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15 Non-Traditional Salads

January 21, 2021 by Lindsay 17 Comments

Salads don’t always have to be just a bowl full of lettuce! Check out this roundup of 15 non-traditional salads for some fun ways to up your veggie intake! 

Non-Traditional Salads that are not boring

Hi Friends!

Time for another delicious roundup! Let’s talk non-traditional salads. When most people hear the word salad, they typically think of regular old lettuce, topped with a few veggies and some dressing. My husband eats a bowl of green leaf lettuce topped with broccoli and cucumbers for lunch pretty much every single day. That’s all well and good…but for me personally, I’m not really crazy about regular lettuce. GASP! I know. Luckily though, the word “salad” has evolved and expanded its meaning and there are all sorts of interesting combinations that can now be considered salad!

If a bowl of leafy greens doesn’t necessarily get you excited either, have no fear! I’ve rounded up some non-traditional salad ideas for you. They’re still healthy, quick and easy and they’re all great options for adding more veggies to your meals!

Non-Traditional Salads

collage of non-traditional salads

Chickpea Salad with Tomato and Cucumber via Wholesome Made Easy. No lettuce needed, just chopped veggies and chickpeas in a simple dressing.

Broccoli Slaw with Ramen via The Lean Green Bean. Broccoli slaw adds crunch and ramen noodles add a fun twist.

Kale and Red Cabbage Slaw via Kalyn’s Kitchen. Eat this slaw by itself, top with a lean protein or add to tacos!

Rainbow Quinoa Salad via Peas and Crayons. Grain-based salads are a great option for side dishes and meals.

Shaved Winter Vegetable Salad via The View From Great Island. Sometimes presentation makes all the difference!

Asparagus Salad with Eggs and Prosciutto via Liz’s Healthy Table. Simple yet elegant, this salad can impress a crowd.

Bok Choy Salad with Sesame Soy Dressing via Running To The Kitchen. A great way to gain exposure to veggies you may not eat frequently.

six non-traditional salads

 

Salmon Nicoise Salad via The Lean Green Bean. A fun twist on a classic nicoise salad.

Superfoods Brussels Sprout Salad via Two Healthy Kitchens. If you haven’t found a way you love eating brussels sprouts yet, try this!

Romaine Hearts Grilled Chicken Caesar via Eating Richly. An easy way to feed a crowd with tons of flavor and visual appeal.

Grilled Vegetable Salad via Kylee Cooks. Salads aren’t just for raw veggies. Try grilling them first!

Thai Kohlrabi Noodle Salad via Running To The Kitchen. Spiralized vegetables make a great addition to salads.

Pulled Pork Apple Salad via The Creative Bite. A salad can never have too many toppings 🙂

 

Salads don't always have to be just a bowl full of lettuce! Check out this roundup of 15 non-traditional salads for some fun ways to up your veggie intake! 

See any you like?

Let’s chat:

Are you a fan of non-traditional salads? What’s your favorite?

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Filed Under: Appetizer, Ingredient Round-Ups, Side Dish, Soup & Salad

14 Bite-Sized Valentine’s Day Desserts

January 20, 2021 by Lindsay 18 Comments

Make your celebration special with these Bite-Sized Valentine’s Day Desserts! These tasty treats are a fun, easy way to celebrate the one you love!

Round-up of bite-sized Valentine's day desserts

Hi Friends!

February is fast approaching so I wanted to share some bite-sized Valentine’s Day desserts with you guys! Hubby and I have a Valentine’s Day tradition of making a fancy dinner at home, mainly because it’s more convenient than going to a restaurant…not to mention cheaper!

I’ve been thinking about the menu for this year I still have no idea what to make for the main course, I’ve got lots of dessert inspiration… so I thought I’d share it with you.

collage of bite-sized Valentine's day desserts

Nutella and Cherry Hand Pies via Wonky Wonderful  or these Strawberry Hand Pies via Well Plated. They’re like pop tarts, but better!

Red Wine Chocolate Truffles via Dessert for Two. Rich, decadent and impressive but easily made in your own kitchen. 

Healthy Brownie Bites via The Lean Green Bean. Bite-sized brownie goodness. Top with peanut butter or a more festive frosting!

Oreo Balls via Peas and Crayons. A classic treat both kids and adults will love. 

Mini Vanilla Bean Cheesecakes via That Skinny Chick Can Bake. Who needs a whole cheesecake when you can have these adorable minis!

Homemade Ferrero Rocher Truffles via View From The Great Island. Skip the store and make your own!

Meringue Cookie Kisses via Meals Heels and Cocktails (not pictured) The pink and white swirls make them perfect for Valentine’s day!

collage of valentine's day desserts

 

Love Monster Energy Bites via The Creative Bite. How cute are these for kid lunches?!

Strawberry Rice Krispie Treat Hearts via Inside Bru Crew Life. Jazz up a classic treat for the holiday!

Strawberry Dark Chocolate Brownie Bites via Cotter Crunch. Freeze-dried strawberries make everything pretty in pink!

Deep Dish Red Velvet Cookies for Two via Show Me The Yummy. The perfect dessert for you and your one and only!

Vegan Raspberry Almond Butter Brownies via Hummusapien. Cut this batch into bites and get creative with your toppings!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Lava Cakes via Iowa Girl Eats. The most impressive dessert that’s actually super easy to make!

Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Mousse via The Real Food RDs (not pictured) Satisfy your sweet tooth with a few bites of this mousse!

Make your celebration special with these Bite-Sized Valentine's Day Desserts! These tasty treats are an easy way to show someone how much you love them!

Let’s chat:
What’s your favorite dessert?

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

 

Filed Under: Dessert, Ingredient Round-Ups

Roasted Chick Pea Snack Mix

January 18, 2021 by Lindsay 5 Comments

This sweet and spicy roasted chick pea snack mix contains added fiber and protein, and is perfect when you’re looking for a healthy, crunchy snack!
Thanks to Bush’s® Beans for sponsoring this post.

Roasted Chickpea Snack Mix

Hi friends!

We’re kicking off the new year with a new snack idea that I know you’ll love! This Sweet and Spicy Roasted Chick Pea Snack is made with BUSH’S® Garbanzo Beans that are roasted to crispy perfection and then mixed with a few other crunchy favorites like popcorn, nuts and plantain chips!

My friends at BUSH’S® Beans – That Beautiful Bean Company – are celebrating the beauty of beans and I’m excited to share a few reasons why beans are so beautiful to me!

  • They’re versatile and can be used in so many different recipes that you’ll never get tired of them!
  • They’re nutritious, with added protein, fiber and other nutrients.
  • They’re a great way to help introduce more plant-based proteins into your diet and help you create more nutrient-dense meals and snacks.

Roasted Chick Pea Snack Mix

Snack mix with roasted chickpeas, plantain chips, popcorn and peanuts

I’ve been enjoying this roasted chick pea snack mix for a couple of weeks now, and it has definitely become my go-to afternoon snack. It’s the perfect blend of a bunch of my crunchy favorites and I love that it’s just a little sweet and a little spicy too! 

Let’s talk about what’s included:

  • Bush’s® Garbanzo Beans – Roasted in the air fryer or oven to get them nice and crunchy!
  • Popcorn – It’s so easy to make your own with just popcorn kernels and a brown paper lunch sack.
  • Plantain chips – Another crunchy addition. You could swap banana chips for a little more sweetness or try something like crunchy rice cereal instead.
  • Peanuts – My go-to nut but you could easily sub almonds or another favorite of yours. Or try something like pumpkin seeds!
  • Seasonings – I mix melted butter with a little brown sugar and cayenne pepper. You could skip the sugar and add some garlic powder or paprika for a more savory mix.
  • Optional – To add more sweetness you could add a handful of raisins or other dried fruit or even some chocolate chips
Roasted Chickpea Snack Mix - sweet, spicy and crunchy

You can make a big batch of this roasted chick pea snack mix with minimal effort and enjoy it all week long. Here’s how:

Print

Roasted Chick Pea Snack Mix

roasted chickpea snack mix
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

3 from 2 reviews

This sweet and spicy roasted chick pea snack mix is packed with fiber and protein and perfect when you’re looking for a healthy, crunchy snack!

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 20 min
  • Cook Time: 45 min
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 4–6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1 can Bush’s® Garbanzo Beans
4 cups popcorn
1 cup plantain chips
1/2 cup peanuts
Optional mix ins- dried fruit, chocolate chips
2 Tbsp butter
1/2 – 1 tsp cayenne pepper
2–3 tsp brown sugar

Instructions

  1. Drain Bush’s® Garbanzo Beansand pour onto a paper towel. Rub gently to dry.
  2. Put chick peas in the basket of an air fryer and spray with oil. Roast plain or sprinkle with a little salt and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper if desired.
  3. Set air fryer to 400 degrees and cook 15 min, stopping to toss every 5 min. Check every min or so after 10 min until you figure out how quickly they cook in your air fryer. (See note below if you don’t have an air fryer.)
  4. Put 1/4 cup popcorn kernels in a brown paper lunch sack. Fold the top down and use the popcorn button in the microwave. (See note below)
  5. Combine roasted chick peas and popcorn in a large bowl with plantain chips and peanuts.
  6. Melt 2 Tbsp butter and mix in brown sugar and cayenne. Stir to combine then pour over snack mixture. Stir well.
  7. Pour onto a baking sheet and bake at 250 for 45 min, stirring once. Let cool completely before eating.

Notes

  1. If you don’t have an air fryer you can roast the chickpeas in the oven.
  2. Feel free to cook the popcorn however you like or use store bought.
  3. You can sub banana chips or crunchy cereal for the plantain chips.
  4. For a savory mix, skip the brown sugar and add garlic powder or paprika. Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to fit your taste.
  5. Mix in any optional additions like dried fruit or chocolate chips after it’s completely cooled.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @theleangreenbean on Instagram

What do you think?! Will you try it?

