Cucumber Tuna Bites

Yummy Cucumber Tuna Bites

I don’t usually post an appetizer recipe, or hors-d'oeuvre as someone fancier than I might say, BUT I couldn't help myself because these were just so fresh and tasty I had to share with you! These would be a perfect starter for any dinner party or bridal shower because what shower doesn't have cute little “sandwiches” of all kinds! 

I also love that you can eat 4 or 5 or even 8 of these and not feel bad because they have almost ALL healthy ingredients! Feel free to add more veggies or pickles, since that is common with tuna.

Start planning for your next gathering (or just something yummy for yourself like I did!)

Makes about 20 open-face cucumber sandwiches

INGREDIENTS:

• Peeled cucumber, sliced
• 2 cans of tuna, drained of all liquid
• 1/2 red pepper, chopped finely
• 1 carrot, chopped finely
• 1/4 onion, chopped finely
• 1 heaping spoonful of mayonnaise (***you have options: light mayo, cottage cheese, plain yogurt depending on what you like and how healthy you want it to be)
• Crumbled goat cheese (feta would also taste good!) - I didn’t measure but a couple tablespoons sounds about right, adds GREAT flavor!
• Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place all chopped veggies and tuna in a medium bowl 
2. Add *mayo and goat cheese and stir until all ingredients are mixed together
3. Spread cucumber slices on a big plate and put a small spoonful of tuna mixture on top of each slice
4. Serve cold and enjoy!

Almond Chia Cookies

Almond Chia Cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups almond meal (food processed almonds or you can buy almond meal)
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 3 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large mixing bowl, stir together almond meal, chocolate chips, coconut, chia seeds, baking powder, salt and sugar.

2. In a separate bowl, beat egg then whisk in the coconut oil and vanilla.

3. Add wet and dry ingredients together and mix until just combined.

4. Chill in the fridge for at about 30 minutes

5. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

6. Shape small spoonfuls of dough into balls and place on baking sheet with a little space between each cookie. Press down slightly with a fork to flatten a bit.

7. Bake until edges begin to brown, 7-10 minutes.

8. Remove from oven and let cool before serving on a wire rack.

Enjoy these HEALTHFUL cookies!

PROTEIN ENERGY BALLS!

PROTEIN ENERGY BALLS! 

I am in LOVE with this healthy energy snack! It tastes like dessert, but with health benefits. I take a couple with me to work to snack on throughout the day or before/after a workout since it's packed with fiber and protein.

Make a batch before you start your week. You will be so excited to grab one of these on your way out the door in the morning....and afternoon and night :)

Makes - a couple dozen balls (depending on how big you make them)

Time - not long

Ingredients:

- 2 cups old-fashioned oats

- 1 generous cup peanut butter (or any nut butter)

- 1/2 cup ground flax seed

- 1/4 cup chia seeds (they get super in your teeth, but are so so good for your tummy)

- 1/2 heaping cup of chocolate chips (I prefer mini chocolate chips)

- 1 teaspoon vanilla

- 1/2 cup honey

- 1/2 overflowing cup of toasted shredded coconut (I speed coconut on a baking sheet and bake at 350 for 7ish minutes, make sure to toss around so the edges don't burn)

Directions:

Mix all ingredients really good in a large bowl with a spatula or with your hands. Refrigerate for about 20 or so minutes before rolling into balls. I put all the balls in a tightly sealed tupperware and store in either the fridge or freezer, whatever you prefer.

THEN......EAT!  :)

Banana Almond Oatmeal Cups

BANANA ALMOND BAKED OATMEAL CUPS

Sadly, I can’t take credit for the delectable muffin images on my post, BUT I have an excuse I promise! My muffins were eaten before I could take a picture!!! They were oh-so-tasty and oh-so-HEALTHY! Obviously I’m pretty excited about them. :) 

I made these for a family brunch and they were great on their own or with a dollop of honey greek yogurt on top with berries. YUM. Feel free to add some nuts or chocolate chips or whatever you think sounds fun to this recipe. 

Recipe inspiration/muffin image from: 

http://www.coffeeandquinoa.com

Total Time: 35 mins

Yields: 24 muffin-sized cups

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup peanut butter (You could use any nut butter)

4 mashed ripe bananas + 1 extra banana, sliced

3 cups old-fashioned oats

1 1/2 cups milk (I used 2%, but any milk works!)

