Fresh Food Friday: Caprese Christmas Skewers

The holidays are right around the corner, which means I’ll be going to a ton of holiday parties and potlucks within the next few weeks.  Being everyone’s Healthy Friend, it’s only right that I contribute something that’s just as tasty as it is nutritious which is why  I’m so excited to debut these Caprese Christmas Skewers at my own Christmas party this Sunday.  Not only are they super easy to put together, they combine the flavors of 100% fresh, natural ingredients.  Not to mention they boast all of the beautiful colors of the season.

Fresh Food Friday: Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Rice

We made it through another week y’all!  The past couple of weeks have been jam packed with final projects that needed to be completed, presentations to prepare for, and an unforgiving work schedule. All of that combined with Thanksgiving has left me running in a million directions with most of my meals consisting of whatever I could quickly grab out of the pantry on my way out the door.  Because of this, I wanted to make a simple breakfast dish that’s portable, yet so very delicious.  It combines signature flavors of fall, pairing fresh apples with the robust taste of cinnamon and a hint of vanilla.  Enjoy either hot or cold 🙂

Fresh Food Friday: Fat-Free Banana Bread

I fell in love with banana bread during my first year of grad school and we’ve had a pretty stable relationship ever since. With Thanksgiving less than a week away, I wanted to give you all a healthy adaptation of this fat-free dish.  It’s very soft and the cinammon-sugar crust gives a subtle sweet taste without being overpowering which makes for a great dessert alternative.  As I mentioned in my Healthy Holiday post, bringing a nutritious dish to Thanksgiving dinner is a great motivator for making healthy food choices next Thursday.

Fresh Food Friday: Lighter Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli & Mushrooms

I don’t know what it is about Fridays that make me so happy.  While part of it is knowing that I’ve survived yet another long week, a majority of my excitement comes from sharing another great recipe with you all.  As I’ve said before, I’m a total pasta freak so my heart beams with joy anytime I discover a new way to make a clean noodle dish.  Out of all of the pasta recipes I’ve tried thus far, this one is by far my favorite.  This adapted chicken alfredo dish combines whole wheat pasta with grilled chicken, roasted broccoli, and sautéed mushrooms tossed with a creamy sauce made from natural ingredients.  But don’t let the healthy ingredients fool you, this dish is bursting with so much flavor that you’ll forget that it’s actually good for you.

Fresh Food Friday: Cinnamon Raisin Mug Cake with Vanilla Cream Frosting

With the change of seasons usually comes a change in foods and flavors that represent them.  Nothing exudes fall like the robust flavors of pumpkin, apple, and cinnamon.  Both the taste and smells of these ingredients gives me a calming sense of warmth that’s much needed in the fall season’s cooler temperatures.  This week’s recipe features a mug cake full of cinnamon flavor that’s a perfect meal for those chilly fall mornings.

Fresh Food Friday: Tortellini Caprese Salad

The hardest part about eating healthy dinners during the week is finding the time to prepare and cook them.  Between class, work, and my internship, cooking is usually at the very bottom of my to-do list.  Luckily I’ve managed to come up with a few go-to meals that are simple enough to make in a short amount of time but still very delicious and satisfying.  This salad combines the rich flavors of cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella with the lightness of a simple olive oil dressing.  Not to mention the heartiness of the cheese tortellini, this salad is perfect served either hot or cold.

Fresh Food Friday: Gutless Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

A few weeks ago, one of the patients I prescribe exercise to at the DC VA Medical Center filled me in on how he managed to lose 40 pounds by increasing physical activity, counting calories, and cutting out all junk food.  His biggest vice?  Oatmeal raisin cookies.  He told me all about his powerful addiction to this classic treat and how much it pained him to cut them out of his diet.  This inspired me to experiment with a variety of natural ingredients in the hopes of creating a healthier version that he could enjoy.  Three tries later, I managed to come up with this soft, chewy treat.  It’s super easy to prepare and takes no time at all!

Fresh Food Friday: Chicken Artichoke Alfredo

Let me just start off by saying I LOVE pasta!  It doesn’t matter what kind of noodle it is or what kind of sauce it’s drenched in, if I see it I’m going to eat it and savor every last bite.  I thought I’d share one of my favorite recipes I found on What’s Cookin, Chicago? for a pasta dish that’s light and flavorful.  This easy Alfredo is not as thick and heavy as you’re probably used to seeing with other white-sauced pastas.   It’s filled with sautéed vegetables (including one of my faves, mushrooms!) and the added chicken provides just the right amount of protein to keep your belly full and happy.

Photo courtesy of What’s Cookin, Chicago?

Fresh Food Friday: Coca-Peanut Butter Banana Swirl

Friday is here again, and as I rejoice in pure excitement for the end of the week I thought I’d bring another dessert recipe that is the perfect combination of healthful and satisfying.  If you love ice cream as much as I do, you’ll definitely appreciate the creamy consistency of this sweet treat.  Best part – you only need 4 ingredients!

Fresh Food Friday: Strawberry Banana Pancakes with Vanilla Cream Frosting

Happy Friday yall! I wanted to kick off the weekend with a super easy pancake recipe that’s made with natural ingredients and will do dances on your taste buds.