This sweet and spicy roasted chick pea snack mix contains added fiber and protein, and is perfect when you're looking for a healthy, crunchy snack!

Want more chickpea recipes? Try:

  • Mediterranean Chopped Salad
  • Peanut Butter Chickpea Bars
  • Easy Chickepea Buckeyes

 

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Filed Under: Snack, Sponsored

15 Casseroles For Sunday Dinner

January 16, 2021 by Lindsay 16 Comments

Here are 15 quick and easy casseroles for Sunday dinner- or any night of the week when you want a simple meal the whole family will love without much effort!

healthy casseroles for sunday dinner

Hi Friends!

Let’s talk casseroles. In my opinion, they’re the easiest way to pack a ton of delicious flavors into one dish. The combinations are pretty much endless and usually, they require very little effort. Win, win, win in my book. I’m always looking for new healthy casseroles to try with my family and there are so many options out there so I decided to make myself a list and start working my way through it.

In case you need a little inspiration like I did, I rounded up 15 casseroles to share with you guys. Most are more traditional dinner casseroles but don’t forget about breakfast casseroles! Breakfast for dinner is almost always a win at my house and eggs are great for casseroles!

Healthy Casseroles

casseroles for sunday dinner

  1. Breakfast Enchilada Casserole via The Lean Green Bean. You can prep it a day in advance and pop it in the oven when you need it!
  2. Easy Chicken Tetrazzini via Bellyfull. Creamy, cheesy and freezes well. 
  3. Cheesy Sausage Veggie & Rice Casserole via Iowa Girl Eats. Gluten-free and easy to customize with your favorite veggies.
  4. Chicken & Sweet Potato Enchilada Casserole via Inspiralized. A fun, gluten-free way to use spiralized sweet potatoes.
  5. Instant Pot Farro Enchilada Casserole via The Lean Green Bean. Easy to whip up with pantry staples!
  6. Southwestern Chicken Casserole via Fit Foodie Finds. When you’re craving Mexican food but don’t want tacos or enchiladas.
  7. Beef and Cauliflower Stuffed Pepper Casserole via The Lean Green Bean (not pictured). A twist on traditional stuffed peppers. Low carb and gluten-free.

healthy casseroles for sunday dinner

  1. Teriyaki Chicken Casserole via Well Plated. Freezer-friendly with an easy, flavorful sauce.
  2. Taco Casserole via Dinner at the Zoo. All your favorite taco components in casserole form.
  3. Creamy Buffalo Chicken Casserole via The Real Food RDs. Gluten-free, dairy-free and low-carb but not lacking flavor!
  4. Buffalo Chicken Bake via A MindFull Mom. Layers of chicken and potatoes with lots of buffalo flavor.
  5. Meatball Sub Casserole via The Novice Chef. All the goodness of meatball subs but served with a fork. 
  6. Green Chili Chicken Pot Pie via Recipe Runner. Classic comfort food with a flavor twist.
  7. Easy Cheesy Pizza Casserole via Neighborfood (not pictured) A new addition to the pizza night lineup…made with garlic bread!
  8. One-Pot Sloppy Joe Casserole via Culinary Hill (not pictured) Ready in 30 minutes but can also freezer-friendly.

Here are 15 quick and easy casseroles for Sunday dinner- or any night of the week when you want a simple meal the whole family will love without much effort!

What’s your family’s favorite casserole?

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Filed Under: Dinner, Ingredient Round-Ups

15 Quick Family Meals

January 15, 2021 by Lindsay 24 Comments

For those nights when you need dinner in a hurry, here are 15 quick family meals the whole family will love. 

15 quick family meals collage

*Originally published in 2014. Updated Dec 2020*

Hi Friends!

I’ve got a roundup of quick family meals for you! We all know life is a little crazy right now and I’m all about quick, easy dinners. Do you have a back pocket list? A list of meal ideas that are so quick and easy you could practically make them in your sleep? Meals you can pull out during the craziest weeks, the busiest life seasons to help you get dinner on the table without much fuss? Several of these are on my back pocket list. And since I’m always looking for new ideas, I thought I’d share some of them with you to help make your dinner time easier.

This round-up covers everything from Instant Pot recipes to chicken & beef, to meatless meals so there’s sure to be something for everyone.

Quick Family Meals

quick family meals

  1. Shrimp Curry Noodle Bowls via The Lean Green Bean. Ready in 15 minutes and packed with veggies! Sub chicken if you don’t like shrimp. (or try this Lentil Veggie Curry)
  2. No-Fuss 5 Minute Pizza Dough via Wanna Be A Country Cleaver. A super simple recipe so you can have pizza any night of the week!
  3. Sloppy Joes via Kristine’s Kitchen. They’re a classic for a reason! Kid-friendly and full of flavor. 
  4. Easy Lasagna Skillet via The Creative Bite. If you love lasagna, you’ll love this quick, stovetop version!
  5. Instant Pot Asian Peanut Noodles via The Lean Green Bean. Packed with veggies and covered in a flavorful sauce everyone will love!
  6. Pineapple Chicken via Amee’s Savory Dish. Easier than waiting for takeout and full of fresh flavors.
  7. Burger in a Bowl via Running To The Kitchen (not pictured) A twist on burger night with a special secret sauce.
  8. Sheet Pan Teriyaki Salmon via Meals Heels and Cocktails (not pictured). Minimal prep with maximum flavor. Ready in no time!

collage of quick family meals

  1. Meaty Tortellini Skillet via From Valerie’s Kitchen. Transform a package of tortellini into a full, healthy meal in minutes.
  2. Egg Waffles via The Lean Green Bean. Breakfast for dinner is always in style and this is a fun twist.
  3. Pizza Chicken via Iowa Girl Eats. Gluten-free, kid-friendly and perfect for a busy night.
  4. White Chicken Chili via The Lean Green Bean. Made with pantry staples and tastes even better as leftovers!
  5. Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas via The Blond Cook. Quick and easy and cleanup’s a breeze.
  6. Santa Fe Chicken via Food Faith Fitness. Seasoned chicken topped with a flavorful salsa. 
  7. Spiced Sweet Potato & Black Bean Bowl via Cait’s Plate (not pictured) An easy vegetarian meal with a flavorful avocado sauce.

That’s all for today. I’m always looking for new quick family meals to add to my go-to list. I keep one on my phone for those nights when I need dinner in a hurry and don’t even have time to think about what to make. All of these fit the bill!

See something you like? Pin this to save this post for later!

For those nights when you need dinner in a hurry, here are 15 quick family meals the whole family will love. 

 

Have a favorite quick, go-to meal? Leave me a link!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Filed Under: Dinner, Ingredient Round-Ups

Banana Carrot Muffins

January 13, 2021 by Lindsay 5 Comments

These Banana Carrot Muffins are made with simple ingredients, lightly sweetened and perfect for a kid-friendly breakfast or snack!

Banana Carrot Muffins - lightly sweetened and kid-friendly

Hi friends!

Can’t wait to share these Banana Carrot Muffins with you guys to kick off the new year! I’ve been making these for my kids for about a month now and they’ve been a big hit all around. My younger two are pretty good about eating a variety of muffins and bars that I make but my oldest has a couple favorites and it’s tough to get him to branch out. 

He absolutely loves my Lentil Banana Muffins and after trying a few different flavor combos, it became clear that his most preferred baked goods will always have bananas in them. So I came up with a cross between my lentil muffins and my Carrot Applesauce Muffins and that’s what we have here today! 

Banana Carrot Muffins

Banana Carrot Muffins made with vanilla yogurt

Instead of adding sugar to these, I relied on the sweetness of extra-ripe bananas and vanilla yogurt. However, I’ve also tested them adding 1/4 cup maple syrup and they come out great so you can make them that way for a slightly sweeter muffin. 

Here’s what you need:

  • Mashed bananas – make sure they’re extra brown and spotty for maximum sweetness
  • Carrots – I chop mine in a food processor and then make the whole muffin batter in the food processor to make the carrots less noticeable but you could also just make them in a bowl with shredded carrots
  • Vanilla yogurt- you could swap plain yogurt if you wanted or use plain yogurt + maple syrup
  • Egg 
  • Oil – I use avocado oil
  • Hemp seeds – an easy way to add extra nutrients!
  • Baking soda, cinnamon, vanilla
  • White whole wheat flour – my go-to for baking
  • Chocolate chips – optional but likely preferred especially since these muffins aren’t very sweet. 

Here’s how you make them:

Print

Banana Carrot Muffins

Banana Carrot Muffins
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 4 reviews

These Banana Carrot Muffins are made with simple ingredients, lightly sweetened and perfect for a kid-friendly breakfast or snack!

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 20 min
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 12 large muffins 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup mashed bananas (approx 2 medium, as ripe as possible)
1 cup shredded carrots (or chop in food processor. Squeeze to remove extra water)
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1 egg
1/4 cup avocado oil
1/4 cup maple syrup (*Optional – I make them without but you can add for a sweeter muffin)
1/4 cup hemp seeds (optional but recommended!)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1.5 cups white whole wheat flour
pinch of salt

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Chop carrots in food processor. Scoop into paper towel and squeeze to remove extra water.
  2. Return to food processor and add banana, yogurt, egg, oil and hemp seeds. Process until smooth.*
  3. Add baking soda, cinnamon, vanilla, flour and salt and process until combined.
  4. Add chocolate chips and pulse to combine.
  5. Spoon into greased or lined muffin tins (Makes 12 big or 16 smaller muffins)
  6. Bake at 375 for 18-22 minutes.

Notes

*You can also shred carrots by hand and just mix the batter in a bowl but the carrots will be more noticeable.

Instead of chocolate chips you could try raisins or other dried fruit.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @theleangreenbean on Instagram

What do you think?!

These Banana Carrot Muffins are made with simple ingredients, lightly sweetened and perfect for a kid-friendly breakfast or snack!

