This is my hands-down favorite way to eat green beans.

2 c. washed and snapped fresh green beans
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp italian seasoning
1 tbsp dried onions
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

Heat olive oil in skillet on stove, then add green beans. Mix well to cover evenly with oil. Add spices and dried onions. Continue cooking until they are bright green, tender-crisp, and tasty. Serve hot or cold.

Someone I know was heading to Legoland in Carlsbad, CA, for the last few days. I was jealous for about 5 minutes- and then I left the house. It was the most beautiful day here, and actually felt like summer. That being said, I didn't want a heavy, hot meal to heat up the house, so a vegetable stir fry with leftover (from the freezer) roasted chicken seemed like the perfect dinner. The secret to a great stir fry is to pre-cut everything, because once you turn on the pan it takes almost no time to cook.

1 yellow onion, sliced
3 carrots, sliced into sticks
1 celery stalk, sliced
1 cup snap peas
1 orange pepper, sliced
1 yellow pepper, sliced
4 garlic cloves, sliced
1 c. grape tomatoes
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp black sesame seeds
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp Cattle Boyz original bbq sauce
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp water

Heat a non-stick pan with the sesame oil. Add the sliced onions, and cook until softened. Add the carrots and garlic, and cook just a few minutes, until the garlic is softened. Add 1 tbsp of soy sauce, then the rest of the veges except for the tomatoes. Stir in the ginger, and mix well. Add the bbq sauce first, then the water. Mix well. Add the last tbsp of soy sauce and the tomatoes, and mix well. Add the sesame seeds, stir in, and remove from heat.

We're eating lower-carb this week, so I'm preparing a lot of vegetables with our meals. I love stir fried peppers, and adding mushrooms and onions ups the flavour component beautifully.

1/2 green pepper, seeded and sliced
1/2 yellow pepper, seeded and sliced
1 c. sliced white mushrooms
1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 clove minced garlic
1/2 bunch green onions, chopped 
1/2 tbsp olive oil
sea salt and black pepper, to taste

Add olive oil and heat in a large frying pan. I have a favorite skillet that's deep and non-stick. When the oil is hot, add the yellow onions. Cook, stirring ocassionally, until they are softening. Add the mushrooms, and do the same. Add the peppers and garlic. Stir until peppers are tender-crisp and brightly coloured, then immediately remove from heat.
Garnish with green onions.

Pictured with Parmesan Crusted Tilapia.
Edited on 9/20/14:  
I made this for dinner tonight, but just used a red pepper, and omitted the green onions. The only thing I did a little differently for seasoning was add the garlic in with the onions and use a whole package of fresh mushrooms.The flavours were much more bright.. Here's a picture of it cooking:

Over the weekend I ate roasted vegetables. I never remember to roast anything except potatoes, so I wanted to give this a try.

3 c. loosely chopped fresh broccoli
1 clove minced garlic
1/2 tbsp canola oil
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/2 lemon's worth of zest
lemon wedges

In a large bowl, mix broccoli and oil. Add garlic, salt, and pepper. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Bake at 375* for about 25 minutes. 15 minutes in, flip over the pieces to ensure even browning.

Just before serving, toss in the lemon zest. Serve with lemon wedges- tastes great with fresh lemon juice squeezed over.

Verdict: First and second son said "I don't like it" Husband said "I'm not a big fan of cooked vegetables".
I thought it was pretty good. The lemon zest really added to it. Next time I'll use a second clove of garlic.

Pictured with Parmesan Crusted Tilapia.

We're having a great dinner tonight. Homemade pizza pockets and a wonderful, slightly-spicy salad that I've been playing with to get "just right". The last time I made it I received a less-than-stellar response to it. I liked it, but no one else in our family did. Crossing my fingers that this is the one! Although if not, I still like it, and that means leftovers for me! This recipe is a Meals Maven exclusive.

Salad Ingredients:
1 c. frozen corn
1 c. black beans
1/2 each yellow, red, and green bell peppers (diced)
1 carrot, ribboned
5 green onions, sliced thinly
10 grape tomatoes, quartered
1/2 avocado, diced

Dressing Ingredients:
1/2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp lime juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp dried cilantro
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp chipotle powder
1/4 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp chili powder 

Mix all the ingredients except avocado together, and toss in the dressing. Allow to rest for 1-2 hrs. Add the avocado right before serving to keep it fresh and green.

Pictured with Pizza Pockets.

Verdict: First son said "It's awful!" Second son didn't try it. Husband said "So much better this time. I like it".
So there you go. We'll be making this again, even if it's just for the hubs and I.