A Typical Monday Morning

By: Ginger Hill

BRRRRIIIINNNNGGG……..SNOOZE!
BRRRRIIIINNNNGGG……..SNOOZE!
BRRRRIIIINNNNGGG……..SNOOZE!
BRRRRIIIINNNNGGG……..SNOOZE!

Well, you have just witnessed a customary Monday morning pattern for a number of people! You hear the alarm buzzing in your ears and your brain does recognize the sound, however, your body simply won’t move! And, your eyes?!?! Forget about it! They wouldn’t open if you had a crowbar trying to pry them apart! When your brain, body, and eyes finally catch up to each other, you realize that you are now pouncing out of bed 30 minutes later than you had intended! Now you only have 30 minutes before you have to leave for work and, what’s worse than that…..You have no time to eat breakfast, not to mention a healthy one. To fully re-charge your battery on a classic Monday morning such as this, you need quick and easy with a breakfast that will give you a healthy surge of energy!

The answer is quite simple! Don’t be cruel….to a heart’s that true! Yes, you heard me right! I broke out in song because with Elvis Presley Oatmeal you won’t be treating your body like a hound dog! Elvis Presley’s most favorite food of all time was peanut butter and banana sandwiches, so why not take it a step further? Add peanut butter and bananas to oatmeal!

Elvis definitely had the right idea when it came to combining peanut butter and bananas because peanuts are high in protein (an excellent source of energy) and “healthy fat”. Bananas also serve as a great source of energy to help shake off the Monday morning “lazies”! Bananas contain no fat, sodium, or cholesterol, however they are rich in potassium, which helps to regulate blood pressure and may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke. Oatmeal, a rich source of soluble fiber, has been scientifically proven to reduce cholesterol, according to the Quaker Oats website. Your body does need some cholesterol to make hormones and to breakdown the fats that you consume, however, if not regulated, high levels of cholesterol can cause major problems. As you can see, this combination is just what you need for a busy Monday morning to help get you going.

But, you have no time to cook Elvis Presley Oatmeal on this manic Monday! Well, over half the battle to coping with such a Monday morning as this is preparation the night before. With this simple recipe, you can actually prepare this oatmeal dish the night before, divide it into microwave safe bowls, cover with plastic wrap, and store in the refrigerator. Then, on Sunday night, before you go to bed, place a bowl of Elvis Presley Oatmeal into the microwave so when you fly out of bed, be-bop over to the microwave and press the start button. This way, your breakfast can prepare itself while you get yourself ready for the rest of Monday!

Elvis Presley Oatmeal

3 ripe mashed bananas
½ cup peanut butter
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
¼ cup brown sugar
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp allspice
1 tsp salt
2 ½ cups water

Mix all and bring to a boil. When mixture begins to boil, stir in 1 ½ cups old fashioned oatmeal. Cover and slow simmer the mixture for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally

When done let cool. Divide into 6 microwave safe bowls, cover with plastic wrap, and store in the refrigerator until ready to heat in the microwave. For an extra rich flavor, add a little milk or cream after heating in the microwave. Stir and ENJOY!

Elvis Presley Oatmeal is sure to smooth out your rough Monday morning routine by providing you with a hot, healthy, tasty breakfast. Not only are you providing your body with the energy it needs but the added health benefits of this breakfast are priceless. So, go ahead! Indulge in this rich, creamy pea-nutty delight sweetened with ripe bananas that will not have you singing about your blue suede shoes!

Copyright © The Recipe Finder, All Rights Reserved

The Wonderful World of Peanuts

Peanut HISTORY

Before I begin with the history of peanuts you should probably know that the peanut is not a nut. The “pea”nut is actually more closely related to the pea. It is a member of the legumes family. Also, peanuts do not grow in trees like nuts do. They grow on the ground. They start out as flowers, and eventually wind up burrowing underground. Under ground is where they become a delicious peanut.

OK – so where did these little guys come from you ask? Well, they are thought to have originated in South America…possibly Brazil or Peru. When the Portuguese began to explore “The New World,” they took peanuts back home with them. Portuguese traders took them as far as Asia and Africa.

In the United States, peanuts became popular during the Civil War. Then around the 1900′s many mechanical devices were invented to help with the processing of peanuts. As a result their popularity increased even more. Speaking of inventions…George Washington Carver invented over 300 uses for the peanut, including; medicine, ink, soap, shampoo, ice-cream, and axle grease.

Today, peanuts are eaten all over the world. They have become a huge money making industry. In the United States alone they contribute well over 4 billion dollars yearly to the economy.

PEANUT TRIVIA

Americans consume 700 million pounds or 3.3 pounds per person, of peanut butter per year….that’s enough to coat the floor of the Grand Canyon.

To enhance the flavor of a cola drink, Southerners put peanuts into the bottle.

There are approximately 810 peanuts in an 18 oz. jar of peanut butter.

The peanut is unusual because it flowers above the ground, but fruits below the ground.

Peanut oil has a very high smoking point. This allows peanut oil to be heated to a higher temperature than most oils, making it an excellent choice for frying.

Since peanuts are a legume, they reduce the need for additional fertilizers as they return nitrogen to the soil as they grow.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF PEANUTS

Peanuts are packed full of healthy stuff, including; antioxidants, niacin, Vitamin E, monounsaturated fat, bioflavnoids, protein, and they have more resveratrol than grapes (which lowers LDL – aka “bad cholesterol”)

That’s not all…Some medical researchers say that they lower the risk of heart disease and provide protection from some types of cancer (colon, prostate, and breast).

Well, as you can see there are some great reasons to eat peanuts…as if the fact that they are delicious isn’t enough.

THE DARK SIDE OF PEANUTS

Peanut proteins can act as powerful allergens, even in tiny amounts. That is why Peanut allergies are the most common cause of death by food in the United States. Some people can have a ruthless reaction just for inhaling the scent of a peanut. People can die from very small amounts.

So, if your allergic to peanuts…or think you could be…don’t risk even going near them. You can substitute almonds or any nut for any of the recipes below. For the cookies…you’ll have to make your own ‘nut butter.

YUMMY…PEANUT RECIPES

CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER

Put 2 cups of peanuts in a blender and blend until smooth.

For added texture and/or flavoring add one or more of the following:

2 T. honey
4 tsp sugar
2 tsp pure vanilla extract – or any other extract you like.
1/4 c mini chocolate chips
1/4 c rice cereal

THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS…USE YOUR IMAGINATION!

CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER

3 c. salted peanuts
2 T. butter

Measure 1/2 peanuts and put aside. Empty remaining peanuts into blender container. Cover and blend on low speed until the peanuts are chopped. Add butter, cover and blend on low speed 15 seconds. Turn off the blender and scrape down sides with rubber spatula. Cover and blend on low speed 5 seconds.

Repeat this process 3 or 4 times until the peanut butter starts to get smooth. Cover and blend on highest speed 1 minute. Add the 1/2 cup peanuts, cover and blend on medium speed for 3 – 5 seconds. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

MAMA’S PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

1/2 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. light brown sugar
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Mix peanut butter and butter in large mixing bowl until smooth. Then gradually add all other ingredients. Blend until smooth.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spoon batter onto greased cookie sheet. Flatten cookies with a criss cross fork print. Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden.

Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved

About the Author: Lara Velez is a homeschooling Mom of two, wife, business owner and published writer. She runs a large website for Christian Mothers, Moms of Faith and an encouraging blog for wives, Becoming a Wife that Pleases the Lord. She enjoys cooking, reading, scrapbooking, and being a wife and mom.