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Barely Banana Protein Pancakes

September 12, 2016 by Lindsay 85 Comments

These Barely Banana Protein Pancakes are made with just 4 simple ingredients. They’re a kid-friendly breakfast or snack recipe that can be made quickly in the blender!

Note- I was provided a free copy of this cookbook. All opinions are my own.

Hi Friends!

I have a special treat for you guys today (Be sure to read the whole post!) If you’ve been paying attention in my toddler meals posts, you probably know that we’re breakfast creatures of habit around here. Now, I’m totally fine with that, but it is fun to change things up every once and a while. So when my friend and fellow RD Katie from Mom’s Kitchen Handbook reached out to me to check out her new cookbook, I jumped at the chance when I realized it was ALL ABOUT BREAKFAST!

Rise And Shine: Better Breakfasts for Busy Moms (affiliate link) is packed with 75 super easy breakfast recipes that all sound phenomenal. In this digital world, it’s been a while since I looked through a physical cookbook but I definitely spent some time tagging some recipes to try in this one.

A few that immediately caught my eye were:

Photo Credit: Erin Scott

PB Waffle Iron Sandwich
Milk & Cereal Bars
A Green Smoothie (even the kids will love)

Actually I pretty much wanted to try all of them, so huge congrats to Katie for writing such a phenomenal cookbook….but these Barely Banana Protein Pancakes were the first recipe I tried. And they were a huge hit! They’re similar to my Sweet Potato Protein Pancakes but with a little bit different twist.

Squish and I both loved them and Katie’s been kind enough to let me share the recipe with you guys!

Here’s how you make them:

I added some cinnamon to mine…and instead of syrup, I just defrosted some frozen blueberries and smashed them up to make a sauce!

Now, did you note that these pancakes require a blender? Well here’s the good news. We have a blender to give away to one of you! And not just any blender….A Nutri Ninja!

A little more about the blender:
Ninja^® Blender System with Auto-iQ™ Technology has pre-programmed settings with unique blending patterns that deliver smooth consistent results, with no guesswork required. These programs combine unique, timed pulsing, blending and pausing patterns that do the work for you. The digital countdown timer shows blending time remaining, allowing you to multitask. Available at all major retailers nationwide, starting at $249.99.

Feeling lucky? Enter below! One lucky winner will win a copy of the Rise & Shine Breakfast Cookbook and a Ninja Blender System!

TO ENTER:
Just leave a comment below and tell us your ultimate go-to breakfast for busy mornings!

Giveaway is open to continental US Residents only. Giveaway ends Wednesday September 14, 2016 at 11:59PM EST. Winner will be picked using random.org.

To grab your copy of Rise and Shine OR Katie’s other fabulous cookbook Best Lunch Box Ever, check out her site for details.

[clickToTweet tweet=”Try these Barely Banana Protein Pancakes for a healthy breakfast from @leangrnbeanblog!” quote=”Try these Barely Banana Protein Pancakes for a healthy breakfast option!”]

Enjoy!

–Lindsay–

Cajun Meatloaf

September 10, 2016 by Lindsay 6 Comments

This Cajun Meatloaf recipe is perfect for dinner. It’s healthy, full of flavor and easy to make. Plus it freezes well so feel free to double the recipe!

Hi friends-

Allow me to introduce you to meatloaf- also known as world’s ugliest food. But I promise if you can look past its unfortunate appearance, it really is quite tasty. Since I recently celebrated 6 years of blogging, I decided it was time to really buckle down and start working my way through some of those early year 1 posts and giving them a little update.

This Cajun Meatloaf has been on my list forever. I actually make it quite frequently myself and whenever my mom comes in town I ask her to make one to throw in the freezer…but I just couldn’t get excited about photographing meatloaf so I’ve been putting it off.

Well, I finally got my act together…and since we eat this fairly often, I thought I should publish this as a whole new post since I’d bet hardly any of you saw this the first time around 🙂 This is actually my Aunt Meg’s recipe. It’s one that I remember my mom making all the time while I was growing up because everyone seemed to love it…except me.

That’s right….as you know I was world’s pickiest eater growing up and meatloaf was definitely not on my list of approved foods for about my first 25 years of life. I’m glad to say I’ve turned the corner, however, and now I can happily eat it along with hubby and Squish.

So here’s the recipe.

Note that I think this meatloaf is actually best when reheated…so I love making it for food prep and eating it throughout the week. It definitely gets firmer and easier to slice as it sits.

If you’re going to freeze it, cook as directed, let it cool, slice it and then wrap in foil and place in a ziploc bag! That way you can take out just a few slices at a time, or the whole loaf!

[clickToTweet tweet=”This Cajun Meatloaf from @leangrnbeanblog is easy to prep ahead of time and freezes well!” quote=”This Cajun Meatloaf is easy to prep ahead of time and freezes well for busy nights.”]

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Turmeric Yogurt Chicken

September 7, 2016 by Lindsay 13 Comments

This Turmeric Yogurt Chicken is the perfect food prep recipe. Put the chicken in the marinade ahead of time, then simple coat with breadcrumbs and bake for a quick, healthy dinner!

Hi Friends!

I made this Turmeric Yogurt Chicken a while ago but am just now getting around to sharing it with you. I knew it was a hit when both the toddler and the husband gobbled it up. The marinade is super easy to make and keeps the chicken nice and juicy. Just prep it ahead of time and when dinner time rolls around, simply coat the chicken in breadcrumbs and pop it in the oven. Voila! Dinner in a jiffy.

Turmeric has become quite popular lately. It’s a great spice known for its anti-inflammatory properties and a couple months ago we bought a huge jar of it at Costco. I’ve been loving it with chicken but you could also use it to make things like golden milk!

When I bake breaded chicken like this, I like to put a cookie cooling rack across my baking sheet and put the chicken on that so the bottom doesn’t get as soggy…but if you don’t have one, you could bake directly on a foil-lined sheet.

Here’s the recipe:

Pretty easy, right? Serve with some steamed veggies and rice for an easy dinner!

[clickToTweet tweet=”Try this Turmeric Yogurt Chicken from @leangrnbeanblog for an easy weeknight dinner!” quote=”Try this Turmeric Yogurt Chicken for an easy weeknight dinner.”]

I also just wanted to take a second to introduce you guys to a fun little project I’ve been working on. I teamed up with Julie from PB Fingers, Gina from Fitnessista and Brittany from Eating Bird Food to put together a meal planning ebook for you! It’s basically a one month Dinner Made Easy guide! In the ebook, each of us share a week of healthy recipes, plus a printable grocery list and tips for prepping the meals ahead of time! We’re getting set to release it in a few weeks (including some special bonuses for those who buy it!), so be sure to sign up below if you’re interested in being among the first to know more details on the release and to receive a coupon code!

Let’s chat:
What’s your favorite way to use turmeric? Leave me a recipe link!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Easy Toddler Meal Ideas – August

September 2, 2016 by Lindsay 23 Comments

Here are 28 Easy Toddler Meal Ideas from a Registered Dietitian mom. They’re quick, healthy and great for lunch or dinner.

Hi Friends!

Judging by how many of you downloaded the 50+ Toddler Meal Ideas PDF, I think it’s safe to say there are a lot of parents out there looking for quick, healthy meal ideas for their kids. So, I’ve decided to start a monthly series where I share some of the meals I’ve been feeding Squish.

