Pumpkin Spice Baked Oatmeal Cups

These are simple to put together and make a great, quick fall breakfast. They store well too!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups old-fashioned oats (use certified gluten-free, if necessary)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice mix (or use 1 teaspoon cinnamon,  3/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon allspice, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves)
• 1 cup milk (I use unsweetened almond milk, but most milks should work)
• 3/4 cup plain canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup honey

Optional add-in ideas:  white chocolate chips, regular chocolate chips, raisins, chopped walnuts

See the entire recipe and directions at Happy Healthy Mama.

Raw Chocolate Smoothie with Avocado and Raw Honey

This recipe uses cacao powder which is also known as raw chocolate.  It's full of nutrients, and this shake has lots of good fats to keep you satisfied.  It makes a great fast breakfast or a healthy snack.  The avocado gives it such a creaminess, it tastes like an ice cream milkshake!

Ingredients:

1 frozen banana, sliced
1/2 avocado, pitted, chopped
2 tbsp raw cacao powder
1 tbsp raw honey
1 cup raw almond milk

See the entire recipe and directions at Organic Authority.

Easy No Bake Granola Bars

This is a recipe simple enough to make with kids and can be made without even turning on the oven. It's easily customizable as well!

Ingredients:

2 cups rolled oats
1 1/4 cups natural crunchy peanut butter
1 cup ground flaxseed
3/4 cup honey
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup sliced almonds

See the entire recipe and directions at All Recipes.

Quick Matcha Superfood Smoothie

Matcha is green tea powder that is packed with antioxidants. This is an easy smoothie to put together since it only uses four ingredients, so it's fast to put together on a hectic morning.

• 1 frozen banana, broken into pieces
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 1/2 cups coconut milk (or almond milk)
• 2 teaspoons matcha (Japanese green tea) powder

See the entire recipe and directions at Bourbon and Honey.

For more information about the benefits of matcha powder, see this article on our website.

Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast Cakes

This is a fantastic make-ahead recipe for a quick and healthy breakfast or snack.  

2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 1/2 cups low-fat milk
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen

See the entire recipe and directions at Eating Well.

There's also a quick video on how to make these on Eating Well here.

Anti-Inflammatory Blueberry Smoothie

This amazing smoothie is quick to put together and is a great way to start the morning!

Ingredients

• 2 handfuls spinach or leafy greens
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• 1 T almond butter
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 - 1/4 tsp cayenne (start light and add as desired)
• 1 tsp maca powder (optional)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk

Read the entire recipe and directions and Be Whole Be You.

Cacao Superfood Smoothie

One of our customers brought this recipe in, and I liked it so much that I wanted to share it! This is a fantastic shake that's easy to put together.  It's full of nutrient dense foods and is a great energy boost in the morning!

• 1 c. almond milk
• 1 banana
• 1 tbs. bee pollen
• 1 tbs. raw cacao powder
• 1 tbs. maca powder
• 1 tbs. shelled hemp seeds
• 1 cup ice*
• raw honey to taste (optional)

Note: Instead of the ice, you can use a frozen banana if desired.

Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.  Delish!

Stevia Sweetened Apple Oatmeal Muffins

Ingredients:

1 cup old fashioned oats
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 tablespoon Sweetleaf Stevia powder (*see note)
1 cup applesauce, unsweetened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup oil, melted butter or coconut oil
3/4 cup low-fat milk (or water or juice- see note)
1 apple peeled, cored and chopped
Optional: chopped nuts, granola

Note: I rarely have milk in my house, so while all baked goods recipes are better with milk (or non-dairy milk), apple juice or even water is completely acceptable, it just won't be as perfect as when made with milk.

This recipe is not very sweet, if you would like  a sweeter muffin, increase to a full tablespoon of stevia powder.

See the entire recipe and directions at Sugar Free Mom.

Paleo Gingerbread Loaf

This is a great recipe for December, that's perfect for breakfast or a snack with a nice mug of tea. It's suitable for Paleo, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets.

INGREDIENTS:

⅔ cup molasses
4 eggs
¼ cup almond milk
1 tsp vanilla
⅓ cup coconut oil, melted
½ cup almond flour
½ cup coconut flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp nutmeg
optional: 1 tsp orange zest

Read the entire recipe and directions at the Primal Bites Blog.

RAW CARROT CAKE WITH CASHEW VANILLA FROSTING

This is such a neat recipe, and it's perfect for fall!

• 3 cups shredded carrots (about 1 lb.)
• 8 oz. (about 1 cup) pitted dates (you could also use raisins for a less expensive option- there's a recipe here for using raisins instead of dates)
• 1 cup raw walnuts
• 2/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
• pinch of salt
• (optional) 1/2 cup raisins

RAW CASHEW VANILLA FROSTING INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups raw cashews, soaked overnight
• 2/3 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/3 cup water (use more or less to achieve desired consistency)
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
• pinch of salt

See the entire recipe and directions at Gimmie Some Oven.

Forbidden Rice Porridge with Coconut

This is an exotic, amazing breakfast!  Black rice is also known as forbidden rice.  It is known as such since it was once eaten only by the Emperors of China.  

• ¾ cup forbidden black rice, soaked overnight
• ½ cup coconut milk
• 1/2 cup almond milk, plus more for serving
• 1 cup water
• Pinch sea salt
• ½ cup coconut flakes
• Sliced banana to serve

To see the entire recipe and directions, go to amychaplin.com.

