Mini Kale and Potato Gratins

Kale is kind of my new thing.

Alongside broccoli, it's currently my favourite seasonal fare. Packed with so many vitamins and minerals, I'm having a hard time not adding it to everything. And I'm lucky my little one loves it, too-- he's always asking to have it added to salads and smoothies for an extra kick.

This kale and potato gratin is a wonderful way to serve kale as a side dish; and it feels like comfort food, but without the heavy calorie load.

What are your favourite ways to serve kale?

Quinoa and Oats Breakfast Cookies

Forgive me; I'm on a bit of a convenience breakfast kick.

These cookies are great because I feel like I'm having a late night snack-- but I'm really eating a supercharged bowl of oatmeal in disguise. This is a heavily adapted recipe from one of my favourite books, Quinoa 365. My allergies to nuts and coconut make the original recipe a bit of a death-fest, so I played around with alternatives until I found this combo. The recipe is very forgiving though, so feel free to substitute to your heart's content. 

Don't forget to join my new facebook page before I delete the old one!

Chocolate Chip Breakfast Scones

Do you hate mornings? I hate mornings. So much.

But I love breakfast, and I love having quick breakfast options for rushed weekday mornings. Wee morning hours and a sleepy little boy are much easier to corral with muffins, scones, and other things that can be eaten in the car if we're in a mega rush. (We're always in a mega rush).

I don't want to usher the boy or myself into the rest of the day with a belly full of just sugar and fat (mmm!), so healthy baking wins outs. When I saw these chocolate chip scones posted yesterday, I had to make them right away. They're reasonably healthy-- made with mostly whole wheat flour, low sugar, just a little butter-- and I've altered the recipe a bit and given them an extra boost with chia and flax seeds.

ps. I have a new Facebook page. Please help me out and join! Thanks!

S'mores Brownies

These brownies are a nearly excessive combination of everything good in life. Chocolate, marshmallows, graham crackers, more chocolate-- all inspired by one of my favourite childhood treats.

2012 had a bit of a rough start. My little boy was bit by a dog on New Year's Day, and we spent several hours in the ER getting his face stitched up. The good news is he's healing well, was a champ during the hospital visit, and generally really good spirited about the whole thing. The bad news is he's been having nightmares, and has been on edge all week. Some of the best ways we've found to combat the post-bite blues include snuggles, movies, polysporin, and baking some awesome treats together.

Although he says I didn't quite add enough marshmallows, these bars went a long way making us both feel better.

Happy New Year!