Sweet breakfast or after-school snack on the go!

Make-Ahead Honey Vanilla Parfaits

From   http://www.momontimeout.com/2013/01/make-ahead-honey-vanilla-parfaits/ 

We love breakfast around here.  We are definitely NOT one of those families that skip breakfast :)  Whether it’s  Sausage Gravy and Biscuits, Breakfast Burritos or my favorite – Eggs Benedict {yummo!}, wAs much as I love a hot breakfast, mornings can be hectic and we can’t eat Breakfast Burritos every morning.

Another option that the boys ADORE are my Honey Vanilla Parfaits.  I make them the night before and they’re ready to go the following morning.  Depending on who it’s for, the granola can be added to the jar in the morning or gets put in a little baggie to be added at work.  I use my very favorite yogurt, Tillamook Vanilla Bean yogurt for my parfaits.  {Bryce likes the Marionberry!}

Tillamook’s Vanilla Bean yogurt is sooo good and although it’s perfect lovely on it’s own, it really makes a difference when making up these parfaits.   You can actually see the specks or real vanilla in the yogurt – it’s just delicious!

For each parfait:

• 1 6oz Tillamook yogurt
• 2 tsp-2 Tbls honey
• 2-3 Tbls granola
• 1/4 cup frozen or fresh berries
• jar

I like to make up the parfaits in jars because it looks so pretty and feels like a real treat.  I use jelly jars, artichoke jars, you name it.  Wash and recycle people!  {Use one of my two easy methods for removing jar labels too!}

Assembly:

Depending on the size of your jar, you will make 2-3 layers.  Start by spooning 1/3 of the yogurt into a wide-mouth jar.   Follow with 1 tsp-1 Tbls honey {depends on your preference for sweetness – we do 1 Tbls ;) } Then add 1 – 2 Tbls berries.

Layer 1-2 more times until the jar is almost filled.  You want to leave a little room to add the granola later.  Close up the jars and put them in the fridge.  If you are using a mason jar, place the lid on the jar, fill a small plastic bag with the granola, place the bag over the lid and then screw on the band over the plastic bag.

Then when you’re ready to eat, add the granola and enjoy!

Yeah.  They’re THAT good.  The honey just sends it over the top into a whole other yummy zone.

For this post, the author used a marischino cherry jar and an artichoke hearts jar.  Any kind will work! 

So many health benefits from honey!

Cinnamon and Honey

Drug companies won't like this one getting around. Facts on Honey and Cinnamon: 
It is found that a mix of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also note honey as very effective medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without side effects which is also a plus.Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, when it is taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm even diabetic patients. Researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, put it on toast instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol and could potentially save one from heart attack. Also, even if you have already had an attack studies show you could be kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of cinnamon honey strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as one ages the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and the veins.

ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients can benefit by taking one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. When taken daily even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain -- and within a month, most all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis now started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder....who knew?

CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water given to a cholesterol patient was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, when taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol-could be cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and, clear the sinuses, and it's delicious too!

UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also is said to clear stomach ulcers from its root.

GAS: According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that when Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles (where DNA is contained) to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food is eaten relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals

INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural 'Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Use four teaspoons of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of boiling water to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans increase and even a 100 year old will start performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

RASPY OR SORE THROAT: When throat has a tickle or is raspy, take one tablespoon of honey and sip until gone. Repeat every three hours until throat is without symptoms.

PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it off the next morning with warm water. When done daily for two weeks, it removes all pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS:Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin Infections.

WEIGHT LOSS:Daily in the morning one half hour beforebreakfast and on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. When taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder three times a day for one month.

FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, when taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within a week.

BAD BREATH: People of South America, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water first thing in the morning so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing.

Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!
Thanks to Cynthia Bove of Home Helpers of Katy, for this information! 

Stick to your New Year's Resolution

Skinny chicken salad in lettuce wraps

Simple, fast and delicious! Skinny chicken salad lettuce wrap: 1/2 cup chopped chicken, 3 Tbsp Fuji apples chopped, 2 Tbsp red grapes chopped, 2 tsp honey, 2 Tbsp almond butter. Mix and wrap in a Romaine lettuce leaf.

Honey makes you GLOW!