(Paleo) Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins

You guys, guess what?
As a thank you for being a TIY reader I made you a batch of warm, fresh, Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins.
I know, how kind of me.
Did I mention they’re paleo, grain-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and dairy-free?
Meaning you can definitely eat more than one. Two, three, four, maybe even five.
Yes, plan to eat muffinS, plural.
They’re tiny and oh-so delicious, you won’t be able to stop just at one.
Trust me, they’re that good!

(Paleo) Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

This time of the year, I’m thankful for memories of family and food that I loved as a kid.
For me, Mom’s Caramel Apple Blondies and cookies like these chocolate crinkles are a trip down memory lane.
Chocolate crinkle cookies were, and definitely still are, one of my favorites, especially during this time of the year.
There’s something about the dense, chewy, chocolate loaded goodness that I just can’t resist.
And the powdered sugar on my fingers and face reminds me of good ‘ol times.

(Paleo) Gingersnap Cookie Sandwiches

 As we are already in a festive mood with Thanksgiving approaching fast, it’s time to bake some cookies.
If there was ever a good time of the year to get busy in the kitchen, this is it.
And arguably gingersnaps (or ginger cookies, or ginger crinkles, whatever you want to call them) are the best cookies to make from scratch during the holidays.
They literally scream “HOLIDAYS!”

(Easy) Bacon Spaghetti Aglio Olio

Being a healthy food blogger (and a triathlete) is a give-in that I exercise.
And I do. Every day.
Although there are times when I feel like I’m not doing all I can, I always manage to fit in some exercise: run, or swim, or cycle, or practice yoga.
The other night I felt especially accomplished after completing a 10 mile run, followed by a 45 minutes HIIT cardio and abs workout, and a gentle stretch yoga class.
So accomplished that I decided I deserved a special dinner, a carb-o-licious dinner (also known as carbageddon).

Mom's Caramel Apple Blondies

Okay, maybe I’m jumping the gun, but the store across the street from where I live has had Christmas decorations in their windows since October 23, so I think it’s perfectly fine to officially declare November the beginning of the holiday season.
I love the fall/winter holidays more than anytime of the year.
I know it’s a busy time of year — between decorating, cooking shopping, and celebrations — and it’s definitely easy to get overwhelmed. But nonetheless it's an awesome time, except of course my birthday.

(Vegan) Apple and Butternut Squash Soup with Walnuts and Marjoram

 At last, I have a new recipe for you in the heavily neglected category of apple recipes.
How could this have happened, you ask?
Fall’s here after all, which means it’s apple season.
And why haven’t I posted a recipe with apples yet?
I dunno, I dunno…

Glazed Korean-Style Meatballs

 If you follow this blog, you know I’m obsessed with football, and not only the games but also the food aspect.
I love having friends coming over to watch the game on Sunday and serve up some goodness.
But at the same time I don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen getting ready for the kick-off.
Enters these Glazed Korean-Style Meatballs.
This is a recipe that always scores major points and though the ingredient list is long, the prep is minimal and the cooking is (mostly) done by an oven.
Which means I’m always ready for the coin toss and I never miss a moment of the action!

Butternut Squash Polenta with Crispy Sausage and Caramelized Onions

Look at this guys!
Can you believe that I’ve been eating this for dinner all week?
I’m serious.
And I still can’t get enough of it.
It’s creamy, sweet, fragrant, rich, and with a deep flavor that just begs to be savoured.
Honestly, I could eat just this for dinner for the rest of the year and never get bored.

(Vegan) Creamy Thai Butternut Squash Curry

I’ve confessed again and again that I’m just not the kind of person who likes to eat things repeatedly.
Sure, I make this chickpea tikka masala more than I’d like to admit and also this sweet potato hash happens way too frequently.
I tend to get bored of the same food easily.
And though humans are creatures of habit, when it comes to cooking I feel the need to explore the less familiar.
What’s worse than food monotony?
I dunno, I dunno.

4-Ingredient Deviled Chicken Thighs

This, my friends, is all the evidence you will ever need that you can never go wrong with Dijon mustard.
Because despite recovering from a horrible cold (not just any cold, more like the biggest, baddest and ugliest cold ever) with zero appetite, and even less inclination to walk to the kitchen and cook, an email from Mark Bittman dropped into my inbox the other day with a recipe for a super simple way to cook chicken thighs; so I dragged myself and made it for dinner last night and it was awesome.
Curative, even. I almost feel reborn today.
Apparently the delightful tang of Dijon mustard woke up not only my taste buds.