Let me know if you try these! They’re a new favorite around here!

Want more kid-friendly baking recipes? Find 20+ ideas here:

  • Kid-friendly Baking Recipes

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Filed Under: Breakfast, Baking, Healthy Muffins & Bars, Snack Tagged With: Banana, Carrot, Egg, Oil, White Whole Wheat Flour, Yogurt

9 Smoothie Bowl Recipes

January 7, 2021 by Lindsay 5 Comments

These healthy smoothie bowl recipes are almost too pretty to eat! Smoothie bowls are an easy way to pack fruit, protein and veggies all into one meal and then you can get creative with the toppings!

Smoothie Bowl Recipes

Hi Friends!

Let’s talk about smoothie bowls. Smoothies are great and all, but have you tried them super thick and in a bowl with toppings?! Can’t be beaten! Smoothie bowl recipes are great because you can easily make them a full meal. Fruits make a great base, but if you add in a protein source and/or healthy fats, you can boost their staying power. Plus you can easily add some vegetables that you may be missing out on at other meals!

Some of my favorite smoothie veggies are zucchini and cauliflower because they blend in so easily and have very little flavor. Spinach and other leafy greens also blend well into smoothies and although they may not make them look as appetizing, they rarely alter the flavor. 

I’ve been scouring the internet for some of the best smoothie bowls out there and I wanted to share them with you!

Healthy Smoothie Bowl Recipes

collage of smoothie bowls

Avocado Pineapple Smoothie Bowl via Running to the Kitchen. A tropical delight that’s packed with nutrients.

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Bowl via Liz’s Healthy Table. This classic combo can’t be beaten.

Strawberry Coconut Smoothie Bowl via Inside Bru Crew Life. A simple yet satisfying recipe that can be customized with your favorite toppings.

Strawberry Peanut Butter Swirl Smoothie via Flavor the Moments. Your favorite sandwich combo in drinkable form.

collage of 4 smoothie bowls

Peach Zucchini Smoothie Bowl via The Lean Green Bean. The perfect way to use up some of that summer zucchini.

Cranberry Smoothie Bowl via Nutmeg Nanny. Cranberries aren’t just for Thanksgiving!

Apple Pie Smoothie Bowl via Fit Foodie Finds. Apples are often overlooked for smoothies but make a great addition!

Peach Pie Smoothie Bowl via Spoonful of Flavor. Taste as good as dessert!

Blueberry Peach Smoothie Bowl via A Cedar Spoon. A classic flavor combo that everyone will love!

These healthy smoothie bowl recipes are almost too pretty to eat! Smoothie bowls are an easy way to pack fruit, protein and veggies all into one meal and then you can get creative with the toppings!

Let’s chat:

Do you prefer smoothies or smoothie bowls?

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Filed Under: Ingredient Round-Ups, Breakfast, Snack

20 Easy Dinner Ideas

December 16, 2020 by Lindsay 2 Comments

Are you looking for easy dinner ideas for those nights you don’t feel like cooking? Here’s a round-up on super simple meals that you can make without much time, effort or brainpower. 

easy dinners for nights you don't want to cook

Hi friends!

Lately I’ve been in a bit of a dinner slump. My focus is on surviving the day and with three littles, that doesn’t leave a lot of brain power to plan dinner. I need easy dinner ideas that I can make quickly and without much thought. We all have our favorites, right? Go-to meals most of the family will eat without complaint. Meals we can stash in our freezer and quickly pull out to thaw or just throw on a pan and stick in the oven.

I reached out to my Instagram community to ask them what meals fit the bill in their house and I felt like there are a lot of good answers, so I put them together to share.

Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Sausage and Green Beans

By far, the top 5 most common responses were:

  • Mexican night: Tacos, taco salad and build your own burrito bowls are also a hit. Add some fajita veggies if you’re feeling fancy. You can make this easier by pre slicing peppers and onions. Store them in the freezer so all you have to do is toss them in a hot pan.
  • Breakfast for dinner: Eggs, pancakes, french toast, waffles. Use a boxed mix or pull some out of the freezer to make it even easier on yourself.
  • Spaghetti: Package of pasta, jar of sauce and occasionally some meatballs. It was also super common to have meat sauce stored in the freezer so it could just be defrosted and served over freshly cooked noodles.
  • Pesto pasta with chicken sausage: Cook some noodles or tortellini, toss in pesto and add sliced chicken sausage. Toss some veggies on a sheet pan to roast while the noodles are cooking and mix those in as well if you’re feeling fancy.
  • Sheet pan gnocchi with chicken sausage – There are many versions but this is one of my recipes and I was shocked how many people said they make it regularly. A super simple dinner you can make using frozen of boxed gnocchi and even frozen veggies if you want.

chicken marinade 1

Here are some other simple dinner ideas:

  • Grilled chicken + starch + veggie  –> Try my 4 ingredient marinade before grilling, choose rice/potatoes etc and your favorite veggie and add bbq sauce or your favorite sauce!
  • Rotisserie chicken + sweet potato fries + broccoli –> Buy a chicken or make one of your own by simply cooking a whole chicken in the crockpot, instant pot or air fryer. Sub whatever roasted veggie you want for broccoli.
  • Boxed mac and cheese + frozen peas + chicken sausage –> Swap white beans for a vegetarian option or skip the green veggies and stir in some pumpkin.
  • Salmon + green beans + salad dressing + rice –> Put salmon on a sheet pan with green beans, top with salad dressing (I like Italian) and bake. Serve with rice. Or swap salmon for chicken breasts and green beans for carrots and potatoes and use honey mustard dressing.
  • Chicken + bbq or buffalo sauce + fries + salad –> Cook chicken and sauce in a crockpot or Instant Pot. Shred and serve on buns with fries and a side salad. Or try my Instant Pot Hummus Chicken.
  • Deli meat + crescent rolls + cheese —> Roll cheese and meat in crescent rolls and bake. Serve with raw veggies and fruit.
  • Groud turkey + sweet potato + cheese & salsa –> Cook turkey with taco seasoning. Microwaves sweet potatoes. Top potatoes with taco meat, salsa and cheese.

This Lentil Vegetable Curry is an easy vegetarian recipe that's perfect for a busy weeknight. Or make it ahead of time and reheat for a quick lunch or dinner!

  • Shrimp or lentils + frozen veggies + curry paste + coconut milk –> Mix protein with veggies, add curry paste and coconut milk. Serve with rice and naan.
  • Grilled turkey & cheese + canned soup –> Or any combination of your fav quick and easy soup and sandwich.
  • Italian sausages + peppers + onions –> On the grill or baked on a sheet pan. Eat on rolls or as is!
  • Ravioli/tortellini + diced tomatoes + baby spinach + parmesan –> Cook pasta, saute in butter and garlic with tomatoes and baby spinach. Top with parmesan cheese. Add shrimp for extra protein.
  • Bagged caesar salad + rotisserie chicken or chicken fingers + tortilla –> Make a chicken Caeser wrap and serve with fruit. Swap another bagged salad kit or your fav lettuce and dressing if you want.
  • Cooked chicken + frozen veggies + biscuit dough –> Cooke chicken and veggies with some flour and broth. Add a splash of cream. Bring to a boil, drop in biscuit dough, cover and let dumplings cook!
  • Leftover chicken + frozen veggies + rice –> Saute chicken and veggies, add rice (and eggs to scramble if you want) and some soy sauce to make fried rice. Sub frozen edamame to make it vegetarian.

Are you looking for easy dinner ideas for those nights you don't feel like cooking? Here's a round-up on super simple meals that you can make without much time, effort or brainpower. 

Need more ideas? Check out these posts:

Easy Weeknight Meal Ideas

Easy Weeknight Meals

15 quick family meals collage

Quick Family Meals

Easy Pantry and Freezer Meals

Easy Pantry & Freezer Meals

Enjoy!

–Lindsay–

Filed Under: Dinner, Ingredient Round-Ups

Healthy Freezer Snacks

December 14, 2020 by Lindsay 24 Comments

Need some healthy snack ideas to feed your kids after school? Here are some easy, nutritious ideas that you can prep ahead of time and freeze!

Collage of sweet potato waffles, berry smoothie, freezer oatmeal cups and english muffin pizza

Hi Friends!

I’m excited to share some healthy freezer snacks with you today! If you’ve followed for a while, you know I love my freezer and that I often use it mostly to make my life easier at snack time vs dinner time like some people.

Over the years I’ve found several snacks that can be frozen. Ie you prep them ahead of time and store them in the freezer so that when you have three kids screaming about how hungry they are, you can quickly pull something out for them! Lots of these ideas can be found in my After School Healthy Snacks and Healthy Snacks for Toddlers posts.

If you want some non-freezer snack ideas, check out these posts:

  • Healthy Amazon Snacks
  • Best Trader Joe’s Snacks
  • Best Healthy Walmart Snacks
  • Healthy Snacks At Costco For The Whole Family
  • Peanut & Tree Nut Free Packaged Snacks
  • Lower Sugar Cereals For Kids
  • Healthy Store Bought Granola Bars for Kids
  • 60+ Healthy Packaged Snacks For Kids

Here are a few freezer snack ideas:

Healthy Freezer Snacks

Lemon Energy Balls made with dates and pepitas

Energy balls

Energy balls and bars are great for the freezer. They don’t freeze all the way through, so you can eat them straight from the freezer and they last forever so you can make a big batch to have them on hand when you need them.

A few favorites:

  • Lemon Energy Balls
  • Mint Chocolate Energy Bites
  • My Go-To Energy Balls
  • No-Bake Cookie Dough Bars

Pro tip- If you don’t want to spend the time rolling them into balls, just press into a 9×9 pan, then freeze and cut into bars.

Silken Tofu Berry Smoothie

Smoothies

Did you know you can prep smoothies ahead of time and freeze in glass jars? Then just pop them in the microwave when you’re ready to eat. I usually make a big batch in my Vitamix – enough for 6 smoothies – and freeze them all which gets me through 3 snack times with my boys. 

