BLT

Everyone knows what a BLT is and it is one of the most popular sandwiches in North America. It can be a sandwich for children or it can be a more fancy sandwich. If you want something light but satisfying then a BLT is for you. BLT's are healthy but unhealthy at the same time; this might not make sense but two thirds of this sandwich are vegetables.

Ingredients:

2 tomato slices

1 leaf of iceberg lettuce

2 slices of (any) bread

3-4 pieces of bacon

Mayonaise 

Steps:

Cook the bacon either in the microwave or in a skillet until done. Toast the bread (if you want) and assemble the ingredients on the sandwich. There is no particular order to put the ingredients in, do whatever makes you happy.

Simple Omelette

One of the best things that i usually make myself for breakfast is a quick and easy omelette. Today at work i was working at the omelette station and I really wanted to do a blog post about them. Omelettes are known all around the world and are very versatile in regards to what can go inside of them. Anything from spinach to pepperoni can be put inside an omelette and taste delicious but today I am just reviewing how I make my simple and quick omelettes. 

Ingredients:

2 eggs

2 tablespoons water

salt and pepper

butter

cheese

(any other ingredient you like)

Steps:

Using a fork or a whisk, beat
the eggs, water, salt and pepper together in a bowl until all are blended together. In a skillet over medium-high heat add butter and distribute to cover the entire surface. Pour the egg mixture into the skillet. Using a soft ended spatula move the outer edges of the cooked egg toward the center so the liquid egg can hit the hot skillet. Make sure the entire omelette is cooked through. Add as much cheese to the omelette as needed and fold it in half. Enjoy!

Simple Grilled Cheese

I think everyone in America has made, eaten, or heard of a Grilled Cheese because it is one of the simplest and most delicious foods on the planet. Writing a blog post about Grilled Cheeses might sound a little too simple but I want to include one of my all time favorites to my list of food. I hope that all of you have made a grilled cheese before but let me show you how I make it.

Ingredients:

Two slices of cheddar or any cheese you want

Two slices of any bread

You can add any other ingredients such as bacon, tomato, onion, etc.

1 tablespoon butter

Steps:

Heat an iron skillet to medium-low heat and add the tablespoon of butter. Put together ingrediants into the sandwich and place in skillet for 3-5 minutes. Flip over the sandwich and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes.

Classic Cheeseburger

I think everyone in America knows what a cheese burger is but I would like to share with you a healthier twist on the original beef cheeseburger. I like to make my cheeseburgers with turkey which is much healthier than red meat. It is so simple to make and if you have the ingredients and supplies then you can make it any time you want. 

Ingredients:

1 lb ground turkey meat

salt and pepper 

season salt 

cheese

bun

Steps: 

Form a patty out of the turkey meat and add some of the seasonings and cook until you obtain your preferred temperature. Put cheese on just long enough for it to melt. Remove from heat and place on bun. 

Protein Shake

If you are looking for something that is good and good for you this is the thing for you. Protein shakes are a great to go snack that never disappoint. I always make myself one before a workout or even just as a sweet snack. They are so simple and do not require a lot of ingredients. There are so many different possible combinations that you can create with these shakes. 

Ingredients:

1 Banana

1 to 2 spoonfuls of Peanut Butter

1 scoop of protein powder (any kind)

6 ice cubes

Almond Milk/Regular Milk (8 ounces)

Steps:

Put all of the ingredients into a blender.

Blend together and enjoy! It should make about one full glass

Green Smoothie

Summer is coming up and I am about to share with you one of the healthiest snacks that my mom makes and it is fresh and makes you feel great. I was very reluctant to try it at first and it takes some getting used to but this smoothie is amazing for your body and it makes you feel amazing too. Do you ever get the terrible feeling in your mind and your stomach after eating junk food, well this smoothie makes you feel the opposite way because when you're drinking it you know you are doing something good for your body. I hope you try this recipe and enjoy!

