My husband has been making this black bean salad recipe for us for years. Its a perfect addition to any outdoor barbecue, picnic, or even just a fresh dinner at home. It has a great fresh crisp somewhat text mex flavor to it. There is no cooking involved, just a little washing and chopping. Go ahead and try this easy healthful salad out tonight. 

Ingredients: 

2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed 

2 ears of fresh corn, removed from cob

1/4 cup bell pepper, diced to about 1/2 the size of one black bean

1/4 cup red onion, diced to 1/4 the size of one black bean

2 roma tomatoes, diced to about 1/2 the size of one black bean

1/4 cup pineapple tidbits, chopped in half

1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped

3 tablespoons lavender honey

4 tablespoons red wine vinegar

juice from 1/2 of a lime

1/2 tsp cumin

1 tablespoon lavender salt

1 tsp fresh ground pepper

Directions: 

Chop ingredients as directed above, mix together. Eat. 

So simple!

One thing I love about this recipe is that if you have some left over, if its left to sit overnight the flavors are even better the next day! So if you ever need a great make ahead dish, this is a real winner. 

Enjoy!

My newest go to breakfast these days is homemade granola with fresh berries and greek yogurt. Its full of protein, fiber, and good for you natural vitamins. Its a great way to stay full all morning, and gives you lots of necessary and welcome energy. Theres never a morning when I don't welcome this dish on my table. 

 Granola Ingredients: 

4 cups old fashioned oats

2 cups coconut

1 cup cashews, chopped

2 cups sliced almonts

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup lavender honey (found here) 

Directions: Mix your oats, coconut, cashews, almonds, honey, and oil in a large bowl. Pour onto a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, then stir. Bake for another 20 minutes or until golden brown. Once your granola is cooked, you can seal and store it in a Tupperware container. When ready to eat it in the morning, sprinkle with fresh cut strawberries, blueberries, and greek yogurt. 

We love the crunch from the granola, the sweetness from the lavender honey, and pops of delicious juice from the berries. Get in all great nutrients like these early in the day and you will be feeling good all morning. Plus it tastes great too. Bon Appetite! 

Whenever we have new customers get hooked on our lavender products, they are always asking me what my favorites are. Its so hard to pick! Well luckily I was able to narrow it down to my top ten, okay okay, I couldn't narrow it down to JUST ten, so here are my top fifteen favorite products by The Lavender Apple. With so many great choices, you will be sure to find the perfect gift for that hard to buy for person on your list. (All products available online at www.lavenderapple.com) 

Lavender Jellies

Lavender Herbs De Provence, Lavender Salt, Lavender Lemon Pepper, and Culinary Lavender

Lavender Bath Salts

Lavender Dryer Bags

Lavender Eye Pillows

Dried Lavender Bundles

Mulling Spices

Lavender Honey

 Lavender Goats Milk Soap

Lavender Body Oil

Lavender Sugar Scrub

Lavender Salt

Lavender Water 

Lavender Sugar

Lavender Sachets

Lavender Carpet Refresher

Well there you have it. Now you have NO excuse not to have all of your Christmas Shopping complete. Link to Shop: www.lavenderapple.com 

This meal comes together in a snap. You mix together a quick tangy sauce, fire up the grill, and you are good to go. Easy, flavorful dishes are my jam. 

Ingredients: 

16 ounces pork tenderloin

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

3 tablespoons freshly chopped dill

1 1/2 tablespoons lavender honey

1/4 cup dijon mustard

1 tsp water

1 tsp lavender salt 

1 tsp fresh ground pepper

Heat your grill to 350 degrees. While that warms up whisk your sauce together and set aside. Sprinkle your pork lightly with salt and pepper. Grill until charred on each side and cooked through to 150 degrees, about 10-12 minutes per side. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Cut into slices and drizzle your sauce over the top. 

You will love the tangy mustardy bite to this sauce and how much of a no brainer meal this is to throw together. Happy eating!