Coconut Overnight Oatmeal

So... Here I am ... strolling along, eating my same overnight oatmeal day after day.  I am happy, because it is yummy and does what I need it to do... BUT, I found another recipe... I have listed different flavors of overnight oatmeal on my blog and so has the rest of the blog community, but this recipe looked delicious. So, I opened my pantry and my frig, I was missing 1 or 2 things.. SO behold, I made a new recipe. IF and only IF you like coconut, these overnight oats are just amazing. The whole time I ate them this morning, I smiled. The flavor of coconut made me think of a warm tropical day. (ON a COLD Freezing day in January in Illinois) It was like eating oatmeal and pudding all on one happy spoon. I am trying to eat healthier and oatmeal fills me up for hours. THROW AWAY the Packets. They are gross. Make it yourself. This breakfast was loaded with all kinds of goodness. Totally happy.

Good morning.
The Oatmeal was smooth,
The Chia seeds were plump
and the Coconut flavor was throughtout

Coconut Overnight Oatmeal

Adapted from ME

Ingredients

1 cup Oatmeal

1 cup Coconut or Almond Milk

1 5-6 ounce container Coconut Yogurt

1 teaspoon Chia Seeds

1/4 cup shredded Coconut

Directions

In a container or jar, place oatmeal, chia seeds, yogurt, milk and coconut in that order. Stir thoroughly. Sprinkle with a topping of coconut on top and place in refrigerator overnight. In the morning stir and eat up.

5 easy ingredients. 

A great start for any next day breakfast

Add in your ingredients

Chia seeds are loaded with Omega 3's. 

Oatmeal is a healthy Fiber

and Yogurt contains Protein

I just like the look of delicious fun. I am very lame

It is already thick. The spoon is sitting on top

Topped with some coconut.
If you did not want it so thick, do not add the yogurt.
It was a much more filling meal with it in it. YOU decide..

German Chocolate Cheesecake Cake

My next door neighbor made a request. She loves German Chocolate Cake and wanted it for her birthday cake. HELLO, so does most of my family. My baby sister has it every year for her birthday cake. My Mom has always made this cake forever. The melding of the brown sugar, pecans and coconut with the chocolate cake. Heavenly. So, I stumbled upon this delightful recipe. Combine German Chocolate cake with Cheesecake... WOW .. is it. This cake was just amazing. TOTALLY kicking it up a notch. My neighbor and her family thought it was delicious. My Husband stated that it was perfectly delicious and not to change a thing. Please make again.

  

Layers of amazing flavors that melt in your mouth

(improved photo skills)

NOTE: if you put this into 2 8" cake pans, shorten your cook time. You should have enough frosting to cover both layers, but not the sides.

This recipe does have a few steps. Please do not let that stop you. It is really very easy and does not take a long time. It is well worth the effort. This recipe call for a box cake. I amp up my box cakes, so you can either follow my recipe for the cake or make your own chocolate cake. When I made this cake, I was cutting my time short, (excuse) but homemade cake has less preservatives. DO what you want.

German Chocolate Cheesecake Cake

adapted from mommyskitchen.net

Ingredients

Cake

1 dark chocolate cake mix

1 small package chocolate pudding (cook & serve)

3 eggs 

1/2 cup oil

1 1/2 cups milk

3/4 cup yogurt, plain or vanilla

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Filling

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 8-oz packages cream cheese, softened

4 eggs 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Coconut Pecan Frosting

1 12 oz can evaporated milk

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, cubed

3 egg yolks, slightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups flaked coconut

1 1/ cups chopped pecans

Directions

Set oven to 325 degrees. Line a 9x13 pan with tin foil. Spray pan with cooking spray. Set aside

Into a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, place all cake ingredients into bowl. Beat for 2-3 minutes. Pour half of the cake batter into prepared pan. Place remaining cake batter into another bowl and set aside.

Into the mixing bowl, add the sugar and softened cream cheese. Beat until smooth. Add eggs one at a time and mix until incorporated. Gently pour the cream cheese mixture of the cake batter. Try to cover the whole surface of the cake mixture. 

Spoon remaining cake batter over the cream cheese mixture. Spread to the edge of the baking pan. Bake for 65 - 70 minutes. OR until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. (NOTE: REALLY cook this long)

Cool cake for at least a half hour - 1 hour before removing from pan.

While your cake is baking, in a heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, evaporated milk, butter and egg yolks. Continue to stir and cook. This probably took at least 15-20 minutes to cook and thicken up. Your thermometer should read 180 degrees. Needs to be thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon.

