Frugal Soups!

It's been a pinching pennies kind of month over here with my husband's business opening soon. These two soups have been a great way for us to eat a healthy, fast, inexpensive meal. Plus, they are perfect for this fall weather we are having!

Boil 2 cups split peas or red lentils with about 6 cups purified water.
Add sea salt, pepper, garlic powder and chives to taste.

Done! :)

Homemade Granola Bars

Making your own granola bars is one of those "throw whatever you have on hand in" type of recipe! Here's one that I did:

GRANOLA BARS

3 cups oats 1/3 cup organic raisins 1/3 cup dried organic cranberries (watch out for added sugars and hydrogenated oils) 1/3 cup dried cherries (same) 1 1/4 cup nuts (any kind), chopped 3 tbsps flax seed 3 tbsps sesame seeds 3 tbsps sunflower seeds 6 pitted and chopped dates 1/4 cup raw honey 1/4 cup molasses 1/2 cup sucanat 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1 free range egg, beaten 2/3 cup organic butter or coconut oil 1 teaspoon vanilla Making the Granola: Add all ingredients to a large bowl, mixing well. Press firmly into a 15"X10" glass pan which has been generously sprayed with grapeseed oil spray. Bake at 350°F for about 20-30 minutes, or until lightly browned along edges. Cool. Cut into bars. **Mine did not stick together well after sitting for one day. I think if you refrigerated them, they would stick better right away. It's possible to make a double batch for granola cereal two ways; before adding the honey, remove half of the mixture and store in refrigerator to be used as breakfast cereal, or combine all ingredients and toast in oven on a baking sheet, using a spatula to mix/turn. Proceed with remaining mixture as above to make the bars.

Coconut Flour Apple Muffin HEAVEN!

Best coconut flour recipe I have tried yet! Easy and delicious. And I loved that I didn't have to change any ingredients- it was already healthy! :)

Enjoy!

http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2009/09/spiced-apple-muffins-gluten-grain-and-dairy-free.html

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Prep the muffin tins. I suggest using muffin papers (baking cups), otherwise you can grease it.

Dry Ingredients:

1/2 cup of coconut flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon medium grind sea salt (if you use fine, use 1/4 teaspoon)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

In a medium size bowl combine the dry ingredient and briskly whisk until all lumps are removed.

Add:

1/3 cup of coconut oil
1/4 cup of honey

Melt together on the stove top, just until melted (don’t get it hot, otherwise it could cook your eggs prematurely).

And:

3 eggs, lightly whisked.

Whisk until everything is well combined, and then add:

3/4 cup of shredded apples (wash, and core the apples, and then shred, peel and all)*see note above*

Divide between ten muffin tins, and bake for about 25 minutes or until the tops are lightly browned and a toothpick comes out clean when poked in the middle of the muffin.

Allow to cool for a few minutes and take out of the muffin tins and serve!