When we run businesses, raise families, target deadlines and aspire to achieve big goals, our bodies often become unwilling victims of our minds' pursuits. Let's face it, so many of us as women entrepreneurs are blazing trails in our professional lives, but overweight and undernourished in our bodies. It can be difficult to find time to cook food instead of grabbing fast food; to research nutrient-dense ingredients instead of going with what we know; to turn our commitments for more exercise into our daily reality. It is tough, but we are compromising quality of life for quick-fixes, and that is neither physically nor emotionally sustainable.
So, what's a busy woman entrepreneur on the rise to do?
For starters, she can quell her sweet tooth with healthier options, and use that as a segue into healthier habits. Satisfying your sweet tooth without eating unhealthy food is absolutely possible with a bit of creativity when it comes to spending time in the kitchen. If you are an avid cinnamon lover and you want to create a delicious, healthy dessert, there are plenty of options available that are simple and scrumptious. Use the following recipe to capitalize on one particular benefit of Cinnamon--the taste!
Apple Oatmeal
Enjoy cinnamon and apples? Creating your own apple oatmeal can be done for a healthy and satisfying meal. Cut and shred 2 apples, ridding the core. Heat a saucepan and add 1 cup of steel-cut oats, stirring until toasted, which will be approximately 2 minutes. Add water and the apples you have shredded, allowing the mixture to come to a boil. Once the oatmeal has boiled, allow it to simmer for about 10 minutes. Stir the mixture frequently as it simmers.
Cut two additional apples and stir them into the oat mixture after it has simmered for about 10 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon of salt for added flavor. Stir the mixture together and allow it to simmer for another 15 to 20 minutes. Once the oatmeal is thick, hot and mixed together after 15 to 20 minutes you can then serve the result in 4 separate servings. For added flavor, top the oatmeal with 3/4 teaspoon of brown sugar and a couple of tablespoons of flavored yogurt of your choice.
Granola With Cinnamon
When you are craving a delicious granola that includes a spicy cinnamon taste, try make your own from scratch. For this granola recipe you will need:
6 cups rolled oats
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup chopped almonds
1 cup raw, unsalted pepitas
6 tablespoons of canola oil
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (to taste)
1/2 teaspoon salt
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and line a roasting pan with parchment paper. Mix walnuts, almonds, pepitas and oats in a large mixing bowl. Add vanilla, salt, honey, cinnamon, oil and maple syrup in a separate bowl and mix thoroughly. Pour the liquid mixture over the oats and nuts you have prepared and toss. Spread the mixture over the lined pan.
Bake the mixture for approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until browned and lightly golden on top. Stir the mixture each 15 minutes to evenly cook the granola throughout while giving each part of the granola a brown and golden appearance. Allow the mixture to cool completely before serving.
You can serve your freshly-prepared homemade granola in a bowl along with cold milk, topped with your favorite fruit or even in a custom yogurt parfait.
Getting creative in the kitchen doesn't have to take away from the time you spend nurturing your business. Plus, it's a great way to embrace work-life harmony by testing your creative (culinary) boundaries and ramping up on your health! Introduce delicious foods with cinnamon without worrying about processed foods and excessive sugar that can cause health problems. Being smart and making the most out of your dessert recipes will allow you to enjoy delicious foods without sacrificing your health.
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/15525557@N07/3350671698/
