Author: Ashley

Honey Mustard Coleslaw

Honey Mustard Coleslaw

Honey mustard dressing tastes great any time, but when you pair this coleslaw with the right main dish it really shines.  I topped my Ranch Chicken Sandwich/Wrap with this coleslaw for an extra kick. Ingredients:  Dressing- ½ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt ¼ cup yellow 

Ranch Chicken Sandwiches

Ranch Chicken Sandwiches

Who doesn’t love a flavorful chicken sandwich?  These lightened up sandwiches are packed with flavor. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 4-6 thin boneless skinless chicken breasts ½ cup honey ½ cup Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon paprika ½ teaspoon salt Freshly ground black pepper Juice 

Cookie Dough Energy Balls

Cookie Dough Energy Balls

I love chocolate chip cookies so these energy balls are the perfect treat after an intense workout.

Ingredients:

1 cup old fashioned oats

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

1 scoop chocolate protein powder

½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ cup pure or light maple syrup

1 tablespoon flax seeds

6 dates

½ cup cocoa almonds

¼ cup dark chocolate chips

¼ cup reduced fat peanut butter

1-2 tablespoons water

Directions:

  1. Add almonds, oats, protein powder, cinnamon, flax seeds to food processor.  Pulse to mix and chop almonds. 
  2. Add maple syrup, dates, and peanut butter.  Pulse to mix.
  3. Add water or more maple syrup if needed to help mixture hold together.
  4. Add dark chocolate chips.  Pulse to mix in.
  5. Use a cookie scooper to form balls.
  6. Refrigerate for 15 minutes if mixture is too sticky.
  7. Store in an air tight container.
  8. Enjoy!
Shoofly Pie

Shoofly Pie

I hadn’t thought about shoofly pie in years until it was in an episode of Best Baker in America, so I decided to make one.  Yummy as I remembered if when I lightened up the recipe a tad. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: Crust- 

Shrimp Quesadillas

Shrimp Quesadillas

On busy weeknights a quick dinner is often a necessity.  These quesadillas are easy to adapt and quick to make. Ingredients: 1 pound peeled and thawed frozen shrimp 1-2 whole wheat tortillas per quesadilla (I like open faced quesadillas) Shredded cheese: Pepper Jack, Monterrey Jack, 

Roasted Shrimp and Veggie Salad

Roasted Shrimp and Veggie Salad

Salads can get boring when eaten daily.  This salad combines roasted vegetables with tasty shrimp to wake up your taste buds. The addition of shrimp makes this salad filing enough to be a full meal or you can just eat a little and enjoy this as a side dish.

Ingredients:

Salad-

1 cup cherry tomatoes halved

1 cup carrots shredded

1 cup yellow bell pepper diced

1 cup asparagus diced

1 cup red onion diced

1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon oregano

Dash of salt and pepper

Zest and juice from 1 lime

Spinach, kale, lettuce, etc…

Chili Lime vinaigrette-

3 tablespoons lime juice

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon honey

½ teaspoon chili powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.  Spray with olive oil spray.
  3. Spread vegetables out on the baking sheet.  Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with chili powder, oregano, salt, pepper, lime juice, and lime zest.
  4. Bake for 10 minutes.
  5. Add shrimp on top of the vegetables.  Drizzle with olive oil and a squirt of lime juice.  Sprinkle with chili powder and oregano. Bake 5-6 minutes.
  6. Chili Lime Vinaigrette- Mix lime juice, olive oil, honey, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. 
  7. Add spinach and roasted vegetables and shrimp to a large bowl. 
  8. Drizzle with vinaigrette.  Mix to distribute dressing.
  9. Enjoy now or refrigerate and savor later.
  10. Note: I served this over sauteed beet leaves for one salad and over spinach for all of the leftovers.
Zucchini Bread Waffles

Zucchini Bread Waffles

If you like zucchini bread then you will go crazy for these waffles. The blend of spices makes you feel like you are eating fresh zucchini bread. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 1 cup grated/diced zucchini 1 carrot peeled and diced 2 cups whole 

Crab Rangoon Dip

Crab Rangoon Dip

My family loves crab dip, so I often make it on special occasions.  I tripled the amount of crab in the original recipe since I like truly crabby crab dips.  This is a warm, cheesy, flavorful dip that is a breeze to make. Recipe adapted 

Banana Mocha Muffins with Espresso Chips

Banana Mocha Muffins with Espresso Chips

If you in need of an energy boost these healthy muffins are divine and contain a little coffee to really get you going.  I was just playing around adding a little of this and that creating these muffins, but I have to say they taste so good you would never know they are healthy.

Ingredients:

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup almond flour

1 scoop chocolate protein powder

2 tablespoons expresso powder

3 ripe bananas

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs at room temperature

¼ cup almond milk

¼ cup espresso chips (plus some for topping)

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 and spray a muffin pan with baking spray.
  2. Gently mash bananas in a large bowl leaving a few chunks.
  3. Add flours, protein powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, vanilla extract, eggs, and milk to the bowl.  Gently mix to combine.  Use a spatula to ensure all dry ingredients are incorporated.
  4. Add espresso chips and fold in.
  5. Use a large cookie scooper or ice cream scoop to fill muffin tins.
  6. Add 3-4 espresso chips to the top of each muffin and gently press down.
  7. Bake for 20 minutes.
  8. Let cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before removing.
  9. Enjoy!
Lemon Blueberry Carrot Muffins

Lemon Blueberry Carrot Muffins

Lemon and blueberry taste delightful when paired.  Carrots add a little crunch, lots of vitamins, and a touch of sweetness.  I made these muffins thinking they would last me for the week.  The next day they had all been eaten.  I guess this is a