Remove from the heat. Stir in vanilla extract, fold in coconut and pecans. Cool until frosting reaches spreading consistency. 

Frost your cake. Refrigerate any leftovers. This cake can be made a day in advance.

All the ingredients needed for this dessert

(THE OIL was not pictured) sorry

The ingredients for the cake

 A very FULL bowl. remaining half of the cake

eggs, sugar, vanilla extract and cream cheese for the cream cheese mixture

Gently poured over the cake batter

Drizzling the remaining cake batter

Ingredients for the frosting

I first measured out the evaporated milk, but used the entire can

Stirring away... I had forgotten that homemade does take some time

My old wooden smasher. I have had this tool for a long time

Folding in the pecans and coconut

Gently removed the cake from the pan. 

Starting to frost

I used an offset spatula for a smooth surface

Heavenly layers of deliciousness

YES, I ate both of these pieces. OMG, 

Just so good. 

Tropical Green Smoothie

Happy Friday kids. It is a cold rainy day here. Some places nearby had snow flakes. It does not even feel close to May. Maybe March. It was SO nice last weekend and now it is UGLY. Under the comforter in bed kind of day. But, unfortunately, I have work to do and sides jobs to also work at. One of these days, I swear, I will have a nothing weekend. Nothing to do..... but then, I will find house jobs to do.... I am so lame. A shopping excursion or a beach day....

In the spirit of tropical drinks, I came up with this drink. I was scoping out the frig, looking for something different, and stuff that needed to be eaten. Went through my recipes and come up with a concept. My usual green drinks are light and cleansing. This drink is still a water base drink, (less calories) but it is thick. Fills you up without loading on the calories. Except for the 1/2 of Avocado, which really is not bad, this is a great drink to indulge in. Indulging in healthy drinks, REALLY, it is not like I am eating ice cream. Drink this every day if you want.

Pale green. Can you see how thick and delicious this drink is. 

OK, it is just delicious and yummy.

Tropical Green Smoothie

adapted by ME

Ingredients

1 cup cold water

1/4 cup coconut 

1 frozen banana

4 dates, pitted

1/2 avocado, pitted

1 mango, pitted or 1/2-1 cup frozen 

1 squirt agave nectar

Ice if drinking immediately

Directions

Add water and coconut to your high power blender. Blend until smooth. (OR you can use coconut water) Add remaining ingredients in the order listed and blend for 2-3 minutes. Since my drink was going in the refrigerator overnight, I did not add ice. I would recommend if drinking immediately. 

If you wanted even more of a tropical feel, you could also add some fresh lime. 

This would give this drink a nice spin. None on hand, so maybe next time

Looks just like an avocado. 

Everything was so good in this drink. 

It took me a while to drink this drink. Slightly heavy, but not overwhelming.

SO, according to my phone, it is 40 degrees outside.

This drink is the closest thing to the tropics that I am getting.

I am going to buy some limes for more tropical drinks.

AND Hope for warmer weather. 

PIna Colada Oatmeal Smoothie

Last night as I was making a Green Cleanse for today, I was thinking about something different for breakfast. If you choose not to blend the crap out of it, it can be an overnight Oatmeal. I made a drink. Even though I make all these drinks, I still like easy. Long drinks are not my style. Taking an hour just to drink your breakfast is not my style.

This smoothie just jumped out at me. Probably because it has been raining all week. We are at unseasonable cold weather. Will it ever get warm. Today is May, I have flowers, but I am not buying anything until is warms up significantly. My Mother is suppose to come home from Florida this weekend. She is just going to go into shock. It will feel like the Artic Circle to her.

Pina Colada Oatmeal Smoothie
slightly from oatgasm.blogspot.com
Ingredients
1/2 cup Almond or Coconut Milk
1 tablespoon Chia Seeds
1/2 cup Pineapple chucks and juice
1/2 cup Oatmeal
1 Banana
1 squirt Agave Nectar
3 tablespoons shredded coconut

Directions
The NIGHT BEFORE, Place milk and chia seeds in high power mixer. Let set for 5 minutes. Mix for a moment. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix on high for 2-3 minutes until smooth. Place in glass or cup and cover. Place in the refrigerator overnight.

** If you want a more oatmeal feel to this, DO NOT place the oatmeal in the blender. Mix the rest of the ingredients, when done, add your oatmeal. Stir until completely mixed in. **

In the morning, you can eat or drink this cold or warm in microwave to desired temperature.

