Good, healthy veggie salad

My friend had us over for dinner the other night and served this salad. I loved it! Mainly because I'm always looking for ways to get more vegetables in my diet and this salad is full of veggies!

1 bag spinach
1 large orange pepper, diced
1 medium onion, diced
1 avocado, diced
1 large tomato, diced ( I add another half to it.)
1 large cucumber, peeled and diced
1/2 bag shredded carrots
1/2 container blue cheese (optional)
lemon pepper to taste
vinegrate dressing ( I like organic raspberry vinegrate. Balsamic is good too)
I also add chicken for some protein.

Toss in a big bowl and serve.

Raw Chocolate Cream Pie

In the past few months, Paul and I have challenged each other to become "healthier" whatever that means.
In doing so, we have made changes in our kitchen. Paul has taken to the "raw" lifestyle a bit and made this pie the other night. It was quite interesting but not that bad. If you are up for a challenge and something new to try, make it.
~We had friends over for dessert last night and had them try a slice without telling them what it was made of, they liked it.

Crust
1 cup raw walnuts
1/2 cup pitted dates
1 teaspoon vanilla flavor
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt

Combine in a food processor or blender and process until mixture holds together. Press into a 9 inch pie pan.

Chocolate Cream
1 cup pitted dates, soaked in water for 15 minutes
2 ripe avocados
2 tablespoons raw carob powder*
2 tablespoons raw cacao nibs*
2 tablespoons raw agave nectar
1 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt

Drain dates but reserve the water they were soaked in. Place all ingredients in a blender adding just enough of the water to facilitate blending. Process until smooth. Pour onto the crust, top with coconut if desired and chill in the fridge for at least an hour covered with plastic wrap.
*We didn't have carob powder or cacao nibs so we used 3 tablespoons cocoa powder.

Oatmeal Raspberry Bars

So very delish....

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup seedless raspberry jam

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Grease one 8 inch square pan, and line with greased foil.
Combine brown sugar, flour, baking soda, salt, and rolled oats. Rub in the butter using your hands or a pastry blender to form a crumbly mixture. Press 2 cups of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the jam to within 1/4 inch of the edge. Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the top, and lightly press it into the jam.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes in preheated oven, or until lightly browned. Allow to cool before cutting into bars.

Sweet Chicken Tacos

This is a staple in my house. My husband loves it and it is always a hit when I make it for company.

3 tbsp. Butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tsp. dried mustard
1 c. Ketchup
2 tbsp. White wine Vinegar
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 c. Brown Sugar
about 2 lbs chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

Melt butter on medium low heat. Add onions and saute. Mix all ingredients (except chicken) until sugar is melted. Then add chicken and let simmer until juices are absorbed in chicken.

Serve with:

Flour Tortilla's
Shredded Lettuce
Diced Tomatoes
Shredded cheddar cheese
Sour Cream and Guacamole
Enjoy!

Cowboy Caviar aka Bean Dip

I wish I could claim this recipe as my own, we had it at a baby shower and my friend just put it on her blog. It is so GOOD!

1 can black beans
1 can black eye peas
1 can pinto beans
1 tomato chopped
1 can corn
1 can sliced olives
1 avocado chopped
1 packet of zesty Italian dressing mix, prepared

strain and rinse all beans, serve with chips.