Amy's Happy Tummy

 Chia pudding. The first time we had this we were so impressed. My kids (and I!) gobbled down the everything that I made. It was truly yummy! And it's so good for you. Fiber. Protein. Healthy fats. This yummy meal helps control your blood sugar levels and is great for cholesterol levels and gut health. It's good for building lean muscle, and it helps you feel full and satisfied.  Ingredients: 1/4 C chia seeds 1 C soymilk (or other nondairy milk) 1 T maple syrup (or other natural sweetener) Instructions: Pour ingredients into a jar and mix well. Let settle for 2 - 3 minutes and then mix again. You don't want any clumping. Cover the jar and store in the fridge or at least 2 hours. When you're ready to eat, top with your favorite fruit and enjoy cold.  

This time of year I always have lots and lots of basil growing in the garden. I always make lots of pesto to freeze for the winter, and this year I started looking for a new recipe that I could use my basil in.  This recipe is so delightful! It's fresh and tasty. We've used it on burritos and salad so far.  It really makes my taste buds happy! Ingredients: 3/4 C water 1/3 C raw cashews 1/3 C olive oil 3 Tbsp nutritional yeast flakes 2 Tbsp lemon juice 8-10 fresh basil leaves 1 clove garlic 1/2 tsp onion powder 1/2 tsp salt Instructions: Place all ingredients into a high-speed blender, and blend until there are no gritty pieces of cashews, and everything is smooth and creamy.  Serve chilled.

You can call it yogurt.  You can call it pudding.  We call it yummy! You can use it on so many things!  We love it on granola, pancakes, and oatmeal.  We also love it plain. We even use it as one of the toppings when we make oatmeal bananas splits.  While the base is tofu, I don't think you'll be able to tell. Ingredients: 1 16 oz block of firm water-packed tofu 4 C (heaping) of frozen strawberries (can throw in other berries) 1/2 C honey 1/4 C canola oil (or other neutral flavored oil) 1 T lemon juice 1 tsp vanilla Instructions: Put all ingredients into a blender and run until completely smooth and mixed thoroughly.  Put into a sealed container and store in refrigerator for an hour or two.  It will get a bit thicker as it sits in the refrigerator. Enjoy!

This has become our favorite jello substitute!  I think that you'll agree that it is yummy! Ingredients: 1/4 C minute tapioca 2 C canned pineapple, drained and reserved Pineapple juice and water to make 2 cups 1/3 C cane sugar or honey Instructions: Heat liquid to boiling, sprinkle in tapioca.  Reduce heat and simmer until tapioca is transparent, stirring frequently.  Remove from heat and add sweetener and salt.  partially cool, then carefully fold in fruit.  Chill.  

This is one of the easiest recipes I've ever made!  Four simple ingredients...one great taste!  It is so super yummy that I could eat all the baked tofu just by itself. Ingredients: 1 lb tofu, 1/4 slices 1/4 C Bragg's Liquid Aminos 1 tsp chicken-like seasoning Salt-free seasoning Instructions: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Combine Bragg's and chicken-like seasoning in a small bowl and stir.  Dip the tofu slices into the Bragg's mixture and lay on a lined baking sheet.  Once all the tofu slices are on the baking sheet generously sprinkle the salt-free seasoning on top.  Bake in the oven for 50 minutes. Enjoy these in sandwiches, stir fry or salad.  They are even delicious plain!

You don't have to feel too guilty when you can't eat just one!  As far as cookies go, these are pretty healthy!  And they also help satisfy that sweet tooth that kicks in every once in a while. Ingredients: 1/2 C honey 2 T carob powder 1/4 C soymilk 1/4 C earth balance 1/2 tsp vanilla 6 Tbsp natural peanut butter 1 1/2 C quick oats Instructions: Place the first six ingredients into a pan and melt down until completely mixed together.  Add the quick oats and stir well.  Spoon onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.  Stick into the freezer.  We love eating them right out of the freezer so you can just store them there.  At some point you probably want to transfer them to a tupperware container.

This is a wonderful loaf! It's so simple to throw together, and it tastes so good! You can even make it ahead of time and put in the fridge until you want to bake it. Ingredients: 2 - 16oz firm water packed tofu 1 - 6oz bag puffed rice cereal 1 chopped onion 1/3 C melted earth balance 1/3 C braggs liquid amigos 1 Tbsp beef like seasoning Optional - add 1/3 C chopped walnuts Instructions: Crumble tofu into very small, almost mashed, pieces. Add all other ingredients and mix well. Press firmly into a 9 x 13 pan. Bake on 350, covered, for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15 to 20 more minutes. E njoy!!