Our Favorite Chia Pudding!

Chia seed pudding is a healthy pudding made with rich in fiber chia seeds, some type of milk, a little sweetener, and optional flavorings and toppings. It is usually made from vegan ingredients and it's easy as can be to make!

All the ingredients are simply mixed together in a jar or bowl then rested overnight in the fridge so chia seeds have time to plump and soften. Then the next day it's ready to enjoy and you end with the perfect consistency and texture.

I didn't used to care much for chia pudding but that was until I started adding canned coconut milk (in addition to a non-dairy milk) for an extra boost of creamy richness, and also I added some flavorful extract (my favorite is coconut here).

I found it doesn't need a whole lot of either to really take it from bland and boring to something you'll actually crave.

Then of course, to really highlight it, I recommend finishing it with fresh diced fruit (or puree). My favorites are peaches or mangoes, especially with this coconut vibe we have going.

But truly it's a blank canvas, start with the main base then finish it off with toppings to your hearts content. And for more of a dessert, be sure to try the tempting chocolate variation as well!

A Quick and Easy Granola Recipe!

Sometimes I just don't have the patience for how long a lengthy-cook time granola traditionally takes in the oven. And so I set out to test granola over the stovetop to see if I could get a similar result in a fraction of the time.

And believe it or not it works! It's sweet, nutty, crisp, toasty, made with nutritious ingredients, and deliciously fresh. In other words much better than what you buy in a box or bag.

Plus it makes a smaller batch because you may not always need a big batch of granola.

There are endless ways to use it, or you can simply snack on it plain because it's completely irresistible!

Ways to Use This Homemade Granola

• Add to yogurt or finish it over berry parfaits.
• Toss into a berry salad instead of croutons (love this one!).
• Bake some diced, lightly sweetened fruit and use this for a finish.
• Add to grilled fruit, such as peaches with mascarpone.
• Sprinkle over ice cream, a banana split, or pudding.
• Dip fruit into a fruit dip or caramel dip then dunk in the granola.

An Easy Rigatoni Recipe!

A quick dinner perfect for busy days! This Italian inspired baked rigatoni is the ultimate comfort food after a long day.

It's cheesy, beefy, generously coated in a vibrant tomato-y sauce, and full of tempting pasta carb-y goodness. Checks all the boxes for a simple yet incredibly tasty dinner.

Serve up a mostly homemade dish (we cheat with a jar of pasta sauce) that everyone can agree on. And honestly it's so easy that it's almost more of a guide than a recipe.

You'll love that you get most of those crave-able lasagna flavors here without near the the amount hassle.

Serve it with a side salad or some steamed veggies to complete the simple dinner, and maybe garlic bread if you are in an extra comfort food mood.

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

A simple treat that makes enough for a small crowd or dessert you can enjoy throughout the busy week. These pumpkin bars are one of my favorite things to make this time of year!

They have the perfect medium density to them. I switched from oil to butter, and cut back on the leavening and the eggs from 4 to 2 (vs. the traditional recipe).

They have just the right level of sweetness. We use a combo of caramel-like brown sugar and granulated sugar. Then of course powdered sugar for the frosting. This is a dessert after all.

And you'll find they have plenty enough spice and pumpkin flavor. I'm not a fan of pumpkin recipes that try to use just a little pumpkin for a chewy texture or something. You might as well just make a spiced dessert and not even waste that can of pumpkin.

Then of course what would they be without that dreamy frosting? It's a decadent finishing touch that really leaves everyone craving more.

You'll love how easy these are to make, plus they freeze well too.

I think they ought to be the first thing on the fall to do list this year!

Baked Zucchini Noodles

While there are several ways to cook zucchini noodles, I think oven baking is easily the best way to go.

The other options are boiling and sauteing but they each have a downside. Boiling will mute the flavor plus they'll end up watery. And with sauteing they don't cook as evenly.

The great thing here is cooking them in the oven is about as easy as it gets! You don't have to toss constantly, you don't have to tend to them super closely, and it will get a large quantity cooked at once.

It's a straightforward method that consistently yields great results. And it's an excellent way to use up an abundance of zucchini and fit more veggies into your diet.

Sauces to Serve with Zoodles

• Beefy Spaghetti Sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• Marinara
• Alfredo Sauce (lighten up with more milk, less cream, and a little less butter if desired. Thicken with an extra 1/2 Tbsp flour).
• Basil Pesto
• Vodka Sauce
• Peanut Sauce
• Sesame Sauce

Winning Broiled Salmon

My favorite way to make broiled salmon! I've long been partial to that honey-lime combo with salmon and here it was the clear winner vs. other marinades.

It perfectly highlights the flavors of salmon and the honey assists in encouraging browning. Then the final touch of spices and one extra layer of flavor.

This recipe is a breeze to prepare yet the end result is perfectly impressive and even restaurant worthy.

You get a tender, flaky, buttery interior and a gorgeously browned exterior with crisp edges, similar to a grill-kissed flavor. So much to love in every bite!

Serve it with coconut rice (or plain jasmine rice) and sauteed vegetables (such as bell peppers, corn, red onion and squash), or a black bean and corn salad to complete it.

Mediterranean Couscous Salad

Another salad recipe to add to the rotation! This one is made with fine tender couscous, a rich olive oil dressing, and the perfect pairing of bright tomatoes, cucumbers and herbs.

It has a delicious Mediterranean flavor that pairs exceptionally well with seafood and chicken.

It's also very versatile and you can swap and add other ingredients like chick peas or pine nuts (see ideas in variations below).

Here you got lots of nutritious ingredients in this tasty salad that you'll feel great about eating! It makes a great lunch or delicious dinner side dish.

Easy Yogurt Chicken Marinade

You can never have too many marinade recipes to really upgrade chicken. This middle eastern style chicken marinade is made with healthy ingredients that all come together so well.

It is one of my latest favorites with it's perfect blend of tang, well seasoned spice flavor, touch of garlic, and a final upgrade of cilantro.

As with just about any marinade, it's a cinch to prepare and it really takes plain chicken to a whole new level.

Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a weekend family barbecue with all your favorite summer sides.

You may as well go through some veggies on the grill while you've got the chicken going too, or pair it with my go-to veggie couscous recipe.

Tortellini with Fresh Summer Vegetables

Who doesn't love a good tortellini recipe? The cozy goodness of that cheesy filled pasta wrapped up snug in its neat, unique, bite size little shape is the perfect canvas for a plethora of finishing touches.

I mean it's cheese + pasta so you're always off to a good start.

Not to mention a recipe that uses store-bought tortellini begins with a major shortcut and is usually always a breeze. This one I'm sharing here is no exception.

You just cook the tortellini, saute the veggies, toss them both together with some sauce, cheese and herbs and voila! A super satisfying dinner in no time.

This one in all it's summery glory is practically guaranteed to become a family favorite!

Made with an Easy Balsamic Chicken Marinade

I think the best way to make balsamic chicken is to soak it in a flavorful marinade, then finish it on the grill for a light char and caramelization.

The chicken ends with a nice tang, a very faint and mellow sweetness, and distinctive tantalizing flavor. When balsamic vinegar is involved you know it's going to be good, right?

Here you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts. I've tried each and I think each one has their benefit.

Thighs of course are more tender and juicy, breasts seem to soak up a bit more of that marinade flavor. So use whichever you prefer.

Either way you'll have a win with this one!

Serve with a side of my favorite parmesan roasted potatoes, or steamed or roasted broccoli. Another option is as I've done here (shown below) paired with roasted asparagus, tomatoes and a finish of feta.