Chocolate Banana "Pudding" - made in a blender

We had this for breakfast one weekend morning, but it would be a great after school snack too.  The kids were excited to try something new, but I think next time I'll put some chocolate chips on top (like the original website photo) to give it some texture & make it a real treat for them.  I'd have it as an adult too.. I'll make it again for the family.  One batch made more than enough for me to split it between my kids. 
http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2014/09/03/chocolate-banana-bread-bowl/

Honey Mustard Dressing

I love a good salad, and my husband doesn't love it as a main course, so in order to trick him into eating it as such, I have to really beef it up.  I make this salad with "fried chicken" (trader joes chickenless crispy tenders, freezer section), avocado, red onions & sometimes a hardboiled egg on top of mixed greens.  This honey mustard dressing is a perfect topping for whatever you want to put in your salad, or as a dip, and it only has 4 whole food ingredients.  Steve thinks it tastes like the old days, when we used to get a 2,500 calorie salad from TGIFridays or somewhere like that.  It's good.
http://mywholefoodlife.com/2013/03/22/healthy-honey-mustard-dressing/

Mushrooms, Gorgonzola Polenta & Microgreens

This dish sounds way fancier than it is.. it is so quick to make, it just uses ingredients you may not use often.  Mushrooms are a great add in when you give up meat.  I was not a fan, until I discovered the joys of grilled portabellas (recipe to come soon), and then I slowly made my way to enjoying other mushrooms.. their meaty texture and taste is a good substitute when you are eating more plant-based.  In this recipe I used micro-greens instead of watercress, either would be great, or any green that you like or have on hand. 
http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipe/blue-cheese-polenta-with-watercress-and-mushrooms/

Decadent Coffee Creamer - non dairy

It's all about the little things to make a normal day feel special.. starting with an amazing cup of coffee.  I finally tried this non-dairy creamer recipe using only whole food ingredients.  It is so rich, sweet, thick & creamy, it transformed my morning cup of joe to a cup of heaven!  Well, that might be pushing it, but it was fantastic.  I could even see pouring this creamer over a piece of homemade apple pie instead of whipped cream.. It is super easy, it just requires about about an hours' forethought, to soak the cashews and dates, or just make it the night before.  I set my blender on "liquefy".  Also, the coffee did require quite of bit of re-stirring to incorporate the nut sediment.   http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-14979/diy-dairy-free-coffee-creamer.html

Another make ahead breakfast.. Quinoa Carrot Breakfast Bars

These are so great.  When I find myself with some time, i'll make a 9x13 batch, cut in to squares & freeze.  They are packable, I can send them with my husband for lunch; or take a few out the night before for breakfast.  If there is time, I'll serve it as pictured below, with a little honey & blueberries on top.  If on the go, it's a tasty, filling breakfast or snack on the road!  If I know I am making the quinoa for this specific recipe, sometimes I'll simmer it 1/2 water, 1/2 orange juice.
http://onceamonthmom.com/quinoa-carrot-breakfast-bars/

How does Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal sound? No time to make it in the am? Make it the night before!

If you are like my husband & I, we are up & out the door.  He wakes up at the crack of dawn to go to work, and the kids & I wake up shortly after, and need to get out the door to go to school.  I was really excited to try this make-ahead oatmeal because I always want something healthy & tasty, but quite often leave without anything at all.  I finally tried these for my husband and I, we both really enjoyed it.  I had mine cold, he warmed his up.  It has a tasty fall flavor, perfect for the upcoming season, with nutmeg & cinnamon.  Super quick to make.  I used steel cut oats & unsweetened vanilla almond milk.  http://mywholefoodlife.com/2013/08/26/apple-cinnamon-overnight-oats/

Turmeric - the cancer fighting spice

It seems like everyone's life is affected by cancer these days, doesn't it?  For me, in the last decade, my mom, sister, dad and husband all got varying forms of cancer.  It has made me read up on how we can fight cancer with our diet, and turmeric seems to be one powerful spice!  I'm always looking for more ways to get it into my (and my family's) diet, and this is a great recipe!  It is very flavorful - zesty & tangy.  I used it as a kind of dressing on a multigrain barley/veggie/arugula dish.  I think it would also be great to just have as a dip for raw peppers & pita, maybe even some falafel.   http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9543/anti-inflammatory-turmeric-sun-dressing-gluten-free-recipe.html

Spaghetti and Meatballs, just as good, but not exactly what you think..

My husband's absolute, hands down, favorite dish is spaghetti and meatballs! I found an amazingly easy homemade marinara, and for better or for worse, I can never go back to jarred!  ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23vfRqWOQEc  ) My Sicilian friend Mark walked me through making zucchini pasta for the first time.  I will show in pics below, but with the help of a mandolin with several extra parts, it was easy.  While roasting the tomatoes, shallots, & garlic, I go to work on the zucchini.  After grating the zucchini, you just sautee it in oil (coconut or olive) for 2-3 min, add s&p.  Put in a bowl, top with homemade marina (and then we added Trader Joe's veggie meatballs) & fresh grated parm.  Soooo Goood!!!  My husband actually says he likes it better than the traditional pasta, because it leaves him satisfied, but not "disgustingly full"..

Apple Cider Vinegar - An Old Wives Tale come true..

One of the biggest life-changers for me health-wise was adopting this simple, inexpensive practice...a tablespoon of ACV in a big glass of  cold water every morning.  I'm pretty much immune to the common cold, stomach flues, any other bug that seems to be flying around.  Braggs brand is easy to find, I get it at Whole Foods.  Make sure you buy unpasteurized and unfiltered, that is where the magic is.  If you google Apple Cider Vinegar, you will find so many uses for it, and I've drunken it daily for several years now, I can attest! 

http://thechalkboardmag.com/simplest-health-tip-ever-drink-apple-cider-vinegar

Black Bean Bowl with Poached Eggs

There are few things I love more than beans, sweet potatoes, & eggs.  This dish has all three, so naturally it is a staple in my house.  It is easy after you have done it once.  The part that requires forethought is in the soaking of the dried black beans overnight, then simmering them for roughly 1 1/2 hours before you start the recipe.  It is warm, flavorful, filling yumminess - hope you enjoy it as much as I do.  http://www.sproutedkitchen.com/home/2013/4/1/bean-bowls-with-poached-eggs.html

Pretty vegetarian dinner featuring a fun new squash..

A friend sent me this link, knowing I cook mainly vegetarian.  I had never cooked with delicata squash before, & found it beautiful and very tasty when roasted.. http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/roasted-delicata-squash-with-quinoa-salad

Quick breakfast or lunch idea - Egg Salad

I was craving egg salad, but didn't want to add the mayo, so thought about what else I had in the house on hand, so I just added 1/2 an avocado.  Took 2 minutes to cut up the hardboiled egg, dice up the avocado & season!  Has both protein & fat to keep you satisfied, plus it has avocado, with which you can never lose.. ;)