A few favorites 

  • Silken Tofu Mixed Berry Smoothie (If you’re not into tofu, swap in yogurt or milk!)
  • Kid-Friendly Smoothies with Vegetables
  • My go-to smoothie for the boys is mixed berries, milk, spinach and a splash of OJ

If you don’t have glass jars, you can also freeze smoothies in popsicle molds and enjoy them that way!

Frozen english muffin mini pizzas with grapes and carrots

English Muffin Pizzas

These are a fan favorite around here. Just prep, freeze and microwave for 1 min when ready to eat.

Here’s my Freezer English Muffin Pizza recipe.

freezer prep oatmeal cups with a bowl of oatmeal

Oatmeal

Make a big batch of oatmeal, freeze in muffin tins and reheat as needed! Top with nut butter and fruit.

Here’s my recipe for Freezer Oatmeal Cups.

Sweet Potato Waffles with chocolate chips and fresh strawberries

Waffles

Waffles freeze beautifully and all you have to do is pop them in the toaster. I always make a double batch then let them cool completely, break in half and freeze. Use them in place of bread for a sandwich to change things up!

A few favorites:

  • Banana Flax Waffles
  • Sweet Potato Waffles
  • Whole Wheat Yogurt Waffles
  • Try these Pumpkin Oat Flour Muffins for a gluten-free option

Lentil Banana Muffins - perfect for breakfast or snack

Muffins and Bars

Almost all muffins and bars freeze well. Make a double batch, freeze and just thaw on the counter or in the microwave as needed!

Favorites around here:

  • Lentil Banana Muffins
  • Sweet Potato White Bean Bars
  • Carrot Oat Bars

You can find all my muffin and bar recipes in one spot in the post: Kid-Friendly Baking Recipes.

Other ideas:

frozen bananas with peanut butter and hemp

Frozen bananas

Slice bananas lengthwise, cut in half, top with peanut butter, sprinkle with hemp seeds and chocolate chips and freeze. Eat straight from the freezer.

Frozen yogurt

  • Dip blueberries in yogurt, freeze on a parchment lined baking tray, store in a bag in the freezer
  • Put yogurt in a ziploc bag, cut off the corner and squeeze yogurt drops onto parchment paper. Freeze, store in a bag in the freezer.
  • Freeze yogurt tubes so they can be eaten frozen.
  • Mix granola, chopped nuts and seeds, fruit and chocolate chips into yogurt. Spread on a parchment-lined tray and freeze. Break into chunks for frozen yogurt bark.
  • Try these Chocolate Covered Raspberries to change things up!

ham and cheese egg cups

Eggs

Not everyone likes eggs frozen and reheated but if they get the thumbs up for your eaters, they are a great freezer option. Make them egg cups like these Ham and Cheese Egg Cups or scramble a bunch of eggs to make breakfast-style burritos that you can freeze and reheat.

See anything you like? Pin this post for later!

Need some healthy snack ideas to feed your kids after school? Here are some easy, nutritious ideas that you can prep ahead of time and freeze!

Want more snack ideas? I have a whole snack resource for you. Check out The Snack Spark for simple snack pairings, allergy-friendly snacks, my favorite bars and cereals and more!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Filed Under: Snack, Snack Round-Ups

10 Healthy After School Snacks For Kids

December 13, 2020 by Lindsay 2 Comments

10 easy to make, kid-friendly after school snacks that are perfect to help kids stay full until it’s time for dinner!

After school snacks for kids

Hi Friends!

Now that school has been in full swing for a while, I’ve had some requests for after-school snacks. It seems people have run through their list of go-to snacks and the kids are getting sick of them! So I’m hopeful that this roundup will give you a few new ideas! These ideas are mostly homemade. If you’re looking for even more ideas for after school snacks to buy, I’ve got them in this post: After School Healthy Snacks. In that post, I tackle different after-school situations including if you eat dinner early or late, have sports practice, need car snacks or non-perishable snacks etc!

You can also check out my posts on Healthy High Protein Snacks and High Protein Vegan Snacks.

And if you need nut-free snacks specifically, I’ve got you covered with these Peanut and Tree Nut Free Packaged Snacks!

These snacks would be great additions to lunch boxes as well. I have a guide – A Month of Easy Packed Lunch Ideas for Kids if you need more lunch box ideas!

After School Snacks

Gluten-free pumpkin yogurt bars with peanut butter and hemp seeds

Muffins and bars are my go-to snack always and I have so many options for you. They’re packed with healthy ingredients like vegetables, lentils, beans, nuts and seeds AND they taste great. Everything from Pumpkin Yogurt Bars, to Lentil Banana Muffins, to Sweet Potato White Bean Bars!

My Kid-Friendly Baking Recipes post has links to all these recipes in one convenient post!

Apple Graham Snack Nachos

A mix of apple slices and graham crackers drizzled with yogurt and peanut butter plus lots of fun toppings!

Apple Graham Cracker Snack Nachos

These Easy Egg Wraps are perfect for a low-carb, high-protein snack. Make several ahead of time and fill with things like turkey, avocado, cheese, hummus and more.

Egg wraps made with just one ingredient – eat them plain or fill with pepperoni and cheese or turkey and avocado etc!

Easy Egg Wraps

Frozen english muffin mini pizzas with grapes and carrots

Prep a bunch of mini pizzas ahead of time and just microwave as needed.

Frozen English Muffin Mini Pizzas

Silken Tofu Berry Smoothie

Silken tofu adds protein to smoothies without altering the taste! Did you know you can make smoothies ahead of time, then simple freeze in glass jars and microwave as needed?!

Silken Tofu Smoothie

Go-To Energy Ball Recipe great for kids or snack for breastfeeding moms

Another nutrient-packed snack that can be made ahead of time and just grabbed from the freezer as needed.

My Go-To Energy Balls (Or try my Lemon Energy Balls)

Pro tip- If you don’t want to spend time rolling balls, just press the mixture into a 9×9 pan, freeze and then cut into bars.

This Peanut Butter Banana Chia Pudding makes an easy, kid-friendly snack. It's packed with protein and healthy fats and is easy to prep ahead of time.

Top with peanut butter or add some chocolate chips for fun!

PB Banana Chia Pudding 

Microwave Egg Sandwich with avocado and cheese and grapes and yogurt on the side

A super-quick way to make an egg sandwich. Add cheese, turkey, avocado etc!

90 Second Microwave Egg Sandwich

freezer prep oatmeal cups with a bowl of oatmeal

Make a big batch of oatmeal, freeze in muffin tins and then just pull a couple out and microwave for a snack.

Freezer Prep Oatmeal Cups

Overhead shot of Banana Flax Waffles topped with blueberries and peanut butter

Waffles do great in the toaster. Make a batch, freeze and then toast as needed. Use one instead of bread to make peanut butter and jelly for a fun change of pace!

Banana Flax Waffles

See anything that caught your eye? Pin this post for later to remind you!

10 easy to make, kid-friendly after school snacks that are perfect to help kids stay full until it's time for dinner!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

If this post was helpful and you want even more snack ideas, you’ll love The Snack Spark. It’s a pdf resource guide that includes what makes a healthy snack, simple snack pairings, my favorite bars and allergy-friendly snacks! Check out The Snack Spark for more details!

I’ve also got several snack posts if you need more ideas:

  • Healthy Amazon Snacks
  • Best Trader Joe’s Snacks
  • Best Healthy Walmart Snacks
    Healthy Snacks At Costco For The Whole Family
  • Lower Sugar Cereals For Kids
  • Healthy Store Bought Granola Bars for Kids
  • 60+ Healthy Packaged Snacks For Kids

Filed Under: Snack, Snack Round-Ups

No-Bake Peppermint Chocolate Bites

December 12, 2020 by Lindsay

These No-Bake Peppermint Chocolate Bites are simple, healthy and ready in minutes. This gluten-free recipe would make a great addition to your holiday cookie tray! 

These No-Bake Peppermint Chocolate Bites are simple, healthy and ready in minutes. This gluten-free recipe would make a great addition to your holiday cookie tray!

*Originally published 12/2015.*

Hi friends!

I’ve been making these No-Bake Peppermint Chocolate Bites for 5 years now and they are still a HUGE favorite of mine. I actually make them year-round, usually sans candy cane or white chocolate drizzle, but now that the holiday season has rolled around again, I plan to enjoy adding those crushed candy canes to my next few batches!

These No-Bake Peppermint Chocolate Bites are simple, healthy and ready in minutes. This gluten-free recipe would make a great addition to your holiday cookie tray!

These mint chocolate bites come together super quickly, are full of flavor and require just a few ingredients!

Here’s how you make them:

 

Print

No-Bake Peppermint Chocolate Bites

No Bake Peppermint Chocolate Bites 1
Print Recipe

These No-Bake Peppermint Chocolate Bites are simple, healthy and ready in minutes. This gluten-free recipe would make a great addition to your holiday cookie tray!

  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: approximately 16 balls 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup almonds
  • 1/2 cup pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds)
  • 1 cup dates, pitted and chopped
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 3/4 tsp peppermint extract
  • 2–4 Tbsp milk – dairy or non-dairy (you could also use water)
  • Optional coating: crushed candy canes & melted white chocolate

Instructions

  1. Put almonds and pepitas in a food processor and pulse until well chopped.
  2. Add dates and pulse several times to chop.
  3. Add cocoa powder, peppermint extract and milk (or water) and process until well combined. (I’d start with 2 Tbsp of liquid and add more if needed.
  4. Form mixture into balls. Mixture will be a little bit wet and slightly sticky.
  5. Roll in crushed candy canes or drizzle with white chocolate if desired.
  6. Store in the fridge or freezer.
  7. Enjoy!