Soft-Baked Chocolate Chip Almond Breakfast Cookies

These make for a wonderful breakfast or snack that's full of fiber and healthy fats.  As an extra bonus, they're gluten and dairy free!

1/2 cup gluten-free rolled oats (do not use quick-cooking)
1 cup almond meal
1/2 cup ground flaxseed meal
1/4 cup mini, non-dairy, semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon double-acting baking powder
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 cup raw, unsalted almond butter
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (vanilla or plain)
2 tablespoons light agave nectar or your favorite liquid sweetener
1 teaspoon almond extract (may substitute alcohol-free almond flavor)

Read the entire recipe and directions at The Washington Post.

Flourless Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

This is a unique, flourless muffin recipe that is suitable for low sugar and low carb diets.

Ingredients:

2/3 cup natural peanut, almond or sunflower seed butter
2 large eggs
1 small banana, mashed or 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 small zucchini, shredded (approximately 2/3 cup)
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vinegar
1/8th tsp plus 3 servings of Organic Kal Pure Stevia or sweetener of choice, to taste
1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp. raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup chopped pecans, walnuts or sunflower seeds  
1 oz. extra dark chocolate chips  (optional)

For the complete recipe and directions go to Satisfying Eats.

Banana Chia Pudding

This is a three ingredient recipe- it doesn't get any easier than this!  It's easy and full of healthy fats, not to mention fiber and potassium.   Definitely try this one, it makes a nice breakfast too!

1 ripe banana
¼ cup full-fat coconut milk
2 tbsp chia seeds
Dash of vanilla extract, optional

See the full recipe and directions at Stupid Easy Paleo.

Chocolate Chia Smoothie

This chocolate chia smoothie recipe is a wonderful, health filled way to start the morning.  It also tastes awesome and is great for kids too!

1 banana, peeled
1 cup tightly-packed fresh spinach
1 cup ice
1 cup milk (I used almond milk)
3 Tbsp. chia seeds
2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder (I used dark cocoa powder)
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
(optional: 1 Tbsp. honey, if needed to sweeten)

See the entire recipe and directions at Gimme Some Oven.

Pumpkin Banana Breakfast Cookies (or Muffins)

My daughter loves these, and seems to think they're a treat for breakfast, when in fact they're reasonably healthy. This same recipe can be used for muffins or a loaf.

2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup oil (coconut oil tastes particularly delicious, but any will do)
3/4 cup brown sugar (this amount can be reduced significantly if desired)
2 eggs, beaten
1 can pumpkin
2 bananas, mashed
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Optional: chocolate chips

1.    Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (175 degrees C). 
2.   In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine pumpkin, oil, mashed bananas, eggs, vanilla extract and sugar until well blended. Stir pumpkin mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Drop by scoops onto a cookie sheet.
3.   Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly browned.

Apple Flaxjacks

I love these flaxjacks!  They're a super healthy way to start the day!

• 1 jumbo egg
• 2 Tbs. ground flax seed, such as Barlean’s Forti-Flax
• 1 small apple, unpeeled, cored, and shredded1/2 tsp. ground ginger and/or cinnamon
• 2 tsp. dry sweetener (such as palm sugar or erythritol), or a few drops NuNaturals Vanilla Stevia, optional
• 2 tsp. coconut oil

Read the full recipe and directions at Better Nutrition.

PER SERVING: 299 cal; 10g pro; 21g total fat (10g sat fat); 22g carb; 208mg chol; 84mg sod; 6g fiber; 14g sugars

Carrot, Walnut, Cranberry Bread with Almond Flour

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup almond flour 
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 tablespoons coconut oil
4 bananas, mashed (1 cup)
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
4 medium carrots, shredded
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped

Read the complete recipe and directions at bigeatstinykitchen.com

No Bake Energy Bites

These are a delicious and healthy snack for kids (or anyone).  They’re particularly great since they’re “no bake”.

•    ½ cup coconut flakes
•    1 cup old-fashioned oats
•    ½ cup brown rice crisp cereal
•    ½ cup ground flaxseed
•    ¼ tsp. cinnamon
•    ½ cup nut butter (I've used almond butter and peanut butter, as well as a combination of the two)
•    ⅓ cup honey
•    1 tsp. vanilla
•    ¼ cup mini chocolate chips (can substitute dried blueberries or raisins)

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Read the complete recipe and directions at kristineskitchenblog.com

The “Life Changing Loaf of Bread”

This bread is literally health on a plate.  It’s more dense than most breads, but it’s wonderfully filling and makes a fantastic breakfast or snack.

•    1 cup sunflower seed kernels (not in the shell)
•    ½ cup flax seeds
•    ½ cup hazelnuts or almonds
•    1 ½ cup rolled oats (if making gluten-free, make sure to get certified gluten-free oats)
•    2 tablespoons chia seeds
•    4 tablespoons psyllium seed husks (3 tablespoons if using psyllium husk powder)
•    1 teaspoon fine grain sea salt (add 1/2 teaspoon if using coarse salt)
•    1 tablespoon maple syrup (for sugar-free diets, use a pinch of stevia)
•    3 tablespoons melted coconut oil or ghee
•    1 ½ cup water

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Read the complete recipe and directions at food52.com