Category Archives: Recipes

How To Make Oat Flour at Home

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Are you wondering how to make oat flour?

jar full of oat flour! Have you ever wondered how to make oat flour? This post will tell you how!

I’m a fan of making things myself. Especially things that are super easy.

Usually it’s significantly cheaper to DIY and a lot of the time it’s better for you too.

Oat flour is one of those things. Don’t spend extra money paying someone else to grind your oats! Do it yourself. It takes seconds. Nope, that’s not exaggerating.

It really is as easy at it seems.

All you need is:

  • a blender
  • old fashioned rolled oats

a blender with oats in it. If you've ever wondered how to make oat flour, this post will tell you how.

Let’s talk blenders for a second. I received a JC Penney brand blender when we got married 12 years ago. Nothing super expensive or fancy but it worked. Until it didn’t. It burned out after a couple of years.

Next, we got a Ninja Prep. Again, nothing super expensive. I think we got it on Black Friday for under $40. That worked okay for a while. Then it spend a year of making me wonder if each use was going to be its last until it finally hit the dust a year ago.

After months of internal debate (I struggle when it comes to spending money), we settled on a refurbished Vitamix. (That’s the one I got – super, super great deal on 2018 Prime Day for just over $200.)

It is a dream.

The homemade oat flour comes out so much finer than it ever did in the Ninja.

How To Make Oat Flour

It’s as easy as measuring your rolled oats, putting them in the blender, and turning it on.

30 seconds. That’s it – and you are done and ready to bake.

If the recipes calls for 1 cup of oat flour, put 1 scant cup of rolled oats in the blender.

measuring cups with homemade oat flour. If you've ever wondered how to make oat flour, this post will tell you how.

2 cups of rolled oats equals about 2 1/3 cups of homemade oat flour!

Again, your blender will make a difference as to how fine the oat flour will be. Not as good of blenders will require a longer period of blending and will still result in a grittier flour – but you can still make it! I did it that way for years. 🙂

Be sure to “fluff” your flour when it comes out of the blender before measure. It can be a little compact.

A couple other easy and cheap things you can try making yourself:

Homemade Yogurt
“Refried” Beans

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How To Make Oat Flour
 
Ingredients
  • Rolled Oats
Instructions
  1. Put the amount of rolled oats in the blender that you want of oat flour.
  2. Turn the blender on and blend for a minute - the oats will turn into a flour like powder.
  3. Loosely scoop into a measuring cup and use in place of purchased oat flour.

 

What are you favorite food items to DIY? Give this easy homemade oat flour a try before you go out and buy it again. Learning how to make oat flour is a breeze!

a blender and measuring cups with rolled oats. If you have ever wondered how to make oat flour, this post will tell you how!

Spaghetti Squash Chow Mein Recipe

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If you haven’t jumped on the spaghetti squash train yet, this is the recipe to do it on! Spaghetti Squash Chow Mein is so good.
spaghetti squash chow mein in the shells. this recipe is so good and healthy!

I’ve had some spaghetti squash flops over the years, but this recipe is not one of them. In fact, I eagerly await squash season so I can make it again each year.

My girls (2 and 7) eat seconds of this and even my (not a fan of squash) husband gives this a thumbs up. I suppose it doesn’t hurt that one of his favorite meals is the regular kind of chow mein.

This dish is loaded with veggies. If you want it to be vegetarian, leave off the chicken. For the omnivores out there, the chicken adds a tasty touch.

A lot of spaghetti squash recipes don’t hold up well as leftovers, but we enjoy this one the next day just as well. I’m all about cooking once and eating at least twice!

This recipe, as written, fed my family of 5 twice, so I’d say it would serve 6-8 as adult portions. I bought 3 spaghetti squashes that totaled 6 pounds.

The method of cooking spaghetti squash that’s in this recipe is my go to. It always turns out fabulous and once I cut the squash in half, it’s super simple.

Another of my favorite spaghetti squash recipes is this one: Tex Mex Spaghetti Squash! Yum!
A bowl of spaghetti squash chow mein. Amazing and healthy recipe that even kids love!

