(not quite)Fresh from the oven

For the second breakfast you can think about, there's a little more prep work, but in the end it will be faster for those on the run. Granola packs a lot of energy and is a great way to get some whole grains and protein in the morning.

This recipe came from one of the fabulous Clean Eating books written by Tosca Reno.

"Quick and Easy Sunflower Seed Granola"

*Serves 12--keep this in mind when dividing up the portions

Ingredients:

3/4C sunflower seeds

1.5C oatmeal

1/4C ground flaxseed

1/2C dried cranberries

1/2C slivered almonds

1/2C shredded coconut, unsweetened

3Tbs natural peanut butter

1/2 tsp salt

1/3C agave nectar

1/2tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Combine ingredients in a bowl and mix until blended.
2. Press Mixture into a baking pan and bake for 40minutes

There you have it, easy peasy.

Per serving there is 234 Calories; 25.5g carbs; 13g fat; 9g of fiber; 7.5g Protein; 12.5g Sugar

Cleaning it up: Starting with Breakfast

Breakfast is probably the easiest meal of our days to get right, so for that reason, and that reason only, we're going to start with the basics and work our way through the meals of the day in the blog over the next few days giving you plenty of ideas to start the new years with.

It's New Years, which means a new you (or maybe the old you, just a little more sober and breathing a little heavier in your workouts, I'm guilty of this too, ha).

So, for you, friends, here's a recipe to start you off on the right foot. It's high in fiber, a complete protein and both gluten and dairy free to boot (if you choose to nix the yogurt).

Enjoy!

Quinoa Porridge (serves 2)

1/2 cup uncooked quinoa (rinsed)

1/2 cup water

1 cup soy milk

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1 tbsp chopped pecans

1 tbsp raisins

1 tsp Agave Nectar (honey or maple syrup work as well here)

1 tsp plain yogurt (optional)

Add quinoa, water, cinnamon and 1/2 cup of the milk in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until most of the water has been absorbed. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of milk, pecans and raisins and allow to simmer for about 5 minutes or until it reaches your desired consistency (it will gradually get thicker). Once it reaches the consistency you like, add the agave and the yogurt and stir to combine.

Goooooood Morning!

Want to pretend it's summer?

You can!

All you need to do is head for a fake tan, and cook these bad boys up on the barbie, and you'll be feeling like a million bucks in no time.. Rain you say? What rain? I can't seem to see it through my sunglasses.. oh wait! I can't see much of anything..

Spinach and Feta Turkey Burgs (still sticking with the red and green theme)

Prep Time: 20mins Cook Time: 15mins Serves: 8 Ingredients: 2 Eggs, Beaten 2 Cloves garlic 4oz Feta Cheese 1oz box frozen chopped spinach, thaw&squeeze dry 2lbs ground turkey Directions:

	Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil grate.
	While the grill is preheating, mix together eggs, garlic, feta cheese, spinach, and turkey in a large bowl until well combined; form into 8 patties.
	Cook on preheated grill until no longer pink in the center, 15 to 20 minutes.

Something to think about.. before it happens

Twas the Month After Christmas

'Twas the month after Christmas, and all through the house

Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste

At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!

When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).

I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;

The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,

The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese

And the way I'd not said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt

My jeans were so tight that it made my waist hurt

I said to myself, as I only can

"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"

So--away with the last of the sour cream dip,

Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip

Every last bit of food that I like must be banished

"Till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie--not even a lick.

I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.

I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,

I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore---

But isn't that what January is for?

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.

Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!

(orr to all a positive lifestyle change, haha)