Quinoa and Black Bean Salad

For the salad:

1 C uncooked quinoa

1 (14oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 red pepper, chopped ( I usually use about 3 chopped tomatoes instead but both ways are awesome)

1/4 C fresh cilantro, finely chopped

2 green onions chopped

1 C fresh corn

1 small avocado, chopped into 1 in. pieces

For the Dressing:

4-5 tbs. of fresh lime juice (juice from two limes)

1/2 tsp kosher salt, or to taste

1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 C fresh cilantro, finely chopped

1/2 C extra virgin olive oil

1/2 tsp ground cumin, or more to taste

Directions:

1. cook 1 cup quinoa in two cups of water (just like you would cook rice) usually about 15 mins, covered until all water is absorbed.

2. While quinoa is cooking, prepare the chopped vegetables and whisk together the dressing.

3. Allow quinoa to cool after cooking for about 5 mins. Fluff with a fork. Add the beans and vegetables and toss well

4. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss well with salt and pepper to taste. Bring salad to room temperature before serving. Keep fresh in a sealed container for 1-2 days. Makes about 5 cups.

I actually like this salad hot but it is really good cold too.

PG-13 "Sugar" cookies

I was looking at a super fun blog called Howdoesshe.com

and I saw these hilarious cookies. If you want to spice up your Valentines evening, well here you go! So funny!! Here is a yummy recipe if you are in the market.

From melskitchencafe.com
White Velvet Sugar Cookies


2 cups butter, softened
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups sugar
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 ¾ cups flour

Cream butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add sugar, egg yolks and vanilla; mix well. Gradually add flour. The dough will be VERY soft; don’t worry, it gets firmer after chilling. Cover and chill two hours or until firm. Roll out on floured surface to ¼ inch thickness. Cut into shapes; place on greased baking sheets (or use parchment paper). Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until set (but not browned). Cool 5 minutes. Place on wire racks to cool. Frost as desired.

Best protein pancakes!

Yield 1-2 pancakes

Ingredients:

-1.5 scoops vanilla Sun Warrior protein (if you aren’t a Sun Warrior, use 1.5 servings of your favorite vanilla protein)

-1 egg white

-1/4 C almond milk

-2 T Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-free Baking Mix (can substitute with whole-grain flour of choice)

-3/4 t baking powder

-1/2 t cinnamon

-pinch nutmeg

-pinch sea salt

-1/2 t vanilla

-Stevia (optional) to taste

Heat a skillet to medium heat.

While the pan is heating up, in a small bowl, combine the protein powder, baking mix, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, Stevia, sea salt and whisk to remove any lumps.

Whisk in the egg white, almond milk and vanilla.

Cook the pancake(s) for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown.

Feast

recipe found at fitnessista.com

No egg cookie dough, YUM!

This is a super delish recipe (so i am told)that was a hit for FHE. I'm thinkin sunday repeat sometime for sure! I dipped some of them in chocolate, yum! I'm thinkin' big chunks of this in ice cream would be oh so good! I found the recipe at this cute blog
If you're into cookie dough, try it for sure!!

protein bars

Ingredients

1 Cup Natural Peanut Butter
3 Tablespoons Honey, or to taste
1 1/2 cups Chocolate Whey Protein Powder
1 Cup Uncooked Oats
2-5 Tablespoons water
(optional) 1 Tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa


Directions

Mix the peanut butter and honey in a bowl,microwave for 30 seconds. Add the rest of ingredients and mix together. Mixture should be crumbly and slightly moist.

Press (hard) into a 9x9 tray and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Cut into 12 equal bars.

Mmmmm!

Number of Servings: 12

found at this website

Grandma Betty's Banana and Apple Cakes

Banana Cake
Mix all ingredients together for cake batter
1/2 cup butter (soften)
2 eggs
2 mashed bananas
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. soda
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup sour cream ( I use plain yogurt)
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp. salt
Pour into greased 9 X 13 pan bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes
or until tooth pick comes out clean

Frosting
Soften 4 oz. cream cheese and 1/4 cup butter in microwave, mix then add 2 tsp. vanilla and about 2 cups powdered sugar. Beat until frosting consistency you may need a little more powdered sugar.

Fresh Apple Cake
3 beaten eggs
1 cup oil
2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
Mix above ingredients then add 4-5 sliced apples. (Betty peels them I don't)
1 cup walnuts
Pour into greased 9 X 13 pan, bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes
or until tooth pick comes out clean.

These are two easy cakes that taste great and both freeze well.

Mom's Pudding Cake

2 -1 oz. pkg sugar free lemon pudding

2 cans of pears (pureed)

2 cup wheat flour

3/4 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/3 cup honey

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

1/2 cup applesauce

1/2 cup butter

Bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes