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It’s been a delicious year- full of sweet and savory, salty and tangy, satisfying and mouth-watering eats! I know first hand that meals and snacks can get a little boring sometimes, but adding a handful of easy and tasty recipes can certainly reawaken our taste buds and desire to get in the kitchen.

Food is so much more than fuel. Yes, it nourishes your body and gives you energy. But it creates a pleasant experience to engage your senses, including your sense of taste, sight, smell, and touch. Food that doesn’t taste very good isn’t food that you will want to eat, at least not consistently.

A sustainable lifestyle and eating pattern includes delicious food!

So, what are some of your favorite new recipes from 2018?!

A few of my favorite new recipes this year include these Chocolate Chip Blondie Bars and Flourless Blueberry Muffins. The blondie bar tastes totally indulgent but has a short ingredient list of nourishing foods. And these blueberry muffins make me look forward to breakfast! They are both gluten-free and made with chickpeas, but you would never know. And I love that the added sugar is minimal since they are sweetened with dates. Both of these recipes shocked and delighted me at how good they turned out.

On a savory note, I also have been loving this Hearty Lentil Marinara Sauce. It has a fabulous ‘meaty’ texture and is great for ‘meatless Monday’. But moms who have kids or spouses that are skeptical can compromise by doing half lentils and half ground meat.

What recipes have inspired you to get in the kitchen this year? This list is the top 10 most popular Healthy Inspiration recipes of 2018. Maybe you are looking for some fresh ideas for the New Year or have a goal to do a bit more cooking or meal prep- these are a few of the favorites around here.

But no matter where you get your recipes or fresh ideas, here are a few quick tips on trying new recipes:

• avoid planning more than 1 new recipe per week- too many new recipes can feel overwhelming
• choose recipes with no more than 1-2 unfamiliar ingredients (if any)
• plan to make new recipes on days when you will have a little extra time, even when it is labeled a quick recipe. New recipes always take more time because they are unfamiliar
• briefly read through the recipe first before committing to it to make sure you understand the process, skills and have the necessary kitchen tools

Here are the top 10 most popular Healthy Inspiration recipes of 2018, counting down…

#10 Tex-Mex Slow Cooker Chicken & Black Beans

Tender chicken and black beans cook in the slow cooker with a handful of tex-mex spices and salsa. This dump and go recipe is so very easy and the filling can be used in a variety of tex-mex inspired dishes like tacos, nachos and enchiladas. Or, keep it light and veggie forward by making a taco salad. Save yourself even more time by doubling the recipe and freezing extras for crazy weeknight meals.

#9 Broccoli Hummus Snack Bites

These Broccoli Hummus Snacks Bites are perfect for anyone wanting to work more veggies into meals using creative methods. These savory ‘cookies’ are full of flavor and easy to make in a food processor. This plant-based recipe is great for snacks or add them to dinner to help everyone eat up their veggies. Leave out the cheese to make them dairy-free if needed.

#8 The Ultimate Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins

Perfectly sweet and moist, these blueberry muffins are great warmed with butter or crumbled in a yogurt bowl. Kids enjoy helping mix up the batter and there are no concerns grabbing a lick since this batter is egg-free. Make a double batch and have them ready to rewarm during busy weekday mornings.

# 7 Epic Kale Salad with Grapes, Toasted Walnuts & Blue Cheese

This salad has some robust flavors and interesting textures to make kale salad the thing you want to eat. A great make-ahead dish that holds up well in the refrigerator, this kale salad can be served as a side dish or made into a meal by tossing on some edamame and avocado. Make extra dressing if you like a little extra zing when you serve!

#6 Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pecans

These yummy sweet potatoes have a pop of spice that is unexpected and delicious! Simply toss cubed sweet potatoes with some maple syrup, chopped pecans, chili powder, cinnamon, cayenne and a pinch of salt! No need to peel the potatoes- this recipe is simple and flavorful. Great hot, cold or lukewarm, these maple roasted sweet potatoes are a winner anytime of the day and any way you serve them.

#5 Honey Soy Slow Cooker Chicken

Do you have a go-to dinner recipe that doesn’t require much effort? This 6-Ingredient Honey Soy Slow Cooker Chicken might be the one you are looking for. Serve with riced cauliflower or brown rice and a quick steamed veggie for an easy weeknight meal that the whole family will love!

#4 Super Simple Blueberry Syrup (No Sugar Added)

Perfect stirred into yogurt or drizzled on top of pancakes, this blueberry syrup sounds fancy but is extremely simple. The key is simmering super sweet (very ripe) blueberries in a saucepan until it reaches your desired consistency (about 20 minutes). Add a bit of honey or stevia if your berries aren’t sweet enough but when in season, you won’t need any added sugar. The syrup thickens as it sits and in the fridge turning into a preserves-like consistency perfect for spreading on sandwiches.

#3 Oatmeal Date Balls (No Sugar Added)

Craving a sweet treat?! These Oatmeal Date Balls will satisfy your sweet tooth without any added sugar or processed ingredients. Freeze extras and take one out mid-afternoon or after dinner. This 5-ingredient recipe is ready in less than 5 minutes and will satisfy adults and kids.

#2 Slow Cooker Thai Chicken with Almond Butter Sauce

Savory, nutty with a bit of sweet and spice, this Thai Chicken with Almond Butter Sauce hits all the places on your taste buds. Similar to a ‘peanut chicken’ this recipe is great for those with peanut allergies. The slow cooker works for you so you don’t have to. Serve with some riced cauliflower or wild rice and steamed or roasted broccoli for a weeknight meal. And don’t forget to drizzle on extra sauce along with some almond slivers and basil to present this easy meal with a little extra flavor and flare.

And the MOST POPULAR recipe on Healthy Inspiration…

#1 Parmesan Carrot Fries

This kid-friendly recipe will encourage your littles to take another bite without saying a word. And, these parmesan carrot fries are so easy that it’s a great recipe to cook with your kids. In fact, this is one recipe we make at the preschool cooking class I teach. They are mighty tasty on their own but if needed, provide a little dipping sauce of choice to make these ‘fries’ a new family favorite.

What new recipes did you try this year? What are some at the top of your must-try list for 2019?

Cheers to another year of delicious eats that make healthy living simple and tasty!