Banana Maple Oatmeal

In an effort to watch what I eat and head down a healthier path, I try to come with recipes that are not only satisfying but wholesome, as well.

As most of us know, when we're dieting mealtimes can  become somewhat of a  "desperate" time.  When the dinner bell rings sometimes we're so hungry that we need something good and we need it NOW!

This recipe for my Banana Maple Oatmeal fills both of those needs.  


Banana Maple Oatmeal

1/2 cup Quick Oats (150)
1 Cup Water 
1 Pinch Salt (Optional)
1 Tablespoon Real Maple Syrup (50)
1 Small Banana (90)
1/4 Cup Raisins (Optional)(125)

Combine oats, water (or nonfat or low-fat milk), and salt (if desired) in a 2-cup microwavable bowl. Microwave on High for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Stir.

Top with bananas (and raisins, if desired) and drizzle with maple syrup. 

You can mix it all up if you want, but I tend not to.  

Alternatively, you can mash up the banana and add the raisins before you cook the oatmeal.  This does not alter the cooking time.

Enjoy.

290 Calories (413 with raisins) / 0 grams fat




As far as the choice in oatmeal goes, keep in mind the faster the oats cook the more processed it is.  A less processed oat is a healthier oat.  But, cooking times are effected by the style of oat you choose.  This recipe is for quick oats simply because of the "desperation" factor.  

Also, use real maple syrup.  Despite the price; it's worth it for the flavor and healthfulness.   Pancake syrup is nothing more than maple flavored corn syrup.

Finally,  salt is optional.  If  you're watching your sodium intake then omit it.  However, I love the salty/sweet, so for me it's a must.

Diet Hot Fudge Banana Split

I've been trying to lose weight because, frankly, I really need to.  I've been  exercising and eating more fruits and vegetables,  I've also been severely limiting my intake bread and pasta and whatnot.  

I'm not a huge sweets eater, so cutting back on that isn't really an issue for me.  But, sometimes  I get a craving for a sugary snack that a bowl of grapes or a handful of dried dates just won't satisfy.  

A two-scoop hot fudge sundae is about 550 calories. More than half of those calories are from fat.  Mmmm, tasty. But, realistically, not good for someone trying to shed the unwanted thunder thighs, saddlebags and/or Buddha belly.

My alternative to a big bowl of ice cream with all the fixins is a banana split sans delectable dairy.  You don't get that cream, cold nomminess but it tastes good and hits the sweet spot.  And it's only 210 calories only 10 of which are fat calories.  You could knock off 30 calories by using sugar free hot fudge but I'm strongly against artificial sweeteners.

Diet Hot Fudge Banana Split

1 Small Banana (90)
1 Tbsp Chopped Walnuts (45)
1 Tbsp Hot Fudge (75)

Cut the banana in half and then split the halves.  

Drizzle with hot fudge and sprinkle with chopped walnuts.  

Enjoy. You will, I promise!

Just because I like country music, muddin, guns, and big trucks doesn't mean I'm a hick.

When I was a kid we lived on top of a mountain in a fairly rural part of Pennsylvania.  Our home was surrounded mostly by forests and farms.   However, it wasn’t uncommon to see run down houses with livestock running amok on the property.  The yards of many of the homes were littered with broken down cars, machinery, furniture and all manner of stuff. 

All lot of folks around could easily be classified as what supposedly cultured individuals would call hicks . . . but they were mostly good, hard-working people. 

What exactly is a hick anyway?  Yeah, I know it’s a redneck . . . that’s not what I mean. 

What is the origin of the word?  Well, I was surprised to discover that "hick" is nothing more than a 16th century familiar form of the proper name "Richard."

Way back then, the name “Richard” was considered a commoner’s name . . . not a name bestowed upon the boys of the upper classes.

That’s pretty interesting considering that the name “Richard” is derived from the Old English word “ric” meaning “ruler”. 

Richard is often diminutived to Rich, Richie, Rick, and Ricket; from Rich you got Hitch and from Ricket you got Hicket. . . and then there’s Hick and Dick from Rick.

“Dick”, of course, is not only linked with the name “Richard” these days.  But before “dick” became associated with the manliest of man parts, it was commonly used as a shortened version of the words declaration & dictionary and then came to be a nickname for policemen.  

The origin of “dick”, as in the one-eyed-wonder-worm, is dubious but it wasn’t because some obscure “Richard” was being a wiener.  The word wasn’t used in a derogatory fashion until the 1960’s . . . it’s probably some hipster bastardization of the word.

Anyway . . . “hick” as used as a nickname is no longer in use . . . unless of course you’re describing a country bumpkin.

Cocoa Banana Frozen Dessert

4 Ripe Bananas (Very Ripe Preferably)

2 Tablespoons Pure Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup

Peel the bananas and place them in a blender or food processor together with the cocoa powder.

Add the vanilla extract and the maple syrup.

Blend until very smooth. Pour into individual custard cups or small bowls and freeze till just frozen.