German Chocolate Oatmeal

Pinterest is so good at sharing healthy food and exercise ideas right next to treats that are full of way too much stuff that's delicious, but not super good FOR you.  

I keep seeing pictures of this and this and so many others while I'm starting to count calories and am weaning myself from so much sugar and treats.  I'd look for more yummy treats, but I can't eat any more food tonight, so I'd better stop!

Here was my solution to this problem.  I tried this recipe for microwave blueberry oatmeal (like cake in a cup, but healthy) and had to make it over a little.  I added some coconut and chocolate chips.  It was so good and filling because of the oatmeal.  

I'd like to say that this was just as good as the other treats that I'd still love to eat, but wouldn't be able to control myself, but it's not.  It IS good, but it was probably 'just enough' sugar when I'm still accustomed to too much sugar.

Here's what I did:

Put these ingredients right into a mug:

1/4 cup Quick Oats 

1 Egg 

1 Tablespoon Chocolate Chips

1 Tablespoon Coconut

1 teaspoon Honey (or brown sugar)

1 Tablespoon Milk

Microwave that for two minutes and it's done.  

I tried a recipe with Hershey's Chocolate syrup just after this one, but it didn't work out quite like I hoped.  I might revisit that idea another time.  Maybe Chocolate syrup instead of chocolate chips and in place of the honey and milk???

Microwave Poppycock for Popcorn

My mom always made this topping for popcorn when we watched movies on Sunday nights. I think it was so she didn't have to cook so many meals.
I did the same thing tonight when Andy was watching COPS with the kids. I wasn't done until after it was over, so they ate it while Andy read them their scripture story and bedtime books. The kids really enjoyed it.
My mom got this recipe from a lady she knew when she was first married. It is made in the microwave and is super easy and yummy!Poppycock for Popcorn

Ingredients:
1 ¼ cup Sugar
1 cup Butter (I used half butter and half margarine)
½ cup Corn Syrup
1 teaspoon Vanilla

Instructions:
Mix sugar, butter, and corn syrup together and microwave 8 minutes in a 4 quart glass bowl. Stir one time. Then add vanilla and microwave 5 more minutes. Pour on popped popcorn and stir. Warn impatient eaters that it is HOT. It hardens as it cools. My mom had a giant stack of plastic cups that we would use to eat popcorn.
This makes a very large size bowl of popcorn. If you have leftovers, place in a ziplock bag and eat it later.

Homemade Granola Bars

I'm looking for cheap and easy ways to snack (healthy too!) This recipe is great, especially with the substitutions. I just need to buy some mini chocolate chips for next time so they stretch farther. I used chocolate chips and crasins.

Easy Granola Bars
Ingredients:
4 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup all-purpose flour (or ground whole wheat flour)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup butter, softened — or substitute applesauce
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups miniature semisweet chocolate chips or raisins, crasins, nuts

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Lightly grease one 9×13 inch pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, flour, baking soda, vanilla, butter or margarine, honey and brown sugar. Stir in the 2 cups assorted chocolate chips, raisins, nuts etc.
3. Lightly press mixture into the prepared pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 18 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes then cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.
I think the recipe would be even better with 1/4 cup Karo Syrup too. They are a little dry, but still good.
This recipe came from this site. Food Storage Made Easy.net