Muesli: A Breakfast Recipe Super Star

morning rituals muesli breakfast bowl

Finding something for breakfast that is healthy, tasty and that will sustain you until lunch, can be a tricky thing. One of my breakfast’s go- to’s, and something that has it all, is MUESLI.

What is muesli?

Muesli, pronouncedMEWZ-lee” is a cold oatmeal dish based on rolled oats and ingredients like grains, nuts, seeds and fresh or dried fruits. This mix may be combined with one or more liquids like milk, almond milk, other plant milks, yogurt and left for a time to soften the oats before being consumed.

It was developed around 1900 by a Swiss physician Maximilian Bircher-Benner for patients in his hospital, where a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables was an essential part of therapy. Muesli was not originally intended as a breakfast food, but as an appetizer similar to bread and butter.

Need something substantial for breakfast?

My system does not do well with the standard breakfast of pancakes and eggs, or even most rain cereals. If I eat those kinds of foods for breakfast, I am hungry and searching for something to at 10:00 am. 

When I eat my muesli, it will be like 1:00 in the afternoon, and I’ll look at the clock and realize that, wow I should probably eat some lunch. (Now that is not typical for me). I am usually snacking and ready for my lunch by 11:00. I love this stuff.

It is very easy to make and tastes GREAT!

muesli ingredients

This is just the basic ingredients, but feel free to add or delete whatever you please. I don’t really measure things out, just throw things in. 

Muesli Ingredients:

Nut in blender muesli

In your blender or food processor, add

  • Raw, (if at all possible) Unpasteurized Almonds- 1 cup
  • A couple handfuls of Walnuts- 1 cup
  • About a 1/2 cup of Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
  • A few Soft Medjool dates (with the pits removed) or pre-chopped dates work too. (The soft Medjool dates make it taste almost like caramel apples) I get my dates at Costco.
muesli nut mix

Pulse until the nuts are chopped well, but not too fine.

If you blend too long, it will get soft and become nut butter.

Take the mixture out of your blender and add some of these optional ingredients.

***UPDATE 2/27/2023

I have found a new chopper that I absolutely love for chopping nuts. 

  • Cinnamon to taste ( a couple of teaspoons)
  • Chia Seeds (which are chuck full of nutrition) check out this site for more info
  • Ground Flax Seeds are good and good for you.
  • Dried Unsweetened Coconut
  • Raw Sesame Seeds

I like to make a bunch and put it in a zip bag or container and keep it in the freezer for the rest of the family to eat during the week.

muesli blender apples

Add a Cored Apple to your blender.

Pulse until chopped well.  

muesli chopped or grated apple
muesli veggi chopper

A SIMPLE cheese grater works nicely too, or you can use this handy device that is great for chopping fruits and veggies.

morning rituals muesli breakfast bowl

Add some plain YOGURT, CHOPPED STRAWBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, CHOPPED BANANA or whatever else your heart desires. 

Top with a little grade B pure maple syrup.

(Grade B has not been stripped of the many beneficial minerals and nutrients)  I prefer the taste of it over the grade A.

LEARN HOW TO EASILY MAKE YOUR OWN GREEK YOGURT HERE.

The nut mix in itself can be a breakfast entree. Pour milk, nut milk, rice, oat milk or soy milk over the top for a non-grain cereal option.

It’s almost like dessert for breakfast. 

Muesli: A Breakfast Recipe Super Star

morning rituals muesli breakfast bowl

An easy to make grain free breakfast. Yummy oats, nut mix, berries and yogurt or nut milk make a hearty meal to start your day.

  • Prep Time10 min
  • Total Time10 min
  • Serving Size4 Servings

Ingredients

    • Raw, (if at all possible) Unpasteurized Almonds- 1 cup
    • A couple handfuls of Walnuts- 1 cup
    • About a 1/2 cup of Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
    • A few Soft Medjool dates (with the pits removed) or pre-chopped dates work too. (The soft Medjool dates make it taste almost like caramel apples) I get my dates at Costco.

INSTUCTIONS

1

PULSE nuts, oats, and dates UNTIL THE NUTS ARE CHOPPED WELL, BUT NOT TOO FINE. If you blend too long, it will get soft and become nut butter.

2

TAKE THE MIXTURE OUT OF YOUR BLENDER AND ADD the other ingredients.

3

Add the apple to the blender and pulse to chop. Or chop with knife, veggie cutter or grater.

