Protein Poppers

Summertime in my house this year is full of working kids, while I have time off since I work for a school. They need to be up and out of the house very early each day, so they appreciate having a grab and go breakfast for a quick exit out of the house. I keep these tasty protein poppers in the freezer and they love taking a few along with a banana on their way out the door. Both of my daughters are living in an apartment at college and this is a perfect college-cooking recipe to make! Yum!

PROTEIN POPPERS

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup steel cut oats

1/4 cup hemp seeds

1 cup rice crispy cereal

1 cup nut butter (peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter- which ever is your favorite)

1 cup ground flax seed

2/3 cup chocolate chips, optional (I like the mini ones)

3/4 cup raw honey

2 tsp vanilla

You can also add other items like coconut or chopped nuts- they opportunities are endless!

Put all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and combine. You can mix them by hand or in a stand mixer. Add chocolate chips if using or other desired mix ins. Chill the mixture in the fridge for an hour so that balls bind together. Roll the balls into about a 1 inch diameter and keep in freezer.

The line up of ingredients:

Roll the poppers into balls and put on baking sheet before putting into freezer

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Easy No-Bake Cheesecake

My daughters attended middle school at all girls school which offered amazing elective classes including gardening, programming and cooking. Since most of us love to cook in our family, it was natural that Madeleine would choose cooking for one of her electives. She has saved this recipe from her class many years ago and has made it multiple times. 

Madeleine and Sophie both came home from their summer jobs last night with a friend and immediately started making this cheesecake- its a winner and so easy!!

Easy No-Bake Cheesecake

Ingredients:

Graham Cracker Crust:
1 package graham crackers
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
6 tablespoons butter, melted

Pie Filling:
8 ounce block cream cheese
1/2 cup (heaping) sour cream
3/4 cup powdered sugar
juice of 1/2 lemon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Graham Cracker Crust instructions:

• In a bowl, crush the graham crackers into small crumbs using the heels of your hands or place in bag and crush with rolling pin.
• When the crackers are well crushed, stir in sugar and cinnamon. 
• Add butter to create moist, sticky mixture. 
• Spray a pie pan with nonstick cooking spray. Press the crust mixture in to the pan, making sure all surfaces are covered and even. 
• Place the empty crust in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to firm up. 

Pie Filling instructions:

• Place cream cheese in a bowl and beat until it is soft and fluffy. 
• Add the sour cream and stir until the two are well combined.
• Add the powdered sugar slowly, stirring after each addition until it is well incorporated.
• Add lemon juice and vanilla extract, stirring until the mixture is smooth.
• Place the filling in the chilled crust and place in the refrigerator until solid.

Easy Make Ahead Breakfast Burritos

Sadly, winter break is coming to an end and my family is all headed back to work and school.  Our mornings can be rushed, so I made a batch of breakfast burritos the kids love to have in the freezer ready to go on those crazy mornings. You can tailor them to your liking by adding salsa, sausage, green onions... whatever makes your mouth happy!

 Easy Make Ahead Breakfast Burritos

8 eggs
10 flour tortillas
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar
8 slices cooked bacon, chopped

Scramble eggs over medium heat. Chop cooked bacon and make assembly line. 
Place spoonful of scrambled eggs on tortilla, top with grated cheese and a bit of bacon. Wrap both ends over egg mixture and then roll. Place on parchment paper lined baking sheet and freeze for 6 hours. Take out of freezer and wrap each burrito in wax paper or saran wrap and place in freezer bag. 

Right before rushing out the door to school or work, take burrito out of freezer, remove from plastic wrap and wrap in damp paper towel. Microwave for 2 minutes, put in new paper towel and enjoy on the go!