Ingredients:

Spinach 

Kale

Water

Almond Milk

Pears

Straw Berries

Blue Berries

(Any other fruit)

Ice

Steps:

Put ice, water, almond milk, spinach and kale into a blender and pulse a few times. Add the fruits and blend until combined. It should make about 64 ounces of smoothie and whatever you do not drink put it in the refrigerator for later. 

Açaí Bowl

The next delicious recipe I am going to be telling you all about is something that has gained popularity in the past couple of months. There are stores literally dedicated to this one dish, the Açaí Bowl. This dish is very healthy and health nuts from all around America love this for breakfast lunch or dinner. These bowls are customizable and you can add literally anything that you want to it and it will be good. 

Ingredients:
Açaí 
Coconut water or juice of choice
The following can be changedAny fruit
Granola
Chia seeds
Flax seeds

Steps:
Blend the açaí and the juice, add toppings, enjoy!

Tunafish Sandwich

One of my all-time favorite foods are tunafish sandwiches. My grandma used to make them for me all of the time and they are a very quick, nutrient filled lunch. Although this is not my recipe, I like to think of it as my own because it is so dear to my heart and childhood. I am excited to share this extremely simple creation with you. 

Ingredients:

One 6 ounce can of Bumble Bee Tuna

Two tablespoons of mayonnaise

Two slices of any bread

Steps:

Put bread in toaster

Use a can opener to open the can

Push down on the lid to squeeze out any liquid

Take out the lid

Put tunafish into a bowl

Add mayo

Mix

Put mixed tuna onto bread and add tomato 

Cut in half and enjoy!

Granola

If you are looking for a very delicious snack, you have come to the right place. This is my mom's granola recipe and it is loved by all of her friends and all of my family members. Another plus is that it is very healthy for you! I hope you try it and enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 8-10 cups of whole oats
• 4 cups cashews whole and/or pieces or a combination of both
• 4 cups sliced almonds
• 2 cups sunflower seeds
• 2 cups shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1 cup pumpkin seeds
• 3 Tbsp Allspice
• 4 Tbsp Cinnamon
• 1 cup packed Splenda Brown Sugar *
• 1 cup butter (2 sticks)
• 1 cup honey, agave or maple syrup
• 3 cups chopped dates
• 3 cups raisins
• 3 cups dried cranberries

Steps:

1. Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.
2. In a very large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, seeds, coconut, spices, and Splenda Brown Sugar.  Stir with large spoon to mix and distribute all ingredients evenly.
3. In a large glass bowl or measuring cup, melt together the butter and honey, agave or maple syrup.  Stir this combination until well blended.  Pour over dry mix and stir very well making sure to coat all of the ingredients.
4. Spread in two 14”x18”x3” or four 9”x13”x3” pans.  Place on racks in oven for 40 minutes stirring every 10 minutes.
5. While the granola is toasting in the oven, in the same bowl combine the 3 dried fruits and stir to blend.
6. After 40 minutes, remove pans from oven and evenly distribute dried fruit mixture across all pans.  Stir in.
7. Return to oven and bake for 20 more minutes stirring two more times.
8. Allow to cool and place in air tight containers.

Roasted Tomato Florentine Soup

If you're looking for something heartwarming and delicious for a cold winter day, you have come to the right place. This soup is delicious and healthy and is loved by all who eat it. I hop you make it and enjoy.

• Ingredients:
• 4 lbs Plum tomatos (approx. 20) cut in quarters
• 2 large onions cut in quarters and separated
• 3-4 cloves garlic left whole or cut in large peices
• 4-5 Tbsp dried basil or fresh (cut leaves)
• Freshly ground pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼-1/3 cup light coconut milk (optional)
• 1 32 oz box/can chicken or vegetable stock
• 4-6 cups of fresh spinach chopped

        Steps:

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2.  In a large bowl, mix together sliced tomatoes and onions in quarters (large pieces) and garlic – leave whole or cut into large pieces
3. Sprinkle basil, salt, pepper and olive oil and mix together.
4. Pour into one large roasting pan or 2 - 9x13 baking pans and bake for 45 minutes.
5. Place in soup pot and blend with an emulsifier until all pieces are pureed.  (You can use a blender and do in batches too)
6. Add coconut milk and part or all of the chicken/veggie stock to reach desired consistency.
7. When heated, add spinach and stir until wilted.
8.  Serve immediately topped with grated Parmesan cheese.