A few things to keep in mind:

First of all, the plates are from Re-Play Recycled. (affiliate link). They’re my favorite and everyone always asks about them!
These are mostly lunch and dinner. We’re kinda creatures of habit when it comes to breakfast and he eats yogurt, fruit and either oatmeal or toast with peanut butter pretty much every day.
Squish is currently 22 months old and BIG for his age. He eats A LOT so if this looks like a lot of food to you, keep in mind it may be more than your child is eating and that’s ok.
I mentioned in this post about Healthy Fats For Kids that I do my best to include a healthy fat source at most meals…but sometimes I don’t, and that’s ok. I also sometimes forget to include a vegetable. We’re working on it!
Like most people, we have our favorite brands. I’ll try to mention some of them in the first picture they show up in. Similarly, if the recipes are on my blog, I’ll link to them!
If you’re intersted in my feeding philosophy, you can read about Why My Toddler Doesn’t Always Eat What I Eat.

Blueberries + Maple Hill Full Fat Plain Yogurt + Oatmeal w/ apples, pb & pumpkin seeds
Kiwi + Sweet potato with Annie’s Organic ketchup + pulled pork
Nectarine + Sweet Potato+ Avocado Chicken Burger with Sabra Original hummus
Blueberries + Maple Hill Full Fat Plain Yogurt + Dave’s Killer Bread (21 Grain) + Crazy Richard’s Peanut Butter

Strawberries + Cucumber with hummus + Chicken & Black Bean Quesadilla
Strawberries + Peanut Butter Toast + Meijer brand Spinach & Mozzarella Chicken Sausage
Watermelon + Roasted Potatoes with ketchup + Avocado Chicken Burger
Avocado + Hard Boiled Egg + Strawberries + Turkey

Frozen Peas + Nectarine + Turmeric Yogurt Chicken with ketchup
Grandma’s mac and cheese + Blueberries + Cabbage Roll
Hard Boiled Egg + PB Banana Chia Pudding + Avocado Toast
Avocado + Cheese + Simple Mills Crackers + Turkey + Hummus

Avocado + Blueberries + Costco Cheese Tortellini + Pesto
Plum + Chicken Parmesan with zoodles
Raspberries + Daisy Cottage Cheese + Balsamic Chicken Caprese Pasta with marinara
Watermelon + Pesto Tortellini + Turmeric Chicken + Hummus and crackers

Hard boiled egg + Blueberries + Sweet Potato Bite + PB Banana Chia Pudding
Sweet Potato + Raspberries + Roasted Chicken + Holy Guacamole Guac + Garden of Eatin’ Chips
Grapes + Frozen Peas + BBQ Ribs
Watermelon + Corn + King Crab + Steak

Watermelon + pasta + cheese + ketchup + chicken
Raspberries + Simple Mills Cheddar crackers with hummus + steak with ketchup + string cheese
Green Beans with hummus and Italian dressing + peaches + turkey + guac & chips
Sweet Potato + blueberries + chicken sausage + baked beans

Blueberries + frozen peas + grilled chicken with ketchup + crackers
Watermelon + Squash yogurt dip + meatloaf
Butternut squash + grapes +avocado toast + turkey
Pumpkin Yogurt Bar + cottage cheese + avocado + cheeseburger

Reminder: the plates are from Re-Play Recycled. (affiliate link) and we love them!

Be sure to pin this post for later when you need some easy toddler meal ideas!

[clickToTweet tweet=”Need inspiration? Here’s a month of easy, healthy toddler meal ideas from @leangrnbeanblog!” quote=”Need inspiration? Here’s a month of easy, healthy toddler meal ideas!”]

Looking for healthy toddler meals to feed your kid? Here are 40 ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner to help inspire you if you're stuck in a rut!

If you liked this post, be sure to check out the follow-up post: 40 Toddler Meal Ideas.

Want even more ideas? Signup to download this free 50+ Toddler Meals PDF:

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

PS…the reason a lot of these meals are so easy are because of the food prep I do. Be sure to check out my Ultimate Guide To Food Prep Ebook if you haven’t already for more tips and tricks!

A Day In The Life – 21 Months

August 27, 2016 by Lindsay 3 Comments

Hi Friends!

I can hardly believe it but I realized that Squish will be 22 months next week, which meant I was rapidly running out of time to do my quarterly Day In The Life post! But have no fear….I got it done.

A Day In The Life of a Work-From-Home Mom with a 21-Month Old

In case missed any of my previous posts, I’ve been writing one every 3 months since he was born. You can find the links below:

Day in the Life – 18 Months
Day in the Life – 15 Months
Day in the Life – 12 Months
Day in the Life – 9 Months
Day in the Life – 6 Months
Day in the Life – 3 Months

Here’s a look at what our days have looked like recently. As usual, all days are different but this should give you a fairly good idea of what life is currently like with a 21 month old, while 28 weeks pregnant.

6AM – Up and at ’em. After a nearly 6 week stretch of Squish deciding 5am was a good time to wake up, he’s now back to typically waking up somewhere between 5:45 and 6:30. I hear his little voice saying “Mama?” over and over on the monitor so I get up, change his diaper and we head downstairs to eat breakfast.

6:15 – 8:15AM – Breakfast, then PBS Kids and playtime while I try to get some work done. Try being the operative work. Some days I can get in a solid hour or so of work…other days we’re out running up and down the driveway at 6:45AM.

8:30 – 11:00AM – We spend a little time with daddy before he heads to work and then we’re on our own. I put the computer away and we play. This summer that’s meant lots of outdoor time as well as a recent obsession with trains. On this particular day it was finally a little bit cooler than it had been so I took him to the park.

We actually went back to the park we used to go to all the time at our old house and it was crazy to see how much better he was at climbing things he used to struggle with. After about an hour at the park, we tried to go to the library but there were no parking spots!

We stopped at Great Harvest for a sample and a loaf of bread and then came home, had a snack and played with trains.

11:00AM – 1:00PM – Most days we eat lunch between 11 and 12. Some days we wait for daddy to come home, other days we eat before he gets home. On this day we ate closer to 11 because I’d just come across a local gymnastics place that has open gym from 12-1:30 a couple days a week and we had plans to go check it out.

Snapseed

Most days we leave the house at least some point during the morning either to go to the park, play group, swimming lessons, etc. Leaving around lunchtime is more unusual. But we ate lunch and headed over to check it out for about 45 minutes and got home around 1pm.

1:00PM – Naptime. After months of trying to transition his one nap per day to the afternoon, we’re finally getting there. While he was getting up at 5am, he was ready for a nap by 9:30, up by 10:30 or 11 and up the rest of the day which made for some long afternoons. Now, most days he’ll go down for a nap around 1 and sleep for an hour and a half, sometimes 2 hours. Except when he doesn’t. Like this day. On this day he rolled around in his crib for about 30 minutes while I tried to cram in some more work and then he was up screaming.

1:30-4:00PM – So, we made the best of a no-nap day and played some more. Of course on this day I had a conference call scheduled at 2:30 so I did my best to listen in and participate while watching to make sure Squish and his baby weren’t tumbling head first off rocks into the neighbor’s bushes.

