Low Fat Strawberry-Cornmuffin Bread

 Awkward title, I know. But how else to I explain that this low-fat bread is sweet like a muffin and not savory cornbread? I saw this recipe and hacked away at it. Sorry, Food Network. It was a good idea that you had, though. The one I made is a slice-able bread, uses no white sugar and has a bit more bite because of the strawberries. Also, instead of half cornmeal flour and half white flour, we have a little more fiber and nutrients by mixing it up with cornmeal, wheat flour and white flour. You know how I do.

Anyhoo, on to the food…

 Low Fat Strawberry-Cornmuffin Bread
Makes one loaf, but can easily double OR bake in muffin pans instead

INGREDIENTS
1 cup cornmeal flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup orange juice + 1 TB zest
1/2 cup lowfat buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 egg whites
1/3 cup agave syrup
1 cup chopped strawberries + 2 strawberries for topping
3 TB brown sugar + 2 teaspoons cinnamon mixed together, for topping

In a medium bowl, combine all dry ingredients. (cornmeal through baking powder on the list)

In a second bowl, whisk all wet ingredients. (orange juice through agave syrup)
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir well. Fold in chopped strawberry.

Pour dough into a bread pan (I lined the bottom with a rectangle piece of parchment paper.). Top with sliced strawberries and brown sugar/cinnamon mixture.
Bake at 375 for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from center of loaf. Serve warm and buttered. Yum.

~Laurel~

Berry Cucumber Smoothie

Wow, it has been a while! Matt & I spent our 3rd anniversary in Vegas and absolutely loved it. We ate some amazing food (which I’ll share later), walked a ton, and came out on top on the slots. I’m back with a breakfast treat that works anytime, really. Cucumber is so refreshing–it’s in salads, a replacement for potato chips, and sliced and chilled in water. Why not put it in a smoothie??

Berry Cucumber Smoothie
Serves 2

1/4 cup orange juice (or a large splash)
1 cucumber, sliced into 1-inch rounds
6 ice cubes
8 strawberries, tops off
2 medium bananas 


Blend all ingredients in that order. Serve immediately and garnish with strawberry.

The cucumber taste is very subtle, and the strawberry blends it pretty well. So easy, so healthy! Don’t worry about the semi-high amount of sugar…it’s all natural! (no white sugar here, so your blood sugar won’t spike) I drank the smoothie 2 hours ago, and I’m still quite full.


Matt & I were so glad to take a trip like that…but I think Sam missed him…a lot.



Happy Tuesday, friends!

~Laurel~

Strawreo Pie

Matt came up with the word STRAWREO–it’s strawberry and oreo together, magic on a plate. We walked into the grocery, picked out a crust (I was too tired to make one), and grabbed a few other ingredients. Here’s what happened:

strawreo pie 
)aka strawberry speckled savoriness(

1 oreo pie crust (or graham cracker, if you wish)
1 3/4  + 1/4 cup skim milk (or dairy free variety)
1 regular size package of strawberry pudding mix
10 strawberries, rinsed, tops off
1/2 cup chocolate chips
Dash cinnamon

step one: in a plastic container with a lid, pour 1 3/4 cups milk and pudding mix. Cover and shake for 30 seconds. set aside.

step two: slice strawberries in half, lengthwise, so they look like little hearts. layer oreo crust with half of strawberries.

step three: in a small saucepan on medium-high heat, mix together 1/4 cup milk, chocolate chips and cinnamon. keep stirring until completely melted. set aside, off of the burner.

step four: check on pudding in container. if it’s firm, use a spoon and pour into oreo crust.

step five: then, take the melted chocolate and drizzle on top of the pudding. splatter it, make designs, or whatever you like. layer with the rest of the strawberry halves.

step six: chill pie in freezer for 45 minutes, then eat, eat, eat.

There’s my ode to my favorite character as a kid…

Well, it’s officially Sunday…pie day! Relax, enjoy, and spend time with your favorite people (and critters)!

~Laurel~

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