Fried Zucchini

Is it truly summer if you haven't had fried zucchini?! Now, I am well aware that summer is over and that most gardens have now officially frozen over but some of you may still have some zucchini in your fridge that need to be used. This recipe has been a family favorite for years. The outside gets super crispy and delicious while the inside stays nice and soft! Growing up I remember the only way we would have fried zucchini is coated in flour and fried in butter (which is still heavenly don't get me wrong) but this version adds in some Parmesan cheese and panko breadcrumbs to give it even more of a delicious crunch!

Roasted Chickpea "Croutons"

I know what you are thinking. There is no way that chickpeas can replace the heavenly crouton that usually tops my salad. Trust me. I get it. I was a bit skeptical as well. Anybody who knows me knows that I love bread. All things bread are my downfall, but I am here to say that although these Roasted Chickpeas are not exactly like a crouton, they do satisfy my need for something crunchy and delicious on top of my salads. I recently paired them up with an Anti-Inflammatory Caesar Salad and it was pretty amazing.
So if you are looking for a gluten free alternative, give these a try.
*To be honest, I have actually just sat down and eaten these as a snack as well, not just as a salad topper*

Kettle Corn Popcorn

One thing I love about going to the zoo down here is the heavy smell of Kettle corn in the air. It makes me salivate so much every time we go, but who wants to pay $8 for a bag of it when you know it costs less then $1 to make. Not me. So our new tradition when we visit is for me to whip up a batch and bring it in bags. I'll tell you what I don't know if it really does taste better or not but saving that much money sure does make it taste better to me :)

I never knew how simple making kettle corn was. The hardest part is making sure it doesn't burn. Which if you keep an eye and an ear on it you won't have any problems at all.

Sweet N Salty Coconut Chips

OH MY! If you are looking for a healthy sweet and salty snack oh man...these babies are it. One of Sam's patients brought some into them the other day and he brought some home for me to try and they were out of this world! I went right out and bought some coconut flakes and made them the next day!

Mango Coconut Chia Pudding + Other Variations

Yes you read the title correct. Chia. Just like those wonderful commercials we all remember seeing while we were growing up "Cha Cha Cha Chia". I have noticed that using chia seeds is another ingredient that people are starting to branch out and try so I figured I might as well jump on the train and see why. Chia is an excellent source of omega fatty acids and full of minerals, vitamins and fiber. Aside from making pudding, you can add them to smoothies, muffins, or throw them in some cereal.
I wanted to try out this recipe that I found on my always favorite site, SkinnyTaste, because I knew that this would be a recipe that my husbands patients could eat for breakfast. Its simple and easy to put together, throw it in the fridge overnight, and BAM breakfast is ready to go whenever you need it. The chia seeds give the pudding the texture of a tapioca pudding, but the chia seeds in themselves don't really have much of a flavor. This recipe is so versatile that you could throw in any combination of fruits and eat a different variety every day of the week! 

Kale Chips

Okay don't be completely turned off by these if you haven't given them a chance. If you are craving something crunchy like a potato chip lets say but your trying to eat a little healthier, then these are a great alternative. They crisp up just like a potato chip and actually have a pretty good flavor as well. The first bite I had I was skeptical but then after popping a few more in my mouth, and later finishing off a whole bowl full, I decided that these are a pretty tasty little snack.