Monthly Archives: May 2010

lemon macadamia

This om of the day was inspired by a lemon macadamia nut cookie.  Bon Appetit!

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
1 T lemon simple syrup
2 T chopped macadamia nuts
1 T butter

Directions:

To make the simple syrup, mix equal parts water and sugar and the lemon zest (I like to use one lemon per 1/4 cup of sugar).  Put all ingredients into a saucepan and let simmer until mixture is reduced in half.

Mix nuts and butter with oatmeal.  Add a tablespoon of simple syrup and enjoy.

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Ingenuity and inspiration are cousins in a mind rich with contemplation, meditation and courage.

sundae sundae

There’s no fooling anyone on this om of the day.  It’s basically dessert for breakfast…But every once in a while it’s ok, right?

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
1/4 C ice cream (your favorite)
whipped cream
nuts of your choice
anything else you put on your sundae!

Directions:

Mix oatmeal with ice cream.  Top with whipped cream and nuts (and any favorite toppings)!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Flattery, according to Merriam-Webster can mean insincere or excessive praise.  Have you ever resorted to flattery to get something you wanted?  How could you have gone about it in a more authentic and meaningful way?

fried plantains

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
1/2 plantain
1 T coconut oil
1 T agave

Directions:  Cut plantain into 1/4 inch slices.  Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add plantain one piece at a time, and let fry on one side until it is golden brown on the bottom (usually a few minutes).  You may need to turn your pan down to medium.  Flip plantain pieces and cook on other side.  When both sides are browned well, remove from heat and let cool on a wire rack with a paper towel (to soak up excess oil).

Add agave to bowl with oatmeal and mix well.  Add plantain pieces, enjoy!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Plantains will always remind me of my trip to Costa Rica to get married.  Such good memories can be experienced through food.  What are some of yours?

coconut walnut

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
1/3 C walnuts
1/3 C shredded coconut
2 T agave

Directions: Saute coconut and walnuts in agave over low heat until coconut is fragrant.  Mix with oatmeal and get your spoon!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: I like to think I have a bubble of good energy around me, full of love, joy and peace.  If you had a bubble, what would it be filled with?  What do you want it filled with?

easy homemade granola

This is one of the best recipes I have ever had.  It was so good that my husband was a little upset when I gave away our last bag of the granola to visiting family members.  I have to admit that I used this recipe because one of the recipe maker’s names is Renato…It was a sign, right?

Adapted from:  http://www.amateurgourmet.com/2009/01/easy_homemade_g.html

Easy Homemade Granola
from “Baked: New Frontiers in Baking” by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito

Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey (I used brown rice syrup)
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup whole almonds
1/3 cup whole hazelnuts
1/3 cup golden raisins (I used thompson raisins)
1/3 cup dried cherries (I omitted these, as I had none in the house)

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, toss the oats with the cinnamon and salt.

In a medium bowl, stir together the oil, honey, brown sugar, and vanilla. Whisk until completely combined.

Pour the honey mixture over the oats mixture and use your hands to combine them: Gather up some of the mixture in each hand and make a fist. Repeat until all of the oats are coated with the honey mixture.

Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread it out evenly, but leave a few clumps here and there for texture.
Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and use a metal spatula to lift and flip the granola. Sprinkle the almonds over the granola and return the baking sheet to the oven.

Bake for 5 minutes, then remove from the oven and use a metal spatula to lift and flip the granola. Sprinkle the hazelnuts over the granola and return the baking sheet to the oven.

Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven. Let cool completely. Sprinkle the raisins and cherries over the granola…

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Sharing is caring…remember that old adage?  Who can you share with today?  What will you share?

apricot cinnamon

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
1 fresh apricot
1 t agave
1/4 t cinnamon
1 t butter
splash of milk

Directions:
Cut apricot in chunks.

Mix butter, agave and oatmeal in a bowl.  Fold in apricot and cinnamon and add a splash of milk if you like your oatmeal a little creamier…

Om,
Renata

mOMent: A calling could be described as a loud inner guidance or impulse assisting you toward a direction.  Which calling will you follow today?

cinnamon raisin walnut

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
2 T raisins
1/4 C walnuts
1 T agave plus more for drizzle
1 t grapeseed oil
1 t (or more!) cinnamon

Directions: Add all ingredients to a saucepan over low-med heat for just a few minutes until all of the ingredients are combined well and the raisins and walnuts are coated and warmed through.  If you like your walnuts more toasted, saute for a bit longer.  Remove from heat and let cool for a few moments, add to oatmeal and drizzle with a little more agave.

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Connecting with your heart can be a powerful exercise.  Tune in today and ask your heart what it wants.  If it could have or do anything right now, what would it be?

Ren-oaty Granoly Cookies

I decided to re-create a cookie I once had in Sonoma from a cute little coffee shop.  It was this fantastic oat-based cookie with honey and nuts and seeds.  It was filling and tasty, but not vegan.  So I thought I would try it at home with my modifications.  I’m very, very pleased with how they came out.  Please try this at home.

