Author: Ashley

Cinnamon Chip Zucchini and Avocado Muffins with All Bran Crumb Topping

Cinnamon Chip Zucchini and Avocado Muffins with All Bran Crumb Topping

The cinnamon chips under the crunchy crumb topping make these muffins a lovely morning treat.  Ingredients: Muffins- 1 cup whole wheat flour 1 cup almond flour 1 scoop vanilla protein powder ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon allspice 1 teaspoon salt 1 ripe avocado mashed 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract 2 large eggs 2 cups grated zucchini, drained 

Avocado Chocolate Mousse

Avocado Chocolate Mousse

After a long day (or week) sometimes you really need chocolate to unwind.  This simple chocolate mousse was made in minutes and satisfied my craving for rich chocolate without tons of sugar. Ingredients: 1 ripe avocados 1/8 cup regular cocoa powder 1/8 cup Dutch cocoa OR melted chocolate chips 

Spicy Mango Coleslaw

Spicy Mango Coleslaw

Mango adds a sweetness that balances out the spice in this tasty slaw. 

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

1 bag shredded cabbage (coleslaw mix)

½ cup matchstick carrots

¼ cup red onion diced

2 scallions diced

2 limes zested and juiced

1 tablespoon siracha

Directions:

  1. Add all coleslaw mix, carrots, red onion, and scallions to a large bowl.  Mix to combine. 
  2. Mix lime juice, lime zest, and siracha in a small bowl. 
  3. Pour the dressing over the slaw and mix.
  4. Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Stir before serving.
Spicy Black Bean Corn Salad

Spicy Black Bean Corn Salad

I love corn in the summer, but I quickly get bored with simple corn on the cob.  This spicy salad is full of flavors and loaded with veggies and black beans to add protein to the mix. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 1 can 

Brown Butter Blondies

Brown Butter Blondies

My kids love chocolate chip cookies, so I decided to try blondies using browned butter and a trio of chocolate chips (dark morsels, semi-sweet mini chips, and milk chocolate chips).  These are not healthy in any means, but they do taste great. Recipe adapted from 

Lemon Lime Avocado Cupcakes with Lemon Lime Glaze

Lemon Lime Avocado Cupcakes with Lemon Lime Glaze

I was craving something sweet and I was in the mood for lemon and lime.  The light cupcakes are made using stevia instead of sugar and avocado instead of butter.  They lemon and lime flavors pop and the sweet tart glaze is the perfect topping.

Ingredients:

Cupcakes-

1 avocado mashed

3 eggs

1 ¾ cups all purpose flour

¼ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup stevia

Zest from 1 lime

Zest from ½ lemon

2 tablespoons lime juice

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Glaze-

1 cup powdered sugar

Zest from 1 lime

Zest from ½ lemon

1 tablespoon lime juice

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line muffin tin with 12 liners.
  2. Cream avocado in a large mixing bowl on medium.
  3. Add eggs and cream together.
  4. Add stevia and mix.
  5. Add flour ¼ cup at a time mixing on low.
  6. Add baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  7. Add zest and lemon/lime juice.
  8. Use a medium cookie scooper to fill muffin tins.
  9. Bake 15-20 minutes.
  10. Cool on a wire rack.
  11. Whisk powdered sugar, zest, and lemon/lime juice in a medium bowl. 
  12. Add a spoonful of glaze to each cupcake.
  13. You can leave these at room temperature or refrigerate.
  14. Enjoy!
Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto with Zoodles and Italian Sausage

Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto with Zoodles and Italian Sausage

Air fried zoodles and grilled Italian sausage topped with sun-dried tomato pesto.  This was a veggie loaded and delicious weeknight dinner. Ingredients: 2 zucchini made into ribbons using spiralizer or cut into thin slices 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning Olive oil spray Italian chicken sausage with 

Grilled Tofu Parmesan with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

Grilled Tofu Parmesan with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

This was a super fast weeknight meal that was packed with flavor and nutrients.  I made the pesto the night before for a different recipe, but even that only takes a few minutes to prepare. Ingredients: Tofu Parmesan- 1 block extra firm tofu 1 teaspoon 

Spicy Grilled Okra

Spicy Grilled Okra

Grilled okra is crunchy and can be flavored with any spice blend. Save the excess spice blend to use on other vegetables or meats.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

BBQ Spice Blend-

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

¼ teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/16 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Okra-

2 cups okra stemmed removed

Olive oil spray

Directions:

  1. Preheat grill to medium heat.
  2. Mix spices in a small bowl.
  3. Spray okra with olive oil spray.
  4. Grill 5-8 minutes flipping okra at least once.
  5. Transfer okra to a bowl.  Toss with 1 tablespoon spice blend.
  6. Enjoy!
Zachos

Zachos

These are my version of nachos.  I made a variety of zachos (zucchini nachos) by using guacamole, salsa, Pepper Jack cheese, Colby Jack cheese, and cheddar cheese. Ingredients: 1 zucchini sliced into ¼ inch slices Olive oil spray Guacamole, salsa, queso Sliced cheese (Pepper Jack