Nicole Alexandra

Motherhood+Lifestyle

The Perfect Salad (When You’re Craving A Sandwich But Want Something Lighter)

Everyday salad

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This perfect salad recipe is filling and will be your go-to when you’re craving a sandwich but don’t want the heaviness of the bread. It’s a quick and healthy lunch that’s satisfying and will leave you full for hours.

I’m a self-proclaimed sandwich lover. I could eat a sandwich for lunch every day. I make a pretty good one too, however, in my quest for a healthier lifestyle, I try to incorporate more leafy greens and reduce my intake of carbohydrates on most days. That’s when I stumbled upon the perfect solution – a salad recipe that nourishes my body and satiates my love for a sandwich.

It wasn’t until I was well into adulthood that I started to enjoy salads. It took me a while to figure out the perfect combination. Experimenting with salad dressing was huge for me because I don’t like most store-bought dressings, so now I always make my own.

Perfect Salad

It’s crunchy and sweet, creamy, savory, and so satisfying. If you are a turkey and cheese sandwich lover or any sandwich lover, this salad is for you! You can turn this salad into whatever sandwich you’re craving, turkey, ham, roast beef, chicken, vegetarian, etc.

This everyday salad is an excellent way to get a ton of veggies and fruits into one meal. The greens are a great source of vitamin A and calcium and the cabbage is a prebiotic plus it’s sweet and crunchy. The turkey and cheese are a delicious source of protein and the salad is really built around these two stars.

This one-bowl recipe is great for make-ahead lunches too! It’s healthy, filling, and quick to put together! It’s my go-to salad recipe most days. I still eat sandwiches of course! But this is great when I want something a bit lighter.

Everyday salad

The Perfect Salad-When You’re Craving A Sandwich But Want Something Lighter

Nicole Alexandra
This perfect salad recipe is filling and will be your go-to when you're craving a sandwich but don't want the heaviness of the bread. It's a quick and healthy lunch that's satisfying and will leave you full for hours.
It’s crunchy and sweet, creamy, savory, and so satisfying. If you are a turkey and cheese sandwich lover or any sandwich lover, then this salad is for you! You can turn this salad into whatever sandwich you’re craving, turkey, ham, roast beef, chicken, vegetarian, etc.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup greens, I prefer a combo of arugula and spinach
  • 1/2 cup pre-cut cabbage (coleslaw mix)
  • 3-4 slices deli turkey, cut into small squares
  • 1/2 apple, cut into cubes
  • 1/3 cup cheddar cheeses, cubed
  • 1 tbsp sunflower seeds
  • 1/3 cup cucumber, chopped
  • 1/4 avocado, cubed
  • 1/4 cup shredded carrots
  • 2 pepperoncini, finely chopped *optional*
  • 1/2 tbsp hemp seeds *optional*

Dressing

  • 1/4 cup cottage cheese
  • 1/4 cup full fat Greek yogurt
  • garlic powder, onion powder, seasoning salt, herb blend all to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil mayo

Instructions
 

  • Place your greens and cabbage in a salad bowl.
  • Add turkey, cheese, chopped veggies, and avocado.
  • Add your dressing, then top with sunflower seeds.

Dressing

  • Mix the cottage cheese, yogurt, and spices together and then add them to the salad. Mix to combine.
Keyword perfect salad, best salad recipe, lunch salad, everyday salad,
filling salad

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Delicious Chocolate Chip Blondies Recipe

If you’re craving chocolate chip cookies but want a faster, simpler method, try this chocolate chip blondies recipe!

chocolate chip blondies recipe

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

This is my go-to recipe when I’m craving that chocolatey-doughy goodness from a cookie but don’t want to spend the time baking them. Don’t get me wrong, I like making cookies but sometimes I want a faster, easier solution. That’s where this recipe comes in!

This recipe is ridiculously easy! Everything goes into one bowl, and if you know me, that’s my kind of baking! You only use one pan, so no cooling one batch and waiting for another to cook. You simply put all your ingredients into the pan, cook, cool, and enjoy! And bonus, they’re a really great recipe to make with kids!

