Healthy Chicks

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craving fall?

Now that it’s fall, I find myself craving different types of foods. Instead of lemonade and a salad with grilled chicken, I want comfort food. You know, chicken soup for the soul, roasted squash and pumpkin spice lattes. So today I thought I’d share with you some of my personal fall recipe creations. Hope you enjoy!

If You’re Craving Hearty & Wholesome: The “Healthy Chick” Chili

If You’re Craving Seasonal & Soothing: Baked Butternut Squash with Garlic Sauteed Vegetables

If You’re Craving Soothing & Comforting: Autumn Chicken Veggie Soup

If You’re Craving Sweet ‘n’ Light: The Perfect Chai Tea Latte

If You’re Craving Savory & Saucy: Sweetie Pie’s “Spaghetti” & Turkey Meatballs

If You’re Craving Pumpkin & Chocolate & Ooey Gooey Goodness: Gluten Free Chocolate Pumpkin Oat Muffins … Read More!

Yesterday evening, there was no doubt fall was in the air. That’s why I decided to embrace the crisp weather and whip up an autumnal fall feast. I was craving salmon, so I based my dinner around the fish and my thinking cap went into full-fledged action. In a few minutes, I came up with a brilliant idea to make a baked cajun salmon with mango salsa, paired with roasted parmesan cauliflower and finally a kale & avocado salad.

Want to mimic last night’s dinner for yourself?

Here’s how:

Fresh Kale & Avocado Salad

• Bunch of fresh green kale
• 1 avocado, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 3 TB olive oil
• 1/4 c. fresh shredded parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
• salt & pepper
• juice of 1/2 lemon
• handful pinenuts (optional)

~Mix ingredients together thoroughly, and chill for about an hour before serving (to give time for olive oil & lemon to soak up for ultimate flavor)

Roasted Parmesan & Garlic Cauliflower

• 1 head cauliflower, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• handful of parmesan cheese (to taste)
• salt & pepper
• 1 tsp. cajun seasoning
• olive oil

1. Spread cauliflower out on a coated baking sheet. Top with garlic, parmesan cheese, cajun, … Read More!

• 1 can of pumpkin
• 1/2 c. Almond milk
• 2 eggs

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This is a post from the past, but it’s been burried for far too long and I felt today was the perfect crisp day to bring it back. You see it advertised all the time at Starbucks and other snazzy cafes: the infamous Chai Tea Latte. But there’s no need to travel to a cafe and spend money, time and fuss to enjoy the same flavor you can at home!

Drink this alternative, yet just as delicious, beverage after dinner to end your meal with something sweet ‘n’ tasty, or cozy up with this delicious cup o’ tea any time you need to warm up. Alas, the simple recipe for a perfect fall drink…enjoy!

• 1 c. organic vanilla soy milk or almond milk
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 black tea bag (green tea works too!)

1. Microwave the milk in a microwave safe mug for 1 1/2 minutes.

2. Seep the tea bag in the milk for 2 to 5 minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea.

3. Stir in the nutmeg and cinnamon. . . enjoy! (Really it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!)

XoXo,

… Read More!

To me, there’s nothing so relaxing (and yet oh so gratifying ) as taking the time to create a delicious dinner for yourself. Add a bottle of red wine and some soothing music in the background and call it a party. Last night I had my very own gluten free pizza extravaganza with me, myself and I, and let’s just say it was quite the experience.

I started off my evening with some Ingrid Michaelson on Jango, playing various artists like Snow Patrol, Cold Play, The Beatles and Cat Stevens as well.

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As I prepped the ingredients to make the pizza dough using Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Pizza Crust Mix, I opened up a bottle of a California Menage a Trois Red Wine. Although I am embarrassed to admit, this was the very first bottle of wine I ever opened. Let’s just say, I completely attacked the cork. However, I managed to pull through and the wine tasted absolutely fabulous nonetheless.

[next time I’ll leave the corking to my sister or The Boy]

Once the wine started kicking in, I began to prep the ingredients for the pizza pie! I chose to split the dough … Read More!

So remember how yesterday I was talking about my “clean eating” plan? Well, I’m happy to say that after a day of eating just so, I feel good as new. Thanks to this recipe I created, I was able to have a clean, yet fulfilling lunch yesterday afternoon. It not only satisfied my taste buds, but also left me feeling energized, refreshed and fulfilled.

Alas, the Super Clean Chickpea Salad was born. Hope you enjoy!

[who said clean eating had to be boring?]

What Ya Need

• 1/2 c. chickpeas, drained
• 1 c. baby spinach or mixed greens
• 1/2 medium tomato, diced
• 1 small can tuna in water, drained & mixed with 1 TB dijon mustard (optional)
• 1 TB olive oil
• pinch of shredded parmesan cheese (optional)
• lemon juice to taste
• salt & pepper

1. Top salad plate with baby spinach or mixed greens. Add in chickpeas and diced tomatoes.

2. Mix tuna with a fork, and optional dijon mustard and add onto plate.

3. Top with a simple dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, salt & pepper. Shake on optional parmesan cheese.

~Serve with a nice big glass of lemon water… Read More!

There is nothing like a tuna melt that brings that warm, fuzzy feeling to my soul (and my taste buds). The best part about tuna melts is you really can do so much with them. Gone are the days of bland tuna, mayo & American cheese, as there are now so many endless combos. Tonight I put together what I had left in the fridge to create this killer tuna melt combination. The best part? It contains absolutely NO mayo, yet still tastes just as decadent. Enjoy!

Open Faced Tuna Melt with Dill Havarti & Apple

What Ya Need:

• 1 can low sodium solid tuna in water, drained
• 1 slice plain Ezekiel bread
• 1/2 TB garlic Dijon mustard, or flavored mustard of choice
• about 1 oz. dill havarti cheese, sliced
• 1/2 granny smith apple, sliced thin
• 1/4 c. cucumber, sliced thin
• few shakes of dill, dried

1. Combine tuna with mustard and mix well. Spread onto bread, and top with sliced dill havarti cheese. Toast until cheese is melted, and bread is crispy.

2. Top with apple and cucumber slices, and season with dill to taste.

~Serve with low-sodium tortilla chips and leftover apple slices.

What’s your favorite tuna melt … Read More!

Picture this scenario: You go to a restaurant with high expectations, and immediately order your favorite thing on the menu be it a large spinach salad with feta and chicken or your go-to Chicken Parmesan. Hunger fills your mind, as you fiddle your fork and sip on your water in anticipation for your meal to arrive. Then it comes and, well, it’s just not that good. It’s mediocre at best. There’s either too much sauce, or not enough sauce, or lacking any “zest.” You immediately think to yourself, “I could have made this dish a heck of a lot better myself, and saved a couple bucks too.”

Sound familiar?

I’m sure it does.

Don’t get me wrong. I adore wining and dining, when it’s done right. I’ll never attempt to make my own sushi, because I could never compete with the hole-in-the-wall place down the street from me that makes it perfectly every single time. And there’s nothing like a superb Italian restaurant, or eating at a 5-star seafood joint. There’s a time and a place for everything.

However, sometimes it’s nice – and much more practical – to just do it yourself, the way you want it.

In fact, … Read More!