Melon Cooler

Melon Cooler

Prep time: 10 minutes
Yield: 3 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

2 cups cubed cantaloupe
1 cup low-fat lemon yogurt
1 cup orange juice

Directions

1. Blend all ingredients until smooth.
2. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• This drink tastes best chilled.
• Try substituting honeydew or watermelon for cantaloupe.
• For a flavor booster, try lemon juice or frozen berries.

Jack-O-Lanterns (Pumpkin Pancakes)

Jack-O-Lanterns (Pumpkin Pancakes)

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Serving Size 2 pancakes
 

Ingredients

1 egg
1⁄2 cup canned pumpkin
1 3⁄4 cups non-fat or 1% milk
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups flour
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon Salt

Directions

1. Combine eggs, pumpkin, milk and oil in large mixing bowl.
2. Add flour, brown sugar, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt to egg mixture. Stir gently.
3. Lightly spray a large skillet or griddle with non-stick cooking spray or lightly wipe with oil. Heat skillet or griddle over medium-high heat (300 degrees in an electric skillet). Using a 1/4 cup measure, pour batter on hot griddle.
4. Put a face on the jack-o-lantern, using raisins for eyes and teeth. Drop raisins in batter while it cooks.
5. Pancakes are ready to turn when tops are bubbly all over, and the edges begin to appear dry. Use a quick flip with a broad spatula to turn pancakes. Turn only once. Continue to bake until bottoms are brown and dry.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• No pumpkin pie spice? Use 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon dry ginger, and 1/8 teaspoon cloves or nutmeg.
• Try using 1 cup whole wheat flour and 1 cup all-purpose flour for more whole grains!
• To see if skillet is hot enough, sprinkle with a few drops of water. If drops skitter around, heat is just right.
• Top with applesauce, fresh fruit or yogurt.

Gingerbread Pancakes

Gingerbread Pancakes

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Serving Size 2 pancakes (4-inch)

Ingredients

1⁄2 cup whole wheat flour
1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 egg
2 Tablespoons molasses
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup low-fat buttermilk

Directions

1. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
2. In another bowl, beat egg. Stir in molasses, oil and buttermilk.
3. Pour milk mixture into dry ingredients; stir together lightly.
4. Lightly spray a large skillet or griddle with non-stick cooking spray or lightly wipe with oil. Heat skillet or griddle over medium-high heat (350 degrees in an electric skillet). For each pancake, pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto the hot griddle.
5. Cook until pancakes are puffed and dry around edges. Turn and cook other side until golden brown.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• No pumpkin pie spice? Use 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon dry ginger, and 1/8 teaspoon cloves or nutmeg.
• No buttermilk? Place 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar in measuring cup and fill to the 1 cup line with milk. Stir and let set to thicken slightly.  
• To see if skillet is hot enough, sprinkle with a few drops of water. If drops skitter around, heat is just right.
• Top with applesauce, fresh fruit or yogurt.

Fruit Smoothie 2 (with milk)

Fruit Smoothie 2 (with milk)

Prep time: 5 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

3 cups non-fat or 1% milk
3 cups fruit, sliced

Directions

1. Combine milk and fruit in a blender and put lid on tightly.
2. Blend until smooth. Serve immediately.
3. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Use fresh, frozen, or canned fruit.
• Fresh fruits ideas: banana, mango, papaya or strawberry.

Fruit Smoothie 1 (with yogurt)

Fruit Smoothie 1 (with yogurt)

Prep time: 5 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

2 cups fresh, frozen, or canned (drained) fruit
1 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1 cup orange juice (el jugo de 2 naranjas)
6 ice cubes

Directions

1. Place all of the ingredients in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Read blender instructions if you are using it for the first time.
• Crush ice first to prevent small ice lumps.

Fruit Shake 2 (with milk and yogurt)

Fruit Shake 2 (with milk and yogurt)

Prep time: 5 minutes
Yield: 5 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

2 cups fruit
2 cups non-fat or 1% milk
6 ounces low-fat vanilla yogurt
1 cup orange juice

Directions

1. Cut fruit into small pieces and place in blender.
2. Add remaining ingredients.
3. Blend on high speed until smooth. Pour into glasses and enjoy!
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Frozen fruit will make your shake thick and icy.

Fruit Salad

Fruit Salad

Prep time: 10 minutes
Yield: 10 servings
Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

2 cups strawberries
1 cup blueberries
1 cup grapes
1 can (8 ounces) pineapple chunks
6 ounces fat free lemon yogurt

Directions

1. Drain juice from pineapple. Cut grapes and strawberries into halves.
2. Combine strawberries, blueberries, grapes and pineapple chunks in a large bowl.
3. Drizzle yogurt over fruit. Toss lightly to coat.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Frozen Fruit Yogurt

Frozen Fruit Yogurt

Prep time: 5 minutes
Yield: 7 servings
Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

4 cups frozen fruit (try your favorite or a mix - peaches, berries, pineapple)
1 cup nonfat plain yogurt
3 Tablespoons sugar

Directions

1. Combine frozen fruit, yogurt and sugar in a blender or food processor. Blend until creamy, about 2 to 4 minutes.
2. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month.
3. Freeze or refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• To use canned fruit, drain, chop and freeze until firm before blending.
• If leftovers are stored in the freezer, the mixture will be very firm. Scrape into serving bowls with a spoon or freeze the leftovers in frozen treat molds.