4

ADD SOME PLAIN YOGURT, CHOPPED STRAWBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, CHOPPED BANANA OR WHATEVER ELSE YOUR HEART DESIRES.

5

Add some plain YOGURT, CHOPPED STRAWBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, CHOPPED BANANA or whatever else your heart desires. 

6

TOP WITH A LITTLE GRADE B PURE MAPLE SYRUP. (GRADE B HAS NOT BEEN STRIPPED OF THE MANY BENEFICIAL MINERALS AND NUTRIENTS) I PREFER THE TASTE OF IT OVER THE GRADE A.

7

The nut mix in itself can be a breakfast entrée. Pour milk, nut milk, rice, oat milk or soy milk over the top for a non-grain cereal option.

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Jan Howell

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

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Chicken ZOODLE Soup – INSTANT POT – Soothing and Delicious

chicken zoodle soup

Are you feeling a little under the weather, cold or do you just need a little comfort food? How about a hot bowl of Chicken Zoodle Soup? Yep, I said “zoodle”.  Zoodles are just spiralized zucchini that make a great alternative to egg noodles, for those folks who need to go gluten-free.

Now the zoodle thing, it is just spiralized zucchini and I use them in everything. Since I am avoiding grains right now, these green spiral ribbons come in quite handy. I decided to add them to my chicken noodle soup recipe and make it up in the Instant Pot. Worked like a charm. My husband even commented that if he couldn’t see, he wouldn’t even know the difference.

I really have enjoyed this spiralizer. It is simple, inexpensive, and lightweight. I use it to spiralize zucchini, carrots, apples, and potatoes. It works great to serialize things to add to salads and soups. If you haven’t spiralized, you ought to give it a whirl. (Pun intended)!

 

Let’s get back to the soup recipe.

CHICKEN ZOODLE SOUP Ingredients

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts or 8 chicken tenderloins ( I use frozen chicken tenderloin or frozen breasts) *You can also use pre-cooked shredded chicken
  • 2 Tablespoons of olive oil or coconut oil
  • 3-4 carrots sliced
  • 3-4 stalks of celery sliced
  • 2 small zucchini spiralized or chopped (optional egg noodles)
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
  • 1 tsp. Celery Salt
  • 2 1/2 quarts broth (chicken or vegetable)
  • 2 Cups water
  • 1/2 teaspoon basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (2 teaspoons fresh)
  • 2-3 bay leaves

Instructions

1 – Spiralize or chop 2 small zucchini and set aside

2 – Chop all vegetables

 

3 – Choose the “SAUTE” method on the Instant Pot

4 – Add oil, carrot, celery, herbs, and onion to the pot and cook stirring frequently for 1-2 minutes

5 – Place the bay leaves, chicken and salt, and pepper in the pot and give it a stir

*If using pre-cooked shredded chicken, adjust time as indicated below.

6 – Add the broth, making sure not to go over the maximum fill line

*If you are using egg noodles, add them now.

7 – Place the lid on the pot and flip the steam valve to sealing position

 

8 – Turn off Instant Pot and change the settings to “MANUAL” and adjust time down to only 4 minutes

  • If using FROZEN chicken tenders, set for 6 minutes.
  • If using FROZEN chicken breasts, set for minutes
  • Pre-cooked chicken, set time for only 2 minutes

It will take several minutes for it to get up to pressure, making it about 20 minutes cook time.

9 – Once the beeper goes off, use the “Quick Release” method to release steam

10 – Carefully remove the lid

11- Using a slotted spoon or big fork, remove the chicken and place it on a plate to cool a little bit.

12- While the chicken is cooling, add the zucchini noodles to the pot and place the lid back on.

The noodles will cook quickly in the hot water. There is no need to turn it back on!

13 – When the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred the chicken with a big fork.

14 – Place the shredded chicken back in the pot and give it a stir.

I hope you enjoy this chicken zoodle soup!

