Porridge with a TWIST!

Who really likes eating porridge for breakfast?  I know my daughter doesn't...and when I was a little girl, I didn't either!  My parents had a hand grinder and used it to roughly cut up the wheat (yes, I am from a line of health nuts...no sugary cereal served in our family).  They would then boil it and serve it up for breakfast....we could add honey and milk, but really...NOT EXCITING.  I like to change up what I eat...almost daily.  I couldn't eat the same bowl of porridge every day.  Way too boring.  So this is what I do.....

I use left over cooked brown rice and quinoa (from dinner the night before) and put it in the pot with water and a dash of sea salt. 
Then I add all sorts of fun stuff....like:
-raisins, pecans, coconut
-cashews, peaches, cinnamon
-pureed pumpkin, pecans, pumpkin pie spice
-apples, almonds, coconut
-cranberries, o.j., cinnamon

The possibilities are endless! 

I then bring it to a boil and add dry rolled oats, reduce the heat and cook as directed.

Once served, I let the kids add almond milk, pure maple syrup or honey....to their desired taste.  We all enjoy the porridge way more, now that there are fun flavours included!

Up until recently, making porridge hasn't had much to do with our OmniBlend blender....That is, until my littlest guy started picking out the nuts and fruit...which ever happens to be bothering him that morning.  SO, naturally I had to figure out a way to get all the goodness in him without him knowing.  I should also mention that he has been too old for "baby food" for quite some time and he likes the texture of grains in the porridge (and soups) so I wasn't about to put the porridge in the blender...I just had to figure out a way to get the nuts and fruit hidden.  This is what I did; I cooked the porridge in the usual way, but without the fruit and nuts.  I used my OnmiBlend blender to puree the raw fruits and nuts, and then poured them over the cooked cereal, added a little maple syrup and saved myself a few servings of the "store bought" almond milk.  My little guy didn't even notice....AWESOME!

apple & almond porridge

puree the apple (quartered) with rinsed almonds (soaked in water over night) and some water

60 sec. brings it quite smooth for almonds...same texture as a Chinese Almond Desert

mmmm...delicious with a little maple syrup!

Enjoy!

Amber

Mayo

Making mayonnaise in the OmniBlend blender was actually quite easy.  I read a few recipes and they all seemed to have the same basic ingredients....egg, oil, vinegar or lemon juice, mustard and salt and pepper to taste.  Of course there are a bunch of herbs and spices that you can add for flavour and fun!  What I did learn, and I found quite interesting is a few tips that helped make our first try in the blender a success!

tips:

• use room temperature ingredients
• lemon juice can be substituted with vinegar ( I have used apple cider vinegar and white vinegar...just use a little less vinegar than lemon juice)
• mix the egg with all of the ingredients (except the oil) on low for a few seconds before pouring in the oil
• have your oil ready to pour before turning on the blender.
• pour the oil in SLOWLY...taking almost 60 seconds
• season with herbs at the end
• use an oil with a mild flavour.  I like part of it to be olive oil, but the flavour is a bit stronger.

mayo recipe:

-3 eggs

-1 1/4 teaspoons dry mustard (or Dijon mustard stirred in after mayo is made) both are optional

-1 1/2 teaspoons salt

-1/4 cup lemon juice or vinegar

-1 3/4 cups canola oil

Place eggs, mustard, salt, and lemon juice or vinegar into the OmniBlend container. Use the Low setting for about 10 seconds.  Then turn to High.  While machine is running, remove the lid plug and pour in oil in a thin, steady stream until completely used and mixture thickens (just under 60 seconds).  Stop machine and stir in any oil sitting on top. Spoon mayo into a separate container (mix your herbs and spices into the mayo, as desired). Refrigerate and use within 2-4 weeks. ENJOY! Amber

Italian plum and blueberry freezer jam

I love to eat Italian plums...the small, oval shaped dark purple ones.....so when I saw the bin of plums at the local grocery store I had to bring a few home and give making a new flavour of freezer jam, a try!  Our family loves blueberry jam, and so I thought to combine the two fruits for fun.

