Holiday post!: Simple Sweet Potato Salad.

It's that time, peeps! THANKSGIVING RECIPE TIME HOLLAHHHH! And this one is a definite must have on your thanksgiving dinner table. So simple and SO SO GOOD--this yummy root veggie side is sure to please young and old guests alike. Enjoy, dearies. 

    Simple Sweet Potato Salad. 

Simple Sweet Potato Salad. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. One medium sized sweet potato, peeled and cubed*

2. 1/2 tsp cinnamon

3. 2 T raisins 

4. 1 T maple syrup

Method

1. Place your potato cubes in a small soup pot and cover with water. 

2. Bring to a boil over high heat and boil until tender. 

3. Drain and let cool 10 minutes. 

4. Place in a medium sized bowl with remaining ingredients and stir well. Serve!

*note--you can EASILY adjust this recipe to serve multiple people...easy peasy!

Almost Instant Apple Pie Oatmeal Casserole.

Almost Instant Apple Pie Oatmeal Casserole.

As much as I ADORE the season of fall, it does mean one thing I'm NOT so fond of...colder weather...specifically, colder mornings. I THOROUGHLY enjoy my 85 degree and humid July morning runs...all the heat, all the time, baby ;) So when the weather starts cooling down during the day, the temps in the morning get QUITE chilly. This week is a perfect example--I was still running in tank tops last week...and then woke up Monday to a 51 degree 7 mile run! Quite a shock to the system. Anyway....long story short (well, not really...sorry guys...I know you're all just like "GIMME THE RECIPE!" I'm getting to that...hehe), these chilly mornings (i.e. chilly morning RUNS) have got me craving warmer breakfasts, infused with those comforting autumn flavors we all love so dearly. Now this craving for cooked brekkies isn't a bad thing at all...except on the days I OPEN at work. This Saturday was one such day. I arrived back at my apartment after a brisk 5 mile, 5 am run FAMISHED (as usual, lol) and craving a big warm bowl of apple pie style oat. I knew I didn't have time though--I had to be at work at 8:15! So that's when the wheels started a turnin'. I decided to try and make my fave apple pie oats IN THE MICROWAVE, since I was pressed for time on this particular morning. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect...nothing beats a good bowl of stovetop oats...mmmmm. But this little guy really delivered! Not to mention it took 5 minutes to make...SCORE, ANNA! Enjoy, guys. :)

Almost Instant Apple Pie Oatmeal Casserole. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one.

Ingredients

1. 1/2 cup oatbran
2. 1 cup almond milk
3. 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
4. one very small apple, chopped
5. 1/4 tsp cinnamon
6. 1/8 tsp ginger
7. pinches of nutmeg and allspice
8. one packet stevia

Method

1. Mix dry ingredients in a medium size bowl. Add almond milk, apple, and applesauce and mix well. 
2. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Let cool and enjoy! 

Harvest Protein Stuffed Peach.

September is a weird month, food wise...for me at least. I'm always ready to dive in to fall foods (this winter squash, pumpkin, dark leafy greens, etc...), but summer produce is still in season! It's quite the dilemma, honestly. And then I thought "why not MIX THE TWO?! SUMMERY HARVESTY GOODNESS!" And that, my friends, is how this luscious mess was created. Behold...the Harvest Stuffed Peach. Enjoy!

    Harvest Protein Stuffed Peach. 

                 Deeeeeelish galore. 

        Oh yeah. That's the stuff. 

Harvest Protein Stuffed Peach. Vegan, gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. One XL peach, preferably overripe

2. One scoop vanilla protein powder (a protein with pea protein works best)

3. 1 tsp raw unsalted pumpkin seeds

4. Cinnamon for garnish 

Method

1. Slices around top of peach and scoop out inside and pit using a spoon.  

2. Place protein powder in a small bowl and mix with water until a "frosting" forms. Spoon into hollowed out peach. 

3. Top peach with pumpkin seeds and sprinkle with cinnamon. DONE! Easy peasy! 

Cinnamon-Toffee Banana Oatmeal Bread.

With the weather cooling down for fall, I'm beginning to crave warmer breakfasts. This comforting banana bread is DELISH--and super easy. Enjoy!

    Cinnamon-Toffee Banana Oatmeal Bread. 

               So good. SOOOOO good. 

Cinnamon-Toffee Banana Oatmeal Bread. Vegan, gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 1/2 cup oatbran

2. Very overripe banana, mashed well

3. 1/4 tsp cinnamon

4. 10 drops toffee flavored stevia

5. 2 T water 

Method

1. Mix all ingredients and form a loaf. Spread evenly and bake at 350 F for 25 minutes. 

2. Let cool and carefully remove. Slice evenly and serve. 

Orange Juice Bowl.

