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Banana Nice Cream: Summer Recipe Roundup

Is there anything better than ice cream on a hot day? I could eat it for every meal, every day in the summertime, so I sought out healthy alternatives. These recipes are quick and made with whole, simple ingredients.

Banana Nice Cream

  1. Cookies and Cream – if you make one recipe from this list, it should be this one. It’ll change your life (read: you’ll become addicted very quickly).
  2. Blueberry Muffin – great post-workout breakfast – make it even more filling by adding more almond milk and a scoop of vanilla protein powder.
  3. Cake Batter – admittedly, I haven’t tried this one yet, but I can’t get enough of Cold Stone’s Cake Batter ice cream and I have high hopes.
  4. Chocolate PB Cup – I love to add a sprinkle of cacao nibs and some melted pb drizzle.
  5. Rocky Road – again, haven’t tried this one, but it’s on my to-do list.

What flavors have you tried?

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A week of Summer Salads

When summer hits, the last place I want to be is inside working on a hot stove/oven. So for most of my summer dinners, I turn to salads.

Salads get a bad rap for being boring/girly/lame/you-name-it. But to me, they’re refreshing. Crunchy. Flavorful. Light. Easy. And they’re variable. The options are endless, people! So, salad-haters, take your disdain elsewhere. And if you’re a salad-lover like me, try some of these below (and leave your own favorites in the comments)!

A Week Of Summer Salads

Monday: Kale and Quinoa Salad

I went with a vegetarian option for #meatlessmonday:

  • Massaged kale – I use about 2 cups per person. Destem, drizzle with olive oil, and knead/massage it for about a minute. The leaves will become greener and softer (much better for a salad).
  • Roasted chickpeas – About 1/3 cup per person
  • Quinoa – About 1/2 cup per person. I prefer to use white quinoa because it’s fluffier than red.
  • Avocado – 1/4 per person
  • Drizzle olive oil and lemon for dressing

Tuesday: Mexican Chicken Salad

A good option for a lighter #TacoTuesday:

  • Romaine – 2 cups per person
  • Pan roasted corn – 1/2 cup per person
  • Grilled chicken (spiced with cumin, cayenne, and garlic) – 1/2 breast per person
  • Black beans – 1/2 cup per person
  • Avocado – 1/4 per person
  • Pico de gallo – 1/4 cup per person
  • Tortilla chips – a handful crumbled on top

Wednesday: Berry Chicken Salad

  • Baby spinach – 2 cups per person
  • Blueberries – 1/2 cup per person
  • Strawberries – 1/2 cup per person
  • Grilled chicken – 1/2 breast per person
  • Feta cheese – sprinkled on top
  • Pecans – sprinkled on top
  • Pomegranate-blueberry dressing – drizzled on top

Thursday: Shrimp Cobb(ish) Salad

  • Massaged kale – 2 cups per person
  • Hard-boiled eggs – 2 per person
  • Shrimp (pan-seared in cajun) – 5 per person
  • Cucumber slices – 1/2 cup per person
  • Pico de gallo – 1/4 cup per person
  • Greek yogurt ranch dressing – drizzled on top

Friday: Jalapeno-Cheddar Burger Salad

  • Romaine – 2 cups per person
  • Pico de gallo – 1/4 cup per person
  • Grass-fed ground beef – 1/4 lb per person
  • Baked sweet potato fries – 1/2 sweet potato per person
  • Cheddar cheese – 1/4 cup shredded per person
  • Jalapeno – as many slices as you can handle
  • Sriracha – drizzled on top

Saturday: Waldorf(ish) Salad

  • Baby spinach – 2 cups per person
  • Apple chunks – 1 apple per person
  • Grilled chicken – 1/2 breast per person
  • Feta cheese – sprinkled on top
  • Pecans – sprinkled on top
  • Pomegranate-blueberry dressing – drizzled on top

Sunday: Fattoush Salad with Chicken

So there you have it! And if you’re looking for a healthy week, salads are a great way to get back on track after a weekend of bingeing.

What salad recipes should I try next?

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7 Healthy Road Trip Snacks

This weekend I went to a bachelorette party in Deleware. We stayed in Lewes Beach, but also stopped (drank) in Dewey and Rehoboth. It was a blast!

I knew I’d be eating out a lot once I got there, so I made sure to at least pack my own snacks for the 6-hour drive. Below are my favorite options:

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Sweet Snacks:

  1. Quest Bars – These are a given since I can’t get enough of them. Rocky Road and Blueberry Muffin are my current favorites.
  2. Fresh Fruit – Whatever’s in season will work, but I usually pick bananas since they taste best at room temperature and aren’t as messy as other fruits.
  3. Dates – Also known as “Nature’s Candy”, these are a great alternative to processed sugar when you’re looking for a sweet treat.

Savory Snacks:

  1. Plantain Chips – A healthier take on potato chips, these are a great option if you’re craving salty, crunchy snacks.
  2. Nuts – Cashews, shelled pistachios, and almonds are my go-to’s.
  3. Roasted Chickpeas – I make my own depending on the kind of spice I want. Garlic and cajun are great, but sometimes just a little salt does the trick.

Fresh Snacks:

  1. Veggie Sticks – Baby carrots, celery, and speared cucumbers are convenient veggies to eat while driving.

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Buying food on the road can be expensive, time-consuming, and less-than-healthy. Being prepared with your own healthy road trip snacks can make all the difference.

What snacks do you pack for a road trip?