Simple Dinner Exception....Oh-So-Good Granola Bars

Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray
1 c. quick-cooking rolled oats
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 c. whole-wheat flour
2 T. ground flaxseeds
1/2 c. Grape Nuts cereal
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1 beaten egg
1/3 c. unsweetened applesauce
1/4 c. honey
1/4 c. packed brown sugar
2 T. canola oil
1 16 oz. package mixed dried fruit bits
2 T. sunflower seeds
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
1/4 c. dark chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325. Line an 8 x 8 pan with foil and coat with cooking spray. Set pan aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine oats, both flours, ground flaxseeds, Grape Nuts, and ginger. Add egg, applesauce, honey, brown sugar, and oil. Mix well.
3. Stir in fruit bits, sunflower seeds, walnuts, and chocolate chips.
4. Spread mixture evenly in prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until lightly browned around edges. Cool completely on a wire rack. Use edges of foil to lift cooked granola from pan, and cut into bars.
   
5. Makes 24. These are really good, and really good FOR you.
   

*Fitness Magazine

Caramel Toffee Fruit Dip

Ingredients:

1 8-oz. package cream cheese (you can use light cream cheese)

3/4 c. brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla (you can add more to taste)

Toffee bits

Directions:

1. Allow cream cheese to reach room temperature.
2. With an electric mixer, combine cream cheese, brown sugar, and vanilla.
3. When ready to serve, stir in about 1/2 a bag of toffee bits and then sprinkle on top.
4. Serve with fruit.

*Recipe from www.ourbestbites.com

Cheesy Roasted Red Pepper Dip

12 oz. jar roasted red peppers (about 1c. diced)

4 c. grated pepper jack cheese (3/4 lb)
8oz cream cheese (I use low-fat)
3/4 c. mayonnaise
2 T minced onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 T Dijon mustard

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Remove peppers from jar and blot excess water with paper towels. You want to make sure they are dry so they don't add moisture to the dip. Then dice 'em up.
3. In a bowl, soften cream cheese in microwave so it will be easier to stir. Add in mayo, onion, garlic, and dijon. Stir to combine and then add in grated cheese and the diced peppers.
4. Place in an 8x8-ish dish or pie pan.
5. Place in the oven and cook for 30-45 minutes. Baking time depends on the dish. It will start to bubble and brown on the outside edge, and you want it to be bubbly all the way through to the center. It will be nice and golden brown on top, especially around the edges.
6. Serve with chips, veggies, or sliced warm sourdough bread.

*Recipe from www.ourbestbites.com

Grilled Taco Chicken

1 lb. chicken breasts
2-3 juicy limes
1-2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper

1. Juice the limes and combine with the red wine vinegar. Add garlic. Pour over chicken. This will not completely cover the chicken; just turn it occasionally as needed. Marinate for at least 4-8 hours.
2. Heat grill to medium-high heat (400 degrees).
3. Combine salt, chili powder, cumin, and black pepper in a small bowl.
4. Remove chicken from bag and discard marinade. Rub the spices onto the chicken.
5. Grill chicken about 7 minutes per side.
6. Remove from heat and allow to stand a few minutes so it doesn't lose its juiciness.

*Recipe from www.ourbestbites.com
I sliced the chicken and served it in a romaine lettuce salad, combined with tomatoes, shredded cheese, avocados, smashed cheese Doritos, and Green Goddess salad dressing. Yum!