Notes

– You can eat these straight out of the freezer if you like them super cold.
– Feel free to sub in your favorite nuts or seeds.
– If you want an even sweeter treat, sub 1 Tbsp maple syrup for 1 Tbsp milk

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @theleangreenbean on Instagram

Aren’t these peppermint chocolate bites just so freaking festive?! Makes me want to eat the whole batch ASAP. Also keep in mind that if you like mint and want to forego the candy canes, you could eat these as mint chocolate energy bites year round!

These No-Bake Peppermint Chocolate Bites are simple, healthy and ready in minutes. This gluten-free recipe would make a great addition to your holiday cookie tray!

I enjoyed mine straight out of the freezer, but they also do fine stored in the fridge. They don’t really freeze all the way through so you can easily bite into them even right when you take them out.

These No-Bake Peppermint Chocolate Bites are simple, healthy and ready in minutes. This gluten-free recipe would make a great addition to your holiday cookie tray! 

 

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Filed Under: Baking, Dessert, Snack Tagged With: Almond, Chocolate Chips, Cocoa Powder, Dates, Milk, Pepitas

30+ Kid-Friendly Dinners

December 2, 2020 by Lindsay 2 Comments

These Kid-Friendly Dinners come highly recommended and are perfect to try with your picky eaters. They’re simple, easy and can be served with a variety of side dishes. 

kid-friendly dinners even the pickiest eaters will love

Hi friends!

Let’s talk kid-friendly dinners, shall we? Lately, I’ve been in a little bit of a dinner rut when it comes to feeding my family. Survival seems to be the name of the game lately and I don’t have a lot of energy left over for dinner planning. Add in that I’ve got a couple of kids who aren’t the most adventurous eaters and it has me falling into the trap of serving many of the same things over and over. 

I decided it was time to learn what some kid-friendly favorites were in other houses so I reached out to my Instagram community and made a list! Of course, some of the responses were the “stereotypical kid dinners”, yet even so, they’re still good ideas! I haven’t made pulled pork sliders in forever and my oldest loves them. So here are 10 easy ideas that don’t even need a recipe:

  1. Spaghetti with Meatballs
  2. Tacos/Nachos
  3. Breakfast for Dinner
  4. Mac and Cheese
  5. Hot Dogs/Pigs in a Blanket
  6. Hamburgers
  7. Quesadillas
  8. Pizza
  9. Chicken Noodle Soup
  10. BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

Then I made a list of specific types of recipes that were recommended several times like lemon chicken and hamburger helper and asked people to submit links to a specific recipe if they use one and it’s a hit with their family. Here are some fan favorites:

Kid-Friendly Dinners

cheesy ham and rice casserole

  • Cheesy Ham and Rice via Iowa Girl Eats (pictured above)
  • Lemon Chicken via Ina Garten
  • Change Your Life Chicken Shawarma via The Lazy Genius
  • Turkey Pumpkin White Bean Chili via Skinny Taste – top with cheese and Fritos or serve with tortilla chips for scooping
  • Pizza Pasta Bake via Spend with Pennies

pasta e cici

  • Pasta with Chickpeas via Smitten Kitchen (pictured above)
  • Creamy Chicken Quinoa Broccoli Casserole via Pinch of Yum
  • One-Pot Hamburger Helper via The Defined Dish
  • Double Crust Chicken Pot Pie via Sally’s Baking Addiction or this one from Pillsbury
  • Easy Chicken Marinade via The Lean Green Bean – after marinating I cook in a pan with carrots and serve with orzo.

slow cooker whole chicken

  • Fall Apart Slow Cooker Chicken via Wholefully (pictured above)
  • Pesto Chicken Tortellini via The Lean Green Bean (make this even easier by using chicken sausage and just mixing it with pasta, pesto and peas)
  • Skillet Tater Tot Casserole via Iowa Girl Eats
  • Greek-Style Chicken via The Defined Dish
  • Honey Soy Salmon 

cheesy broccoli cauliflower soup

  • Best Broccoli Cauliflower Cheese Soup via Modern Minimalism (pictured above) Serve with crusty bread for dipping!
  • Sloppy Joes via Divas Can Cook
  • Three Layer Lasagna via Barilla
  • Instant Pot Hamburger Stroganoff via Julie’s Eats & Treats
  • Shrimp Scampi (replace zoodles with regular noodles if you want. You can also sub chicken for shrimp)

oven baked chicken parmesan

  • Chicken Parmesan via Well Plated (pictured above)
  • Meatloaf via The Wholesome Dish
  • Instant Pot Crack Chicken Pasta via Plain Chicken
  • Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta via Crafty Morning
  • Swedish Meatballs via Damn Delicious

 

A few more ideas to try:

  1. Chicken Tortilla Soup – especially served with tortilla chips for dipping
  2. Fish Sticks – you could make your own. I buy mine premade. Easy way to get fish into all 3 kids at my house.
  3. Chow Mein – I loved this dish as a kid and I was a VERY picky eater
  4. Stuffed Shells – start simple with just sausage and cheese and then you can start working some veggies in!

Let’s chat:

Do your kids have a favorite recipe?

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

 

Filed Under: Dinner, Kids

Leftover Turkey and White Bean Soup

November 23, 2020 by Lindsay 1 Comment

This Leftover Turkey and White Bean Soup is perfect for transforming Thanksgiving leftovers into a new meal. Or make it with chicken any time of year!

Leftover Turkey and White Bean Soup

Thanks to BUSH’S® Beans for sponsoring this post.

Hi friends!

With the holidays coming up, I am so excited to share this Leftover Turkey and White Bean soup with all of you. If your family is anything like mine, you’ll most certainly end up with leftovers from your holiday meal. My favorite thing to do with leftover turkey is to use it to make soup! And this year I’m pairing it with some BUSH’S® Beans because nobody knows beans better. 

BUSH’S® is family-owned, and they truly care about what’s in their food and how they make it….so you can feel good about bringing them into your kitchen!

Usually, I have enough leftovers to eat a holiday dinner, have a repeat of it the next day and STILL have some leftover. By day 2 it can start to feel a bit repetitive so with this soup I wanted to transform the leftover turkey into something totally different.

Turkey and White Bean Soup

Two bowls of Turkey and White Bean Soup topped with cheese and avocado

Enter BUSH’S® Beans! In this soup we’re using two cans of beans, one as a main ingredient and the other as a special addition to puree and help thicken! It’s a super easy way to make your soups creamier while also adding some extra protein and fiber. 

Want to use up even more holiday leftovers? You could put some leftover mashed potatoes in the bottom of your bowl before serving! And use the turkey bones to make your own broth!

leftover turkey and white bean soup ingredients

Here’s the lineup of soup ingredients:

  • BUSH’S® Beans – You can use either of their white beans. I used a mix of Cannellini and Great Northern Beans.
  • Leftover turkey – You could also use leftover cooked chicken.
  • Corn – Canned or frozen work well
  • Green chiles – I use mild but you can grab medium or hot if you like a little kick!
  • Bell pepper – Any color but green should work great.
  • Onion & Garlic
  • Broth – Chicken broth or vegetable broth.
  • Spices – Cumin and chili powder bring the flavor of this soup to life!

Here’s how you make it:

Print

Leftover Turkey and White Bean Soup

leftover turkey white bean soup 2 copy
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

This Leftover Turkey and White Bean Soup is perfect for transforming holiday leftovers into a new meal. Or make it with chicken any time of year!

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 20 min
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: serves 4-6 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3/4 cup diced onion
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 diced bell pepper
  • 1 (4.5 oz can ) diced green chiles (I use mild)
  • 3/4 cup salsa verde
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 quart broth (vegetable or chicken)
  • 2 cans BUSH’S® Beans -either Cannellini or Great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn (canned or frozen)
  • 2 cups cooked turkey or chicken

Instructions

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, saute onion, garlic, peppers, green chiles, salsa verde, cumin and chili powder over medium high heat for 6-7 minutes.
  2. Add 1 cup BUSH’S® Beans, 3/4 cup of onion mixture from the soup pot and 3/4 cup broth to a blender and puree until smooth.
  3. Return bean mixture to the soup pot and add corn, turkey and remaining beans and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer for at least 10 minutes or until ready to eat.
  4. Taste and adjust seasonings. Top with avocado, cheese, tortilla chips and a squeeze of lime juice!

Notes

You can use more or less turkey depending on how much you have leftover.

You can add an extra tsp of cumin for more flavor and if you want it spicier, add more chili powder, some cayenne pepper or some jalapenos!

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @theleangreenbean on Instagram

Looks delicious right?! Like I mentioned, if you don’t have leftover turkey, this soup would be great any time of year using cooked chicken. Rotisserie chicken is a great option to make this a quick and easy weeknight dinner.

Top your soup with avocados, cheese and crushed tortilla chips!

This Leftover Turkey and White Bean Soup is perfect for transforming holiday leftovers into a new meal. Or make it with chicken any time of year!

 

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Filed Under: Dinner, Soup & Salad, Sponsored Tagged With: Bell Pepper, Chicken, Chicken Broth, Corn, Garlic, Great Northern Beans, Green Chilis, Onion, Salsa Verde, turkey

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bean Bread

November 16, 2020 by Lindsay 17 Comments

This Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bean Bread will definitely become your go-to snack. It’s packed with fiber and protein and kid-friendly too! The whole family will love it!

Gluten-free pumpkin white bean bread with coffee

Thanks to BUSH’S® Beans for sponsoring this post.

Hi friends!

I am so excited to share this Pumpkin White Bean Bread recipe with you guys today and even more thrilled to announce my latest brand partnership with BUSH’S® Beans! If you’ve been around for any length of time, you know I’m a huge fan of beans. You’ve seen my use them regularly in dinner recipes like these Asian Farro White Bean Bowls and this Sweet Potato Chicken Chili. I also often add them to my Instant Pot Peanut Noodles. They’re also a staple in almost all my soups!

