fresh

Sunset Bunny Bowl

Hi everyone, I hope you had a fantastic bunny day yesterday!

Motivation Monday: “You don’t get what you wish for, you get what you work for.”

Obvi my favorite holiday since I was a little tike… haha Bun and a bun!

Easter Throwback
This bun is in bunny heaven!Bunny Heaven
Since I’m sure most of us ate our weight in Easter candy and… plug your ears… chocolate bunnies, NO! A Tragedy! It’s time for a little Easter detox. This Bunny Bowl was inspired by a photograph on Chobani’s Instagram. After seeing the photo, it was all I could think about, so I headed to the grocery store for some fresh ingredients to make a similar concoction. After a very long deliberation on what this delectable bowl should be named, I ended up going with “Sunset Bunny Bowl” which was reader Julie Scott’s idea! Please note that my awesome recipe names were vetoed: Rainbow Bunny Bowl, Chop Chop Bunny Bowl, and Veggie Nom Nom Bowl. April Fools on the last one haha. I thought those named were suh-weeeet, but apparently not so much! Easter Detox Bowl was a close second, but this “salad” if you will, can be made ANY day!

This colorful bowl is filled with protein, fiber, and micronutrients. It’s the perfect lunch for a warm day! Don’t forget healthy food should be pretty, we eat with our eyes! Pretty food= delish food!

Sunset Bunny Bowl

Sunset Bunny Bowl
Sunset Bunny Bowl
Serves 1

1/3 cup red bell pepper
1/3 cup orange bell pepper
1/3 cup yellow bell pepper
1/3 cup mushrooms
1/3 cup tomatoes
1/3 cup carrots
1/4 medium avocado
1/4 cup white cannellini beans
1/4 cup plain 0% Chobani Greek yogurt
2 Tbsp sliced almonds
Salt, pepper, & lemon juice to taste

Wash and chop produce into small pieces. Rinse and strain cannellini beans. Arrange chopped produce, beans, avocado, and almonds in a bowl and top with Chobani Greek yogurt. Add salt, pepper, and a fresh squeeze of lemon juice to taste. Toss, and enjoy cold.
Note: I used canned low-sodium cannellini beans

Greek yogurty goodness:

Sunset Bunny Bowl
Sunset Bunny Bowl
The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: bell peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, carrots
Whole Grain: none
Protein: cannellini beans and 0% Greek yogurt
Plant Based Fat: almonds and avocado

Pistachio Ice Cream Smoothie

Ok, so today was really… blah to say the least.
I have been dealing with some really crazy health issues recently; long story short my thyroid is out of whack and I have been in and out of doctor’s offices and getting pricked by way too many needles trying to figure out what is going on! So far they think I have hyperthyroid, but I am on a waiting list to see an endocrinologist. I am so exhausted from telling different doctor’s what is going on that I cannot even begin to tell you how I feel right now, so I will get to that in a different post when I have more energy! For now, I will just say that I have been feeling abnormally crappy and moody and have realized that the only thing that can actually make me feel better is by eating healthy. I’ve been trying all different variations of green smoothies to boost my energy and provide a quick dose of nutrients to my body and it has been making such a difference! When I eat clean ‘n’ green I feel sooo much better. I still don’t feel 100% fabu at the moment, but better! It’s amazing how the food we eat can have such a big impact on how we feel!

Since I have noticed how great I feel with the addition of green smoothies in my diet, I will be experimenting with some more super interesting (but tasty) green smoothies! This one is a little more “green” than my Thin Pint Protein Smoothie, but still delicious if you are looking to try something new! The ingredient list may look a little whacky, but quinoa was probably the best little addition. The quinoa gave my smoothie a super thick texture and a boost of complete protein! Win win.