Mom's Banana Bread

Do you ever have leftover bananas that you fear will go bad? It is such a waste to throw out extra bananas when this recipe has been in my family for the past several years. This banana bread is so delicious and heartwarming, it reminds me of my childhood. It is very child friendly but it is also very rich and decadent. Enjoy!

• Ingredients:
• 1 1/2 cups Whole Wheat flour
• 1/2 cup Ground Flax Seed (Golden is recommended)
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Allspice
• 3/4 tsp Baking soda
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/4 cup Butter, softened
• 2 large Eggs
• 1 cup Sugar
• 1 1/2 cups Mashed Bananas (about 3 bananas)
• 1/3 cup Plain Greek Yogurt
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 1/2 cup Dark Chocolate, shaved* (Chocolate Chips for sweeter bread)
• Cooking spray

1. In a separate bowl, lightly spoon flour into measuring cups and level with a knife. Add in flour, flax seed, cinnamon, allspice, baking soda and salt and stir with a whisk.
2. Place sugar and butter in a large bowl and blend until smooth (about one minute). Add eggs one at a time and beat well after each addition. Add banana (mash with fork in a separate bowl) yogurt and vanilla and beat until well blended. Add flour mixture in 2 segments and beat at low speed until just moist, scraping sides.
3. Add ½ cup shaved dark chocolate and stir in.
4. Pour batter into 8 ½ x 4 ½ inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray
5. Bake for 1 hour or until toothpick comes out clean.

*Shaved dark chocolate gives your banana bread a rich flavor that is not too sweet. Buy a large bar of Cacao (94% chocolate) or dark chocolate (Trader Joes’). With a large kitchen knife, shave approximately 4-6 squares (depending on your taste) into small shavings.

Turkey Meatloaf

If you're looking for something that brings you back to your childhood, look no further because I have one of the best recipes for a heartwarming meatloaf. This is my mother's recipe and it is the perfect home cooked meal that impresses every time. I hope you make it and enjoy!

Ingredients 

2 lbs ground turkey

2/3 cup breadcrumbs

2/3 cop grated Parmesan

1 medium onion chopped

2 eggs beaten

3 Tbsp ketchup

3 Tbsp milk

1/4 c chopped or dried parsley

1tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp ground pepper

Mix just to blend. Do not over mix. Lace in 9x5" loafpan

Steps

Sprinkle tip with 1/2 packet powdered onion soup mix.

Drizzle 1/2 cup

Water around edges.

Bake at 350 for one hour or until c

ooked thru.

Tip: at 45 minutes take out and slice in pan to let juices finish cooking center.

Return to oven for 15-20 minutes.

Cheesecake

Are you in need of a dessert that is easy to make and delicious? Well you've come to the right place. I am going to show you how to make one of my all-time favorite desserts that I will have for breakfast, lunch, or dinner any day of the week. Let me show you how to make it.

Crust

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Use a food processor to get 1 1/2 cup of ground vanilla wafers

3. Add chopped pecans into the mix

4. Add 1/2 cup melted butter

5. Mix together and pour it into a 9 inch springform pan

6. Bake for 8 minutes

7. Remove from oven

Filling

1. Put 3 packages of soften cream cheese into a bowl

2. Add 4 eggs

3. Add 2 teaspoons of vanilla

4. Add 1 1/2 cups of sugar

5. Blend together until smooth

6. Poor into crust

7. Bake for 45 to 50 mins

8. Remove from oven

Topping

1. In a bowl put 16 ounces of sour cream

2. Add 1 cup of sugar and mix

3. Poor over top

4. Bake for additional 15 minutes

5. Remove from over

Let the cheesecake cook 

Chill overnight