Robust Recipes

Healthy, Flavorful Food

Pea Soup (V + GF)

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Happy spring, friends! I know that I keep mentioning spring, but it truly excites me - like little girl giddy excited. Besides doesn't the post of this title, Pea Soup, just sound like spring? And that gorgeous bright green color! I can barely handle it. As you know, I cannot survive cold weather without some warm soup. Even though it is officially spring and the sun is shining, the grass is green, the birds are chirping, we can still have some chilly days. Seriously, Mother Nature, … [Read more...]

Blueberry Almond Energy Balls

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Happy Friday, friends! I don't know about you, but I am ready for spring. Our weather in Iowa has been teasing us a little. We've had several gorgeous 60 degree days with bright sunshine. On those days Paul and I have busted out the grill! Not only do I love grilling and the smell of food cooking outside, but it also gives me an excuse to relax. Paul doesn't do much cooking, but he does enjoy grilling! This makes me very happy! This week, we are supposed to have a lot of rain and possibly a … [Read more...]

Apple Cinnamon and Barley Pudding

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Really the name of this post should be Apple Cinnamon and Barley Flummery. Yup, I said FLUMMERY. If you're reading this from England or Ireland (don't you love the internet?!) then you  already know what flummery is. But if you're from America, then you're like, HUH?! According to Wikipedia "Flummery is a starch based sweet soft dessert pudding". Although the word flummery is pretty fun to say I decided calling it pudding, because in my mind that's what it is.   Guys … [Read more...]

Coconut White Russian

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  But why would you want coconut in your White Russian? Why, oh WHY would you ever mess with anything as simple and perfect as a White Russian? The answers: 1) Because it's delicious 2) Because that's what I do here. I play with recipes, I add my own twist to a classic recipe, and I create my own recipes. It's fun; you should try it! Really, my true reason for trying out a Coconut White Russian is because I really hate dairy milk. It grosses me out, it always has. Growing up in … [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...]

Apple Spiced Granola

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Hi, friends. You know those mornings when your alarm rudely chirps at you and all you want to do is roll over and hit the snooze button a few times? By "a few times" I mean 10! As the chill settles into Iowa I find it's harder to leave my warm bed each morning. Most mornings I wake up right as my alarm goes off, and sometimes 20 to 30 minutes before. I know, I'm kinda crazy, and to be honest with you, I never thought I would be a morning person, not in a million years! I really, truly love what … [Read more...]

Pear Coconut Green Smoothie

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  Hey, Friends, how was your Thanksgiving? Did you eat a lot of turkey and pumpkin pie and spend time with your family? Did you spend the long weekend relaxing by reading a book or watching a movie? Ahh, I love long weekends; they are refreshing and very necessary every once in a while, don’t you agree? After all of that cooking and eating wonderful, comforting, rich holiday foods I think it’s time that we take a little break from cooking for a day. Heck, why should we even take the … [Read more...]

Seedy Buckwheat Granola Bars

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Granola bars have never excited me too much; most of them seem to have almost the same amount of sugar, carbs, and calories as a candy bar. I would prefer to just eat the candy bar and stop pretending that granola bars are healthy. Does anyone else agree with me on this?   I felt this way about granola bars until I learned that I can make my own. Now I can’t seem to get enough of them! What I love about making my own granola bars is that I can control the level of sweetness. Most … [Read more...]

Beet and Green Apple Spinach Salad with Curry Dressing

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You know those days when all you need is a nice, big, healthy salad?  Your body is craving a ton of veggies and good-for-you super foods because you ate out one too many times in the past week indulging in that cheesy, greasy slice of pizza. When I say, “you,” I really mean myself. Although let’s be honest, if you’re anything like me then you most likely have done the same thing at least at one point in your life, right? Please say yes. Beet and Green Apple Spinach Salad with Curry Dressing is … [Read more...]

Coconut Pumpkin Spice Latte

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  Hi friends!!! There is so much excitement going on right now! As I am writing this post I am sipping on a homemade pumpkin spice latte! Or maybe that’s just a major caffeine high that I am feeling. If you don’t know by now, I am a tea drinker through and through. There are only a few occasions when I enjoy coffee; it needs to be loaded with sugars and flavorings, and the milk needs to be steamed so I don’t taste it’s evil nastiness (I hate the taste of cow’s milk!), and all that other … [Read more...]