Dark Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes

Cupcakes. Traditionally laden with fat and refined sugar and flour, these are usually a food saved for special occasions like birthdays. But, with these amazing little morsels you can make them up for a holiday as silly as Cupcake day. They are packed full of whole-grain, lightly sweetened, virtually fat free and full of zucchini. So, you can have your cake and eat it too!! Happy Cupcake Day!

Pasta-Veggie Salad

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is visit the farmers market. There is something so satisfying about walking around enjoying the great weather while supporting the local economy. The colors and smells of being in the market alone bring joy to my heart: from the bright green broccoli, purple eggplant and red tomatoes, to the smell of a peach freshly picked. Mid summer to mid fall that is where I will be once a week, excited to find the wonders that are finally in season, and coming up with new dishes to try with each. This salad is a staple of mine each year. It's great to make up in the morning, before the weather gets too warm, and is chocked full of all those wonderful veggies you just picked up.

Strawberry-Kiwi Lemonade AND Pina Colada Popsicles

I have been obsessed lately with popsicles. I love to sit out on my deck in the summer heat, relaxing while my skin prickles withe touch of the suns rays, staying cool with the frozen delights that I pull from my freezer. The best part about these cold delights, is they are not only refreshing but they are good for me. Jam packed with fresh fruit they are the perfect summer afternoon treat.

Strawberry Fruitsicles

I am always amazed at the mechanics of a child's eardrum.  You can stand no more than two feet in front of them and ask them to do something, and they somehow cannot hear you - but at the sound of an ice cream truck (two blocks away!) and they are screaming through the house trying to beg for any change they can dig up. Go figure. These amazing little delights however will save you the change and give you piece of mind, because they are healthy and packed full of fruit. Let them have two.

Berry Iced Water

I am always looking for refreshing drinks in the summer time. I try to stay extremely hydrated, so any spin on water to keep it from getting old is a plus in my world. Freezing berries in your ice cubes does just the trick. It enhances your water with a slight flavor, gives it a little antioxidant boost, and looks pretty to boot. Perfect for a hot summer day! Looks great for a 4th of July picnic as well. And the fact that it's so easy makes this a winner in my book.

Southwest Couscous Salad

With summer in full swing, I find myself eating less soup and getting more into my salads. This is an easy salad to throw together, tastes just as good the second day as it did the first, and is great for quick and healthy lunch.

Banana Pops

I love ice cream. It’s one of my favorite foods, and if I could eat it every day without my backside spreading to create its own solar system I would. Unfortunately ice cream is reserved for those treat days that we set aside for ourselves every couple of weeks. BUT, I do make a treat in the summer time that is the next best thing to a big bowl of creamy deliciousness. It’s frozen, yummy, and feels like you are cheating by eating an ice cream bar. The best part? It’s good for you.