Appetizers

This crowd-pleasing Healthier Jalapeno Popper Dip is still just as creamy and cheesy as the original but made lighter with Greek yogurt and Neufchatel.  Have I mentioned that I have the best small group ever? Because I do. These are the most gracious, thoughtful, generous, kind people and I am beyond honored to be a part …

These Spinach Artichoke Quinoa Bites bring the perfect balance of cheesy deliciousness mixed and healthy, protein-packed goodness you can feel good about eating. I have absolutely no idea why, but the combination of spinach and artichoke always reminds me of Valentine’s Day. Maybe I had a spinach artichoke pizza one year on February 14th or …

These cheesy zucchini quinoa bites use shredded zucchini and mozzarella cheese it to make a bite-sized, protein-packed healthy snack. Pin This Recipe For Later! This is the recipe that won over my quinoa-hating sister. That in itself is a pretty big deal! She has been wary of my quinoa bites since the beginning since she …

These easy Baked Chicken Nuggets with a coating of Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs are a healthy dinner kids and adults will both love. In less than 30 days, I am moving out of my house and my stuff is moving to Colorado (thanks to my amazing dad who is flying out here and driving a …

Turkey Quinoa Bites are the perfect way to transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into a tasty and healthy, perfectly poppable protein-packed dish.  Controversial topic of the day – leftovers. Do you love ’em? Hate ’em? Eat ’em? Toss ’em? Re-purpose ’em? Growing up, we always had some kind of leftover in the fridge at all times …

I’m still holding onto the last bits of summer as much as I can, which is much easier to do in Tucson since it feels like summer here long after school has been back in sessions! We’re still frequenting triple digit temperatures, which has been a fabulous excuse for eating bowls of watermelon, frozen blueberries, …

These Barbecue Chicken Quinoa Bites bring the flavors of a barbecue chicken pizza into a healthy & protein-packed bite kids and adults will love. Pin this recipe for later! While most people were watching the Superbowl yesterday, I was watching the movie, “Chef.” I’m not much of a sports fan, though I do love the …

This Grilled Parmesan Zucchini is the perfect summer recipe for a simple, healthy and delicious vegetable side dish! There are certain things that must happen every summer to, well, make it feel like summer. And because I’m crazy about food, most of them happen to be edible: Marshmallows must be roasted over a campfire and …

This Grilled Mexican Street Corn with mayo, fresh lime & cilantro, Parmesan cheese, and just a dash of spice is a fresh, crunchy summertime treat. This is one of those foods that when someone describes it to you, you smile and nod and say, “Oh…interesting…” when in your head you’re thinking, Um…no, I don’t think …

This Grilled Bacon Wrapped Asparagus is a sure crowd pleaser and a mouthwateringly delicious way to eat your vegetables at summer barbecues!  My grill spent the last 5 months packed away in the corner of my storage unit. Lonely. Unused. Hidden away behind tubs of Christmas decorations and file cabinets. It was a sad time …

I’m adjusting to farm life quite nicely. Most of the time, this is a pretty busy place. People are in and out for programming, volunteering, and the animal care routine almost constantly. But yesterday was a day of peace. I woke up early, watched the sunrise, and went for my first run in…well, a long …

Halloween is all about the sweets. It just is. Candy apples are about as healthy as it gets in the midst of the bags of Snickers, Kit Kats, and 3 Musketeers bars. I’m not complaining, mind you. I love sweets. I still get jealous when kids talk about all the Halloween candy they accumulate in …

I was not one of the cool kids growing up. I had curly bangs that stuck out in every direction. And I brushed them, so I had an out-of-control mini ‘fro goin’ on pretty much all the time. I wasn’t a jock, I wasn’t a partier, I didn’t wear the cool brands of clothes. I …

Seven years ago, I flew out to San Diego to visit my sister, who was living there at the time. I know we went to the beach and I’m sure we went swimming at their community pool because I have photographic proof, but most of the details of that particular trip are a little fuzzy. …

This Veggie Pizza is a crescent roll crust topped with cream cheese and a variety of vegetables, making it a healthy appetizer and perfect party food! When I was first learning to cook, I needed very specific recipes and I would follow them to. the. letter. I was starting from scratch and would always have …

This creamy cucumber dip is a healthy appetizer recipe using fresh cucumber to make a creamy dip that goes perfectly with a party veggie tray or crackers. Between potlucks, birthday parties, game nights, movie nights, and small groups, I am always looking for new appetizer recipes to try for parties. There are usually so many …

These quinoa pizza bites are protein-packed bites that make for the perfect healthy snack for kids and game day snacks!  In my opinion, these are, hands down, the best things I think I’ve ever cooked.  Each bite is packed with pizza flavor and I can’t get enough of them!  I brought a friend a few to try and they polished …

I love potatoes. In a big way. Especially fried…or covered in cheese. But since I’ve been trying to lose weight, I’ve been trying really, really hard to stay away from fried things…and excessive amounts of cheese. These are delicious and they totally satisfy my potato craving!  I can eat 4 bites for 120 calories, which …