recipes

Last weekend (while Julie was in Nashville with her digital marketing hat on) I was preparing my game face for a friend's game night party, and contemplating appetizers. I knew I wanted to experiment a little in the kitchen and create a new recipe to bring over. I narrowed it down to a dip for easy portability. I decided  I wanted it to be seasonal, and then zoned in on autumn fruits and veggies ... and unsurprisingly arrived at pumpkin. Yes, I'm a little pumpkin obsessed this season.  This pumpkin pie dip is on the sweet side but can easily be served as an app or a healthyish dessert. The pumpkin taste isn't too overwhelming but this dip definitely screams fall and festive. This recipe did not photograph so well, but I'm telling you it's no problem because once you taste it you just won't give a damn. Fresh is almost always best but I was in a time crunch so I used canned pumpkin I had on hand. The ingredient list is pretty short and all you need is a good hand mixer (or a strong bicep, and a spoon). I served it with sweet potato cinnamon crackers, apple slices and carrot sticks. It would also be delish with graham crackers or cinnamon pita chips. My team may have lost in an epic battle of Taboo but my pumpkin pie dip was a hit! If your friends like pumpkin even a little bit this will definitely go over well at your next soiree.

So I haven't always been the biggest cabbage fan. I never disliked it, but I have never been in love with it. Until I found the most perfect, delicious salad ever on health.com and modified it. And I am sharing my cabbage & apple salad recipe with you, lucky readers. The ginger dressing has just the right amount of flavor to compliment the cabbage and apples. The fresh crunch and light flavor leaves you feeling refreshed. Plus, the salad just helps you feel totally healthy and better than a detox. (Says the girl who refuses to try a juice cleanse because she eats too much...) Click through for the best Cabbage, Apple & Ginger Salad recipe you'll ever taste!

OK, I'll be honest. I used to hate cauliflower. Growing up, I remember having the often awful, frozen broccoli / cauliflower / carrot steamed mix repeatedly. And got so sick of the mini-tree'd veggies. (Sorry Mom & Dad!) But I found a Crispy Cauliflower Recipe that changed my perception forever. Plus, CSA cauliflower is so damn fresh and flavorful, I can't praise it enough. If you have a CSA or stop by your farmer's market and spot that white, floury veggie, I demand you make this. Right now.

I must admit - When it comes to drinks, I save any calories for booze. Therefore, I typically only drink water, coffee (with organic soy or almond milk), and homemade smoothies. When I received a batch of Organic India Tea to try, I was so psyched - but I didn't want to try all of this hot tea when it was 8000* outside. Therefore, I experimented with iced tea. Here's one of my fav combos thus far: The Arnold Palmer Makeover: Healthier, less cals & delicious.

CSA veggies get super repetitive and boring this time of year, so it's time to get creative with the summer harvests. That's why I traded my typical salad-with-lettuce for a CSA Cucumber, Fennel & Mint version. This actually came from one of our CSA's members, but I added a few extras for a more filling lunch. CSA Cucumber, Fennel & Mint Salad Recipe - after the jump!

If you were to ask me my two favorite food groups, they'd be Mexican and sushi. (Although I'm not a chef, that's the most accurate answer I'd give.) Although I rotate a variety of Mexican dishes, sushi is something I wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole. HIGH FIVE, My friends: I dominated the DIY Sushi recipe. I haven't attempted using fish since I'm terrified and wanted to try easy vegetables first, but it was SO much easier than I had imagined. Plus, my Mom had given me a sushi kit a few years ago that I stashed away and thought "yeah, I'll never actually try that...". Well Mom, I'm maturing at my cooking and finally broke out the kit - and am officially addicted. This DIY CSA Sushi recipe makes it totally easy to have for dinner OR make for a party. Recipe, after the jump!

When I took my first sip of this perfected chocolate kale smoothie I experienced a moment of pure smoothie bliss. I say perfected because even though smoothies are supposed to be easy, peasy it's not always a breeze to figure out the perfect mouth satisfying ratio of ingredients. I played around with this combo until I felt like I had a winner I'd want to make over and over. No matter, this chocolate kale smoothie happens to be vegan but can certainly be customized based on what you have on hand. I will, however, share with you my exact recipe in case you're type-A like me when it comes to smoothies! And, please don't be put off by the kale or the color. The kale is barely detected in this combo ; Yet, you still get your daily greens in! Win-win. This recipe makes for a  good snack, post workout "shake", meal accompaniment or very healthy dessert.

Okay, okay so the "best ever" probably falls into the hyperbole category. But I'm telling you guys even if you loathe vegetables and would rather spend June enjoying warm weather favorites like tacos, italian ice and margaritas (I'm getting my fair share of those too!) this asparagus really is tasty enough to almost forget you're eating healthy. Need a few more reasons to try it? 1. It's asparagus season in Pennsylvania and the tri-state region. 2. This recipe is so simple! It's almost embarrassing that I'm calling it a recipe. 3. It contains cheese (sort of ). Read on for the recipe!

Not only is today the first day of May we're also just five days away from Cinco De Mayo. (And who says you can't celebrate all week long with delicious Mexican fare and margaritas?!) I enjoy Mexicali cuisine so much I sometimes wonder if my Italian/Irish blood doesn't have just a bit of Mexican in it... Anyway, if you're looking for an easy, healthy Cinco de Mayo recipe this is for you. Yes it's essentially a salad but the colorful, festive ingredients keep your taste buds interested without loading on a lot of fat via cheese and sour cream- like some typical Americanized Mexican dishes. (Though you'll get a dose of good-for-you fat from the avocado.)  The addition of tortilla chips adds a nice crunch and  makes the "salad" feel a little more fun. Click through for the recipe!