• 3 cups rolled oats
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla

Then, for the healthy toppings, try these suggestions:

• Cranberries and pistachios
• Blueberries and shredded coconut
• Chocolate chips and almonds

Here are the 7 steps to make the muffins, then add the topping of your choice:

1. Grease muffin tin well. Set aside.




2. In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, brown sugar and baking powder. Set aside.




3. In another mixing bowl, combine eggs, applesauce, milk and vanilla and whisk thoroughly.




4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix.




5. Scoop batter into prepared muffin tin.




6. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes.




7. Enjoy!

Source: Sara Lynn Cauchon

The post Make Yummy OATMEAL MUFFINS With One of These Popular Toppings! appeared first on Top Morning Recommendations.

Ingredients:

2 Cups (300g) Moist Medjool Dates, pitted and chopped
2 Cups (280g) Raw Cashew Nuts
½ Cup (60g) Raw Almond (without skin)
¾ Cup (75g) Cocoa Powder
A Pinch Of Sea Salt
½ Cup (40g) Unsweetened Shredded Coconuts
2 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
2 to 3 Tbsp Cold Water

Before making this, check to see how dry the dates are since you want them to be relatively moist. You may want to soak them overnight in water before tossing them in the food processor with all of the other ingredients. Make sure that the all of the pits are removed, too!

Equipment needed:

Food processor
Loaf pan: 11½ x 4½ inches (29 x 12 cm) , lined with aluminum foil



Preparation:

Combine chopped dates, cashews, almonds, cocoa powder, and sea salt in a food processor.

Pulse and process all the ingredients together until the texture is coarse.


Then add the shredded coconut, a quick pulse, and add the vanilla extract, a little water at a time until it reaches a dry but moist dough consistency.


Scrape the dough mixture into the lined pan, press evenly with a rubber spatula, and chill for about an hour before serving.

Source: Angie Tee

The post A Delicious Homemade ENERGY BAR … No Cooking Required! appeared first on Top Morning Recommendations.

With lots of healthy milk alternatives to choose from, which one should you buy? Dairy milk? Soymilk? Almond milk? Or one of the others?


Here is a synopsis of 5 popular milk choices prepared by Lisa Lillien:

1. Dairy Milk

Fat-free — a.k.a. skim — milk is great if you’re watching your calories, and especially if you’re watching your fat intake. The taste is mild, and it’s extremely versatile. Plus, it has a solid amount of calcium and an impressive protein count.

Conclusion: relatively high in calories, and some people are allergic to dairy products (lactose intolerant).

2. Soymilk

Made from ground soybeans mixed with water … packs just as much calcium as regular milk, although not quite as much protein. As far as texture goes, it’s pretty creamy — definitely richer than skim milk.

Choose vanilla varieties for added flavor, “light” options for lower calories, unsweetened types for less sugar (but higher calories).

3. Almond milk

Super low in calories and high in deliciousness, unsweetened vanilla almond milk is my favorite milk swap. It has a slightly nutty flavor, but overall it’s pretty mild. Almond milk is a great choice for anyone who’s sensitive to both dairy and soy. And like soymilk, it’s creamier than fat-free dairy milk.

Relatively low in calcium and protein unless these nutrients have been added.


Go to the next page for 2 more milk choices …

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The post Tips for Choosing the Best MILK: Soy, Almond, Dairy, or ?? appeared first on Top Morning Recommendations.

2 tablespoons butter (soy free)
1/4 cup agave or maple syrup
1/4 cup coconut milk (carton)
2 scoops vanilla protein powder
1 cup oats
1 cup corn flakes, pounded to large crumbs
1/2 cup raw almonds, chopped
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup crystallized ginger, chopped
1/4 cup shredded coconut

Here are the 9 easy steps to make these yummy Ginger Vanilla Protein Crunch Bars:

1. In saucepan over medium low heat, melt butter, whisk in agave.




2. Add milk and protein powder, whisk together until smooth.




3. In large bowl, add oats, corn flakes, almonds, sunflower seeds and about 3/4 ginger pieces.




4. Pour melted butter mixture over dry ingredients, mix together thoroughly.




5. Line a 9×9 baking dish with parchment or foil, spray.




6. Transfer mixture into pan; using wet hands, press down in even layer.




7. Sprinkle shredded coconut and remaining ginger pieces, press down into bars.




8. Bake at 325 for 20 minutes.




9. Let cool before cutting.

Source: Kristina Sloggett

The post An Easy-to-Make, Protein-Packed COCONUT GINGER BREAKFAST Treat appeared first on Top Morning Recommendations.

A couple of tips:

– measure both the oats and the flour accurately and carefully to ensure best results,

– chilling is needed to stiffen up the dough so it doesn’t spread out too thin while baking,

– don’t overbake, so they’ll stay soft and chewy in an airtight container for the rest of the week (if they last that long!)