Now the package says to cut up or hand mash the fruit....but I have used the blender to puree strawberries and blueberries for freezer jams in the past, and it has worked out just fine...I actually believe the blueberry jam tasted better with the pureed berries and so much easier to spread on toast!

I used CLUB HOUSE, Garden Fare No Cook Freezer Jam gelling powder.  It called for 4 C. of cut up fruit/ 45 g package.  Please follow the package for amount of fruit to be used, otherwise your results may not turn out.

Italian plum & blueberry freezer jam ingredients:

• 13 Italian plums (blended, makes 2 C plum puree)
• 2 C frozen wild blueberries
• 1.5 C raw sugar
• 1 package freezer jam gelling powder

Here is how I did it in my OnmiBlend V blender:

• wash 13 plums, removing the pits, place in blender
• blend on 'low' just until the plums are blended but chunky, you may want to use your tamper to move the plums to the blades
• press 'low' button again to stop blender
• add 2 C frozen wild blueberries
• blend on 'low' again until the blueberries have been pulled down into the blades for a few seconds
• press ' low' button again to stop blender
• leave the fruit a bit chunky and empty into glass mixing bowl, using a wooden or plastic spatula (metal utensils may dull the blades)
• add 1.5 C raw sugar
• stir in and let stand for 30 min.

now this is where you should look back at the instructions on  your package of gelling powder.

• stir again and then slowly sprinkle gelling powder a little at a time onto fruit mixture while stirring for 3 minutes
• allow to stand for 5 minutes
• gently stir again for 1 minute
• pour jam into clean jars, leaving 1 inch head space
• jam is ready to eat!  YUM!!!
• store in refrigerator and use within 6 weeks or store in freezer for up to 1 year.

all mixed and in the final 5 minutes of, "setting time"

makes aprox. 4.5 C of jam

I had to try a piece, thus only 3/4 of the toast....it is my new favorite!

this will make a fantastic hostess gift for a morning coffee visit with a friend

This was a very fun afternoon project, while my little guy was having his nap.  I think the family will enjoy this plum and blueberry jam....I know I did! (while writing this post...hehehe!)

Enjoy!
Amber

orange blender muffins

A friend came by for coffee yesterday, and brought the most delicious orange muffins...that she processed in the blender!  I just had to make them and share it with you, so she kindly sent me the recipe, and they turned out great!  I remember making orange loaf in the past and grating the zest as well as squeezing the juice from the fruit by hand...that took some time!  Oh, how fast they are to put together when using the blender!  
Thanks D!

orange blender muffin recipe:

2 whole un-peeled oranges

1/2 cup orange juice

1 large egg (or 1/4 cup cooking oil)

1/2 cup margarine (butter or cooking oil work, too)

1 3/4 cup flour (I use whole wheat)...if using light spelt flour, up it to 2C

3/4 cup white sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 cup raisins

Cut oranges into 8 wedges (remove seeds if any). 

Process orange juice and oranges in the blender until smooth

then add margarine or oil and process again.

Measure into a separate bowl, flour, sugar baking powder and baking soda and mix well.  Add raisins.  Pour contents from blender and stir just to moisten.  Fill muffin cups 3/4 full and bake in 400 degree oven for 20 minutes.  Cool in pan for 5 minutes then remove onto cooling rack.  Makes 16 muffins (or 12 large muffins).

Pour yourself a great cup of coffee and enjoy! ☺

this all went into the blender...yes, the whole orange, with peel! (egg without the egg shell of course)

the orange puree...60 seconds with the OmniBlend V blender.

muffin batter ready for the oven



fresh out of the oven...smells delish!

these muffins are so tasty and the orange peel adds a fantastic flavour



Happy Blending!
Amber


summer slushies



lime, mango, strawberry slushy



adult slushies: take a cranberry, lime & strawberry slushy and add vodka, rum or tequila.

the taste is so refreshing and perfect on a hot summer day....

...and even better to drink in the company of a good girlfriend, while having some girl chat!

kid friendly slushy: 

• two parts frozen fruit (I used mango chunks and strawberries)
• one part ice cubes
• minute maid limeade, pour until liquid fills to the top of the frozen fruit.

Blend using the 60 second function on the OmniBlend V blender.  ENJOY!!

note for smoothies and slushies:  I do not fill the container more than 3/4 full....it blends easier that way!