Spaghetti Squash Chow Mein

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Spaghetti Squash Chow Mein
Serves: 6-8 servings
 
Ingredients
  • 6 pounds spaghetti squash
  • 6 stalks of celery, thinly sliced (around 3 cups)
  • 4 carrots, peeled and grated (around 2 cups)
  • 2-3 cups shredded cabbage
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
  • ¼ cup soy sauce, coconut aminos etc
  • 1-2 cups diced, cooked chicken (optional)
  • Oil
  • Salt and Pepper
Instructions
  1. Cut spaghetti squash in half and scrape out the seeds and stringy insides. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place cut side down on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool until you can handle them. Use a fork to scrape across the squash short ways to make "noodles".
  2. In a large skillet heat a tablespoon of oil and saute the onions 3-5 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and continue to cook a few more minutes.
  3. Add the carrots and celery to the skillet. Stir and cook a few minutes.
  4. Add the cabbage and cook until all the vegetables are tender.
  5. Add the spaghetti squash to the skillet and combine.
  6. Drizzle ¼ cup of soy sauce (or alternative) over the mixture.
  7. Season with salt and pepper and additional soy sauce to taste.

 

I’m curious, where do you stand on spaghetti squash: lover, hater, or never tried? If you are a fan, what’s your favorite way to eat it?

P.S. If you are curious the way I made it and it flopped, it was a spaghetti squash carbonara recipe. I’m perfectly okay never attempting that one again. 😉

spaghetti squash chow mein in the shells. this recipe is so good and healthy!spaghetti squash chow mein in the shells. this recipe is so good and healthy!A bowl of spaghetti squash chow mein. Amazing and healthy recipe that even kids love!

Best Simple Fried Rice Recipe

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I love, love, love fried rice! When you combine it with easy and get a simple fried rice recipe, it’s a winner all around!

best simple fried rice recipe

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Secret ingredients are always a good sign! This recipe has a couple and the extra pop of flavor makes it the best fried rice.

I love using basmati rice when making this. I’ve even used brown basmati. If you don’t have that, try using a long grain white rice.

Try using cauliflower rice if you are limiting your carbs. Shredded cabbage you saute with the rest of the veggies would also likely work.

bowl of dry rice for simple fried rice recipe

If you have a super busy day, this recipe is perfect because you can prep your vegetables the day before (or even several days before). You can also use leftover rice because day old rice makes the best fried rice. See, I told you this is a simple fried rice recipe. 🙂

Did you know you can also freeze fried rice? (I wouldn’t do this with cauliflower rice.) Simply make the fried rice and let cool completely. Place in freezer storage bags or food storage containers and place in freezer. Pull out of the freezer the night before or morning of when you are going to use them and let thaw in the fridge. Saute in a skillet for 5-10 minutes until warm

simple fried rice recipe ingredients

If you don’t mind reheating in the microwave, this would also be perfect to freezer in single serving amounts to pack for work lunches.

Secret Ingredients!

There are a couple ingredients that put this simple fried rice recipe over the top.

  1. Fresh ginger. Of course fresh garlic is involved, but the ginger adds a little something special.
  2. Toasted sesame oil. If you’ve never had this, you are missing out! My picky, opinionated 5 smelled the bottle and proclaimed how good it smelled. Do yourself a favor and get some for this recipe and for making the best Asian salad dressings. (I’ve linked to it on Amazon, but I’ve found it at Aldi for a great price before.)
  3. Sambal. Okay, this is totally optional. My kids don’t use it, but I’m obsessed. It adds a kick and a little extra punch of flavor. I blame my dad for turning me onto this years ago. You could also use siracha (I’ve also found the equivalent of this at Aldi).

simple fried rice recipe square picture

Favorite tool!

I LOVE using a microplane for the ginger and garlic. It makes it fast and super easy.


P.S. I love using fried rice to sneak in lots of veggies. 🙂  In these pictures, it’s the amounts listed in the recipe, but often times I add in extra.

Simple Fried Rice Recipe

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Best Simple Fried Rice Recipe
 
Ingredients
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • ½ inch ginger, peeled and minced/micro-planed
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced/micro-planed
  • 2 cups shredded carrots
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 cup frozen green beans
  • ½ cup frozen peas
  • 6 cups cooked cold rice
  • 1-2 cups cooked, diced meat (optional)
  • 3 scrambled eggs (optional)
  • oil
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Sambal or siracha (optional)
Instructions
  1. Heat a large pan over medium heat and add a little cooking oil (can use butter).
  2. After heated, add the onions and stir and cook 5 minutes. (Lower heat if needed.) When beginning to soften add garlic and ginger and continue to cook another 3-7 minutes until fragrant and tender.
  3. Add carrots and continue to saute. After a few minutes add the frozen vegetables and continue to saute until everything is hot and tender. (Add meat at the end of this time if using.)
  4. Add rice to the pan and stir over medium high heat for 3-5 minutes. Add soy sauce and and sesame oil and stir to combine.
  5. Take off heat and adjust soy sauce and salt and pepper if needed.
  6. Add scrambled eggs if using.
  7. Serve with sambal or siracha on the side.

