Best Apple Crisp Recipe

PND Best Apple Crisp Recipe

Apple Crisp is a favorite in our family. We love apple pie and I figure it’s worth saving the calories, skipping the crust and making a crumble.

We love more topping than many crumble recipes, so if you prefer less cut the topping in half.

Ingredients for our Best Apple Crisp Recipe

Filling for our Best Apple Crisp Recipe
5 Cups chopped peeled apples
1 1/2 Teaspoons of Cinnamon
1/2 Teaspoon of Nutmeg
1 Tablespoon of Lemon Juice
3/4 Cups cranberries (fresh or frozen)
3/4 Cup sugar or 2/3 Cup of agave
2 Tablespoons of whole wheat flour, add 1 extra Tablespoon if using agave.

Topping for our Best Apple Crisp Recipe
2 cup oats (1/2 old-fashioned & 1/2 quick-cooking although either will work)
2 Tablespoons of Flax Meal
1 Teaspoon of Cinnamon
1/2 Teaspoon of Nutmeg

1 1/2 Cup packed brown sugar

2/3 Cup whole wheat flour
3/4 Cup melted butter (I’ll often use 1/2 Earth Balance)

INSTRUCTIONS

Pre Heat oven to 350 Degrees

Filling
Peel and chop the apples.
Combine all ingredients, use most, but not all of the sugar. Then test the filling for sweetness, depending on the tartness of apples you may want to increase or decrease the amount of sugar.

Topping
Combine all the dry ingredients and mix in melted butter until crumbly. If it’s not crumbly enough add additional butter up to 1/4 cup.

 

Prepare Ahead Tip

I prepare this in advance and store the topping and filling in separate Zip-Loc bags for up to 4 days. Before the turkey comes out of the oven pour the filling in the bottom of a 4 quart casserole dish, add topping.  Before you sit down to eat, pop the crumble in the oven and bake for 55-60 minutes, almost the exact amount of time it takes to eat your dinner!

Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream or  Frozen Vanilla Yogurt.

This is our Best Apple Crisp Recipe, what is your Best Recipe?

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The Best Hamburger Recipe

 

 

 

In This Instance Best Hamburger Recipe = The Healthiest

Win. Win.

An American Classic.  What summer gathering would be complete without a good burger.  We  often serve up this recipe for our summer gatherings.  Did you know that using all grass fed ground beef – saves about 100 calories per 6 oz burger?   No joke, that’s a big difference.   Adding diced mixed veggies and a little bit of Flax Meal, not only keeps these burgers moist and juicy, but it also might make it the healthiest & best hamburger you’ve ever had.

 

Diva’s Best Hamburger Recipe Ingredients

2 lbs of All Grass Fed Organic Ground Beef
1 Egg
1 Tbsp Flax
1 Tbsp of Worchestershire Sauce
1 Cup of Diced Mix Vegetables
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
1 tsp Onion Powder
1 tsp Paprika
1/4 Cup of Whole Wheat Bread Crumbs

Instructions for our Best Hamburger Recipe

Sautee or microwave your diced mixed veggies until they are soft.  This is key, they won’t cook fast enough to soften  in the burger while it grills.

Dump all the ingredients in a large bowl…  I love use my Kitchen Aid mixer for this…. mix until well combined.

Gently form into a ball, about  tennis sized, then flatten  out.  Once you have it flattened, take a second to poke most of your  green spots into the beef so they are hidden. Repeat until you have no more meat mixture.

Set aside and grill to your desired “done-ness.”  Set on a Whole Wheat Bun  and garnish with your favorite fixings.

Makes  8-9 1/4 burger patties.

Tips & Tricks:  What is your best hamburger recipe tip?

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Zucchini Muffin Recipe

Low Fat Healthy Zucchini Muffin Recipe

This zucchini muffin recipe is a scrumptious solution to the zucchini multiplying in the garden during the summer.  It’s actually good enough to merit buying zucchini if you don’t have any sprouting in your back yard.  I made them and my 2  lil’s ate 24 muffins in 2 days.

