TastyTuesday: Chocolate-Covered Gummi Bears

Going into my first gluten-free holidays, I already anticipate feeling left out of Christmas cookies and treats. I'm attempting to make a few new tasty traditions, like Chocolate-Covered Gummi Bears, a quick, easy, no-bake candy.

Ingredients
1 bag Gummi bears
1 bag Ghirradeli dark-chocolate chips
Parchment paper

Directions
Place the chips into a microwave-safe bowl. To temper the chocolate without going to the trouble of a double boiler, heat it in microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each one until the chocolate is completely smooth and melted.

Using a fork, dip each bear in chocolate and allow excess to drip off. For extra-festive flair, top with holiday sprinkles. Carefully place bear backside down on parchment and allow to harden for about an hour.

Store in single layers on parchment paper.

TastyTuesday: Good thinking (cubed)

As I settle in for a short fall and long winter, I'm looking for some refreshing ways to preserve my gardens bounty and enjoy the great indoors. Here's some ways to do just that in a cute little package.

Blend and freeze some ice cube pesto — perfect for pasta dishes.

Source: organicgardening.com via Palaytia on Pinterest

Freeze coffee to drop into Bailey's or just a glass of milk.

Source: peanutbuttarunna.tumblr.com via TODAY on Pinterest

Make vanilla ice cubes to add to a Coke, rootbeer or coffee.

Source: ohmyveggies.com via Amy on Pinterest

Freeze and preserve herbs in olive oil.

Source: thekitchn.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Add a little flavor to a glass of water with flavored ice cubes.

Source: culinarytribune.com via Marjorie Annabel on Pinterest

TastyTuesday: Banana Coconut Nutella Smoothie

I thought I'd share a recent favorite snack with you:

Banana Coconut Nutella Smoothie

1 medium banana
1/2 cup coconut-almond milk
1 tablespoon Nutella
3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
handful of ice

Place the ingredients in a blender and blend until ice chunks disappear.

Super easy and delish!

TastyTuesday: French treats

I've always – especially since returning from a trip to Paris last summer – loved French baked goods. I mean, who doesn't right. The french seem to understand that life without carbs simply isn't the way to eat, and I can appreciate that. The hard part about French baking in small-city North Dakota is finding the quality of ingredients on which a pâtissier would never skimp.

As the weather slowly starts to turn colder, I'm going to return to the kitchen and try my hand at croissants, baguettes and brioche. So please share some tips and recipes, as well as ideas for getting my pantry up to snuff.

Meanwhile, feast your eyes upon these French delights:

Source: chocolateandzucchini.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Iryna on Pinterest

Source: atelierchristine.com via Shelby on Pinterest

Source: oceanicdreamers.tumblr.com via Géraldine on Pinterest

Source: kissmyspatula.files.wordpress.com via Lori on Pinterest

Source: davidlebovitz.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: ferdakost.com via Amanda on Pinterest

TastyTuesday: My breakfast lately

Here's me in all of my bed head and smeared makeup morning glory. At least I have a wonderful breakfast to enjoy. I've enjoyed peanut butter oats for the past couple of weeks for breakfast. It's a tasty, hearty and simply start to the day that keeps me filled up all the way to lunch.

Three-ingredient Peanut Butter Oats
1/2 cup of UNCOOKED, all-natural oatmeal
1/2 teaspoon unprocessed, organic honey
2 tablespoon of all-natural, no-sugar-added peanut butter

Combine the ingredients in a bowl and stir until it makes the consistency of oatmeal cookie dough. Then eat. It's so absolutely satisfying. You kind of feel like you're eating cookie dough for breakfast, but the oatmeal's fiber and peanut butter's healthy fats and proteins keeps you so energized all morning.

What's your favorite quick, healthy breakfast?