Yesterday at the Farmer’s Market, I found some amazingly gooey, ripe dates which are almost too smushy to pack and eat on their own. Immediately, I thought of making some truffle sized date balls. I love this no-bake, easy snack that you could serve at your upcoming Halloween bash!

How about putting a whole almond in the middle of them to make them look like eyeballs? Or you can just leave them as is…creepy or not, these are no doubt, delicious. Ivan and I snacked on them while carving pumpkins at the park. Pretty awesome date I must say…

For the Recipe, click here:

Crunchy Date Balls with Coconut Crust

I am zooming out the door, late as usual! Just wanted to share this sugary, easy chocolate confection. I am planning on adapting this for Christmas gifts (maybe a little peppermint oil?), but I don’t think you need a holiday as an excuse to make it.

Just a tip… When cutting into pieces, don’t cut with the knife, instead, simply stick the tip of the knife into the bark in the approximate place you want it to break and allow it to fracture by itself. Otherwise, the white chocolate will slide off the dark chocolate!

Don’t worry about having even pieces. There always seems to be someone who wants to small one and someone who wants to gigundous one. I don’t think you have to guess which one I have my eye on.

For the Recipe, click here:

Pretzel and Toffee Chocolate Bark

Memorial Day Weekend is here! What are your plans? Like most people, we will be off to a BBQ and some sunny pool time! Here’s my first idea for an easy side you can tote with you to your BBQ bash.

These things are as addicting as popcorn. Cauliflower is one of those things people either love or hate, but I bet you could convert a few people with these crunchy poppers. In fact, mix half broccoli and half cauliflower and place them on mini skewers for some easy snacks… Maybe with a little homemade ranch dipping sauce? Did someone say yum?

This is me with my thinking cap on…Tomorrow, another idea for a sweet treat that will be the perfect ending after a juicy grilled burger and a cool swim in the pool!

For the Recipe, click here:

Baked and Breaded Cauliflower Poppers

I love Easter. I would say that besides Thanksgiving, it is my favorite holiday. Maybe it’s because my mom never made me wear knickers like the ones my brothers wore to church or because wearing an Easter hat and little white gloves made me feel grown up. Or maybe it’s because after a long New England winter, the sign of green buds on trees and the peaty smell of melting earth just made everything feel full of promise.

I love that Easter has no stressful traditions. Who doesn’t love a good, healthily competitive Easter Egg Hunt? Seriously… can you really get stressed about a game?

I am hosting Easter Brunch and have come up with a menu that allows me to prepare a lot ahead of time. I’m attempting to avoid being covered in flour and eggs and panic minutes before my guests arrive. So here’s a starter with instructions on what to do ahead. More to come tomorrow.

For the Recipe, click here:

Smoky Deviled Eggs with Bacon and Crispy Shallots

Have you ever flipped over a granola or protein bar and been perplexed by the long-winded, 16-letter word ingredients list? Other than LÄRABAR which makes simple, whole food bars, I don’t think anything holds a candle to homemade. And at about $1.50 a piece, my favorite, the Larabar Cashew Cookie Bar seems slightly overpriced for just cashews and dates.

These homemade bars keep really well in the freezer, have a satisfying crunch, and will fill you up for way less money. Just make a batch at the beginning of the week and your snack-time will be a no-brainer.

For the Recipe, click here:

Peanut Butter and Crispy Brown Rice Date Bars

I have had a bunch of requests for quinoa recipes, and more specifically, breakfast quinoa recipes. Smart people! I don’t think it’s a secret that quinoa is a superfood. I only wish that during the three years I abstained from meat, I had known about quinoa because of its high protein content. Aside from that, it’s high in fiber, magnesium, iron and is gluten-free!

If that isn’t exciting enough maybe the discovery of quinoa flakes will make you jiggly with joy! I found these at Whole Foods and immediately heard a bell go off for granola bars.

It’s been about a year and a half now since I started running pretty seriously. After years of having a bum knee that would dislocate at even the sight of a slippery floor, surgery has given me the brand new experience of stability and I am addicted to my long, mind-clearing runs.

One of my challenges has been finding a breakfast that is easy to digest, energizing and tasty. So, enter oatmeal and quinoa! They are combined here into chewy, honey kissed granola bars that also offer the nutrients of nuts and fruit. I wrap them individually in tinfoil and munch before (and/or after) a long run, These will also pull you out of an afternoon slump in no time.

For the Recipe, click here:

Honey Quinoa Granola Bars

Are you hosting an Oscar Party? If you are, I’m jealous. I will be at work, catching what I can in between shows, but that hasn’t stopped me from coming up with lots of fun little snacks that I would serve if I was having an Oscar Party!

I plan on bringing this to work tomorrow and giving it to my favorite people to munch on. I don’t think there is anything better than a salty, sweet handful of popcorn in honor of the Oscars! Packaged in take-out containers this also makes an awesome thank you gift.

Stay tuned for two more Oscar-worthy snacks tomorrow!

For the Recipe, click here:

Caramel and Molasses Popcorn