These blondies are an excellent dessert for a party since they’re fast and you most likely have all the ingredients at home. Chewy and full of chocolate, these are the absolute best chocolate chip blondies!

best blondies recipe

Delicious Chocolate Chip Blondie Ingredients + Substitutions:

  • salted butter- I only ever buy salted butter but you can use unsalted if that’s what you have. Either way, still keep the salt ratio in the recipe the same.
  • sugar- I use a mix of half coconut sugar and half dark brown sugar because I don’t like my blondies too sweet. The combo is the perfect amount of sweetness as well as still giving them that deep rich brown color.
  • egg + egg yolk- most baking recipes call for an egg or so because it helps bind the recipe plus it gives it great taste and texture. And using an additional egg yolk adds richness to the blondies.
  • vanilla extract- in my opinion, vanilla is key for making a baked good taste delicious!
  • flour- I typically bake with whole wheat flour. It’s all I keep in my house and I have found you really can’t taste the difference in most baked goods plus it adds a healthier and heartier recipe that I feel better about feeding my family. But all-purpose flour would definitely work in this recipe!
  • baking powder- in general, it helps a recipe become light and fluffy which is what we want in this cookie bar.
  • sea salt- I have found a pinch of sea salt is key in all baked goods to really help bring out the flavor.
  • chocolate chips- the star of the recipe! I used semi-sweet chocolate chips but you could easily use any chopped chocolate you like. I really want to make these with holiday M&M’s for Christmas and Easter!

Tips Before Baking Blondies:

  • Let your melted butter cool before adding it to your other ingredients, we don’t want the butter so hot it cooks the eggs!
  • If you can wait, which I know is difficult (it is for me too!), let the blondies cool completely before trying to slice them.
  • I use a pie dish to make my blondies recipe but an 8×8 pan is also a great choice and will yield you 9 servings instead of 8.
  • I usually use convection bake for my baking recipes so that the heat is more evenly distributed but if you use regular bake, know it may take a bit longer for the blondies to cook.
chocolate chip blondies recipe

Delicious Chocolate Chip Blondies Recipe

Nicole Alexandra
If you're craving chocolate chip cookies but want a faster, simpler method, try this chocolate chip blondies recipe! A great recipe to make with kids too! These blondies are an excellent last minute dessert and are fabulous for a party since they're fast and you most likely have all the ingredients at home. Chewy and full of chocolate, these are the absolute best chocolate chip blondies!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 8 people

Equipment

  • 1 pie dish or 8×8 pan

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup melted, salted butter
  • 1 egg + 1 egg yolk
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1/4 cup coconut sugar could sub reg white sugar
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour could sub reg flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • pinch of sea salt
  • 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350 °F
  • Melt butter and let cool until warm or room temperature.
  • In a medium bowl add your egg + egg yolk, sugar, and vanilla and mix well. Then add the warm melted butter.
  • Next, add the flour, baking powder, and salt to the bowl. Mix until combined.
  • Fold in the chocolate chips.
  • Pour the batter into a greased pie dish or 8×8 baking pan.
  • Bake for 14 min on convection bake, or 25 min regular bake. It's done when the edges are brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean from the dough.
  • Let cool, slice, and serve.

Notes

Storing: Blondies are best stored in an airtight tupperware container at room temperature for 3-5 days.
Freezing: After cooled and sliced, you can freeze them in a freezer bag 
Keyword chocolate chip blondies recipe, blondies recipe, chocolate chip blondies
easy blondies recipe

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Easy Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes

These whole wheat banana pancakes are made with simple ingredients and taste amazing! If fluffy and filling pancakes are what you’re looking for, this recipe is for you!

healthy banana pancakes

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

Pancakes are such a classic and comforting breakfast for many of us. When my son was born, I would make him 3 ingredient banana pancakes and found they were a great first finger food and awesome meal prep for easier mornings.