Servings: 24

Ingredients:

2 1/2 C old fashioned oats
1/2 C butter
1/2 C brown sugar
1/4 C brown rice syrup
1 t vanilla
1 T sesame seeds
1 T pumpkin seeds
1 T sunflower seeds
1 T shredded coconut (unsweetened)
1 T ground chia (or flax) plus 3 T water
1/4 C cranberries

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl cream butter and sugar together, add brown rice syrup and vanilla until mixed well.

Add oats and salt.  Fold in pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, cranberries and coconut. Mix well.

Finally add the “chia egg” by mixing 1 T ground chia (or flax) with 3 T water.  Add to the mixture and stir completely.

Spoon mixture into well greased or non-stick mini-cupcake tins.

Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from oven and let cool completely or they may tear apart easily.

Ahhhh…delicious…

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Sometimes creating something out of a dream can be a simple as asking your intuition.  “Hello, intuition?  Yes…nice to meet you, what is the next step in this process?”  You might be surprised by the answer!

Servings: 24

Ingredients:

2 1/2 C old fashioned oats
1/2 C butter
1/2 C brown sugar
1/4 C brown rice syrup
1 t vanilla
1 T sesame seeds
1 T pumpkin seeds
1 T sunflower seeds
1 T shredded coconut (unsweetened)
1 T ground chia (or flax) plus 3 T water
1/4 C cranberries

Directions:

Preaheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl cream butter and sugar together, add brown rice syrup and

vanilla until mixed well.

Add oats and salt.  Fold in pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds,

cranberries and coconut. Mix well

Finally add the “chia egg” by mixing 1 T ground chia (or flax) with 3 T

water.  Add to the mixture and stir completely.

Spoon mixture into well greased or non-stick mini-cupcake tins.  Bake for

25 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from oven and let cool

completely or they may tear apart easily.

Ahhhh…delicous…

Rate the recipe here

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Sometimes creating something out of a dream can be a simple as

asking your intuition.  “Hello, intuition?  Yes…nice to meet you, what

is the next step in this process?”  You might be surprised by the answer!

blueberry pineapple

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
1/3 C pineapple
1/3 C blueberries
1 T agave

Directions: Add oatmeal and agave to bowl and mix.  Fold in pineapple and blueberries gently…Enjoy!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Grace molds itself in each situation. It can loosen up and allow for growth through movement and strength.

horchata raisin

Is there anything better than horchata?  YES! Horchata with raisins!

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
2 T horchata icing
2 T raisins

Directions: Mix in with hot oatmeal and try not to eat it too fast…it’s pretty darn tasty…

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Is honesty always the best policy? Is being blunt the same as telling the truth?  In what ways can you change the way you share the truth with the ones you love.  How can you be more compassionate in your delivery of difficult conversations?

cranberry chocolate chip

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
2 T chocolate chips
2 T dried cranberries
1-2 T agave

Directions: Mix 1 T agave with oatmeal well, add chocolate chips and
cranberries.  I like to keep it unmixed so I can have the chocolate chips
intact, but it’s your om of the day…eat it how you love it!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Take a moment to sit still today and imagine that your heart is a glowing ball of energy.  Imagine that the glowing ball of energy fills up your entire body with love and warmth.  Then I ask; What color is it?  Does it have a sound?  What are the feelings associated with this energy?

coconut lime

You put the lime in the coconut and shake it all up… I had this song ringing through my mind and I thought, hey, why not?!  So, here it is…a bit tart and a bit sweet, but definitely not your average bowl of om.

Ingredients:
1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
juice from one lime
1 T plus 1 t powdered sugar
1/4 t coconut extract
1 T shredded coconut

Directions:
Mix the juice from lime and extract.  Add powdered sugar and whisk until smooth.  Add shredded coconut and then add to oatmeal.  Enjoy the sweet tartness!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: If you could look through someone else’s eyes and see the world, who would you choose?  What do you suppose you would see differently from their eyes?

blueberries two ways

Preserves and frozen!  Double the blueberries, double the bliss!

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
1/3 C frozen blueberries
2 T blueberry preserves
butter to taste

Directions:

Put blueberries and preserves in a bowl.  Add hot oatmeal and let sit for a few moments to heat the blueberries.  Add butter and mix well. Yum!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Serenity can arrive in moments of chaos as well as moments of true peace.  How can you have a piece of serenity today?  What can you do, or not do, to create a more serene life for yourself?

blueberry pineapple scones

I had this notion of making blueberry pineapple scones, and I found this
recipe for blueberry scones and thought I’d give it a whirl, adding of
course oats and pineapple.  They turned out absolutely fantastic.

