Cinnamon Breakfast Squares with Yogurt and Fruit

My family is big on breakfast.  We like variety and substance - we don't want to be hungry again an hour after we've finished.  When Honey Bunches of Oats e-mailed us with a new recipe to try, I was all about it.  In fact, as the last day of school approached, I decided that I would make this for my kids as a special "last day of school breakfast."  The cereal alone is great, but they absolutely loved this protein-packed, fiber and antioxidant-rich morning meal - and so did I!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup Honey Bunches of Oats Morning Energy Cinnamon Crunch cereal
• 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 Tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup nonfat milk
• 2 Tablespoons melted butter, cooled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• yogurt (original recipe calls for Greek, but I used regular, vanilla yogurt)
• fresh berries (blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries) or favorite fruit of choice
• Honey, for drizzling (optional)
• Nutmeg or Cinnamon, for sprinkling (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Lightly butter and flour an 8-inch square pan, or coat lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a mixing bowl, stir together the cereal, flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and cinnamon.While stirring, slightly crush the cereal using the back of the spoon or rubber scraper; set aside. 
3. In another bowl, beat eggs until well blended. Add milk, melted butter and vanilla, and mix well. Combine egg mixture with flour mixture. Pour batter (it will be thin) into prepared baking pan. 
4. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until it is set when lightly touched in the middle. Remove from oven and set on wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. To serve, cut into 6 equal-sized bars and place on serving plates. Top each square with a dollop of yogurt, surround with fruit, and drizzle with honey. Sprinkle with nutmeg or cinnamon and serve immediately. Serves 6.

Difficulty: easy
Time: 15 minutes prep, 45 minutes total
Source: Honey Bunches of Oats recipe

MOAB Pomegranate Smoothie

Joyce and I were approached by SHOP 'n SAVE to try a new product, MOAB Superfruit Blend.  MOAB stands for Most Optimum Antioxidant Beverage.  They offer four flavors-acai, pomegranate, wild blueberry, and mangosteen.  These blends of exotic flavors are filled with antioxidants and even contain soluble fiber.  We are excited to have another giveaway so you can try the delicious juices by MOAB!

I was thrilled to try this new product; since the birth of my third child, a quick breakfast is necessary.  Smoothies fit the bill perfectly as my husband and I can throw them in travel mugs and be on our way.  This recipe makes two very large servings; I break it down into four to feed both parents and children.  My kids loved the flavors produced by the fresh fruit, yogurt and the juice which contains peach, plum, pineapple, and others in addition to the pomegranate.  I threw in the ground flaxseed as an afterthought; using it in smoothies was a suggested way to use it on the bag, and a great way to increase the amount of alpha-linolenic acid (plant version of omega-3) in our diet.


INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 cups MOAB Pomegranate Superfruit Blend (in the Pittsburgh area, available at SHOP 'n SAVE)
• 2 bananas, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup fat-free Greek yogurt
• 1 T flaxseed meal (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and liquefy.
2. Enjoy! 

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 5 minutes

Source: An original by me!

ENTER TO WIN A COUPON FOR A FREE BOTTLE OF MOAB JUICE!

This giveaway is now closed.  

How to enter:

Comment that you'd like to try MOAB  in the comment section on this post.

For additional chances to win, you may do any of the following*:

1. Like us on Facebook and leave a comment here saying you have done so (or tell us here that you already like us on Facebook).
2. Like MOAB Juice on Facebook and comment here that you did.

*Each of the numbered options listed will earn you an additional chance to win a coupon for a free 10.5 oz bottle of MOAB Superfruit Blend Juice.  Please leave an individual comment for each that you complete so that we can keep track of entries easier. 

Find out if you won:
This contest ends at 11:59 PM on May 22, 2012.  Four lucky winners will be chosen at random using Random.com.  Winner will be announced on May 23, 2012 via Facebook and Twitter.  Look for it!  If you do not use Facebook or Twitter, please make sure you leave us an e-mail address at which we may contact you.  If the winners do not claim their prizes within one week, we will pick new winners.