BBQ Chicken and Black Bean Burrito

This has just enough BBQ flavor without being overly sweet. It's chock full of protein! So quick and easy, too.

Chickpea Burgers

I was nervous about starting the Ripped in 30 meal plan because the calorie allowance was pretty low, but I soon realized that Jillian Michaels didn't let me down on great tasting meals, just like those in her cookbook! These remind me so much of falafel but without the added fat and calories from frying.

Blueberry Tart

I loved making this tart with local Michigan blueberries! It was so much simpler than I imagined it would be and tasted great. I used lemon juice and zest instead of the listed orange, but it came out just a little too tart so I suggest sticking to orange.

Chicken Mole

This week I wanted to experiment with savory chocolate recipes. I love the pairing of dark chocolate and cinnamon. Chocolate gives this classic South American dish a rich depth that complements the spices perfectly. It isn't sweet at all but still feels very indulgent.

Cinnamon Raisin No Bake Protein Bites

These are a scrumptious yet relatively healthy combination of chocolate no bake and cinnamon raisin cookies. Make some cinnamon raisin granola ahead of time and preparation is super quick. Michael loved these so much he shared them with his co-workers who felt the same way!

Cinnamon Raisin Granola

Fairly simple and delicious homemade granola that costs a fraction of the price in stores!

Black Bean Burgers

These burgers include just enough vital wheat gluten which helps the ingredients stick together and gives a slightly chewy, meat-like texture without being too dense. I've had many meat eaters tell me how delicious these are. You won't even want to put ketchup or mustard on them. Thanks to my friend Jameson for passing on this recipe!