Apple Banana Bread with Rice Flour ~ Recipe

Here is another recipe from the Grain Mill blogger Challenge back in late 2012! Wow, has time really flown by. I had this recipe sitting in the blogs draft folder since then! 

Our Family favorite bread is Banana bread and we have a go to recipe that I have been using for years. This recipe I came across one day in a fundraising cookbook for Bell Canada from 1999. I picked up the cookbook in a thrift store as I saw a few dinner recipes I was interested in trying out.

It is a really simple and quick recipe and your family will be sure to love it.
First you will need to use your WonderMill to make rice flour. I used 2 1/2 cups of white rice to make 2 1/2 cups of rice flour.

Apple Banana Bread with Rice Flour

Ingredients:

3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup margarine
2 large bananas, mashed
2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups  rice flour
1 cup milk
1 large apple, peeled, cored and chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 F.
2. Cream together white sugar, brown sugar and margarine. 
3. Add mashed bananas, eggs, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla and salt. 
4. Add rice flour and milk alternately.
5. Stir in apples.
6. Bake for 1 hour.

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Super Easy Dog Biscuits

Here is another recipe that I made when I was doing the Grain Mill blogger Challenge. We love making all natural treats for the WHOLE family. 
 

This recipe uses Rice flour that I made using the grain mill. You will need a small cookie cutter approximately 1-1 1/2 inches. It can be a bone shape or any other shape you would like. I have a small heart on hand and that is what we used. They were just the perfect size for our medium sized dog. If you have a large breed you may want to use bigger.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Cup Whole Wheat Flour 
• 3/4 Cup Rice Flour
• 1/4 Cup Rolled Oats
• 2 tsp Baking powder 
• 6 Tbsp smooth natural peanut butter
• 1 Tbsp of Molasses
• 1/2 Cup milk  

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375 F 
• Mix together the flours, oats and baking powder.   
• Add peanut butter, milk and molasses, mix well. 
• Form mixture in a ball and roll out between two pieces of parchment paper to 1/4 inch thickness (thicker for bigger dogs if you would like but then your baking time is increased).
• Cut out treats and place on cookie sheet.  
• Bake for 20 minutes (this will also depend on your oven and thickness of treats)
• Cool on rack and store in air tight container. You can keep them in freezer or fridge. 
• We made close to 65 treats but it will depend on size of cutter and thickness. 

 

 
~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pinto Bean Flour

A couple years ago I did a few recipe posts for The Grain Mill blog using different flours, this is one of the recipes we tried out with Pinto Bean Flour. 

The kids love Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies and I found a fun recipe over on the Better Crocker site. This recipe here was adapted from this Oatmeal-Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. 

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pinto Bean Flour

Ingredients: 

• 3/4 Cup packed brown sugar 
• 1 Cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 egg
• 2 Cups quick-cooking oats 
• 1 Cup Pinto Bean Flour 
• 1/2 Whole Wheat Flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 Cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions: 

• Preheat oven to 350 F. 
• In large bowl, stir brown sugar and butter until blended. 
• Stir in vanilla and egg until light and fluffy. 
• Stir in oats, flour, baking soda and salt
• Stir in chocolate chips.
• Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart.
• Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. 
• Cool slightly and then cool completely on wire rack.

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Kellogg’s Rice Krispies #TreatsforToys ~ Make. Share. Give

I really can't believe it is already December. I feel like the years are flying by faster and faster each and every year. It also doesn't help when we have nice weather in October and November here is Canada, just throws everybody off.

Each year we talk with the kids about where we can help other families and kids out at the holidays. The last few years we have been helping with the shoe boxes and this year we will be also adding Plan to our giving list.

We are also helping out with Kellogg's Rice Krispies #TreatsforToys program. The kids love to make Rice Krispie treats every holiday season and this is a great way to get the kids involved in something good.

Can you spot the photo bombers?!?

The kids always have a blast while baking with mom, they really enjoy baking items that they can go wild decorating with icing and candies. This was a fun event for all.

My daughter wanted to make a "stuffed cat" but then decided on a snowman, I said it looked more like a bunny so we decided it was a snowbunny.