4:00- 6:00PM – Gym time. We typically head over to the gym around 4. Some days I workout with the 4:30 class while Squish sits in his play yard, some days we just hang out and watch together. We usually hang around until our 5:45 class starts and then head home around 6. Some days we stay later than that.

6:30 – 8:00PM – Dinner. I try to eat dinner with Squish most nights. Sometimes I just feed him and wait to eat until hubby gets home, but I like him to see me eating, etc so usually we eat dinner together at the counter. After dinner is bath time. Gone are the days of winter when I could only bathe him 1-2x per week. He is a little sweatball and rarely a day goes by that he doesn’t require a bath.

After his bath, we read books. Most nights, daddy comes home around 7:30 or 8, so we try to stay awake and read until then. Then we say night night and Squish goes to bed.

8:00 – 11:00PM – Shower and work. Here’s where I try to cram in all the work I wasn’t able to fit in during the day. Some days I’m able to get a fair amount done in the morning, at lunch and during nap time so there’s less to do at night….but I try to stay on top and ahead of things because you never know when you’ll have a day like this day where you get pretty much nothing done all day long!

Work includes blog stuff, sponsored posts, social media, answering emails, various projects, working on stuff for Regan, etc. I typically take my recipe photos during naptime. My parents also come into town every 4-6 weeks and I try to take at least one day while they’re here to cram in photos of 4-6 recipes so I can get a little bit ahead.

11:00PM – Bed.

So there you have it! We’re less than 3 months away from having another baby in the picture so the next update should give you a glimpse into life with a toddler and newborn. Eeek!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Best of the Bean – Year 6

August 26, 2016 by Lindsay 4 Comments

Hi Friends!

Well, I can hardly believe it, but 6 years ago today I started this little blog! Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that it would last this long or grow and evolve into what it is today:

It’s allowed me to connect with so many people, some of whom are now my closest friends, employers and fellow RDs.
It’s given me the freedom to work from home and raise my son while still earning an income.
It’s challenged me to improve my writing, photography and social media skills.
It’s connected me with wonderful companies, inspired me to create delicious recipes and given me a platform to share things I’ve created.

And so much more. This blog has changed a lot since its early days. It started on a whim, where I just posted about whatever I wanted to, complete with terrible photos. Then there were a few years where I went on my journey to become a Registered Dietitian and started sharing more nutrition-related content. Next, I enjoyed my first couple of years as an RD, worked in nutrition communications and started to focus more on making blogging part of my career. And then, over the past two years, I’ve become a full-time work-from-home & stay-at-home mama, continued to improve my photography, started to really focus on quality over quantity and learned to give myself some grace when things don’t get done as planned.

So from the bottom of my heart: thank you! I’m so grateful to each and every one of you who has read my posts, shared my content and supported me on this journey! I quite literally couldn’t do it without you.

Let’s take a quick look back at year 6 of my blogging adventures in case you missed anything!

A year of healthy recipes from a Registered Dietitian.

Here are the recipes I created this year:

Easy, healthy breakfast recipes from a Registered Dietitian

Breakfast
Pumpkin Apple Baked Mini Pancakes
Avocado Bacon Hash with Eggs
Breakfast Pasta Bake
Dinner Roll French Toast Bake
Microwave Egg Oatmeal
Gingerbread Granola
Paleo Breakfast Casserole with Chicken
Savory Vegetable Pancakes
Baked Scotch Eggs
Green Smoothie Pancakes
Cinnamon Raisin Bagels
Sweet Potato Protein Cookies
Maple Apple Breakfast Sausage
Spring Vegetable Frittata
Spring Breakfast Salad
Easy Egg Wraps
Whole Wheat Yogurt Waffles
Egg-In-A-Hole Breakfast Sandwich
Cherry Almond Smoothie Bowl

Easy, healthy dinner recipes from a Registered Dietitian.

Main Dishes
Slow Cooker Asian Pulled Pork
Thai Chicken Meatballs
Almond Crusted Salmon Nuggets
Steak Cobb Salad
Avocado Chicken Burgers
Baked Chicken Tacos with Creamy Cilantro Sauce
Warm Spinach Bacon Salad with Chicken
Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese with Sausage and Peas
Slow Cooker Apple Cranberry Chicken
White Chicken Chili
One Pot Shrimp and Orzo
Apple Pecan Chicken
One Pan Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
Cranberry Meatballs
Maple Mustard Chicken Skillet
Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken and Potatoes
Ranch Chicken Tenders
Gluten-Free Chicken Marsala
Braciole
Salsa Verde Pork Enchilada Casserole
Skillet Chicken and Dumplings
Easy Chicken Pad Thai
Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Skillet
Skillet Spaghetti and Meatballs
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Pesto Shrimp and Potato Kebabs
Bourbon Chicken Marinade and Glaze
Chicken Sausage Skillet With Zoodles

Easy, healthy appetizers and side dishes from a Registered Dietitian.

Appetizers & Sides
Grilled Zucchini Roll Ups
Cranberry Clementine Salsa
Easy Spinach Balls
Pesto Chicken Pizza Rolls
Guacamole Waffle Bites
Ginger Garlic Roasted Green Beans with Cranberries
Maple Bacon Roasted Carrots
Green Bean Fries
Pea Salad with Sweet Potatoes

Easy, healthy snack recipes from a Registered Dietitian

Snacks
Sweet Potato Protein Bars
Pumpkin Yogurt Dip
Lemon Energy Balls
Sweet and Spicy Popcorn Snack Mix
Peanut Butter and Chia Jam Oat Bites
Wild Blueberry Kefir Smoothie
Healthy Brownie Bites
No-Bake Cereal Bites
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Yogurt Bars
4 Kid-Friendly Dips

Easy, healthy dessert recipes from a Registered Dietitian.

Dessert
Microwave Sweet Potato Mug Cake
No-Bake Peppermint Chocolate Bites
Pumpkin Skillet Cake
Pear Gingerbread
5 Ingredient Frozen Turtle Bars
Small Batch Raspberry Lemon Bars
Peanut Butter Bread Pudding with Smashed Raspberries
Strawberry Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
Lemon Berry Ice Cream Sandwiches
Ginger Peach Oat Bars

18 months

You can find all my baby-related posts from the past year here, including:

Dear Chase letters for months 10-21
A Day In The Life at 12, 15 & 18 months
My second pregnancy announcement
Baby’s first year gift guide
5 Articles That Made Me A Better Mom

I also wrote about blogging:
When Blogging Gets Hard

Looking for a quick, healthy snack made with real food ingredients? Here are 12 kid-friendly energy ball recipes made without protein powder.

If you like round-up posts, be sure to check out the ones I put together this year:
30 Go-To Easy Dinner Recipes
10 Healthy Ways to Eat Apples For Breakfasts
10 Healthy After School Snacks For Kids
20 Most Popular Blogger Dessert Recipes
10 Healthy Cauliflower Recipes
Easy Slow Cooker Recipes For the Single Guy
12 Kid-Friendly Energy Ball Recipes
10 Ways To Eat More Beans
Healthy Five Minute Breakfasts
Healthy Five Ingredient Snacks
Healthy Packable Lunches For Kids
20 Nut-Free Snacks For Kids
Healthy Fats For Kids

Quick, healthy recipe ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert!

