Blueberry Pear Smoothie

Blueberry Pear Smoothie Recipe via Simply HappenstanceBlueberry Pear Smoothie //

It’s so funny with the New Year, one instantly feels the need to refresh, tweak a few things around, and try a little harder… for instance with healthier eating. Am I right? I know for me… even without compiling a bunch of resolutions, I ALWAYS have the urge to clean up my act in the eating department, come January! I think I’ve seriously tried it all, you guys. I’ve done an elimination diet, become completely vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free… I’ve even done two back-to-back rounds of the Whole30! Yikes! Sort of crazy…. I know!

Well, this year is really no different. I started off thinking I may attempt 100 days of Real Food with a dear friend of mine, but I’ve already thrown in the towel. Before you feel sorry for my lack of commitment, please know that I don’t plan on eating ding dongs all day {do they still make those?}. Instead, I am just going to do my best. That.Is.All. After all, I think I know what to do at this point… and I’m sort of over following guidelines.

So, with that being said… I picked up this lovely Juice/Smoothie recipe book from Barnes & Noble over the holidays. {It was in the bargain section, which made me like it even more!} It’s a really pretty book… I highly recommend it for the pictures and for recipe inspiration! 

blueberry pear smoothie | recipe at simplyhappenstance.com [Read more…]

Turkey Meatloaf with Spinach & Mozzarella

meatloaf

 :: Turkey Meatloaf with Spinach & Mozzarella ::

Looking for a healthy, easy weeknight meal? Look no further! This has been a family favorite for many years! One of my dear friends gave me this recipe when my oldest son was a toddler. We’ve been eating it ever since! This isn’t your traditional meatloaf. It’s healthier with the use of ground turkey instead of ground beef.  A layer of fresh spinach topped with shredded mozzarella {optional} is rolled up inside, keeping this dish flavorful and moist! This is one of those great meals that you can prepare earlier in the day and throw into the fridge until you are ready to cook. Also… there really is no need to measure. It just takes a pinch of this and a pinch of that to add flavor! [Read more…]

S’mores Ice Cream Cake

 

s'mores ice cream cake

:: S’mores Ice Cream Cake ::

I whole-heartedly have had every intention of posting healthier recipes up on the blog {and I promise… I will!}; however, we did have a special birthday in our family last week. Ryan, my oldest son, turned nine. I’m still sort of in shock at how quickly my time with him has gone. In just nine more years… I’ll be sending this handsome boy off to college {sigh}. I’m literally holding onto him for as long as he lets me…

One of our traditions {dating back to when I was a child} is having the birthday person pick their favorite dinner and dessert. When I was growing up… I always picked savory crepes for dinner and deliciously sweet crepes for dessert. {Not your traditional birthday cake, but still to this day, my absolute favorite!} For Ry… it was his favorite restaurant for Chinese food and homemade S’mores Ice Cream Cake for dessert. In my opinion, there’s just no reason to purchase ice cream cakes. You can so easily make one yourself…. and I guarantee it will be so much more decadent and flavorful!

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Decadent Frozen Banana Bites

 

  

:: Decadent {frozen} Banana Bites ::

Naming this post was a bit of an issue for me! You see… these aren’t your average frozen banana bites dipped in rich, creamy chocolate! Oh no! These are WAY more decadent! These little frozen banana bites are wrapped in chocolate chip cookie dough, and dunked in a thick layer of chocolate!

Clearly, I had a moment of weakness in making these! It was a week prior to our big family move and I needed the stress relief of whipping up something tasty! For me, the process of baking has always been a coping mechanism when I need to unwind or take a breather from life. These banana bites were successful in getting my mind off the never ending to-do list that comes with moving a family of six. They also provided the kids and I with a delicious frozen summer treat that brought back some of my favorite childhood memories of going to Balboa Island in Newport Beach and indulging in the famous Frozen Bananas & Balboa Bars!

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Panzanella Salad

 

:: Panzanella Salad ::

It just doesn’t get much easier {or tastier}, than this healthy summer salad! Panzanella Salad is my absolute FAVORITE dish to serve to friends… whether I’m taking it to their house, or hosting a summer playdate in my own home. It’s also the perfect meal to bring for a picnic lunch or concert in the park! 

There is some chopping of fresh veggies involved, the making of a simple homemade vinaigrette dressing, and a little toasting of french bread in a frying pan with a drizzle of olive oil… but the steps are super basic {you could even get the kids to help you toss it all together}! In under thirty minutes… you will have a scrumptious, fresh, tangy, and crisp bread salad to enjoy!

This recipe has always gotten rave reviews… but the best part is that you can easily customize it to your own taste! For example… love a greek salad? Just add in some chopped olives and feta cheese! For my husby, I omitted the red onion and added avocado slices. Any way that you do it… it comes out perfectly fresh and delectable! The combination of flavors is seriously… mouthwatering! [Read more…]

Almond Poppy Seed Muffins

  

:: ALMOND POPPY SEED MUFFINS ::

Isn’t it funny how certain sights, sounds, tastes, and smells evoke emotions and bring back memories? Well… the smell and taste of these muffins do just that for me. It brings me back to my early high school years spent in San Diego…. Happy memories surfaced of the carefree days spent with one of my best high school friends. We used to make these muffins after school or on the weekends. Back then, we made them from a boxed mix… and they really were delicious! I think we’d practically devour the whole dozen! I haven’t seen them since those years, long ago. I have found lemon poppyseed muffin mix… but that just isn’t the same in my opinion! There is just something magical about the combination of almonds with poppy seeds!

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