Baked Oatmeal with Craisins and Walnuts

This baked oatmeal is the perfect on-the-go healthy breakfast. They're super easy to grab on your way out the door. They're the perfect mix of sweet and savory. The walnuts add a little crunch for the perfect finish.

Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 
• 2 large, ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 Tbsp Honey
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 3/4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 
• 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon 
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk 
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts 
• 1/4 cup craisins

Instructions

• Preheat Oven to 350°F 
• Prepare 12 muffin cups, coat lightly with cooking spray, set aside 
• Combine lightly beaten eggs, mashed bananas, honey, and extract in a large bowl; mix well, set aside 
• Combine oats, cinnamon, and baking powder in a medium bowl, mix well 
• Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix well 
• Add almond milk and mix again 
• Divide mixture evenly between prepared muffin cups 
• Top with walnuts and craisins 
• Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean

That's it! You have 12 servings of baked oatmeal!

Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can reheat them if you'd like to eat it warm. They also freeze very well. If you'd like it for breakfast the next morning, just pull it out of the freezer the night before and allow it to thaw in the refrigerator.

As always, enjoy!

Simple Pear Salad

This pear salad is easy, filling, and cravable. It's been on our menu since we whipped it up for our family over the holidays. It's also now a quick and go-to lunch option for both Nate and me since we're teachers and pack our lunches daily. I love it and could definitely eat it every day! 

Simple Pear Salad, Serves 2
Ingredients

• 6-8 cups of spring mix 
• 1 large pear, chopped
• 1 large cucumber, sliced
• 1 grilled chicken breast, chopped
• 4 tbsp feta cheese
• 4 tbsp dried cranberries 
• 4 tbsp raw sunflower seeds
• 4 tbsp dressing of choice (we love Trader Joe's Champagne Pear Vinaigrette!)

Instructions

• Place 3-4 cups of spring mix in a large salad bowl
• Chop pear into cubes and add it to the spring mix 
• Slice and chop cucumber (I chop the slices into quarters), and add to the bowl 
• Chop grilled chicken breast and add to the salad
• Top with feta, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds

This salad honestly couldn't be easier to throw together. You can substitute rotisserie chicken for the grilled chicken breast, which makes it even easier! The recipe above is for two people. I normally divide the ingredients as I go because it makes it easier to keep track of what I'm eating. The Champagne Pear Vinaigrette from Trader Joe's is delicious and only has 50 calories per serving. I usually dilute my 2tbsp serving with a splash of water. This allows the dressing to cover more surface area of the salad and it doesn't take away from the flavor. Enjoy friends!