healthy

Sometimes, only a decadent chocolate fix will do; that's where these brownies come into play. While they're not exactly guilt-free, nutritionist Cynthia Sass created these vegan spinach brownies to help you add a few nutrients to your dessert. Mixing in almond flour increases the protein and healthy fat content of these vegan brownies, and the secret ingredient, spinach, adds antioxidants (also found in the dark chocolate chips), iron, vitamin A, calcium, and other nutrients, as well. And since these vegan brownies taste just as delicious as a traditional brownie, they'll be a hit with anyone and everyone.

Get ready to bake!

If you've ever brushed by a patch of stinging nettles and felt the painful, numbing tingles contact brings, then you might find mild trepidation over tackling a recipe based around the wild Spring green. Thankfully, when handled properly, this nuisance of a weed transforms from baleful brute to a silky texture and satisfying addition to all manner of meals. All in all, it's more than worth the accompanying (minor) risk involved.

Here, paired with creamy, briny feta, chewy-tender pasta, toasted slivers of almonds, and nutty sesame seeds, nettles add just the right amount of grassiness, making for a pasta dish that will keep your taste buds guessing. Whether served hot, fresh from the pot, or at room temperature, it satisfies, and then some.

Try the unusually satisfying pasta dish for yourself.

If you've only tried rhubarb in sweet applications, it's time to consider the tart vegetables (yes, you read right!) as a welcome addition to dinnertime. It's just the ticket for brightening up chicken thighs, especially when paired with crisp cubes of cucumber, cilantro leaves, and lime for an unconventional yet utterly delightful salsa.

Bust out your knife skills, get chopping, and count down the mere minutes to an elegant and unexpected dinner perfect for busy weeknights.

Get the zesty recipe.

Trying to cut back on refined flour? This cookie recipe will satisfy a dessert craving using a secret sweet ingredient — baked sweet potato. You wouldn't even know that the original recipe calls for twice as much sugar because the sweet potato adds so much natural sweetness. Throw in some dried cranberries and dark chocolate chips for extra flavor and texture and this recipe is soon to become a household favorite.

Keep reading to learn how to make these low-sugar, 135-calorie cookies.

Miss out on Spring break? Not to worry: mango, avocado, pineapple, and a few splashes of milk are all you need to go on a miniature tropical getaway.

Why, you might ask, should you add avocado to the smoothie? Don't skip out on it: the fruit imparts a pleasant green hue on the drink, plus it contributes to the overall thickness and mouthfeel of the smoothie, since avocados are naturally high in fat. It won't really affect the flavor, though: this smoothie is all about the mighty sweet mango and mouth-puckering pineapple.

I prefer my smoothies on the thicker side, but keep blending it with more milk until you reach your desired consistency. I like to pop my smoothie in the freezer for 10 minutes or so to really chill it up.

Keep reading for the recipe.

Asparagus and salmon combine their superfood powers to create one delicious and nutritious snack that offers more than 10 grams of protein per serving. These spear bundles may look fancy, but their prep is a no-frills process: they can be cooked ahead of time and stored in the fridge to enjoy later. If you're ready to elevate your Spring snack routine, keep reading for this smart and simple recipe.

If two scrambled eggs always leave you wanting more, bulk up your breakfast with two healthy ingredients: spinach and quinoa. This satisfying, vitamin-packed dish offers a whopping 19.6 grams of protein per serving. It's delicious enough to savor as a weekend treat, but it also takes less than 10 minutes to cook, making it a special breakfast option you can enjoy before work. Keep reading to learn how to make this quick recipe.

Eating breakfast is one way to get your metabolism fires burning strong, but what you eat can boost your metabolism even more. With a quick whir of the blender, here's a smoothie recipe loaded with metabolism-boosting ingredients.

In this recipe, you'll find calcium-rich Greek yogurt, almonds, and broccoli, which has been shown to help the body break down fat. The almonds, cannellini beans, and yogurt also add a great deal of protein, and what's more, the zinc in the yogurt may increase the production of the hormone leptin, shown to improve metabolism and suppress appetite. The high-fiber strawberries keep you feeling full longer and are also packed with vitamin C. Pour in some green tea for caffeine, a natural metabolism booster, and top it all off with cinnamon, a warming spice that can temporarily boost metabolism. In the end, you've got a breakfast under 345 calories that offers over 30 grams of protein and 7.2 grams of fiber.

Find out how delicious boosting your metabolism can be when you read more.

It doesn't have to be a salad every night for vegans who are also gluten-free. A warm bowl of this savory lentil stew makes for a comforting meal. This creamy dish is full of protein, fiber, and flavor.

For under 400 calories each yummy bowl offers a whopping 18.7 grams of protein and 19.5 grams of fiber. Read on for the simple recipe.

After a tough strength-training session or long run, protein is necessary to help your body recover. Before your hunger overwhelms you that protein-packed meal needs to come together quickly. This fresh and delicious fish dinner takes less than 20 minutes from prep to plating, but the best part is one serving offers more than 36 grams of protein. Learn how to cook this perfect post-workout recipe.