Cucumber Salad

In the mood for something sweet, sour, and spicy? This cucumber salad will fulfill all that with a crisp and refreshing bite!

We can’t ever have enough cucumbers in our fridge. Most of time it’s because we’re making this simple side dish nearly each week. This recipe is extremely versatile, you can add many other ingredients like soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, garlic, etc.

However this particular recipe is our basic version, depending on the particular meal we are paring it with we may add some of the other ingredients mentioned above. Typically our goal is to keep the sodium and sugar contents to a minimum.

Give this recipe a try, the ingredients are minimal and overall prep to cook time is just minutes!


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Ingredients:
- 2 cucumbers
- 3/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tsp. pink salt
- 1 tsp. pepper
- 2 tsp. chili flakes
- 2 tsp. sesame seeds

Instructions:
- chop cucumbers to your preferred thickness
(you may even use a mandoline)
- into a bowl combine all wet and dry ingredients and mix.
- refrigerate and enjoy!

Green Mint Smoothie

One of our go-to green smoothies is this minty treat. The peppermint extract and cacao nibs really make this smoothie taste like a mint chocolate shake from an ice cream parlor. However, unlike that mint chocolate shake, this smoothie is low in sugar and packed with nutrient rich ingredients.

Not only will you love it , so will your kids!

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Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cup Almond milk
- 1 tbsp Lakanto monk fruit
- 1 Banana
- 2 cups Power greens
- 2 drops Peppermint extract
- 1 tbsp Hemp seeds
- 1 tbsp Cacoa nibs

***you can use any nut milk or sweetener of your choice.

Chickpea and Lentil Pasta

This Mediterranean inspired chickpea and lentil pasta is one of my favorite dishes to make, especially for meal prep!  All of the ingredients in this recipe are simple, fresh, and extremely nutritious.  As the weather warms up this pasta will be the perfect spring and summer dish to share with friends and family! 

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Ingredients:
- 1 package of Chickpea pasta
- 1 cucumber
- 2 tomatoes
- 1/4 red onion
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper
- 1 can of chickpeas
- 1 can of lentils
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp oregano
- 2 tsp dill
- 1 tbsp lemon
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

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Directions:
- add water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- boil chickpea pasta for about 5 mins,
until tender.
- chop all fresh ingredients and place into a
large mixing bowl.
- rinse and strain canned chickpeas and
lentils.
- rinse and strain chickpea pasta.
- combine all items with the fresh ingredients
in the large mixing bowl.
- add dry seasonings and wet dressing
ingredients and mix to combine.

Avocado Salsa

This Avocado salsa recipe is simple, yet extremely flavorful. The ingredients are basic and refreshing. It’s perfect with tortilla chips, on top of tacos, or along side any dish.

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Ingredients:

- 2 avocados
- 1/4 onion
- 1/2 bunch of cilantro
- 1 jalapeño
- 2 tomatoes
- 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 clove of garlic (optional)


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Directions:

- chop all ingredients
- mix to combine
- refrigerate prior to serving


Easy Avocado Toast 2 Ways

Avocado toast is truly a versatile, quick, and healthy snack/meal you can enjoy at anytime of day. Here are my 2 favorite ways to have them!

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Ingredients:
-Bread
-Avocado
-Pink Himalayan Salt
-Chili Flakes

Directions:
-Toast 1-2 slices of any bread of your choice
-Cut one avocado in half slice and scoop
-Place gently over toast
-Season to your liking with salt and chili flakes

Enjoy!


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Ingredients:
-Bread
-Avocado
-Pink HimalayanSalt
-Chili Flakes
-Bacon

Directions:
-Pan fry or bake 2-4 pieces of bacon
-Toast 1-2 slices of any bread of your choice
-Cut one avocado in half slice and scoop
-Place gently over toast
-Season to your liking with salt and chili flakes
-Place bacon strips on top

Enjoy!

Meal Prep: Overnight Oats

Eating healthy meals throughout the day can be challenging, especially during the work week. Most of the time it can be easier to grab something at the cafeteria or nearby fast food joint during your lunch. However I’ve found that prepping your meals for the work week helps tremendously. Usually I try to designate one day for grocery shopping and another for actual meal prepping.

While there are many meal ideas I’d like to share, I’ll start by sharing this easy grab and go breakfast you can prep for your work week! Overnight oats are my go-to breakfast preps because they're simple, versatile, nutritious, and very easy to make. This is my favorite way to have them. However there are various ways your can make them to your liking so be creative and enjoy! 

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Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Oatmeal
- 1/4 cup Chia seeds
- 1 tbsp Agave nectar
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 cup Almond milk
- 1 cup Strawberries and bananas