And I had some stellar guest posters help me out while I was sick, pregnant and moving all at once:
7 Tips For a Healthy Relationship with Food
Gluten-Free Paleo Meatloaf
Chocolate Almond Butter Popcorn
Cookie Dough Stuffed Chocolate Cupcake
Broccoli Pesto Pasta Salad
Mushroom Quinoa Meatball Sandwich
Carmelized Peach Quinoa Breakfast Bowl

The Ultimate Guide To Food Prep Ebook

Finally, I published an ebook! Be sure to check it out here if you haven’t already gotten your copy!

50+ Toddler Meal Ideas

And also grab your FREE 50+ Toddler Meal Ideas PDF and stay tuned for our Table Talk: Tips & Tricks For Feeding Young Kids Ebook coming next week!

Thanks so much for reading!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Healthy Snacks For Busy Moms

August 24, 2016 by Lindsay 7 Comments

These Healthy Snacks For Busy Moms can be eaten at home or on the go! Packed with protein and healthy fats, these easy pairings will help keep you full until dinner.

Thanks to Simple Mills for sponsoring this post.

Hi Friends!

It’s been a while since I’ve been this excited to introduce you to a new product! A few weeks ago, my friends at Simple Mills reached out to me about trying some of their crackers. I took a look at the website and was immediately intrigued. I loved the short, SIMPLE ingredient list since that can be hard to find in packaged products.

These crackers are gluten-free and made with a blend of almond flour, sunflower seeds and flax seeds. They have 3g of protein per serving, which I love, and they’re also soy & dairy-free (and several varieties are paleo-friendly). Since they’re full of healthy fats and protein, they’re perfect for helping you stay energized during those busy hours between lunch and dinner! No quick energy bursts and crashes like you’d get by grabbing a sugary snack. I was sent all four flavors to try and was seriously impressed! They’re so flavorful and delicious! Squish and I especially enjoyed the Sea Salt and Farmhouse Cheddar varieties. (PS – If the store locator tells you they’re not available in a store near you, have no fear! You can buy them on Amazon!

As you guys know, we’re smack dab in the middle of back to school season. A lot of the focus right now is on tips for kids – healthy packable lunches, healthy after-school snacks, etc. Today, I wanted to do something a little bit different and focus on all the busy mamas out there! Back to school season can be especially crazy for moms. For many, it involves getting kids up, dressed and fed, packing lunches, dropping them off to school, going to work themselves, picking kids up after school, shuttling them to various extra-curricular activities and getting everyone home for dinner and homework.

The days are long and while it’s important to have healthy snacks on hand for the kids, it’s equally important that moms take care of themselves with nourishing snacks to tide them over during the afternoon rush.

So here are 4 delicious snack pairings that can be eaten quickly and taste great. Enjoy them at work or home, or even in the car or on the bleachers while watching a game or practice.

Tuna Salad with Sundried Tomato & Basil Almond Flour Crackers

Mix 1 can of tuna with 3 Tbsp plain yogurt (or hummus), 2 Tbsp salsa and some green onions.
Optional – add some paprika, cayenne pepper or curry powder.

Guacamole Egg Salad with Farmhouse Cheddar Almond Flour Crackers

Combine 2 chopped hard-boiled eggs with 1/2 cup mashed avocado, diced cherry tomatoes, salt & pepper.

Homemade Lunchables with Sea Salt Almond Flour Crackers

Cut deli turkey and your favorite cheese into squares and stack to make mini sandwiches.
Optional- add a smear of guacamole or hummus to each one.

Greek Hummus with Rosemary & Sea Salt Almond Flour Crackers

Top your favorite flavor of hummus with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions and feta.

So there you go! 4 simple snack ideas to power busy mamas through their busy days!

[Tweet “Busy mama? You need to try these healthy snack combos from @leangrnbeanblog!”]

If you’re as excited about these crackers as I am, be sure to also check out their baking mixes. They have muffin, cookie, cake and bread mixes, along with mixes for pizza crust, pancakes and waffles. We’ve tried the banana muffins and the pancake mix and both are delicious!

PLUS, Simple Mills is inviting their online community to share their own healthy snacking tips and recipes on social media using the hashtags #BackToSimple and #HealthySnacking. They’re hosting a big, delicious snack giveaway at the end of the month so start using those hashtags now to gain some early entries!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Building A Healthy Lunchbox

August 21, 2016 by Lindsay 7 Comments

Three tips for assembling Healthy Packable Lunches For Kids that are quick and satisfying to help fuel kids through their busy afternoons!

Thanks to Igloo for sponsoring this post.

Hi Friends!

Let’s talk about lunch. Although I’m lucky enough to work from home so I don’t yet need to worry about packing Squish’s lunch, I know a lot of you out there have to frequently pack lunch for your kiddos. Today I teamed up with Igloo to share a few tips about building a healthy lunchbox and doing it in style!

I remember taking a huge amount of pride in my lunchbox as a kid. Picking out a new one was always a very serious occasion because I wanted to find the perfect one to show off to all my friends. In fact, several of my childhood lunchboxes were Igloo brand! No surprise since they’ve been around for 69 years and are still the number one cooler brand and are known for their high quality, durable lunchboxes!

This year, as an adult (but still a kid at heart), I was excited to browse all their options. They have so many bright colors, patterns, and shapes that are fun and stylish! Plus I was excited to learn that all of their lunch boxes are PVC & BPA free, water resistant and contain a thick antimicrobial, puncture-resistant liner that’s easy to wipe clean!

Igloo Coolers

After a bit of browsing, I selected a few to try out! I chose the:

Boys PM Lunch
Girls Hot Brights Messenger
Dual Comp

Once they arrived, I set about filling them with healthy food options! Squish may not be in school, but there are definitely busy days when we’re not home to eat lunch. Last week we needed to be at the gym for a while in the morning so I packed us each a lunch. I was impressed with how much stuff I could fit in and how cool they kept everything.

Here are a few tips I try to follow when I’m putting together a lunch, whether it’s for eating at home or school:

Include lots of options. I never know what Squish will be in the mood to eat on a given day so I try to include a variety of foods for him to choose from.
Always include a vegetable. Sometimes I struggle with this one since vegetables are not his favorite, but I really think it’s important to include a veggie at lunch. They may not always eat it, but continued exposure to vegetables prepared a variety of different ways is good for kids.
Aim for balance. I focus on including several different food groups in every lunch, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, healthy fats, lean protein etc. I may not get them all in each time, but I try not to put together a lunch that all fruit or all protein.
Get colorful. Color = nutrients so I try to serve bright, colorful foods!

Let’s take a look at a few healthy lunchbox ideas:

A classic pb&J sandwich on 21 Whole Grain & Seed Bread, blueberries, string cheese and green beans & tomatoes mixed with Italian dressing.

Sometimes a little dressing can go a long way toward making veggies more appealing to kids.

Hard-boiled egg, Cheddar Almond Flour Crackers, cottage cheese with fresh berries, baby carrots and guacamole.

Kids can dip a variety of things in the guacamole including the egg, crackers and carrots!

Turkey, cheese and hummus rollup on a whole wheat tortilla, nectarine, snap peas with yogurt ranch for dipping & a small cookie.