White Bean Baking Recipes

But did you know that one of my absolute favorite ways to use beans is in baking?! That’s right. They are the perfect addition to your muffins, bars and quick breads. And nobody knows beans better than BUSH’S®. Their beans are a naturally gluten-free plant-based protein and they select only the best beans, never compromising on ingredient quality!

Try them in these recipes too:

  • Blondie Snickerdoodle Bars
  • Sweet Potato White Bean Bars
  • White Bean Muffins

 Pumpkin Bread Gluten Free

pumpkin, great northern beans, eggs, brown sugar and oil in a food processor

Baking with beans is an easy way to add some fiber and protein to your favorite snacks. My Sweet Potato White Bean Bars are one of my favorite recent recipes and since we’re in full-on Fall mode over here, I decided what better time to play off of those and give a little upgrade to a classic pumpkin bread recipe?!

This Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bean Bread couldn’t be easier. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • BUSH’S® Great Northern Beans – they have a super mild flavor and are perfect for baking
  • Pumpkin – make sure you grab 100% pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie filling
  • Eggs
  • Brown Sugar – you could try subbing white sugar or maple syrup but I haven’t tried it myself yet
  • Oil – I use avocado oil for its mild flavor
  • Vanilla extract
  • Flour- I use a gluten-free all-purpose mix (be sure to choose one with xanthan gum) but you can easily use white or white whole wheat flour instead
  • Baking soda
  • Baking powder
  • Cinnamon – I use just cinnamon for this recipe but you could use pumpkin pie spice or do half cinnamon/half ginger
Pumpkin white bean bread with can of white beans and coffee

Since this is made in the food processor, it really couldn’t be easier. Just add the wet ingredients, blend until smooth, add the dry ingredients, blend again, pour into a loaf pan and bake!

Here’s the recipe:

Pumpkin Bean Bread

Print

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bean Bread

Pumpkin white bean bread with can of white beans and coffee
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 7 reviews

This Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bean Bread will definitely become your go-to snack. It’s packed with fiber and protein and kid-friendly too. The whole family will love it!

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 45 min
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 1 loaf 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (15oz) can BUSH’S® Great Northern Beans, drained
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup oil (I use avocado oil)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (increase to 2/3 or 3/4 for a sweeter bread)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1.5 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (you can sub white or white whole wheat flour)
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder

Instructions

  1. In a food processor, combine BUSH’S® beans, pumpkin, eggs, oil, brown sugar and vanilla and puree until smooth.
  2. Add flour, cinnamon, baking soda and baking powder and process until combined.
  3. Pour into a 9×5 loaf pan lined with parchment paper. If using a gluten-free flour mix, let sit 10 minutes before baking.
  4. Bake at 375 for 40-45 minutes.

Notes

You can play around with the flavor profile. Use pumpkin pie spice if you like it or try 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp ginger. For a gingerbread twist, add 2-4 Tbsp molasses and 1 tsp ginger.

Make sure your gluten-free flour blend has xanthan gum in it.

You can sub cannellini beans for great northern beans.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @theleangreenbean on Instagram

See what I mean? So easy. Just dump, blend and bake!

This Pumpkin White Bean Bread will definitely become your go-to snack. It's packed with fiber and protein and can easily be made gluten-free. Plus it's kid-friendly. The whole family will love it!

Let me know if you try this one!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Filed Under: Breakfast, Baking, Healthy Muffins & Bars, Lunch, Snack, Sponsored Tagged With: Brown Sugar, Egg, Great Northern Beans, Oil, Pumpkin, White Whole Wheat Flour

100 Healthy Toddler Meals

November 3, 2020 by Lindsay 32 Comments

Looking for healthy toddler meals? Here are 100 real-life toddler plates with ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner from a Registered Dietitian to inspire you.

Looking for healthy toddler meals to feed your kid? Here are 100 plates with healthy toddler meal ideas

(Originally published October 2016)

Hi Friends!

When my oldest child was a toddler, I took SO many photos of his toddler food. So many more than I take of my third kid’s plate as a two-year-old 🙂 As I started sharing them, people constantly asked me for more healthy toddler meals so I started saving the photos and rounding them up into large posts like this.

Food for toddlers can be tricky and I’m hopeful that posts like this help inspire some parents who might be stuck in a mealtime rut!


For more ideas, check out my other roundup post of 150+ Simple Toddler Meal Ideas.

If you have kids that are a little older and you need lunch box ideas, I have a whole guide- A Month of Easy Packed Lunch Ideas For Kids to help you out!


Food For Toddlers

Plates are from Replay Recycled (aff link).

Healthy Toddler Foods

Cornbread + Spanish Rice + Mexican Chicken Skillet
Peaches + Sheet Pan Pork Chops w/ Sweet Potatoes & Apples
Sweet Potato + Tortellini +Apples + Chicken Sausage
Sweet Potatoes + Peas + Cajun Meatloaf + Hummus


Toddler food plate ideas

Siggis 4% Vanilla Yogurt + Blueberries + Barely Banana Protein Pancakes w/ smashed berries
Apples + Avocado + Annie’s Organic mac & cheese + peas
Sweet Potato + Tortellini + Blueberries + Avocado Toast + Chicken Sausage
Dave’s Killer Bread 21 Grain Toast w/ butter + Mandarin Oranges+ Scrambled Eggs


Healthy Food For Toddlers

Maple Hill Creamery Plain Full Fat Yogurt + Peaches + Aussie Bite + Turkey
Avocado + Pears + Barely Banana Protein Pancakes w/ smashed berries
Mediterranean Skillet Chicken Pasta w/ ketchup + Homemade Crockpot Cinnamon Applesauce
Cottage Cheese + Grapes + Whole Wheat Yogurt Waffles

Healthy Meals for Kids

Yogurt + Blueberries + Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Bar
Pears + Peas + Chicken & Black Bean Quesadilla
Pears + Yogurt + PB Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Tortellini w/ pasta sauce + Grapes + Egg Waffle


Snacks for Toddlers

Whole Wheat Yogurt Waffle w/ peanut butter + Blueberries + Turkey
Grapes + Cottage Cheese + PB & J Toast
Sweet Potato + Pears + Tuna Quinoa Cake w/ ketchup
Strawberries + Avocado Toast + Pulled Pork with hummus


toddler meals

Dave’s Killer Bread 21 Grain Toast + Strawberries + Fried Egg
Baked Beans + Mac & Cheese + Pulled Pork (our fav takeout meal)
Pears + Roasted Squash w/ cottage cheese + Pork & Hummus
Mandarin oranges + plain Siggis 4% yogurt + sausage + Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Bar


healthy toddler foods

Applesauce + Sweet Potato + Lasagna
Pears + GF Pumpkin Yogurt Bar + Pork
Baked Beans + Apple Sauce + Tuna Quinoa Cake
Red pepper strips + Apple + Turkey, Cheese & Hummus Roll-up


toddler meals

Pumpkin Energy Ball + Cucumber + French Toast Waffle (dip bread in batter & put on waffle iron)
Peaches + Steamed Mixed Veggies + Rotisserie Chicken & Tortellini w/ marinara
Polenta + Pears + Brown Sugar Roasted Squash + Grilled Chicken
Peanut Butter Toast + Prunes + Slow Cooker Creamy Pumpkin Chicken


toddler meals

Chicken Tortellini (Costco) + Steamed Veggies + Rotisserie Chicken
Plain yogurt + peaches + banana bread muffin
Grapes + Sweet Potatoes + Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Strawberries + Mac and Cheese + Turkey


toddler meals

Peas + Edamame with hummus + Turkey and Avocado Grilled Cheese
PB & J Toast + Avocado + Turkey
Cottage Cheese + Pumpkin Muffin + Hard Boiled Egg
Pasta + Corn + Crockpot Meatballs


healthy toddler meals

 Peas + Applesauce +Baked Salmon + Chicken & Cheese Tortellini (from Costco)
Cheese quesadilla + Frozen peas + Beer Braised Pulled Pork
Deconstructed Meatball Sub + Maple Bacon Roasted Carrots
Apples + Leftover Pumpkin pie + Turkey + Avocado


quick toddler meals

Cottage cheese + Pears + Sweet Potato Bite + Life cereal
Blue Corn Tortilla Chips + Green Bean Casserole + Cheesy Chicken
Hummus + Strawberries + Smoked Salmon (we get it at Costco)
Cottage cheese + Clementine + Hard Boiled Egg (from Costco) + Smoked Salmon


easy toddler meal ideas

Sweet Potato Fries + Clementine + Freezer Chicken Tenders
Sweet Potato Protein Cookie + SimplyNature Broccoli Bites (from Aldi) + Chicken Sausage
Clementine + Cucumbers with Hummus + Turkey (Plainville Organic) & Crackers
Clementine + Steamed Sweet Potato + Stuffed Shells


toddler dinners

Clementine + Cottage Cheese + Whole Wheat Yogurt Waffle with peanut butter (I love Crazy Richard’s)
Fresh Mozzarella + Deconstructed Chicken Sausage Skillet with Zoodles
Clementine + Broccoli Bites + Paleo Turkey Sweet Potato Meatballs
Broccoli Bites + Mandarin Oranges + Instant Pot Asian Chicken


toddler breakfast and lunch ideas

Applesauce + Cottage Cheese + Peanut Butter & Jelly Toast (on Dave’s Killer Bread)
Pears (in 100% juice) + Cottage Cheese + Waffle French Toast
Blueberries + Mini Bell Peppers + Instant Pot Pulled Chicken (just chicken breasts + broth) + Hummus
Roasted Sweet Potatoes + Blueberries + Smoked Salmon


easy toddler meal ideas

Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes + Grapes + Green Beans + Instant Pot Asian Chicken
Cottage Cheese + Clementines + Egg Wrap
Sweet Potatoes + Blueberries + Smoked Salmon
Sweet Potato Bite + Raspberries + HB Egg + Shrimp with Sweet Thai Chili Sauce