 

The best simple fried rice recipebest simple fried rice recipe ingredients

 

Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Muffins

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Chocolate banana oatmeal muffins. Don’t those just sound yummy?! But I suppose it’s hard to go wrong with a recipe that calls for cocoa powder and chocolate chips. Even better when it’s not horrible for you. 🙂

chocolate banana oatmeal muffins in tin and on a plate.

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We don’t always eat gluten free (<—- click there for a great list of gluten free recipes) but we have needed to on a few occasions. These muffins are a yummy treat the kids and I both enjoy (whether or not we are gluten free 🙂 ).

I don’t put much sweetener in my muffins and quick breads, but if your family is used to things pretty sweet just increase the sweetener a touch.


Because these chocolate banana oatmeal muffins are made with oat flour and rolled oats, the texture isn’t quite the same as traditional muffin. It is a cross between a muffin and baked oatmeal but they are quickly gobbled up by everyone in my house. They are great for breakfast or snack. Don’t tell my kids how healthy they are because they’ve even made an appearance for dessert.

They are also perfect freezer food. Cool completely after baking and freeze in a zipped storage bag. Thaw a short time and reheat slightly before eating. Yum!

baked chocolate banana oatmeal muffins in tin and a muffin split in half

I don’t like my muffins super big, (small size is slightly more kid friendly) so I make 12 regular muffins and 12 mini muffins. Use the longer baking times if you are making larger muffins.

Speaking of muffins, I have to share with you my favorite muffin pan. I discovered these last year and have fallen in love. Get this, I don’t need to grease the pans and everything has come out easily. I have the standard size and the mini pan.

Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Muffins

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5.0 from 2 reviews
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Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Muffins
 
Ingredients
  • ¼ C. honey (or use ¼-3/4 C. sugar)
  • 1 C. milk
  • 2 T. coconut oil or butter, melted
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 t. vanilla
  • 3 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 2 C. old fashioned rolled oats blended to oat flour
  • 1 C. old fashioned rolled oats
  • 2 t. baking powder
  • ¾ t. salt
  • ½ c. cocoa powder
  • ½ c. chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 (325 if dark coated pans)
  2. Combine honey/sugar, milk, fat, eggs, vanilla, and bananas.
  3. Mix well.
  4. Mix in oats, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder.
  5. Stir in chocolate chips.
  6. Bake for 15-18 minutes for regular muffins or 10-11 minutes for mini muffins.

 

If you like this recipe, you might also be interested in these Gluten Free Oat Flour Banana Muffins that are also dairy free!

close up of chocolate banana oatmeal muffins in tin and on platechocolate banana oatmeal muffins stacked on napkin and in tin

Recipe adapted from Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures

Easy Gluten Free Meals You Need to Try

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Easy gluten free meals.

Easy gluten free meals that are tasty and healthy! These will make menu planning to much easier. Ideas for breakfasts, lunch, snacks, supper, and dessert!

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We’ve been talking wheat free the past couple of weeks. I shared about our wheat free experiment and gave 9 suggestion to make going gluten free easier for your family (and on a budget). One of the hardest things can be coming up with recipes. A comment I heard several times from friends was “I just don’t know what I would do if we had to go wheat free. I wouldn’t know what to eat”.

Today, I’ve compiled a list of easy gluten free meals to help make your menu planning a little easier.

They are recipes that use ingredients you likely already have in your house or can easily purchase at your local store. Hopefully you can find some great meal ideas whether or not you are wheat free and also see that there is an abundance of food you can still enjoy even if you are cutting out wheat.


If you are new to gluten free eating, on the recipes that use soy sauce, be sure you read the labels because many contain wheat.

Easy gluten free meals that are tasty and healthy! These will make menu planning to much easier. Ideas for breakfasts, lunch, snacks, supper, and dessert!

Easy Gluten Free Meals:

Breakfast:

Lunch:

Supper:

Snacks:

Desserts:



Easy gluten free meals that are tasty and healthy! These will make menu planning to much easier. Ideas for breakfasts, lunch, snacks, supper, and dessert!

What are your favorite easy gluten free meals? I’m always looking for new, tasty recipes to try!

Easy gluten free meals that are tasty and healthy! These will make menu planning to much easier. Ideas for breakfasts, lunch, snacks, supper, and dessert!