Hummus Croutons w/Lemon Vinaigrette (Whole-Wheat, Gluten-Free Option)

Croutons are so easy to make - if you have a crusty or even soft loaf of bread you can make an addicting salad topper. When it comes to "homemade" food, nothing is better than warm, well-seasoned crispy toasts. Combined with tomatoes, greens, Italian herbs and lovingly coated with a nice lemon vinaigrette, this makes an excellent snack.

(Hummus Croutons Ingredients)

• 4 Slices of Whole Wheat or GF Bread
• 5 tbl Olive Hummus
• Minced Garlic Cloves
• Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning and Salt
• Olive Oil (optional)

(Lemon Vinaigrette Ingredients)

• 1/4 cup Olive Oil
• Juice from 1/2 Lemon
• 1/2 tsp Dijon or Stone-Ground Mustard
• Minced Garlic and Basil
• A pinch of Salt and Pepper

(Directions)

• Cut your bread into thick pieces.
• Coat with the above ingredients and bake at 400 degrees until crispy.
• Meanwhile whisk your vinaigrette ingredients together, making sure that everything has time to meld and that the olive oil is the first thing in the bowl.
• Allow the flavors to meld for about an hour, then combine with your favorite salad greens, croutons and enjoy.

Kuririn Parfait (Low-Fat and Sugar-Free)

I came up with this yesterday because I was a bit tired of making Hello Kitty for everything - and I bet you guys were too. I had originally had my eyes set on a King Cake but after an incident (that you'll know about if you follow me on Twitter) that was saved by my beautiful freezer that also resulted in ensuring that I had a very seedy cake - I decided to make a hamster themed dessert! Trust me - its fantastic and addicting.

(Seed Cake Dry Ingredients)

• 4 tbl of Coconut Oil (slightly cold)
• 1 and 1/4 tsp Baking Powder
• 3/4 cup of Chia Seeds (soaked with water)
• 2 and 1/2 cups Whole Wheat Flour
• 1/2 cup of All-Purpose Flour
• 1/2 tsp of Sea Salt
• 1/4 cup of Stevia (or other Powdered Substitute)
• 2 tsp of Vanilla Extract
• 2 cups of Vegan Buttermilk

(Directions)

• Cream together your stevia and coconut oil and then slowly add in your chia seeds.
• Fold in your flour and other dry ingredients. Then pour in your wet ingredients. Mix gently until fully incorporated and place into a greased baking dish.
• Bake for about an hour at 350 degrees or until well-browned and cooked. Let it rest, then chill.
• Put some cake into your serving dish. Top with homemade coconut whipped cream, dehydrated bananas, a fanned strawberry and put a little bit of pandan on one banana slice and place it near the strawberry for the full "Kuririn" effect.

I hope you enjoy! Whose your favorite Sanrio character?

Swamp Witch Energy Drink

Not everything about the swamp witch has to be gloomy and doomy - she has to get her energy up too. And sometimes she gets her energy up with this exact drink. Who else is going to fly down and pick up trick-or-treaters on their special day?

(Swamp Witch Energy Drink Ingredients)

• Combine and Chill!
• 1 part Lemon Juice
• 1/2 part Apple Cider Vinegar (organic, with mother)
• 2 parts Soda (or regular) Water
• 1 tbl Chlorophyll
• 1-2 tbl Agave Nectar (optional)

(Directions)

• Combine ingredients and Serve with ice!
• Enjoy!

The chlorophyll provides salt and the rest of the ingredients are supposed to add sugar and a sort of "zing!" to the drink.