Organic Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Sticks

Organic Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Sticks (Recipe Makeover)  makes 6 bars

1 cup Organic Oatmeal, crushed loosely to measure 2/3 cup
1/2 cup Organic Smooth Peanut Butter
3 TBSP Organic Honey
1/3 cup Organic Powdered Milk

Crush 1 cup Oatmeal in food process or Bullet lightly to measure 2/3 cup.
Add peanut butter, honey and powdered milk.  Knead ingredients together.  It will look too dry but just keep kneading, it will eventually all come together.
Divide into 6 even pieces and roll into logs.  Wrap each individually in waxed paper and place all of them together in a freezer baggy.  Store in freezer or refridgerator. 

I keep mine in the freezer, they thaw to the perfect consistency by the time I fix my coffee.

Organic Black Bean Quinoa Carrot Burgers (Recipe Makeover)

Organic black bean / quinoa / carrot burgers have become a favorite in my house!  I am so happy I have been able to add black beans back into my diet. They quickly became that "go to" meal when we can't think of what to make for dinner. These healthy bean burgers have kept us from eating out more than once!  Serve on a bed of lettuce, baby spinach and avocado/homemade guacamole and we have a filling, healthy meal.

These burgers also freeze well!

Organic Black Bean Quinoa Carrot Burgers                    makes 4 burgers / 2 servings

1/2 cup cooked organic quinoa (not SCD legal but my tummy tolerates just fine)
15 ounce can organic black beans, rinsed and drain, mash with hand masher leaving some whole or use 1 1/2 cups homemade cooked organic black beans
3/4 cup finely shredded organic carrots
1/4 cup organic Almond Flour
1 clove organic garlic, minced
1 tsp organic cumin (if allowed on your diet)
(optional 1/4 tsp sea salt)
1-2 TBSP olive oil for cooking burgers

Cook quinoa according to package directions to equal 1/2 cup cooked.  Let cool, then add shredded carrots, minced garlic, mashed beans, almond flour, cumin and salt.  Mixture will be lumpy but should stick together.  Form into 4 patties.  I like mine flattened a little so there is more crunchy surface, if you like a softer burger leave it a little thicker.  Cook 8 minutes on each side in olive oil over medium heat.  If they start to get too brown/crunchy, turn the heat down slightly.

I freeze these burgers on a cookie sheet individually, then place parchment paper between them before placing in freezer container.  This makes it easier to just remove one burger at a time.

Change Can Be Good

At my new doctor's appointment a week ago, I decided to change the way I eat which means I need to learn how to eat and cook differently and enjoy it.  I had never met this doctor and was a little apprehensive to change after years with the same doctor's office, but my insurance forced this change.  Sometimes...change is good. 

My new doctor told me to "eat more vegetables" plain and simple.  I am sure I have heard those same words before but the way he said vegetables made me chuckle to myself and I listened to what he had to say.  "If you eat more vegetables then you can't eat so much other stuff."  He wasn't telling me to go on a diet, just to eat more vegetables.  What he said just seemed to click and my journey began.

The next day my husband saw this new doctor who told him the same thing.  "Eat more vegetables and you can't eat so much other stuff" and the way he said vegetables made my husband chuckle to himself.  But it clicked for whatever reason.  And now he is eating more vegetables...