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!