Coconut Chia Seed Pudding

I've been trying to include more healthy foods in my diet, especially since our son started eating all of the same foods as us. Chia seeds are a good for you seed you can add to smoothies or drinks. They swell when they get wet which is what makes them so filling. They have a ton of fiber and have omega-3 fatty acids, protein and magnesium.

This pudding is made from coconut milk and chia seeds. That's it! Here are the ingredients and how I made it.

1/3 cup chia seeds
2 cups coconut milk

toppings: blueberries, strawberries, almonds or cashews, shredded coconut, honey or agave

Mix chia seeds and coconut milk together. Let it sit in the fridge for an hour to thicken and chill. Serve and top with whatever fruit and nuts you want!

I've also seen a chocolate version that looks yummy. Maybe made with chocolate almond milk? I love this healthy and fun dessert!

Easy Taco Salad

Every week I ask my husband what he wants for dinner, and every week he says "taco salad". It's kind of become a joke because I feel like it's such a random thing to crave all the time. I don't make it every week, but I try to fit it in as much as my taste allows. It's a super easy and fast dinner, and it's completely customizable which is good for us because we like a lot of different toppings!

Here's some things you need for 2 servings:
1 head Romaine, chopped small (or any leafy green. Spinach works too)
1/2 pound of Ground beef, cooked and drained (we eat everything cool on the salad, not hot)
1/2 can each Kidney and pinto beans, drained and rinsed (I freeze what we don't use for the next time)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Handful of crunched up tortilla chips on top
We top our salads with either a dollop of sour cream or homemade ranch dressing
I've also added olives, chopped tomatoes or salsa, cilantro, limes, diced onion or green onion and avocado!

The meat and beans are hidden underneath!

We pile everything up in a big bowl and top each salad with our favorite things. It's a fun dinner especially for guests, I think, because you get to pick and choose your toppings. Hope you enjoy!

My Green Smoothie

I've loved drinking smoothies forever. My first taste was Juice it Up's Strawberry Wave when I was young. Since then my taste has changed and I think most smoothie place's ingredients have gone downhill in quality...so I don't mind making them on my own now :) 

My palette has become more 'sophisicated' with varying ingredients. I have a general recipe that changes based on what I am in the mood for and what's in my fridge. Here's one I had a month or so ago. 

This is the breakdown:

Fruit, at least 3 kinds

Juice, just a splash and I only use not from concentrate juices

Milk or water, just a splash (regular, almond or coconut)

The green: a big handful of kale, spinach, or chard

A large scoop of ice

This particular smoothie included half an apple, a scoop of cut up melon, a kiwi, a scoop of berries, a splash of simply orange, a splash of coconut milk, a big handful of kale and lots of ice. I think the trick is making sure you add in season fruit so the flavor is good. You'd be surprised how much green you can add without even tasting it. The ice makes a huge difference, too. These smoothies get me full, give me energy and make me feel good about my day since I usually drink them for breakfast. What do you put in your green smoothie?

Zucchini Cookies

Actually, Dresden gave me this recipe from one of her old roommates a while back. Here's the blog. They are sooo good and everyone is surprised when you tell them that they're pretty good for you. Just mix everything together (don't ever overmix cookies or they'll get tough). My trick is underbaking cookies so they stay fresh longer. I'll probably be making these tonight because it's been way too long since I've had them!

1 c. sugar
1/4 c. butter
1/4 c. applesauce
1 egg
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. oatmeal
1 c. grated zucchini
1 c. chocolate chip

Directly from her blog:
Nutrition Facts: per 1 cookie
Calories: 86
Fat: 3 grams
(2 grams saturated, 1 mono-unsaturated)
Carbs: 14 grams
Fiber: 1 gram
Protein: 1 gram


Cream together sugar, butter, applesauce and egg. When well blended
add dry ingredients, add zucchini and chocolate chips. When well
blended spoon out onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 10-12
mins. Makes about 3 dozen.

Balsamic-Tomato Chicken

This is a recipe that I make often. Whenever I want something flavorful, filling and light I head straight to this. The balsamic mixed with the tomatoes is so good. I have made it with rice and brown rice instead of the couscous lately, because David decided that he doesn't like couscous. Picky guy! Anyway, try it. It's worth it.


Balsamic Chicken from Ellie Krieger