Adult Slushy Cocktail:

• 2 parts frozen fruit ( I used 1.5 parts strawberries, 0.5 parts cranberries)
• 1 part ice cubes
• minute maid limeade, pour until liquid fills to top of the frozen fruit
• 1 oz. vodka per cup of blended smoothie (rum or tequila would be great too!)

Blend using the 60 second function on the OmniBlend V blender.  ENJOY!!

note for smoothies and slushies:  I do not fill the container more than 3/4 full....it blends easier that way!

Nick, my sister and I enjoyed the afternoon sipping our slushy cocktails....noting how refreshing the limeade was in combination with the strawberries and cranberries.  We also made field berry and limeade slushy cocktails, following the same ratio as above...both were so good, but my favorite was the strawberry and cranberry!

Enjoy!
Amber

fruit tray smoothie



cranberries, raspberries, mango, banana, watermelon, almond milk, water and ice, protein powder.

 our daughter chose to use one of her baby quilts as a backdrop...I think it is very summery!


 Summer is in full swing and that means lots of hosting and picnics!  We were at a BBQ recently and had a bunch of left over fruit to bring home, so I made some new fruit packs to freeze for future smoothies.  Our daughter joined in and made a fruit smoothie...I don't know exactly what is in it, but you can see some of the ingredients in the photos.

I hope you are enjoying your summer, sipping cool smoothies made in your OmniBlend Blenders!

Enjoy,
Amber

veggie soup base

We like to eat soup! And with all of the rainy days we have been having it just works out to throw together a few raw veggies and some water in the blender and put a pot of soup on the stove.

Our toddler is on a veggie strike at present.  Cooked, raw...he notices and doesn't eat them.  BUT...if I puree the veggies in a smoothie or a soup, he doesn't seem to notice and he eats without any trouble.

When making my soup I chop a few veggies (like: carrot, green beans, corn) and saute' with olive oil for a few min. in the soup pot, then I take more raw veggies (like: onion, carrot, red pepper, green beans, garlic) put them in my OmniBlend V Blender with water up to the level of the veggies, and blend using the 90 sec. setting.  Then I pour the puree into the soup pot over top of the cooking veggies, bring to a boil and reduce to a low boil, adding what ever grains and beans or lentils and seasonings.  I watch it and stir occasionally until the grains and beans are cooked through.  Taste and adjust seasonings before serving.

I often look in recipe books to get ideas on how to season and spice different soups...I just adjust my cooking method to accommodate pureed veggies.  I hope this helps inspire you to get creative with your soup making!  I have had so much fun and hope you do, too!

Amber

mango banana green smoothie

smoothies are great with breakfast!

mango banana green smoothie recipe:

• 1 lg. navel orange
• 1 carrot top greens
• 1 lg. handful of spinach
• 1/2 avocado
• 1C frozen mango cubes
• 1 frozen banana
• 1C white cranberry juice
• 1 C pure water
• 4 ice cubes
• omega oil (desired amount)

Blend in OmniBlend V blender on the 60 sec. setting, using tamper to gently move ingredients down into the blades. 

Makes a large jug of smoothie...enough to feed our family of 4 with their breakfast.

I added more water (1 C) to the smoothie and used the 35 sec. setting to blend it again....I like mine in a more liquid consistency, but my kids like it thicker (like a shake) so I poured out theirs first.

This one turned out very creamy from the banana and avocado...yum!

Green smoothies have come to be on our daily menu plan.  We love how good they make us feel...a natural pick me up!  We hope you are enjoying yours!

Happy Blending!
Amber



mango banana green smoothie

cheesecake smoothie

Hello there my smoothie making friends....I have been experimenting more with adding protein to my smoothies and wanted to share a few of my findings.

