Yummy Oatmeal Energy Bars

2 1/2 cups of quick oats
2 boxes (1 oz) craisins
1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup of walnuts
1 cup of coconut milk
1/4 cup of flour
2 tbsp of maple syrup

Preheat oven at 350.

In a food processor, grind oats until almost a powder (leave it a little coarse for texture) then add a large mixing bowl. Throw in craisins, nuts, chocolate, syrup, and coconut milk. Stir until all incorporated. Gradually add flour as you stir (the measurement I have is a "guesstimate". I eyeballed it to see how much but use what you need to solidify the coconut milk and to bind the ingredients together).

Once all the ingredients are mixed, put in a small baking pan and bake for about 40-45 minutes. Let cool on a drying rack and enjoy!

Simple 3-ingredient Black Bean Dip

1 can (8oz ) of black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 jar of Newman's Own Medium Salsa
1 lime

In a food processor, squeeze in the juice of one lime. Then add black beans and salsa. Blend until a puree. Goes great with multi-grain chips!

See? I told you it was simple!

Mini Spaghetti Pies - Updated

Whole Grain Spaghetti - handful, broken in half

1/2 jar of Tomato and Basil Pasta Sauce

1/2 cup of fresh, shredded mozzarella

** 1/4 cup of crumbled reduced fat Feta cheese (in the original recipe it uses Parmesan cheese but I didn't have any. My fiance didn't even notice until I told him it was Feta!) **

1 jumbo egg

Italian Seasoning

Preheat oven at 350.

Bring a pot of water (with olive oil and salt) to a boil. Throw in pasta and cook until al dente. 

Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, stir together mozzarella, feta, egg, and spices. Once pasta is cooked, strain and stir into the cheese mix. Add sauce and stir again.

Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray. Using tongs, grab small amounts of spaghetti and place in the muffin tin.* Once spaghetti is added, pour any extra mix/sauce over each mini pie before placing in the oven.

Bake for 30 minutes, then let sit for about 10-15 minutes in the pan (that way it has time to cool into the shape and is easier to serve. This serves 6 mini spaghetti pies. 

*TIP: I twist the spaghetti as I place it in each section of the tin so it forms more of a shape.