Ingredients

• 1 large onion
• 3 medium carrots
• 3 celery stalks
• 6 garlic cloves
• 2 bunches kale (stemmed)
• 1-28 ounce can of diced tomatoes
• 1-14 ounce can of pinto beans (rinsed & drained)
• 3/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 potatoes OR noodles, cooked

Directions

1. Dice onion, celery, carrots and mince garlic. Stripe rule off of kale stalks and cut into small pieces.
2. Cook onion, celery, carrot, potatoes, and garlic in oil in dutch oven, stirring occasionally until veggies are softened, 8-10 minutes. Add 2 tsp. salt. Add potatoes if using.
3. While veggies cook, place a strainer over a bowl. Strain can of tomatoes, reserving juice for later. Add tomatoes in strainer to dutch oven and cook 10 minutes.
4. Add beans, tomatoes juice, red pepper flakes, 4 cups of water to dutch oven. Bring to a simmer.
5. Add kale in 2 additions, stirring and allowing to wilt in between. Simmer for 5 minutes. Taste & adjust seasoning.

Enjoy!

Perfect for batch cooking and easy to make ahead, this baked oatmeal recipe is simple, satisfying, and very forgiving.

Oatmeal is delicious, filling, and super versatile. I usually make one batch of baked oatmeal on Sunday and pack it to take to work – grab and go! I love switching up the add-ins based on seasonal fruit, or whatever I’m feeling that week. Some of my favorite combos so far have been blueberry-coconut and banana-chia.

Ingredients

• 3 cups rolled oats
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup almond milk, unsweetened
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, olive oil or apple sauce
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking powder

Add-Ins

• berries – my favorite is adding blueberries
• 1 sliced banana
• diced apple
• Chia seeds
• slivered almonds
• coconut

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl
3. Place into a greased baking pan
4. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Cool.
5. Cut into 4 individual pieces. Serve cold or warm! It can be reheated in the microwave if desired.

Enjoy!
Let me know what your favorite combinations are in the comments below.

Ingredients

1 cup soft Medjool dates (about 8 ounces), pitted

2 3/4 cups rolled oats (about 2 1/4 cups oat flour), certified gluten-free if needed

1/4 cup smooth tahini (or almond butter or cashew butter)

4 1/2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

1 cup vegan chocolate chips, divided (I use these mini chocolate chips)

2 teaspoons refined coconut oil, melted (optional; omit to keep oil-free)

Directions

1. If the dates are not very soft, cover them with hot water for 5 minutes, then drain and pat dry.

2. Place the oats in the bowl of the food processor and pulverize them until you have fine oat flour. Alternatively, you can use store-bought oat flour.

3. Add the pitted dates, tahini, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt to the oat flour. Pulse until the mixture forms into a sticky dough (it should turn into a ball). If it feels dry, add a spoon of plant-based milk a teaspoon at a time until the dough just sticks together when pressed.

4. Fold in 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips using a silicone spatula.

5. If the dough is too sticky to handle with your hands (this is more likely if your kitchen is warm), place the dough in the fridge for 20 minutes to firm it up a bit.

6. Line a 9×5-inch or 8×4-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang. You can also use a similar-shaped glass storage container or an 8×8-inch square baking pan (if you use the latter, the bars won’t be as thick though). Spread the dough into the pan and smooth the top out evenly, pressing all the way into corners. Use a flat-bottomed glass to get the mixture evenly on top. Place the pan in the freezer for 30 minutes (or longer) to set.

7. Using the parchment paper as handles, lift the cookie dough out of the pan. Place the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl with the coconut oil, if using. Microwave on high in 30-second intervals until the chocolate is almost melted. Use a spoon to stir the chocolate until it is melted. If you omit the oil, the instructions are the same.

8. Pour the melted chocolate on top of the cookie dough. Since the bars are cold, the chocolate will harden on top. Slice into 8 bars and serve immediately. Store leftovers in the freezer.

ENJOY!

Let me show you how to make a simple and delicious iced latte at home!

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

I’ve experimented for you and found the most efficient and tasty recipe for iced lattes at home!

Not only is it cost-effective to make homemade lattes, but I find the routine of creating something I love soothing and joyful. It is part of my morning routine!

Time

Making my latte takes five minutes tops.

