All of the flavors of a leisurely Sunday brunch baked into a muffin that’s perfect to take on the go. 

Now that my daughter Sienna has started preschool, our mornings have become quite a whirlwind as we get her ready for school and ourselves ready for work.  And like her mommy, Sienna definitely likes to sleep until the last possible minute!  So although I hope to be able to sit down to a nutritious, homemade breakfast as often as possible, the reality is that there will be plenty of days when I’ll need a faster breakfast option. Enter these delicious savory breakfast muffins!   

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Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these avocado fries are baked to golden perfection. 

As a Stonyfield blogger, I received samples of Stonyfield yogurt and Kitchen IQ products. All opinions expressed are my own.

Move over French fries, there’s a new fry on the block!  Just when I thought avocados couldn’t get any better, I discovered these beauties.  Coated in panko breadcrumbs and baked to golden, crispy perfection, these crispy avocado fries are not only nutritious- they’re downright addictive!  

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Sweet raspberries, tangy lemon curd and creamy yogurt come together in this craveable summer dish!

Stonyfield and prAna have partnered in the #SummerCravings campaign!  I received samples to develop this post.  All opinions expressed are my own.  

What are you craving this summer?

For me, summer means taking a little break and slowing down a bit.  What I crave is time off with my family to enjoy the simple things- lazy days at the beach or pool, grilling outdoors, outdoor music festivals, food truck events, etc.  I crave cute summer dresses, colorful salads with vibrant summer vegetables, fresh berries, locally caught seafood, and plenty of sweet treats.

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A fun take on a classic kid favorite, these tater tots are packed with nutritious zucchini instead of potatoes.

Now that my daughter Sienna is in school, I have to pack her lunch three times a week.   Even with all of the cooking I do, I must admit that I still sometimes find myself in a lunch rut.  I have my usual standbys that I turn to when I’m short on time or creativity like cashew butter and jelly sandwiches (one of her classmates has a peanut butter allergy), yogurt and fresh fruit.  But when time permits, I love coming up with fun and healthy new ideas to pack in her lunchbox. 

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HelloNutchello #CollectiveBias

Coconut and cashews come together for the perfect afternoon indulgence.  

In case you haven’t noticed, bliss balls have been popping up all over the internet for quite some time now.  Otherwise known as protein balls, snack balls or any other number of names, they all have one thing in common which makes them very popular- there’s no cooking involved.  These tasty snacks are made with a mixture of nutrient dense ingredients, which usually includes nuts and dried fruit.  Other ingredients can be added such as different grains (like oats or millet), seeds (like flax or chia seeds), flavorings (like cocoa powder or vanilla extract) and other add-ins (like protein powder or chocolate chips).  All of the ingredients get pureed together in a food processor and then they’re rolled into bite sized balls.  They can be served as is or can be coated in ingredients like shredded coconut, sesame seeds, chopped nuts or cocoa powder.  Then they’re ready to be devoured.  Quick, easy and nutritious- no wonder they’re so popular! 

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These nutty, no-bake granola bars are packed with nutrition and flavor!

Happy Nut Day!  No, I’m not nuts- today is actually National Nut Day!  And it just happens to coincide with this month’s Recipe Redux post day so we were all challenged to share a healthy nut-filled recipe. 

   

I love using nuts in all forms in my recipes- whole, sliced, chopped, nut butter, you name it!  They are actually one of the most nutritious snacks you can eat and are packed with many beneficial nutrients including heart-healthy unsaturated fats, protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

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Crunchy, refreshing and delightfully tangy- who doesn’t love a good pickle?  Plus, they’re a cinch to make at home! 

This month, the Recipe Redux challenged us to write about our favorite DIY kitchen essentials.  Specifically, they wanted to know what healthy kitchen staples do we now make from scratch that we used to purchase in the past?  When I read the challenge, a few ideas popped into my head right away like homemade frozen pancakes, fish sticks, salad dressings, and popsicles.  But then I thought about it some more and found the perfect recipe- my Super Easy Refrigerator Dill Pickles.  Once you make these, you’ll never buy pickles at the store again!

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These healthy, gluten-free coconut shrimp are baked instead of fried and are perfect for entertaining guests!