I don’t know about you, but when I bake the children line up to help… someone always gets sent out of room.  I want to know the parents who can keep the lil’s corralled, have the muffins turn out perfectly and have all dishes washed, dried and put away before the muffins are out of the oven.  They deserve a metal… this is SO not my life.  Even with the inevitable conflict – I love baking with my lil’s, and muffins recipes are great to work on as a family because they are very forgiving.

 

 

Ingredients for the PND Zucchini Muffin Recipe

3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
3 Eggs
1 Cups of Whole Wheat Flour
1 1/2 Cup of Whole Grain Pastry Flour
1/2 Cup of Oat Bran
2 Tablespoons of Flax Meal
2 -3 Cups of Shredded Zucchini
1/4 Cup of Grapeseed Oil
1 Cup of Applesauce
1/4 Cup of Honey
1 Teaspoon of Baking Soda
1/4 Teaspoon of Salt
1/4 Teaspoon of Baking Powder
1 Tablespoon of Cinnamon
2 1/2 Tablespoons of Vanilla
1 Cup of Raisins

Instructions for the  Zucchini Muffin Recipe

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees

Line 24 muffin tins with paper liner.  Recycled liner options are available.

Shred 3 Cups of Zucchini – this is a perfect job for that dusty food processor.

Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl – mic well.  Combine a all the wet ingredients in another bowl.  Keep the zucchini and raisins separate.

Add the zucchini and raisins to the dry ingredients and thoroughly coat.  Create well with your mixed flour and zucchini combination.

Add liquid ingredients and gently combine.   Be sure not to overmix – overmixing isn’t good for muffins!

 

Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

Bake in the over for 40-45 minutes.  Muffins are done when they bounce back when gently pressed or a toothpick comes out clean.

Yields 24 smaller muffins.

Please let us know if you love our Zucchini Muffin Recipe

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Simple Sauteed Zucchini Recipe

Sauteed Zucchini Recipe: Simple Summer Side

Every gardener has that time in the summer where the zucchini starts to grow faster than it can be eaten!  It’s great to have easy and yummy recipes on hand when that time hits.  This one hits the mark on all counts.

Confession – I usually don’t even like zucchini, but this zucchini was delish..

Nutritionally Zucchini is a good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Manganese,  Potassium, Magnesium, Vitamin K and Folate.  And this recipe prepared in a cast iron skillet will also add extra Iron to your meal.

Shredding the zucchini mimics the texture and shape of a noodle, making it a child friendly way to serve up this nutrient rich powerhouse.  Shredding the zucchini is quick and easy with the help of a food processor.

 

Ingredients for PND Sauteed Zucchini Recipe

3 Cups of Shredded Zucchini

2 Teaspoons of Organic Butter

2 Teaspoons of Olive Oil

1 Teaspoon or Clove of Diced Garlic

1/4 Teaspoon of Salt or to Taste

Instructions for the Sauteed Zucchini Recipe

Use Med-High heat, melt the butter, add the olive oil and lightly cook the garlic.  Add the Zucchini.  Sautee until the zucchini begins to look a little glassy.  Check it around 4 minutes, you want to pull it from the heat while it still has a touch of “bite” to it.

Season to taste with salt.  Serve and enjoy.

 

Tip:  For veggie resistant children pull out the parmesan cheese and let them top it off with a hearty sprinkle.

What are is your Favorite Sauteed Zucchini Recipe?

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The Best Salmon Recipe

A Favorite Simple, Healthy Dinner & Simply The Best Salmon Recipe

My favorite recipes are easy, fast and foolproof.  This recipe meets each one of that criteria.

Wild Alaskan Salmon is also listed on the Super Green List from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood watch list.

The Super Green list includes seafood that meets the following criteria:

• Low levels of contaminants (below 216 parts per billion [ppb] mercury and 11 ppb PCBs)
• The daily minimum of omega-3s (at least 250 milligrams per day [mg/d])*
• Classified as a Seafood Watch “Best Choice” (green)

So… not only is this the best salmon recipe ever… It’s good for you and super green too, making it an A+ choice all around!

Ingredients for the Best Salmon Recipe

1 -1 1/2 Pounds of Wild Alaskan or BC Salmon

1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil

1/2 Teaspoon of Salt

1/8 Teaspoon of Pepper

Instructions for my Best Salmon Recipe Ever!

