Oatmeal Whole Wheat Bread

So most of you, okay honestly the few of you who actually read this blog, probably notice two very contradicting things about my posts.  1. I am a nutrition major/student  2. All I ever bake are sweets that are fattening, unhealthy, and souped up on sugar.  But, I promise my diet does consist of things other than sugar and cookies.  Those are just the items I love to bake and give to people for pick-me-ups/birthdays/just because.  But yes, I will be the first to admit I do sample everything I make.  Maybe taking seconds if it is worth it  ;)

All of that being said (solely for my personal reassurance), I actually did bake something really delicious, and yes you guessed it, healthy too!  This bread recipe is full of oats, whole wheat flour, and honey  aka:  fiber, whole grain, and natural sweetener.  It was so delicious right out of the oven with some honey drizzled on top!  I advise reheating slices in the microwave and adding honey (or butter--but remember I was being healthy! lol) for a great afternoon snack or even for dessert.  This bread would be perfect as an appetizer or served at a brunch or shower, etc.  It is so light and sweet and perfect any time of the day!  

Here is the recipe.  From start to finish it only takes about 35 minutes to bake your own loaf of fresh bread!

You will need:
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 T honey
1 T veg. oil
1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 450 F.  Combine all ingredients in large bowl.  Pour into a well-greased bread pan (you could also form the dough into a ball and place it on a greased baking sheet if you prefer a round loaf over a square loaf).  Bake bread for 20 minutes.  Slice and enjoy  :)

I hope your weekend has been fantastic---it has been chilly here in the South.  Something we have yet to experience this winter season.  No bueno.

Blueberry Cookies

Okay, so I know the idea of cookies without chocolate chips is sort of unheard of.  Unless of course we are talking about the Great American cookie factory sugar cookie rolled in rainbow sugar sprinkles.  or white chocolate macadamia nut.  or snicker doodle.  So see its not that bad to leave out the infamous chocolate morsels.  Here is a tasty alternative!

Well, I have had these fresh blueberries in the freezer for quite some time and got them out last week to eat on my yogurt in the mornings.  As to be expected, I can not eat all of them fast enough and I knew they needed to be used.  I did some browsing today at work...don't rat me out....and came across this recipe.  I thought it sounded like it was worth a shot.  And boy was I right!

Let me tell you, this was some of the best cookie dough I have EVER eaten.  And trust me, I have consumed quite a bit  ;)  The cookies are so fluffy and almost have a cake-like texture rather than a crumbly, typical cookie texture.  The berries add such an unexpected element to the cookies too.  It's hard to describe (which is why you should make these for yourself!), but they cookies are tangy and refreshing and light.  Meaning it is easy to keep shoving them down your throat---perfect!!  

You know you want some....

To make these blueberry cookies you will need:

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups+ 3 T plain flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/3 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup blueberries

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Using an electric mixer, beat the butter until creamy and smooth.  Add the brown sugar, white sugar, egg, and vanilla.  Beat until well blended.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Add half of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and blend using mixer.

Stir in the rest of the flour mixture and the blueberries using a spoon  Be careful not to overmix.

Spoon your desired amount of dough onto baking sheets and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes.

Stuff your face with goodness.  I recommend a glass of milk to wash them down-calcium to accompany your antioxidants  :)