Breakfast at work this morning.

This is an awesome way to start my day

These are all easy ingredients that I have on hand

Sorry, the Chia Seeds did not make the main photo...

I had my milk and pineapple in the Vitamix, waiting for seeds

The seeds are IN. I stirred them in so that they could start to thicken

I should have used a larger to go mug. 

Another story of my life.

 Oatmeal Smoothie, Green Cleanse, Kombucha.

I will post a recipe for my tea. Next week, my second batch will be ready

Including a large cup of Tea, this is the start of my morning.

Have a great day. Tell me what you think of the Oatmeal.

Pina Colada Protein Smoothie

I SO went outside of the box..

This Protein Drink was delicious and so healthy for you. NO powders to fluff this up. Eliminate the crap people, lets move on and drink healthy. 

Chickpeas, or Garbanzo beans whatever you want to call them, they are loaded with protein and fiber. You will feel full for hours with feeling fat. I am so glad I stumbled upon this recipe. As with any smoothie recipe, modify to your liking. I like coconut and pineapples, you may not. use frozen berries, mangos, whatever is to your liking. With using the chick peas, this smoothie was thick. I also added Agave Nectar. (NOT photograph), I felt this recipe needed to be sweeter. Use Honey or Nothing. It is up to you. You can always add more milk to make this drink more liquidy. Up to YOU.

Pina Colada Protein Smoothie

The SNOW is finally gone. The flowers are just starting to bud. 

I am celebrating with a summer drink

Pina Colada Protein Smoothie

modified from thesmoothielover.com

Ingredients

1 cup Almond Milk

1 frozen banana

1/2 cup chick peas

1 cup frozen pineapple

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1-2 cups of ice

1-2 squirts of Agave Nectar (optional)

Directions

Add all ingredients into Vitamix or high power blender, and mix until smooth. Drink up

These are not complicated ingredients. 

The Chick peas are near the kidney beans or black beans in the grocery store

My Husband and I really enjoyed these smoothies.

HE had NO idea there were beans in his fruit smoothie. 

I am just making him Healthier.

Green Cleanse -3

Hmmm, what to do. When did I run out of green apples and not tell anyone. WAIT, that would be Me..  and I remember nothing unless it is written down. So, I stood with the refrigerator door open, contemplating what to make. Grab the spinach, found a lime and what else. Open the freezer, there was a bag of frozen pineapple I had cut up. I am finding bargain fruits and vegetables and freezing them for a later day. Perfect. Since I am a coconut lover, I wanted something a bit tropical without a bunch of calories.

Look at this drink. 

Green, Clean and Looking like a Shake

Not some watery drink for me.

There are tons of Green Cleanse combinations. I can go on forever. (Hopefully, I will also feature other recipes.) I have made some new cookies and bars for trays. The new recipes have been hits and not totallty healthy....

Green Cleanse - 3

adapted by ME

Ingredients

1 cup Water

1/2 - 1 cup Frozen Pineapple

1-2 cups Fresh Spinach

Juice of 1/2 Lime

1/2 cup shredded Coconut

ICE

Directions

Add all ingredients into a blender in the order listed. Blend until smooth

I was to unsure about this Drink. Try things People. 

Live outside of a box. There is always a bomb once in awhile.

I went out on a limb and made a delicious drink

This made a Very large one drink. Could also be 2 average drinks

Rich, Thick and Smooth. 

Keep it Clean Folks, Keep it Clean

Chocolate Heaven Smoothie

A month long series. OR.... How many of these is she going to make. People, people, people, I am only beginning. I am also finding summer smoothies with melons in them.  I am SO excited for summer. But last night my Husband was craving something sweet. He really wanted ice cream without the fat. Whatever that is.. So, I thought for a moment and away I went.

Chocolate Heaven Smoothie
adapted by ME
Ingredients
1 cup Almond Milk or Coconut Milk
1/2 Vanilla yogurt (I was all out of Greek yogurt)
1/4 cup of grated almonds
1/4 cup of shredded coconut
1 or 2 squirts of chocolate syrup

Directions
Place ingredients in the blender in the order they are listed and BLEND

ADD ICE IF YOU WANT A THICKER CONSISTENCY

5 Simple Ingredients

IF you do not want chocolate, DO NOT add. 

My Husbands loves Chocolate 

If you saw that face that went with the, "why can I not just drink my smoothie"

Very good. 

