I love Greek salad, it is one of my favorite dishes on a warm evening but it can be kind of awkward to eat, especially in restaurants when they leave huge cuts of vegetables to be fancy… although I think it is secret laziness at the root of that trend. I needed some snacky food for a girls evening and I wanted something that would be easy to eat but was still healthy and fresh. When you skewer a salad it turns into easily controllable finger food, Continue Reading →
Salmon Yam Cakes
Living so close to the ocean, I never saw the point in buying canned salmon, we have large fillets available in every store. But then I saw the fanciest, most expensive canned salmon brand on sale- when there is a sale on something I have never tried I take it as a sign that the time is now. Continue Reading →
Pineapple Blueberry Buzz Smoothie
Bee pollen is available in many health food stores and markets in small orange and yellow granules. It is considered to be a very nutrient dense food because of its high concentration of carbs, proteins, antioxidants, phytonutrients and vitamins. There have not been enough extensive studies done to equivocally prove all the benefits that bee pollen is purported to have. However, among people that use it there seems to be a general consensus that it does in fact help elevate energy levels and also naturally reduces the discomfort associated with seasonal allergies. Continue Reading →
Cookie Dough Bites
I couldn’t decide what flavor to go with so I combined all the ones I wanted- oatmeal raisin, chocolate chip, peanut butter and apple cinnamon. Unfortunately I forgot to pick up white chocolate and macadamia nuts. Luckily they all come together pretty well because this recipe makes a very large yield. These are really versatile and because there is no raw egg or anything that could lead to food poisoning they don’t need to be cooked, so they maintain a raw doughiness. Continue Reading →
Maple Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas
My brother absolutely loves chickpeas and he has a big sweet tooth, so I combined those preferences into one easy snack. Him eating a handful of these over a handful of oreos is a huge win for me. Chickpeas are full of fiber, protein, antioxidants and several nutrients including manganese, molybdenum and folate, all of which are important for keeping internal systems running smoothly and maintaining high energy levels. Continue Reading →
Rainbow Fruit Salad with Hazelnut Yogurt
This is something that I like to have available as much as possible, in some variation. My brothers are uncharacteristically more inclined to go more for fruit than chips when such an easy option with no work required is available. Basically any fruit works together but melon does tend to be digested faster so it is more ideal to eat it on its own. Continue Reading →
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Popsicles
Frozen bananas have become a pretty well known (in healthy food circles) ice cream substitute, known as “nice cream” but they are also a great base for popsicles. From there the coating can be any kind of chocolate and the final topping can be any kind of nuts or seeds (although my brother is watching me type this and he says that seeds are only appealing to squirrels [he’s wrong]). Dark chocolate is ideal nutritionally because it has a higher concentration of cacao and usually less sugar. Continue Reading →
Pesto Smashed Potatoes
Potatoes are a particularly great source of potassium, I’m not sure if their names start the same way for that reason or if it is just a coincidence. Potassium is an electrolyte and it is crucial for maintaining hydration and a proper pH, or acid alkaline balance in the blood and other tissues. It is also integral for nervous and cardiovascular systems, and increasing it can be potentially as effective as lowering sodium for people with high blood pressure. Continue Reading →
Ham and Cheese Frittata Muffins
Ham and cheese is one of those classic flavors that appeals to nearly everyone, including even the pickiest of eaters. I like to use a nice aged cheddar because it has more flavor, so less can go further, which is something I like to consider when combining such heavy proteins together. The tomatoes add in some bulk and fiber, balancing out the eggs, ham and cheese so that the end product isn’t too rich and they are generally less off-putting than most vegetables for those picky eaters. Continue Reading →
Cherry Chocolate Almond Energy Balls
Energy balls are kind of like baby granola bars that don’t need to be baked at all. They are really nutrient and energy dense, making for a great snack during or after any kind of physical activity or for an afternoon slump. Even my picky dad approved of them as a cookie substitute so they work for that too. Continue Reading →