Delicious Whole Wheat Waffles

These whole wheat waffles are a low-fat, nutritious, and delicious start to the day. They cost pennies to make, are quick and easy, and if you want even quicker future breakfasts you can make a huge batch and freeze them for a quick toaster/microwave reheat to grab anytime. My kids even like the leftovers as snacks with peanut butter or jam on them. If you like to mix it up, my oatmeal pancake recipe also makes great oatmeal waffles. This recipe has more of a traditional taste with all the whole grain and nutrients of whole wheat flour.

2 eggs (or 4 egg whites)

1 1/2 cups skim milk

1/4 cup applesauce (no sugar added)

1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour

2 tbsp. sugar

4 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

Variations are always fun, so add a tbsp. of cinnamon for cinnamon waffles, cinnamon and 1/2-1 tsp. of nutmeg for french toast waffles, or for apple cinnamon waffles replace one or both of the eggs with 1/4 cup more applesauce per egg and add the cinnamon. Serve with syrup, fruit and yogurt, jam, or strawberries/strawberry puree and a bit of whipped cream. So good!

Shake Down Summer

I love summer. I love milkshakes. I DON'T love adding 500+ empty calories to my thighs on a regular basis. There is a simple answer to all of this. A delicious and refreshing milkshake does not have to be ice cream based. Hear me out. All it takes is bananas, milk, and ice (with infinite variation possibilities), and I promise it's worth all it's guiltlessness!

Basic Banana Shake: I'm not much of a measurer, and this one doesn't need exact measurements at all. It's a simple concept that can be adjusted however you like it best. Start with 2-3 ripe bananas, depending how banana-y you like it. They need to be good and ripe (but not rotten) in order to have the right sweetness. If you use under-ripe bananas you'll have to add a bit of sugar, and the taste just isn't as good. With the bananas in the blender add 1-2 cups of milk, depending on the size of the blender and the thickness of shake desired, with an optional teaspoon of vanilla. Leave plenty of room to add a bunch of ice to the desired consistency. That's it! One blender full makes several servings.

Variations: If you're not a banana fan, you can experiment with all kinds of fruit. Anything goes. I just find that bananas are a good shake base because of their consistency, and it's a great way to use them up when they're just a bit too ripe to want to eat plain. I like to add to the banana base with other fruit. It's a great use for frozen strawberries or the ones in the fridge that'll be furry by tomorrow. If you crave chocolate, add a couple teaspoons of baking cocoa with a teaspoon or two of sugar, as the cocoa is usually a bit bitter. Use your imagination. There are lots of flavorings to try between the baking isle and the coffee section of the grocery store. I have mint and hazelnut that would be good in the right shake. I've even added a graham cracker, giving it a pie taste. The possibilities are endless, and you won't feel like you're stuck with diet food to enjoy nutrition and a great variety of tastes for the summer!