Apple Cider Super Quinoa Oats with Cranberries

I like a hot breakfast before the crack of dawn, but am usually not in any mental condition to do scratch cooking until a couple hours (of coffee) later. But, I know my body NEEDS nourishing food, so I do a little meal prep work the night before so that I can have my “super” quinoa oats ready ASAP in the AM. Apple Cider Super Oats with Cranberry Sauce is one of my favorite flavor combos this time of year. Apple Cider Super Oats with Cranberries makes a hearty, healthy busy holiday season breakfast.

Read on to get the make-ahead recipe and find out how this combo of oats, quinoa and protein powder fills me up for a run, workout and ridiculously long list of holiday errands all before lunch. Continue reading

Skinny Turkey Quinoa Pot Pie Soup

Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving with family, friends and delicious food. As hungry as everyone will be, leftovers are likely to be part of the equation if you’re like me  – I always make too much for the feast! My recipe for Skinny Turkey & Quinoa Pot Pie Soup  is a “must make” and will use up all those turkey scraps and vegetable bits left on the platter. Skinny Turkey and Quinoa Pot Pie Soup

Another perk, the recipe comes together in under 30-minutes making it perfect for a day spent holiday bargain shopping at the Black Friday Sales. Read on to get all the details and the full recipe: Continue reading

Parmesan Purple Sweet Potato Grits with Creole Shrimp

Topping cheese grits with shrimp isn’t anything new down here in the south, but mashed purple sweet potato grits is an unexpected and utterly game-changing twist! I feel like I should rename this post, Grits Gone Wild. Plus, I love how it’s a quick fix on busy nights and, if desired, the shrimp can be left off for a vegetarian side dish . . . . perhaps for Thanksgiving?

Purple Sweet Potato Grits with Creole Shrimp

Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes are different that their classic orange cousins not only in color, but they are favorably denser, richer and offer well-balanced sweetness. Read on to get the Parmesan Purple Sweet Potato Grits with Creole Shrimp recipe, find out more about this healthy complex carb that is perfect for your active lifestyle and to enter my giveaway for Purple Sweet Potato & T-shirt Giveaway. Continue reading

Healthy Holiday Side Dishes for Procrastinators

It’s a one-week countdown to Thanksgiving! I’ve noticed that on-task, super-planning people have already locked in their holiday menus and have loading up their carts at the market. I’m a bit more of a slacker, waiting until the final days to formulate my feast. No shame in my game, I get side tracked with work, working out and life!Holiday Side Dishes for the Procrastinator

If you are a like-minded lollygagger, you’ll appreciate my guide to Healthy Holiday Side Dishes for the Procrastinator. Most of these side dish recipes take between 15 and 30 minutes to make and combine pantry staples with fresh ingredients you can STILL find in the produce department. Read on to get six quick and easy recipes that actually look like you put some effort into it. Continue reading

Gorgonzola & Dried Fruit Pie aka your Holiday Raisin d’Etre

What first comes to mind when you think of a holiday pie? For most, perhaps pumpkin, pecan or even all-American apple pie, but probably not a Gorgonzola & Dried Fruit Pie. However, once you spread a bit of this appetizer pie on a slice of pear, apple or savory wafer, you’ll never think of anything else!  Gorgonzola and Dried Fruit Pie

This deceptively easy, 4-ingredient appetizer will be the center of attention at any party, whether you’re hosting or need to take something along. As far as edible things go, it’ will become your “raisin” d’etre (haha, get the dried fruit pun?) Read on to get the recipe! Continue reading