No-Cook Overnight Raspberry Oatmeal

Soon the temperature will be warming up and it is always nice to have some recipes that don't require any cooking. (Although I've made this a few times this winter too). This is an easy and super healthy (low in fat and sugar and tons of health benefits) recipe that requires very little effort and only one dirty dish! I found this on Pinterest and it links back to The Yummy Life, where there are tons of other combinations. If you are not already familiar with the benefits of chia seeds, they are rich in omega 3's, fiber, protien and antioxidants.  What's not to like about this?

Okay so here is what you need:
1/2 pint (1 cup) jar
1/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1/3 cup skim milk (or I have used almond milk)
1/4 cup low fat greek yogurt
1.5 teaspoons chia seeds (found at my regular grocery store)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon sugar free raspberry preserves
fresh raspberries or other fruit (I like peaches in this)

Throw all of this in the jar and put the lid on. Shake it up until mixed and put in the refrigerator overnight. Enjoy the next day for breakfast or anytime!

Photo used from The Yummy Life

Triple Chocolate Chunk Muffins {Low Fat, Low Calorie!}

We've been behaving ourselves when it comes to food at our house, which means finding creative ways to skinny down the foods we love and beat cravings without demolishing our good efforts. I can promise you that you will never, ever miss the high fat and calories in these muffins. The breakdown per muffin is only 95 calories and 3 grams of fat. {3 weight watchers points} They turn out super moist, gooey chocolatey, plus 4 grams fiber and 5 grams of protein. And the best part: THEY TASTE GOOD! So I don't see a single reason NOT to try them!

What You Need:
1 3/4 cup oats
3 egg whites
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup plain greek nonfat yogurt
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar (or 2 teaspoons vinegar)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup hot water
1/2 cup sugar substitute OR 1 cup sweetener that measures like sugar*
{I used Splenda for baking so it is 1/2 the amount you would use for regular sugar}
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions:
Here is where they get really easy. I was skeptical about not mixing dry/wet ingredients separately and all that, but it worked out fine. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12 cup muffin pan with liners. In a blender or food processor mix all of the ingredients together except the chocolate chips. Pour mixture into the prepared muffin pan filling each cup 2/3 full.

Take half the chocolate chips and sprinkle a few in each cup. Bake for 10 minutes, then take out of the oven and sprinkle the other half of the chocolate chips on top. Place the muffins back into the oven for another 5 minutes or until they are done. {The best way is to lightly touch the tops and see if they spring back}.

Enjoy!

7-Up Biscuits

I'm sure almost everyone has seen this recipe floating around because it is very popular, but have you tried them? If you make these, I can pretty much guarantee you will never use another biscuit recipe ever again. Unless of course you  don't like easy and delicious. These are unbelievable. First of all, they take maybe five minutes to put together because there is no rolling and cutting. Yay! Second of all, I've never tasted better. They are super moist, probably more dense than a truly from-scratch variety but really, for an at home quick version you can not go wrong. Trust me, I am terrible at bread so if I can do these, so can you. No need to use 7-UP. Sprite or a generic will work just fine. I have also turned these into cheddar garlic biscuits (like Red Lobster) by just throwing shredded sharp cheddar and garlic powder into the mix. Yum! The only downside is that they are so addicting!

What You Need:
2 cups Bisquick
1/2 cup 7-Up {or other}
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup melted butter

Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mix together sour cream and Bisquick. Add 7-Up and mix. Makes a very soft dough. Put the melted butter in the bottom of a square 9x9 baking pan.  Sprinkle some Bisquick onto your counter surface and shape your dough into a rough square, then place on top of the butter in the baking pan. Bake 13-15 minutes. Enjoy!

Oatmeal Carmelitas

This is a recipe I found on Pinterest, the most addicting yet useful place in the world. Maybe this is a common recipe that many are familiar with, as I found many results on a Google search. However I had never heard of them or tried them. I was surprised how quickly and easily these come together. In the end you will have a rich, gooey bar full of caramel, chocolate and crunchy oat crust. The best part are all of the edges, where the caramel is hardened. Yum! These would be perfect to take to get-togethers, new moms, etc, as they are perfect at room temperature. Delicious and come together in about 10 minutes! Can't ask for more than that!

What You Need:
32 caramels, unwrapped
1/2 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup flour
1 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
6 ounces chocolate chips (around 3/4 cup)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare an 8x8 baking pan. In a large bowl, combine melted butter, sugar, flour, oats and baking soda. Press one half of the oat mixture into the bottom of your baking pan. Bake for 10 minutes. While this is baking, melt the caramels and heavy cream together. In an oven safe bowl, microwave in one minute increments and stir until caramels are melted and mixture is smooth. Or, use a double boiler and stir continuously. Once your oat mixture has baked 10 minutes, remove from the oven. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the crust. Pour the caramel mixture over the chocolate. Sprinkle the second half of the oat mixture over the top of the caramel. Return to the oven and bake another 15 minutes. Let cool completely and serve at room temperature. Enjoy!