Vegan And Gluten Free Banana Muffin TopsWith Blueberries And WalnutsA Nice Surprise For Mother's Day Breakfast!

Muffin tops make a great breakfast or snack.

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Yes, we're still baking! You see, there was one overripe banana and a brand new muffin top pan that my friend Margarite introduced me to. Doug's vegan banana walnut bread is always amazing so we cut the ingredients in half (since muffin tops are smaller than muffins), added blueberries, and made these little gems. For more of a dessert muffin top, you can trade the blueberries for dark chocolate chips.

(Hey kids and dads, these would be a great treat for mom for Mother's day breakfast. They would be delightful with a mimosa!)

I heard about muffin tops last year when my sister-in-law Patti introduced me to ones made with zucchini but I didn't realize they actually had special pans for these things. But Margarite, who has every kitchen gadget known to man, of course had one. She uses it to make these delicious grain free muffins, which I will share with you at a later date, but after seeing this cool new pan, I had so many things I wanted to make in it. My first idea was to make corn muffins. Great idea but for some reason they came out like hockey pucks. I'll have to work on that one a bit more. But these banana muffin tops came out great! 

Wilton Muffin Top pan

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Banana Muffin Tops with Blueberries and Walnuts
Vegan, Dairy and Gluten Free
[makes 12 muffin tops]

REQUIREMENTS
Muffin Top Pan
Electric hand beater

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds
3 tablespoons water
2 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil plus some for pan
2 tablespoons sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons applesauce
1 very ripe banana, mashed
1 teaspoon vanilla 
1 cup Bob's Red Mill 1:1 gluten free baking flour
1/2 teaspoon stevia powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup fresh blueberries
1/3 cup chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease the pan with cooking spray, olive oil, non-dairy butter or coconut oil.

Make the flax egg. Combine the ground flax seeds and water in a small bowl. Beat vigorously with a fork until gooey. After a minute or so, beat again. Set aside.

In a small mixing bowl, combine the flour, stevia powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix well and set aside.

In a larger mixing bowl, combine the oil, sugar, applesauce, mashed banana, and vanilla. Beat with an electric beater until well blended. 

Beat in the flax egg.

Add the flour mixture and beat until incorporated. 

Using a spatula, fold in the blueberries and the walnuts.

Scoop the mixture into the prepared muffin top pan. Bake in the oven for 17 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean and the tops are slightly browned.

Cool the pan on a rack for 5 to 10 minutes and serve warm with vegan cream cheese.

Before baking

We baked ours for about 18 minutes

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there!
 

How To Make Your Own Muesli

Use as a topping for fruit, yogurt and ice cream
or eat as a cereal

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As millions shelter in place  during this horrible pandemic, many people have returned to their kitchens. I've always thought that cooking is the single best thing you can do for your health and hopefully, when this passes, people will continue to prepare their own meals.

Here's a simple recipe that we make all the time. 

This Muesli is a mixture of rolled oats and lots of my favorite nuts and seeds. It makes 7 cups so there's plenty to refrigerate and enjoy for many weeks, although it doesn't last too long in our home. You can also freeze it and it will keep for months. 

I have been trying to avoid going to the grocery store, or at least limiting my trips as best I can, so I have been buying lots of my ingredients on the internet. I figure most of the virus has lost its potency during the transit time so I only have to worry about the UPS or postman who carried the box to my door. Nuts.com has a great selection of nuts, seeds, grains, dried fruits and more so I bought most of the ingredients for this muesli from them.

Nuts.com has a great selection of nuts, seeds, grains and more.

                  
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Muesli
Vegan, Dairy and Gluten Free
[makes 7 cups]

Requirements
Large rimmed cookie sheet or shallow baking pan

Ingredients
4 cups gluten free rolled oats
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup hemp seeds
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 scant teaspoon iodized salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 or 2 packets of stevia (optional)
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons melted coconut oil

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 

Place the oats, coconut, almonds, sunflower and hemp seeds, walnuts, salt, cinnamon and stevia in a large rimmed cookie sheet or shallow baking pan. Carefully mix up the ingredients with a large spatula. 

Drizzle the vanilla, maple syrup and melted coconut oil over the oat mixture. Mix together with the spatula until the oats are well coated.

Some people do this first step of mixing all the ingredients in a large bowl and then pouring them onto a pan lined with parchment paper but I'm too lazy to wash the extra bowl and I find that the muesli doesn't stick all that much to the pan.

Place in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring half way through, until the oat mixture is lighted toasted. Don't overcook. 

