Through out this last year I have done a wonderful job of cooking what I like to think are awesome meals at home. I have enjoyed whipping up these lovely creations and watching the enjoyment of others as they try them. I myself have responded to many a recipe with oohs-ahhs, and second helpings.
Many of the dishes have been centered around lovely creams, butters, bacon, pasta, a lot of well...tasty, but let's face it, um, fattening ingredients. Although there is nothing wrong with indulging from time to time, doing it too often may leave you, like me, in need of a change to a healthier eating style. Balance and moderation is key to a lot of what we love to enjoy and indulge in. This is why when Food Network's Healthy Eats introduced a Healthy January Challenge and, invited people to join in the fun, I immediately jumped on board.
What is it? Here is a copy straight from their page explaining it in their own words...
Week 1: Eat Breakfast
Week 2: Eat More Whole Grains
Week3: Cook at Home
Week 4: Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
Week 5: Stay On Track
Each week they are going to talk to us about that week's goals. They will be on Twitter, Face book, and their website offering recipes from them and those involved, and tips on how to be successful. They are also going to have giveaways during the challenge and a whole lot more for us to be healthy in the new year.
So, today with this week being focused on eating not only breakfast, but a healthy breakfast, I decided on a yogurt start to the day with baked apples, NO butter : )
Peel, core, and dice 4 green apples
Mix in 1 teaspoon of vanilla
1/4 cup melted brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1-2 shakes of nutmeg
2 tablespoons honey
Sprinkle a very light coat of flour on the apple mixture
Combine with 1 cup of any grain, grain flake, crunch cereal you have on hand
Spray top with cooking spray
Bake in a preheated oven set at 300 degrees for about 30 minutes till apples are soft
It is a nice mixture of sweet softness and a light crisp that is wonderful with yogurt. I mixed mine with strawberry yogurt from Yoplait and a few thinly sliced green grapes.
Compared to my over easy eggs with crisp bacon, everything omelette's, eggs benedict, cheese laden scrambled eggs with sausage breakfasts of late. I do believe this is a much better way to start off a day. And, a lot healthier.
Will you join the Healthy January Challenge and kick start your year off with a healthy bang? Good Luck to you, I wish you all the success in the world. I have high hopes that with starting the year off in the right direction by being a part of this challenge, I will not only look healthier but be healthier : )
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| Mixing everything together |
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| Baked to a nice golden color |
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| Mixed with sliced green grapes and strawberry yogurt |
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| Not fat free but, with probiotics : ) |
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| Adds body and a little crunch |
http://www.foodnetwork.com/healthy-every-week/package/index.html