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Tropical Banana Muffins

Tropical Banana Muffins

These banana muffins are sweetened with chopped dried banana chips, mango, pineapple, and unsweetened coconut for a perfect morning snack. Ingredients: 1 cup whole wheat flour 1 cup almond flour 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 2 scoops (1/2 cup) powdered peanut butter 2 teaspoons ground 

Trail Mix Banana Muffins

Trail Mix Banana Muffins

I love banana muffins and I love trail mix! This recipe combines the two.  What’s better than a muffin with a little salty, sweet, and crunchy?  Just grab 2 cups of your favorite trail mix and you can have a satisfying breakfast treat too. Ingredients: 

Cheesy Meatball Melts

Cheesy Meatball Melts

What’s better than a warm meatball soaked in your favorite marinara sauce and covered with a thick slice of fresh mozzarella.  I was planning to use fresh beef Italian meatballs, but all I could find at the store were plant based Italian meatballs.  Guess what? My children didn’t notice the difference and loved this dinner. I served this over Texas Toast for my kids and sautéed zucchini for myself.

Ingredients:

1 24 ounce jar of your favorite marinara sauce

12 fresh meatballs

12 slices fresh mozzarella

Fresh basil

Optional: Crushed red pepper

Serve over Texas Toast, noodles, zoodles, etc..

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Pour marinara sauce into a cast iron skillet.  Add the meatballs and bake 18-20 minutes.
  3. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with olive oil spray.
  4. Meanwhile prepare Texas toast, noodles, zoodles, sliced zucchini, etc…
  5. Remove meatballs from pan and place on the baking sheet.  Be careful not to burn yourself on the hot pan. Sprinkle meatballs with crushed red pepper if you want an extra kick!
  6. Top each meatball with a slice of mozzarella.  Place meatballs under the broiler on high for 3-4 minutes.
  7. To serve add sauce and meatballs over Texas Toast, noodles, zoodles, etc..  Top with fresh basil.
  8. Enjoy!
meatballs with melted cheese
meatball melts over sliced and sautéed zucchini with Italian seasoning
Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Pineapple, Walnuts, Golden Raisins, and Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Pineapple, Walnuts, Golden Raisins, and Cream Cheese Frosting

I wanted to make carrot cake cupcakes for a friend who mentioned her favorite dessert a few months before her birthday.  I had never made carrot cake with pineapple, raisins, or walnuts before, but since she mentioned those, I wanted to find a recipe that 

Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup in the crockpot is a perfect dinner on cold winter days or when you aren’t feeling well.  I froze the leftovers so I can thaw and eat this the next time I’m feeling under the weather.  If you want a lighter option 

Hash-brown Covered Halibut with Mango Salsa and Carrot Fries

Hash-brown Covered Halibut with Mango Salsa and Carrot Fries

I try to make fish or seafood once a week or so.  This recipe was so unique I had to try it.  I couldn’t find any refrigerated hash browns so I bought frozen and thawed 2 cups in the fridge for 24 hours. The mango salsa added moisture to the fish and really made the flavors pop.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

Hash brown Covered Halibut-

6 four ounce halibut filets

2 cups hashbrowns

1 tablespoon melted butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 egg beaten

½ teaspoon garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Mango Salsa-

2 ripe mangos

1 lime juiced and zested

2 tablespoons fresh mint diced

1 jalapeno diced

1 small shallot diced

2 tablespoons agave nectar

Carrot Fries-

4-5 large carrots peeled and cut into fries

1 tablespoon olive oil

Salt

Directions:

  1. Mango Salsa- Add all ingredients to a medium bowl and stir to mix.  This can be prepped 24 hours in advance. 
  2. Carrot Fries– Add carrots to a medium bowl and toss with olive oil and salt.  Air fry at 350 for 15 minutes shaking the basket at least once halfway through. 
  3. Sprinkle both sides of the halibut with salt, pepper, and garlic powder on both sides.
  4. Press the hash browns between 2 paper towels to remove excess liquid.
  5. Paint one side of the halibut with the beaten egg.  Then press the hashbrowns on top to cover each filet. 
  6. Put the melted butter and oil into a cold 12 inch nonstick pan.  Place the filets hash brown side down directly into the butter and oil.  Place on a burner and turn the heat to medium low.  Cook undisturbed for 8-10 minutes.  Gently flip and finish cooking until the fish registers 125 degrees about 5 more minutes.
  7. Serve fish with mango salsa and carrot fries.
  8. Enjoy!
Shrimp Pad Thai

Shrimp Pad Thai

Shrimp Pad Thai is without a doubt my favorite Thai food!  This is delicious and loaded with veggies. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 2 pounds jumbo shrimp 1 bell pepper thinly sliced 1 shallot diced 1 cup snap peas 3 scallions diced 5 ounces 

Air Fryer Homemade Donuts

Air Fryer Homemade Donuts

I made donuts in the air fryer from store bought biscuit dough, but this was my first time making donuts from scratch.  Beware it does take hours from start to finish, but these donuts were worth the time and effort.  I topped these donuts and 

Butternut Squash and Black Bean Chili

Butternut Squash and Black Bean Chili

Chili is the perfect lunch or dinner on cold winter days.  This vegetarian chili packs a punch with a kicking mixture of spices.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

½ butternut squash peeled and cubed

½ rutabaga peeled and cubed

1 bell pepper diced

½ sweet onion diced

2 10 ounce cans fire roasted tomatoes

1 can reduced sodium black beans

2 cloves garlic minced

1 teaspoon chili powder

½ chipotle chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

2 teaspoons dried oregano

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 bay leaf

Toppings: shredded cheese, scallions, pepitas, plain nonfat Greek yogurt, etc..

Directions:

  1. Spray a crock pot with olive oil spray.
  2. Add all ingredients to the crock pot.  Add 1 cup water and mix to combine the ingredients.
  3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours stirring occasionally.
  4. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
  5. Top chili with desired toppings.
  6. Enjoy!
Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Cookies and Cream Filling

Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Cookies and Cream Filling

Whoopie pies are so light and fluffy.  These are filled with an Oreo and cream cheese filling that you won’t be able to resist.  These were the perfect snow day treat. Ingredients: Whoopie Pie- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder