When I told my personal trainer Sarah that I rank #3 on the first page of Google for ‘homemade pancakes‘, she was slightly hesitant to give me a healthy pancake version.  She did give it to me though and I’m very excited about it. I never even thought these ingredients would make a pancake, much less a good tasting one!  I will always favor my pancake version, however, I do think these will be a nice change in our eating lifestyle. After all, I am trying to eat healthier!

Sarah’s…

A fresh start means fresh ideas and fresh foods.  I’ve been eating healthier with all my meals and breakfast is no exception.  I know most of us buy the instant oatmeal but try making it from scratch next time!  I promise it will taste great and it’s much better for you because it will not have all that sugar.

This is a very good and healthy breakfast which I am trying implement more and more with my all the family but specifically my toddler. Oatmeal is a good source of fiber and is excellent for the heart! There are gazillions of oatmeal variations out there but today I bring you some simple old fashion Banana Nut Oatmeal!

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 c fat-free milk
• 3 TBLS firmly packed brown sugar
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 c Quaker Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
• 2 medium-size ripe bananas, mashed (about 1c)
• Pecan pieces (optional)
• Dash of Honey:) (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

In saucepan, bring milk, brown sugar, and spices to a gentle boil; stir in your oats. Return to a boil; reduce heat to medium. Cook 1 minute for quick oats, 5 minutes for old fashioned oats, or until most of liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally. Remove oatmeal from heat. Stir in mashed bananas and pecans and a dash of honey.

NOTE: The bananas, honey and pecans can be completely optional!! If you just want plain but tasty oatmeal, the cinnamon and nutmeg are quite wonderful.

ENJOY:)

How would you make your oatmeal? Nutrition is so important but don’t forget to get moving!!

Disclosure: I am an official Walmart Mom. Follow me and my fellow Walmart Moms as we share our ideas and tips for a healthier you! Walmart has provided me with compensation and gift card in return for my time & efforts to create this post. My participation in this program is voluntary and my opinions are my own, always have been, always will be.

BAHAHAHHAHAHAHA…gotcha huh!  Oh….I SO crack myself up.

So my SIL read my Hershey’s post and was inspired to use some Hershey’s chocolate that she had handy in her own pantry!  You know, cookies are really easy to make, each batch usually makes a lot, and they’re always hit with everyone!

Anyways, this post here was submitted by my ever so lovely, very humorous, beautiful SIL!  What?  You never know when I might need something eh???  heehee

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 C. Butter Flavor Crisco
• 1 C. Granulated Sugar
• 1 C. Packed Brown Sugar
• 2 tbs Milk
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 2 C. Flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 C. Oats (quick or regular)
• 1 C. Corn Flakes (crushed)
• 2 C Hershey’s semi-sweet Choc chips
• 1 C. Pecans
• 1 C. Coconut

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven to 350′. Grease baking sheet with crisco. Combine first 5 ingredients, beat at low speed mixer until well creamy. Add all dry ingredients. mix at low speed until dough is well mixed.

Using a ice cream scoop, drop 3″ apart onto greased sheet. Bake 13-15 minutes or until edges are lightly brown but centers are slightly soft. Cool 3 minutes on sheet then remove with spatula to rack to set.

Makes about 2 dozen 5″ cookies…..

This oatmeal cake is the best ever and this is coming from someone who not a big fan of oatmeal.  Not only that, it is very popular among the men.  This was something that I cooked for the cowboys and they would tell my husband how much they enjoyed the dessert.  I personally think it borders the food porn side…..yeah, it’s that good!

INGREDIENTS:

For the Cake:

• 1 1/4 c Boiling Water
• 1 c Quick Oats
• 1 stick butter
• 1 c brown sugar
• 1 c white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/3 c flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg

For the Icing:

• 1/2 stick butter
• 1 c brown sugar
• 1/4 c evaporated milk
• powered sugar

DIRECTIONS:

Mix water, oats, and butter & let stand for 15 minutes.  Add remaining ingredients together in a bowl.  Add oatmeal mixture to the bowl and mix well.  Bake in an 8 x 11 casserole dish at 350′ for 30 minutes.

ICING DIRECTIONS:

Melt ingredients together in saucepan and cool.  Add powered sugar until thick enough to pour over cake.  Pour over HOT cake!  I usually take a toothpick and poke holes throughout the cake so that the icing sinks in…YUMMY!

OH.MY.GOSH…..this is SOOOOOO good!!!  Enjoy:)