here comes the sun...

this winter.  it's been killer.  i've felt sick and tired and unmotivated for weeks now, and ugh.  i'm so done.  spring is coming.  i'm ready to kick this funk and get moving.  who's with me?

but despite the funk, i've found a few good recipes that i'd love to pass along.  so here we go...

morning baked oatmeal with berries and coconut

i'm not even exaggerating when i say that this was the BEST baked oatmeal i've ever made.  and get this -- no refined sugar!  this amazing baked oatmeal with berries and coconut is sweetened only with pure maple syrup.  (well, and the berries.)  i used frozen blueberries, but you could use anything.  strawberries?  raspberries?  maybe even peaches?  so many possibilities!  isla enjoyed making this with me and even ate it, which is huge since she typically won't eat anything that looks like it's mixed together with something else.  woohoo, oatmeal for the win!  for the record, i enjoyed mine fresh out of the oven with a bit of milk poured over top.

lasagna soup

alright, this lasagna soup isn't going to rank super duper high on the healthy scale, but mercy.  it is tasty.  a bowl of this goodness will cost you about 580 calories, but as an entire dinner, i find that to be perfectly acceptable.  (you could save some calories, too, by adding a smaller dollop of ricotta, but where's the fun in that?) ;-)  since spring is finally rolling in, i imagine i won't make this again for a while, but this cozy soup was filling and delicious, and the leftovers made for some delightful lunches throughout the week!

pesto turkey meatloaf

i love meatloaf (weird?  perhaps...) and i love pesto, so i knew this recipe would be a win for me.  takes a while to bake (as most meatloaf does), so i can only make this on the weekend.  but mmmm, very good.  this recipe comes in a close second to my favorite turkey meatloaf recipe -- honey barbecue turkey meatloaf.

lazy sunday casserole

i saved my favorite entree for last.  lazy sunday casserole is an incredible pan full of chopped potatoes, carrots, peppers, onions, fennel bulb, garlic, and sausage (i used spicy turkey sausage) roasted together with chicken broth, italian herbs, and a hearty dose of balsamic vinegar.  it was aaaaaaamazing!  so simple, and yet that flavor.  i can't say enough about it!  (in the interest of full disclosure, my husband would only eat the potatoes and sausage... and my daughter would only eat the sausage.  sigh...)  but truly, i loved this dish and would make it again in a heartbeat!

paleo coconut flour brownies

since we are in the season of lent, i am doing my best to steer clear of refined sugar.  but sometimes, a girl just needs some chocolate.  (am i right?)  ;-)  so i have discovered the most amazing gem of a recipe -- paleo coconut flour brownies.  sweetened with pure maple syrup (or honey, if you prefer).  and oooooohmygoodness.  surprisingly good.  i have to discipline myself to go easy on these (because the point of lent is not to replace one vice with another).  but i'm ok with indulging here and there.  mmmmm, happiness.  :-)  and for the record, about 110 calories per serving.


so there you go!  hope you see something new and yummy to try!  now that it's getting warmer, i'm looking forward to eating some salads and fresher food again...  happy almost springtime, friends! :-)