Let cool completely before storing.

Enjoy as a cereal or a topping for fruit, ice cream, yogurt, applesauce, and more. As a treat for your kids (or yourself), place some in a small bowl and dip a peeled banana in the muesli between each bite! 

Bake until lightly toasted and fragrant

Instant Pot Oatmeal That Tastes Like Apple Pie Vegan and Gluten Free

This yummy oatmeal takes little effort in your Instant Pot.

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Gluten-Free Cool Weather Breakfast
When the temperature drops, my desire for cold smoothies wanes and I want a nice warm breakfast. I actually prefer eating a more lunch-like meal in the morning, such as a sweet potato and greens or a quinoa bowl. But when we are in a hurry and want something soothing, we turn to oatmeal. 

This is one of our favorite ways to make Instant Pot oatmeal - especially in the fall when we still have a refrigerator packed with apples from our Fuji apple tree. And it's pretty perfect for our dairy and gluten-free diet.

For seasoning, we use Penzeys Apple Pie Spice mix, which is a blend of China cassia cinnamon, Korintje cassia cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, and cloves, but you can just use whatever cinnamon you have with a pinch of nutmeg (and if you have ground mace and cloves, you can put a tiny bit of that in too.)

We use this blend in muffins, crisps, on French toast, and more.

Oatmeal is naturally gluten free but often the oats are contaminated during transportation or in the processing plant. For most people who may be somewhat gluten sensitive, it might be ok to just buy regular rolled oats. But if you are highly sensitive to gluten, or have Celiac disease, you should buy certified gluten free oats. We buy Bob'a Redmill Organic Gluten Free Old Fashioned Rolled Oats. 

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Instant Pot Oatmeal with Fresh Apples and Cinnamon Spice
Vegan, Gluten and Dairy Free
[makes 4 servings]

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups gluten free rolled oats
3 3/4 cups water
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 teaspoon Pensey's apple pie spice
1 packet stevia
2 cups roughly chopped, peeled apples
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions
Place all ingredients in the Instant Pot and stir to mix.
Secure the lid, making sure the vent is closed. Press "Manual" and set for 4 minutes at high pressure. When done, press "Off" and let the pressure release naturally.

Remove the lid carefully, stir well and serve.

After the pressure comes down, it will look like this.
Stir well before serving.

Nutrition
Per serving: 141 calories, 2 g total fat, 34 mg omega-3 and 685 mg omega-6 fatty acids, 0 g saturated fat, 0 g cholesterol, 4 g protein, 28 g carbohydrates, 4 g dietary fiber and 147 mg sodium. 

8 Healthy And Delicious Vegan Bagel Toppings

Bagels ideas for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

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Bagels Make a Quick and Easy Meal
Who doesn't love a good bagel? But we mostly just toast them, slather cream "cheese" or "butter" on them, and call it a meal. But there's so much more you can do to make these little platters of goodness more interesting. And they can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or dinner!

Starting Out
Start with a good bagel. I'm in love with the Sprouted Wheat bagels by Alvarado Street Bakery. They are not gluten free but they do not contain added gluten, like so many baked goods do. Their main ingredient is Sprouted Organic Whole Wheat Berries. As stated on their package:

"We sprout the whole grains by soaking them in filtered water for several days, until they begin to grow. We then transform these living sprouts into the unique dough that becomes the basis of all our recipes. Sprouting grains helps to increase the availability of some nutrients, are easy to digest, and contain essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber."

Each bagel provides:
250 calories
0.5 total fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol
51 g carbohydrates, 2 g sugar
10 g protein
3 g dietary fiber
410 mg sodium

 Of course if you cannot tolerate wheat, then start with a gluten free bagel. 

#1 - Super Seeded Bagel
If you like seeded bagels, you will love this one. When you buy a seeded bagel, the seeds are baked in the process of making it and then toasted when you take it home. All this cooking destroys the delicate essential fatty acids which is why I always prefer eating raw seeds and nuts. For this recipe, just slather Kite Hill vegan cream cheese on your bagel (toasted or not), and cover it with raw seeds, such as hemp, sunflower, and pumpkin. 

Super Seeded Bagel

#2 - The Elvis Bagel
This recipe pays homage to Elvis, who loved his peanut butter and banana sandwiches. We top this one with walnuts for a little extra omega-3 fatty acids. I don't think Elvis paid much attention to that :-) Spread organic peanut butter (creamy or crunchy) on the bagel and top with ripe banana slices and crushed walnuts.