Cost

I brew my espresso with a Nespresso Machine. And oh my goodness – I looooooveee this machine.

Another thing I love about Nespresso is that they provide you with bags to recycle your pods in with each order. All you have to do is drop it in the mailbox to send back!

The initial investment is about $250 for equipment. But, after purchasing the espresso machine to start, each latte costs about $2.00. It has saved me lots of money in the long run.

If you are unsure about investing in an espresso machine, try tracking how much money you spend for one week on coffee! It may help you decide.

• Nespresso Pixie Machine
• Nespresso Aeuroccino 4 Milk Frother
• Nespresso Pods: $0.70 each, my favorite capsule is Roma
• Oatly Oat Milk: $4.99 for 1/2 gallon or 8 servings

You can totally make this latte without the milk frother to start, it will just be creamier! I love my milk frother because in the winter I use it to make hot lattes as well.

Ingredients

1 cup milk of choice

2 Nespresso pods (I made two shots on the espresso setting)

1 cup of ice cubes

Simple Syrup (optional)

Steps

1. Fill your cup with ice cubes
2. Froth milk on the cold setting, or just pour over ice cubes
3. Make two shots of espresso with Nespresso machine
4. Pour hot shot over ice cubes and milk
5. Stir and enjoy!

I purchased this espresso cup and make my shots in it.

I also have reusable straws to use! You can find similar ones here.

I have ice cube trays with silicone backs that make making a bunch of ice very easy, for those without an ice maker!

P.S. You can check out my Instagram Story highlights for a video of how I make my latte!

Summer is right around the corner! Although it’s been a wet and chilly spring here in Vermont, we have had a few lovely warm days that have left me excited for the upcoming months.

I love, love, love ice cream. It is one of my favorite treats. Black raspberry creemee in a waffle cone?! YES, please! My favorite spots for creemees in Vermont are Rocky’s in Essex Junction and Burlington Bay !

While I was in college, I spent my summers working at a small but very popular ice cream stand called Tim & Doug’s. It is still one of my favorite jobs to date! The girls and I would pick our favorite radio station, turn up the music and scoop more ice cream than you can imagine. We would see our high school friends and reconnect, family members and welcome new faces to town who were visiting. I even spent the Fourth of July in the ice cream shop – that night we took a quick break (it was super busy!) and ran into the closed street just in time to catch the fireworks.  I have a lot of fond memories surrounding my time at the Tim & Doug’s.

Although I could eat ice cream every day, my body would not be too happy with me. So that’s why I am sharing the second best thing; homemade banana ice cream bowls! These are so scrumptious , and I love that I can tailor them to suit whatever I am craving. It is my favorite treat on hot summer days. The best part is that there are only THREE ingredients! You can add any additional fruit to the blend for endless options.

Here are three flavor combinations I love:

-Strawberry-Coconut: just add strawberries & coconut extract

-Blueberry: just add blueberries

-Chocolate : just add cocoa powder

Self-Care Saturday

Self-Care: Noun; The practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health

This past week took a lot out of me, both physically and mentally. Pursuing my passions and working full time as a nurse doesn’t always allow me to put myself first; and my body was telling me to slow down. I was feeling re-energized after taking time to enjoy coffee with my friends after barre class. While chatting, we brought up the topic of self-care. I love that self-care is becoming more of the ‘norm’ and that my friends and I encourage each other to put ourselves first. We decided to dedicate a whole day to self-care, and here is what it looked like for us:

1. Manicures
2. Baking
3. Girl-time
4. Wine
5. Photography

Here is the BEST scone recipe from Casey’s kitchen! You will 100% need to try this!

We thought that adding some Vitamin C to our drinks was a great idea, since my husband and I were feeling a little under the weather. Citrus is never a bad idea. I love how vibrant fruit is, and is a great way to add color to your life! We sliced ours and placed into a large glass container for a refreshing-infused beverage.

Photography is a passion of mine, and Casey was kind enough to let me capture our afternoon together.

Cheers!

I hope this inspires you to carve out time in your busy schedules for self-care. Comment below with your favorite self-care activities.

xx

Danielle

Craving a smoothie after class?! Below is my absolute favorite smoothie to have after a barre class. It is tasty, full of protein to help with muscle recovery, and leaves me feeling satisfied.