I prefer the 1% M.F. cottage cheese over the 0.4 % M.F. dry cottage cheese.  I have found the texture of the wet cottage cheese to blend better than the dry.  One of my recent recipes was enjoyed as an afternoon snack by me and my 2 children.

cheesecake smoothie recipe:

• 1/2 C 1% cottage cheese
• 1 carrot
• 1 frozen banana
• 5 frozen strawberries
• 1-2 C water and a few ice cubes
• omega DHA oil (desired amount)
• 2 tbsp. pure maple syrup (or desired amount)

blend using your OmniBlend V blender on the 60 second setting. 

tip: if you want a thicker smoothie you will need to use more frozen ingredients, and your tamper to gently move the frozen ingredients down into the blades.  DO NOT push hard on the tamper as this will result in dulling the blades and stressing the motor.  Your OmniBlend V blender will pull the ingredients into the blades and may only need a gentle nudge to get going.

Enjoy!

Amber

sorbet

frozen fruit: banana, mango, strawberry

This tropical berry sorbet was made by our daughter.  She mixed frozen fruit and ice with a little water.  She was so proud of her delicious and healthy desert.  She boasted, "And it doesn't have any sugar in it!...only the good kind from fruit!" 
Our daughter has suffered from eczema since she was a toddler.  I find by limiting her refined sugar and processed food intake, that her skin rash doesn't flare up.  I am overjoyed to see her enjoying her food and the process of creating healthy options.

enjoy!
Amber

kid friendly "green" smoothie



ready to blend



ready to drink!

kid friendly "green" smoothie recipe:

• 1 lg. handful spinach
• 2 lg. handfuls green and purple cabbage
• 1 navel orange with pith* still on, rind removed
• 1/2 C frozen strawberries
• 4-6 ice cubes
• 2 C pure water

blend for 60 sec. using your JTC OmniBlend V blender.

(I add DHA omega oil and pro biotics to my smoothies...for added health benefits).  Our kids really enjoy this smoothie.  I have also had a few friends reluctantly try it, and been very surprised with how mild the flavour of the spinach and cabbage are in a smoothie.  You can always add 1 Cup of juice to give it extra sweetness and flavour (orange or cranberry are some ideas).

*The term pith is also used to refer to the pale, spongy inner layer of the rind - more properly called mesocarp or albedo - of citrus fruits (such as oranges) and other hesperidia. (from Wikipedia)

Enjoy!

Amber



coconut juice smoothie

can you see the coconut juice and pulp?

super smooth in the OmniBlend V blender



Evan (our toddler) and I enjoyed our smoothie with some homemade pasta and cheese.

Coconut Juice Smoothie recipe:

• 1 orange
• 1 carrot
• 3 collard leaves (stems removed)
• 3 frozen spinach cubes
• 1/2 C frozen celery
• 1 C coconut juice with pulp

blend for 60 sec. with the OmniBlend V blender. 

The coconut flavour is very mild as the juice of the coconut is not the same as coconut milk.  I found the coconut juice in the Asian isle of the supermarket.  Yum!

I think coconut juice would be delish with frozen pineapple, mango, banana, peach, papaya....something to try another time!

Enjoy!
Amber

celery and cranberry smoothie

If you are addicted to green smoothies (like me) and looking for a new flavour....why not try adding some of your favorite veggies into the mix?  This smoothie is the usual fruits and veggies (orange, strawberry, carrot, collards, kale, o.j., ice and water) plus the addition of celery and cranberries.  The combination is fantastic and refreshing!

Enjoy!

Amber

frozen veggies

1 C chopped celery, 1/4 C carrots, 1/2 C green lettuce

tips:

- putting the veggies in a container and freezing them helps to minimize prep. time in the morning, and I feel so much better when I get a green smoothie with my breakfast each morning.

- try looking through a juicing recipe book for ideas to use in your smoothies...by blending the fruits and veggies you will be getting the benefits of the fibre as well as all of the vitamins.

- adding fresh herbs such as : cilantro, parsley, basil, mint or ginger add flavour and are good for you.

enjoy!

Amber



fruit portions

3 - citrus berry, 3 - blueberry banana

This morning I took a few extra minutes to portion out the fruit ingredients for our smoothies.  I find that a little prep. time helps to have our busy mornings run smoothly. 

I have also found that the smoothies are a nicer texture once blended when using frozen fruit....you will need a portion of your smoothie to be frozen (fruit, veg. or ice) and some liquid.  Remember to layer the ingredients with the softer ingredients at the bottom (next to the blades) and the frozen on the top layer. 