Then when he got a bit older, I started making heartier and more traditional pancakes. I always try to add a healthy spin to my recipes and that’s when this recipe came about. Health has been a priority to me most of my life but even more so when I got pregnant and then had my son. That’s why I love my non-toxic cookware from Caraway. Their large pan is perfect for making this pancake recipe.

whole wheat banana pancakes

My son likes his pancakes with strawberry jam or maple syrup but my mom and I can eat them plain, they’re that good! Topping them with a dollop of peanut butter or yogurt for more protein is also delicious. Or try adding berries to give them extra sweetness and antioxidants.

You can also make these without the banana, they still taste incredible, or replace the banana with blueberries. I like making these whole grain pancakes on the weekend because they are easy to whip up and any leftovers are simple to heat for a quick breakfast during the week. They freeze well too if you want to make a double batch. It’s a quick and easy mid-week option that I can offer my son on busy mornings.

healthy banana pancake recipe

Pancake Ingredients:

  • whole wheat flour- this is what makes these pancakes healthier but if you want to use unbleached white flour you certainly can.
  • coconut sugar– this is the only sugar I keep in my pantry but white sugar will work just as well.
  • milk + ACV– the milk combined with the apple cider vinegar replaces traditional buttermilk. You are welcome to use buttermilk for this recipe however, I never keep it on hand but I always have milk and ACV which is why I use it.
  • bananas– obviously this is what makes these pancakes banana pancakes but I have made these pancakes without the banana many times and they are delicious as is!
banana pancakes

Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes

Nicole Alexandra
These whole wheat banana pancakes are so delicious with or without the banana! The whole wheat flour makes them healthier and heartier without sacrificing flavor or texture.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ripe banana, mashed
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 1 cup milk of choice, I use almond milk If you have buttermilk on hand you can use this in place of the 1 cup milk and tbsp of ACV
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp coconut sugar
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • butter for greasing your pan

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl mash the banana or omit if not using.
  • Then add the egg, sugar, melted butter, milk and apple cider vinegar. Mix until well combined.
  • Next, add the flour, baking powder, and baking soda to the bowl and combined.
  • There should still be plenty of lumps in the batter. Without the lumps, the batter will get tough.
  • Preheat your greased pan to medium.
  • Add small scoops of pancake mix to the pan. Batter should be thick.
  • Cook until you see little bubbles on the tops of the pancakes. Flip and cook for an additional minute. You can peek underneath the pancake and when they're golden brown, they're done.
  • Serve warm with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!

Notes

How To Freeze Pancakes:

Let the pancakes cook completely.  Then add them to a freezer-friendly container or baggie and freeze single layer so they don’t freeze stuck together.
Freeze for up to two months.

How To Reheat Pancakes: 

Place frozen pancakes in the microwave or oven until warm. 
Keyword whole wheat banana pancakes, banana pancakes, whole wheat pancakes, healthy pancake recipe
healthy pancake recipe

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Monster Cookie | Healthy Energy Bites

These go-to healthy energy bites are a perfect sweet treat when you still want to keep it nutritious. They are light but oh-so-satisfying.

healthy energy bites

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

I usually make a batch of energy bites each week and my family loves them! These monster cookie energy bites are filled with creamy peanut butter and crispy rice cereal. They’re perfect with coffee, a great addition to my son’s lunch box, and a sweet treat when 3pm rolls around. Using healthy wholesome ingredients, you can feel good about this delicious snack!

What you need to make healthy energy bites + substitutions:

  • Peanut Butter: This recipe calls for peanut butter, but you could easily swap it out for any nut butter of your choice such as almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower butter.
  • Quick Oats: You can keep them whole like I did for this recipe, or I’ve also blended the oats into oat flour in my blender for a more doughy taste.
  • Crispy Rice Cereal: These puffed bites make it taste like a candy bar, such a good crunchy add in.
  • Honey: I like to use honey for my sweetener in this recipe, but you can also use maple syrup.
  • Vanilla Extract: The key to anything sweet and the secret to making it taste like dessert. I love vanilla so much, I add a splash to my coffee each morning. Does not disappoint.
  • Chocolate Candies & Chocolate Chips: The mix of the chocolate candies and the semi-sweet chocolate chips make it taste more like a cookie, and my son absolutely loves the colorful candies. You could also substitute with raisins, dried cranberries, or nuts.
  • Hemp Seeds: I’m always adding this superfood wherever I can to bump the nutrition but you could totally leave this out if you wanted or sub for shredded coconut!
monster energy bites
healthy energy bites

