Lovely to look at and fun to eat, this smoothie bowl is packed with flavor and nutrition. 

Thanks to the National Processed Raspberry Council for sponsoring this post!  All opinions expressed are my own. 

I’m fascinated with smoothie bowls.  Thicker than a smoothie and eaten with a spoon rather than being sipped through a straw, a smoothie bowl is a heartier, kicked up version of a traditional smoothie.  And in case you haven’t noticed, they’re all the rage right now in the food world.  Just check out Instagram and you’ll find tons of amazing photos of smoothie bowls.  It seems like people love to use smoothie bowls as a canvas to express their creativity.  With their bright, vibrant colors and elaborate garnishes, many of these bowls look like more like works of art than actual food.

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These tasty vegetarian patties are nutritious and satisfying- the perfect addition to your dinner table!
  

I received free samples of California walnuts mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe I am entering 
a recipe contest sponsored by the California Walnut Commission and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.


One of the most common requests that I get for the blog is easy, filling, vegetarian dinner ideas.  Perhaps it’s partially because of the Meatless Mondays movement, which encourages people to give up meat once a week to help reduce our risk of chronic preventable diseases and reduce our carbon footprint.  People are starting to shift from the traditional way of thinking that meat should take center stage at each meal with vegetables, fruits and grains relegated to the role of supporting players.  I try to incorporate as much plant-based whole foods as possible into my diet, so I’m always happy to oblige with new tasty and hearty vegetarian recipes.  In fact, the most popular recipe on my blog to date is a veggie burger recipe.  Who would’ve thought?

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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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Bursting with nutrition and flavor, Wild Blueberries pack a one-two punch in this vibrant smoothie!

By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by the Wild Blueberry Association of North America and I am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

Did you know that smoothies are most popular at this time of year in the winter rather than in the summer?  It makes sense when you consider that many of us have healthful eating on our minds as we start out the New Year.  And smoothies are certainly a quick and easy way to pack a lot of nutritious ingredients into a delicious and portable meal or snack.

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Packed with nutritious ingredients to get your day going, this creamy vegan smoothie bowl is a tropical delight!

On most weekdays, I grab a quick breakfast on my way out the door.  I usually don’t have a lot of time in the morning yet I know how important it is to eat a good breakfast.  But on days when I have the luxury of a little more time, I like to give myself a little extra treat.

Smoothie bowls are all the rage right now.  A little more substantial than a smoothie, smoothie bowls are thicker and as the name suggests, you eat them in a bowl with a spoon instead of drinking them with a straw.  While smoothies are usually something you take on the go, smoothie bowls are a little more special because you can sit down and enjoy them as a meal.  Plus, you can also top them with a bunch of yummy and nutritious toppings.  Diced fruit, berries, granola, nuts, seeds, edible flowers or pretty much anything else you can think of.  The sky’s the limit! 

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A delightful combination of toasted bread and fresh tomatoes, this easy recipe is one of the most widely eaten dishes in Spain.

Sometimes the simplest dishes are the best.   Originating in Catalonia, this tomato bread is one of the most common and well-loved dishes in Spain.

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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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Canned chickpeas are transformed into these crispy, delicious fritters that are packed with protein, fiber and flavor!

This month’s Recipe Redux challenge was to raid our pantry, cupboards, freezer or fridge to find hidden “treasures” and incorporate them into a healthy recipe.  I love this idea because I’m definitely guilty of forgetting what I have in my kitchen sometimes.  I often have good intentions at the grocery store and stock up on plenty of pantry items only to forget about them later.  And what about those times when you buy an ingredient specifically for one recipe and then the rest of the container sits in the fridge forever?  Guilty.  So I scoured my kitchen for this challenge and came up with two worthy contenders- canned chickpeas from the back of my cupboard and an open bottle of tahini from the fridge.  Since I couldn’t choose which one to use, I decided to use both!

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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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With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I'm sure many of you are in menu planning mode.  I know I am!  As one of the biggest, if not the absolute biggest food holiday, Thanksgiving gets its fair share of attention from the food blogging community.  It seems like social media has been taken over  with holiday inspired recipes, and I've been seeing so many incredible dishes on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook.  So I thought I would share some of my favorites with you.  The 20 recipes below include some appetizers, entrees, side dishes and desserts.  Many of them are healthy and some are a bit more indulgent.  Enjoy and happy cooking!

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Brussels sprouts are definitely a polarizing food- people either love ‘em or hate ‘em.  Personally, they weren’t my favorite vegetable growing up.  This is probably because my mom never cooked them at home so my only experience was at restaurants where they were usually boiled to death and served with absolutely no seasoning.  But, in recent years, the humble Brussels sprout has definitely had a huge growth in popularity.  You can find them on any restaurant menu from casual to gourmet.  Shaved, deep-fried, roasted, braised and of course everyone’s favorite- cooked with bacon.  There’s something about the salty, smoky flavor of bacon that pairs really well with the slight bitterness of the sprouts.     

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This recipe was inspired by my mom and is one of the recipes included in my upcoming book, The Natural Pregnancy Cookbook, which will be released in 2015 (so stay tuned!).  Having grown up in a vegetarian household, my mom has always made the most delicious, vegetarian Indian dishes.  This is definitely one of those dishes that I turn to when I want something comforting that will deliver a taste of home.  

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