Monthly Archives: April 2010

red and black and blue all over

blackberry pom

blackberry pom

Red – pomegranates, Black – blackberries, Blue – blue agave, plus a little coconut oil makes it so smooth.  Give it a try and let me know what you think…

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
1/3 C blackberries
1/4 C pomegranate seeds
1 T blue agave
almond milk to taste
1 tsp coconut oil

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl and enjoy this highly nutritious, balanced

and beautiful breakfast!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: If you could be any age again, just for a week, what age would you be?  What would you do?

pineapple pom

I really enjoy this flavor combination.  But then again, in my book, you can only go right if pineapple is involved…

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
1/3 C frozen pomegranate seeds
1/3 C frozen pineapple
1 T brown rice syrup
1 t grapeseed oil
salt to taste

Directions:

Simmer all ingredients in a saucepan over low-medium heat until everything is warm and the flavors have mingled (5 minutes). I like to add a little salt, but that’s a personal preference.  Mix it all in with the oatmeal and enjoy!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Take a moment to think about the air around you, the weight of it, the texture of it, the contents of it.  Is it heavy or light?  Is it still or moving?  Does it have an aroma?  Does it seem different to you when you stop and notice what you’re breathing?  How is it different?

peaches ‘n cream

peaches and cream

peaches and cream

This is just a little twist on an old favorite.  The added vanilla gives the it another level of flavor, while the almond milk gives the creamier texture.  Super yummy and not too sweet.

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
1/3 C peaches
1 T agave
1 t grapeseed oil
1/2 t vanilla
1/4 C milk or cream (I used almond milk)

Directions:

Heat agave and oil in a saucepan.  Add peaches and saute until soft, add vanilla and cook for another minute or so.  Add to bowl with oatmeal and stir in milk.

Om,
Renata

mOMent: I’m just peachy, I’m dandy, I’m swell.  What fun ways do you let the world know that you’re having a great day?  What’s your favorite slang for days like these?

maca magic

maca powder

maca powder

Maca is an herb that is found in South America touted for the adrenal boost that it gives.  This recipe has maca, plus flax and chia which are high in omega three fatty acids.  Add in some tasty macadamia nuts, and how can you go wrong…

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats                                                                                                       1 T maca powder
1 T chia seeds
1/4 C macadamia nuts
1 T flax seeds
2 T agave

Directions

Mix all ingredients together and get ready for the maca magic!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Do you like magic shows?  They say that magic is no more than sleight of hand… what do you think magic is, and what does it mean to you?

birthday best

brown sugar

brown sugar

This is what my husband requested as his om of the day on his special day.  It’s sweet, buttery and yummy!

Ingredients:

2 T maple syrup
1 T brown sugar
1.5 T butter
2-3 T cream
Sprinkle of cinnamon

Directions:  Mix all ingredients in a bowl and wish yourself a happy birthday!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Think back to a birthday that was just perfect.  What made it so wonderful?  Was it the people, places or events?  Or perhaps something different?  How can you bring more of that feeling into your life now?

veganized King Arthur oat bread

cranberry oat bread

cranberry oat bread

This recipe came from the King Arthur website.  I have put my changes in italics.  Overall the recipe was super easy to follow and fabulous to eat.  Something else that I had not done in the past was use a mixer to knead the dough…Wow!  It was so much easier.  Of course, I knew this before, but really if you plan on making bread often I highly recommend investing in a counter-top mixer.  You’ll be glad you did.

Ingredients:

3 cups King Arthur Unbleached Bread Flour
1 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned oats)
2 tablespoons butter or margarine (I used Earth Balance)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons brown sugar or honey (I used brown sugar)
2 teaspoons instant yeast OR 1 packet active dry yeast*
1 1/4 cups lukewarm milk (I used almond milk)
3/4 cup raisins or currants (optional) (I used dried cranberries)

*If you use active dry yeast, dissolve it in the warm milk before combining with the remaining ingredients.

Manual Method: In a large mixing bowl, or in the bowl of an electric mixer, combine all of the ingredients, mixing to form a shaggy dough. Knead dough, by hand (10 minutes) or by machine (5 minutes) till it’s smooth. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover and allow it to rest for 1 hour; it’ll become quite puffy, though it may not double in bulk. Shape as directed below.

Bread Machine Method: Place all of the ingredients (except the fruit) into the pan of your machine, program machine for manual or dough, and press Start. About 10 minutes before the end of the second kneading cycle, check dough and adjust its consistency as necessary with additional flour or water; finished dough should be soft and supple. Add the raisins or currants about 3 minutes before the end of the final kneading cycle. Shape as directed below.