There’s definitely room for a small treat in a balanced lunchbox!

Balsamic Chicken Caprese Pasta, grapes, full-fat yogurt and trail mix.

Leftovers are great for packing in lunchboxes, especially things like pasta salad that taste good hot or cold. Make your own trailmix so you can customize with your kiddo’s favorite mix-ins!

[Tweet “Build A Healthy Lunchbox with these tips from @leangrnbeanblog!”]

Igloo helps you enjoy the life you work so hard for and is right along side you with cold drinks, fresh, healthy food and warm smiles. Be sure to check out Igloo’s Back To School collection and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

Let’s chat:

Do you have guidelines you try to follow when packing lunches? Any tips?

Need more ideas? Check out these 50 Packable Lunch Ideas (great for kids and adults!)

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Healthy Fats For Kids

August 17, 2016 by Lindsay 12 Comments

Learn about the importance of healthy fats for kids, sources of healthy fats and easy ways to add them to your child’s diet to help with satiety, brain development and more.

Hi Friends,

Lately I’ve been focusing a lot on healthy fats. A few months ago, I was starting to get a little overwhelmed with feeding Squish because it just seemed like he was hungry ALL.THE.TIME. After talking to several fellow RD moms, including Jill Castle (a childhood nutrition expert), one big change I made was to really focus on giving him a healthy fat source at every meal. I feel this has definitely helped him feel more full so he’s not asking to eat quite as frequently.

Healthy fats are a concentrated source of energy for the body. They help slow the absorption of carbs and helps us feel full longer. Plus our bodies can’t digest and absorb fat-soluble vitamins like Vitamin A, D, E & K without them.

{Fats: Avocado + Whole Eggs}

I reached out to Jill and asked her to share a few thoughts about the importance of healthy fats for kids.

She says, “In our healthy eating obsessed world, parents may make the mistake of excluding fat in the young child’s diet, sacrificing it for more fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. But, young children need fat to grow well. In fact, babies and young toddlers need almost half of their calories from fat, preferably monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which help with brain growth and development. And even older children still need around a third of their calories from a healthy fat source.

Fats can also help with satiation after eating. In other words, a meal with fat will be more filling and satisfying than a meal without it. I always include room for fat (either included inherently in the food itself or added to the components of the meal or snack) when planning healthy meals and snacks for children.” Be sure to also check out this article she wrote about healthy fats for kids.

{Fat sources: Whole Eggs + Peanut Butter}

Fat is so important for brain development. As kids grow, their brain is rapidly developing so adequate fat intake is crucial. Another fellow RD, Dr. Chris Mohr, says “Research suggests having adequate levels of DHA may help with cognition, standardized test scores and there are even links to improved ADD/ADHD outcomes, memory, focus. Studies like this one are continuously being done on this subject.”

He states that “Fat is one component of the diet. Like any ingredient, it’s not the only thing we eat. We – including kids – eat a variety of foods on a regular basis. Fat is one piece to that. It is essential to proper growth and development.”

{Fat Sources: Full-fat yogurt, almond butter, pumpkin seeds}

———

Note: I realize there are varying opinions about whether all of these fats are considered healthy. As an RD, it’s my opinion that variety is key. Just like with any food group, I don’t recommend focusing on just one or two fat sources.

While I tend to favor options like avocado, nuts & seeds, eggs & yogurt, I do feed Squish all of these fats throughout the week, including things like butter and coconut oil. I work hard to ensure his diet is well-balanced and varied across all of the food groups and while this is the approach I recommend when asked, I also respect the opinions of others who choose to avoid certain fat sources.

———-

So here are some of my favorite fat sources, plus some ideas for easy ways to add them to meals and snacks!

Avocado
-Slice or cube and use as a topping for tacos or casseroles.
-Make guac and use as spread on sandwich/wraps or as dip.
-Mix into egg or tuna salad.
-Puree into smoothies or desserts.

Whole Eggs
-Fry and use to top a sandwich.
-Hard boil for a snack.
-Scramble or bake in a breakfast casserole.

Oils (Olive, Coconut, Vegetable, Avocado)
-Toss and coat vegetables before roasting.
-Coat pan before sauteing or baking.
-Use in baked goods.
-Make hummus.

Nuts & Seeds
-Make nut butter to put on sandwiches or in baked goods.
-Make energy bites or trailmix for snacks.
-Crush and use as coating for baked chicken or fish.
-Blend into smoothies.
-Stir into oatmeal, yogurt, pudding etc.

Whole Milk Yogurt
-Top with fresh fruit for a snack or add to smoothies.
-Use in baked goods (or to make frosting!)
-Mix with powdered ranch for a vegetable dip.

Butter & Coconut Butter
-Spread on toast or on the outsides of bread before making grilled sandwiches.
-Melt butter and saute vegetables for main dishes and side dishes.
-Add to soups or smoothies to make them creamier.
-Use coconut butter to make healthy cookies or energy balls.

Milk (Whole or 2%)
-Serve plain with meals or blend into smoothies.
-Use to make chowders.
-Make chia pudding.

**Another favorite- salmon! Grill or bake with a glaze, make salmon salad to eat with crackers or make salmon cakes and serve with a dipping sauce.**

.[Tweet “Learn about the importance of healthy fats for kids from @leangrnbeanblog!”]

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Egg-In-A-Hole Breakfast Sandwich

August 15, 2016 by Lindsay 7 Comments

This Egg-In-A-Hole Breakfast Sandwich is a protein-packed, healthy breakfast recipe that’s ready in under 5 minutes. The perfect way to start your day!

Thanks to Davidson’s Safest Choice Eggs for sponsoring this post.

Hi friends!

Today we’re talking about back to school breakfasts. We all know it’s hard to get back into a morning routine once school starts up again. And since you guys know breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, I hate when I hear about people skipping it this time of year because they feel like their mornings are too busy.

Enter this egg sandwich. It’s ready in 5 minutes, fun to make and eat and packed with protein, healthy fats and whole grains. Win win win!

This sandwich is everything: warm turkey, melty cheese, freshly sliced avocado and a perfectly cooked egg on whole grain bread (I used Dave’s Killer Bread 21 Grain & Seed). If that doesn’t sound like breakfast perfection, I don’t know what does!

[Tweet “Try this Egg-In-A-Hole Breakfast Sandwich from @leangrnbeanblog on a busy morning!”]

Enjoy!
–Lindsay-

20 Nut-Free Snacks For Kids

August 12, 2016 by Lindsay 7 Comments

These healthy, Nut-Free Snacks For Kids will be loved by all and are perfect for taking to schools and play groups where there are nut allergies.

Hi Friends!

Time for another recipe roundup. As you guys know, we are definitely not a nut-free household. We eat them daily in various forms and I use them in A LOT of recipes. Recently I joined a moms group in our new neighborhood and this Fall we’re starting play groups. When it’s your turn to host, you’re in charge of providing a snack…that has to be nut-free. Cue slight panic on my end!

So, this week I spent a little time rounding up some nut-free recipes for occasions like this. I know there are other parents out there who either have kids with allergies or kids who go to school/play sports/go to play groups etc with kids with allergies…so hopefully these will help all of you as well!

