Breakfast/Brunch, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Lightened Up, Low Sugar, Meal Prep, One Pot Dish, Vegetarian

Toasted Coconut & Spiced Carrot Oatmeal For Breakfast

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Too many carrots from your garden? Have them for breakfast as a Coconut Carrot Oatmeal Bake. What can I say? I love cardamom and the citrusy flavor it gives to the cinnamon, ginger, carrots & apple. Like my other oatmeal bakes, this is lightened up with   applesauce instead of butter, coconut milk and egg whites. I love the crunch from the walnuts and carrots, and sweetness from the raisins and apple. Oatmeal bake is a great meal prep and if you can use your over in the summer, you can still enjoy the end result hot or cold. Add a little yogurt and maple syrup for a deliciously easy breakfast.

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Breakfast/Brunch, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Lightened Up, Low Sugar, Meal Prep, Vegetarian

Amazing Apple Pie for Breakfast

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I love oatmeal bake. Originally made by my cousin, Betsy, when I visited Chicago, I’ve lightened up the original and made it my own. Last fall, I kept making a pumpkin version. This fall, why not try an apple version? I added apple pie spices, fresh apple chunks and chopped walnuts. Drizzle with maple syrup (which you can’t even tell I added to the pics since it absorbed right in), add a spoonful of vanilla yogurt, and top with raisins and cinnamon sugar, and Apple Walnut Oatmeal Bake will make your kitchen smell heavenly and give your tastebuds a frenzy. Plus, it’s such an easy brunch idea or a meal prep for the week. Happy brunchin’!

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Dairy-Free, Entrée, Gluten-Free, Low Sugar, Meal Prep, One Pot Dish, Side, Slow Cooker, Soup, Vegan, Vegetarian

Slowly Cooking This Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

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I LOVE this slow cooker method for making soup. I usually make this in a large soup pot, sauté the veggies in a little oil right there, add broth and let it simmer. By using a slow cooker, you skip the sautéing part and reduce the oil. I made a soup similar to this last fall, tossing whatever I had — apples, sweet potato, regular potatoes, carrots — into a big soup pot along with butternut squash; this time, I did the same thing in a slow cooker (way more fun). Enjoy as the main course or as a side, the result is a sweet, yet savory Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup that’s hands off minus the minimal prep of the produce in the beginning and puréeing at the end.

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Dairy-Free, Entrée, Gluten-Free, One Pot Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian

The Easiest Weeknight “Pasta”

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Happy meatless Monday! I’ve been a little absent with school this past semester. Since we have one less class and one less clinical day, I hope to get more things written up and posted that I’ve already added to Instagram. To kick things off, here’s Vegetarian Sweet Potato “Spaghetti” using sweet potato noodles as the base. What an easy meal to whip together — sauté some veggies, open a can of beans, toss in the noodles and top with sauce. Now that I have a heartier spiralizer (thanks to the Inspiralizer from William Sonoma), I can’t wait to try making these at home!

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Breakfast/Brunch, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Low Sugar, Meal Prep, Vegan, Vegetarian

Must Have Muesli

Swiss Muesli: Three Ways

I found this idea for Apple Swiss Muesli during the hot, muggy month of August after my mom’s suggestion. It’s a breakfast that’s carried through to the cold weather, just swapping kiwi and coconut flakes for Superfood Poached Berries and hearty Pumpkin Spice Granola. (A cranberry orange zest with a dash of nutmeg may be in the future to hail the upcoming holidays.) It’s especially easy to make the night before in a Mason jar to have breakfast covered the next morning or to whisk away with you on your commute. This version of muesli is so easy to make and experiment with toppings to make your perfect breakfast.

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Dairy-Free, Drinks, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Not Your Average Apple Cider

Apple Cider Moscow Mule
This take on a Moscow mule goes down too easy. Mmmm, it’s that good. While not entirely nutritious, it is quite delicious. No sugary syrups, just local apple cider and fresh lime juice to add to the mix. I also opted for a diet ginger beer.  The ginger is a refreshing diversion from a standard cocktail. (Plus, the copper mugs are just so retro and modern all at once, and they keep your drink perfectly chilled. You’ll want an excuse to pull them out next.) Our family friends were graciously taste-testers, when I debuted this drink, and it was an instant hit. So take a sip for Halloween once it hits 5 o’clock on Friday and enjoy that Apple Cider Moscow Mule. Cheers! Continue reading “Not Your Average Apple Cider”

Breakfast/Brunch, Dairy-Free, Drinks, Gluten-Free, Low Sugar, Smoothie, Snack, Vegan, Vegetarian

The Green Machine

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I had this Apple, Spinach, Cucumber & Mint Smoothie on a sunny, 86° day. Before you write this off for its quite green color, try this hydrating drink on a hot, summer day.  I originally made this with kale, more celery and no mint, and it tasted like I was drinking grass; the smoothie turned out waaaay too green. However, baby spinach has a much milder taste, and the mint added a fresh kick. When I make this again, I would add frozen banana instead of the yogurt. This was a different take and a welcomed departure from the classic fruit smoothie. Before you dismiss the green smoothie for its color, give it a try!

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Dairy-Free, Entrée, Gluten-Free, Local Finds, Salad, Vegan, Vegetarian

Upgrade Your “Salad”

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Farmer’s Market finds make the perfect salad. Upgrade your salad for something fresh, different and a little bit exciting. The walnuts and quinoa add crunch and texture to the salad, while the fresh mint, fizz kale, apples and strawberries add a layer of freshness and a straight-from-the-garden taste. Toss the ingredients together with some olive oil and white balsamic vinegar and viola! A deliciously upgraded summer salad.

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Dairy-Free, Drinks, Gluten-Free, Low Sugar, Smoothie, Snack, Vegan, Vegetarian

Refreshing Watermelon Smoothie

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This smoothie is light, refreshing and surprisingly tasty with so few ingredients. The watermelon adds a sweet, but light juice to the mix without having to add any sugary juice or extra liquid for the same taste and consistency. This smoothie is a great hot weather pick-me-up and an ideal drink on a muggy day. Simple, quick and easy — in no time you’ll be sipping on your Appleberry Watermelon Smoothie!

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