Chicken ZOODLE Soup – INSTANT POT – Soothing and Delicious

chicken zoodle soup
Are you feeling a little under the weather, cold or do you just need a little comfort food? How about a hot bowl of Chicken Zoodle Soup?
  • Prep Time30 min
  • Cook Time4 min
  • Total Time34 min
  • Ready in50 minutes
  • Yield6
  • Serving Size1 cup
PACE 1]

INGREDIENTS

    • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts or 8 chicken tenderloins ( I use frozen chicken tenderloin or frozen breasts) *You can also use pre-cooked shredded chicken
    • 2 Tablespoons of olive oil or coconut oil
    • 3-4 carrots sliced
    • 3-4 stalks celery sliced
    • 2 small zucchini spiralized or chopped (optional egg noodles)
    • 1 onion diced
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
    • 1 tsp. celery salt
    • 3 quarts broth (chicken or vegetable)
    • 1/2 teaspoon basil
    • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (2 teaspoons fresh)
    • 2-3 bay leave

INSTUCTIONS

1

Spiralize 2 small zucchini and set aside

 

 
2

Chop all vegetables

 

3

Choose the “SAUTE” method on the Instant Pot

4

Add oil, carrot, celery, herbs, and onion to the pot and cook stirring frequently for 1-2 minutes

5

Place the bay leaves, chicken and salt, and pepper in the pot and give it a stir

*If using pre-cooked shredded chicken, adjust time as indicated below.

6

Add the broth, making sure not to go over the maximum fill line

*If you are using egg noodles, add them now.

7

Place the lid on the pot and flip the steam valve to sealing position

8

Turn off Instant Pot and change the settings to “MANUAL” and adjust time down to only 4 minutes

  • If using FROZEN chicken tenders, set for 6 minutes.
  • If using FROZEN chicken breasts, set for minutes
  • Pre-cooked chicken, set time for only 2 minutes

It will take several minutes for it to get up to pressure, making it about 20 minutes cook time.

9

Once the beeper goes off, use the “Quick Release” method to release steam

10

Carefully remove the lid

Using a slotted spoon or big fork, remove the chicken and place it on a plate to cool a little bit.

11

While the chicken is cooling, add the zucchini noodles to the pot and place the lid back on.

The noodles will cook quickly in the hot water. There is no need to turn it back on!

 

12

When the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred the chicken with a big fork.

13

Place the shredded chicken back in the pot and give it a stir.

This soup freezes very well and makes a great quick “GO TO” meal.

Enjoy!

 

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Jan Howell

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

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Grain Free Nut Balls

Grain Free Nut Bars

Indulge yourself with a healthy sweet snack. These yummy nutballs are grain-free, protein-packed, honey-sweetened, and very easy to make! If you like peanut butter cups, you will love these.

Grain Free Nut Bars

Prep Time: 10 min

Makes approximately 20 balls

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup almond butter
  • 1/3 cup raw honey/pure maple syrup 
  • 1 cup raw, unsweetened coconut flakes
  • 1/2 cup chopped almonds or walnuts (or 1/4 cup of each)
  • 1/2 cup raw ground flax seeds
  • 1/2 cup dark choc chips
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/8 tsp sea salt
  • You can add anything else to your liking, such as chopped cashews, hemp seeds, raisins, dates, etc.
  • ***If grains are not a problem for you, 1/2 cup of rolled oats are really good to add to the mixture.  If you add oats, omit 1/2 cup of the nut mixture.
Grain Free Nut Bars almonds

In a food processor or blender, chop nuts.

Grain Free Nut Bars mixing

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.

Grain Free Nut Bars cups

Refrigerate until cold enough to roll into balls or press a heaping spoonful of mixture into mini muffin papers.

Grain Free Nut Bars

Refrigerate in a zip bag or a container with a tight fitting lid.

Grain Free Nut Balls

Grain Free Nut Bars

Indulge yourself with a healthy sweet snack. These yummy nut balls are grain free, protein packed, honey sweetened, and very easy to make!

  • Prep Time10 min
  • Total Time10 min
  • YieldApproximately 20 balls
  • Course
    • Dessert
    • Snack

Ingredients

    • 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
    • 1/2 cup almond butter
    • 1/3 cup raw honey/pure maple syrup 
    • 1 cup raw, unsweetened coconut flakes
    • 1/2 cup chopped almonds or walnuts (or 1/4 cup of each)
    • 1/2 cup raw ground flax seeds
    • 1/2 cup dark choc chips
    • 1 tsp vanilla
    • 1/8 tsp sea salt
    • You can add anything else to your liking, such as chopped cashews, hemp seeds,raisins, dates, etc.
    • ***If grains are not a problem for you, 1/2 cup of rolled oats are really good to add to the mixture.  If you add oats, omit 1/2 cup of the nut mixture.

INSTUCTIONS

1

In a food processor or blender, chop nuts.

2

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.

3

Refrigerate until cold enough to roll into balls or press a heaping spoonful of mixture into mini muffin papers.

4

Refrigerate in a zip bag or a container with a tight fitting lid.

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Twitter
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Connect:

Jan Howell

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

Read More