Chickpea Quinoa Caprese Salad

Tina2 Comments

Meet my favorite lunch. A few weeks ago I was craving a traditional caprese salad, which is mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and basil.  This fabulous trio screams summertime to me.  I wanted to kick it up a notch and add something hearty and protein-y, so I added quinoa and chickpeas.  Chickpeas are the answer to everything for me.  😉  And quinoa…  I’ve been adding that to almost every lunch lately.  I’m sure that my husband is cringing as he reads this because he’s not a fan of quinoa.  Not at all.  He can even detect the smell of it cooking from the …

Continue Reading

5 Running Must Haves

Tina0 Comments

I bought a few fun new things for when I run and I want to share what I think are the 5 must haves for a great running experience. 1. “Fanny pack.”  When I go running I bring my cell phone to listen to music and to keep track of my mileage and time.  However, since I was carrying it in my hand, I’m always afraid that I’m going to drop it when I’m running outside.  I thought that I could find a smart watch or fitness tracker to wear instead of carrying my cell.  After a lot of hours …

Continue Reading

Bean Salad

Tina3 Comments

Happy Wednesday! I wracked my brain trying to figure out what side dish to bring to a family BBQ.  I wasn’t sure what everyone (or most people) would like.  Thankfully there is no shortage of options when my family gets together.  There’s enough food to feed an army, so even if no one wants what I made, it’s not the end of the world.  Is that a Greek thing to make absolutely sure there is way, way too much food available? Anyway, this bean salad is inspired by the cowboy caviar that I made a few years ago.  I skipped the celery and used less onions to make …

Continue Reading

8 BBQ Side Dish Recipes

Tina0 Comments

BBQ season officially kicks off this Memorial Day weekend!  I’m heading to my sister’s house for a family gathering and I’m in charge of bringing a side dish.  She’s making the standard issue BBQ food, like hamburgers and hot dogs.   I have no idea what to bring so I headed to my recipe index to see what my options are.  In case you’re also wondering what to bring to a BBQ, I thought I’d gather my top 7 options in one nifty spot. Here are my top 8 BBQ side dish recipes: Cowboy Caviar.  I have made this dish as …

Continue Reading

Oatmeal Cookies

Tina2 Comments

Are you ready to meet the best oatmeal cookie ever?  Cue the dramatic music. 😉 I’ve made a variety of oatmeal cookies.  Some recipes were crap and you’ll never see those here (because I won’t waste your time).  Other recipes were great and I still like them for one reason or another.  For example, if you’re looking for a banana oatmeal cookie then the whole wheat banana oatmeal cookies are awesome. However, I had yet to find a good classic oatmeal cookie.  You know, the good old fashion kind with oats and raisins.  No cutting back on butter and sugar.  And …

Continue Reading