Shaping: Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled surface, and shape it into a log. Place the log in a lightly greased 9 x 5-inch loaf pan, cover the pan (with an acrylic proof cover, or with lightly greased plastic wrap), and allow the dough to rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour, till it’s crested 1 to 2 inches over the rim of the pan.

Baking: Bake the bread in a preheated 350°F oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 190°F. If the bread appears to be browning too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil for the final 10 minutes of baking. Yield: 1 loaf.

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Another reason to make bread is the delicious pay-off when all is said and done.  There’s nothing more rewarding than enjoying the fruits of your labor.  Think back to a time when you were able to enjoy the result of something that you created, remember how it made you feel.  Ready to do it again?

peanut butter & jelly bars

I was really excited to try these bars because I love peanut butter and jelly.  I gave them to my hubby to take with him and share during a seminar he attended, and they were gone by lunch!

I substituted the egg with a “flax-egg”.  I also used blueberry jam.  The only thing I would do differently next time is add a little salt, but then again, I prefer salty things.

Ingredients:

1 C flour
1 C quick-cooking oat (I used old-fashioned)
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 C butter (I used earth balance)
1/2 C sugar
3/4 C packed brown sugar
1 egg (1T flax + 3T water)
1/2 C peanut butter
1/4 C milk (I used almond milk)
1 t vanilla
1/4 C strawberry jam, or jam of choice (I used blueberry)

Directions

1.  Grease a 13x 9 x 2-inch pan.
2.  Combine flour, oats and baking soda. Beat butter for 30 seconds; add sugars and beat till fluffy.
3.  Add egg, peanut butter, milk and vanilla. Beat well.
4.  Add dry ingredients to beaten mixture, beating until smooth.
5.  Spread mixture in pan. Dot with jam or jelly and swirl
6.  Bake at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes.
7.  Let cool. Cut into bars.

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Practicality is something that comes naturally to some folks.  What comes naturally to you?  Are you practical? reasonable? or are you more out-of-the-box?

almond butter ‘n sticky stuff

brown rice syrup

brown rice syrup

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
2 T almond butter
1-2 T honey or brown rice syrup

Directions: Mix it all up and then eat it all up!
Om,
Renata

mOMent: Honey bees are well-known for the different types of communication that they use.  Some bees communicate with certain odors  while others dance in specific patterns.  What is your unique style of communication, how do you let others know what’s on your mind?

gingerbread

This tastes just like it sounds, so if you’re a fan of gingerbread, you’ll probably enjoy this…

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
1/8 t clove
1/2 t ginger
1/2 t cinnamon
1 T brown sugar
1 T molasses
3 T milk
1 t butter
optional – raisins to taste

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and enjoy, just like a little gingerbread man in a bowl.

Om,
Renata

mOMent: We all have certain beliefs that shape our lives in positive ways.  What are some great beliefs that you have about yourself and your life?

french vanilla stevia

now french vanilla stevia

now french vanilla stevia

I’m experimenting with stevia.  So far, I think I enjoy the NOW brand of stevia the best.  Here’s a simple, sweet and easy way to make your breakfast without adding sugar or too many calories.

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
9 drops stevia – french vanilla
1 t butter

Directions:

Add all ingredients together and mix well.  Enjoy!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Choices change our lives from moment to moment.  What choices will you make today that will shape your life in the way that you desire?

cinnamon roll

I love cinnamon rolls! And, I love the frosting even more.  So I decided to give a try at making vegan cream cheese frosting and it was absolutely delicious.  Use this recipe to make the frosting that I used, which was adapted from this recipe.

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
2 T cinnamon cream cheese frosting (recipe here)
2 T toasted pecans

Directions: Mix half of the pecans and all of the frosting with oatmeal.  Sprinkle remaining pecans on top and try not to lick the bowl.

Om,
Renata

mOMent: I’m on a roll…that’s what I tell my husband when I just start cracking up in hysterical laughter for no apparent reason. I love it when that happens!  When are you on a roll?

cinnamon cream cheese frosting

This is delicious, and undetectable as a far as being able to tell whether it’s vegan.  You will have leftovers (if you’re just planning to use it for your om of the day) to use as icing on other goodies you chooose.

Ingredients:

1/2 container Tofutti cream cheese
1/4 C earth balance
juice from half lemon
1 C powdered sugar
1 t vanilla
2 t (or more!) cinnamon

Directions:

Combine the cream cheese and margarine. Slowly add the powdered sugar, then vanilla and lemon juice and finally cinnamon, to taste.

Om,
Renata

hazelnut happiness

hazelnuts

hazelnuts

First I had to prepare the hazelnuts. I used these instructions here to get the skins off.