Go-To Healthy Energy Bites

Nicole Alexandra
Ultimate monster cookie healthy energy bites are a perfect sweet treat when you still want to keep it nutritious.
I usually make a batch of energy bites each week and my family loves them! They are perfect with coffee, a great addition to my son's lunch box, and a sweet treat when 3pm rolls around.
Using healthy wholesome ingredients, you can feel good about this delicious snack! And these no-bake energy bites are very versatile.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 14

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup quick oats
  • 1/3 cup crispy rice cereal
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup hemp seeds
  • 1/4 cup honey or pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/3 cup chocolate candies and semi-sweet chocolate chips combined

Instructions
 

  • I like to heat my peanut butter for a few seconds in the microwave to make it easier to mix but you can skip this step if you prefer.
  • Add all the ingredients to a bowl and mix them together.
  • Roll the dough into bite-size balls. Enjoy!
  • Store in the fridge for up to a week.

Notes

For Storing: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks!
 
Keyword healthy energy bites, energy bite recipe, no bake energy balls, monster cookie energy bites

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Healthy Cinnamon Apple Muffins

These healthy cinnamon apple muffins are a family favorite! Great to make on a weekend morning or as a treat for overnight guests or brunch, they are so comforting. By making a few tweaks to the typical apple muffin recipe, I’ve been able to make these healthier without sacrificing flavor.

healthy cinnamon apple muffins

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.

I love baking and we are huge homemade muffin fans in our house! I’ve been making healthy muffins for years and when my son started solids, I found that mini muffins were a great food to give him. I could make them as healthy as I wanted to, they were easy for him to hold, and they weren’t a choking hazard. Once he got a bit older, he could help me make them too.

I had been craving some sort of baked apple good and this is when this recipe was born. I’m always trying to come up with a healthier version of a tasty baked good and I really think I nailed this recipe!

Using just one large apple to make a dozen muffins, these taste like fall. Quick tip; be sure to chop your apple into small pieces so the apple bits aren’t overwhelming when you take a bite. We’re looking for each bite to be well-balanced in flavor and texture.

Which Type Of Apples Should You Use For These Muffins?

Any type of apple will work, but I used a Gala apple for this recipe. My absolute favorite apple is Fuji, followed by Ambrosia. Along with apples, you’ll need whole wheat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, butter, coconut sugar, and an egg.

cinnamon apple muffins
healthy cinnamon apple muffins

Healthy Cinnamon Apple Muffins

Nicole Alexandra
These muffins are scrumptious with bits of apple and amazing cinnamon flavor. Simple to make and perfect for any time of day, your home will have that fall aroma that's so inviting.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Mini Muffins 8 minutes
Total Time 26 minutes
Servings 12 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups whole wheat flour + 2 teaspoons for coating the apples
  • 1.5 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon + 1/2 teaspoon for coating the apples
  • 1 large apple chopped small
  • 1/2 cup salted butter melted
  • 1 cup coconut sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup milk I used almond milk

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375 °F and spray muffin tins with cooking spray and set aside.
  • In a medium bowl combine whole wheat flour, baking powder, and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon and set aside.
  • Dice your apple. Then in a separate bowl, toss them with 2 teaspoons flour and ½ teaspoon cinnamon until the apples are coated in the mixture. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the melted butter and sugar. Add one egg at a time, incorporating each egg before adding the other. Mix in the vanilla.
  • Gently fold in the flour mixture, alternating with milk. Stir until just combined. Fold in the diced apples and scoop the mixture into your prepared muffin tins, filling almost full.
  • Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle of a muffin comes out clean, about 16 minutes in my oven.

Notes

MINI MUFFINS:
With this recipe, I get 12 min muffins + 9 regular-sized muffins.
Bake the mini muffins at the same temp but for 8 min or until a toothpick comes out clean. 
Keyword healthy cinnamon apple muffins, apple cinnamon muffins, cinnamon apple muffins

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