Drinkable Yogurt

Drinkable Yogurt

Prep time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

1⁄2 cup low fat plain yogurt
1⁄2 cup 100% fruit juice

Directions

• Add yogurt and juice to a clean jar or other container with a lid. Close lid and shake.
• Serve cold.
• Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Creamy Fruit Salad

Creamy Fruit Salad

Yield: 8 servings
Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

1 cup pineapple chunks
1 large apple, chopped
1 banana, sliced
1 orange, chopped
3⁄4 cup low-fat piña colada yogurt

Directions

1. Put pineapple chunks in a medium mixing bowl.
2. Prepare apples, banana and orange as directed and add to bowl.
3. Add yogurt to bowl and mix gently with a spoon until fruit is well coated.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• For a different taste, try adding different fruits like grapes, blueberries, huckleberries or peach slices.
• Try other flavors of low-fat yogurt.

Corn Pancakes

Corn Pancakes

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Serving Size 1 6" pancake

Ingredients

1⁄2 cup cornmeal
1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1⁄2 cup non-fat or 1% milk
2 cups cooked corn* (canned and drained, frozen, or fresh cooked)
cooking spray for skillet

Directions

1. Mix corn meal, flour, baking powder and salt.
2. Beat the eggs and milk together and add to the flour mixture.
3. Add corn and mix well.
4. Lightly spray a large skillet or griddle with non-stick cooking spray or lightly wipe with oil. Heat skillet or griddle over medium heat (300 degrees in an electric skillet). Pour batter onto hot griddle to make individual pancakes.
5. Cook until golden on the bottom. Turn and cook on other side.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Fresh corn works very well in this recipe. Cook 2 large ears of corn for 5 minutes in boiling water then cool in very cold water.  Cut kernels off the cob, cream style, (cut kernels with shallow cut then scrape the cob for the rest of the kernel). Add to batter.
• Try serving with salsa or applesauce.
• This recipe can also be made quickly with your favorite pancake mix. Make enough batter for six servings. Then, add 1 can drained corn or 2 cups cooked fresh corn cut off the cob.

Carrot Pancakes

Carrot Pancakes

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Yield: 5 servings
Serving Size 3 pancakes

Ingredients

1⁄2 cup oats (quick or old-fashioned)
3⁄4 cup buttermilk
1⁄2 cup carrots, finely grated
1 egg
1 Tablespoon oil
1⁄4 cup non-fat or 1% milk
1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
1⁄2 cup all purpose flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Directions

1. Mix oatmeal and buttermilk and set aside to soak.
2. Peel and grate the carrot with a fine grater.
3. Add egg, oil, milk and vanilla extract, if desired, to the oatmeal mixture; beat well. Stir in the grated carrot.
4. Measure dry ingredients and stir into the wet ingredients until batter is fairly smooth. If it seems too thick add a small amount of milk.
5. Lightly spray a large skillet or griddle with non-stick cooking spray or lightly wipe with oil. Heat skillet or griddle over medium-high heat (350 degrees in an electric skillet). For each pancake, pour about 1/4 cup of batter onto the hot griddle.
6. Cook until pancakes are puffed and dry around edges. Turn and cook other side until golden brown.
7. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• To see if skillet is hot enough, sprinkle with a few drops of water. If drops skitter around, heat is just right.
• Top with applesauce, fresh fruit or yogurt.

Breakfast Burritos

Breakfast Burritos

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Serving Size 1/2 burrito

Ingredients

4 eggs
1⁄4 cup 1% milk
salt, pepper, and chili powder to taste
1 teaspoon oil
4 (10 inch) flour tortillas
1 cup fat-free refried beans
1⁄2 cup (4 ounces) grated cheddar cheese
1 tomato, chopped

Directions

1. Mix eggs, milk and seasonings in a bowl.
2. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat (350 degrees in an electric skillet).
3. Stir in the eggs and cook until firm.
4. Warm the tortillas on a griddle, or wrap in foil and heat in the oven.
5. Warm the refried beans in a separate pan.
6. On each tortilla, layer 1/4 of refried beans, eggs, cheese, and tomato.
7. Roll the burrito, cut in half, and enjoy!
8. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Try your favorite salsa in place of the tomato.
• Use other vegetables that you have in the refrigerator, such as green or red bell peppers, or cooked corn.
• Serve with guacamole or light sour cream.

