Robust Recipes

Healthy, Flavorful Food

Beet Basil Hummus

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Beet Basil Hummus is a refreshing, slightly sweet and earthy variation of traditional hummus. It is loaded with fresh basil leaves to give it that summertime flavor! Hi, Friends. I hope you have been enjoying a wonderful summer so far. How is it July already? This week we returned from our second out of three family vacations of the summer. We spent a few short days in Minnesota on a lake with Paul's side of the family. We swam in the pool, waterskied, tubed, and jet-skied. We enjoyed … [Read more...]

Vegan Red White and Blue Popsicles

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Vegan Red White and Blue Popsicles are a festive, refreshing, and healthy sweet treat to enjoy on 4th of July or all summer long. They only require 15 minutes of hands on time to make. As well as being vegan they are refined-sugar-free and gluten-free! Next to Christmas and Thanksgiving the 4th of July is by far my favorite holiday! It gives us an excuse to be outside and enjoy the heat, an excuse to fire up the grill, to catch up with family and friends, and an excuse to enjoy a cocktail or … [Read more...]

Blackberry Sage Red Wine Sangria

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Since summer has officially arrived, I believe we are in need of a cool, refreshing drink. How about some Blackberry Sage Red Wine Sangria? Blackberries, sage and red wine might sound like an odd combo but, trust me, it's pretty fantastic. This sangria was inspired by one of my new favorite chocolate bars that has blackberries and sage. I instantly fell in love with the flavor combo and just knew I had to experiment. Even though this sangria does not include any chocolate (don't worry, a … [Read more...]

Mango Black Bean Quinoa Salad (GF + V)

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Hi, Friends. Do you know those moments when you have just returned from a vacation, feeling refreshed and happy to be home, yet you forgot how to do life? What I mean is that even though you are ready to return home, you kind of forget how to get yourself moving the next morning, to be productive, to stick to a schedule and get work done. You're so used to being on vacation doing fun things or relaxing that when you return to reality you just temporarily forget how you used to do things before … [Read more...]

Chocolate Mint Energy Balls (GF)

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Chocolate Mint Energy Balls are here to save the day! They are these lovely little chocolaty, minty, slightly gooey balls that taste almost like dessert, but they are perfectly acceptable to have first thing in the morning, before breakfast. They are packed with ingredients that will give you plenty of lasting energy (as the name suggests). Guys, I get it: life is hectic. Weekday mornings are even more hectic as you try to get your workout in before you get yourself cleaned and dressed and … [Read more...]

Strawberry Rhubarb Compote

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Summer is on its way. Despite what the calendar says, I actually consider it to be summer from the moment the trees have fully bloomed and I can wear shorts and sandals. Either way, one thing is true: rhubarb is a spring vegetable. Yes, rhubarb is technically a vegetable, even though I, along with the rest of the world, tend to think of it as a fruit because it's usually baked into pies and crisps along with sugar and other fruits. My point is rhubarb is at its peak during spring; therefore you … [Read more...]

Ranch Hummus

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Hummus is my go-to way to eat raw veggies. It's rare that a week goes by that I haven't whipped up a batch of hummus at home. But ever since making my Skinny Ranch Dip a few weeks ago I have been craving more ranch flavors - plus sometimes it's good to switch it up - so I thought, why not combine the two flavors? Ranch dip + hummus = the ultimate veggie dip! Remember how, when we made our Skinny Ranch Dip, we also made our own ranch seasoning mixture? Because it's so, so easy to do and saves … [Read more...]

Coconut Banana Chia Seed Pudding (V + GF)

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Happy Friday, friends. It's springtime! Let's celebrate with some refreshing Coconut Banana Chia Seed Pudding, shall we? I have fallen in love with chia seed pudding. It's quick and easy to whip up, it's super healthy for you, and chia seeds are pretty much flavorless so they can take on any flavors you prefer. Those chia seeds are pretty amazing! They are packed with healthy fats and fiber. Allow those tiny guys to sit in a liquid for several hours and the fiber in the chia seeds … [Read more...]

Easy Lemon Roasted Asparagus

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This recipe, Easy Lemon Roasted Asparagus, is so dang easy that I almost didn't post this recipe. I thought: what's the point in posting a recipe that takes 10 to 15 minutes and all of 5 ingredients, including oil, salt and pepper - really, is that even exciting at all? Then I thought: Heck yes, it's exciting! Because this simple, no fuss, minimal ingredient way of making asparagus is by far my favorite way to enjoy asparagus. Besides, isn't that the point of having a food blog, to share … [Read more...]

Skinny Ranch Dip

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With Memorial Day coming up at the end of the month - you know, that three day weekend when everyone thinks they are going to have a party in their backyard or a picnic, but then it always rains (okay, at least here in the Midwest it does) - I thought it was the perfect time to share my take on Skinny Ranch Dip. Because, let's be honest, is it ever any kind of spring/summer party without a veggie platter served with creamy, dreamy ranch dip? About a year ago I shared my Cashew Ranch Dip which … [Read more...]