Honey Yogurt Berry Pops

With the school semester almost over, it’s increasingly difficult to get summer off of my mind. These healthy and satisfying treats will be perfect for those smoldering Texas days when you’re laying out by the pool or having a BBQ. They are easy to make and can be made again and again if you have a Popsicle mold. It’s a great alternative for the sugar filled store bought treats.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  1. 2 cups of greek yogurt
  2. 1/2 cup honey
  3. 1 cup berries (any flavor you’d like)
Here’s how to fix it:
  1. Mix your honey, berries, and yogurt together in a bowl.  Spoon into popsicle molds and put on lids. Freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight. ENJOY!

April 19, 2012. Quick and Easy Eating. No Comments.

Mini Zucchini Pizzas

I’ve been trying to move my eating habits to fit the Paleo diet. With that, I haven’t been able to eat about 50% of the food at my house since it’s all processed carbohydrates. In an attempt to look for recipes to get rid of the pepperoni that I had for pizzas, I came across this wonderful idea of mini zucchini pizzas. It’s way healthier than regular pizza, and easier to make.

Here’s how:

  1. Slice zucchini into 3/4 inch rounds and lay out on baking sheet.
  2. Add a tablespoon of tomato sauce on each. (I used fresh tomatoes mashed with garlic and herbs)
  3. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese lightly on top of the tomato paste.
  4. Add desired topping. (For me this was pepperoni)
  5. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

April 10, 2012. Thoughts. No Comments.

Strawberry Oranger Sorbet

With the temperature and humidity rising, what seems like daily, Texas is on its way to a scorching hot summer. One of my favorite ways to cool down is to indulge in sweet frozen treats. This good and simple recipe is perfect for those hot summer days and as a dessert after a barbeque. It’s also very simple and way better for you.

Here’s what you need:

  • 4 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup fresh orange juice plus the zest
  • 1/2 cup sugar
First, in a saucepan, mix the sugar, orange juice and water bring to a boil. Make sure all sugar is melted, and then add in the strawberries for an additional 10 minutes. Puree the mixture & bring it to room temperature, then place in the refrigerator to chill. Finally, either freeze, or for soft serve use an ice cream machine. Enjoy!

April 3, 2012. Quick and Easy Eating. No Comments.

Overnight Oatmeal (no cooking required)

By paying more attention to what I eat, I have actually come to really enjoy food more along with cooking. However, with 8AM classes, breakfast is a weak point in my diet. This delicious oatmeal recipe has made me look forward to my mornings just a little bit more. There is no cooking involved, it can be made in advance, and is packed with nutrition.

What you’ll need:

  • 1/4 cup uncooked old fashioned oats
  • 1/3 cup skim milk
  • 1/4 cup low-fat Greek yogurt
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons dried chia seeds
How to prepare it:
  1. Pour oats, milk, yogurt, and chia seeds all into a mason jar.
  2. Close the lid, and shake until well combined.
  3. Remove lid and mix in fresh fruits and/or  flavors like vanilla, maple, or honey.
  4. Seal the lid  and put in the refrigerate overnight or for up to 3 days.
  5. Eat chilled and enjoy!

March 28, 2012. Quick and Easy Eating. 2 Comments.

Frozen Banana Bites

With much effort, I have been able to stick to my healthier diet lately, although it can be hard to resist the temptation of sweets from time to time. Thankfully, my brother turned me on to Frozen Banana Bites that are super delicious(they taste like ice-cream) and satisfy me anytime my sweet tooth stats acting up. What’s even better, is that they are a cinch to make, and are decently healthy.

Here’s how:

  1. Set out wax paper and cut up bananas into bite sized pieces.
  2. Microwave a cup full of peanut butter and chocolate chips on high for about 60 seconds. Stir until smooth.
  3. Dip the banana chunks into the chocolate/peanut butter mix and lay them on the wax paper. Then spoon the rest over the tops.
  4. Sprinkle the tops with coconut flakes, nuts, or any other novelty and freeze for an hour until they become solid.
  5. Either enjoy or let sit overnight for a more ice-creamy tasting treat!

March 22, 2012. Quick and Easy Eating. 2 Comments.

Turning a New Page

J.K Rowling began blessing many children with the magic of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”, in 1998. Since then, the Harry Potter series has become a literary and cinematic phenomenon, capturing hearts worldwide. With the last film being released this past July, many fans have been left with little to look forward to, other than the website www.Pottermore.com, which is still in its beta. However, in late February, J.K. Rowling officially announced that she will be writing a new book, this time geared towards adults. Although the content of the book, and its release date is unknown, we can only hope that J.K. Rowling will once again give us a story to cherish for the rest of our lives.

March 7, 2012. Books Galore. No Comments.

Healthy Homemade Whipped Cream

In continuation with my efforts to take better care of my body, I have been searching for healthier substitutions for things that I eat on a daily basis.  That is how my friend and I started talking about this amazing recipe.

Whipped cream is something that I enjoy eating on fruits, with desserts, on coffee, and even by itself. Sadly, it’s also something that is packed full of calories and cholesterol. Luckily, this healthy alternative makes eating whipped cream guilt-free with all the taste. It may seem odd that it is made with coconut milk,but I promise that it’s worth a try.

Here is the recipe:

1. Take a can of Coconut Milk and refrigerated  it for some time, or best over night..

2. Open and scoop out the thickened coconut cream that will be floating on the top. (Don’t throw out the water, use it to drink!)

3. In a bowl, stir in cinnamon and vanilla. Whip it until it begins to thicken.

4. ENJOY! Keep any left overs in the refrigerator, though I doubt you’ll have any.

February 29, 2012. Quick and Easy Eating. 1 Comment.

Broiled Grapefruit.

Lately, I have been trying to make healthy changes to my life, but between work and school, I find it difficult to put  tons of effort into cooking health conscious foods. The other day I stumbled upon a quick and easy recipe that changed my outlook on grapefruits. I have grown up eating the occasional grapefruit, but I have always had to drown them in sugar to get past the ultra bitter citrus taste. Although I was hesitant at first of how a warm cinnamon grapefruit would taste, I tried it anyways, and now I am completely hooked on these sweet treats. Not to mention, this recipe is a  much healthier alternative to eating sugar-coated grapefruit, with much more flavor.

Here is the recipe:

  1. Cut grapefruit in half (midway between the stem-end and the dot on the opposite end).
  2. Sprinkle cinnamon generously over the grapefruit, then lightly dust it with sugar(brown sugar is good too).
  3. To broil, put halves sugar-side up on a cookie sheet in the oven and set oven on broil for 10-15 minutes.
  4. The sugar should melt and start to caramelize.
  5. Eat immediately and enjoy !

February 22, 2012. Quick and Easy Eating. No Comments.

Welcome Post!

Hello, my name is Kayleigh! I am an always-busy student at UTA. This is my first blog about my daily life as a college student and the things that inspire me. Please check back regularly for updates.

February 17, 2012. Thoughts. 1 Comment.