Ok, people. It's here. The age of the Juice Bowl. We've had smoothie bowls, we've had oatmeal bowls, we've had Nogurt bowls. But, alas--a new era is yon us...the era of The Juice Bowl. This simple breakfast is so refreshing for those hot, humid mornings (like this one! At least in Newark, Delaware!), or for a
hydrating afternoon snack. Get creative, too! If you're not into oranges, try grapefruit or even lemons or limes! Just note that if you do opt for sour citrus fruits for your juice bowl, you will want to sweeten it significantly more than if you follow the recipe. Regardless, enjoy your juice bowl! 

               Orange Juice Bowl. 

            Mega toppings! 😍😍😍😍

   "Smoothie bowls ain't got nothin' on me." --Orange Juice Bowl. 

Orange Juice Bowl. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients 

1. 2 medium size oranges, peeled 

2. 1 cup water

3. 2 T protein powder of choice

4. 10 drops orange flavored stevia

5. 2 tsp psyllium husk powder

6. 1/2 tsp chia seeds

7. 1/2 tsp shredded coconut

8. 1/2cup fresh blueberries 

9. Cinnamon, optional

Method

1. In your vitamix, combine oranges, water, stevia, and protein powder. Blend until smooth. 

2. Pour into a bowl and mix in psyllium powders. Add blueberries and stir. Top with chia, coconut, and optional cinnamon. Enjoy! 

Two-minute Banana Bread. Grain free!

Busy mornings mean quick breakfasts...but quick doesn't have to mean gross guys! (Or unhealthy, but that's a given I think...👌). This "Two-minute Banana Bread" is the perfect breakfast: chock full of healthy fiber to keep you full, carbs for sustained energy, and vitamins and minerals for wellness. When combined with a protein-rich smoothie (add protein powder to any of my smoothie recipes! All are in my recipe file!), this quick and easy microwave recipe turns into a perfect breakfast. Enjoy! 

           Two-minute Banana Bread. 

      Insane. SOOOO GOOD AND SO EASY!!

Two-minute Banana Bread. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. One overripe banana 

2. 1/4 cup flaxseed

3. 1/4 tsp cinnamon

4. 1/2 tsp baking powder

Method

1. Pretty much the same procedure as a regular mug cake...in a medium size bowl, mash your naner and mix with remaining ingredients. 

2. Spread batter into a smallish microwave safe pie dish. Nuke two minutes. Done! 

Warm Cinnamon "Sugar" Cantaloupe Chunks with Nogurt.

So I'm a bit of a cantaloupe addict. I'm not kidding. I eat about a whole one every week. Serious. 100%. 🙊😂💁 My fave way to eat this nutritious melon is either plain, or frozen and blended into sorbet! However, on this particular morning I was feeling creative...lets experiment with clope flaves! 👏👏👏 enjoy! (Not that I needed to tell you that...)

   Warm Cinnamon "Sugar" Cantaloupe Chunks with NoGurt. 

     Dessert for breakfast, anyone?! 😍😍

Warm Cinnamon "Sugar" Cantaloupe Chunks with Nogurt. Vegan, gluten-free option. 

Ingredients 

1. Two large chunks of cantaloupe, chopped 

2. 1/2 tsp cinnamon

3. One packet stevia 

4. 7 oz. silken soft tofu

5. 1 T vinegar

6. One packet stevia

7. 1/4 cup wheatbran (sub 2 T flaxseed for gluten free)

Method

1. Preheat your broiler to high and line a baking sheet with non stick foil. 

2. Place cantaloupe chunks in a medium size bowl and top with cinnamon and one packet stevia. Stir well to thoroughly coat chunks with cinn stevia mixture. Spread chunks evenly into foil. 

3. Broil for 4 minutes, flip, broil 4 more minutes. Remove and set aside. 

4. In your food processor, blend tofu, stevia, and vinegar till smooth. Place in large bowl, add wheat bran/ flaxseed, and cantaloupe chunks. Serve warm. 

Mudslide Oatmeal.

Before you run away from your computer at the title of this recipe, hear me out: chocolate. Luscious. Creamy. Chocolate-y. Yeah. Still wanna run? (Or are you gonna go make this oat bowl like a smart person?!)

                 Mudslide Oatmeal. 

    It only looks like mud...tastes so bomb!

