I have a little story for you about cookies and friendship (two of the sweetest things in life, right!?). So a few years ago, I was on the hunt for a healthier chocolate chip cookie recipe. I had tried so many different ones, but just couldn't find a recipe for a healthy cookie that didn't taste healthy. I wanted something that would satisfy even the most decadent of sweet tooth's (ahem, like mine). After a lot of baking and critiquing (I always thought I should be a dessert critic, LOL), I finally found that perfect cookie. And not only did I find the ultimate chocolate chip cookie, I also reconnected with the genius baker and blogger-extraordinaire behind them, a long-time family friend who I hadn't seen in years, Rachel of Bakerita! 

What could possibly bring on the holiday feels more than baking (and eating) chocolate peppermint cookies (while singing along to Mariah Carey All I Want For Christmas)? Speaking from experience, the answer is... nothing! These are the ultimate cookies of the holiday season and you're going to LOVE them!

They can be made with just one bowl and only 7 ingredients, including a box of Simple Mills chocolate cake mix. That's right, cake mix cookies. Doesn't get much easier! I'm 100% down for using this boxed cake mix whenever I can. It's the perfect little shortcut and unlike most cake mixes, this one is made with real ingredients that you can actually pronounce like almond flour, coconut sugar, and coconut flour. Talk about a perfect healthy swap! Here's how to whip them up!

If you've never tried cooking fish in a parchment pack (or "en papillote" as a fancy chef would say), you've gotta do it! It may look intimidating, but I promise, it really doesn't get much easier. It's one of my favorite meals to make because the prep and cleanup is a breeze and it's perfectly cooked every single time thanks to the steam that builds up in the packet! Plus, I always feel extra fancy when I serve it to guests and cut open the parchment pack right at the table... the steam dramatically comes up out of the pack and they're left with this perfect meal right in front of them. They'd never guess you whipped up such a gourmet dinner in under 15 minutes. 

Honestly, there are just not enough delicious words to properly describe this soothing and cozy soup... you've just got to try it for yourself! But I have to say, I think this is my favorite soup I've made on the blog yet! I made it on an afternoon when I was craving something comforting and filling, and wanted it to be extra healthy after a weekend of dining out. I thought about an old recipe that I had on the blog for a cauliflower and turmeric soup and decided it was time to make a fresh, new rendition of it with a little more flavor and oomph. The original recipe used sautéed cauliflower, and I knew it would have way more flavor if I roasted it instead with some onion and garlic. I added in more spices this time around, some coconut milk for extra silkiness, and some spinach and chicken sausage to make it extra filling (the sausage is totally optional though... this soup is a great vegetarian/vegan option without it!). It's ended up being the perfect makeover to the old tried-and-true recipe, and I am super excited to share the new and improved version with you!

You guys know I'm a huge fan of a giant snack board that's part-cheese board, part-crudité platter, and is always loaded with all kinds of snacky goodness like nuts, fruit, veggies, crackers, and dips. It's my go-to appetizer that's a total showstopper every time, and it's super fun to assemble and customize towards a certain occasion or season. Plus it doesn't require any cooking, so it can be thrown together pretty quickly! This board is fully Fall-themed and perfect for my favorite holiday of the year (Thanksgiving, of course!), which is just about two weeks out! You guys will flip over the Spiced Pumpkin Dip (which has browned butter & sage blended in there, omg) and how well it pairs with the cheeses, Fall produce, and Simple Mills sprouted seed crackers.