My son decided to have fun and make a robot! Both of the treats turned out super fantastic and tasty!

Want to be involved?

Kellogg's Rice Krispies #TreatsforToys program is encouraging Canadians to make a toy-shaped Rice Kristpies treat and share a picture of it on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook using the #TeatsforToys hashtag. For every image uploaded from now until December 21, 2015 Kellogg's Rice Krispies will donate $20 to The Salvation Army to buy a toy for a child in need during the festive season.

Don't forget to visit Treats for Toys Website for more information on how #TreatsforToys works, recipes, videos and to upload your photos! 

Giveaway Time!  

Kellogg's Rice Krispies wants to share a Rice Krispies kit with one lucky Genuine Jenn reader this holiday season! We want to make this super simple. Enter on the rafflecopter below, answer the in the comments below who you want to spread the cheer with? and Tweet if you like.

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~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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NEW Vector Granola Honey Almond Flavour

I am always looking for tasty and easy protein ideas for my whole family especially as we are an active family. One of my favourite snacks is a bowl of yogurt with either a scoop of peanut butter or granola. I was super excited to try out the new NEW Vector Granola Honey Almond Flavour by Kellogg's. Our family has enjoyed many of the other Vector products. We love that they are high in fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals. 

Vector Granola Honey Almond Flavour is no different then the rest of the Vector line and it includes 20g of protein, 5g of fibre, and 10 vitamins and minerals per serving.

The one thing I noticed right away with this granola vs some of the other store bought granola's is that this one has whole almonds! I love almonds and usually eat a serving a day... sometimes maybe even a lil more than a serving..shhh! This is a great post workout snack or one of the Vector bars. 

I find the taste not overpowering that it pairs just nicely with some yogurt and has a nice crunch. 

My daughter isn't a big breakfast eater but I can usually get her to have a bowl of yogurt and granola before kick starting her day. My son on the other hand would consume the whole box of Vector cereal if we don't keep an eye on him!

Visit Vector website for more information and don't forget to like Vector on Facebook! 

Giveaway Time! Our friends at Kellogg's would like to offer one lucky Genuine Jenn reader a Vector prize pack! The giveaway is open until the 13th of August at 11:59pm EST and is open to Canadian residents. Please enter the rafflecopter below. Good Luck! 

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~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received the above products in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Stainless Steel BBQ cook set ~ Review

There are many reasons I love summer and one of our family favorites is BBQ cooking! Hubby loves to BBQ and will actually get out in knee deep snow in the middle of Canadian winter to cook on the BBQ. Nothing tastes better than a piece of pork or chicken on the BBQ. Even veggies taste better on the BBQ.

Recently we were asked to set out a Stainless Steel BBQ cook set and Hubby was super excited for it to arrive and get cooking. The kit is available on Amazon (Style Asia HW5266 Chefs Basics Select 18-Piece Stainless-Steel BBQ set with Aluminum Storage Case).

• 18-piece barbeque set in an aluminum case with dual latches for secure storage
• Includes fork, tongs, knife, grill-cleaning brush, basting brush, 4 steak knives, and 8 corn holders
• Also comes with a slotted turner with tenderizer blades and built-in bottle opener
• Professional-grade stainless-steel construction; metal hanging hooks; dishwasher-safe
• Measures 9-3/4 by 19 by 3 inches

This set turned out to be a lot nicer than we anticipated and are super excited with the quality of the tools. The brush is made with a natural fiber and is soft so not to scratch your BBQ grills. My husband said it isn't as great as the one he has but is very good for the price of the whole kit. He does love the other tools in the kit and found that to be very sturdy and the knives are also pretty good. I love that the corn holders are easy to push into the cob and have nice little handles.

Hubby has been having a blast with his new BBQ tools and cooking us some great meals. He was super excited about having the nice case to hold all his BBQ tools and even a spot that we can engrave his name on it.

This is a great BBQ tool set and would make a great birthday gift or Father's Day present.