Have you ever had to whip up a quick dish or meal for last minute guests?  It’s always good to have one or two go-to recipes under your belt for those days.  I had an impromptu cocktail party the other night and needed a delicious and fun appetizer that would appeal to everyone and wouldn’t take too much time to prepare.  After a quick search through my pantry and freezer, I decided to go with coconut shrimp.  They’re the perfect appetizer for entertaining- they’re easy to pick up, you can eat them in one bite and most importantly, they taste great!   

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Dried plums boost the flavor and nutrition of this delicious flatbread that's sure to be a hit with your family. 

By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by California Dried Plum Board and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

Did you know that May is National Osteoporosis Month?  To kick off the month and raise awareness for this worthy cause, the California Dried Plum Board decided to challenge us Recipe Redux members to create delicious recipes highlighting this nutritious and versatile dried fruit. 

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I’ve never been a huge fan of New Year’s resolutions because they’re easy to make but also so easy to break.  However, I do think that the New Year is a great time to start developing healthier eating habits, especially after overindulging during the holidays.  But rather than setting unreasonable goals for yourself (and invariably ending up disappointed), why not try making small but significant changes to your diet and lifestyle?  Changes that will positively impact your health and put you on the road to success for the whole year.    

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My Crispy Spiced Chickpeas are the perfect snack- healthy, satisfying and portable.  Keep them in a plastic bag and take them on the go so you have something nutritious to reach for when hunger strikes

Smoked foods are among the most commonly predicted food trends for 2015.  Both restaurant chefs and home cooks are experimenting with smoking techniques to add flavor to food and even drinks!  If you don’t have a smoker at home, don’t fear.  You can add smokiness to your food using spices.  This month’s Recipe Redux challenge was to share a healthy dish that we’re heating up with smoke and/or spiciness.  My Crispy Spiced Chickpeas definitely fit the bill.  They’re dusted with Moroccan spices and roasted in the oven.  Crunchy, smoky and packed with nutrients, these addictive morsels are the perfect snack.  Keep them in a plastic bag and take them on the go so you have something healthy and satisfying to reach for when hunger strikes. 

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Simple, delicious, wholesome and nutritious.  Serve these Holiday Almond Raisin Clusters at your holiday table and watch them disappear!

“By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by the California Raisin Marketing Board and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.”

Eating healthy this holiday season doesn’t mean that you have to deprive yourself!  California Raisins are a great way to add natural sweetness to your savory or sweet dishes while also adding a boost of nutrition.  They’re also a great choice for wholesome and healthy on-the-go snacking.   California Raisins are fat-free and cholesterol-free and they’re packed with several important nutrients.  One quarter cup serving supplies 9% of your daily fiber and potassium, and 6% of your daily iron.  Plus, they’re naturally sweet so when you incorporate them in your recipes, you can significantly cut down on the amount of additional sugar.

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Here in south Florida, popsicles are a year round treat. But for a lot of you popsicle season will be ending soon.  So before the cool weather arrives,  make a batch of these Lemon Raspberry Buttermilk Popsicles and celebrate the remaining days of summer in style!

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In honor of the 4th of July, I've collected some of my favorite cookout recipes.  To go to the recipes, click the pictures below.  Have a happy, safe and yummy holiday!


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I am always looking for easy, nutritious, portable breakfast recipes.  I know how important it is to eat breakfast.  I even wrote an entire blog post about it (CLICK HERE to read it).  The problem is that it’s often hard to find good breakfast recipes that you can take on the go.  Don’t get me wrong.  On my days off, I love to sit down and have a leisurely breakfast with my family.  But on work days, I’m often out the door before 6 am and the last thing on my mind is cooking breakfast (especially while trying not to wake up my 11-month old!).  So when I came across this muffin recipe by my friend Ann Fulton, I got really excited.  A quick and easy breakfast recipe that’s healthy, delicious and can be taken to go?  I had to try this one out.

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Are you looking for a crowd-pleasing recipe to serve on Super Bowl Sunday?  If so, try my Lightened Up Spinach Artichoke Dip. This dish is the perfect appetizer that everyone will love to dig into. And it's packed with nutritious ingredients.  Classic Spinach Artichoke Dip has a good amount of mayonnaise, cream cheese, parmesan and shredded cheese, which all add up to a high calorie count. To make my lightened up version, I swap in nonfat Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise. This cuts a large amount of saturated fat. Greek yogurt is naturally thick and creamy and adds a nice tangy flavor. Plus, it's packed with protein and calcium and it's low in carbohydrates.

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