grilled asparagus with lemon zest

This is too simple to be considered a "recipe", 

but here goes nothin'. 

This is a very easy way to add a fresh, 

new spin to asparagus. 

All you need:

asparagus (1 bunch)

olive oil (1-2 Tbs)

lemon zest (of about 1/2 a lemon)

s&p

fresh herbs

All you do: 

-trim asparagus (break off the ends. asparagus make a 

natural break with the last few tough inches of the stalk)

-heat grill (I used an indoor grill pan)

-toss asparagus on grill and drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper, and lemon zest 

-grill until tender, but crisp, rotating as necessary

-serve with chopped fresh herbs sprinkled on top (mint or basil)

Simple, healthy side to compliment almost anything this Spring.

Oh yes, happy Spring!! My favorite :) 

Roasted Green Beans with Mushrooms and Balsamic

quick, easy, snappy, healthy, addicting, yummy, snazzy, tangy... green beans.

who knew a green bean could have so much going on?!

these do. promise.

Ingredients:

fresh green beans

balsamic vinegar

fresh sliced mushrooms

sea salt

pinch of pepper

extra virgin olive oil (or flaxseed oil)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450. Wash and trim green beans. In large bowl or on foil-lined baking sheet toss green beans with a few splashes of olive oil, a couple pinches sea salt, a dash of pepper, and about 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (these measurements can all be left up to your own preference).

Roast on foil-lined baking sheet for about 10 minutes. While beans are in oven toss mushrooms with about a teaspoon of balsamic and another splash of olive oil.

Toss mushrooms in with beans and roast for additional 5 minutes.

Enjoy!

garden lettuce wraps with shrimp

I've made these twice in the past 2 weeks. They are fun, a good thing to share with friends, really healthy, and so so good. It does require some chopping and a teensy bit of sauteeing, but other than that there's nothing to these! Change up the ingredients if you'd like, but I'll share what I put in mine.

What I used:

-Bibb lettuce (iceberg might work as well)

-shrimp

-red pepper, thinly sliced

-chives

-cilantro

-cucumber, thinly sliced

-carrots, thinly sliced

-portabella mushrooms, thinly sliced and sauteed

-lime wedges

-edamame (for appetizer)

-Soy Vay Island Teriyaki (from whole foods. it's like soy sauce, but much better...with ginger, sesame seeds, and other goodness)

How to prepare lettuce wraps:

Chop and organize all your vegetables into little bowls or dishes.

Saute portabello mushrooms (and red bell pepper if you'd like) in a couple teaspoons of olive oil for about 5 minutes.

Add shrimp to bowl and pour some Soy Vay sauce on shrimp (about 3 Tbs). Sprinkle a small handfull of chives over shrimp. Sautee over medium high heat for about 3-4 minutes, stirring/flipping shrimp gently until shrimp are cooked through.

Assemble lettuce wraps any way you like. I like lettuce, shrimp, all the vegetables you want, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

mmm!

enjoy!