Author: theunprocessedlife

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

I’ve always loved the Broccoli Cheddar Soup at Panera, so I was so excited to find this recipe to make it from scratch!

www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/panera-broccoli-cheese-soup

My review? This recipe is spot on.  It tasted exactly like the Panera soup to me – just as delicious.  (I used veggie broth instead of chicken broth)  However, when actually seeing the ingredients that go into this soup, I didn’t feel that great about it.  It’s largely cheese, half and half and broccoli.

So while this is great if the Panera soup is what you’re looking for, I’m going to hunt for a recipe that has some more nutrition in it – maybe more veggies – and maybe less half and half.   Stay tuned for a healthier alternative.

Mini Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

I’m obsessed with these silicone mini cupcake trays! I’ve done some research and apparently these are safer than using non-stick trays and don’t leach nasty chemicals into your food.   The size is so fun, having several bite-size treats just makes food more satisfying in my opinion, rather than one big treat.

You may remember I made these peanut butter banana muffins before, but without the honey.  This time, I included the honey and the result was a big hit with the whole family!  And… only about 55 calories per muffin if you make 36!

As a reminder, here is the recipe I used.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/466685580133564592/

Just mix together all the ingredients in a bowl (minus the chocolate chips), pour in the muffin trays and then add the chocolate chips, and then bake for 7 minutes at 350 degrees.  This recipe checks all the boxes – healthy, yummy and easy!

Side note: I learned from my sister-in-law that if you can’t use eggs because of an allergy, or are vegan, or have run out of eggs, that you can mix ground flaxseed with water and use that as a substitute.  AMAZING.  One tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water = 1 egg.

Baked Chicken

I am vegetarian, but my three boys and my husband all eat meat, so I am always looking for quick, easy and healthy recipes that don’t require a lot of handling of raw meat (which grosses me out!) .  This recipe is unbelievably easy and thankfully pleases everyone.  Marinate the chicken breasts in olive oil (I just fill a large ziploc bag with some olive oil and dip them in), pat them with some salt and pepper, and bake for 28 minutes at 400 degrees.   Done!

My husband likes to cut the chicken up and eat with cheese in chicken sandwiches, my middle son likes to eat them cut up with pesto and pasta, my other two like to put marinara or ketchup on them.    Or for the super healthy, simply serve the chicken with veggies on the side!

Healthy Cookies

Another one that my mom taught me.  If you’re going to make cookies for the kids, try to pack in as many nutrients as you can!  These have a lot of delicious nutritious ingredients such as eggs, yogurt, and bran!  Also, if you haven’t guessed already – super easy to make!

In a large bowl, mix together:

3 cups bran

4 cups flour (I like to use wheat flour or unbleached flour)

1 cup olive oil

2 individual containers yogurt (plain or vanilla)

1. 5 cups sugar

4 eggs (with the 4th egg, only put in egg white & save the egg yolk for later)

After you mix it all together into a dough, roll into small balls and pat down onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.   Dab some of the egg yolk on each one to add a glaze.

Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes or until the bottom looks golden.

I’ve also made these with ground flaxseed before too.  I would have added that this time, but we were all out.  Next time I may also try adding something else fun for the kids like raisins or chocolate chips.

 

Broiled Salmon in Soy Sauce

My mom taught me this recipe, and it’s another super easy, healthy and fast one.  Have you noticed a trend that I like fast, easy and healthy?

I simply soak the salmon pieces in soy sauce, lay on parchment paper, and broil on high for about 5 minutes on one side and 5 minutes on the other.  More if you want more well-cooked.   So easy right?

The cauliflower I cooked by just boiling the cauliflower in some water for about 5 minutes and then adding salt.   Yum!

Spinach, Cheese and Egg Muffins

So easy and each one is only about 70 calories!  My husband and I have decided this is our new favorite snack.  The recipe is so easy:

In a large bowl mix 12 eggs, 1.5 cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 package frozen spinach that you have warmed up on the stove, and 1/2 sauteed onion.  Pour the mix into muffin pans that are sprayed with cooking spray.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes and then let cool for a few minutes.  Add more salt on top as desired.

My kids enjoyed these with a little bit of maple syrup drizzled on top!

Granola Bars

Everyone in my household loves granola bars! Especially ones with chocolate chips.  I tried the recipe on this website and it was a big hit!  The only change I made is that I put no brown sugar, and instead I put double the amount of honey.  Also, I blended the chocolate chips in to the mix before spreading it onto the pan.  I didn’t let the granola bars cool long enough before cutting them, so I didn’t get perfectly shaped granola bars – but that didn’t affect the taste!

Sarah’s Miller’s High-Protein Granola Bar Recipe

Heart-Shaped “Goldfish” Crackers

My son asked if he could have pre-packaged goldfish crackers from the store, and I explained to him that I’m trying to move away from snack food made in a factory that is processed and then put in a plastic bag.  He suggested we find a recipe online to make goldfish crackers.  We found this recipe and I have to say it’s so easy and the crackers turned out so yummy!  We didn’t have fish-shaped cookie cutters, so we used heart shaped ones.   If you make 20 hearts, it comes to 87 calories per heart cracker.

Here is the recipe we used:

homemade goldfish crackers