Staple: Parfait Desert

So, if I want a healthy desert, I've been just shoving a "yogurt" on the bowl, a handful of cereal, and a handful of fresh fruit. I've been minding the sugar in them, so it's reasonably healthy.

Own Recipe: Instant Brussel Sprouts Upgrade

Take a bag of microwavable steamed brussel sprouts. Cook 'em.
Poured cooked sprouts into a bowl.
Add dashes of parmesan cheese, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and a splash of lime juice.

Delicious!

Staple: Smashed chickpea and avocado sandwich

This is such a winner!!

http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/smashed-chickpea-avocado-salad-sandwich/

I didn't have a lime, so I used a lemon. The lime would be better, but this is still way delicious. I also added sriracha as a topping because I couldn't resist.

I'll let you know how well it survives the school transport/fridge/freezing, because this could be one of my new go-tos.


Update
So, freezing was okay, but it took a long time to thaw out--longer than the PB&J for sure. And unsurprisingly, lettuce does not freeze well. Only kept it in one night, so not sure how it would do on the freezer burn front.

The raw stuff kept in the fridge fine, so totally good to make ahead of time and then make the sandwich daily for sure.

Also, tried it with pinto beans instead of chickpeas this week because that's what I had and it was a little watery, which I kind of suspect was just because I was lazy about draining, but it was delicious as well. So, very adaptable.

Own Recipe: Fastest Healthy Dinner on the planet

-can of beans (whatever kind)
-can of diced tomatoes (usually with chilis)
-can of tuna
-sriracha
-whatever spices you want to add

Un-can, drain, mix, delish

Own Recipe: Leftover Brown Rice and Stirfry Veggies

This is perfect for when I have leftover rice and I want to use it up and eat something delicious in ten minutes

Ingredients
Kroger Stirfry frozen veggies
olive oil
brown rice
sriracha
soy sauce
optionals: whatever-- this time it was green onions and canned pineapple bits

Directions
Olive oil on the frying pan and heat it up. When it's warm, add the frozen veggies. When that's all warm, go ahead and add the brown rice to warm that up too. Once it's all hot and happy, add sauce and other ingredients as desired. Boom.

Keeper: Freezer Food: Black Bean Quesadillas

http://www.budgetbytes.com/2012/02/hearty-black-bean-quesadillas/

These are a great freezer option. I want a healthier version though. Things to contemplate.

Cost: My most expensive ingredient was the whole wheat tortillas. Regular flour would have been cheaper (and honestly possibly more delicious to my tastes), but much less healthy.
Convenience: Super easy. Chopping onion and garlic was the hardest part.
Delicious: Mmmh quesadilla.
Freeze: Works well, but can take a while to warm up so the cheese will melt, need it on low.
Uses:  Quick healthy dinner, warming and filling, easy
Notes: -can I add more veggies? --or more cheese? Intriuging

Keeper: Quesadilla

I wanted something warm and satifying and comforting for snack and I was wandering around indecisively until I remembered that I had tortillas.

So, less than 5 minutes later, warm quesadilla in hand (pepperjack and brie!), I am so happy with life. 

I just did it dry, works fine and barely have to wash the pan, but I've also used just enough melted butter to coat the bottom before (internet tells me this is about 1/2 tsp. Could also use pam, or just read someone saying that they think it works better to put the butter on the tortilla with their fingers instead of hte pan)

Quesadilla ideas

 Peanut butter and banana (really delicious desert one)

cheese + tobasco

cheese + beans + hot sauce

grated sweet potatoes sauteed with onion and cilantro and layered with Jack cheese

caramelized onions and brie. 

Why am I even listing these? Just make delicious things.

Keeper Recipe: Microwave-Steamed Zucchini

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmh this is such a keeper. It could not be easier, healthier, or more delicious. I was just looking for a way to use up a zucchini that was going to go bad, but I will be doing this over and over.



http://www.food.com/recipe/microwave-steamed-zucchini-323310
"

DIRECTIONS

1. Slice zucchini lenth-wise, not cutting all the way to the bottom.
2. Open slightly and spray interior with butter.
3. Sprinkle interior with salt and pepper (and parmesan)
4. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in microwave. Microwave for 5 minutes on high power.
5. Let stand for two minutes, remove, and cut in wedges.
6. Voila."
7. 
   

Keeper: Grilled Cheese Sandwich

So, I don't even have a recipe here, but it's definitely one of my keeper things. I wanted something warm and filling and delicious, but was too lazy to do much. So, I made a grilled cheese with pepperjack cheese and it was great. I'm sure I might want to do an actual write up later and include exciting variations, but in the meantime-- I will record that this is an option.