I use containers that hold aprox. 2 C. of fruit, place whatever fruits you like or have and then pop them in the freezer...then they are ready to use.  (ie: when the house is crazy and you are trying to get the kids off to school and your husband off to work you will have time to create a healthy and delicious smoothie, quickly!...speaking from experience) 

Here is what is in them:

Citrus Berry

• 1/3 lemon
• 1 med. orange
• 3 large strawberries
• 5 mango chunks

Blueberry Banana

• 1 ripe banana
• 1C. blueberries

Happy Blending!

Amber

Gingersnap Cupcakes

Gingersnap cupcakes with cream cheese icing......all made without refined sugar and with a little help from my OmniBlend V blender!

I grew up with a few family members that had a sugar sensitivity and watched my parents modify recipes so that we could all enjoy home made deserts.  "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree" as the saying goes, as I too, enjoy the challenge....and my family is happy and healthier for it.

gingersnap cupcakes & cream cheese icing...all made without refined sugar!

 gingersnap cupcake recipe:

• 1 C. pitted honey dates
• 1 C. water
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 C. canola oil
• 1/4 C. black strap molasses
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ginger
• 1/4 tsp. cloves
• 1 egg
• 1 C. flour ~ I used 3/4 C. whole buckwheat flour (I used my OmniBlend to make the buckwheat flour) and 1/4 C. spelt flour ~
• 1/4 C. water

- blend first 9 ingredients in OmniBlend V blender for 60 sec.
- reduce to low and add egg until just mixed (maybe 5 sec.)
- pour liquid mixture into a bowl with the flour and stir until moistened
- rinse the blender with 1/4 C. water and pour into batter and mix again


bake @ 375 for 20 min.  makes 11 large cupcakes


cream cheese icing:

• 1/4 C spreadable cream cheese
• 2 tbsp. pure maple syrup

cream together with a fork until smooth
spread over cupcakes and enjoy!

Amber

Hummus

Hummus recipe:

• 1 (19 oz.) can of bean medley or chickpeas
• 1/4 C tahini
• 1/4 C extra virgin olive oil
• 1 clove of raw garlic (3 for a spicier dip)
• 1 raw red pepper, seeded and cut unto quarters
• pinch sea salt

Place all ingredients in blender and blend using 90 sec. button.  Use tamper to gently move ingredients to the bottom of the blender, once all ingredients are pulled into the blades, remove tamper. 

Serve with pita bread wedges or veggie sticks.

Our family enjoys this dip year round.....with both the bean medley and the chickpeas.  I use less garlic than most recipes call for (but we still find it very flavourful).  The addition of a red pepper and a bit more olive oil, keeps the consistency nice and smooth.

Enjoy!
Amber

Minty Melon Smoothie

Minty Melon smoothie recipe:

• 1 lg leaf kale
• 1 C romaine lettuce
• 1 C frozen honeydew cubes
• 1/4 C frozen pear apple cubes
• 1 tsp flax seed
• 1 tsp salba (chia seed)
• 1 orange, peeled
• 1/2 lemon, peeled
• 3 sprigs of mint (leaves only)
• 1 C unsweetened almond milk
• 1 C pure water or ice for desired consistency

blend for 60 sec. with your OmniBlend Blender V. 

minty melon smoothie

TIPS:

• I had previously cubed and frozen the melon, pear apple, flax seed and salba together.  you can speed up your smoothie making process by taking a little bit of time each week to pre-package your own ingredients into single serving containers. 

• Another great time saver is pre-washing and drying your greens and storing in bags with all of the air squeezed out of the bag.  You can only do this a few days in advance, but then there is also the option of freezing the portions of greens with the fruit. 

• I also make green cubes by blending my dark leafy greens with some lemon and a little water, then pour the puree into ice cube trays and freeze.  I do this when the greens are starting to wilt and I don't want to waste them.

GRINDING your own FLOUR

One of the great features of the OmniBlender is the dry blade and wet blade in one container.  In one competitor's blender, you have a bunch of attachments and extras to purchase.  I love that this one features both blades!
 

We did a little testing with whole grains and ground them to see how well the Omniblender did.

