Breakfast Cookie Dough

Happy Valentine's Day, all! Before I say anything about Breakfast Cookie Dough, I want to let you all know how much I love you all. Over the past year, you've made this site more than I could have imagined it being, and I'm oh so thankful for you. Every time you e-mail me, send me a photo of a recipe you've made from the site, Tweet me, or comment about a recipe, I'm reminded of how blessed I am. I truly hope your Valentine's Day is full of all the love you deserve.

Now that feelings have been shared, let's get to the goods: cookie dough for breakfast, 100% guilt-free. I got inspired to make something like this after seeing many recipes for cookie dough 'dip' for fruit and other items. However, even the healthiest versions of this dip contained at least a little cream cheese. In my book, cream cheese and healthy breakfasts don't really walk hand in hand. 

So I made this, Breakfast Cookie Dough, because I love sweet things in the morning, but I hate that rock-in-your-stomach feeling after eating a dense breakfast pastry. Even though I don't have kids, I imagine it would be a fabulous way to get picky eaters to wolf down a breakfast full of protein and calcium without much fuss.

This recipe isn't rocket science, but it sure is tasty. And for someone who likes breakfast to taste indulgent, it's the perfect fix.

Breakfast Cooke Dough

Ingredients
*1 container plain, unsweetened 2% Greek yogurt (I use Fage brand)
*1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
*1 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter
*1 to 2 tsp. Stevia, Truvia or other natural, no-calorie sweetener 
*1 Tbsp. dark or milk chocolate chips, chopped

Instructions
*In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, ground cinnamon, peanut butter, and sweetener. Stir gently until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips. Sprinkle addtional chocolate chips on top, if desired.

Happy cooking!

Madison

Green Detox Smoothie

Thanksgiving and Christmas have passed, and my guess is that many of you are in need of a break. A break from butter and sugar and almost anything sweet that comes out of an oven, only to be covered in icing and powdered sugar or topped with whipped cream (and maybe even a break from family). So while I have a delicious oatmeal-coconut cookie recipe to share and a fruit pie that is to die for, I'm moving on to lighter, healthier fare - the kind that makes you feel good about what you just put into your body.


I love to eat, and because of that you will never see me posting anything about the Master Cleanse diet - a celebrity diet consisting of drinking nothing more than water mixed with lemon juice, cayenne pepper, and maple syrup. If that's a detox, I want nothing to do with it! But after the holiday season has come and gone, I find myself needed to lighten it up a bit.

It doesn't get any healthier, or easier, than this smoothie. Packed inside this little glass is a serving of veggies (yes, veggies), fruit, and dairy. And when paired with a salad for lunch, it packs even more punch. As usual, feel free to play around with the fruit in this smoothie. The spinach is a great choice for the veggie because it has a very mild, and slightly sweet flavor that doesn't overpower the sweetness in the yogurt and fruit. Trust me, you won't even know the spinach is there.

Ingredients:

1 (6-8 oz.) yogurt (preferably one with 100 calories or less)
1/4 cup skim milk
1/2 cup fresh or frozen spinach
1/2 banana
2 handfuls ice
1 Tbsp. lemon or lime juice

Instructions:

*Mix all the above ingredients together in a blender until smooth. Top with grated lemon peel, if desired.

Breakfast Dilemmas

Breakfast. In my opinion, one of the most glorious times of the day. I'm a morning person by nature, made even more so by a few cups of strong coffee. My favorite mornings are those when I am able to sit and have a long breakfast, usually stretching over a couple hours, while watching the Today Show and reading the paper.

But beyond coffee, breakfast can also present some challenges, because what is consumed in the morning usually sets the tone for eating patterns the rest of the day. Can anyone relate? I know if I start the day off with something overly sweet, my willpower the rest of the day is at a serious disadvantage. Battling my sweet tooth once it gets going is a losing game.

Some may suggest a fiber-filled bowl of oatmeal, but I find that starting my day off with a heaping bowl of carbohydrates, even if they are the good kind, just isn't a good fit either. What's a busy, health-concious, food-loving girl to do? Don't write me off as crazy when I tell you that my solution is a Berry Tofu Smoothie.

I beg you....give this recipe a try. Packed with protein, calcium, and a serving of fruit, my Berry Tofu Smoothie manages to curb my craving for sweet without loading me down and keeps me full for hours. Try it.... and let me know what you think!

Berry Tofu Smoothie:

1 cup frozen mixed berries of your choice
1/2 cup Silken Tofu (firm or soft, it does not matter)
1/2 - 3/4cup skim milk
1 light yogurt such as Dannon Light and Fit or YoLight (any flavor you like)
2 tsp. Splenda (optional, but I like my smoothie a bit sweeter)

In a blender, process until smooth. The mixture will be thick, which I love. If you want a more drinkable smoothie, just add a bit more milk.

Enjoy!
Madison