Elvis Bagel

#3 - Avocado Bagel
As I posted earlier this month, Avocado Toast - It's Everywhere! Why It's a Healthy Dish, avocados contain healthy fat, have anti-inflammatory properties, and are a great source of fiber and a host of vitamins and minerals. They also help us absorb cancer-fighting carotenoids. So just slice or smush avocado on your bagel and top with raw seeds, sprouts, fruits, veggies, herbs, or whatever suits you.

Avocado Bagel

#4 - Garlic Toast Bagel
A garlic toasted bagel makes a tasty side to a big raw salad. Just make a paste by mixing a tablespoon of room temperature Miyoko's vegan butter, (or your favorite spread), with a clove or two of pressed or finely minced garlic and dried parsley flakes. Spread it on the bagel and toast until brown and bubbly.

Garlic Toast Bagel

#5 - Jalapeno Hummus Bagel
This bagel is sure to spice up your life. Spread your favorite hummus on a toasted bagel and top with pickled jalapeños and raw pumpkin seeds, or "pepitas."

Jalapeno Hummus Bagel

#6 - Sweet Mango and Almond Butter Bagel
Sweet Ataulfo mangos are in season now and they pair beautifully with almond butter. Mangos are packed with vitamin A and C and a good source of dietary fiber. The almond butter is a great source of vitamin E, which is hard to get. Spread creamy or crunchy almond butter on your bagel, top with finely diced mango and top with black sesame seeds.

Mango and Almond Butter Bagel

#7 - Pizza Bagel
This makes an easy lunch or dinner, with a raw salad. Just toast the bagel first then cover with thick (not runny) tomato sauce, and shredded vegan "cheese". Broil until the cheese melts and then top with whatever you like. I used artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, kalamata olives, peperocini, vegan "parmesan" topping, and chili flakes. Toss under the broiler again the heat the veggies and serve.

Pizza Bagel

#8 - Strawberry Fields Forever Bagel
Strawberries are in season now and they make a great topping over Kite Hill's vegan cream cheese. Toast and slather cream cheese on the bagel. Top with strawberry slices and hemp seeds, for that extra omega-3 punch. I also sprinkled it with some blueberry finishing salt to introduce extra flavor.

Strawberry Fields Forever Bagel

I could go on and on with this post but I think I'll leave it here. If you have some interesting concoctions, please comment and share!

Avocado Toast - It's Everywhere!Why It's A Healthy Dish

Sliced or smushed, avocado is a healthy and popular topping.

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A Popular Menu Item

It's seems that whenever I try a new popular restaurant, avocado toast is on the menu. I'm not sure how or when this dish became so popular, but it seems to have really taken off. And why wouldn't it - avocados are one of America's favorite foods. Their consumption has quadrupled since 2000 and by 2015, the consumption of Hass avocados surpassed 2 billion pounds! I eat avocados every day in some form or another.

Although many people worry about avocado's fat content, they shouldn't. Their combination of "good fats"  (phytosterols, polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols, and oleic acid), give avocados their anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is the root of many diseases such as cancer, arthritis, heart disease, Alzheimers, and other degenerative disorders. 

In addition to reducing inflammation, they help us absorb carotenoids, an important plant chemical that protect us against numerous cancers. They are also a great source of dietary fiber, as well as vitamin C, E, K, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, pantothenic acid, and potassium.

Avocado Toast 

You don't need a particular recipe for avocado toast. Here are some suggestions and ways to prepare that it I've seen in restaurants. 

Select bread for the toast. Pick a small baguette if you are making an appetizer or a larger crusty bread if you are making this dish for a meal. Sour dough bread is an excellent choice. You can also consider using bagels. The picture above is avocado on a sprouted wheat bagel but an "everything" bagel with garlic, onions, and seeds would be an exciting and bold choice. If you want to avoid gluten, use any gluten free bread such as corn bread, homemade bread made with gluten free flour, or any commercial gluten free bread slices. Lightly toast whatever bread you select.

Slice or Smush

Avocado's will quickly oxidize and turn brown so you shouldn't prepare the avocado until you are ready to eat it. Thinly slicing the avocado is often a prettier presentation but feel free to smush the avocado with a fork and spread the avocado on the toast. Although not as pretty, it's easier to eat avocado that is smushed and evenly spread on the bread.

Select a Topping

Here are a few toppings that are healthy and popular. Select one or more.

* Seeds are my favorite topping. The above picture shows raw sunflower and black sesame seeds. Hemp and pumpkin seeds are also a good selection. 

