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 ...
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Crumb Cake
It was 45° when I woke up today! Temperatures are already dropping in New York, making it seem like Fall is going to be short-lived this year. While I'm generally not a huge pumpkin person (outside of my mom's pumpkin pies at Thanksgiving), I am trying to soak up all the season has to offer and my cravings for everything sweet have been high this pregnancy. As I mention in this post, I don't believe in 'diets' in the traditional sense and I never deprive myself of something I want to eat - I do however, try to eat the 'cleanest' forms of those foods when possible. Basically, if you can't pronounce, recognize or understand an ingredient, don't consume it and opt for whole, real ingredients instead. That's why I absolutely LOVE ...
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, ...
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 BLT’s
Some of my favorite Whole30 meals are the simplest to make, and Whole30 BLT's are about as simple as it gets. Literally, in the time it takes to cook the bacon, these bad boys are done! I love making these with Applegate Organics No Sugar Bacon but if you don't eat pork or just want a tasty alternative, their Uncured Turkey Bacon works great too. Both are made with high-quality, humanely raised protein and don't have any added sugars, hormones, grains or dairy that you might find in other brands. Even if you're not on Whole30, but just looking for a 'cleaner' bacon option, Applegate has you covered! ...
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 ...