Mudslide Oatmeal. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 1/2 cup oatmeal of choice (I used oatbran)

2. 1 1/3 cups water, divided 

3. 1 T carob powder

4. One large zucchini, sliced and chopped 

5. 1/2 tsp cinnamon 

6. 10 drops coconut stevia liquid

7. 2 T salt free all natural peanut butter

8. Cinnamon, for garnish

Method

1. Boil your water in a small soup pot. 

2. Add Zuke chunks and bring to a boil. 3. Reduce heat  to medium and remove from. Usenet. 

4. In a separate bowl, mix oats, Carob, and 1/2 tsp cinnamon. 

5. Return pot to heat and stir in dry ingredients, along with stevia. 

6. Cook, stirring regularly, and adding a little water at a time until desire thickness is reached. 

7. Top with PB and cinnamon and enjoy warm.  

Cinnamon Turmeric Spice Latte.

I am in the midst of a SNOW DAY today! And boy, is it--we got a whopping 10 INCHES! Yucky haha. Although I'm not into snow or cold weather, I AM into warm and comforting drinks like this Cinnamon Turmeric Spice Latte...mhmm...and snuggling into the couch with this latte and a good book?! Sounds like a perfect day to me...whether there's snow on the ground or not! Enjoy lovies!

     Cinnamon Turmeric Spice Latte. 

Cinnamon Turmeric Spice Latte; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 1 cup almond milk

2. 1/4 tsp cinnamon

3. 1/8 tsp turmeric

4. 10 drops coconut stevia 

Method

1. In a small pot on the stove, combine all ingredients over high heat and whisk vigorously. 

2. Bring to a boil, whisk well, and pour into mug. Enjoy!

Chocolate Banana Bread Overnight Oatmeal.

Ok you guys. This jar of oats is about as close to heaven on earth as you can get! Ohhhhh boy are you in for a treat! I dare say this breakfast might make you become a morning person...!

      Chocolate Banana Bread Overnight      Oatmeal. 

Chocolate Banana Bread Overnight Oatmeal. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 1/2 cup old fashioned oats 

2. 1 cup almond milk 

3. One VERY overripe banana

4. 1 T carob powder (can use cocoa)

5. 2 T salt-free PB

6. Cinnamon, optional

Method 

1. Combine oats and carob in a jar. Secure kid and give it a good shake to combine. 

2. In a separate bowl, mash your naner. 

3. Add mashed banana to jar and pour almond milk over. Mix well. 

4. Cover and place in fridge at least 24 hours. In the morning, top with PB and optional cinn. DEVOUR!!!! 

Note: you can hear in the microwave if you want, but I think these are better left chilled. 

Peanut Butter-Cinnamon-Apple Sammie.

Sometimes, you just want a good old SANDWICH, am I right?! My Sammie craving hit a couple evenings ago...mid-essay writing. I had been typing for the last, oh, I couldn't even say...hence, food was a top priority. However, I needed something quick and filling  I also needed to use up the last of the apples I bought a couple weeks ago from when I went apple picking with some buddies! So, this beautiful Sam was born...toasty bread + creamy and filling PB + crisp apple + cinnamon for good measure = yum. That is all. 

    Peanut Butter-Cinnamon-Apple Sammie. 

      I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW RIGHT?!

Peanut Butter-Cinnamon-Apple Sammie; Vegan, Gluten-free option. Serves one. 

Ingredients 

1. 2 slices bread of house (use gluten free if desired. I used Ezekiel. Yum!)

2. 2 T all natural creamy peanut butter (salt-free AND oil-free)

3. 1/2 Apple, sliced 

4. Cinnamon to taste

Method

1. Toast your bread to your liking...I like mine burnt! 😜 

2. Spread one T PB one each slice of bread. Top with apples and sprinkle with cinn. DONE! 

Cinnamon "sugar" toast. Aka "sick food".

As a young child, I was sick A LOT. And I'm not exaggerating--I was a chronic "croup" sufferer and frequent tummy-trouble survivor. Luckily, I gre out of the croup and the stomach issues subsided after I went vegan (go veg, friends!). I have been sick only twice total since I've been SOS-free plant based! Hoorah for whole foods! 

However...there is a pretty nasty stomach flu going around at the rink this week, and because I practically live there (again--no exaggeration! ❤️), I was one of the unlucky persons who caught this flu bug...NO FUN! 

After a VERY ROUGH DAY yesterday and an equally trying night, I'm feeling quite a bit better today...still very weak and achy (and STOMACH achy...😷), but definitely better than yesterday. 

