Administrator announcement: What's cooking in the oven

    Welcome to the Living Better Cafe. First and foremost. Self-published author Katrina Smith, a person of many accomplishments, has written six volumes in total: two cookbooks and four collections of poetry. Her favorite activities include reading and writing. 

   I haven't written anything on this blog in a very long time, but for those of you who are new to Living Better Cafe, this is a food blog with recipes and money-saving tips. information on food recalls, savings plans, etc. I put the rubber spatula and wooden spoon back in the baking drawer and have been using each blog post to produce something that everyone will like. a cookbook you can always turn to when you're cooking for yourself or when you have guests over.

 This raises concerns about the Living Better Café itself. excellent inquiry You will get access to the recipes that I have altered from various sources. Yet none of the cookbooks will have them. So, this blog won't disappear and some of the blog entries will remain fully accessible. What is the situation with the other posts? Because those will be in the cookbook, they will enter draft mode. After the cookbook is released, only a portion of the recipe will be posted; a link to the remaining portion will be provided within the post. This applies to financial goals, etc.

 

To clarify any lingering questions regarding where I have been for many years, I can say that the college has kept me busy even when I wasn't enrolled. I've produced a talk show and podcast for individuals with disabilities for anyone interested. I've started writing, publishing, and advocating for people with disabilities.

Please stay with me; I will return to provide any updates and to provide details about any upcoming cookbooks.

 

Chipotle Brownies

 

2 large eggs

1/3 C. water

1/3 C. oil

1 box of your favorite cake mix ( I used brownie mix)

Chipotle peppers

PREHEAT oven to (350°F) for metal or glass pan,  (and 325°F) for dark or coated pan.

lightly greased pan.

EMPTY brownie mix, egg, water, and oil in a large bowl.

STIR until well blended.

SPREAD into a greased pan.

BAKE immediately following the chart below. *Add 3-5 minutes for dark or coated pan. Brownie is done when a toothpick inserted 2 cm (1 inch) from the edge of the pan comes out clean.

COOL completely in a pan on a wire rack before cutting and serving.

Living Better Savory Oatmeal Cookies

Adapted Recipe from Recipe: Savory Oatmeal Cookies | Kitchn (thekitchn.com)

• 1 C. Whole Oat
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 1/3 cup Vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup lightly packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 cup sifted unbleached all-purpose flour *
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 cup freshly grated Cheddar cheese

Direction: 

    Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or Silpat.

    Place the oats in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle the water over them.

In a small bowl, mix the oil, brown sugar, and egg. Pour this mixture over the oats, stir to combine, and set aside.

In another mixing bowl, combine the flour, fine sea salt, baking soda, rosemary, and black pepper. Whisk to combine well. Stir in the Cheddar.

Gradually sprinkle the flour mixture over the oat mixture, stirring until combined.

Form tablespoon-sized scoops of dough and evenly spaced on the baking sheet. Flatten each piece of dough to about 1/4-inch thick. Use your hands to form an even disk. Sprinkle a pinch of salt on top of each.

Bake for 15 to 17 minutes, until the edges are slightly darkened. Transfer to a cooling rack.

Egg substitute:

1 Tbsp. Flaxseed, or flax meal 2 1/2 Tbsp. Water

Direction:

Add Flaxseed and water together, and stir. Let the mixture sit for five minutes till it thickens.

Avocado Smoothie

Serves: 1-2

1/2 of a large avocado
1 1/2 cups cold Almond milk
1 tsp coconut sugar

Direction

1. Peel and remove seed from avocado.

2. Add all ingredients into the blender, and blend until smooth.

3. Serve with a few cubes of ice, and enjoy.

The Chopping Block: Canola Oil vs. Coconut Oil

The Chopping Block: Canola Oil vs. Coconut Oil

 Welcome to: Living Better Cafe, post called: The Chopping Block. The Chopping Block will give you, the history behind two similar products, one that's not healthy, and that's healthier for you.

  We know your geared and ready to, pull out the mixing bowls and etc... After years of watching grandma in the kitchen,should have taught you something. Especially, when it comes to baking. Like using cooking oils. Instead of Lard.

 What's the difference between Canola Oil and Coconut Oil? They may have some similarities between them. For instance, both obtain fat from plant sources, and carry similar number of calories per serving.

 Living Better Cafe, is now weighting out the difference, in the huge fat debate. Canola Oil pertains 61 percent Monounsaturated fat, 32 percent Polyunsaturated fat, and let's not forget about: Omega 6 and Omega 3, and 7 percent saturated fat. In reality, coconut oil has 11.8 grams of saturated fat per Tablespoon, if you were to total it up, that would be around 90 percent saturated fat.

