Chocolate Chia Pudding

Chia seeds are very in right now- as they should be. Because they are full of fiber and protein, they leave you feeling full and content, as well as healthy! Their unique structure allows them to absorb, which is what gives you the feeling of fullness.

This recipe, they react with the almond milk making the perfect healthy and delicious pudding. With just a few simple ingredients, you will satisfy your sweet tooth while also staying clean and healthy. This recipe is also vegan friendly!

Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup Almond Milk
- 1/4 cup Chia Seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Pinch of cinnamon
- Honey to taste
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions:
- In a small mason jar (or any storage container) pour the almond milk and cocoa powder and mix well
- Add the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and honey and stir well
- Lastly, add the chia seeds and stir
- Place a lid on the container and put in the fridge
- Stir one last time after 10 minutes and let sit for a few hours
- I topped mine off with some fresh berries!

Enjoy!

Zesty Tzatziki

If you love Mediterranean food like I do, then you know that tzatziki is a staple dipping sauce when eating a gyro, falafel, or chicken kebobs. However, the calories and fat adds up- making it not so appealing. However, this recipe solves that problem, allowing for spoonfuls and spoonfuls to be enjoyed! The secret ingredient that makes it healthier? None other than non-fat Greek yogurt! The taste and flavor is still there, guilt free.

Ingredients:
- 1/3 Cup Non-Fat Plain Greek Yogurt
- Zest of Cucumber
- Half of a Lemon
- 1 Teaspoon of Dill

Directions:
- In a small bowl, add the yogurt
- Zest cucumber in the yogurt bowl, as much or as little- depends on your taste. I used about 1/4 of the cucumber
- Juice half of the lemon in the bowl
- Sprinkle the dill in and mix
- That's it!

Here is a link to a healthy falafel recipe that pairs perfectly with the tzatziki, made by yours truly!

http://annarebeccastable.blogspot.com/2013/09/fresh-and-tasty-falafel.html

Enjoy!

Fresh and Tasty Falafel

Mediterranean food is one of the healthiest out there. There's been articles highlighting the diet and the health benefits it offers.

Perfecting how to make falafel has always been on my 'to do' recipe lists, and I finally found the opportunity and recipe to try it! It was simple and quick, and when tweaked just right, it was as healthy as can be.

Ingredients:
- 1 can Garbanzo Beans
- Fresh Dill
- Fresh Cilantro
- About 2 Teaspoons Curry Powder
- About 2 Teaspoons Paprika
- Pinch of sesame seeds
- 1/4 Cup Oats
- 1/8 Cup Red Onion

Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- Drain the can of beans and chop (or use a food processor) until they are formable and place in a medium mixing bowl
- Chop fresh dill and cilantro and add into the bowl (use as much or little as you see fit)
- Add the curry, paprika, sesame seeds, and oats to the bowl
- Lastly, chop the red onion and add to the bowl
- Mix all ingredients together
- Next, form balls (about the size of an ice cream scoop) When I made this, my mixture made 5 evenly sized falafel
- Spray a cooking sheet with cooking spray, and place the falafels on it
- Drizzle a little olive oil, then place in the oven for about 15 minutes.
- Check after the 15 minutes to make sure they are done, if not, put back in the oven for another 5 as well as turn over the falafels, and another 5 after that if they are still not done

Enjoy!

Lean and Green Overnight Oats

Growing up, we hear "eat your vegetables," "eat your greens," or in my case- my dad told me "eat greens so you don't smell when you get older." Don't ask me what that means or how he came up with that because to this day I still don't know. However, these suggestions aren't misleading- greens are one of the best things you can put into your body. They are packed with nutrients and contain little to no calories OR fat. 

This recipe incorporates healthy complex carbs (oats) that actually burn belly fat! Chia seeds, a great little seed packed with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, fiber, protein, a banana filled with necessary potassium and sugars, and milk- extra protein! The secret ingredient that makes this overnight oat recipe different from the rest is no other than kale (or spinach if you aren't a kale person). There is a long list of why you should incorporate kale into your diet, and this is an easy and delicious way to start!