* Crushed nuts such as walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, macadamia, pistachios or sliced almonds are great choices.  

* Raw sprouts are a healthy and attractive topping.

* Fruits and veggies can be added such as thinly sliced apples, pears, mango, tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and grilled corn.

* Season with spicy chili pepper flakes or finishing salts and other spices such as fresh dill, cilantro, parsley, and more. 

* For those who enjoy fish, top with thin slices of those high in omega-3 fatty acids and low in mercury such as smoked salmon, anchovies, herring, and sardines.

For other things to do with avocados, check out my post Avocados are delicious and healthy - Here's why you should eat them and 10 ways to enjoy them.

Instant Pot Helps Make Perfect Breakfast Fried Potatoes With Less Oil

Use your Instant Pot for perfect breakfast potatoes.
Make a healthier breakfast for your Valentine!

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Breakfast Potatoes
I must have been Irish in another lifetime because I adore potatoes. Baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, boiled potatoes, and especially fried breakfast potatoes. Fried breakfast potatoes, however, can take a lot of oil with added calories. They also take a long time to cook, and who has that kind of time in the morning? But the Instant Pot comes to the rescue to help with both of these problems. 

So if your want to make your Valentine some healthy fried breakfast potatoes to go with a tofu scramble or his favorite egg dish, here's a quick recipe for the potatoes. You can always jazz this recipe up by frying some onions or peppers before you add the potatoes, but I like my potatoes as they are.

To save even more time in the morning, you can make the Instant Pot potatoes the night before, refrigerate them, and fry them the next morning.


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Breakfast Fried Potatoes
Vegan, Gluten Free
[makes 3 to 4 servings]

Requirements
Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker with steamer basket and rack
Large Non-stick Fry Pan

Ingredients
3 cups (1/2" -3/4" inch diced) Yukon Gold potatoes with skin (~ 1 pound)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Place the steamer rack and 1 inch of water in the Instant Pot.

Spread the diced potatoes evenly in the Instant Pot's steamer basket. Place on the rack.

Secure the lid, making sure the top vent is closed. Press the "Manual" button and set for 4 minutes at high pressure. When done, do a quick release, carefully open the lid, and immediately remove the potatoes from the Instant Pot. The potatoes should be almost cooked, but a little al dente. They will continue to cook in the fry pan.

Heat the oil in a large, non-stick (I like enamel coated), fry pan on medium heat. Add the potatoes and spread evenly in the pan. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the potatoes. Cook until the potatoes are fork tender but crispy and brown on both sides, flipping over occasionally, about 10 minutes. 

Serve warm.

Nutrition
Per serving (3): 155 calories, 5 g total fat, 1 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 49 mg omega-3 and 487 mg omega-6 fatty acids, 3 g protein, 28 g carbohydrates, and 3 g dietary fiber. 

Per serving (4): 116 calories, 3 g total fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 37 mg omega-3 and 366 mg omega-6 fatty acids, 2 g protein, 21 g carbohydrates, and 2 g dietary fiber. 

Whole Wheat Apple Blueberry Muffins With Walnuts - High In Omega 3

These warm, whole grain muffins make a healthy, fall breakfast.

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Warm Muffins - A Wholesome Addition to Breakfast
As the weather cools down, it's nice to start the day with a warm breakfast. These muffins, bursting with blueberries, apples and walnuts, are delicious with Kite Hill almond-based cream "cheese." Take the leftovers to work or school, as they make a wonderful mid-afternoon snack.

Blueberries are one of the highest antioxidant foods we can eat plus each low-calorie, high-fiber muffin is packed with over a 1/2 gram of omega-3 due to the addition of walnuts and flaxseeds!

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Whole Wheat Apple Blueberry Muffins
Vegan, Dairy Free
[makes 12 muffins]

Ingredients
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil plus more for greasing muffin pan
2 cups King Arthur white whole-wheat flour
2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
1/4 cup organic can sugar
1 teaspoon powdered stevia
1 tablespoon aluminum-free baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup non-dairy milk, such as almond or soy milk
2/3 cup applesauce
1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed
3/4 cup finely diced peeled apples
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease 12 muffin cups or line with paper liners. 

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, flax seeds, sugar, stevia, baking powder, and salt. 

In a large bowl, combine the milk, applesauce, and oil and beat well. 

Add the flour mixture to the large bowl and mix until well blended. Fold in the blueberries, apples and walnuts. 

Using an ice cream scoop or 1⁄3-cup measure, scoop batter into muffin tins. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center of a muffin, 18 to 20 minutes. 