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received the above product for review purpose. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Going Against the Grain ~ Book Review

Book Description:

This two-part book is a vital adjunct to any home attempting to be gluten-free. The first part guides you through early diagnosis and is an essential guide for any beginner diagnosed with celiac disease or some form of gluten sensitivity. You will learn how to identify symptoms of the disease, how celiac disease is diagnosed, and the consequences if left untreated. It will help you to understand how to read labels and how to manage your gluten-free home in a shared environment. It outlines practical advice for parents of children with celiac disease as well as tips for eating out and dealing with social settings such as special occasions or when traveling. Honorary foreword provided by renowned Dr. Peter HR Green, MD - Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University. 

Growing up authentically Sicilian, Nuccia Ardagna thought that getting rid of gluten meant giving up her favorite traditional foods, but that could not be further from the truth! Nuccia combines her passion for eating amazingly Italian with her new dietary needs to bring you scrumptious, traditional Italian (and Sicilian) recipes. From simple, classic appetizers to decadent desserts you thought you could never enjoy, every recipe is easy-to-follow and offers beautiful full-color pictures throughout. You can feel confident about entertaining guests and family with these mouth-watering recipes. You can eat healthier, feel better, and truly enjoy living gluten-free while never having to sacrifice great taste! In this book, Nuccia not only shares her personal story with celiac disease but also the recipes she grew up with at home and uses to entertain guests. Look for the bonus section at the end of the book along with a section dedicated to her favorite links and resources. 

We hope you enjoy the book and find it helpful in your journey. 

Purchase a copy on Amazon. 

About the Author:

Nuccia Ardagna loves to travel to the place of her roots: SICILIA! Being Sicilian, she grew up with mamma, nonna and all her zie learning all the tricks of the trade and creating DELICIOUS Italian food from scratch. When diagnosed with celiac disease she was forced to learn new habits and, now, after trial and error and experimenting, wants to share her exquisite culinary creations with you.

She IS a true Italian to the core. 

Connect with Nuccia: Website  ~  Twitter  ~  Facebook

Review: 

I am not gluten free but I love to read about health and wellness. More and more people are going gluten free either because they have an intolerance or celiac disease or are like myself and just trying to feel better and eat healthier. This is a great resource book on gluten, what it is, how to read labels and become gluten free. You don't need to stop enjoying food or going out with friends and family you just need to educate yourself and others. This will book will help for sure! I also love how easy and tasty these recipes are. I can't wait to try a the soups in the fall. My kids love veggie and I am enjoying finding different ways to make traditional dishes healthier.

Giveaway!  2 copies up for grabs! US & Canada!!

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Take a look at the rest of the Book Tour (click below)

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received the above book for review purpose. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Grow All You Can Eat In 3 Square Feet ~ DK Canada Book Review ~ Mother's Day Gift Idea

With the beautiful weather we have been getting the last couple weeks I have been busy out in the yard. I have trimmed up the vines that enclose the patio, trimmed the trees and cleaned the flower bed. I am also in the midst of cleaning out the kids HUGE sandbox to turn it into a vegetable garden. It is a hand made box that is 4 feet by 4 feet. It will be great!

Does your Mother have a green thumb? Do you enjoy to garden? Maybe you are just starting out like myself (I have done a lil garden but nothing big as of yet). Here is a fabulous book that everyone should get if you are thinking of gardening but only have a small space. You can grow tons of things in 3 square feet with this book.

Book Summary:

Want to grow your own vegetables and food, but don't have enough space for a garden? Don't let lack of space get in the way of growing healthy, organic foods at home. Apartment dwellers, schoolteachers, and anyone else who wants to grow a lot of food in a little space will find a great small garden resource in Grow All You Can Eat in 3 Square Feet.

Small-space gardeners, find your start in Grow All You Can Eat in 3 Square Feet, packed with information on window boxes, potted plants, patio gardening, raised beds, small square-foot gardening, container gardening, and everything else related to growing your own small garden. Whether you want to grow a full garden, grow tomatoes, grow an herb garden, or just pick up great tips for small gardens, Grow All You Can Eat in 3 Square Feet is the resource you need.

