Blueberry Banana Oat Bread

I made this bread for my friend's visit this weekend. We polished it off in two days it was so good. I thought it tasted just like a good blueberry muffin with a hint of banana taste. This recipe is definitely a keeper since it was very easy to throw together.

Blueberry Banana Oat Bread
Source: Betty Crocker
Ingredients:
2 3/4c Bisquick mix
2/3c sugar
1/3c quick-cooking oats (I used old fashioned because it was all I had and they worked great)
1c mashed very ripe bananas (2 medium) (I never mash them before adding, I just do it while mixing)
1/4c milk
2 eggs
1c fresh or frozen (thawed and drained) blueberries

Directions:
Heat oven to 375. Grease bottom only of 9x5-inch loaf pan with shortening or cooking spray.

In large bowl, stir Bisquick mix, sugar, oats, bananas, milk and eggs until moistened; beat vigorously 30 seconds. Gently stir in blueberries. Pour into pan.

Bake 45 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Loosen loaf from sides of pan; remove from pan and place top side up on cooling rack. Cool completely, about 2 hours, before slicing.

Fruit Smoothie

Need a good after workout snack? This is it. I love smoothies. I especially love them right after a good workout. They are healthy, taste fabulous, and are SO easy to make. Here is how I make them

Ingredients:
1 c Yogurt (I use vanilla but you can use any complementary fruit if you like)
2 c fresh or frozen fruit
milk

Directions:
Place yogurt and fruit in blender. If using frozen fruit, add about 1/2 c milk. Blend. Add more milk as needed to reach desired consistency.

Homemade Applesauce

I love applesauce. I hate how much it costs in the store though. All it really is is apples, water, and maybe a bit of sugar and cinnamon. That's it. So, I decided to try to make some own. I am very glad I did! This stuff is good. It is a little bit sour but I like it that way so I'm happy. You can always alter this by the type of apples you use also. Next time I think I will try using a couple different varieties of apple to spice it up a bit. This is also a crock pot recipe so even easier to make. I doubled the recipe by using a Gala apples and doubling the rest of the ingredients.


Homemade Applesauce
Source: A Year of CrockPotting
Ingredients:
4 large apples, skinned ,cored, and cut in quarters
juice from 1 lemon
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbs brown sugar
1/4 c water

Directions:
Skin, core, and cut your apples into quarters. Place the pieces into your crockpot. Add the juice from the lemon, and the water. Pour in the vanilla and add the cinnamon and brown sugar.

Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours. When the apples are super tender, mash with a potato masher or large fork. My apples were very tender after about 4 hours but my crock tends to cook a bit faster than others.