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Use a piece of foil about 3 times the size of you salmon fillet.  Place your foil on a baking sheet, position the salmon in the middle.

 

Drizzle your olive oil over the salmon, sprinkle lightly with Salt and a touch of pepper.  You can also squeeze on some lemon juice if you like lemon with your fish.  I don’t – so I skip the lemon.  Fold the foil over the salmon creating a nice envelope (you don’t want the steam to escape).

Place your salmon in the pre-heated oven for 5-10 minutes (depending on the thickness of the fillet).  I find that the salmon is almost always done when you can smell it.  Pull it out and double check to see if it’s done to your liking.  Be sure to check in earlier than later… you can always throw it back in for another minute if it’s not ready.

That is it.  Done.

Serve with a side of salad and some brown rice and you have a quick,  easy, nutritious  dinner.  If you have any leftovers this salmon is perfect chilled over salad.  Just Sayin.

Tip:  If you have a picky eater – and who doesn’t – try serving the salmon with their favorite salad dressing the first few times.  It might be just enough to get them over the hump of the “I dont’ like that’s”!

I posted this recipe during Zucchini season… so you see it pictured above with Shredded Suateed Zucchini – Recipe Coming Soon!

One pound served my family of Four – 2 adults & 2 children.  Adjust the quantity of salmon to your family.

Feel free to share a link to your Best Salmon Recipe!

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Eco Friendly Pet Shampoo Recipe

 

 

 

 

 

 

When our black lab, Bear, showed up at the back door full of mud the first thing I did was go in search of an eco friendly pet shampoo recipe. Sure my husband was ready to grab the nearest fido cleanser he could get his hands on but I wasn’t going to allow any chemicals on our furry friend.

 

 

Naturally, I made the phone call to Tania:

Do you have a pet shampoo recipe you recommend?

 

You know she did!

Pure Natural Diva’s Eco Friendly Pet Shampoo Recipe:

2 Cups Water
2 Teaspoons of Unscented Castile Soap
2 Tablespoons Aloe Vera Gel
2 Tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Teaspoon Vegetable Glycerin or Vegetable Oil
Lavender or Lemongrass Essential Oil

{mix & store in a handy bottle}

While many of you may be thinking:

“sure April, but I don’t have the time to mix my own pet shampoo recipe“,

don’t worry ~ I did a simple Amazon search for “eco friendly pet shampoo” and found:

• Vermont Soap Organics Pet Shampoo
• Earthbath All Natural Shampoo
• Organically Correct Dog & Cat Protein Shampoo

Now if I can just convince someone to take on the chore of using the pet shampoo recipe! Bear sure does love his showers though, especially as the weather changes!

Everyone has their own preference but I am curious:

What is your favorite Pet Shampoo Recipe?

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Secretly Healthy Chocolate Cherry Muffin Recipe

Secretly Healthy Chocolate Cherry Muffin Recipe

The motivation for this Secretly Healthy Chocolate Cherry Muffin Recipe comes from the same place as most of my muffin collection… it’s was our turn to bring snacks at Lil Dude’s school.  This recipe is 100% whole grain, but that isn’t the only thing that makes this recipe healthier.  Pumpkin puree makes them moist,  flax meal adds healthy omega’s,  oat bran adds  fiber, and the chocolate yumminess comes from cocoa powder… meaning we get the antioxidants, without the extra fat.  All combined, these Secretly Healthy Chocolate Cherry Muffins are perfect for the preschool set!

These muffins are not too heavy, they have a light almost cupcake like textures, so they’d also make a healthier cupcake for a birthday party or special occasion treat.  Especially if you added the chocolate chips!

 

I love to bake muffins in the mini bundt tins, the shape makes any muffin a little more interesting!

Preheat the oven to 375 Degrees

Ingredients For the Secretly Healthy Chocolate Cherry Muffin Recipe

1 1/4 Cups of Whole Grain Pastry Flour
1/2 Cup of Oat Bran
2 tablespoons of Flax Meal
1 Cup of Cocoa Powder
1/2 Cup of Sugar
1 Teaspoons of Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon of Baking Powder
1/4 Teaspoon of Salt

3/4 Cup of Yogurt
3/4 Cup of Milk
I cup of Pumpkin Puree
2 Eggs
1 Tsp of Vanilla
1/3 of Cup of Grapeseed Oil

1 Cup of Frozen Cherries — Chopped Chunky

Going for an extra special treat?  Add 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips!

