Meatless Monday: Picnic Style

With the warm weather and kids out of school, take the time to enjoy the outdoors by having a picnic.  You can go to the park or even spread a table cloth out in your yard (or even in your house if it's raining).   Today's picnic inspired menu is easy and delicious!

A red raspberry salad from Taste and Tell is a great new salad recipe to try.  The sweet raspberry dressing and multiple fruits tossed in, will satisfy you as a great meal starter.

This yummy balsamic pasta with veggies from Bake Your Day can be served warm or cool, which makes it a perfect recipe for any picnic!  And as Cassie suggests, you can use any leftover veggies so you can customize this based on what you have in your fridge!

To top everything off on a sweet note, these chocolate dipped elephant ears are the perfect balance to this picnic meal.  From eatwell101, these 3 little ingredients form a delicious dessert.

For more Meatless Monday recipes check out our Pinterest board.  Here's to a Happy Monday!

Meatless Monday: We're Nuts About Nuts

Has the crazy weather driven anyone else nuts?  We've been part of the uniquely disastrous Atlanta winter storms the last few weeks, and although we aren't complaining as our usual temperatures are much better than the rest of the U.S., it has definitely taken a toll on us.  So, in light of the crazy cabin fever and nutty winter weather, today's meatless Monday recipe index is all about nuts!

We've got some lovely recipes featuring 4 different kinds of nuts to suit your fancy.  By toasting them, notice how the flavor is really brought out, and adds more oomph to your dish.

Let's kick things off with this Pear Salad with Walnuts and Feta, by Babble.com.  This simple dish is great this time of year as many different pear varieties are in season.  Eat it as an addition to your meal or as a yummy lunch entree.

Speaking of additions, these next two recipes will really pick up the slack that your everyday side dishes have been offering.  Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan and Pine Nuts by Your Homebased Mom, is a much healthier option than smothering those florets with cheese.  Or if you're looking for something a little starchier, try Martha Stewart's Rice Pilaf with Toasted Almonds.  Use both if you're really looking to go above and beyond on tonight's dinner.

And of course we can't forget to end our meal with something sweet.  White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies are the perfect end for today's meal.  Annalise over at Completely Delicious offers this great recipe that makes about 2 dozen, so you can fill your cookie jar to the brim and enjoy one or two of these at the end of the day.  Here's to hoping your weather is warming up and the cabin fever craziness is over!

Meatless Monday: Winter Fruits Edition

While winter may be cold and blah, we've found some dishes that'll surely brighten your day.  Get ready for a big dose of vitamin C and some sweet tanginess as we explore recipes containing fruits that are currently in season.

Let's kick start this thing with a breakfast smoothie that'll definitely wake up your taste buds.  The Texas Grapefruit Sunriser Smoothie is chocked full of nutrients thanks to the few key ingredients alongside this tart winter fruit.

via TexasSweet

As your day progresses and you think about having the same boring salad for lunch again...why not pump it up with a Citrus-Walnut Dressing that will liven up those leaves?  Make a larger batch and store it in the fridge for an easy addition to any salad.

via offbeatandinspired

It's now time to leave work and return home.  As you leave your car to walk to your front door, you're greeted by that cold winter chill and realize you want something warm and comforting for dinner.  That means it's time for this Vegetarian Black Bean Chili.   It offers the comfort flavors and earthiness you find in most chilis, but has a cut of brightness by the 2 oranges you'll use to make this recipe.

via bonappetit

And if your sweet tooth starts talking to you, try this delicious dessert.  You'll want to have this prepared ahead of time (so maybe it's a weekend recipe to try)...Caramel-Tangerine Parfaits are creamy, dreamy, crunchy, and fresh.  And remember-it's giving you a good dose of vitamin c so don't feel bad about having dessert.

via delish

Here's to good eating!