Lentils and Rice Casserole

I found this recipe from my good friend Erin. Her blog bakingforboys has some wonderful meal ideas! I have made this twice this month because it is so healthy, filling and cheap to make!  Oh, and EASY!

Combine and place in 9x13 baking dish:


3 cups chicken broth
3/4 cup lentils
1/2 cup brown rice, uncooked
3/4 cup onion chopped (I used 1 T minced onion)
1/2 tsp basil
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp garlic powder

Cover and bake at 300 for 1 1/2 hours.

Serve with cheese, cilantro, and Frito chips!

No-Bake Energy Balls

 Here is another idea I like to pack in the kids lunch boxes. These are easy and healthy! I found the recipe from smashed peas and carrots blog. These are fast and filling snacks. I have had to find hiding spots in the fridge so they last longer.

In a bowl throw everything in and mix thouroghly:

1 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup peanut butter (or other nut butter)

1/3 cup honey

1 cup coconut flakes

1/2 cup ground flaxseed (mine said milled flaxseed)

1/2 cup chocolate chips (I did 1/4 choc chip, 1/4 raisin)

1 tsp vanilla

* UPDATE - I added 1/2 cup chex and 2 T nutella and loved it! Now I'm going to try rice crispies.

 

Place in fridge for 30 minutes and then shape balls. Store in airtight container in fridge for up to a week.  

Oatmeal

With school starting I thought I would post a few of our staples. Oatmeal is one of them. I have been "lucky?" that all of our children eat it up and LOVE it! There are some ground rules, though, in getting your children to love oatmeal. Rule number 1: The kids can put anything in, and as much as they want. There you have it. There are no other rules. I have one child who puts in 2 T of cinnamon!!! I have another child who always puts in 4 T brown sugar!! I don't say anything, though. I have several options laid out on the table and then just let them do what they want. 

Ok, I just thought of another rule. Rule number 2: If it isn't on the table, then they don't get to ask for it. This rule came from my Mom, that came through her family. It is from the depression times, and is really applicable today. You didn't want to offend or make your host feel bad by asking for butter, if they didn't have money that month to buy butter. You wouldn't ask for milk because you didn't want the family rations to be eaten up because you were visiting. Thus, if it wasn't on the table, you didn't ask!!

Bring to a boil:

4 cups salted water

Turn the boiling water to lowest setting and add:

2 cups rolled oats

Allow to cook for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally.   Then dish out into breakfast bowls. I add to my own serving: 2 T brown sugar, lots of cinnamon, pecans, sliced bottled peaches, blueberries, strawberries, and 3 T heavy cream.  YUM!!