Breakfast Banana Split

Breakfast Banana Split

Prep time: 5 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
Serving Size 1/2 banana split

Ingredients

1 small banana
1⁄2 cup oat, corn, or granola cereal
1⁄2 cup low fat vanilla or strawberry yogurt
1⁄2 teaspoon honey, optional (skip for children under the age of one)
1⁄2 cup canned pineapple tidbits or chunks

Directions

1. Peel and split banana lengthwise. Place half in two separate cereal bowls.
2. Sprinkle granola over banana, reserving some for topping.
3. Spoon yogurt on top and drizzle with honey.
4. Decorate with reserved granola and pineapple.
5. Serve immediately.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Try other flavors of low fat yogurt or even cottage cheese.
• Try other fresh, frozen, or canned fruits.
• Some foods can cause choking in young children. Be sure that fruit pieces are very small and soft for toddlers. Avoid grapes, chunks of pineapple or melon. Instead, use softer canned fruit, such as fruit cocktail.
• Honey is not recommended for children under 1 year old.

Berry Blast

Berry Blast Off

Prep time: 5 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients
1 cup sliced strawberries
1 cup low-fat granola
1 cup blueberries or other fruit
1 cup plain, low-fat yogurt

Directions

1. Get out four small glasses. Wash all fruit.
2. Divide the strawberries among the glasses.
3. Sprinkle granola over the strawberries.
4. Divide blueberries and place on top of granola.
5. Spoon the yogurt on top of the blueberries.
6. Enjoy! Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Substitute any frozen, canned/drained, or fresh chopped fruit for strawberries and blueberries.

Banana Berry Smoothie

Banana Berry Smoothie

Prep time: 5 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients
1 cup sliced banana
1 cup unsweetened frozen berries
1 cup non-fat or 1% milk
1 cup orange juice (juice from 2 oranges)

Directions

1. Place all ingredients in a blender. Put the lid on tightly.
2. Blend until smooth. If too thick, add 1/2 cup cold water and blend again.
3. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Try using strawberries, blueberries, and/or blackberries.

Baked Apple and Cranberries

Baked Apple and Cranberries

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 servings
Serving Size 1 apple
 

Ingredients
1 baking apple (try Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Jonathan, or Braeburn) dash of cinnamon to taste
1 Tablespoon dried cranberries
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1⁄2 teaspoon margarine or butter

Directions

1. Wash apple and remove core (seed area), leaving the bottom to hold in the filling.
2. Peel a small band of skin from around the top of the apple.
3. Place the apple in a microwave safe container.
4. Sprinkle cinnamon around the top of the apple and into the hole.
5. Fill the center of the apple with cranberries, pressing down if needed.
6. Top the cranberries with the brown sugar and margarine.
7. Cover loosely with wax paper.
8. Microwave on high for about 2 1/2 minutes or until apple is soft when poked through the center hole with a fork. Cool slightly.
9. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Try using a corer or a paring knife and a small melon baller or the tip of a vegetable peeler to remove the core.
• Try fresh cranberries, raisins or other dry fruit in the center.
• For additional servings, increase the cooking time about 1 minute for each apple.
• Serve for breakfast or dessert!

Apple Spice Oatmeal

Apple Spice Oatmeal

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients
1 apple
2 cups nonfat or 1% milk or water
1 cup quick cooking or old fashioned rolled oats
1⁄8 teaspoon salt
1⁄8 teaspoon cinnamon
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1⁄8 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)

Directions

1. Rinse the apple, remove the core and cut into small chunks.
2. Bring the water or milk to a boil in a saucepan.
3. Add the oatmeal, salt and apple chunks. Cook over medium heat for 1 minute if using quick cooking oats or 7 to 10 minutes if using old fashioned rolled oats. Stir a couple times while cooking.
4. Remove from heat. Stir in cinnamon, brown sugar and nutmeg, if desired.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• To increase the apple flavor, use apple juice for all or part of the water. Mixing apple juice with milk may cause milk to curdle.

Whole Wheat Yogurt Rolls

Whole Wheat Yogurt Rolls

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Yield: 10 rolls
Serving Size 1 roll

Ingredients
1 1⁄2 cups whole wheat flour
1 3⁄4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1⁄4 cups low-fat plain yogurt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Stir flour, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Add yogurt to the center and stir until a dough forms.
3. Divide dough into 10 equal sized balls. Dust hands with flour and roll each ball lightly until surface is smoothed.
4. Place on baking sheet and flatten each ball to ½ inch thick.
5. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until light golden brown. Serve warm with a soup or salad.

Morning Muffins

Morning Muffins

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Yield: 12 servings
Serving Size 1 muffin

Ingredients
1 egg
1 cup non-fat or 1% milk
1⁄3 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1⁄2 cup grated carrots (about 1 medium carrot)
1⁄2 cup raisins
1⁄2 cup toasted walnuts (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1⁄2 cups flour
1⁄2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1 1⁄2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
1⁄2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly spray or oil a muffin tin with cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl mix egg, milk, sugar, oil, carrots, raisins, walnuts and vanilla.

3. In a separate bowl mix flour, oatmeal, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir gently until flour is just moistened. Gently fill muffin cups about 3/4 full.

5. Bake for 15 minutes or until edges start to brown.

6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Morning Muffins freeze well and thaw quickly.