Black Bean Burgers

1 can black beans - drained and rinsed (important)
1 cup grated zucchini
1 clove garlic minced
1/4 medium onion finely diced
2 T flax seed meal
1 T of you favorite steak seasoning

1. In a medium sized bowl mash black beans.
2. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Let sit for about 10 minutes so the flax seeds can bind the ingredients together.
3. Form into patties and cook on large skillet over medium heat. Each side needs about 3-4 minutes.
4. Serve on whole wheat buns with your favorite condiments. Lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, BBQ sauce etc.

Makes about 5-6 patties depending on size. Enjoy!

Pistachio-Parsley Pesto

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons shelled, roasted pistachios
• 1 clove garlic
• 1½ cups packed parsley
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. In a food processor, pulse pistachios until resembling course meal. Add garlic and parsley, run processor until minced. Drizzle in lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Run food processor until pesto comes together, adding more olive/lemon juice as needed.

I also got this recipe from Naturally Ella, but I made a grilled sandwich using: sprouted wheat bread, mozzarella, tomatoes, avocado, baby kale leaves, and fresh basil. Easily the best sandwich I've ever eaten. 

Roasted Butternut Squash, Quinoa, and Jalapeño Chimichurri Tacos

Hey sisters! These were amazing. Get the recipe at Naturally Ella

Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken

Wish I took a picture of this one, but I for got too.  It was very tasty.

Ingredients:

3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 package dry onion soup mix
10 oz jam of apricot preserves
1 T ketchup
2 T sugar
2 T red wine vinegar
1/2 t salt
3 T olive oil
1 cup grape juice

Combine all ingredient in crockpot and cook on high for 3-4 hours. Shred chicken with 2 forks and serve over rice.

Pistachio Cinnamon Chicken Salad

I love skinnytaste.com. It is one of my favorite cooking blog and this is so far my favorite recipe from her blog. Sooo Goood!!! Give it a try. 

Ingredients:

• 16 oz cooked shredded boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 1/2 cups Fat-Free Greek plain yogurt
• ½ cup pistachios, finely chopped
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp fresh lime juice
• 4 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
• 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
• 2 scallions, finely chopped

Directions:

Shred cooked chicken breast using a fork; place in a large mixing bowl.

Add remaining ingredients; gently toss to combine. Transfer to serving bowls. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Sprinkle with additional scallions.

By: Skinnytaste.com

Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos

3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon cumin

Cilantro Lime Pesto (recipe follows)

Torillas

Preferred garnishes

Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste. Place in crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Add garlic powder and cumin to chicken and shred. Combine Chicken with Cilantro Lime Pesto and cook an additional 10-15 minutes until heated through.

Serve in tortillas with preferred garnishes (sautéed bell peppers, avocado, tomatoes, lettuce, salsa, cheese, etc.)

For the Cilantro Lime Pesto:

1 cup fresh cilantro leaves (do not include stems)
2 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoons sliced, toasted almonds
1-2 fresh garlic cloves
1+ tablespoon lime juice
1/2 cup shredded asiago (I used parmesan)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup chicken broth

Using a blender, mix all ingredients on low speed for 1 minute. 

This recipe was adapted using: What's Cooking Chicago?

Dark Chocolate Coconut Oatmeal Cookies

ingredients

1 cup butter, melted

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

2 cup flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 cup shredded cocnut

1 1/2 cups extra dark chocolate chips (or just dark)

2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats

directions

Preheat oven to 350. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

Melt butter and let cool for several minutes (to room temp)

In a stand mixer, beat sugar and butter for several minutes until creamy. Mix in eggs and vanilla and beat for another minute.

In a separate bowl comine flour, salt, soda, cinnamon, and coconut. Slow mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients and beat until combined.

Stir in extra dark chocolate chips and oats.

Place one inch balls of dough on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper and bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool for several minutes then move cookies to cooling rack