Pumpkin Yogurt Dip

Chocolate Avocado Pudding
(No nuts in the pudding. Just omit the nut butter drizzle on top!)

Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites

Nut Free Banana Chocolate Chip Date Bars

Healthy Blueberry Oatmeal Snack Bars

Gingerbread & Dark Chocolate Energy Balls

Blender Blackberry Quinoa Cakes

GF Honey Oat Cereal Bars

Blueberry Applesauce

Nut-Free Trailmix
(Tone down the spices if needed!)

Superfood Breakfast Cookies

Nut-Free Muddy Buddies

Banana and Date Granola Bars

Whole Grain Sweet Potato Banana Muffins

Egg Wraps

Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

Other Ideas:

Fresh Fruit + Yogurt Dip

Deli meat + Cheese + Crackers

String Cheese + Apple Slices

Chips & Guacamole 100-calorie packs

See some ideas you like? Be sure to pin this post for later!

[Tweet “Pack these Nut-Free Snack Ideas from @leangrnbeanblog for school or play group!”]

Looking for even more nut-free snack ideas? My friend and fellow RD Holley has a roundup of 50+ Nut-Free Snacks For School on her site!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Warm Spinach Bacon Salad with Chicken

August 8, 2016 by Lindsay 11 Comments

This Warm Spinach Bacon Salad with Chicken transforms leftover chicken into a whole new meal that’s perfect for lunch or dinner.

Hi Friends!

Quick post today because this mama is tired and battling heartburn like you wouldn’t believe…but I just had to pop in and share this recipe with you. I hesitate to even call it a recipe actually….it could probably be more accurately titled “a 10 minute way to transform leftover chicken into a new meal”. And it just might become your new go-to lunch option if you’re a work-from-home mama who is a fan of food prep (like me!).

Speaking of food prep, are you following me on SnapChat (leangreenbean1)? Yesterday morning I snapped my whole food prep session! Anyways, grilling up a bunch of chicken breasts is one of my food prep staples, especially in the summer. That leaves me with fully cooked chicken that I can use on sandwiches, in casseroles, etc throughout the week.

Sometimes, like last week, I get a little overzealous and cook a bit too much chicken. I ended up dicing and freezing some to use in soups and casseroles when baby comes….but I also whipped up this tasty concoction for lunch one day. Guys, it’s so easy. It’s literally ready in under 10 minutes and is SO tasty!

Here’s what you do:

A few notes:

You can serve this with the chicken warm or cold. I like the contrast of the warm spinach with cold chicken but that’s just personal preferernce.
If you don’t have peaches, strawberries would also be good.
To change things up, try topping with a little mozzarella or feta if you’re a cheese lover like me!

You’ll notice I skipped the balsamic drizzle in these pictures because it’s hard to make that look pretty 🙂

[Tweet “Transform leftover chicken with this Spinach Bacon Salad from @leangrnbeanblog!”]

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Cherry Almond Smoothie Bowl

August 4, 2016 by Lindsay 17 Comments

This Cherry Almond Smoothie Bowl recipe is full of healthy fats and protein for a healthy breakfast or snack on a hot day. Top with granola and nuts for an added crunch and dig in with a spoon!

This Cherry Almond Smoothie Bowl recipe is full of healthy fats and protein for a healthy breakfast or snack on a hot day. Top with granola and nuts for an added crunch and dig in with a spoon!

Hi friends!

The time has come. I’m posting my very first smoothie bowl recipe on the blog. I know I’m a bit behind the times, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been enjoying them for a while now. Here’s the thing. Squish loves smoothies, which are ideal for toddlers. In fact, I just got him a brand new Minions cup with a straw so he can slurp them up all summer long. I, on the other hand, am partial to smoothie bowl. I like being able to add my favorite toppings and enjoy it up with a spoon.

This cherry almond flavor combo is best during those magical weeks in the summer when cherries go from being $7 or $8/pound to only like $2. And if you’re a sucker for a good sale, like I am, you feel compelled to stock up on as many cherries as possible. So this is a great way to use some up.

This Cherry Almond Smoothie Bowl recipe is full of healthy fats and protein for a healthy breakfast or snack on a hot day. Top with granola and nuts for an added crunch and dig in with a spoon!

Before you get started, be sure to invest in a cherry pitter. I have one similar to this one that I found at the grocery store for only $5. Worth every penny, I promise. Next step? Spend 20 minutes or so pitting the whole bag or two of cherries at once. I left some in the fridge for us to enjoy and froze the rest for frozen treats like this one.

Here’s how you make it:

I used chocolate granola and definitely added the chocolate chips because cherry + almond + chocolate is the perfect trifecta! I’d also recommend drizzling with more almond butter (which I forgot to do in the pictures!)

You could freeze the yogurt into ice cube trays and use that instead to make it thicker! You could also skip the ice cubes but I like adding them because it adds a little more volume.

This Cherry Almond Smoothie Bowl recipe is full of healthy fats and protein for a healthy breakfast or snack on a hot day. Top with granola and nuts for an added crunch and dig in with a spoon!

[Tweet “This Cherry Almond Smoothie Bowl from @leangrnbeanblog is perfect for a hot day!”]

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

50+ Toddler Meal Ideas

August 1, 2016 by Lindsay 17 Comments

Tired of serving the same meals to your kids every day? Here are 50+ Toddler Meal Ideas from real moms to give you some inspiration for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

Hi friends!

Today we’re talking kid food. If you’ve been lucky enough to parent or spend an extended amount of time with a toddler or two, you’ll quickly realize their day revolves around food. While it’s easy to stick with a simple mealtime routine of favorites, it’s not always the best for their palates in the long-run. I mean, if you were given the option of grilled cheese every day would you even consider eating broccoli? Probably not! Having an arsenal of healthy meal ideas on hand is an easy way to expose toddlers to new foods, flavors, and textures.

While there’s nothing wrong with the occasional grilled cheese, there are so many more meal options out there! I’ve teamed up with my friend and fellow toddler-mom, Katie at Mom To Mom Nutrition, to bring you 50+ Toddler Meal Ideas to help all of us think beyond traditional kid-food options when it comes to mealtime with your toddler. When we realized we were both regularly sharing our kid meals on Snapchat and Instagram, we decided it might be helpful to put them all together in one place. Our hope is that this FREE PDF will not only inspire you in the kitchen, but help make your toddler into a little sous chef!

And just because there’s always “more where that came from” when it comes to feeding kids, we also launched an ebook, “Table Talk: Tips and Tricks for Feeding Your Toddlers” that again is geared towards feeding your little one! From meal planning basics to picky eating strategies, we cover a variety of topics meant to make mealtime easier and less stressful for YOU!

And if you love the plates you see pictured, you’re not alone! We do too! They’re from Re-Play Recycled. (affiliate link)

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

PS…if you’re looking for more ideas, be sure to check out these posts:

If you’re interested in seeing exactly what my kids choose to eat vs what I serve them, be sure to follow me on Instagram. Most days I share shots of what I serve them for lunch and dinner, plus after shots to show what they actually ate. You can also check out this post on What My Toddler Chose to Eat and also Why My Toddler Doesn’t Always Eat What I Eat.

Baked Chicken Tacos with Creamy Cilantro Sauce

July 27, 2016 by Lindsay 11 Comments

These gluten-free Baked Chicken Tacos with Creamy Cilantro Sauce will quickly become a favorite family dinner recipe!

Hi friends!

It’s Taco…Wednesday? That can be a thing, right? In my world, every day is taco day. Although I’m typically a soft-taco kinda girl, these Baked Chicken Tacos are a new favorite of mine. I’m also usually a stovetop taco kinda girl…but it’s fun to change things up every once and a while.

When it comes to this recipe, I developed the sauce first. There’s a restaurant in town that uses a similar sauce in their recipes and also sells it by the bottle. My friend Jordan introduced me to it and after tasting it, I immediately bought a bottle and attempted to recreate it. No easy feat when there’s no ingredient list….but after a few tries, I think I got pretty close.

Baked Chicken Tacos with Creamy Cilantro Sauce

I had a batch in the fridge a few months ago when my parents were in town and they both loved it…so I knew it eventually needed to go on the blog. These tacos are the perfect vehicle for the sauce. It’s spicy and creamy and easy to whip up in a small food processor or blender.

Here’s how you make it:

You could use regular hard shell tacos for this but I’ve found that the stand-up ones with the flat bottom are much easier to use.

You’ll notice I said cook chicken as desired. That’s because it doesn’t really matter what kind of chicken you use. I diced my fairly small and cooked in in a pan with a little bacon and some cumin. You could also use leftover grilled chicken or make some pulled chicken in your crockpot. On that note, you could easily use pork or beef or even tempeh or tofu in these!

[Tweet “You gotta try these Baked Chicken Tacos w/ Creamy Cilantro Sauce from @leangrnbeanblog!”]

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Chicken Sausage Skillet with Zoodles

July 21, 2016 by Lindsay 9 Comments

This gluten-free Chicken Sausage Skillet with Zoodles recipe will quickly become one of your go-to dinners. It’s simple, healthy and easy to customize with whatever vegetables you have on hand.

Hi friends!

Time for another month of Recipe Redux! This month had a shape theme:

Get Your Fruits and Veggies in Shape

With produce galore, now’s a great time to enjoy lots of fruits and vegetables. Show us how you’re serving the bounty of gardens and orchards in shapes like ribbons, noodles, cut-outs, or other creative cuts.

I was hoping to have some curly dessert sweet potato fries to share with you guys but after a miserable fail, they’re gonna require a little more testing. So I decided to share this zoodle skillet instead. It’s one of my go-to dinners and can easily be customized based on what veggies you have on hand. I wish I had some summer sweet corn to add to this yesterday but I was fresh out. Next time!

Chicken Sausage Skillet with Zoodles

This recipe is super forgiving…so you don’t really need exact quantities but I did put some in the recipe below for you. Just know you can easily add more or less veggies and it will still turn out just fine.

Here’s what to do:

Sounds simple enough, right? I’ve also made this with corn, carrots and other veggies!

[Tweet “Add this Chicken Sausage Skillet with Zoodles from @leangrnbeanblog to your meal plan!”]

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

For more recipes with fun veggie shapes, check out the link-up below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Ginger Peach Oat Bars

July 19, 2016 by Lindsay 13 Comments

This recipe for Ginger Peach Oat Bars is perfect for a summer dessert. They’re packed with fresh, juicy peaches and taste great topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Hi friends!

Just popping in to share my new favorite recipe with you. Peaches are hands down my favorite summer fruit and when they’re on sale for $0.99/pound I can never resist buying a ton of them. They’re just so darn good.

I’m always a fan of just slicing them up and eating them but this week I wanted to get a little more adventurous. I settled on a dessert recipe because….pregnant. Duh. And as I was brainstorming ideas, I started thinking about this Ginger Peach Granola I received in the mail from a friend several years ago. It was, hands down, the best granola I’ve ever had and I begged her to send me the recipe. Then I lost it. But I haven’t forgotten how much I loved the flavor combo of ginger and peach.

So this dessert recipe is a bit of a spin on that granola. A note about these bars. Thanks to all the peaches that are packed in there, they’re fairly moist and a little crumbly. I think they’re best eaten out of a bowl while still warm and topped with a scoop of ice cream. They will firm up some once they’re cooled completely, but just know that depending on how juicy your peaches are, these will probably more of an eat with a fork kinda bar than a grab and eat kind.

Ginger Peach Oat Bars

Also, if you decreased the brown sugar slightly, you could definitely eat these for breakfast topped with some yogurt!

So here’s how you make them:

Also, if you haven’t tried peanut butter and peaches together, you’re missing out! Another of my favorite flavor combos.

[Tweet “Enjoy these Ginger Peach Oat Bars from @leangrnbeanblog for a summer dessert!”]

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

What Are Food Pulses? And 5 Ways To Eat Them

July 15, 2016 by Lindsay 6 Comments

What are pulses- food in your diet? Learn more about the nutritional benefits of dried peas, beans, chickpeas and lentils and get ideas for how to add them to your diet.

What are pulses? Learn more about the nutritional benefits of dried peas, beans, chickpeas and lentils and get ideas for how to add them to your diet.

*Originally published 2016. Updated 3/2023*

Hi friends!

I’m putting on my Registered Dietitian hat today to share a little bit about a powerful little group of foods that you may not be super familiar with. 20 16 was the International Year of Pulses with the goal of teaching people what they are and share the many benefits of pulses, including their nutritional profile, environmental and sustainability benefits, affordability and potential to address global food security.

What are pulses food?

So what are they? Pulses are a term that encompasses dried peas, beans, chickpeas and lentils. They’re a great source of protein and fiber and are rich in important nutrients like iron, potassium and folate. They’re also gluten-free and cook just as quickly as things like pasta and rice! Added bonus? Pulses are very budget-friendly and also have a low carbon footprint.

They’re great for making vegetarian dishes and can also easily be used to replace meat in meat-based dishes or simply added to recipes for an additional nutrient boost. I wanted to give you guys a few simple ideas on ways you can add more pulses to your diet!

5 Simple Ways To Eat More Pulses (food)

Chickpea Pulses

1) Eat more hummus! You guys know I’m a fan of this chickpea spread that can easily be found at the grocery store (or made at home!) in a variety of flavors. If snacking on it with veggies for dipping isn’t your thing, try adding a smear to your next sandwich, wrap or burger or mixing some into your tuna salad. Pro tip- mixing salsa and hummus makes a great dressing for pasta salad!

Try these recipes to start:
Curried Tuna Salad with Apples
Summer Chicken Wraps
Hummus Collard Wraps
Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Hummus Pasta

Bean Pulses

2) Add beans to dips and salsas. I love adding black beans and white beans to kid-friendly dips for my kids to eat. Or making a bean-based dip for an appetizer or snack!

Try these recipes to start:
4 Kid-Friendly Dips
Mexican Layer Dip
White Bean Dip with Avocado
Cowboy Caviar

Pea Pulses Protein

3) Try Pea Protein. You can easily swap it for whey protein in smoothies, energy balls, etc.

Try these recipes to start:
Chocolate Pea Protein Shake
Almond Chia Recovery Smoothie
Peanut Butter Coconut Protein Bites

Pulses Food Baking

4) Use pulses in baked goods -either whole or as flour. I’ve made my Quinoa Breakfast Bars with chickpea flour several times and they turn out great! You can also make desserts like brownies using black beans.

Try these recipes to start:
Quinoa Breakfast Bars
Fudgy Black Bean Brownies
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookies
Chickpea Flour Banana Bread

Pulses Food Dinner

5) Add them to soups and casseroles! Pulses make the perfect addition to both meat and vegetable-based soups and casseroles. They’re also great for making vegetarian burgers and meatballs.

Try these recipes to start:
Ribollita
White Chicken Chili
Lentil Veggie Macaroni & Cheese
Asian Black Bean Burgers

I hope this gives you a few new ideas!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

PS…If you’re feeling adventurous, grab a bag of lentils and sprout them!

Lemon Berry Ice Cream Sandwiches

July 13, 2016 by Lindsay 6 Comments

These Lemon Berry Ice Cream Sandwiches are the perfect summer dessert. Plus they’re lactose-free, so those who are dairy sensitive can enjoy them too!

This post was sponsored by LACTAID^®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hi friends!

Did you know July is National Ice Cream Month?! I personally can’t think of a better way to beat the summer heat than with a cold, refreshing ice cream treat. Remember a few months ago when I shared this recipe for Peanut Butter Bread Pudding with Smashed Raspberries using LACTAID^® milk? I told you all about how I struggled with lactose-intolerance in high school and I remember summers really being a struggle because of all the ice cream!

Well good news! LACTAID^® also makes ice cream and they’ve asked me to help spread the word about their No More Dairy Envy Campaign, which is committed to helping those with dairy sensitivity due to lactose savor the full joy of dairy. They have six different flavors, including Mint Chocolate Chip, which is new this year!

I was tasked with creating a delicious ice cream dessert for you guys using LACTAID^® ice cream and I happily accepted the challenge.

These little beauties are what I came up with! Lemon Berry Ice Cream Sandwiches. While I love a good ice cream cone, there’s just something way more satisfying about an ice cream sandwich! I subbed LACTAID^® Vanilla Ice Cream for regular vanilla and made the sandwiches lactose-free as well so all my friends and family could enjoy this tasty treat! It’s just like regular ice cream, except without the lactose!

It took me a few tries to get the sandwich part right. I first started with regular cookies, but then the cookie overwhelmed the ice cream and it just wasn’t a good balance….so I went with more of a thin bar so you really get to enjoy all the flavors! Plus bars are easy to cut into whatever size sandwiches you desire!

Here’s how you make them:

Simple enough right? Now go make a batch and stock your freezer! These can get a little messy and you definitely need to work quickly to assemble them. Be sure the bars are totally cool before starting and let your ice cream rest at room temperature for a little while to make it easily scoopable…but not overly soft and melty.

[Tweet “These Lemon Berry Ice Cream Sandwiches from @leangrnbeanblog are the perfect summer treat! #dairyenvy @lactaid”]

For more great recipes using LACTAID^®, follow them on Facebook and Twitter!

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Pesto Shrimp and Potato Kebabs

July 6, 2016 by Lindsay 6 Comments

These Pesto Shrimp and Potato Kebabs are made with just a few ingredients and cook quickly on the grill for an easy summer dinner.

These Pesto Shrimp and Potato Kebabs are made with just a few ingredients and cook quickly on the grill for an easy summer dinner.

Hi friends!

Let me tell you I had a long debate with myself about whether to call these kebabs or kabobs. I really don’t know which one is right. Either way, it’s dinner…on a skewer…and it really can’t get much easier than this recipe.

But first, let’s back up a little bit. A few weeks ago, Squish and I were in Costco, eating our way through the aisles. BTW, Monday at 4pm is a great time to go to Costco if you want samples. We tried a wide variety of things and let’s be real, he ate them all, but the one that actually surprised me the most was the tortellini with pesto. He’s not a huge pasta lover (unlike his mama) and isn’t always a fan of new sauces…but he gobbled up two entire tortellini and begged for more. And me being the sucker that I am, fell victim to their sample marketing and came home with a giant two pack of tortellini and an even bigger jar of pesto. Pesto tortellini with a Costco rotisserie chicken was actually our first meal in the new house!

Anyways….the moral of the story is that I now have a pesto surplus and I’ve been putting pesto on ALL THE THINGS lately! So that’s where the idea for these kebabs came from. (Side note – If you don’t happen to have a giant jar of pesto on hand, I’d highly suggest heading to the farmer’s market, grabbing some basil and making a batch of your own! It’s so easy to make and you can even freeze it in ice cube trays so you’ll have easy access to it all year long!)

These Pesto Shrimp and Potato Kebabs are made with just a few ingredients and cook quickly on the grill for an easy summer dinner.

Last weekend when I was at the grocery store, I picked up some of these Baby Boomer potatoes (not sponsored…I used my own money) from The Little Potato Company. I’m usually one to just buy a large potato and chop it up but these were the littlest potatoes I’d ever seen and they were so cute I just couldn’t resist. Plus they were on sale! I decided to pair them with some shrimp, coat everything in pesto and throw them on the grill for a quick dinner.

I’ve found that the trick to grilling potatoes is to cook them most or all of the way in the microwave beforehand and then just throw them on the grill for a little flavor. Otherwise, they seem to take forever and since shrimp cook so quickly, I knew that wouldn’t work. So I pre-cooked them and it worked out beautifully!

Here’s how you make these:

Pretty easy, right? Just don’t forget to turn off the grill when you’re done….like I did.

These Pesto Shrimp and Potato Kebabs are made with just a few ingredients and cook quickly on the grill for an easy summer dinner.

To make this dinner come together even faster, cook the potatoes in the microwave the night before and stick them in the fridge. Then just thread your skewers and throw them on the grill when you’re ready to eat!

These Pesto Shrimp and Potato Kebabs are made with just a few ingredients and cook quickly on the grill for an easy summer dinner.

[Tweet “These Pesto Shrimp and Potato Kebabs from @leangrnbeanblog make a quick summer dinner!”]

Enjoy!
–Lindsay–

Barely Banana Protein Pancakes

Cajun Meatloaf

Easy Toddler Meal Ideas – August

A Day In The Life – 21 Months

Best of the Bean – Year 6

Healthy Snacks For Busy Moms

Building A Healthy Lunchbox

Healthy Fats For Kids

Egg-In-A-Hole Breakfast Sandwich

20 Nut-Free Snacks For Kids

Warm Spinach Bacon Salad with Chicken

Cherry Almond Smoothie Bowl

50+ Toddler Meal Ideas

Get over 50 free easy meal ideas for toddlers.

Baked Chicken Tacos with Creamy Cilantro Sauce

Baked Chicken Tacos with Creamy Cilantro Sauce

Chicken Sausage Skillet with Zoodles

Chicken Sausage Skillet with Zoodles

Ginger Peach Oat Bars

Ginger Peach Oat Bars

What Are Food Pulses? And 5 Ways To Eat Them

What are pulses food?

5 Simple Ways To Eat More Pulses (food)

Chickpea Pulses

Bean Pulses

Pea Pulses Protein

Pulses Food Baking

Pulses Food Dinner

Lemon Berry Ice Cream Sandwiches

Pesto Shrimp and Potato Kebabs

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Kids

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