Then I adapted a recipe used for pecans from this recipe.

You’ll see my candied hazelnut recipe here.

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
1/4 C chopped candied hazelnuts
a little salt

Directions:  Mix all ingredients together and chow!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Sometimes all it takes is to remember that someone in the world
loves you.  It can bring a smile to your face on the most dark and dreary
day.  Call someone today and remind them how much you love them.

candied hazelnuts

candied hazelnuts

candied hazelnuts

These will surely be a hit in your home, they can be used in your om of the day, on salads or simply to munch on as a snack.

The recipe

is adapted from here.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons grapeseed oil
6 tablespoons agave nectar
2 cups hazelnuts (de-skinned)
½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg

1. In a large skillet, heat oil and agave until bubbling
2. Add pecans and stir until they are well coated, then mix in salt and
seasonings
3. Cook for 4 minutes, then remove pan from heat
4. Place nuts on a parchment lined baking sheet
5. Place sheet in a 400° oven and roast for 4 minutes, remove from oven
and cool completely

everything oatmeal cookies

This recipe was originally from a VegNews recipe. The only alteration I made was that I added more salt (because I like my cookies salty).  They were a huge hit!

Makes 8 large or 16 small

What You Need:

* 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 2/3 cup unbleached sugar
* 2/3 cup non-hydrogenated shortening
* 2 tablespoons molasses
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
* 1 tablespoon flax meal + 3 tablespoons water mixed together
* 1 cup rolled oats
* 2/3 cup dried cranberries
* 2/3 cup chopped pecans
* 1/2 cup chocolate chips
* 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

What You Do:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a thin layer of oil.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, cream together sugar and shortening. Add molasses, vanilla, and flax mixture to creamed shortening and mix well. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet and mix together.
3. Fold in oats, fruit, nuts, chocolate chips, and coconut. If dough is too stiff to stir, add as much as 1 tablespoon of water.
4. Measure cookies out with a heaping tablespoon and flatten slightly. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until lightly brown at edges. Store in a covered container to keep chewy.

Om,
Renata

mOMent: If all possibilities were available to you today, what would you choose?

rich, raw and powerful

This one is dedicated to my husband who needed a breakfast full of good fats. Every ingredient in here has a beneficial nutrient to help fuel the body.

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
1 T ground chia
1 T ground flax seed
1 T coconut oil
1/4 C chopped walnuts
1 T agave

Directions:

Add all of the above ingredients to a bowl and mix well.  Feel the

energy!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Fueling our bodies with rich, powerful nutrients can really affect our moods and emotions.  What foods make you feel amazing?  Why not eat more of them?

fried banana and coconut

This recipe is based off of one of my favorite desserts at many Thai restaurants.  It doesn’t get much better than fried banana!

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
1 banana
2 T coconut oil
1-2 T honey or agave
1 T shredded coconut

Directions:
Add oil to pan and heat until bubbling.  Add sliced banana to pan and fry for a few  minutes and then flip each piece over.  Fry for a few more minutes, watching carefully so not to burn.

Add oatmeal to bowl, place bananas on top, drizzle with honey or agave and sprinkle coconut on top.  What a treat!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Layers of flavor are so much fun.  Deciphering the many levels of one’s mind is even more fun.  When you dig deep, what do you find in your mind?  What do your layers say about you?

banana berry

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
half banana
1/2 C black berries
1/3 C orange juice

Directions:
Simmer berries in orange juice for about 5 minutes or until the juice becomes dark in color and a little saucy.  Add oatmeal to bowl, add bananas and berry mixture.  Enjoy!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Having fresh ingredients is such a sweet treat. There is something special about having something just off the vine, bush or tree.  What are some things that you really enjoy when they are fresh?  Think about the senses that are awakened when you are treated to such an item… Yum!

want to go on a date?

This recipe was inspired when I saw another recipe for date bars, which I made.  This combination of flavors really works well together and is very satisfying.

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
1/4 C pecan
1/4 C chopped dates
2 t butter
2 t cream

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, eat.

Om,
Renata

mOMent: When was the last time you took yourself out on a date?  It is important to value the solitary time that we occasionally desire.  Spend a little time today thinking about someplace you would take yourself out on a date…where would you go?  What would you do?

orange marmalade

This is one of the simplest yet most delicious om of the day recipes.  I bought some orange marmalade from Trader Joes and figured, what the heck!  Let’s make it part of the om of the day.  I was right, it was great!

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
3 T orange marmalade
1 T butter

Directions: Mix and devour!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Some things are better left to the pros. What is it that you’re a pro at?