Robust Recipes

Healthy, Flavorful Food

August Recap

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No, it can't be September already! Summer just started! That's pretty much how I feel every time September rolls around. I have this feeling of desperately wanting to hold on tight to everything that is summer and immediately do it all over again: the long, sunshine-filled days, the beach and lake vacations. At the same time I am very much looking forward to the sense of coziness that fall will bring. Its crisp cool weather will be a relief from the heavy, humid days of August. I will be able to … [Read more...]

May Recap

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Here we are, yet another month gone by - is there a way to slow these months down just a little? May was a good one. It was the first month that we have started to have nice weather here in Iowa. Well,  I should say some nice days sprinkled among some not-so-nice days. Mother Nature can't seem to make up her mind. One day it's 75 degrees and sunny and the next day it's 55 degrees and sunny and one day it's rainy all day. Really, I can't complain. I've been able to go on more walks throughout … [Read more...]

Mini Greek Frittatas

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Happy Monday, friends! What better way to kick off our week than with some Mini Greek Frittatas? One of my favorite breakfasts to make on the weekends, when I have more time in the morning, is a frittata. If you're about to search for a frittata recipe on the blog you won't find one. Hey! Recipe idea! If you've never had a frittata before, it's basically the easy version of an omelet. There is no flipping involved! Hooray for no flipping, because I'm scared! Paul is actually the omelet maker … [Read more...]

Lentil Turkey Chili

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Friends, I think I have literally turned into an ice cube! The past few days have been really, really cold. To be honest, once Christmas and New Years have come and gone I am officially over winter. The magic feelings that were surrounding us in anticipation of Christmas are now gone. We are left with some dirty, matted down snow and below-freezing temps. Now you're thinking, "Bah hum bug!" Come on, I know I'm not the only Midwest dweller who feels this way! To top off this entire freezing … [Read more...]

Cherry Almond Smoothie

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Really, the title of this post should be "Cherry Almond Pie in a Glass" because it's that yummy! This smoothie was created because I had an abundance of frozen cherries in my way-too-small-freezer. My first idea was to throw some almond butter into the mix because cherries and almonds are meant to be. Then I thought, "why not bump up the almond flavor by throwing  in a tiny bit of almond extract?" Almond extract; talk about a ton of flavor! The result was -"why do I have to share this with my … [Read more...]

Winter Kale Salad

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Hi everyone, welcome to 2016! I can hardly believe we're here already! It takes me about 2 months to get used to speaking/writing a different year. Please tell me I'm not alone on this! Of course, leave it to me to share a healthy salad on the first day of 2016. So cliche and typical. Listen, I am simply trying to help you stay healthy and on track for 2016! You're welcome. If you're anything like me, you will not want to touch desserts for about a million years after overindulging on … [Read more...]

December Recap

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Hi, friends. Welcome to the my newest feature of the blog. At the end of each month I will post a recap of each recipe I made plus my faves! That way you can be reminded of all the yummies, and catch up in case you missed anything. I also plan to fill you in on what Paul and I have been up to: travels, fun house updates, my favorite reads (blogs and books alike), and stories about our cute and cuddly/crazy cat Granite. December 31st, the last day of 2015, is a great time to incorporate these … [Read more...]

Pear Mimosa

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Friends, can you believe that New Year's Eve is only a few short days away? Seriously, where did 2015 go?! Did everyone have a good Christmas? Did Santa bring you everything you asked for? Did you spend time with family sipping hot chocolate by the fire place? Let me know; I'd love to hear the highlights of your Christmas! To celebrate 2015 coming to a close and the start of 2016 I just knew I had to make a special drink to toast with as the clock strikes 12. To me, some kind of champagne … [Read more...]

Chocolate Chai Spiced Cookies (GF)

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  I know I have been going a bit overboard with the cookies. First, I made my Chocolate Chip Orange Macadamia Cookies, then I made Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies and now these Chocolate Chai Spiced Cookies! Tis' the season, right? No complaints have been made in this Koch household. It helps that Paul is pretty much a garbage disposal. I am convinced that he has a hollow leg where all the food that he consumes is being stored. Come on, the guy can eat whatever he wants to without gaining … [Read more...]

Roasted Chicken with Root Veggies

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Hi, Friends, I have good news for you! This recipe you are about to read is a one-pan-meal! That's right, you will only have to wash one pan after cooking Roasted Chicken with Root Veggies. I guess you might have to wash the knife you use to cut up your veggies and the plates you eat off of, but we can handle that, right? Other than that all of the veggies and the glorious roasted chicken pieces with crispy skin cook together in one pan. Basically you should be doing a little celebration dance … [Read more...]