Fresh & FlavorFUL Summer Chickpea Salad

One of my absolute favorite summer salads that isn't truly a recipe, more like a toss in, shake (don't ever forget the shakeeeee, iykyk lol) and enjoy. The tomatoes and cilantro give it the freshness, the tangy (hello banana peppers) and sweetness from the bacon al combine to give a huge punch of flavor in each bite. And it's just so perfect to make ahead for hot days that you don't want to spend in the kitchen.

Ingredients

2 Cans of rinsed Chick Peas, I take the little "peel" off of the chickpeas while rinsing, the girls don't like the texture of this part and it saves me!

6- 8 strips of bacon

2 cups of halved cherry tomatoes

huge bunch of cilantro, roughly chopped (but can be minced for picky eaters)

1/2 cup banana peppers, chopped (I've used pickled onion here and it's so delicious!)

Simple Vinaigrette

1/2 cup olive oil (avocado works too)

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/4 cup vinegar

1/4 agave

Pour all ingredients into a jar, I use these with these tops and shake shake shake before using.

**want to change up a simple vinaigrette dressing? You can add a whole ripe avocado and blend it up. It's sooooo delicious I use it as a dipping sauce! I'll be sharing a few of my star homemade dressings that I make on the regular really soon.

Recipe is just tossing all ingredients into a large bowl, including about 3/4 of the dressing, you can use more or less depending on how you like it. I prefer to use a bowl that is shallow so that most of the salad can all sit in the dressing.Toss really well, cover and let it marinade for a couple hours before serving. I like to give it a few tosses every time I walk by. This is the type of dish that taste even better when you make ahead, so it's a win in my book.

Other combos I have used with the chickpea, dressing mixture is chicken sausage and finely chopped fennel or left over salmon, chopped up red peppers, orzo pasta and sun dried tomatoes or I add loads of arugula and grilled chicken to the exact one above. So many options!

I hope that you try this dish this week! And if you do please be sure to tag me on Instagram, I love to see when you enjoy my recipes.

xoxo

Natalie

Oatmeal & Chocolate Bites for Nursing Mamas

Well hello there, greetings from the first few days of summer vacation.

My sweet friend, cousin in law and more like bestie had her third beautiful baby last week and this week I dropped off my favorite little energy bites that are nourishing, easy to eat and perfect for nursing mamas who barely have time to eat or hands to feed themselves. So I thought I would share the very easy no-bake recipe, so easy that you can recruit your kiddos to make them!

I swear to you mama, that allowing your kids to cook, bake, prepare meals, shop for food with you is the key to having less picky eaters. The girls sample every ingredient and when they got to the oats they remembered how much they love them, and Zoe told Ami I use to make them these bars in NYC. Which got her excited, we quickly whipped up another batch for snacks and breakfast on the go.

Here goes a non-recipe, recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups old-fashioned oats

• 1/2 cup ground or milled flaxseed

• 1/4 cup of shelled hemp seeds

• 3 tablespoons brewer’s yeast (I skip this when making for the girls but this helps boost milk supply!)

• 1 cup sunbutter or almond butter (you can use peanut butter but we have an allergy)

• 1/2 cup honey

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 1/2 cup mix of dark and milk chocolate chips

** Optional:1/2 chopped nuts (such as almonds or walnuts) and 1/2 cup dried fruit or coconut flakes, you can also melt chocolate and dip them in and sprinkle sea salt (I'm going to make them like this next time!)

RECIPE

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add all ingredients except for the chocolate chips. Mix on low speed until mixture is well combined. Stir in chocolate chips and any other additional ingredients.

Roll into 2-tablespoon sized smooth balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, this way they harden a bit. I freeze them if I am taking them on the go (especially during summer months!) Once the bites have set, transfer them to an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

NOTES You can press the mixture into an 8×8-inch baking dish and cut into bars, if you'd like! I just leave out the yeast when I make these for the girls.

Perfect perfect for these 100 degree summer days. I hope you all enjoy as much as we do!

xoxox

Natalie

Red, White & Blue Foods For A Fun 4th Platter!

I was going to wait and do this little platter for the next weekend when we hosted our mom's but I said why wait? Don't let the big perfect ish out on the internet deter you from creating special moments for you and your littles. Mine were not worried that I didn't have all of my perfect placement they were just excited that we made it together and they friggen love a theme! Here are some food ideas for a red, white and blue snack board!

Red

Strawberries

Raspberries

Watermelon

Radishes

Red Peppers

Cherries

Pomegranate

Tomatoes

Red Apples

Salsa

Pico De Gallo

Peperoni

Dried meats

Red Pepper Hummus

Beet Crackers

Red Pepper Tortilla Chips

Red licorice

Red Starbursts

Red Sourpatch Kids

Red M&MS (any red candy, I picked up the dollar boxes at Stop& Shop and picked through for the colors, because we don't ever eat it, it is very special!)

White

White Nectarines or PEaches

Turnips

Parsnips

Cheese (goat, manchego, white cheddar, fetta, farmers cheese, fresh mozzarella)

Cauliflower

Crackers

Bread

Coconut Chips

White Corn Tortilla Chips

Hummus

Yogurt Dip

White chocolate

White Chocolate kisses

White chocolate or yogurt covered pretzels or almonds or berries

Yogurt drops

Marshmallows

Blue

Blue Berries

Blackberries

Grapes

Blue candy (again m&ms, skittles, sour candies anything works here!)

Blue Corn Tortilla Chips

Blue Corn

Roasted Blue Potatoes

Use a nice big wood cutting board, or platter and arrange how ever you want. Include the kiddos or simply surprise them. I love serving anything on a platter but these grazing platters are my favorite for entertaining, a little bit of everything until the meal is served!

I hope you enjoy it!

xoxo

Natalie