Jack-O-Lantern Stuffed Peppers

Does anyone else feel scared that Halloween is right around the corner!? After all, Halloween means so. much. candy. everywhere. For some of us, Halloween has transformed from an exciting childhood day of dress-up to the ultimate day of adulting, which tests our willpower and challenges our ability to avoid temptation. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way! Rather than focusing on what you can’t, or shouldn’t have, let’s talk about the things you can have!

This is an adorable yet delicious recipe that allows you to eat healthy and partake in the festivities. For those of you who find it difficult to carve into a pumpkin (guilty), this is about to be your new Halloween favorite. Serve this at your haunted-house-themed dinner party, or surprise your friends if you’re a guest. If you have kids, let them to help you make this for dinner. Regardless of age, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

Ingredients (serves ~8):

• 8 whole orange peppers (may use 4 orange, 4 green)
• 3/4 box of light quinoa 
• 2 lbs grass-fed 85% lean, 15% fat ground beef 
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed and diced
• 1 medium white, sweet onion
• 1, 4 oz container shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons salt 
• Pepper, to taste
• Optional: sriracha sauce, to taste

Directions:

1. Wash peppers and cut tops off - but do not discard. Cut jack-o-lantern-like faces into them, as depicted in photo above. Set aside on baking tray.
2. Prepare quinoa according to instructions on box. Set cooked quinoa aside in large bowl.
3. Turn stove on medium-low heat. Using non stick pan, add 2 of the crushed garlic cloves and ½ of the diced onion and allow to saute.
4. While onions and garlic are browning, mix ground beef, remaining raw onions and garlic together in medium bowl. Then add 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon salt. Continue to knead with your hands until all is mixed.
5. Add ground beef to pan on stove, with sauteed garlic and onions. Use a spatula to separate and to prevent ground beef from sticking to pan. While cooking, sprinkle remaining teaspoon of salt and garlic powder. If you prefer a spicier dish, add pepper and sriracha, according to taste.
6. Once ground beef appears cooked, remove from stove and add to bowl of quinoa. Mix quinoa and ground beef together. May add more spices or sriracha, according to taste.
7. Stuff insides of jack-o-lantern peppers with quinoa/ground beef mix. Top each pepper with approximately a tablespoon of parmesan cheese.
8. Preheat oven to 350F.
9. Place stuffed peppers in oven for about 12 minutes, until cheese is melted and peppers appear baked yet maintain shape.
10. Serve and enjoy!

Southwest Quinoa Salad

This recipe is one of my all-time favorites, partially because it's completely fool proof, but mostly because it's so delicious. Bonus: it's packed with fiber and protein and serves as a standalone meal, or as a side dish to a larger meal. I like to make a big portion of this in the beginning of the week and keep it on-hand in the fridge all week long. Note: if you want to make a larger portion, just double (or triple) the ingredients below. 

Ingredients (serves 2-3):

• 1 cup quinoa, dry
• 3/4 cup organic canned black beans
• 3/4 cup organic canned corn 
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved 
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled 
• 2 whole, organic eggs 
• 2 limes, for juice 
• chili lime seasoning, to taste
• smoked paprika, to taste 
• sriracha sauce, if desired 

Directions:

1. Cook quinoa according to instructions on box. Once cooked, set aside in bowl to cool. 
2. Combine quinoa, tomatoes, corn, feta and black beans together in bowl. Add paprika and chili lime seasoning, according to desired taste. Squeeze juice of 2 limes. Mix ingredients together until contents appear evenly distributed. 
3. You may poach, fry, or scramble egg to top quinoa salad. Note: Add egg right before serving.