Smoothie City

I got a Vitamix for Christmas... I also received many other wonderful Christmas presents, but the Vitamix is the BOMB. I am a smoothie making machine. I have also ground almonds up, and Oreo's also. My Husband had some dental work done, I pureed the Chicken Corn Chowder. A recipe that should be posted, but there were no pictures taken. This machine is an adult play toy.

I also received this mat from my sister for Christmas. It is soft and wonderful. My whole kitchen floor should be this soft. I would float around in a dream.... RIGHT...

This was a great combination. All of my favorites

Ugly Bananas. Frozen solid and perfect for a smoothie

Two large glasses filled to the top. But Just wait until you taste it.

This was a combination of chocolate, almonds and coconut. YUMMY!

Chocolate Almond, Coconut smoothie

all ME

Ingredients

1 6 oz container of Chobani Coconut yogurt

1 1/2 cups Almond Milk (with or with Coconut)

2 or 3 frozen bananas

1/4 cup of Almonds

1/4 cup of Shredded Coconut

2 good squirts of Chocolate Syrup

Directions

Put everything in your blender according to order, and mix until all blended together. Two very full glasses.

Smoothie two

I was not sure about all of these flavors, but I like them all.

This is an awesome combination. Go out on a limb people

 short two servings of unique flavors that I love

This smoothie is also DAIRY Free and PALEO and it tasted delicious, but to much ice

Banana Walnut Date Shake

adapted from meaningfuleats.com

Ingredients

1 cup almond milk

1/2 cup ice -- important

1 frozen banana

1/4 cup walnuts

4 dates

2 tablespoons flax seed meal

Directions

Place all ingredients in there order in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy

There are zillions of smoothie recipes. YOU do not have to have a Vitamix, a Ninja, Nutra Bullet or even a plain old blender will work. Just do not buy prepackaged smoothie. Fruits, Spinach and loads of other combinations solve your beverage wants. Happy drinking.

No Bake Chocolate-Coconut Bars

As I am sitting here with a thousand ideas in my head and nothing on the laptop.There was a commercial that stated that Julia Child did not publish her first book until she was 51. I just celebrated a birthday last week. I am not in my 50's, but they are rapidly approaching. Holding onto my forties with so much force. This is also why I am working on launching my sweets business. I have made several treats for a few different events. It is starting out slowly. As this blog progresses, I hope my life will continue to change.

Our trip to FLA was wonderful. My Mom is doing great. She looks fabulous. We walked on the beach everyday. It is always so much work to get to Florida, but I am always glad we went. My sisters and I  are so lucky there are so many great people in Florida.

My Husband and I were also fortunate enough to see my Florida sister twice. It was a blast hanging out with her. My Sister made this fabulous Strawberry Cake for me pictured above. Someday, I will post the recipe. She also made a lovely Meyer Lemon Cheesecake on my birthday. WE ate and drank way to much on vacation. I actually sleep all night. 8 hours of sleep is quite an accomplishment for me.

The Sunsets are always so amazing

So, we are back home trying to go back to regular food. Desserts were still screaming for me. I have always loved No Bakes. They are always such a wonderful little treat. When we were younger, my sisters and I used to make them and eat them out of the pan on the stove. Burned our tongues every time.

These bars are fabulous. I could really eat the whole pan. Little refrigerated snacks. They are also healthy, yes healthy. Coconut oil is so good for you. Peanut Butter, Oatmeal, Dark Chocolate, and Nuts, all good things. Talk about protein and fiber. This recipe can be modified a ton of different ways. Whatever floats your boat, or whatever you have in the pantry.  Most of all, these are bars are easy to whip up. Great for any short notice get together.

No Bake Chocolate Coconut Bars
adapted from eatgood4life.blogspot.com

Ingredients

1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup coconut oil
2 cups old fashioned oatmeal
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
1/4 cup flax seed meal

Directions
Line a 8x8, 9x9, or 10x10 pan with parchment paper. This will vary the thickness. Set aside.

Melt the peanut butter, honey and coconut oil in a medium size saucepan over medium low heat. Stir until mixture melts. When melted, add chocolate chips and continue to stir. About a minute or so.

Remove pan from heat and stir in remaining ingredients until combined.

Pour mixture into your pan. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours, until set up. Cut into pieces and pig out!

Stove top cooking in one pan ~~ EASY ~~

Pour into the pan. I used a 10 x 10 pan. A smaller pan would make thicker bars

At the Pier.. thanks Mom for the great Vacation.