Everything Oats!

I swear I have been doing a TON of cooking recently, but unfortunately, I have NOT been doing a lot of writing.

Between full-time teaching, being a mommy (and I am excited to announce that we are growing as a family with another one on the way due in February), and trying to cook as much whole-food meals as possible...

Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger

A good veggie burger goes a loooooong way for me. Sitting down at a restaurant and seeing that they make their very own veggie burger, I am secretly thrilled, and you can bet I'm going to be trying it.

And finding tasty recipes for veggie burgers is equally exciting. Since this blog is still relatively new, I haven't posted any veggie burgers yet, but I'm hoping

Zucchini Pasta with Vegan Alfredo Sauce

There are just some days where a big bowl of pasta covered in a creamy sauce just sounds so comforting. It could be after a long run or a particularly emotionally-exhausting day. But as I write this, I find myself salivating as I imagine myself enjoying such a meal.

BUT, if you have ever looked at the nutritional values or even the ingredients of an Alfredo sauce,

Homemade "Lara" Bars

Homemade "Lara" Bars

My husband and daughter absolutely LOVE these things.

I was first turned on to them when my sister was doing the Whole 30 diet almost a year ago.

Mayan Coconut Iced "Cream"

You may have gathered that I have been trying to be more critical of the dairy that my family and I have been eating. As a result, I have found myself replacing cheeses and milk with some non-dairy options. As I have mentioned before, I have been playing around with cashews in my Oats in a Jar and even investigating ways to make my own "cheese" (possible future post?)

My friend, Wendy, on her blog, Fit-and-Frugal, just posted a recipe for some Vegan Mayan Chocolate Coconut Iced "Cream" (which it appears she got from Swoon) and I just had to give it a try.

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Rice Bowl

Admittedly, when I started this recipe, I was pretty excited for some tacos, but as I found myself peering into the slow-cooker, breathing in the sweet and spicy aromas, I noticed that things still had a bit more liquid than I had anticipated, and knowing that we had some rice on hand, I swiftly moved directions and decided to make a rice bowl instead. And, boy, am I (and my husband!) happy with that switch!

Rice Bowl 

While perusing the web for a new recipe that I could use my Pressure-Cooker Black Beans in, I came across Kalyn's Kitchen and her recipe for Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos, and I remembered that I absolutely love the mixture of sweet potatoes and black beans.

Coconut "Cream" Oats in a Jar (Overnight Oats)

While I was pregnant, I had a hankering for oatmeal that hit me almost every morning (well, after the first trimester and nausea had subsided). Maybe the urge came from nostalgia: me, subconsciously  imagining a younger self, sitting around the dining room table, enjoying a warm bowl with my siblings on a frosty morning. Or maybe my body was craving something found in oats: my biology's natural way of telling me that I needed a missing nutrient (...interestingly enough, it was this "reasoning" that allowed me to indulge in probably a little too much chocolate milk during pregnancy

Best Brussels Sprouts

"The little heads of cabbage," was what I used to call Brussels sprouts when I was younger, and even then, I remember enjoying them (although I also remember them being covered in butter). Yet today, Brussels sprouts don't last very long in our house either. This cruciferous vegetable is incredibly healthy for us and these little bundles of green are packed with calcium, potassium, and vitamin A. They are even a complete protein when combined with whole grains!

Almond Butter Cups

I recently attended a 1-year-old birthday party where the amazing mama had made some delicious frozen Sun Butter Chocolate Cups...that I am still hoping to get the recipe for.

In the meantime, I saw the recipe for Raw Almond Butter Cups from Oh She Glows and just had to give them a try.

Blueberry-Lemon "Cheese" Cake Smoothie

Earlier this week, my mom surprised me with Tess Masters's book, The Blender Girl.

Going well beyond just smoothies, The Blender Girl amazes me with just all the things my blender can do when it comes to recipes.