I prepared this meal for my 'meat-eating' family, however, I found it to be super delicious without the bird.  Packed with veggies, and a zesty delicious lemon and wine sauce, this meal makes for a super easy weekday one pot dinner!

Ingredients:

• 1 box penne pasta, prepared and drained
• 1 lb chicken breast tenderloins, cut into small cubes
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 2 pints sliced mushrooms
• 2 shallots chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp Abstract Spice
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 2 tbsp vegan butter (real butter is acceptable)
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 tbsp lemon zest (approx. 2 lemons)
• 1/2 cup white wine, optional
• fresh cracked pepper

Process:

1. In a saucepan,  combine butter, olive oil, lemon juice and zest, 1 tbsp of the Abstract Spice and simmer on low for approximately 15-20 minutes.
2. In a pan on medium/high heat, combine coconut oil, garlic, and shallots- saute for approximately 2 minutes (being careful not to brown the garlic)
3. Add chicken cubes, and saute thoroughly for about 5 minutes.  Add mushrooms and saute for 5 more minutes.  Add broccoli and saute for 10 minutes until just tender.
   
4. Add the remaining tbsp of Abstract Spice and blend in well.
   
5. Mix in wine to chicken and vegetable saute, deglazing.  
6. Combine pasta, chicken and vegetables, and parmesan into one pot (ideally the one you boiled the pasta in) and mix well.  
   
7. Stir in lemon butter sauce.
8. Dust with fresh cracked pepper, parmesan.

Enjoy!

The B12 vitamin is an essential one in providing necessary blood cell creation, improvement of overall cardiovascular health, and the ultimate healthy boost of energy you need! An array of meats have this vitamin, but check out the substantial amounts found in amazing plant based form below!

I am so over tossing strawberries in the trash when my family begs for me to pick up a pint, all for them to 'forget' they're in the fridge where they shrivel up and get fragrantly over ripened.  Fed up with this, now weekly process, I pondered how to waste not want not, these berries.  Being summer and all, there is always a need for a different, delightfully refreshing beverage.  And of course, there must be a tasty healthy kick if AC Art of Food has anything to do with it!  

Enter the  'aha!' moment.  

This deliciously refreshing drink is a twist to a southern favorite.  It's super amped up with antioxidants from the berries and fresh brewed green tea, and has added electric minerals from the spring water.  So leave that bottled up stuff in the grocery store right there on the shelf and try this super simple, 100% all natural vitamin packed beverage for yourself.  

As an added bonus, a splash of vodka makes this 'super' beverage a summertime, porch sippin', adult spirit must have- cheers!

Ingredients:

• 2 pints over ripe strawberries
• 1 cup lemon juice
• 2 cups boiling water
• 4 green tea bags
• 1 cup pure natrual cane sugar- more/less to taste (unrefined)
• 14 cups spring water

Process:

1. Steep tea bags and boiling water for 5-10 minutes.
2. Puree strawberries and lemon juice, set aside.
3. Add sugar to steeped tea, stir until granules are dissolved.
4. In a large pitcher (gallon +), stir in strawberry puree and sweetened green tea.
5. Top off with spring water. 
6. Serve with sliced lemon, strawberries, mint (optional)

*Add a shot of vodka or gin per 6-8oz of the lemonade*

Enjoy!

This sharp and creamy full textured salad is a great quick dish to bring to a cookout, and even better for dinner at home! Make it a complete one-dish-meal by adding seafood, sauteed mushrooms, chicken, beef strips, or any other protein favorite.  

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of kale, washed and drained
• 2 cups zucchini noodles
• 1 can white beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• Juice of one (1) lime
• 1/2 cup of your favorite caesar dressing
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp cracked black pepper

The Process:

1. Mix kale, zucchini, beans, and onion into a large bowl
2. Add in olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper
3. Mix in thoroughly caesar dressing
4. Top salad with parmesan cheese

*Feel free to omit or go for the non-dairy option of the the caesar dressing and parmesan for a deliciously lighter vegan option.

​Enjoy!

Mostly all kids love candy, that's not even up for debate.  But I have noticed for years, and can even remember when I was a child, being offered a piece of fresh fruit and enjoying every bite, and asking for MORE!  There's just something about fruit being cut-up into bite sized portions.  Take an apple for instance.  True, it's an easy, nutrient packed, convenient quick grab for on the go snacking.  But something about it being sliced for delicious nut butter dipping makes it a tad bit more enticing.  Ever wonder why berries and grapes always seem to be the more requested of fruit?  I'm sure their tasty flavor has a lot to do with it, but they are also, yep, you guessed it, bite sized!  Just today my son was begging me for a sandwich and chips, or a bowl of cereal to eat a little under an hour from dinner being done.  Of course I denied his request, but he was still hungry.  Glancing over at the counter of fruit that I had cut-up earlier this morning, I told him to grab some watermelon and eat that.  He reluctantly grabbed a piece from the bowl, then another piece, and another.  Ultimately he left my kitchen a satisfied customer :-)  All this to say, make fresh, seasonal, cut-up fruit your super candy!

Try preparing your 'candy' as soon as you bring it home from the market.  Store it in glass containers with sealed lids to preserve optimal freshness.  BPA plastic containers will suffice if you don't have glass, but I would strongly recommend you pick up a glass set.   This makes healthy snacking super easy and convenient for the whole family.  For a great time saver, grab a bowl of fruit  to scoop into your favorite smoothie, on oatmeal, yogurt, or as a topping for a stack of pancakes/waffles.  There is no end to this delicious convenience.  

Try it for yourself and let me know how it goes, enjoy!