Chocolate Cherry Muffin Recipe Instructions

Sift the cocoa powder – or things will be a lumpy mess!  Combine the dry ingredients together in a large bowl, the mix the wet ingredients together in a separate bowl.  Form the dry ingredients into a well-like shape.  Pour the liquid in the middle and blend all the ingredients well.  Once everything is almost mixed add the chopped frozen cherries.

Spoon the batter into an oiled mini bundt pan or lined muffin tins.

Bake for 12 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out dry.  Another way to test if they are done… press down lightly on the muffins.  If they are done, they will bounce back, not done, your finger print will remain.

This recipe makes 24 smaller muffins!

Tip:  If you are going to dust in powdered sugar, do it just before serving… otherwise it will just absorb into the muffin… leaving none of the pretty finish!

Come back and comment when you make these Secretly Healthy Chocolate Cherry Muffin Recipe, we love your feedback!

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Healthy Banana Muffin Recipe

Healthy Banana Muffin Recipe

I made this whole grain Banana Muffin Recipe to send with little diva for her snack day at pre K. They do have some sugar, but I cut it down as much as possible. They have whole wheat flour, oatmeal, flax, and banana.

One of my favorite tips is to get creative with your presentation.  I love using mini-bundt pans – it makes the muffins look almost like little donuts.  When it comes to little eaters I always find it helps to think outside the box!

Serves 24
Heat oven to 375°F

Banana Muffin Recipe Ingredients

DRY
4 cups whole wheat flour
2 cup quick-cooking oat
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 tablespoons flax meal

WET
3 cups bananas, mashed (6-7 ripe)
4 eggs
1/2 cup of Agave Nectar
2/3 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions For the Banana Muffin Recipe

Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. When well mixed create a well for the liquid ingredients.
In a separate bowl, combine the mashed bananas, eggs, vanilla, agave and butter.
Add the wet mixture to the flour mixture, stirring just until the dry ingredients are moistened.

Spoon batter into greased muffin cups or I like to use mini bundt pans.

Using convection and the mini bundt the muffins were done in 12 minutes. Regular oven or muffin pans may take up to 18 minutes.

Check to see if muffins are done by inserting a toothpick into the muffin, when it comes out clean the muffins are ready.

Let cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes.

Please let me know if you try our Banana Muffin Recipe!

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Healthy Blueberry Muffins

The recipe for these yummiliscious healthy blueberry muffins were tested by 16 picky preschoolers.  When they eat it up, you know you’ve got the mix right.

What makes this a Healthy Blueberry Muffin Recipe?

This recipe is made healthier by using 100% whole grain pastry flour, oat bran and flax meal, less sugar, reduced saturated fat content and adding lots of antioxidant rich berries.  I’ve used blueberries, but feel free to substitute your favorite berry!

These muffins make a nice addition to the lunch box, a quick breakfast or a nice snack with a cup of tea.

This recipe makes about 18 small muffins or 12 larger muffins.
Preheat oven to 400F

Line  muffin cups with recycled paper liners.

Ingredients List for Healthy Blueberry Muffins

1 cup milk
2 Tablespoons of Melted Butter
3 Tablespoons of Grapeseed Oil
1 1/2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
2 Large Organic Free Range Eggs
1 1/2 cups Whole Grain Pastry Flour
1/2 Cup of Oat Bran
1 Tablespoon of Flax Meal
1/2 Cup of Sugar
2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
2 cups Fresh Blueberries or 1 1/2 cups Frozen Blueberries (defrosted – drain excess liquid)

Recipe Instructions

Combine wet ingredients: milk, oil, butter and eggs, and vanilla.  Super time saver tip – measure your milk in a jumbo measuring cup and add your other liquid ingredients in the same cup.  Saves dishes!
Combine dry ingredients: Sift flour, add sugar, oat bran, flax meal, baking powder and salt into large bowl.  Shift the dry ingredients into a well shape.