You have to make this the night before, so plan ahead!

Ingredients:

- Handful or more of kale (or spinach)

- 3/4 cup of skim milk

- 1.5 tbsp chia seeds

- 1 ripe banana

- 1/3 cup of oats

- Honey

Directions:

- In a blender, bled the greens, milk, chia seeds, and banana until smooth

- Pour the smoothie into a bowl, and mix in the oats

- Place in the fridge for the night

- Drizzle honey on top the next morning to add a little sweetness!

Enjoy!

Orange Zested BBQ Halibut

Here is yet another delicious meal utilizing the summer fruits. I whipped this up in no time at all, and it left the apartment smelling delicious.

With fresh and simple ingredients, anyone can pull this together and leave others believing they have just become the next Top Chef.

Ingredients (serves 1):
- Filet of halibut (or any type of fish or poultry)
- 1/4 cup of BBQ sauce - I used plain organic sauce
- 1/2 fresh orange
- 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper
- Fresh cilantro (to taste)
- Spoonful of honey

Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- In a small mixing bowl, add the 1/4 cup of BBQ sauce
- Juice the 1/2 piece of fresh orange into the mixing bowl, and you can even cut up and add actual pieces of the orange (it's good, I promise)
- Next, add the crushed red pepper and cilantro
- Mix well
- In a small cooking dish, line with foil and spray
- Lay the halibut filet in and cover with the sauce
- Cook for 35 minutes
- Once it cooked for 35 minutes, I put it on a pan on the stove on HIGH for a few minutes to crisp it up
- Lastly, I topped it off with diced avocado

I also paired it with chilled pureed black beans. I simply emptied the canned beans into a bowl, and used the hand blender to puree them. I then put them in the fridge while the fish cooked.

Enjoy!

Balsamic Mango Chicken

Summer times means great fresh, fruit! Being a fruit lover, I try to utilize every one of them before their season is over.

Tonights menu consisted of mangos because while grocery shopping, my roommate was ooing and ahhing over how cute the little containers are that they come in. So, therefore, I HAD to get it so that she could keep the container.

Once I got home, I threw the glaze together in no time at all, and was eating in less than an hour. There are only a few single ingredients, thus making it an easy meal to put together.

Ingredients (serves 1):

- Skinless, boneless chicken (I use the frozen ones from Trader Joes)

- 1/4 piece of a mango

- 1 garlic clove

- 1/8 cup of balsamic vinegar 

- 1 spoonful of honey

- Lemon juice

- Fresh cilantro

Directions:

- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

- Use a small mixing bowl

- Chop the mango into small pieces and place in bowl

- Add the 1/8 cup balsamic vinegar to the bowl

- Finely chop the garlic clove and also add to bowl

- Also, finely chop the cilantro (as much or as little as you want) and add to the mixing bowl

- Squirt in the lemon juice to the bowl

- FINALLY mix everything together 

-Next, in a small glass dish, layer with foil and spray with cooking spray

- Place the piece of chicken in the dish, and cover with the glaze

- Lastyl, drizzle the honey over the chicken

- Place in the oven for 40 minutes

Enjoy!

Raw and Real: Fully Loaded Kale Salad

When eating healthy, eating to the truest form of the food is the best way to go- meaning raw. This is because when food is cooked, it looses some of its nutrients.

Thus, to keep things "real," I threw together this raw, yet oh so delicious salad. It is packed with nutrients, protein, and most importantly, flavor. With just a few ingredients, and ten minutes max, this salad can be put together and enjoyed.

Ingredients:
- 1 cup kale
- 1/4 cup white kidney beans
- 1.4 cup quinoa
- Cucumber
- Tomatoes (cherry tomatoes are easiest)
- Red and yellow pepper
- Orange
- Avocado
- Carrot
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Lemon

Directions:
- Cook quinoa as directed on package and in the meantime...
- Rinse and finely chop the kale. Place in a large mixing bowl
- Rinse and dry kidney beans and add to bowl
- Finely chop the cucumber, tomatoes, peppers, orange, avocado, and carrots, and add into bowl when done
- Once the quinoa is finished cooking, add to bowl
- Mix everything, and add the tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and squeeze lemon juice
- Mix again and, voila!

