Man Cake with Apples Recipe

Friends of mine had been raving about "Deidra's Man Cakes" all weekend while we were away on "business". So I did my research and finally found the recipe and let me just tell you, I am so thankful that I had today off and slept in and had the opportunity to make this delicious breakfast! 

Mix ingredients & put in pan to cook

Ingredients:

• 1 Green Apple diced
• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 6 egg whites, 1 yolk 
• 1/2 tso Vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• EVOO

Directions:

1. Put stove on medium and coat bottom of pan on stove with EVOO. (I used a paper towel to lightly coat the bottom of pan
2. Mix first 5 ingredients in a bowl and add it to pan on stove
3. Cook on each side for approximately 4 minutes or until it is done to your liking
4. Let cool and enjoy

Literally like these so much, tomorrow I am planning to use fresh cut up strawberries instead of the apples! Its so simple and so easy to make and whats great is it is absolutely delicious and healthy! It even follows the 21 day fix meal plan! 1 Red (protein): eggs, 1 Yellow (carb): oatmeal, 1 Purple (fruit): apple!

I cannot wait to play around with this and make some other amazing recipes! Share with others if this is something you think you would like!

Have a Happy & Healthy Day!

Nicole <3

Cinnamon Pecans

I love snacking on nuts but sometimes they can be bland. When I was in Canada visiting my aunt and uncle, my aunt made these and let me just say they are so delicious and so addicting! I call them crack! my family came to visit me last month, and I had them made and my mom called me the week after and goes hey Nikki, whats the recipe for crack? 

So today, I decided to make crack aka Cinnamon Pecans! They are seriously so simple and so easy! 

Ingredients:

• 1 egg white
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 pound pecans

Directions:

1. whip egg white and water together
2. add pecans to mixture
3. mix cinnamon, salt and sugar in separate bowl
4. add pecan mixture to sugar mixture
5. spread pecans on greased cookie sheet
6. bake at 250 degrees for approximately 1 hour (turn every 15 minutues

Hope you all enjoy this simple, easy recipe!

Have a Happy and Healthy Day!

Black Bean and Quinoa Enchilada Bake

I have wanted to make this recipe for over a week now. Finally. tonight I had time and all the ingredients to make it. 

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 small onion
• 1 pepper
• 1/2 cup of frozen corn
• 1/2 of lemon juice
• slat and pepper to taste
• 1 cup of enchilada sauce
• 1 cup of salsa
• 1 can of black beans
• 1 cup of cheddar cheese

Directions: 

1. preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a pan with cooking spray.
2. add quinoa and water to medium saucepan and bring to a boil. boil for 5 minutes then turn the heat down and simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed. fluff with a fork and set aside
3. in a large skillet over medium high heat, heat up olive oil, add onion, and peppers. saute until soft about 5 minutes. add lime juice. add corn and saute for 5 minutes. add salt and pepper.
4. in a large mixing bowl, stir quinoa and black beans together. add the veggie mixture and combine, stir in 1/2 of cheese. add the salsa and enchilada sauce. 
5. pour mixture into the pan, sprinkling rest of the cheese on top. 
6. cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. 
7. remove the foil and bake for 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and bubbly. 
8. remove and cool!

(I had guacamole with it)

Serve and ENJOY!! 

Healthy Valentine's Day Treats

Frozen Yogurt Covered Strawberries

Ingredients:

• 1 container of vanilla greek yogurt
• fresh ripe strawberries

Directions:

• slice strawberries in half
• spoon green yogurt onto a shallow dish
• dip the strawberries  in yogurt
• place dipped strawberries in a plastic container lined with parchment paper 
• place in freezer 

Dark Chocolate Walnut Pomegranate Clusters

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces dark chocolate
• 3/4 cups toasted walnut pieces (cut walnuts up)
• 3/4 cups pomegranate seeds

Directions:

• melt chocolate
• mix walnut pieces and pmegranate seeds in with melted chocolate
• line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper or line mini-muffin tins with paper liners
• scoop a spoonful of the chocolate, walnut & pomegranate mixture onto the waxed paper 
• if you are using lined muffin tins- spoon a little chocolate in the bottom. then sprinkle a few walnuts and pomegranate seeds on top, then drizzle more melted chocolate on t[. sprinkle another layer of the walnuts and pomegranate seeds on top and finish with a drizzle of melted chocolate
• place in refrigerator until firm

Chocolate-Dipped Clementines

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup of chocolate chips
• 4 clementines at room temperature, peeled and sectioned 
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped crystallized ginger

Directions:

• line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper
• melt chocolate chips
• dip half to two-thirds of each clementine into melted chocolate
• place dipped fruit on baking sheet
• sprinkle crystallized ginger over the chocolate
• refridgerate until chocolate is set (about 30 mins)

Salted Caramel Chocolate Bark

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate
• 12 caramel squares
• 1 teaspoon water, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt

Directions:

• line a rimmed baking sheet with foil (avoid wrinkles)
• melt chocolate
• combine 6 caramel squares and 1/2 teaspoon water in a small bowl and microwave until melted
• stir in melted caramel thoroughly into the melted chocolate
• place mixture into 9-inch square pan
• combine remaining 6 caramel squares with 1/2 teaspoon water and melt
• drizzle the melted caramel over the chocolate and sprinkle with chocolate
• put in the refrigerator until it sets (about 30 mins)

Chocolate-Dipped Pecans

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup of chocolate chips
• 48 pecan halves
• 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar

Direction: 

• line baking sheet with parchment or wax paper
• melt chocolate
• dip half of each pecan into melted chocolate and place on baking sheet
• sprinkle sugar over chocolates
• refrigerate until chocolate is set (about 30 mins)