Robust Recipes

Healthy, Flavorful Food

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...]

Roasted Sweet Potato Fig Soup with Crunchy Chickpeas

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As a food blogger I get inspiration and ideas for recipes from all sorts of places, but eating out at restaurants is a huge one. If I order something I really enjoy I immediately begin to think of how I can re-create it at home. It’s a blessing and a curse, because I have to resist the work-mode-trance when it’s a Saturday and we’re supposed to be relaxing. This is when my trusty phone comes in handy. I make a note of my ideas and then it’s out of my head, but the recipe idea is there on my … [Read more...]

Sweet Potato Hash with Mushrooms

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  As I’m sure you are aware by now, I am a huge fan of a hearty breakfast. Most week days I eat prepared hard boiled eggs, or quickly scramble up some eggs. Weekends are a different story. On weekends I like to slow down and take my time to make breakfast a little extra special. This Sweet Potato Hash with Mushrooms is the perfect way to enjoy something a little more exciting than just plain ol’ eggs. Sweet Potato Hash with Mushrooms is really simple to make. It only requires … [Read more...]

Roasted Ratatouille with Polenta

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  Hey friends, now is the time to enjoy some heartwarming ratatouille! I am not talking about the movie. However, I do love that movie and all of its heartwarming vibes. Seriously though, I don’t think I knew what ratatouille was until I saw that movie. It wasn’t until just 2 months ago that I tried my first bite of ratatouille at a cute little diner, called Bluebird Diner in Iowa City. I didn’t know much about ratatouille, except that there are a lot of veggies and eggplant and tomatoes … [Read more...]

Corn and Zucchini Chowder

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With Iowa’s bountiful supply of corn I have been wanting to make a corn chowder all summer long. There was one tiny problem. With the heat in my no-central-air-heat-trap of a kitchen my desire to make or eat soup was pretty much non-existent. As the temperatures have dropped slightly and the humidity isn’t as thick as butter, I knew it was the perfect time to make my Corn Zucchini Chowder. We are nearing the end of our sweet corn season here in Iowa. The time for soup making is now! Corn … [Read more...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

Mexican Millet Power Bowls with Chipotle Lime Vinaigrette (V + GF)

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Friends, I am pleased to introduce to you: Mexican Millet Power Bowls with Chipotle Lime Vinaigrette! As I may have mentioned a few times before, Paul and I own a small, charming house that was built in 1910! We fell in love with its beautiful original oak woodwork that adorns the archways, base boards, and crown molding. What does our oak woodwork have to do with Mexican Millet Power Bowls with Chipotle Lime Vinaigrette? I’m getting there. As our house is 105 years old, it is not … [Read more...]

Peach Mango Sangria

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Guess what, Guess What! My birthday is coming up in 2 short days! It’s not just any birthday, it’s my golden birthday. I know that most everyone thinks that golden birthdays are lame. My motto is to celebrate any opportunity! Life is more fun that way. So, let’s paaarrrtttaaay! Who’s with me? Well, hello, Peach Mango Sangria! Help myself to a few chilled, refreshing glasses? Don’t mind if I do!   But wait, there’s something wrong with this picture. Where’s the birthday cake? Or at … [Read more...]