It’s the end of February and Heart Health month is almost over – but we’re rolling right into bathing suit season! Here in the south, in less than 2 months we are heading for the pool or the beach. Here’s three EASY and DELICIOUS ways to welcome March with feel good yummy food – with fast and accessible ingredients to make feeling good easy.

Black Bean and Avocado Hummus

Making the Most of an Avocado by including it in a dip to make the dip creamy.

A serving of Guac is 2 TB – Who eats 2 TB?

Using Fresh Herbs – Cilantro

Serve with Crudité instead of chips

1 Large Garlic Clove

3 Cups (2 Cans) Black Beans, rinsed and drained

2 TB Fresh Lime Juice

¼ Cup Packed Cup Cilantro

½ of a Peeled Avocado

Sea Salt to Taste

Add the ingredients from the garlic to the avocado to a food processor and blend until smooth. Sprinkle with salt and serve with crudité.

Maple Syrup Vinaigrette

What to do with Roasted Veggies

Using sugar appropriately

Using Fresh Herbs – Ginger

Making Your Own Salad Dressing

Sweet OR Savory Dressing – use if for fresh fruit too.

2 TB Apple Cider Vinegar

¼ Tsp Sea Salt

3 TB Maple Syrup

2 Tsp Grated Fresh Ginger

½ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Add all the ingredients to a jar and shake well. Serve with roasted root vegetables like sweet potatoes and red onions, parsnips, turnips, etc.

Choose three or more veggies; toss them with a little olive oil or spray well with olive oil spray. Sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper, (add a sprinkle of any spice or spice mix that you like), and place in a PREHEATED 400F oven until soft and brown on the edges, about 45 minutes for root veggies.

OR Toss with Fresh Fruit like sliced Apples, Pears – or make it tropical with mangoes, pineapples or even oranges.

Salted Peanut Chocolate Bites

Grocery Store Healthy Choice – being a label detective

Making it better

2 Cups Whole Me Salted Peanut Chocolate Bites, crushed

(Or Your Favorite Granola)

2 Tsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

1 Log Goat Cheese

Pretzel Sticks

Whisk the Almond Bites and Chocolate together and place on a plate. Make small balls out of the goat cheese and roll in the almond bites. Skewer with a pretzel stick and serve.