Robust Recipes

Healthy, Flavorful Food

Carrot Cake Granola Bars

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  Raise your hand if you love carrot cake! Next to chocolate cake, carrot cake is one of my favorites. What’s not to love: little bits of carrots baked into fluffy cake that is spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Sometimes the cake is studded with raisins or walnuts. Everything is topped with a thick and creamy, slightly sweetened cheesecake frosting. You totally want some carrot cake now, don’t ya? Sorry to burst your bubble but I have no carrot cake to offer you … [Read more...]

Greek Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

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  How is it possible we are at the end of August already? I can’t believe that fall is on its way. Summer always goes by way too fast for my liking. Even though I am always sad to watch long summer days gradually get shorter, I welcome the fall weather. I do love the hot summer weather, but there is something so cozy and lovely about the crisp fall air. With the cooler weather, I can finally turn my oven on without sweating! I am looking forward to enjoying some fall baking, loads of … [Read more...]

Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Creamy Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing

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With the approach of fall just around the corner I simply had to sneak in one more summery salad recipe! If baby spinach, strawberries, cucumbers, and Creamy Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing don’t scream summer, then I’ve got it all wrong! During the summer I always have a huge container of organic, pre-trimmed, pre-washed baby spinach leaves in my fridge just waiting for me to make use of it in a salad. Being a huge fan of whisking up my own salad dressing, I have been playing around with creamy … [Read more...]

Shredded Chicken Nachos with Corn Pico De Gallo

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Nachos can often be my “I don’t have any food left in the fridge” meal. It’s too easy. I simply throw some corn tortillas onto a baking sheet, top with loads of shredded cheese, maybe some leftover chicken or ground beef. Then a handful of leftover veggies and a boat load of salsa, and dinner is served. Remember that Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken I made a few posts ago?  Yup, we’re making use of that juicy chicken on these nachos. What could be easier? Half of the work is already done for … [Read more...]

Chocolate Raspberry Swirl Ice Cream Sandwiches (V + GF)

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If you still have some Raspberry Swirl Chocolate Chip Ice Cream left after an entire week, you’re pretty amazing and I’m proud of you! I literally had to hide mine in the back of the freezer behind the uncooked chicken and the frozen fruit in order to deter myself and to make Paul forget that it exists. Since we exercised so much restraint I think we deserve a little treat as a reward, don’t you? Chocolate Raspberry Swirl Ice Cream Sandwiches. They combine the ice cream recipe from last week … [Read more...]

Thin and Crispy Chocolate Cookies (GF)

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  Most of the time when I think of a perfect cookie, it is soft in the middle and slightly crispy on the outside. Then there are times when I enjoy a thinner, very crispy cookie. What I dig about thin and crispy cookies is that because they are thin they are not as filling. So, you can stuff a few more thin cookies without feeling the guilt and the full belly that you would feel with regular cookies. You pick up what I’m putting down here? Raise your hand if you agree that … [Read more...]

Raspberry Swirl Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (V)

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Ice cream + raspberries + a little chocolate = the ultimate dessert! Look, look! A math equation that I actually understand! You didn’t think I would let summer pass by without at least one more ice cream recipe, did you? When I was brainstorming flavor ideas for an ice cream recipe, I knew I wanted it to be a little fruity with a hint of chocolate (duh). Raspberry is one of my all-time favorite summer fruits. Just like that, Raspberry Swirl Chocolate Chip Ice Cream was born! Let’s discuss … [Read more...]

Slow Cooker pulled Chicken

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  Hey, friends, how are you on this fine Monday? You all know how I feel about turning on my oven in the middle of summer. I avoid it as much as possible. No central air + oven = sauna kitchen! No more sauna kitchen rants. Read about my previous one here! Chicken is one of my main go-to proteins that we will have throughout the week. I often like to roast a whole chicken in the oven, cut off the meat and then use it however needed all week long. Juicy chicken with crispy skin: … [Read more...]

Chai Spiced Raw Energy Balls

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Since the start of spring I have been consistently running 2 to 3 times a week in the mornings. Being this consistent with running is a very big deal to me. Up until this summer I have absolutely despised running! I mean, I really, really HATED running! The only reason I ever ran was because someone else told me I had to, such as my gym teacher in school, or my swim coach in high school. Then it was the workout I would do when I didn’t have access to a pool. Running always felt so … [Read more...]

Bacon and Egg Breakfast Muffins (GF)

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Bacon and eggs in a muffin?!? Whhhhaaaattt???! You crazy?!?! Maybe. Okay yes, I’m a little crazy. Here’s the thing. I am not a big sweet breakfast person. Muffins, pancakes and cereal make me want to take a nap right after I eat them and then I tend to be cranky for the remainder of the day. That’s not exactly the way I want to start my day. This is the reason you don’t see many pancake or waffle recipes on this site. To start my day off on the right foot I usually eat 2 eggs and some sort … [Read more...]