roasted acorn squash

Is there anything better than something that looks like a heart to warm your heart? Sorry, couldn't help myself.

In all seriousness (yes this is a very serious matter), roasted acorn squash is one of my favorite go-to veggies. It's a great snack or side dish, it's easy to make and super healthy!

All you need is:

LOVE. Sorry, couldn't help myself again.

All you really need is:

- acorn squash

- olive oil (or coconut oil)
- salt, pepper

- garlic powder

All you do is:

slice the acorn squash in half using a large butcher knife.

scoops out the seeds & stringy stuff with a large spoon.

score with knife like a checkerboard.

spray with olive oil (or spread thin layer of coconut oil.)

sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

 place on baking pan with edges. pour 1/4 inch water into pan.
(yes, the acorn squash sits right on the water!)

 bake at 400 degrees for one hour until golden brown.

and enjoy!

If you wanna get real fancy, you can top with a little Artisana Raw Coconut Butter. But be careful, you can't just have a little of that stuff!

Also, if you prefer a sweeter alternative, you can skip the pepper and instead top with any combination of the following:

- cinnamon

- honey

- agave nectar

- coconut sugar

- and, of course, coconut butter!

Wintery goodness. A hassle-free dish for your (hopefully not) harried holiday season!

simply guacamole.

I'm a Texas girl. I love me some guacamole. There's nothin' like fresh table-side-made (you know what I mean) guacamole from a great Mexican food restaurant. But it's just as delicious and easy to make at home! 

Here's my easy homemade guac recipe:

simply guacamole.

ingredients:

-avocados

-limes

-salsa

-dried herbs

instructions:

wash and dry avocados and limes.

slice and dice avocados.

squeeze lime juice onto avocado.

(I use a 1:1 avocado/lime ratio)

cover with salsa of your choice.

sprinkle herbs of your choice.

(I use pepper, dill, and oregano)

using a knife and fork, slice and dice mixture (I prefer this to mashing it) until it reaches your desired consistency.

garnish with lime.

simple. fresh. easy. healthy.

enjoy!

apricots with coconut butter and cinnamon

So, it's Monday. I don't know about you, but on a Monday - and a Monday after a holiday weekend no less - sometimes I need a little something sweet to brighten my day...  or bright to sweeten my day. See what I did there?

There's nothing better than fresh fruit from the farmer's market in the summer. Okay, so I didn't actually make it to the farmer's market. I got these apricots at Trader Joe's. Sue me. But hey - they are organic.

Anyway, I just randomly concocted this sweet, simple, summer snack and wanted to share! So without further ado...

apricots with coconut butter and cinnamon.

ingredients:

- apricots

- artisana coconut butter (Whole Foods carries this)

- ground cinnamon

instructions:

 wash and dry apricots.

 slice apricots in half.

 remove the pits/seeds.

 fill centers with artisana coconut butter.
(please do not ruin my concoction and use any other coconut butter. okay, thanks :) once you taste this little dollop of heaven, you'll know why.)

sprinkle with cinnamon.

and voila!

a sweet, simple, savory, summer snack.

 enjoy!

tuscan kale chips

I love kale chips. They are such a quick and easy, healthy and delicious snack. Here is an updated recipe from my original kale chips with truffle salt.

tuscan kale chips

ingredients:

- kale

- misto/olive oil spray

- salt

- pepper

- garlic powder

- chili powder (optional)

instructions:

1. line pan with aluminum foil and mist with olive oil

2. place a single layer of kale on the pan

3. mist with olive oil and sprinkle with salt & pepper

4. place in oven at 400 degrees for 7 minutes
5. sprinkle with garlic powder and chili powder
6. place back into oven for 3 more minutes

7. Enjoy!