Pistachio Ice Cream Smoothie
Serves 1

1 cup almond milk
1 cup kale -packed
1 frozen banana
1/2 cup cooked quinoa
2 Tbsp unshelled pistachios
1 Tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
1 + 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 packet stevia if desired

Cook and refrigerate quinoa beforehand. Start by combining the kale and milk in a high powered blender and blend until it is completely smooth (to avoid grainy texture). Next add the pistachios and coconut and blend thoroughly. Add in the quinoa and blend completely to ensure a smooth texture. Next add the rest of the ingredients and blend away. Serve chilled.


The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: kale & banana
Whole Grain: quinoa
Protein: milk
Plant Based Fat: pistachios & coconut

Summer Salad

I hope that everyone had a nice holiday weekend! It is getting hot hot hot in Los Angeles, and I couldn’t think of anything more refreshing than a cold fruit salad with a twist! Instead of the usual all-fruit salad, how about combining some other plant based components of protein, whole-grain, and fat to complete your meal!

Hold the dressing… This salad consists of 4 different flavors that perfectly compliment each other to make a tart yet sweet and refreshing dish, so there is no need for anything else. I’m so hooked, I could probably have this every single day!

P.S. If you are trying to incorporate vegetarian or vegan meals into your diet, this is a great easy option for meatless mondays. On a high note, this salad is boyfriend approved and my sister went back for seconds haha

Summer Salad
Serves 1

1 medium grapefruit
1/2 cup chilled unshelled edamame
1/2 cup chilled corn
1/4 medium avocado

Remove the skin of the grapefruit by cutting with a knife between the rind and flesh. Once the outer skin and pith has been removed, separate segments of the grapefruit and remove all of the membrane, pulp, and seeds so only the grapefruit flesh remains exposed. Chop the segments into smaller cubed pieces. Remove 1/4 avocado meat from it’s skin and cut into cubes. Add the chilled corn (rinsed and strained) and edamame  to the grapefruit and avocado and gently toss. Serve chilled.

The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: grapefruit
Whole Grain: corn
Protein: edamame
Plant Based Fat: avocado

Quinoa Salad Stuffed Avocados

I hope that everyone had a fabulous weekend. I spent a lot of time in the kitchen working on some fun new recipes and I cannot wait for all of my little bunnies to try them!

On the menu today is a flavorful quinoa salad packed with protein, served in an avocado “bowl”! The healthy fats and fiber from this fresh vegan dish will keep you full and focused for hours.


Quinoa Salad Stuffed Avocados
Serves 2

1 Avocado
1/4 cup dry quinoa
1/2 cup chickpeas
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup chop cilantro
1/4 cup chop spinach
1 Tbsp Water
1 Tbsp dijon mustard
1/2 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp agave
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp garlic powder

Cook the quinoa to package instructions and set aside. Finely chop the cilantro and spinach, and combine with mustard, lemon juice, agave, cumin, and garlic. Add one tablespoon of water to the dressing until it is all well combined. Cut the cherry tomatoes into halves. Add tomatoes and chickpeas to the quinoa. Pour dressing over the quinoa mixture until it is evenly coated. Cut the avocado in half and remove pit. Top with even parts of quinoa salad.


The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: tomatos, cilantro, spinach
Whole Grain: quinoa
Protein: chickpeas
Plant Based Fat: avocado

Avo Fruit Smoothie

I am still hooked on fresh juice since participating in my Juice Challenge. I made a Rainbow Sherbet juice this past Monday, and I was craving it the instant I woke up yesterday. I wanted to try making it into a smoothie, so I combined the fresh juice with some avocado and ice cubes and blended it up in my Vitamix. It turned out rich, and creamy, and kept me full and energized until lunch!

I love throwing avocados in my smoothies because it adds a dose of healthy fats, fiber, tons of  nutrients, and adds thickness. I’m a huge fan of thick smoothies, so avocados are always my go to when I want to get a creamy consistency.


Avo Fruit Smoothie
serves 1

2 fuji apples
½ lime
¼ pineapple
¼ large cucumber
1/4 Hass avocado
5 ice cubes

Juice the apples, lime, pineapple, and cucumber. Combine fresh juice with avocado and ice cubes in a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy cold.

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