Remove from the oven, cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes, release the muffins from the pan, and serve warm. 

Warm muffins bursting with apples and blueberries.

Nutrition
Per muffin: 162 calories, 7 g total fat, 1 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 538 mg omega-3 and 1,600 mg omega-6 fatty acids, 3 g protein, 20 g carbohydrates, 3 g dietary fiber and 202 mg sodium.

Whole Wheat Vegan Strawberry Muffins

These yummy strawberry muffins are only 150 calories!

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Another Way to use your Garden Strawberries
My strawberry patch is going crazy so I've been using strawberries in every delicious way I can (you'll be seeing a post next week on a dozen different ways to use strawberries so stay tuned.) For Mother's Day, I baked them into a yummy, low-calorie, low-sugar, whole grain muffin. Here's the recipe!

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Whole Wheat Strawberry Muffins
Vegan, Dairy Free
[makes 12 muffins]

Ingredients
1⁄4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing pan 
2 cups King Arthur white whole-wheat flour or 1 cup whole- wheat and 1 cup all-purpose flour) 
2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
1⁄3 cup organic cane sugar
4 (1-gram) packets or equivalent bulk stevia powder 
1 tablespoon aluminum-free baking powder
1⁄2 teaspoon salt 
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1⁄2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1⁄2 cup almond or other non-dairy milk
2⁄3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup diced fresh strawberries
2 fresh strawberries, diced

D I R E C T I O NS 
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease 12 muffin cups or line with paper liners. 

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, flax seeds, sugar, stevia, baking powder, and salt. 

In a large bowl, combine the orange zest, orange juice, milk, applesauce, and oil and beat well. 

Add the flour mixture to the large bowl and mix until well blended. Fold in one cup of diced strawberries.

Using an ice cream scoop or 1⁄3-cup measure, scoop batter into muffin tins. Divide up the two diced strawberries and place on top of each muffin. Gently push them in a little. 

Bake until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center of a muffin, 18 to 20 minutes. 

Remove from the oven, cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes, release the muffins from the pan, and serve warm. 

YI E L D 
12 Muffins 

Per serving: 152 calories, 6 g total fat, 0.7 g saturated fat, 320 mg omega-3 and 674 mg omega-6 fatty acids, 0 mg cholesterol, 3 g protein 22 g carbohydrates, 3 g dietary fiber, and 195 mg sodium. 

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Fruit And Nut Breakfast BowlAn Easy Back To School Breakfast

Healthy breakfast bowl takes advantage of late summer fruit.

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My New Favorite Breakfast
The end of the summer brings us so much wonderful fruit. Sweat peaches are their peak ripeness, the pears are ripening, strawberries are still around, and so much more. A big bowl of fruit may be delicious but it's certainly not filling.This breakfast bowl adds nuts and seeds, cereal, and some probiotic packed, home-made soy yogurt. This provides the protein and healthy fats that will keep you satisfied until lunch time.

I Can't Believe School is Starting!
Although my children are grown, I still get those feelings of disbelief when kids start getting ready to start school in what seems like the middle of the summer. Getting kids fed and ready to leave for school, or even summer day camp for that matter, is one of the hardest thing a parent has to do. Perhaps feeding them this yummy breakfast bowl will get them to eat up without prompting them through ever bite! It's so easy, they can even help you make it.

Feel free to change up the ingredients. Basically you need 3 fruits, 3 nuts/seeds, some healthy cereal for more crunch, and your favorite yogurt. The ingredients below are for two servings but it' easy to double to make it for four.

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Fruit and Nut Breakfast Bowl
Vegan and Dairy Free (if using vegan yogurt) 
Gluten Free (if using GF cereal)
[makes 2 servings]

Ingredients
1 large peach, diced with skin
1 large pear, diced with or without skin
6 large strawberries, sliced
1/2 cup cereal (such as puffed rice or granola)
1 tablespoon raw sunflower seeds
1 tablespoon chopped raw walnuts 
1 tablespoon chopped or sliced almonds
1/2 cup yogurt

Directions
Divide the chopped fruit between two bowls.

Sprinkle 1/4 cup of cereal over each bowl. I like to use a mixture of puffed rice and puffed kamut because it has a nice crunch and very few calories. Granola would be very yummy and hearty in this recipe too but adds more calories and sugar.

Puffed brown rice and gamut

Divide the nuts and seeds among the two bowls.

Sunflower seeds, almonds and walnuts

Gently stir each bowl to mix the ingredients. Top with your favorite yogurt and serve immediately.