Moroccan Roasted Vegetables With Toasted Sesame & Herbed Couscous Pilaf

It's a quiet time to reflect on God and spirituality. We stand still, exhaling into splendid solitude. I don't typically shout about religion from the rooftops like I do my cross stitch patterns or recipes. Vanity, my potty-mouth and an unparalleled addiction to red lipstick have followed me to operating rooms and they'll chase me to my grave. In my spiritual life, I've chosen a single path: a Good Guidebook. 

Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

Oh these muffins! They have a deep, double-chocolate, sinfully good flavor, with melty chocolate chips and a moist texture. They're a chocolate lovers dream because not only do they taste rich and scrumptious, they're made with Greek yogurt, zucchini and unsweetened applesauce. 

Ultra-Creamy Hummus with Greek Salsa

This ultra-smooth and creamy hummus makes a lovely lunch, when served with pita. My Lebanese grandmother used to prepare a large bowl of it at every holiday meal. She made it the old fashioned way, soaking the dried chickpeas overnight and adding lots of tahini.

My quick and healthy version swaps the tahini for Greek yogurt. The yogurt gives it a light and luscious texture. It's high in protein too. The hummus is topped with briny olives and my fresh Greek salsa. The salsa has an herby hit of oregano, crunchy cucumbers and spicy chili pepper. The combination of the crisp salsa, creamy hummus and salty olives is good eating. In the summertime, we often enjoy light meals of Greek Turkey Meatballs , fish or chicken, hummus and fresh pita bread. Warm some pita and get dipping!

Avocado & Chickpea Hummus With Mediterranean Salsa

I'm half Lebanese, which means I grew up eating hummus. This non-traditional, ultra-creamy version has the added nutrition and luxuriousness of avocado and Greek yogurt. It's a high-protein, healthy and delicious dip that's perfect when paired with pita or on top of a fluffy baked potato for a light meal. I like this hummus better than the old standard. Ohhhh it is good! The fresh Mediterranean salsa takes it over the top with a welcome contrast of crunchy texture and zesty flavor. It'll have you rethinking hummus.  

Sesame-Chili Salmon With Avocado Salsa

This quick and easy salmon recipe comes together in about 30 minutes. The delicious avocado salsa is assembled as the salmon cooks. The fish can be eaten hot or cold. It's an simple meal to cook for company too. The greatest happiness in life comes not from having, but from giving. A fresh meal prepared for a friend is an act of love. A bright, clean dining area and light conversation is warm and welcoming.

This juicy salmon is topped with a simple sesame seed-chili salt. It's served with a creamy and crunchy avocado salsa that's got a guacamole-vibe. Ohhhh mercy is it good!  This healthy and lively meal is a nice choice for warm weather dining. The avocado salsa is wonderful with tortilla chips and grilled chicken too. It's hard to resist eating it plain with a spoon.

Chili-Lime Tzatziki Chickpeas

Fresh salads are making their way into my kitchen. I'm half Lebanese, so I'm genetically programed to love chickpeas. I like using them as the base for satisfying salads. Here, these protein-rich beans are tossed with a creamy yogurt-cucumber dressing. The dressing is spiked with a little garlic and fresh lime juice. The recipe comes together quickly. Everything is combined in one bowl. A red chili pepper finishes things off with colorful flavor and heat. I highly recommend it. Stuff this refreshing salad into soft pita with crisp lettuce and tomato. It's great over a fluffy baked potato for a light vegetarian dinner too.   

Greek Turkey Meatballs

Since I'm half Middle Eastern, the sunny flavors in this dish are close to my heart. I've been making these meatballs for twenty years. A bit of oregano and a pinch of cinnamon give them an Eastern Mediterranean vibe. The delicious aromas of this dish remind me of my Lebanese grandmother. She cooked beautiful meals in her little, yellow, Brooklyn apartment kitchen. She taught me to add a pinch of cinnamon to savory dishes to give them an authentic taste.

Spicy Spanish Chickpeas

Chickpeas simmered in a rich and tangy tomato sauce, spiked with chili, paprika and a splash of sherry is what's for lunch today. The sherry really takes this humble bean dish to new levels. A squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of olive oil are the perfect finishes. These beans are delicious with a dollop of sour cream and some toasted slivered almonds sprinkled on top. They're also really good, served over rice, with my cooling cucumber tzatziki sauce (recipe below). Stuff them into warm pita, a baked potato or eat with crusty bread. This meal is high in vegetarian protein, especially when served with rice. It's healthy and filling too. It reheats well for workweek meals. Get your Spanish tapas fix in about 30 minutes.

Toasted Coconut, Quinoa & Oats Cereal

Since I don't work in a psychiatric emergency room every night anymore, I'm much more equipped to curb my stress-eating-tendencies, which included uncontrollably munching a half a box of Cheez-its in one sitting, scarfing oreo cookies for dinner and...the never fail.... mindlessly shoving pizza slices down my gullet. Sounds peachy, doesn't it? Now that my work hours are reduced, I'm going for long walks with my beagle. When I eat pizza, I'm sitting down, with my husband, to savor it. I'm also whipping up my favorite cereal. Life, for the moment, is more balanced. 

My homemade granola cereal has delicious coconut flavor and a crunchy texture. It fills the kitchen with divine, warm aromas as it bakes. My husband sprinkles it on yogurt with fresh fruit or honeyed strawberries. I love to mix-in dark chocolate chips and eat it with very cold milk.  

Think you don't like quinoa? Think again! When it's toasted with oats and maple syrup, something magical happens. Even picky eaters will love this healthy breakfast. They won't even know the quinoa is in it. Loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, omegas, trace minerals, fiber, iron and protein, I always feel well nourished after eating it. Get your crunch on!