 The battle does not stop there, it's time to battle it out with the benefits. What benefits? The Monounsaturated fats. Living Better Cafe says: you heard correctly, the good side of fat, and let's make that Mono-delicious.

According to WebMD, Canola Oil is said to be one of the oils for heart health. Made from crushed canola seeds,[the seed has less saturated fat than any other oil being used in the United States.] Canola Oil carries 7% saturated fat, compared to 9% for sunflower oil,13% for corn oil, [ and 12% for coconut oil.] Coconut Oil does carry a high levels of saturated fats. But, it's plant-based saturated fat found in unrefined coconut. Let's go clean and talk refine, the cleanest form. These natural form helps with burning fat, and give energy for: your body and brain. Looking to raise the cholesterol levels, coconut oil is the best oil to cook with --- in small amount, 2 Tbsp at the least per day.

  Living Better Cafe, found reaching this verdict, very easy pease. Here's why, when it comes to Canola Oil, you have one unhealthy fat, Omega 6. Eating too much Omega 6, causes blood pressure to raise, along with heart attack and stroke. Therefore, Coconut Oil is very low in Omega 6 and high in Omega 3. The benefits of Omega 3 helps with brain function. Like, Epilepsy and Alzheimer's to name a few.

  Did you know that, Coconut Oil also works great outside of your kitchen space? We are talking skin care. Living Better Cafe, now taking you out of your kitchen space, into the beauty salon, Coconut Oil is great moisturizer for the skin, and hair. It also cut eczema symptoms. Are out of toothpaste? use coconut oil for oil pulling and mouthwash.

 Therefore, no reason we chose Coconut Oil over Canola Oil.

Work cited page

Live strong

WebMD

Health line

Banana Coconut Milkshake

Living Better Cafe... Coffee Talk, has a very powerful milkshake that, will keep you energized.

Serves:1

1 tbsp. refine coconut oil
1 cup Banana
1 cup unsweetened almond milk, vanilla flavored

Direction

Add all ingredients to the blender, until it incorporate. (Not all the coconut oil will come together. So, you will have small chunk inside.)

Come check out, Living Better Cafe, post called: The Chopping Block,  we will discuss the difference between Canola Oil and Coconut Oil.

The Chopping Block: Navy vs. Great Northern Beans

The The Chopping Block: Navy vs. Great Northern Beans

  Welcome to: Living Better Cafe, post called: The Chopping Block. The Chopping Block will give you, the history behind two similar products, one that's not so healthy, and one that is healthier for you.

  We all can relate to a good hearty bowl of beans. Especially, on a cold wintery day, sitting cozy under a warm blanket, with a hot bowl of chili and hot cup of cocoa.

  Today Living Better Cafe, is here to serve you a hot bowl of beans soup on this cold fall day. We're serving Navy and Great Northern bean soup.

  To sort or not to sort the bean's? Sorting out the bean's is a definite must--- you'll have debris in your pot of stew. And we should all know this by now. Especially, if you have watched grandma in the kitchen, she always sorted out her beans. You should always sort out your too.

  Let's clear up the confusion about Navy beans and Great Northern. So, you don't over heat and break a sweat. What's the difference between Navy and Great Northern beans? They do have some similarly, and that's the color. But, Navy beans are smaller and take a longer time to cook, were as Great Northern's are bigger and take less time.  What are the health benefits of Navy beans? Beans offer multiple health benefits. Like, protein, important vitamin. For instance, Zinc, Iron, Magnesium, Fiber, Antioxidants.  And they help with cardiovascular problem. Plus, cut the risk of cancer, Diabetes. And help with liver function. Do you have the urge to crave more food? Fixing yourself a bowl of beans, can help you control, your appetite and even improve your gut health.

  What's the side effects of eating beans? Eating raw or undercook (al dente style) can lead to food poisoning. Reason being is because of the plant lectin known as phytohae hemagglutinin a chemical known to cause agglutination of mammalian red blood cells. How will I know the symptoms? Living Better Cafe says: with each person may differ. But, these are the symptoms to look for, nausea and vomiting followed by diarrhea or abdominal pain. Do keep in mind that: some people may have allergic reactions to some. Like, some people are allergic to: tree nuts.

  Here's the bottom line to, Navy and Great Northern Beans, we covered Navy and Great Northern Beans all in one pot. And noticed the only difference is: their size and cooking time. But, everything else is the same.

Work cited

Through Co.

Medical News Today