MILLET: 

1. pour under 2 C of grain into blender.  1 3/4 C works best as a maximum....otherwise the grains will not be completely ground.


2. use the 60 sec. function button
3. I had to use the pulse button a few times after the 60 sec. feature because I filled the container with 2 C of millet.....just to see how far I could take it...I think I'll keep it to 1 3/4 C in the future....hahaha!

I made muffins with the millet flour...but we couldn't taste them because our dog jumped up onto the counter and ate them while they were cooling...they sure looked good!!



2 C millet

OmniBlend grinding the millet into flour

top view of the millet flour




BUCKWHEAT:
I used all of the buckwheat I had left in the house, and you can see it was only 3/4 C.  Lets see how it does in the OmniBlend V blender!  I used the same 60 sec. button and let the blender do its work.  I am very pleased with the results!  A very fine grind....you can't even see one grain left whole.  Fantastic!!!


3/4 C buckwheat

grinding the buckwheat into flour

whole buckwheat and ground buckwheat flour

a very fine grind when you don't put too much grain in the blender (buckwheat)

NOTE: Please store your freshly ground flours in airtight containers in the freezer to prevent them from going rancid. 

Enjoy!
Amber

2 smoothies from one and a green muffin!

arugula, basil & melon smoothie recipe:

• lg. handful kale 
• lg. handful romaine lettuce
• sm. handful arugula
• 2 sprigs basil (leaves only)
• 1 C froz. honeydew melon
• 1/4 C froz. pear apple
• 1 navel orange
• juice of 1/2 lemon
• maple syrup (to taste)
• 6 ice cubes and 1-2 C pure water (to desired consistency)

blend using the 60 sec. button on the OmniBlend V.

pour two 16oz. mugs for the adults,

then add more fruit to the leftover smoothie (aprox. 8 oz.) for the kids:

• 1/2 C froz. red grapes
• 1/2 C froz. blueberries
• 5 froz. strawberries
• plain yogurt
• 1 C pure water

two smoothies from one set of greens

Our six year old is getting tired of the green colour...this compromise keeps her happy and drinking her greens!

Nick and I loved the basil with the melon and arugula in this smoothie!
I had made another arugula smoothie a few days ago and found the spicy taste of the arugula very strong....with the addition of the herb (basil) it adds a depth to the refreshing taste.

My unsuccessful smoothie was a blend of the usual fruits and greens with the addition of 2 C of arugula and 1 tbsp virgin coconut oil.  This blend if flavours did not suit my palate...too strong!  I think that I will save the coconut oil for a pina colada smoothie (ideas for later).

SO what do  I do with a unsuccessful smoothie?....well....I decided to make MUFFINS!  I used an applesauce oatmeal muffin recipe and substituted the liquid and applesauce measurements for my undrinkable green smoothie...the result....a very delicious GREEN muffin.  Now my daughter's first reaction was, "I'm not going to eat that!" and after she watched me enjoying it, she gave it a try and quickly retracted her ill attitude towards greens in muffins.  I think these green muffins will be a great addition to our St. Patty's Day celebrations!  I still had some undrinkable smoothie left over, so I added another 1.5 C of berries some pure water and that diluted the strong taste...so I drank it!  That's me, can't waste the good stuff!



green smoothie oatmeal cranberry muffins

I hope you are having as much fun as I am.....creating and enjoying the many uses of your OmniBlend V blender.

Enjoy!

Amber

hidden veggies in pasta sauce

- add veggies such as carrot, cauliflower and green pepper (what ever your picky eaters have a hard time with) mixed with a bit of tomato sauce in the OmniBlend. 

- add the veggie puree to the remaining tomato sauce, the sausage or meat balls and sauteed veggies that your children will eat. 
- heat just until warmed through as to keep as many vitamins in the sauce. 
- serve over spaghetti or spiral pasta. 

I found that by adding a variety of veggies to tomato sauce, it helps to reduce the acidic taste in my pasta sauce, rather than just plain tomato sauce. I also believe that if your children get used to the taste of veggies without even knowing it, that they will begin to accept and even enjoy them in their whole form!

a little fact that I have just learned...cauliflower is rich in omega 3 fatty acids....cool hey?

Enjoy!