Review:

This is a great book for anyone looking to garden in small spaces or even for the beginner gardener like myself. It breaks down so much I didn't know or even thought of. Some of the things I have learned are when to plant certain veggies, flowers, fruits, how far apart to plant them, if they need a small pot or big, how to make a homemade trellis, which grows best in shady or sunny spots, which to grow for what season. This book is a huge resource for any gardener. Learn about planting an herb garden and also a huge section on Plant know-how which includes common pests and disease. I have learned so much with this book and I am so excited to have my own garden this summer! I highly recommend this book to everyone! The book is laid out nicely that it isn't crowed or too busy with beautiful pictures of plants etc.

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars!


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received the above book for review purpose. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Quick & Easy Muffin in a Mug ~ Recipe

Here is a super great way to enjoy a clean healthy muffin within minutes. It is great for a quick breakfast or even an after school snack. 

Ingredients:

1/4 cup oats - I use large cooking oats
a splash of unsweetened almond or almond/coconut milk
1 large egg
a splash of extract - I like to use maple, vanilla or caramel
a dash of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice 
a handful of berries if you like can be mixed into the muffin or just placed on the side
a couple tsp of flaxseed meal can also be added
 
Directions: 

Spray a large mug with coconut oil or other cooking spray. Add oats, almond milk, egg, extract, spice and mix well. Cook on high in microwave for 2 minutes. Let cool and enjoy! 

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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BetterBody Foods Organic Coconut Extra Virgin Oil ~ Review

I have just recently jumped on board with the coconut oil fans. I will be 100% honest with you that I have never really liked the taste of coconut products. I wasn't even a fan of it in baked goods. Lately though I thought I would give it a try again as Coconut is good for you. My taste buds have changed over the years and I now enjoy coconut. I started out trying a small bit of coconut oil while sauteing veggies for stir fry and went from there. Now I enjoy coconut in baked goods, coffee and cooking my food in it. 

BetterBody Foods has a great Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil that is very tasty. It isn't an overpowering flavor. It gives your food just a nice hint of flavor and helps bring out the natural flavors in my veggies. My husband actually commented the other day that he really likes out veggies in the coconut oil now. 

BetterBody Foods Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is cold pressed from fresh coconuts. It is one of the healthiest oils in the world. It is full of MCTs, aka the good fats, it is an immediate source of energy. Being cholesterol-free it makes a great substitute for butter or margarine. I love to use it when I need to butter something for a meal!

Coconut oil can also be used outside the kitchen as a moisturizer, or for oil pulling, I love to use it to remove my Jamberry wraps. I just heat a little up and apply it to my nails. 

While being on the 21 Day Fix Extreme program it can be used as your tsps. Autumn will actually heat it up and drink it with her meals. 

I love to make Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups with it also.  So many great uses for coconut oil. Keep an eye out for more recipes that I post using coconut oil.

What do you use Coconut oil for? 
  

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received the above product for review purpose. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups ~ Recipe

I know that it can be tough trying to keep on track with your clean healthy eating when everyone around us is eating chocolate from Easter. Yikes! I will admit I did find my hand in the chocolate bag a few times. It is okay, enjoy the treat and move on. No need to beat ourselves up over it. One thing I like to keep on hand is protein chocolate. I make a few batches and put them in the fridge for when I am craving that sweet treat.

They are super easy to make and they can be made a number of ways. Today I will share my basic Chocolate Peanut Butter cups with Garden of Life Raw Protein and BetterBody Foods Coconut oil and PBFit Peanut Butter.

Ingredients: 

1 scoop of Garden of Life Raw Protein (any flavor you choose) or Organic Plant Protein.
1 Tbsp BetterBody Coconut Oil
2 Tbsp PBFit
1 Tbsp water 

Directions: 

1. Mix 2 Tbsp of PBFit with 1 Tbsp water in a small bowl. Set aside.

2. In a glass bowl or measuring cup melt 1 Tbsp of coconut oil in the microwave (time depending on your microwave but I usually do 15 secs at a time til melted).

3. Add 1 level scoop of your choice of Protein powder to the melted coconut oil and stir.

4. Pour/spoon into molds or onto parchment paper on a cookie sheet or plate.

5. Add a tsp of Peanut Butter to each chocolate mold.
6. Freeze for 10-15 minutes and voila you have some healthy chocolate peanut butter cups!

Enjoy!


~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Genuine Jenn. I received the above products for review purpose. All opinions are honest and my own.*~

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