola with (just a little) less weight. Less sticking from no oil means a little more crunch. Less sugary refined breakfast cereals means less wasteful packages, never mind cost. Less ingredients and less steps means less time in the kitchen, so you can spend more time doing what you love.

The More:

More hearty grains, seeds, and nuts in your day means less craving for satisfaction elsewhere. More found in nature sugars means cravings for sweets will feel good (as it should!). More prepared goodness in the kitchen means more heart in the home, and there’s nothing ‘granola’ about that.

Coconut Maple Granola with Cocoa Nibs & Love

Adapted from the Silver Hills cookbook, 1996

  • (4) cups slow oats
  • (1/2) cup shredded coconut
  • (1/2) cup slivered raw almonds
  • (1/2) cup raw sunflower seeds
  • (1/2) cup raw pumpkin seeds
  • (1/2) cup cocoa nibs (optional)
  • (1/2) tsp salt
  • (1/2) cup real maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp real vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Combine all dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Add vanilla and maple syrup and mix well with your hands – don’t be shy!

Bake in a deep baking pan (you can also use a cookie sheet) and bake about one hour, or until dry. Make sure to mix the mixture a few times while it cooks to prevent burning and promote even cooking.

Serve with cold milk or yoghurt, and some added hemp seeds, cranberries (as shown) or with any other real ingredient you desire. This will keep in a container or glass jar indefinitely and the recipe can easily be doubled – and you’ll likely be making it often!

“The world is what YOU think of it, so think of it DIFFERENTLY and your life will change.”

~ Paul Arden, Whatever You Think, Think The Opposite

I hope you are all starting a fabulous weekend full of wonderful plans.

As for me, I’m off to arrange (finally) the kids artwork for easy viewing and storage….as these kids grow I am keenly aware that these memories are precious, so it’s a huge priority right now to honor and keep them well so they will be with us in our home forever….even if my little babies won’t.

  • What’s your happy place?
  • Is there a project you’ve delayed because you’re just not ready?

There’s just no time like right now to take action…I guess it’s all how you choose you look at it!

Yours in Less,

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Recipe: Superfood Coconut Energy Cookies

March 8, 2012

We’re fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance.

~ Japanese Proverb

Anyone out there tried making almond milk yet with any great success?

I’ve been swooning over it myself these days (and so has the teenager!) and have looked forward to coming up with new ways to use up the pulp (I’ve now finished the last batch of ice cream).

Here is the latest go with a use for almond pulp, and my, its yummy! No need for anything other than the ingredients, a bowl, your clean hands, and a good song!

The Less:

Less waste, less sugar, less sweetened, baked treats. Less packaging from making almond milk. Less cooking means less energy, and less appliances means less time spent on clean up :) Less wondering what to do with this superfood stuff!

The More:

More seriously potent fiber from hemp hearts and cocoa nibs. Lots of good energy, protein, and yummy healthy fats too. More dancing if you make them like we make them (we dance a lot).

Superfood Coconut Energy Cookies:

  • almond pulp from one recipe Mindful Almond Milk (about 3/4 cup)
  • (2) cups shredded unsweetened coconut (you can roast a small portion of you like)
  • (3) tbsp almond or any nut butter
  • (1/2) cup hemp hearts
  • (2) tbsp maple syrup
  • (1) cup quick oats
  • (1/4-1/2) cup cocoa nibs (you can also sub in teeny tiny chocolate chips or a roasted ground nuts)

It’s simple really..

Mix all together with your hands – form into little cookie shapes no bigger than two inches in diameter. Feel free to play with amounts until you reach a firm texture that will mold and hold shape well.

Voila! Keep in the fridge – I took these into work and they totally vanished (if you want any maybe don’t do that)…these little treats are two bit perfection as a little snack or a treat – you could even snag them for a quick breakfast.

This is a move you could try. Or not.

You can dance anywhere, even if only in your heart.

~ Author Unknown

Let us know what you think (and how you are, will you?!)

  • Do you dance in the kitchen?
  • What are you dancing to this week?

Next post, more oats…

Have a wonderful day!

Yours in Less,

42 Comments

Filed under Cooking, Nut Recipes, Oatmeal, Raw, Recipes, Rich & Simple, Sweet Treats, Uncategorized, Vegan, Vegetarian

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Finding More in Tofino. And (just a little) oatmeal.

February 13, 2012

Finding more in just a little less busy-ness. We spent the weekend away. It was quiet, it was relaxed, it was oh so needed! (We spent the weekend in beautiful Tofino).

The Less:

This week I felt great during my fast. I thought a lot about clutter and how I can really streamline things and get rid of a lot of junk. Now I’m home and feeling inspired to organize and tackle a few big home projects I have been putting off (time to clean out that garage). Being away does wonders for the mind. I disconnected. Less clutter and less noise meant more much needed sleep and quiet time.

The More:

Delicious and satisfying oatmeal provides more energy, more stability, and more gounding than many other breakfast foods:) I always find fasting on a vacation travel day superb…no driving stress or routine demands. Just music, the sounds of my family, fresh hydrating water, and best of all, my husband doing the driving! Bliss. More relaxing, more family time, more peace of mind!

Here is how I found more this week with glorious healthy oatmeal:

Apple Oatmeal:

  • 1 cup quick oats
  • 1.5 cups water
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 apple, peeled and chopped
  • a few generous dollops of fresh Cashew Cream
  • nuts and currants for the top
  • Cinnamon and brown sugar or maple syrup (optional)

Combine oats, water, apples, and salt and bring to a light boil. Turn the heat down. Cook, 8-10 minutes on medium low with the lid on until the apples are soft.

Serve, topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon, Cashew Cream, toasted nuts, and currants. Add extra sweetener if you like.

This is fiber-rich, super-inexpensive, and wonderfully satisfying in the morning!

I sometimes call it endless oatmeal, there is no need to specify servings here as leftovers can go right in the fridge. The next day, simply add more water, more apple, more whatever and heat up again! It never ends and there are so many different ways to enjoy it. I like to use soft or slightly wrinkled apples – It’s economical and makes me feel good not to waste (I am very picky about fresh apples).

I am feeling rather invigorated after a mellow weekend catching up on sleep and fresh air with friends and family. Amen.

I’ll start planning the impending spring clean this week. I just want to enjoy this feeling a little longer…

  • Are you feeling cluttered in life?
  • What are some things you could do to get rid of?
  • What brings you peace of mind?

I’d love to know.

Yours in Less,

_


8 Comments

Filed under Cashews, Cheap, Children, Cooking, Family, Fasting, Happiness, Inspiration, Nut Recipes, Oatmeal, Photography, Recipes, Rejuvenation, Travel, Vegan, Vegetarian

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