Patriotic Pie

I didn't go quite the easy route on this desert like I did and some of the others I have shared with you the last 2 months but I did use canned pie filling. I made homemade pie crust because I think there is nothing better in the world than having a homemade pie crust made with butter. It is so buttery and Flaky and just tastes divine.

Typically 1 can of pie filling may fill up a fight in depending upon the size of your by 10. But for this one I wanted to have two colors underneath so I bought a can of both blueberry and Cherry Pie fillings. I filled in three quarters it with cherry pie filling and one quarter with blueberry pie filling.

I did make a double pie crust recipe but you could buy the ready-made pie crust that Pillsbury makes to use for the top stars and stripes and you could you use a frozen pie crust for the bottom.

If you have a small star cookie cutter that would work great to make the stars but I didn't have that so I did them free hand. It gives them a quirky look.

Simple Red, White & Blue Jello Dessert

Seriously, you can't get any easier than this with a dessert. All you need is your favorite "red" flavor of jell-o. I usually pick raspberry or strawberry, some whip cream in a can (make it easy to top) and blueberries.

I made these at our cabin, so I didn't have a ton of dishes to choose from so I used our short juice cups.

Make jell-o as directed on the package. Allow to set completely before topping. Arrange blueberries around the perimeter and spray whip cream in a nice mound in the center.

Simple, tasty, and kids will love it.

Holidays don't have to be filled with complicated dishes. Just have fun!

Flag Waffles

Just a fun idea to have a patriotic theme to your breakfast for the upcoming summer holidays of Memorial Day and 4th of July and Labor Day. I made homemade waffles and have a waffle maker that makes two waffles this size at a time. You could possibly even use frozen waffles if you wanted that are square as well. Just slice up your fruit to fit in the size hole that is available on the waffles you are using. I used blueberries strawberries and bananas but next time I think my kids would love to have me use raspberries. They love this and it got us to eat more fruit that day.

Make It Monday - Simple Microwave Blueberry Oatmeal

 You can eat clean and have a hot meal very quickly. Old fashioned oatmeal can be made in the microwave and will save you time in the morning but still provide you with a nutritious breakfast.

Simple Microwave Blueberry Oatmeal
1/2 C old fashioned oatmeal
1 C unsweetened almond milk (or unsweetened coconut milk or skin milk or water)
1/4 C fresh blueberries
1 packet stevia

Directions: Combine all ingredients and stir together. Microwave on high for 1 1/2 minutes. Remove and stir oatmeal then return to the microwave and cook fro 1 1/2 minutes longer.

Make It Monday: Berry Good Rhubarb Sauce

This is so delicious, you are going to want to make more than one batch so that you can freeze or can some to have other times of the year!

Berry Good Rhubarb Sauce
4 C rhubarb, chopped
2 C berries (I used Very Cherry Berry blend from Trader Joe's)
1 1/4 C sugar
1 T Triple Sec
1 T water

Directions: 
Combine all ingredients in a large sauce pan and simmer for 25-30 minutes. Cool and store in the refrigerator. Taste great on it's own, over vanilla ice cream or on pancake or waffles. Enjoy!

Make It Monday: Chocolate Cherry Berry Bread

I used a bag of frozen Very Cherry Berry Blend (from Trader Joes) but you could use your own blend of frozen berries or cherries. This is another tasty clean eating recipe. I found that there were a lot of clean eating banana bread & zucchini bread recipes out there, but not as many other kinds of quick breads, so I needed to make my own. Of course, please still do try my clean eating Blueberry Banana Bread and Zucchini Bread Recipes. 

Chocolate Cherry Berry Bread
2 C whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 C organic baking cocoa
3/4 C raw sugar (honey or maple syrup works too)
1 C Very Cherry Berry Blend, frozen berries
2 T coconut oil, melted
3/4 C natural apple sauce
1 whole egg
1 egg white
3/4 C greek yogurt, plain or berry.cherry flavored
1/4 tsp almond extract

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
• Spray 1 large loaf pan.
• In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda,cinnamon and cocoa.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, apple sauce, egg and egg white, coconut oil, extract and yogurt. Mix well.
• Using a wooden spoon, stir the flour mixture into the wet mixture and blend well. 
• Fold in cherries/berries.
• Pour the batter into the loaf pan and place in the oven.
• Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
• Cool & Enjoy!

Make It Monday: Blackberry Streusel Coffeecake

I love breakfasts! I love breakfast food. We sometimes have breakfast for dinner, which is fun too! 

Blackberry Streusel Coffeecake
Cake
3/4 C raw cane sugar
1/4 C coconut oil
1 egg
1/2 C almond milk
1/4 tsp almond extract
1 tsp cinnamon
2 C white whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 C blueberries
Streusel
1/2 C raw cane sugar
2/3 C old fashioned oats
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 C melted butter

Directions:
Mix sugar, oil and egg until creamy. Stir in milk, extract and cinnamon.
Sift together flour, baking powder & salt. Stir into creamed mixture.
Gently blend in blackberries. Batter will be firm.
To make topping, just combine all ingredients until mixed well.
Spread into an 8x8 greased pan. Sprinkle with streusel topping.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes.