Spicy Apples

So I am starting off our recipes with something so incredibly simple that it hardly deserves a full post, but I had never thought to try it before (I'm a granny smith apple lover and this called for a red apple so I wasn't sure if I would like it). But, as I stated earlier, it was too easy not to give it a shot. I found this recipe in Women's Health Magazine a few months back and quickly tossed it together. Needless to say, I was/am a huge fan. The combination of spices with the subtle sweetness of the apple made it so amazing. And besides that, we all know the old saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," plus chili powder is supposed to boost your metabolism. That's a win-win in my book. It's great for a quick snack, a side to your upcoming picnics, or even a not too sweet dessert. Feel free to add as much, or as little of the spices as you want! Enjoy!




Spicy Apples

1 Apple, sliced (I prefer a red variety for this)
Fresh Lemon Juice
Chili Powder
Paprika
Pinch of Salt

Toss together you apple slices with the spices and lemon juice in a bowl, or sprinkle it on, whatever works for you and gets your apples slices coated.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smoothie

If you love chocolate like I do, you always find ways to try to sneak it in to your daily eatings. Well for this smoothie, I took your average chocolate covered strawberry (my fave) and deconstructed it into a super simple smoothie. The cocoa powder is a great because it is low calorie and also contains antioxidants.....double bonus! The next time you are craving chocolate covered strawberries, or chocolate in general, whip up this smoothie instead. I promise you won't regret it! Enjoy!

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smoothie

Ingredients
4-6 strawberries, frozen or fresh
1 Tablespoon Cocoa Powder
1 cup (8 ounces) Unsweetened Almond Milk (or milk of choice)

Optional
Protein Powder
Ice (if I use frozen berries I don't need it, but for fresh I do)

Place all ingredients in a blender.

Orange Ginger Juice

I have been really bad about my posts lately, so alas, I bring you Thursday's healthy recipe of Orange Ginger Juice. I have recently become a huge fan of ginger so I feel like I put it in everything. A great benefit of ginger, though there are many, is that it is said to reduce pain and inflammation throughout the body. So not only is it tasty, it is great for your ailments.....double bonus! If you haven't had ginger before this recipe might be a little too overpowering as is, so just add a little ginger first and increase until your desired liking. Also, I like adding the carrots and celery because they don't alter the flavor, but I get the added benefits of those veggies in my juice as well! Enjoy! 

Orange Ginger Juice

Ingredients
2 oranges
2 celery stalks
thumb of ginger
6 ounces carrots

Place all ingredients in a juicer. Enjoy!

Raspberry-Honey and Blackberry-Honey Butter on Toast

Last month I had the pleasure of winning the December book Birchbox featured in their bookclub! Not only is it exciting to win something, but this was an amazing cookbook which is obviously right up my alley. So when my Homemade Decadence cookbook by Joy Wilson came, I was beyond stoked and wanted to start whipping things up right away! I started with the first recipe in the book because I already had all the ingredients and like I said, I just had to get started right away. It is a super easy recipe for fruit infused butter. Joy did hers with the raspberries and since I also had blackberries, I decided to try those too! The results were amazing. It is something so simple that will wow your family (or guests) at your next breakfast or brunch, or keep it for yourself because it lasts up to three days. When you make this, make sure you follow the plastic wrap step. I did one with and one I just placed in a Pyrex container. The one in the Pyrex was a little more runny then I would have liked, but tasted good nonetheless. Whether you are in a pinch and need something "fancy" or just want to serve something a little different, you should try this recipe out. You will love it I'm sure! Stay tuned for Roasted-Potato Breakfast Nachos, the next recipe I made from my wonderful cookbook! As always, enjoy! 

Fresh Raspberry-Honey Butter and Fresh Blackberry-Honey Butter 

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) Unsalted butter, divided in half, room temperature

4 Raspberries

4 Blackberries 

2 Tablespoons Honey, divided

1/4 teaspoon salt, divided 

Divide the butter between two bowls. In one, place the raspberries, 1 Tablespoon honey and a dash of salt. In the other place the same except add the blackberries to it. Mash the ingredients together with a fork until somewhat combined. Scoop the butter into plastic wrap, pressing down to form a disk shape. Refrigerate until ready to use.