I haven't had many cravings throughout my pregnancy thus far, but there was one week in particular where all I wanted was tuna fish and egg salad. Kind of random, but honestly, kind of not. I've always loved tuna fish and oddly enough tuna macaroni salad is somewhat of a comfort food to me. My mom used to make this for us growing up and since it's so easy to whip up it's continued to be one of my go-to staples. After doing my first Whole30 I found that certain types of pasta tend to upset my stomach so I've been testing different alternatives ever since. Let me tell you not every pasta is the same and the brand definitely makes a huge difference. I've tested whole wheat and chickpea options, and while there are some I like, this Green ...
Easy Chocolate Clusters
I've always had a sweet tooth, especially for anything that involves chocolate. In an effort to not overindulge however, I love making little treats that are both poppable and satisfying (also check out my Frozen Banana Bites). Chocolate clusters are hands down one of the easiest and most versatile treats you can make, plus they're the perfect portion size. I personally love a sweet/salty/savory mix but you really could use any number of ingredients. Here I used walnuts, raisins, and sea salt but below are a few more options you could consider combining. Sweet Savory Spices Raisins Walnuts Sea Salt Dried Cranberries ...
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds: 3 Ways
Pumpkin carving is probably one of my favorite Fall activities. Each year I try to find a fun design and challenge myself to make it as Martha Stewart-esque as possible and this year was no different. I jokingly told Tim we should carve an Australian Shepherd for Summit and after finding a photo online, was dead-set on making it happen. One printout, safety pin, flathead screwdriver and 3 hours later, it was complete! While, pumpkin carving is always fun, an added bonus is being able to make pumpkin seeds to snack on for days afterwards! They are not only absolutely delicious but are packed with nutrients too. From anti-oxidants to good-for-you omega fatty acids, zinc, and folate, you can feel guilt-free adding these to a salad, ...
Roasted Summer Corn Salad
One of the perks to growing up in rural New Jersey, was the quality of local farm stands near our house. Every summer, my mom would take us on weekly trips to stock up on the essentials... everything from tomatoes, to watermelon, cantaloupe and the crème de la crème... fresh Jersey corn. A dozen bi-color, in a big brown paper bag, to be shucked and cleaned on the deck when we got home. Corn has since become one of the staple summer sides in our household. Whether it be grilled, boiled, thrown into a salad, or garnishing a taco, it always has a place at our table. Luckily for me, Tim also has a love for this sweet veggie, so the summer tradition rages on. Last year, when my parents were in town, we decided to stay in and cook ...
Sautéed Shishito Peppers
If you're not enjoying shishito peppers on the deck with a glass of Pinot Gris, is it even summer? That might be a bit dramatic, but in all honesty if you haven't had a chance to nibble these peppers, I would highly encourage you to give them a try. Similar to the Spanish pepper, padron, shishito's actually hail from Japan and are a bit more mellow in flavor. Be careful however, as every so often you can get hit with a spicy one! They're the perfect summer snack and alternative to your classic chips and guac, are chalked full of antioxidants and are low-cal to boot. You can grill em', bake em', dip em', or just stick to the basics as I have done here. Sautéed in a pan on medium heat for about 12 minutes (or until they are as soft ...
Whole30 Deviled Eggs
I always love having hard-boiled eggs on hand. They're super easy to make and are extremely versatile. You can grab them on the go for breakfast, add them to a salad for lunch, or just enjoy them as a post-gym snack. Eggs are also filled with all sorts of good-for-you nutrients, including 6g of protein (per 1 large egg), essential amino acids, and a range of vitamins. Because of this, eggs will leave you feeling fuller and more satisfied longer. I, personally, tend to eat a lot of hard-boiled eggs, which on their own can get a bit boring after awhile. Enter deviled eggs; a great alternative to your normal hard-boiled option and for me, more satisfying then egg salad without the bread. While there are a ton of different ways you could ...
