Chocolate Hazelnut Mug Cake

3 tbsp flour
3 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
3 tbsp milk
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp hazelnut spread

Mix dry ingredients in a large microwave-safe mug. Stir in wet ingredients, except hazelnut spread. Once well mixed, drop the tablespoon of hazelnut spread into the mug. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes until set.

Summer Fruit Salad

1/2 tsp orange zest
1/2 tsp lemon zest
2/3 c fresh squeezed orange juice
1/3 c lemon juice
1/3 c brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla

About 8 cups of fresh fruit (strawberries, blueberries, grapes, bananas, pineapple, orange, etc)

Simmer all ingredients, except vanilla and fresh fruit, in saucepan until thickened and reduced (about 5-10 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Let cool. Pour cooled mixture over fresh fruit and refrigerate for 2-4 hours before serving.

Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks

6 chicken legs (drumsticks)
Salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste

Preheat oven to 425. Pat dry the chicken legs. Place chicken on a greased sheet pan (elevated on a rack, if possible). Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Bake in preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, until chicken reaches 185 F.

Quick Energy Bites

1 c oats
1/2 c ground flax seed
1/2 c peanutbutter
1/2 c mini chocolate chips
2 tbsp chia seeds
1/3 c honey
1 tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients. Form into balls and place on a cookie sheet. Freeze for 1 hour. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Basic Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 c butter
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 c flour
1/2 tsp baking soda dissolved in 1 tsp hot water
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 c choc chips
1/2 c chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and sugars. Add egg and vanilla and beat until well mixed. Add flour, baking soda (dissolved in hot water) and salt. Mix just until flour is moistened. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts. Drop by tablespoon full onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes until edges and bottoms are light brown.

Jello with Mandarin Oranges (Mikan Jelly)

2 cans of mandarin oranges in light syrup (15 oz each)
1/2 c boiling water
1 pkg unflavored gelatin
(water)

Place gelatin in a bowl and add a small amount of water (just enough to cover the gelatin). Let gelatin sit for 5 minutes. Add boiling water to the gelatin and stir well to dissolve gelatin completely. Add the two cans of mandarin oranges in light syrup (do not drain the syrup from the oranges), and stir until mixed. Refrigerate until set (about 2 hours).

Ketchup Spaghetti (inspired by Japanese Neapolitan Spaghetti)

2 TBSP butter
8 oz of white mushrooms, sliced
~1/4 pound of ham, cubed (or 2 hot dogs or sausages, sliced)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
5-6 TBSP ketchup
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
~3 TBSP of pasta cooking water
8 oz of spaghetti
salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese for topping

Boil 8 oz of spaghetti as directed on package. While spaghetti is boiling, saute mushrooms in butter. Once mushrooms are softened, add ham and garlic and saute for 1-2 more minutes. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce. Once spaghetti is cooked, add it to the frying pan with the sauce and toss to coat. Add pasta cooking water to thin out the sauce. Season with salt and pepper if needed. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese.

TIP: Can add onion and bell pepper to make it healthier.