Ingredients 

• peanut butter
• spinach
• frozen banana
• protein powder
• almond milk
• maca powder
• vanilla
• berries!

Optional Toppings:

• chia seeds
• coconut
• strawberries

• 

• 

Everyone has their favorite brands. I’d like to share a few of mine:

// Teddie Peanut Butter with Flax – so delicious!

Why? smooth, scrumptious true peanut butter flavor. Only three ingredients; peanut butter, flax & salt! Can be found at Hannaford.

// Manitoba Harvest Hemp Protein

Why? amazing source of protein & fiber with only ONE ingredient! I love that it doesn’t have an overwhelming flavor and blends evenly. Can be found at Healthy Living.

// Califia Farms Unsweetened Almond Milk 

Why? 100% sugar free, minimal ingredients, no odd after taste. Can be found at  Hannaford.

I hope you enjoy!

xx

Danielle

It’s almost Christmas! Although changing of the seasons into winter is difficult for me, the holidays always makes things better.

This year Jonathan and I are celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Over the years as our lives and families have become intertwined, we’ve created our own set of traditions and are creating new traditions as husband and wife.

Here are some of my favorite:

// Turkey Trot

What better way to start Thanksgiving than to give back to the community and those in need. This year it was -7 degrees Thanksgiving morning. Jon and I ran a 5k inside instead and made a donation to the food shelf in spirit. I hope to make the Turkey Trot and annual Thanksgiving activity for our family!

// Christmas Eve Pajamas

My Mom started this tradition! I looked forward to opening our “Christmas Eve gift” each year and have some cozy PJ’s from over the years that always make me think of Christmas at my family’s house.

// Choosing a Christmas Tree

I think that as a Vermonter, I’ve taken for granted the fact that we have a freshly cut Christmas tree each year. I LOVE going to tree farms and choosing trees with our families, taking tractor rides through the snow covered fields, sipping hot coco and take photos. I have many cherished memories from these trips.

// Christmas Cookies & Baking Day

There are certain recipes that only come around this time of year! For our family the recipes include Susan’s Monkey Bread and Ribbon Cookies. Susan is my childhood neighbor who would leave steaming fresh Monkey Bread on our porch Christmas Day. My family would look forward to it every year. Our Ribbon Cookie recipe is from my Mother’s side of the family – we often make them together with my Mom, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother (MiMi!).

What are some of your favorite Holiday traditions!?

Love,

-D

Nothing is better than a comforting, warm bowl of pasta on a cold winter evening. I love this recipe because it is both dairy and gluten free. The POW pasta, which is made from red lentils – is also full of protein. The mint and lemon flavors are so tasty with the pasta. I am all about efficiency in the kitchen, and love that I can make this in under twenty minutes AND have leftovers!

Fresh Mint & Pea Pasta

//  Ingredients  – serves six 

• 16 ounces (1 box) of pasta (I used POW, made from red lentils)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 shallot, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
• 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 2 tablespoons hemp seeds
• 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
• 1/2 tablespoon lemon zest
• Juice of 1 lemon
•  black pepper & sea salt to taste

// Preparation

1. Cook pasta according to the box instructions.
2. In a large skillet, saute shallots & garlic in olive oil, over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
3. Add the peas, and cook until warmed through.
4. Once pasta is cooked & strained, add to skillet.
5. Stir in remaining ingredients & toss until evenly coated.

Enjoy!

// A Simple & Satisfying Evening Snack

I often find myself craving something after dinner. Let’s be honest, it’s usually chocolate!

I wanted to share a healthy and simple quick snack that I find truly satisfying in the evenings. I think it has just the right amount of chocolate, sweetness and tang. I recently discovered that pomegranate seeds and greek yogurt taste so, so yummy together!

Cacao nibs not only taste delicious but also have health benefits. They contain fiber, magnesium, iron and antioxidants.

I store my cacao nibs in a mason jar in my pantry!

// Ingredients

• Pomegranate Seeds
• Plain greek yogurt
• Cacao Nibs
• Your favorite granola!

Place all ingredients together in a bowl and voila! I find it fun to make layers in a clear glass dish. The layers are pretty – who doesn’t want both a pretty and tasty snack!

Enjoy!

-D