It was a good sign that this morning when I woke up I was ABSOLUTELY STARVING--couldn't keep much in yesterday 😣--so I knew I needed to eat...but what TO eat?! That is always a very tricky question when coming out of a stomach virus...various things SOUNDED good (like new recipe testers for my cookbook!), but I knew I should probably stick to easily digestible and relatively bland...fun fun. 😞 

And then a lightbulb went off!--only after literally just STARING in my fridge and cupboard for, oh, 30 minutes...!--I suddenly remembered what I used to love when I would get sick as a kiddo--warm toast with butter and cinnamon sugar. Before you gawk-of course I modified it to be "The Fit Vegan Ginger"-friendly 😉👍 

So here we have a new "sicky food" fave--"Cinnamon 'Sugar' Toast". Enjoy (sick OR well! 😂😃😋)

            "Cinnamon 'Sugar' Toast". 

        Sweet and cinnamon-y heaven. 

              A bite out of perfection! 

"Cinnamon 'Sugar' Toast"; Vegan, Gluten-free option. Serves one. 

Ingredients 

1. One slice sos-free vegan bread (can use gluten free if needed...I use "Sami's Bakery" millet loaf...mmm!)

2. Cinnamon to taste

3. 1/4 tsp stevia powder

Method

1. Place bread slice on a microwave-safe plate and nuke 30 seconds (this subs for the "butter"--the bread gets all soft and squishy...yummmmm!). Remove immediately and sprinkle with desired amounts of cinnamon and stevia. 

2. Broil on high for 45 seconds to 1 minute. Remove, nuke for 30 more seconds, and enjoy. 

Cinnamon-Flax Breakfast Pizza Toasty.

Hello everyone! Sorry for my post-hiatus...life has been VEEEEERRRYYY BUSY lately...since I now a COLLEGE FRESHMAN!!! Whaaaaaaaat?! Craziness! Loving every second of this year though-having a BLAST! 

And my vegan food creations have been no different-SO FUN, SO YUMMY, and of course SO SO SO EASY! This "Cinnamon-Flax Breakfast Pizza Toasty" is the PERFECT recipe for a quick snack, breakfast/lunch/dinner addition, you name it--my toasty can do it 😉 enjoy!

   Cinnamon-Flax Breakfast Pizza Toasty.

Cinnamon-Flax Breakfast Pizza Toasty; Vegan, Gluten-free option. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. One vegan (optionally gluten free) pita bread

2. 3 T ground flaxseed

3. 1/4 tsp cinnamon

4. 10 drops liquid stevia, flavor of choice (I used vanilla creme...mmmmm!)

5. 2 1/2 T water

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 350 and line a bakjng sheet with parchment. Place pita on parchment and set aside. 

2. In small bowl, add flax, cinnamon, stevia, and water. Mix vigorously until thick and gooey. Spread evenly over pita and pop in the oven for 12 minutes. 

3. Slice into four slices using a pizza cutter, if you've got one. Don't bother letting it cool...DEVOUR MY FRIENDS! 😋

Baked Snickerdoodle Oatmeal.

This doesn't need words. It's just so perfect! It's like Snickerdoodle cookie and oatmeal...all rolled into one! BOOM CKAKA LAKA! Literally heaven in a bowl. A perfect breakfast for a leisurely morning. 

         Baked Snickerdoodle Oatmeal. 

                       Mmmmm. 

                   Simply perfect. 

Baked Snickerdoodle Oatmeal; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 1/2 cup oatmeal of choice (I used oatbran)

2. Scant 3/4-1 cup water

3. 1/2 tsp cinnamon

4. One packet stevia

5. 1/2 tsp baking powder

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350. In a medium size oven-safe bowl, mix together oats, baking powder, stevia, and cinnamon. Add water and let sit 10-15 minutes, until most of water is absorbed. 

2. Place in oven and bake uncovered for 25 minutes. Remove, let cool, and enjoy!

NOTE: if you choose to use rolled or old fashioned oats instead of oatbran, you will probably want to reduce the amount of water you use. Oatbran is extremely absorbent because of the finer texture, whereas the absorption of whole oats is not as extensive. 

Cinnamint Frosty.

 As you all know, I love comkng up with weird food combinations. The weirder, the better, I always say! And, yes...this one is pretty weird! But so so so yummy. I made this for the first time when I got home from a sweaty skating practice--the absolute PERFECT refreshing and nourishing treat! Enjoy this frosty-it's a keeper! 

                   Cinnamint Frosty. 

                         Yummies! 

       Frosty cool perfection right there. 

Cinnamint Frosty; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients 

1. One frozen chopped pear 

2. One peppermint tea bag, steeped in 1 1/4 cups boiling water, then chilled at least 8 hours

3. 1/2 tsp cinnamon

4. 1/2 packet stevia

Method 

1. Combine all ingredients in your vitamix or high speed blender and blend until smooth. This one is thick and frosty (hence the name!), so you may want to eat it with a spoon.