Pour wet ingredients into the well you made with your dry ingredients.   Fold in blueberries.

Scoop muffin mix into the prepared muffin cups. Bake until golden and toothpick comes out clean, about 15-20 minutes.

Hot Tip:  Using frozen berries may result in “black-ish” dark purple muffins… not so pretty.

Prevent this setting aside  1/3  of your batter.  Fill the tins with 2/3 of the dark “berry batter”.  Then  over top of the “berry batter” pour the reserved “berry-free batter”.  Voila.  Golden topped, berry filled muffins even a toddler will eat.

Thank you to my loyal twitter follower @crvjim for requesting this recipe on behalf of his wife!  How sweet is he?

Please leave a comment after you’ve made the recipe – reader feedback ALWAYS makes my day!  I have a number of gluten free friends – so if you make any tweaks please share them here.

Please let us know these healthy blueberry muffins go over with your peeps!

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Healthy Shepherds Pie Recipe

Healthy Shepherds Pie Recipe

Shepherds Pie is one of Dude’s favorite dishes. It’s a little bit more labor intensive than I’d normally like for a casserole dish (it takes me about an hour to put together, but it’s very tasty, and did I mention it was Dude’s favorite? So that makes it worth it.

This year I made it for Valentine’s day, thus the heart shaped mashed potato topping!  The fact that this is a healthy Shepherds Pie Recipe will be our little secret.

Make this recipe healthier by sticking with all organic ingredients.  Did you know that free range, organic beef has more omega 3 and less saturated fat than conventional beef!   The recipe also calls for a lot of veggies (6 cups!) and I sneak a little bit of flax meal in the gravy.  I promise no one will notice!

Ingredient for Healthy Shepherds Pie Recipe

Mashed Potato Topping

8 Potatoes Peeled and chopped for boiling
1/4 – 1/2 Teaspoon of Salt to taste
1/8 Teaspoon of White Pepper
1 Tablespoon of Butter
1/4 Cup of Milk
optional 1/2 Cup of White Bean or Cauliflower puree

Meat & Veggie Bottom

3 Cups of Diced Mixed Vegetables
1 lb of Ground Beef, Organic & Free Range
2 Tablespoons of Whole Grain Flour
1 Cup of Frozen Peas
1 Cup of Cut Carrots
1 Cup of Frozen Corn
optional 1/2 cup of sweet potato puree
1 1/2 – 2 Cups of Beef Broth
3 Tablespoons of Worchestcheshire sauce
3 Tablespoons of Catsup
1/2 Teaspoon of Paprika
2 Teaspoons of Onion Powder
1/4 Teaspoon of Pepper
2 Tablespoons Flax Meal
1/2 Tablespoon of Parmesan Cheese.

Instructions

Mashed Potatoes
If I use russet potatoes I peel them entirely, if I use red potatoes I peel 1/2 of them and leave the rest of the skin to be mashed – extra vitamin C.

Peel & boil your potatoes until they are soft when pierced with a fork.  Drain and set aside.  I use my Kitchen Aid to make the mashed potatoes, goes so fast!  Mash Potatoes with the milk, butter, salt & white pepper – and sent aside.

 

Gravy Base
Saute the diced mixed vegetables & carrots, when the onions are clear and glass like add the beef, cook until browned.  Sprinkle with the flour and stir until mixed.  Add 1/2 of the broth.  Add seasonings.  Then add the peas & corn (organic corn to avoid gmo!).  Be sure to taste now so you can adjust the gravy flavor to your liking.   When it is done, mix in the flax meal.

Pour the mixture into the bottom of a 2 1/2 quart casserole dish.  Then pipe your mashed potatoes using a pastry bag with a large tip opening.  I pipe two layers of mashed potatoes to get the right meat, veggie, potato mix for my family.  Sprinkle with a little bit of parmesan.  Place the casserole in the oven and broil until the potatoes start to brown.

 

Done.  Comfort Food yum with a little less guilt.

Serves 4 with leftovers

Let Us Know How This Healthy Shepherds Pie Recipe Goes Over with Your Family?

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