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for 15 “Almond Joy” Oatmeal Cookies:
 

• 1 c (100 g) instant oats (measured correctly)
• ¾ c (90 g) whole wheat flour (measured correctly)
• 1 ½ tsp (4 g) baking powder
• ½ tsp (1 g) cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp (1 g) salt
• 2 tbsp (28 g) coconut oil or unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• ¾ tsp (4 ml) almond extract
• ½ c (120 ml) agave
• 2 tbsp (10 g) shredded unsweetened coconut
• 2 tbsp (28 g) finely chopped dark chocolate

Read the preparation instructions on the next page and watch Amy’s video …

Next Page »

The post Easy-to-Make, Soft & Chewy CHOCOLATE ALMOND OATMEAL COOKIES (Video) appeared first on Top Morning Recommendations.

Goji berries are extremely high in energy and nutrition: packed full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids. They have a unique, vibrant flavor that tastes a bit like chocolate. They are harvested in the Himalayan mountains and may not have made it to the shelves of your local supermarket, but they are readily available in health food and gourmet stores.

We’ve added cocoa nibs (tiny pieces of the cocoa bean) to this recipe for an extra boost of antioxidants along with a rich and tangy chocolate crunch. Feel free to substitute your favorite nuts, seeds dried fruits.
 
 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup walnuts
• 1 cup almonds
• 1 cup pumpkin seeds
• 6 dates
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 Tablespoons coconut flour
• ½ cup agave
• ½ cups cocoa nibs
• 1 cup goji berries

Add more dates if you need to make them “stickier”.

Here’s how to prepare these yummy snacks:
 
 

The post An Easy Recipe to Make Delicious Crunchy GOJI BERRY ENERGY BARS appeared first on Top Morning Recommendations.

• 1½ cups rolled old-fashioned oats
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 egg
• ½ cup applesauce
• ½ cup milk
• ½ tsp vanilla
• ½ cup cherries, pitted and chopped (you can use frozen)
• ¼ cup slivered almonds

The easy preparation steps and a how-to video are on the next page …

Next Page »

The post [Video] How About These Super-Delicious CHERRY ALMOND MUFFINS to Enjoy for Breakfast? appeared first on Top Morning Recommendations.

Adding protein powder to your morning smoothie is also fantastic in helping build muscle (for those who are all about that gym life!) and feeling fuller for longer periods of time.

Here are some recommended ingredients to start with to make a delicious, healthy Carrot Protein Shake:

1 frozen banana
1/2 cup carrot juice
3/4 cup almond milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
Dash cinnamon
Handful of ice cubes

The preparation instructions are easy:

Blend your shake until smooth and enjoy the 17 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber this particular recipe has to offer.

If you would like to see more healthy recipes for early morning energy, then please Like our Facebook Page!

Source: Helen Nichols

The post With or Without the Protein Powder, this Special Smoothie is Always a Refreshing Energy Booster! appeared first on Top Morning Recommendations.

– It needs the egg for structure and texture.

– You could change up the nuts and use pecans or walnuts instead. I prefer them toasted, so I keep toasted ones in the freezer, then throw them in things when I need them.

– Cooking time is for my microwave. It usually cooks in 3 minutes for me. It’s important not to over-cook it, but obviously not to under-cook it either. It will puff up in the microwave, then sink down again. It pulls away from the sides. I never use cooking spray.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make a mug of this healthy and delicious Almond-Banana Bread recipe:

3 tablespoons almond flour
¼ teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
½ ripe banana, mashed
2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
2 teaspoons honey (raw organic is best)
1 large egg (organic is best)
1 tablespoon chopped or sliced almonds (toasted preferably)

Each of these nutritious “mug muffins” contains the following nutritional values, including the percentage of recommended daily requirements:

calories 327
Total Fat 19 g, 29 %
– Saturated Fat 3 g, 13 %
— Monounsaturated Fat 2 g
— Polyunsaturated Fat 1 g
— Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 185 mg, 62 %
Sodium 879 mg, 37 %
Potassium 351 mg, 10 %
Total Carbohydrate 32 g, 11 %
Dietary Fiber 5 g, 19 %
Sugars 20 g

The 5 easy preparation steps are outlined on the next page …

Next Page »

The post Awesome Quick-and-Easy (3-Minute) Almond-Banana BREAKFAST MUG TREAT appeared first on Top Morning Recommendations.

1 ripe banana
1/4 cup raw almonds or 2 tbsp almond butter
1 scoop of high quality whey protein powder (low sugar content)
2 washed kale leaves
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 tbsp ground flax seeds
1 cup milk of choice (I used unsweetened almond milk)

This morning protein shake is a really easy and delicious way to make sure that you’re starting the day off well fueled.

Its worth noting that most women, in particular, don’t get enough protein in their diets, and that is often the number one reason for fatigue during the day.


After drinking this Heavy Lifter Energy Drink first thing in the morning, try this simple energy drink for extra energy during the rest of the day: The “Fire Hydrant” Natural Energy Drink.

If you would like to see more healthy recipes for boosting your energy level in the morning and throughout the day, then please Like our Facebook Page!

Source: Paige Russell

The post Homemade “Heavy Lifter” Morning Energy Booster appeared first on Top Morning Recommendations.