Dried Cherries Archives - Simply Happenstance

Couscous Salad

March 27, 2014

:: Couscous Salad ::

With or without chicken, now that is the question? I would like to take a moment to be honest about meal planning. Sara and I do love a good week of planned out meals and maybe that is something that you would love to see, but our lifestyle is not conducive to full planned out meals. With both of us being married to firefighters, we are often on our own with the kids for dinner a few times a week. This Couscous Salad is the exact type of last minute meal planning that I like to have on hand. Simple and savory, chicken can be added last minute should Shane be home. This Couscous Salad also makes for the perfect Meatless Monday.

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Chewy Homemade Granola Bars

March 17, 2014

Chewy Homemade Granola Bars //

{gluten-free}

Have you ever made homemade granola bars? They have been on my “must bake” list for quite some time. I did my research, and have read numerous reviews before finally adapting this recipe from Smitten Kitchen {which was originally adapted from the King Arthur Flour site}. What I love about these chewy, flavorful bars… is that they are so easy to adjust to your personal taste! You can customize them by adding in walnuts, pecans, chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks, dried cranberries, cherries or apples, and sesame or pumpkin seeds… the list goes on and on. Although I think these decadent bars are already pretty healthy… you absolutely can make them healthier by changing out the granulated sugar for coconut sugar, and replacing the melted butter with coconut oil. Also… make sure if you use honey, it’s in its raw form so you can get rid of some of the processed sweeteners.

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Chicken Avocado Salad

February 20, 2014

:: Chicken Avocado Salad ::

This healthful Chicken Avocado Salad comes together quickly making it an instant favorite! Have you been running around too much lately? Not thinking logically on what you are consuming because the kids are busy and you haven’t had time to think? Well, that describes my family to the T lately. We have been anticipating some minor changes to our house. We just revamped our flooring throughout the downstairs. It’s funny because it was a choice or an elective situation that we had been planning to do since we moved to our home three years ago. In that time frame we had some water damage, minor repairs, and life in general so it got put on the back burner. But just like having a baby, we forgot the labor pains, and thus are trying to catch up from the mess.

That mess caused a ripple effect like life does, and we have been eating quick thoughtless meals, or dining out. It’s time to get back to the basics, and that means eating mindfully and enjoying it as well. This Chicken Avocado Salad is rustic and fresh. Oh and by the way….. it’s healthy so that is a plus!

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Walnut Granola Crunch Recipe

November 19, 2013

:: Walnut Granola Crunch Recipe ::

I am ADDICTED to Costco’s Granola!!! Have you had it? Shane had to have a semi-intervention with me in regards to their granola, so I needed to whip up a batch of homemade granola stat! This Walnut Granola Crunch Recipe is healthy, delicious, and it makes your home smell incredible while it’s baking. The smell of the sweet honey, oats, and walnuts create the perfect fall aroma. This is exactly why I love granola and oatmeal so much. It’s healthy, filling, and it can be versatile. It is a fall favorite, but with a few simple switches, this granola can be enjoyed year around. [Read more…]