January always seems to be hectic, time for getting organized after the holidays and serious about our goals. Unfortunately for me, this also means a little less time for creating in the kitchen. Lately, my husband and I have been in throw-it-together mode. The results have beeen delicious (a dairy-free/gluten-free eggplant lasagna that I created and a spicy mushroom pepper pork stir fry courtesy of my husband), but alas, they really were using up the fridge meals that I just didn’t have the energy to measure and write down.

But in the spirit of things, I thought I would share one of my quick lunch meals, Ten-Minute Tuna Couscous. It is truly a speedy endeavor, flavorful, and quite versatile. The recipe, as I have made it numerous times for myself and a ravenous husband, is below. However, I tend to fiddle with the seasoning amounts often, so feel free to adjust to your own tastes.

I am planning on attempting a vegetarian / vegan version of it using lightly smashed chickpeas and a sheet of nori seaweed (cut into small pieces) in place of the tuna. Nori seems to have that great “from the sea” taste and I thought it might compliment chickpeas/garbanzo beans well. Head to One Frugal Foodie to see the recipe (and the new blog look!) and to offer any quick couscous lunch ideas you may have.

Though it can be hard to narrow down, I think we all have a dessert or two that shouts perfection to our palates. I confess that my tastes are really quite simple; my two favorite desserts are still chocolate chip cookies and apple crisp. Don’t bother with the time consuming crust for me, simple baked apples with a sugar-crumble topping is all I need for a true comfort sweet.

My current favorite recipe is still this Crumbly Maple Apple Crisp as I like to call it (since it is what I would call a cross between a crisp and a crumble by definition). I made it for my Uncle’s birthday (he too prefers to forgo the pie crust) and everyone raved, even though I snuck in whole wheat flour, unpeeled fiber-rich apples, and oats on them! But, when grandma later requested a “traditional” apple crisp … well, I can never disappoint my sweets loving grandma. Grandma’s Easy Apple Crisp is made with the simple everyday ingredients, and while apples seem to still be somewhat in season, you can even bump it up to organic for a fair price. I do use a bit of Earth Balance's new soy-free margarine to keep the whole dessert dairy-free and soy-free, but if you can't locate it, any dairy-free margarine will work.

The big holiday season has passed, and New Year's resolutions are still firmly planted in so many minds. But does healthier living really mean giving up the things you crave? More nutritious versions of sugar-laden favorites may be different, but they can be equally indulgent ... without the guilt. And such is the case for these scrumptious raw cinnamon rolls from The 30-Minute Vegan Cookbook by Mark Reinfeld and Jennifer Murray.

Sweetened only with dates and just the necessary amount of agave nectar, this cinnamon roll treat will also save you on time and utilities, since the recipe doesn't require use of an oven or a dehydrator. Plus, these gems are packed with fiber-dense buckwheat and some Omega-3 rich walnuts (but not too many! I know how some raw desserts can be a bit too rich, but not this one) for a good dose of nutrition. The icing will of course take this recipe from a tasty sweet snack to an indulgent dessert, but you might just decide that you deserve it anyway.

The following recipe is Raw, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, and Free of Refined Sugars ...

Intentions to post up numerous recipes in December were quickly thwarted by that lovely time of year known as the holidays. Planning for parties, shopping for gifts, decorating, and (alas) a bad cold interrupted work schedules and free time alike. I wasn't sick myself, but my poor husband had a cold that he tangled with for two full weeks.

Even when he isn’t sick, he loves soup. So with the sniffles, sneezing, and coughing on the go, I did my best to keep him stocked with warm liquids. This particular Chicken Barley Soup has been on repeat for many months now. When I first made it, my husband asked, “Where did you learn to make such good soup?” I wasn’t sure whether or not to take that as a compliment, but I did take it as a firm nod of approval for this ridiculously easy recipe. Head to One Frugal Foodie for the recipe.

I don’t know about you, but weening myself off of sweets can be a real struggle, especially after the holidays. Though going cold turkey may be the smart thing to do, I prefer the slow and steady approach … using a bit less, switching to liquid sweeteners, and adding in some wholesome ingredients … for conquering my sugar cravings.

Thankfully, ”healthy” treats can be every bit as (if not more) delicious and satisfying … and such is the case for these simple No-Bake PB & J Thumbprint Cookie Bites that can be whipped up in mere minutes. The recipe is short, sweet, and quite forgiving, allowing you to make substitutions for your special diet wherever needed ...

 Good News, we have a BIG year planned for Go Dairy Free!

See you in 2010 ...