This summer pasta is simple, with just a few key ingredients, yet flavorful. It's important to use fresh basil. The leaves have such a strong, fresh flavor, it really makes the dish. The mozzarella is a nice compliment to the basil and tomatoes - and who doesn't love cheese?

Hope you enjoy this basil, mozzarella, and tomato pasta. Let me know if you come up with any other tasty ingredients to mix in.

I love chocolate! I am a firm believer in the power of chocolate to make any day better. Some nights I just *need* to make chocolate chip muffins. But with that said, I don't need a dozen and I don't need the pure butter and sugar muffin recipe. The way I see it... if I make healthier (yet still moist and tasty) muffins, then I can have two since they're better for me. Like how I just rationalized doubling my chocolate muffin intake?  :-)  Also, for those who make a whole batch of something and then end up eating them all at once, this recipe only makes four muffins so feel free to eat them all!

As soon as the really warm weather hits I feel the need for a cold pasta. This cold chickpea, sun-dried tomato, and feta pasta is a twist on using traditional noodles, although I've made it with penne pasta recently and that was also good.

This pasta uses barley and chickpeas instead of noodles. It also has sun-dried tomatoes, feta, spinach, pesto, and chicken for flavoring. Plus the spinach and sun-dried tomatoes make for a colorful dish.

This broccoli idea is from a friend, who also got the idea from a friend, and .... isn't that how all great ideas get passed along? Anyways, it's the easiest way to make broccoli and the touch of lemon at the end gives it a nice crisp citrus flavor. Broccoli is a great side dish because it's incredible for you. Luckily it's in season right now so it's fresh and cheap! Check out nutrition info here.

This peanut butter spread packs a powerful protein punch! (Are you cringing from the corny alliteration?) The creamy spread is a lighter version of a peanut butter dip that goes great with veggies. The added yogurt also calms down the fat content of peanut butter. A healthy yet very filling snack.