POPCORN !!

Its been a LONG time and though I'm sure no one is depending on this blog I have been inspired by a friend with another great blog to continue on! Its a new year and you must catch up on all the Oscar favorites right? I know its pretty "ghetto" to walk into a movie theatre with your own popcorn HOWEVER its cheaper, easier, and tastier and with this recipe you won't regret it!

Olive Oil - enough to healthily cover the bottom of a mid-size quart pot

1/2 Cup dry pop corn

Butter

Oregano Powder

Onion Powder

Pepper

Spike Seasoning salt

Dump the popcorn into the oil covered pan and turn that heat on high. When popping slows dump into a BIG bowl. Melt a tablespoon of butter in the pot and drizzle onto the popcorn. Season with Spike, pepper, onion powder and oregano. Shake together well. LET IT COOL! about 5 minuets and then transfer into a large plastic bag. Hide in your backpack or big bag with a couple of big sodas and enjoy the show!

A Note About Spike : This is a seasoning salt found in most stores but especially in health food stores. Its yummy. I don't know how they do it but it's very special.

Stuffed Pita Pizza

People pretty much want pizza all the time. Here's a way to get your pizza on in a healthier way.

1 Pita bread cut in half

1/2 ripe Tomato or 1/2 cup Cherry Tomatos

3 Eggplant slivers

1/3 cup sautéed Mushrooms

2 tablespoons Pesto

Parmesan to taste.

Trail Mix

Its always a party with this yummy trail mix, oh and it definitely keeps you going.

Almonds

Walnuts

Dried Cranberries

Dark Chocolate… that's right!

Hot or Cold Salad

I love this salad because you can eat it hot or cold. Its great uncooked and … well you get it.

1 Can Black Beans

2 small Carrots

1 handful of Spinach

1/2 tsp Cumin

1 tsp Seasoning Salt

2 tablespoons of Walnut Oil (if cold) or Olive Oil (if cooked)

Rinse beans in a colander. Chop veggies. Toss together and add seasonings. If serving cold toss with Walnut Oil. If cooking sauté with Olive Oil.

Pesto Pasta Salad

Mambo Italiano with this delectable salad. With Pesto our super secret ingredient.. shhhhh!

2 Cups pasta design of your choice

1/2 Cup of Basil or Sage Pesto

3/4 Cups of Cherry Tomatoes

1 Splash of Balsamic Vinegar

Enjoy!

Egg Salad Sandwhich

Confession- I hate mayonaise. Thus I learned to make this classic sans the white creamy goo. This recipe has surprised most and gotten rave reviews. Give it a whirl and tell me what you think!

2 Slices of hearty Whole Grain Bread

2 Eggs hardboiled

2 tablespoons Spicy Brown Mustard

1 tablespoon chopped Parsley

Salt and Pepper to taste

Hard-boil and de- shell the eggs once cooled. Mash into tiny bits and add mustard and parsley. Mix well and sprinkle in salt and pepper to taste.

Veggie Wrap

I love the ease and yumminess of a wrap. Put anything in a tortilla and call it a day. This is my standard go to wrap, which is basically a big salad with a tortilla around it. More variations to come..

1 Burrito sized tortilla

Lettuce (I usually go with romaine)

Carrots (slivered)

Cucumbers (slivered)

Olives

Feta or Blue Cheese (optional)

Watch someone at your favorite burrito shop and copy what they do. The olives add enough flavor for me, but if you must have dressing do not apply it until it is ready for consumption as any other method would soggy the beloved tortilla, who's working so hard for this wraps success!