apricot pecan breakfast bars

sometimes i think cooking is a bore and it feels more like a big fat chore than anything.  but there are recipes, like this one, that are mysteriously fun.  i don’t know what the secret is, why sometimes it’s a joy and sometimes it’s a pain in the arse.  one of life’s mysteries i guess.  but this recipe is a good ol time in the kitchen- maybe because it’s just so simple and quick. and are the perfect thing to grab for breakfast when you’re in a rush or snack on in between meals. sweet & healthy goodness, these bars.

recipe and a bit more after the jump

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salted banana peanut butter ice cream with chocolate caramel sauce

confession: i high fived myself when the above happened in the kitchen this weekend.  do you know how awkward that is, a grown woman high fiving HERSELF?  terrible.  but do you know what the complete polar opposite of terrible is?  THIS ICE CREAM.  which, as is stands, contains neither ice nor cream.  but instead is a mixture of unicorn love, bananas, peanut butter and salt.  {ok, one of those ingredients is the best thing ever totally made up}

i should mention that i high fived myself not because i invented this banana peanut butter faux cream, but because i bettered it!  i’ve seen the recipe floating around a bunch, first on a friend’s instagram and then pinterest, tumblr…everywhere i turned it was calling my name.  but when i made it as i’d seen the recipe call for- frozen banana, peanut butter, mix, serve.  it was just sort of meh.  at least, meh in my book. because in my opinion it was missing TWO VERY IMPORTANT THINGS…. salt, and unicorn love chocolate caramel.  so, proceed below for more about this why this is my new favorite dessert and the recipe after the jump!

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sweet potato, kale and black bean hash

happy monday all, hope you had a great weekend!  lately i’ve been thinking a lot about healthy food, and how to make it easier for people to incorporate it into their already busy and full lives.  i think “healthy” food almost always requires just a little more time since it’s not pre-made, pre-packaged, etc

i imagine that after working 8-10 hours in an office the last thing anyone really wants to do is come home and prepare a meal.  i’m fortunate enough to make my own hours and work from home, and i still struggle with this. so i’m trying to think of ways to make life just a little bit easier.  one of my ideas for this is prepping large batches of food to be used in multiple meals throughout the week.  for instance, on sunday i made a huge batch of roasted sweet potatoes (cooked while we were roasting brussel sprouts for our sunday night dinner).  and this morning i turned some of them into a breakfast hash, tomorrow i’ll make these with them and by wednesday just when i think i can’t eat another sweet potato, i’ll throw them into my lunch salad giving them a whole new life.

do you have any tips or tricks for squeezing cooking/healthy eating into a busy life?  do you find yourself coming home from work exhausted and just reaching for the quickest, easiest meal?  let’s chat about this and share our solutions in the comments!  xx- sarah   {recipe after the jump}

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The Paloma, brought to you by Sweet Thing!

no imaginary trip to mexico is complete without some tequila, right?!  today we have the lovely sweet thing stopping by with a recipe for the paloma. it’s not surprising that this looks like THE MOST REFRESHING DRINK OF ALL TIME because jessie is a genius.  yep, i said it!  and i don’t just throw words like genius around.  so head on over to her corner of the interweb and fall down the rabbit hole of inspiration.  you won’t be sorry!

When Sarah asked me to share a recipe with you while she’s in Tulum, I immediately thought of one of my favorite Mexican cocktails- The Paloma. Apparently it’s Mexico’s most beloved drink, even over the Margarita. The Paloma is usually made with tequila and some sort of grapefruit soda, but I much prefer to make it using fresh ingredients. I hope you enjoy it. Cheers!

more after the jump!

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mini ceviche tacos by love and lemons!

I’m so excited to be guest posting for Sarah while she’s gone. But let’s be real… I’m also super jealous that I, myself, am not soaking up the sun in Mexico! While coming up with this dish (on a cold, rainy day, I might add), I envisioned what I would like to be eating beachside with a margarita in hand. Avocados, limes, tortillas and fresh fish were at the top of my list so I decided on these bright little ceviche tacos with roasted poblano. And for a twist I made a vegetarian version with chopped up hearts of palm. I think it’s fun how the shape of them resemble little squid rings.  Feel free to serve these with tortillas as a meal, they’d also be great with chips as a party appetizer.

more after the jump! 

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Crispy quinoa and mole sweet potato tacos from naturally ella

today’s tasty post is brought to you by the sweet and talented naturally ella!  are you looking for the perfect online resource for healthy vegetarian eating?  well, i’ve just introduced you to it’s creator.  so head over and get cooking!  you’ll love her seasonal recipes and beautiful pictures.  and then come back for these tacos.  because mole and crispy quinoa?  ENOUGH SAID.  andale andale!

more after the jump!

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