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Friday Foodie Favorites: January 3, 2014

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Welcome to the first Friday Foodie Favorites of 2014!  I had to think a little bit when I was writing the title to this post.  I am still not used to it being 2014 and not 2013.  I have a feeling it will take me several weeks to fully get used to that.  But 2014 is going to be a great year, I am convinced of that!  And what better way to start it off right than by highlighting some of my most recent favorite recipe finds from around the blogosphere?  I thoroughly enjoy trying other bloggers’ recipes and I hope that you love reading about them.  When I find something good (or REALLY good), I just have to share it with you!

Friday Foodie Favorites: January 3, 2014

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It’s another one of Robyn’s delicious recipes!  I made her Spaghetti Squash Pasta Puttanesca a few weeks ago and loved it so much that I made it again over my Christmas break.  What else can I say other than that Robyn has some seriously delicious spaghetti squash recipes.  Heck, she just has really great recipes in general.  If you are a spaghetti squash lover like I am, you really must make this dish.  It is ridiculously flavorful, cozy, and veggie-filled.  Can it get any better?  I think not!

friday favorite warm kale salad

Don’t get me wrong, I love cold massaged kale salads.  But a couple of weeks ago I was really craving a warm meal.  I had “bookmarked” a warm kale salad back in August, and I knew that this was the perfect time to give it a try.  Lindsay’s Warm Balsamic Kale Salad totally hit the spot.  I made a few alterations to the original recipe in order to make it vegan by leaving out the butter and subbing in nutritional yeast in place of the cheese.  I also followed her recommendation to add in beans for some extra protein.  I am a bit obsessed with white Great Northern beans right now, so they were such a tasty addition.  If you are craving some kale after the holidays then I highly recommend that you try this dish out.  It’s tasty, easy, and an all-around winning combination.

friday favorites bbq lentil stew

Looks are most certainly deceiving with this next one, but I am SO excited to share it with you.  If you are barbecue lover like I am, then you are going to want to pay attention.  Trust me, barbecue isn’t just for meat-eaters and Lindsay’s recipe for BBQ Lentil Stew is proof of that!  I omitted the sausage in order to make it vegan and served it over roasted spaghetti squash (because clearly I am obsessed).  Making this dish was definitely one of the best cooking decisions that I have made lately.  If you love BBQ sauce like I do, do yourself a favor and make this ASAP.  Oh, and don’t forget to add a little extra BBQ sauce to the top because you can never have too much barbecue! 😉

friday favorites quinoa salad

And finally…I must share this new side dish that I made for Christmas this year.  When I was deciding what I was going to contribute to my family’s Christmas meal, I wanted something a bit different from what I would normally make- and also something a bit healthier.  I found the perfect side dish after perusing my saved recipes: Anne’s Quinoa Salad with Pecans and Cranberries.  I left out the chives because I was not able to find any at the grocery store and I added in green onions.  This dish was definitely one of my favorite parts of our Christmas meal this year.  It was healthy, delicious, flavorful, and satisfying.  I ate seconds of it during the Christmas meal and then ate leftovers during several meals after.  This will absolutely be making appearances during future holidays.

I had lots of tasty favorites for you this Friday now didn’t I?  Please let me know if you give them a try!

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  • Becky@TheSavedRunner January 3, 2014, 8:22 am
    All of these foods look so good! I am considering switching to a plant based diet? What are your thoughts and suggestions? Becky@TheSavedRunner recently posted...Time to Reveal a Little SecretMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 3, 2014, 3:20 pm
      I am not completely switched over to a full plant-based diet (though I hope to be someday). I recommend adding in some plant-based "days" into your diet or just simply trying to eat 80/20 (80% plant-based/20% vegetarian or meat-eating) to start. That way you won't feel like you are depriving yourself and can switch over a bit more easily. Eating mostly plant-based has been awesome for me and I LOVE cooking vegan and trying new vegan foods. I think you will have a similar experience when you see just how good vegan food is. Also, remember that eating mostly plant-based generally means you are eating fewer calories so you will likely need to eat MORE in order to maintain a healthy weight. You might also look into taking a B12 supplement as that is the one nutrient that vegans are sometimes lacking. Otherwise, enjoy your veggies, fruits, carbs, and plenty of healthy fats (nuts, nut buters, avocado, EVOO)!
  • Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog January 3, 2014, 9:27 am
    A good-looking round-up of eats. I'd love to try the spaghetti squash puttanesca. I have such a weakness for spaghetti squash. Seriously every time I see one at the store I feel compelled to buy it. :) Have a nice weekend! Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog recently posted...Pinterest. Organized.My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 3, 2014, 3:24 pm
      I hear you! I am pretty much obsessed with it right now. I am going to be so sad once it is out of season and super expensive :(.
  • Amanda @ .running with spoons. January 3, 2014, 9:59 am
    I love a good quinoa salad -- especially when cranberries [and Justin's AB] are involved. I haven't made a savoury one in a while though, so maybe it's time to look into that. Happy Friday! Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted.... currently – january 2014 .My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 3, 2014, 3:24 pm
      Justin's AB is obviously my one true love, but quinoa is definitely high up there on the list too :).
  • lindsay January 3, 2014, 1:28 pm
    can i come over next time you make all these? YUM
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 3, 2014, 3:33 pm
      Haha, you bet!!! :)
  • Anna-Marie @Beauty and the Beets January 3, 2014, 1:41 pm
    We have been eating more Vegan lately and the one thing I have not ventured to is Spaghetti Squash- must try!!! Anna-Marie @Beauty and the Beets recently posted...1/3- Friday Favorites- Hot Chocolate, Pizza and DonutsMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 3, 2014, 3:33 pm
      Oh my, yes you must!! It is SO good and GOOD for you :).
  • Katie @ Daily Cup of Kate January 3, 2014, 10:05 pm
    Lindsay's bbq lentil stew is on my list of things to make! Katie @ Daily Cup of Kate recently posted...True Story: Third EditionMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 5, 2014, 12:03 pm
      You definitely need to! It is AWESOME!
  • Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl January 3, 2014, 10:38 pm
    Everything looks super delicious! I've been eyeing lots of Lindsey's recipes lately. Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl recently posted...A tutorial: How to make the PERFECT green smoothieMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 5, 2014, 12:03 pm
      Her recipes are awesome! You definitely need to try some of them out :).
  • Anne January 4, 2014, 4:03 pm
    I'm so glad you enjoyed my quinoa recipe! :) Anne recently posted...Recent AdventuresMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 5, 2014, 12:02 pm
      It was awesome! Thank YOU for sharing it!
  • Alex@vegginout January 5, 2014, 9:30 am
    That kale salad is calling my name! I love both kale and balsamic vinegar so that recipe sounds like I would definitely love it. That spaghetti squash look delicious too as do ALL these recipes! We must have similar tastebuds because these are all recipes that I would try too. ;) Alex@vegginout recently posted...Banana Zucchini BreadMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl January 5, 2014, 12:12 pm
      So basically what you are saying is that our tastebuds are AWESOME!! ;)
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