I paired mine with the salmon burgers found at Trader Joes.

Enjoy!

Asian 'Slaw

If you know me well, then you know that I insist on having sides along with every meal.

This light and citrusy slaw pairs well with most dishes, especially fish. Also, because it requires few ingredients, it's also simple and easy to make.

Ingredients: (Just a heads up, I bought all of these bagged vegetables from Trader Joes which made it easier because I didn't have to chop, peel, or slice)
- Bag of shredded carrots
- Bag of shredded cabbage
- Bag of shredded cucumber
- Bag of edamame
- Tablespoon of honey
- Grated ginger
- 1 lime, juiced
- Teaspoon of crushed red pepper

Directions:
- In a large bowl add all of the ingredients together and mix well
- Taste before serving and add either honey, lime juice, or crushed red pepper to your desire

Cheers!

S'mores Pudding Parfait

S'mores are by far one of my top favorite desserts (along with cheesecake, frozen yogurt, fudgey brownies... etc.) 

This specific s'mores recipe is easy to throw together, and will help maintain a healthy lifestyle while also satisfy that oh so consistent sweet tooth.

Ingredients: (serves 4)

- 3 cups skim milk

- 1 box chocolate instant pudding 

- 10 graham crackers

- 2 cups mini marshmallows

Tools:

- Kitchen torch

Directions:

- Place milk in the freezer for about 20 minutes before mixing it into the pudding mix

- In a medium sized bowl, mix together the pudding mix and chilled milk until slightly thick and let sit for about 5 minutes

- Seal the graham crackers in a plastic bag and smash into pieces of any size you desire (I didn't do them too small because I like the "crunch")

- Now you can begin layering the ingredients into a medium sized glass!

- First, spoon about 1/4 cup of so of the pudding onto the bottom of the glass

- Next, sprinkle a layer of the graham crackers 

- Lastly, add the marshmallows

- Repeat the order of the layers one more time

- Carefully, using the kitchen torch, lightly brown the top layer of the marshmallows to your desire

Cheers!

Mama McGill's Famous Tomato Sauce

Mama McGill makes a mean homemade tomato sauce that everyone should try at least once in their lifetime. It is simple to throw together, yet taste like it was slaved over for hours. The few ingredients also make it easy to throw together, and making tomato sauce from scratch allows you to control how much sugar etc. goes into it.

Ingredients:
- 1 28oz can of tomatoes (diced is okay but whole is preferred)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 medium garlic cloves (minced or put through a garlic presser)
- 3 tablespoons chopped basil (fresh is best but dried is okay as well)
- 1 tablespoon basil (optional)

Other Tools:
- Garlic mincer or presser
- Hand blender

Directions: (Makes 1 batch)
- In a medium sized pot, heat the oil to a simmer on medium or high heat. Be careful the oil has a simmering heat to it but not smoking
- Add the pressed garlic to the pot and cook without letting the garlic brown (about 1-2 minutes)
- Pour in the can of tomatoes and stir
- Using a hand blender, puree the tomatoes until they are smooth and be sure to check to make sure there are no clumps (some are able to hide easily and aren't discovered until you take a bite)
- Simmer, meaning put the sauce at a heat where there are small bubbles, for about 10-15 minutes or until the sauce reaches a desired thickness
- Add basil and or pesto sauce

Cheers! And a big shout out to Mrs. McGill for letting me make this and share it on the blog/pinterest world for all to enjoy :)

Grilled Pineapple Ginger Snap Dessert

Grilling fruit is a fresh and easy, not to mention quick way, to whip up a delicious dessert that would satisfy anyones sweet tooth. Paired with a light Greek frozen yogurt (which can be found at Trader Joes of course) sweet spices, and topped with ginger snaps, this dessert is quite the treat!