healthy toddler dinners

Raspberries + Polenta + Cheesy Pesto Chicken
PB Toast + Avocado + Turkey + Hummus
Meatball Sub + Green Beans
Raspberries + Cottage Cheese + Shredded Chicken + Marinara + Sweet Potatoes


easy healthy dinners for kids

Sweet Potatoes + Broccoli Bites + Lemon Garlic Chicken
PB Banana Oat Muffin + Siggi’s 4% Blueberry Yogurt + Egg Wrap
Blueberries + Blueberry Yogurt + HB Egg + Bite of donut
Applesauce + Blueberries + HB Egg + Sweet Potato Bite


real life toddler meals

Cottage Cheese + Donut + Clementine + French Toast Waffle
Strawberries + Peas + Sweet Potato Protein Cookie + Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Apples + Squash Yogurt Dip + Avocado Chicken Burger
Strawberries + Sweet Potato + Cheeseburger


toddler plates

Pasta + Steamed Carrots + Shrimp
Mashed Sweet Potatoes + Pears + Turmeric Yogurt Chicken
Mandarin Oranges + Yogurt + Egg + Sweet Potato Bite
Sweet Potato Protein Cookie + Grapes + Pesto Pasta + leftover chicken something or other


easy dinners for kids

Mac & Cheese + Roasted Green Beans + Turkey & Hummus Roll-ups
Sweet Potato + Clementine + Egg Wrap + Hummus
Strawberries + Cottage Cheese + PB & J Roll-up
Cottage Cheese + Mixed Veggies +BBQ Chicken + Broccoli Bites


quick and easy dinners for kids

Paprika Roasted Sweet Potatoes + Blueberries + Garlic Chicken + Hummus
Mixed Veggies + Apples + Turkey + Triscuits
Clementine + Siggi’s Plain Whole Milk Yogurt + Life Cereal + Coconut Oil Banana Muffin
Strawberries + Baked Beans + Sheet Pan Italian Salmon and Green Beans


 Hope this helps give you some new ideas!

Looking for healthy toddler meals? Here are 100 real life toddler plates with ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner from a Registered Dietitian to inspire you.

You might also like:

  • 25+ Breakfast Ideas For Kids
  • 60+ Healthy Packaged Snacks for Kids

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Filed Under: Kids, Dinner, Ingredient Round-Ups

Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies

October 2, 2020 by Lindsay 59 Comments

These Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies are flourless, sweetened with dates and full of chocolate flavor. They taste so good you’ll never believe they’re a healthy dessert!

These Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies are flourless, sweetened with dates and full of chocolate flavor. They taste so good you'll never believe they're a healthy dessert!

*Originally published June 2014*

Hi Friends!

These Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies have been a staple around here for over six years so I decided it was time to remind you about them in case you missed them the first time around! 
 
This is by far one of my favorite recipes on the blog because they’re so easy to make in the food processor, they taste great and no one will believe you when you tell them what’s in them!

To make these brownies you just need a few simple ingredients:

  • Medjool dates – if yours aren’t soft and squishy, try soaking them in hot water for 10 minutes first!
  • Mashed sweet potato – to make one quickly, stab a sweet potato all over with a knife and microwave 5-6 minutes.
  • Peanut butter- you could also use almond butter or another nut or seed butter
  • Eggs
  • Cocoa powder – unsweetened is best!
  • Applesauce – you could probably also sub mashed banana
  • Baking soda
  • Chocolate chips – we like Hershey’s special dark

That’s it! Minus maybe the dates, I bet you have all of the ingredients already in your pantry. If you’re feeling skeptical as to whether these will turn out without having any flour, you’re not alone…but believe me when I tell you they’re worth a try!

Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies

Gluten-free sweet potato brownies with peanut butter drizzle and chocolate chips

 

Here’s the recipe:

Print

Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies

Gluten Free Sweet Potato Brownies 5 1
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 9 reviews

These Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies are flourless, sweetened with dates and full of chocolate flavor. They taste so good you’ll never believe they’re a healthy dessert!

  • Author: Author: Lindsay L
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup chopped, pitted Medjool dates
  • 2/3 cup cooked sweet potato, mashed
  • 3/4 c peanut butter (or other nut/seed butter)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 c unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 c applesauce
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 2/3 c dark chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Put the dates, sweet potato, peanut butter, eggs and applesauce in a food processor (or high-powered blender) and process until smooth.
  2. Add the cocoa powder and baking soda and pulse until combined.
  3. Add in the chocolate chips a pulse a few times to mix in.
  4. Spoon into a greased 9×9 pan and bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted in comes out clean.
  5. Optional frosting: When cooled, top with nut butter, melt nut butter and more chocolate chips in the microwave, stir to combine and spread over brownies or top with your favorite frosting

Notes

To quickly get mashed sweet potato, stab a sweet potato all over with a knife and microwave 5-6 minutes.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @theleangreenbean on Instagram

Aren’t they pretty?!

These Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Brownies are flourless, sweetened with dates and full of chocolate flavor. They taste so good you'll never believe they're a healthy dessert!

 

I like topping them with peanut butter but you can also enjoy them plain or sprinkle some chocolate chips on top right when they come out of the oven and then spread them into a frosting once they warm up!

 

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

 

Filed Under: Baking, Dessert, Healthy Muffins & Bars Tagged With: Applesauce, Chocolate Chips, Cocoa Powder, Egg, Peanut Butter, Sweet Potato

Sweet and Spicy Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Chicken Sausage

September 29, 2020 by Lindsay Leave a Comment

These Sweet and Spicy Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with chicken sausage make the perfect sheet pan dinner. And the two-ingredient sauce couldn’t be easier!

Sweet and Spicy Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with chicken sausage and sweet potatoes

Hi friends!

I’ve got a super-easy dinner idea to share with you and it’s perfect for Fall! Lately we have fallen in love with brussels sprouts over here, which is so hilarious to me because I grew up hating them. My dad loves them and I always thought they were so gross. But in an effort to up my cruciferous vegetable intake, I decided to give them another try and I’ve discovered that oven roasted brussels sprouts are much better than steamed and if you add a sweet and spicy sauce, they’re a winner for sure. 

The sweet and spicy sauce was inspired by my fellow RD Kim who just released an awesome cookbook called How To Cook Vegetables (aff link). If you’re looking for some fun new ways to try veggies, definitely check it out!

Sweet and Spicy Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with chicken sausage and a side of roasted sweet potatoes

I’ve been making this meal at last once a week for the past month and the brussels sprouts themselves at least twice a week! My favorite hot sauce is the Jalapeno Condiment from Yellowbird Foods. It’s got a kick but isn’t overwhelming. They’ve also got a serrano and habenero version if you want more heat! To balance out the spicy I use maple syrup. 

And to turn this into an easy dinner, I add chicken sausage to roast along with the sprouts and then cook some sweet potatoes on another sheet pan. You could also microwave a couple sweet potatoes ahead of time and just reheat them!

Here’s the super simple recipe:

Print

Sweet and Spicy Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Chicken Sausage

Sweet and Spicy Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with chicken sausage and sweet potatoes
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These Sweet and Spicy Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with chicken sausage make the perfect sheet pan dinner. And the two-ingredient sauce couldn’t be easier!

  • Author: Lindsay

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound brussels sprouts
spray oil and sea salt
3–4 pre-cooked chicken sausages
2 Tbsp hot sauce (I like Yellowbird jalapeno condiment. Something like sriracha would also work)
2–3 tsp maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Cut the ends off the brussels sprouts and cut them into quarters.
  2. Arrange on a large sheet pan along with sliced chicken sausages.
  3. Spray with oil and sprinkle with salt.
  4. Roast at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until brussels sprouts reach desired level of doneness.
  5. Mix hot sauce and maple syrup in a small bowl. Taste and adjust as needed.
  6. Remove pan from oven, pour sauce over top and stir to coat.

Notes

I usually throw a second pan in the oven at the same time with some sweet potatoes to roast. You may need to increase the cooking time on the brussels sprouts if you do this!

If you don’t like brussels sprouts, try broccoli or cauliflower.

I never even measure for the sauce. Just a few squirts of hot sauce and a dash of maple syrup does the trick!

Did you make this recipe?

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Easy right? If you think you don’t like brussels sprouts, definitely try this combo. And if you still don’t like them, you could sub broccoli or cauliflower.

These Sweet and Spicy Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts with chicken sausage make the perfect sheet pan dinner. And the two-ingredient sauce couldn't be easier!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Filed Under: Dinner Tagged With: Chicken Sausage, Maple Syrup, Sweet Potato

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Yogurt Bars

September 14, 2020 by Lindsay 60 Comments

This recipe for Gluten-Free Pumpkin Yogurt Bars makes a quick, healthy breakfast or snack. They’re kid-friendly and you can customize with your favorite mix-ins!.

Gluten-free pumpkin yogurt bars with peanut butter and hemp seeds

*Originally published June 2016. Updated Sept 2020*

Hi friends!

I first shared these Gluten-free Pumpkin Yogurt Bars four years ago and they’re still a weekly staple at our house…and not just in the fall! I make them year-round and they’re one of my favorite gluten-free pumpkin recipes, as well as my kids.

I first started making these when my oldest was a young toddler. They’re perfect for young kiddos because they’re moist, not super crumbly and you can make them with no added sugar if you choose! Top them with peanut butter too add some healthy fats to your meal or snack or customize to your liking by adding mix-ins like chocolate chips, Craisins, nuts or seeds.