1/4 cup honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 spoonfuls of chia seeds

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1 cup raw sliced almonds

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375. Grease a muffin tin with   baking spray.

2. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir until thoroughly combined. Spoon about 3/4 full into muffin cups. Top with a slice of banana in the middle.

3. Place on rack in the center of the oven and bake until oatmeal cups are firm to the touch, about 20-25 minutes.

4. Wait several minutes for oatmeal cups to cool before running a knife around the edges and removing them from the tin. Serve hot or let cool on wire rack.

Enjoy for breakfast or a snack!

Layered Vegetable Dish (Vegetable Tian)

Layered Vegetable Dish

(Aka Vegetable Tian)

Get ready for a delicious, healthy, garlicky, veggie dish that would be a perfect entrée or side dish to roasted chicken or chicken sausage. This also makes a ton, it fed my husband and I for about 6 meals. I put some leftovers on a bed of spinach for lunch, so you got some options!

Feel free to add any herbs or spices that fit your fancy, however, if I do say so myself, the garlic and thyme make a pretty good match.

Recipe inspiration from good ole' Pinterest: Vegetable Tian 

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 medium yellow onion (finely diced)

1 tsp minced garlic (minced)

2 medium zucchinis

2 medium yellow squash

2 medium potatoes

2 medium sweet potatoes

1 medium tomato

1 tsp dried thyme

Salt & pepper to taste

1/2 cup cheddar cheese

1/2 cup parmesan or romano cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Add olive oil to your skillet. Once hot, add diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté until softened (about five minutes).
2. Meanwhile, start thinly slicing the rest of the vegetables (zucchini, squash, potatoes and tomato)
3. Spray the inside of a 9x12in baking dish with non-stick spray. Spread the softened onion and garlic in the bottom of the dish. Place the thinly sliced vegetables in the baking dish vertically, in an alternating pattern. Sprinkle generously with salt, pepper, and thyme.
4. Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, top with both cheeses and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.

YUM! Enjoy!

White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

These are the perfect treat to get you in the mood for the holidays! They look festive, too! I would also suggest dipping them in chocolate halfway for a little extra sweetness. 

HAPPY BAKING AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2 cups all-purpose Gold Medal flour

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

1 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 cup white chocolate chips

2/3 cup crushed candy canes

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray cookie sheet with olive or coconut oil spray.

2. Combine flours, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl and set aside.

3. Cream butter, coconut oil and sugars together until combined. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth. Slowly mix in the dry ingredients. Stir in the white chocolate chips and candy canes.

4. Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of dough on prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cookies are golden around the edges, but still soft in the center. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire rack and cool completely.

ENJOY!

Full Body Interval Workout

30 Second Interval Full Body Workout

Quick, easy, AWESOME.

RAWR, just kidding, this isn’t scary! I call it the 30 second Interval Full Body workout (Super original huh! Haha). Now, don't get too excited because that doesn't mean the workout is 30 seconds, BUT, you'll watch the clock and do each exercise for 30 seconds without a break in between. Then get a quick sip of water and do it again.....and then one more time for a total of 3 sets!

I love fast workouts because not everyone has a lot of time in the day to fit it in, BUT it is the best thing we can do for our bodies, in addition to eating healthy. Let's take care of ourselves, especially during the holiday season when we inevitably will be baking, cooking and eating more than normal.....which is so fun, but with a healthy balance.

You'll need:
Yoga Mat
Bench or chair
Exercise Ball

Ready Set GO!

Quick warm-up:
30 jumping jacks
30 high knees
30 butt kickers
30 opposite elbow to opposite knee

WORKOUT: 30 seconds each - no rest!

1.     Fast Squats

2.     Hip Raises (feet on chair or bench)

3.     Tricep Dips (on bench or chair)

4.     Curtsy lunges (or regular lunges - in place alternating legs)

5.     On all fours - right leg pulse towards ceiling

6.     Left leg pulses towards ceiling

7.     Plank

8.     Crunches with opposite leg pull

9.     Fast Russian Twist (legs off the ground)

Total time including warm-up and short break in between sets (~18 minutes). 

YOU CAN DO IT!