Ingredients:

- Pineapple

- Fat Free Vanilla Greek Forzen Yogurt (or any time of vanilla ice cream)

- Ginger Snap Cookies

- Cinnamon to taste

- Coconut Flakes

- Agave Nectar 

Directions:

- Fire up the grill or place a grill pan on the stove and spray with cooking spray

- Cut the pineapple into rings

- Lay the rings on the grill or grill pan and sprinkle with cinnamon and coconut flakes. 

- Drizzle agave nectar on last and let grill

- Flip onto the other side and sprinkle cinnamon and coconut flakes on the other side as well

- Cooking time depends on how well you want the pineapple grilled

- When finished cooking, layer the pineapple on the bottom of the bowl, then add the ice cream/frozen yogurt and finish with crumbled ginger cookies on top

Cheers!

Shrimp Fried Cauliflower Rice

Oh no, another cauliflower rice recipe! This time, I've managed to incorporate it into making the oh so popular shrimp friend rice dish a little healthier (so you can not feel so guilty about heading to the frozen yogurt shop after and loading up on the yogurt and toppings). I did this by substituting the starchy and filling rice with the filling, yet light, cauliflower rice.

There were very little ingredients that went into this, and it took no time at all to cook. The only thing that made this dish take so long was Nicholas's rice (he's a guys guy and I guess they don't do cauliflower rice). So while his cooked I made sure he knew how hungry I was by mentioning it every 10 minutes ;)

Ingredients:
- Half a head of cauliflower
- Shrimp (as little or as much as you want)
- Package of steamed vegetables (normally I would do all fresh, but we were cooking at Nicholas's and he does it the easy way)
- Low sodium soy sauce to taste
- Garlic to taste
- Red pepper to taste

Directions:
- Using a cheese grater, grate the cauliflower over a plate
- When finished, place in a large skillet that is sprayed with cooking spray
- Cook on low to medium heat, stirring occasionally
- Cook until lightly crisped and brown
- On a separate skillet, combine the shrimp and vegetables, and cook on low to medium heat
- Once fully cooked, mix in with the cauliflower rice and add a tablespoon to start with of soy sauce. You can add more if you want

Cheers!

*Note: If you aren't a fan of the cauliflower rice and want to enjoy it the way Nicholas did with rice, follow all the directions except add the shrimp and vegetables to cooked rice, then add the soy sauce as well.

Moscato Sauteed Chicken and Baked Balsamic Vinegar Eggplant

Do you ever get in the mood to try something new food wise? I was in one of these moods while staring at a bright purple eggplant that I just bought this weekend. I didn't want to make the usual eggplant parmesan, or just sautee it with other veggies. I wanted the eggplant to be the staple flavor.

I finally decided on a simple yet rich and flavorful dish to make, and it only took a total of 30 minutes! Just enough time for me to sautee the chicken and make the cauliflower "rice."

Ingredients for the Eggplant:
- 1 Large Eggplant
- 1 Tomato
- Fresh Basil
- Feta
- Balsamic Vinegar

Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- Thinly slice the eggplant into as many pieces as you wish to make
- Thinly slice the tomato into the same about of slices at the eggplant
- Finely chop the fresh basil
- Layer the basil on top of the eggplant pieces, then the tomato on top of that
- Lightly drizzle balsamic vinegar over each piece
- Place in the oven on a cookie sheet lined with foil and sprayed with nonstick cooking spray
- Cook for 20 minutes, then add the crumbled feta onto the pieces and place back in the oven for the last 10 minutes

Ingredients for the Moscato Chicken:
- Boneless chicken breast
- 1/4 cup of pink Moscato wine
- 2 Garlic Cloves
- Garlic powder and pepper to taste

Directions:
- Cube the defrosted chicken breast into a size of your liking
- Place a large pan on the stove and spray with cooking spray, put on low to medium heat
- Chop the garlic cloves and layer the bottom of the pan with them
- Place the chicken pieces in the pan and sprinkle with as much garlic powder and pepper as you want
- Gently pour the wine over the chicken and let cook, making sure to turn and flip periodically
*Note: You don't have to use all of the wine, I ended up using less than the 1/4 cup

I also added roasted asparagus and cauliflower "rice" to this dish!

Cheers!

Cauliflower Rice

Lately I've been hearing lots of people talking about the Paleo diet and how it's an effective, easy, and healthy way to eat. After looking into it more, I learned that it is based off of what the cavemen ate, so fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, and nuts- nothing processed and no dairy. 

This cauliflower rice is a staple recipe that falls under the Paleo diet because it can be paired with many meat and seafood dishes. It is also filling, delicious, and easy to make.

Ingredients: (serves 1)

- 3 large chunks of cauliflower

- 1 Garlic clove

- 1 tsp Rosemary

- Pepper to taste

- Cooking spray

- Cheese grater

Directions:

- Using the cheese grater, grate the cauliflower onto a plate or cutting board.

- Chop the garlic clove

- Once you're done grating the cauliflower and chopping the garlic clove, put a medium sized skillet on the stove on low to medium heat. Spray with cooking spray.

- Put the cauliflower in the skillet and add the garlic, rosemary, and pepper

- Cook until almost golden brown

I paired the "rice" with chicken and a sweet potato!

Cheers!

The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you have a super sweet tooth like I do, then you know how important it is to have sweets handy at all times. These cookies are the perfect treat to have around the house because they will satisfy any sweet tooth without any added guilt. That is because the ingredients are all healthy!

Ingredients:
- 2 cups oats
- 1/3 cup applesauce
- 3 mashed ripe bananas
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional) and or you can use dried fruit like cranberries or raisins
- 1/4 cup almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Cinnamon to taste

Directions:
- Heat the oven to 350
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients together
- Scoop mix into the size you want the cookies to be and place on a cookie sheet
- Bake for 15-20 minutes

Cheers!

Flaxseed Crusted Tuna

If you love fish, then this is the recipe for you. It's quick, filling, and so good! All you need is 30 minutes and you will have a meal that tastes like it was slaved over for hours.

Ingredients (makes 4):
- 4 tuna filets (6 oz each)
- 1 lb frozen peas
- 2 1/2 cup arugula
- 3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken brother or water
- 4 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (will probably need to add more while cooking)
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan
- 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 egg white, beaten
- 1/4 cup whole flaxseed

Directions:
- Combine peas, arugula, broth, lemon juice, parmesan, and olive oil in a blender. Puree until smooth, and then add pepper to taste. Transfer to saucepan and warm throughly over a medium-low heat
- Put egg white and flaxseed in 2 different small bowls. Dip tuna filets in the egg whites and then flaxseed.
- Heat on a nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray over medium-high heat.
- Be sure to flip the filets, and cook for about 5-7 minutes
- Spoon puree onto plates and top with fish.

Cheers!

New Year, New Things

It's 11 days into 2013 and it finally hit me what this year is about to bring me- which is a whole lot more than all the past years. In 2013, I will become a college graduate, move to the other side of the country (alone) , and enter into the working world. Sounds pretty scary!

However, this year has also been life changing so far as it is. First starters, I have fallen in love. Not just a silly crush that will fizzle as soon as the "honeymoon stage" is over, but true passionate love for the type of man every woman should experience dating (but please, find your own, not mine!) I've also learned the true meaning of what is important/not important in life after seeing a close family friend get diagnosed with cancer. Spending time with him, even if it's just watching the UofA football and basketball games, teaches me to truly appreciate my time here and the fact that I DID make it another year.

It wasn't until I read an article from one of my favorite websites "Thought Catalog" that I came to the realization that this year is a crossroads for a lot of people out there as well. It is comforting to know that I am not alone in trying to piece my life together one day and one decision at a time (like if moving to the East coast IS the best thing for me). I guess misery truly does love company! With that said, instead of trying to find all the answers right away, I decided I will simply set goals and ideas for this year, and parallel my decisions to meet and make these.

I'm looking forward to the next 11 days of 2013, and then a few more after that. I may not know what exactly they will bring, but I do know that I've come so far as it is and have done just fine!