You only need a few simple ingredients to make these:

  • Pumpkin – be sure to get 100% pumpkin puree for canned pumpkin recipes, not pumpkin pie filling.
  • Yogurt – I use plain, but you could use vanilla. You can also use milk (try plant-based to make them dairy-free) or even kefir.
  • Eggs – I haven’t tried it, but you can probably sub flax eggs if needed
  • Peanut butter- you can use your favorite nut or seed butter
  • Maple syrup – I originally shared this recipe using a jar of baby food prunes. Since my kids are older now I don’t always have those on hand so I use maple syrup, but prunes are a great way to naturally sweeten this recipe
  • Oat flour – Make your own by just grinding some oats in the food processor. I’ve also used white whole wheat flour and that works fine too.

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Yogurt Bars

Gluten-free pumpkin yogurt bars with a spoonful of peanut butter and bowl of pumpkin

These Gluten-free Pumpkin Bars can be whipped up in just one bowl and they’re perfect for baking with kids! Since they’re moist, it’s best to store them in the fridge.

Here’s the recipe:

Print

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Yogurt Bars

gluten free pumpkin yogurt bars 1 copy
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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 3 reviews

This recipe for Gluten-Free Pumpkin Yogurt Bars makes a quick, healthy breakfast or snack. They’re kid-friendly and easy to customize

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 9 bars 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt (or milk- cow or plant-based)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter (sub oil to make them nut-free)
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup* (I use 1/4 cup)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 3/4 cup oat flour (if not GF, white whole wheat flour works too)
  • Optional mix-ins – chocolate chips, hemp seeds etc

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix the pumpkin, yogurt, eggs, peanut butter (or oil) and maple syrup until well combined.
  2. Add remaining ingredients, including any mix-ins you want and stir to combine.
  3. Pour into a greased 9×9 pan (i lined mine with parchment paper).
  4. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until cooked through.

Notes

*You can also use vanilla yogurt

*I make these with only 1/4 cup maple syrup especially if adding dried fruit or chocolate chips. If you want these naturally sweetenend, swap maple syrup for a jar of baby food prunes.

Did you make this recipe?

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Pretty simple right? These will be a little bit moist inside like most baked pumpkin recipes…and they’re not super sweet. If you want them sweeter, add a little more maple syrup or use vanilla yogurt instead of plain. I store mine in the fridge.

This recipe for Gluten-Free Pumpkin Yogurt Bars makes a quick, healthy breakfast or snack. They're kid-friendly and you can customize with your favorite mix-ins!.

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Filed Under: Breakfast, Baking, Healthy Muffins & Bars, Snack Tagged With: Pumpkin

Maple Cinnamon Sunflower Seed Butter

September 3, 2020 by Lindsay 38 Comments

This Maple Cinnamon Sunflower Seed Butter is nut-free, allergy-friendly and a fun way to change things up from traditional nut butter. Easy to make at home and perfect for nut-free schools and daycares.

Maple Cinnamon Sunflower Seed Butter

*Originally published June 2015*

 

Hi Friends!

Back to school season is here and this Maple Cinnamon Sunflower Seed Butter is is must-try recipe. It’s an easy substitute for the peanut butter or almond butter you typically use toast or sandwiches with and it’s incredibly easy to make at home. Plus it’s perfect if your school or daycare is nut-free.

Although I typically prefer my nut butter to use just two ingredients, nuts and salt, I’ve decided that adding a couple extra ingredients to this version is worth it. Especially if your kiddos are used to eating peanut butter. 

Sunflower seeds have a bit of a different taste and while they don’t taste bad, I’ve found that adding a little extra sweetness and flavor is helpful when introducing a new food like this. As they adjust to the taste, you can always decrease the amount of maple syrup you add.

Maple Cinnamon Sunflower Seed Butter

Maple Cinnamon Sunflower Seed Butter with toast and a clementine

For this seed butter, you need just a few simple ingredients:

  • Sunflower seeds – I made this with both roasted and raw sunflower seeds and prefer to use roasted. If you choose raw, you can toast the seeds in the oven for 10 minutes or so to help release their natural oils but for me, buying them roasted is easier because I can skip that step.
  • Cinnamon – Adds so much flavor.
  • Maple syrup – for sweetness. Start with a little and add more as needed.
  • Vanilla – Optional but another way to add flavor.
  • Salt – as much or as little as you’d like!

And that’s it! The maple, cinnamon and vanilla add a fun twist to classic, plain nut and seed butter. Use it on sandwiches, smoothies, or sauces or add to your morning oatmeal. And if you’ve never made nut or seed butter at home, consider this a kick in the pants, encouraging you to give it a try. And add some flavor to make things a little more exciting!

Here’s how you make it:

Print

Maple Cinnamon Sunflower Seed Butter

maple cinnamon sunflower seed butter
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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 5 reviews

This Maple Cinnamon Sunflower Seed Butter is nut-free, allergy-friendly and a fun way to change things up from traditional nut butter. Easy to make at home and perfect for nut-free schools and daycares.

  • Author: Lindsay L

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups sunflower seeds (I used roasted unsalted)
  • 1–2 Tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract, optional
  • pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Combine sunflower seeds, cinnamon and salt in a food processor and process 7-10 minutes until desired consistency is reached.
  2. Add maple syrup and vanilla, if using. Pulse a few times to mix and transfer to storage container.

Notes

Don’t add the maple syrup or vanilla at the beginning as it may cause the seed butter to seize up.

If your sunflower seeds are raw, spread on a baking sheet at bake at 350 for 10 minutes prior to processing.

Did you make this recipe?

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Feel free to adjust the maple, cinnamon and vanilla to fit your flavor preference. Just know that if you add more liquid after you’ve already got it nice and creamy, it will probably seize up for a little while. Just let the processor continue to run and it will smooth back out! The batch in the pictures is made with raw sunflower seeds so it didn’t get quite as smooth as it does when you start with roasted sunflower seeds.

This Maple Cinnamon Sunflower Seed Butter is nut-free, allergy-friendly and a fun way to change things up from traditional nut butter. Easy to make at home and perfect for nut-free schools and daycares.

 

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Filed Under: Breakfast, Food Prep, Lunch, Snack Tagged With: Maple Syrup

Peach Zucchini Smoothie Bowl

August 24, 2020 by Lindsay 5 Comments

This Peach Zucchini Smoothie Bowl is the perfect way to add some extra vegetables to your smoothie! Frozen zucchini adds creaminess without changing the flavor. 

This Peach Zucchini Smoothie Bowl is the perfect way to add some extra vegetables to your smoothie! Frozen zucchini adds creaminess without changing the flavor. 

Originally published September 2017*

Hi friends!

This Peach Zucchini Smoothie Bowl is a favorite around here with my boys. I have a rotation of veggies that I go through to add to smoothies, including spinach (check out our go-to smoothie), cauliflower (you can try it in this Blueberry Cauliflower Smoothie ) and today we’re moving on to zucchini as our veggie of choice, which is perfect because your gardens and/or the farmer’s markets are probably overflowing with them right about now.

The end of summer is the perfect time to stock your freezer with zucchini so you can enjoy it in your smoothie year-round! I like to steam mine first because it’s easier to digest for some people (including me) but you can freeze it raw if you want. To steam, I just dice it up, put it in a glass bowl with a little water, cover with a paper towel and microwave 2-3 minutes. Cool completely and then freeze on a baking sheet. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag once frozen. I made this a bowl because I have a personal preference for extra thick smoothies but with a little extra liquid, you can easily make this a drinkable smoothie.

Here’s what you need for this smoothie:

  • Zucchini – raw or steamed, but freeze it first either way before using in smoothies.
  • Peaches – you can really use any fruit you want if you don’t have peaches on hand.
  • Yogurt- vanilla will add a little extra sweetness or you can use plain.
  • Dates- optional but i usually throw in a couple for added sweetness and fiber.
  • Water – I typically use water for my liquid but you could do a mix of any: water, juice or milk

Peach Zucchini Smoothie Bowl

This Peach Zucchini Smoothie Bowl is the perfect way to add some extra vegetables to your smoothie! Frozen zucchini adds creaminess without changing the flavor. 

My kids have been gobbling this smoothie up this summer because I sliced and froze a ton of peaches after we got a big delivery from the peach truck. However, once we work our way through our stash, i’ll probably make this same smoothie with frozen wild blueberries. If you or your kiddos aren’t into drinking green stuff, blueberries are perfect for hiding the green color!

Here’s how you make it:

Print

Peach Zucchini Smoothie Bowl

This Peach Zucchini Smoothie Bowl is the perfect way to add some extra vegetables to your smoothie! Frozen zucchini adds creaminess without changing the flavor. 
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 2 reviews

This Peach Zucchini Smoothie Bowl is the perfect way to add some extra vegetables to your smoothie! Frozen zucchini adds creaminess without changing the flavor.

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 2 min
  • Total Time: 2 min
  • Yield: serves 2

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 cup chopped zucchini, frozen
  • 1.5 cup sliced peaches, fresh or frozen
  • 1 cup full-fat vanilla yogurt (or plain)
  • 1/4 – 3/4 cup water (or milk/juice/etc)
  • 1–2 pitted dates to sweeten, optional

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth. (If using fresh peaches, start with 1/4 cup liquid to help blend and add ice to thicken if needed. If using frozen peaches, start with 1/2-3/4 cup liquid and add more if needed.)

Pour into two bowls.

Add toppings as desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

You can also easily serve this in a cup with a straw!

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @theleangreenbean on Instagram

So easy right? Even if you don’t like this flavor combo, definitely try zucchini in your next smoothie!

This Peach Zucchini Smoothie Bowl is the perfect way to add some extra vegetables to your smoothie! Frozen zucchini adds creaminess without changing the flavor. 

Let’s chat:

What’s your favorite veggie to add to smoothies?!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Filed Under: Snack, Breakfast Tagged With: Dates, Peach, Yogurt, Zucchini

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Lindsay Livingston The Lean Green Bean Healthy Living Tips and Tricks

I'm a Registered Dietitian and mom of three from Columbus, Ohio. I use this blog to share simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and an honest glimpse of motherhood!

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Questions? Comments? Email me: [email protected]

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