Original Recipe by By BabyCakes NYC
Serves 8

What You Need:

1 C whole wheat pastry
1 C oats
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 C canola oil
1/3 cup plus 1/4 cup (for brushing) agave nectar
1/4 cup cold water
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/3 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1/3 C pineapple

What You Do:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment
paper or a thin layer of oil.
2. Place flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl and mix. Add oil,
1/3 cup agave nectar, water, and vanilla and mix for 30 seconds. Gently
fold in blueberries and pineapple.
3. Drop large spoonfuls of dough onto cookie sheet and bake for 8
minutes. Remove from oven and brush with agave nectar. Continue to bake
for an additional 2 to 4 minutes or until lightly golden.

Om,
Renata

mOMent: If you could travel anywhere in the world today and speak the

language, where would you go?  What would you do?  Why would you choose

that location?

oatmeal date bars

I was not expecting these bars to be so delicious, but they were a hit
and will certainly be made again.  I substituted Earth Balance for the
butter, but that is all I did differently… and it was darn tasty…

Ingredients:

3/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups pitted dates, chopped **
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
1 cup old fashioned oats
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks)  butter, diced, room temperature

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 9×9-inch baking pan with foil, first in one
direction, and then crossing over in the opposite direction with a
section piece.  Butter sides and bottom of tin foil..
Bring 3/4 cup water to simmer in medium saucepan. Add dates; simmer until
very soft and thick, stirring occasionally. Cool to room temperature.
Stir in vanilla.baking pan
Combine flour, sugar, oats, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in large
bowl; stir to blend. Add butter using fingertips or a pastry cutter, and
rub in until moist clumps form. Press half of oat mixture evenly over
bottom of baking dish. Spread date mixture over. Sprinkle with remaining
oat mixture; press gently to adhere.
Bake until golden brown and set in center, about 20 minutes, taking care
not to overbake. Cool completely in pan on rack.
Using the edges of the foil, lift out the cookies. Peel down the foil
from the edges and cut into bars and serve.
**Buy the whole dates, not the kind that are prechopped and presweetened

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Fond memories can be forgotten, if One does not make the effort
to hold them close to the heart.  How to you store the precious memories
of your life?

chocolate orange

Two of my favorite things…Chocolate and orange, together in a bowl of om.  Seconds please?

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
3 slices of chocolate orange
1 t butter
2 t agave

Directions: Mix agave and butter with oatmeal.  Add chocolate to the top of the oatmeal.  If you prefer melted chocolate, mix it up. If not, let it sit on top and eat chunks of it with each bite.  Yum!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: Feelings of joy can be overwhelming, sometimes bringing tears to a person’s eyes.  When was the last time you felt joy that was over-powering?

kiwi!

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old fashioned oatmeal

1 kiwi

1 t grapeseed oil

1 T agave plus more if you like it sweet

Directions:

Over medium-low heat add chopped kiwi, grapeseed oil and 1 T agave.  Simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until kiwi gets plump and sweet.  If the fruit starts looking like it might burn add a little water to the pot and continue to simmer until kiwi is soft and plump and covered in a sweet syrup.  Add to oatmeal and stir well, if you like it sweeter, add a little more agave…

mOMent:  What is your big dream?  Spend some time today thinking about HOW you can have your dream, rather than how you can not…How could your dream become reality?

pineapple sesame

This om of the day was asian inspired…and turned out pretty good.  I probably will toast the sesame seeds a little longer next time to bring the flavor of the sesame into the oatmeal just a touch more.  But, overall, pretty tasty!

1 C cooked old fashioned oatmeal

1 T sesame seeds

1 T agave

1 t sesame oil

1/4 C pineapple

Add sesame seeds, agave, sesame oil and pineapple to a saucepan over medium heat.  Saute until the sesame seeds become fragrant and begin to change to a golden brown color.  Turn down heat and let simmer over low heat for 5 or so minutes, until the consistency is syrup-y.  Mix with oatmeal and enjoy this sweet & savory asian inspired om of the day.

Om,

Renata

mOMent: Pulling inspiration from new and unexpected and seemingly ordinary sources can be a great way to experience the day.  Take a moment and look around today.  Find something that seems ordinary and plain, then find something inspirational from it.  Dig in, and discover what is so special… How can you apply this to your life?

pb & coconut

Ingredients:

1 C cooked old-fashioned oats
1/4 C shredded coconut
1 T peanut butter
salt to taste
agave to taste
milk to taste

Directions: Mix coconut and peanut butter with oatmeal and stir until well combined.  If you like your oatmeal sweet and creamy add milk and agave.  However, you won’t need it if you like the natural sweetness of the coconut and peanuts together.  I always add salt, but that’s a personal preference.  It enhances everything for me!

Om,
Renata

mOMent: How do you feel about enhancing things?  Enhancing your body?  Enhancing your photographs?  Enhancing your food?  What does it mean to you, and is it a good thing to enhance the things around you?