Flax 'n Protein Power Balls!

If you have followed me or my recipes for any length of time at all, you already know that I'm pretty much OBSESSED with flaxseed. I'm also pretty obsessed with protein powders...and the only thing better than these two things enjoyed separately, is these two things COMBINED! All you need is rice protein, ground flaxseed, stevia, water, and 5 minutes prep time (and a few hours in the fridge)...then BAM! Just like that, new fave recipe. That was easy.

Flan 'n Protein Power Balls!

"I'm so cute."

Flax 'n Protein Power Balls!
Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one.




Ingredients
1. 1/4 cup rice protein (brown rice or regular)
2. 2 T ground flaxseed
3. one packet stevia powder
4. 3-4 T water


Method
1. In a medium-sized bowl, mix protein powder, flax, and stevia.
2. Add water 1 T at a time until you get a workable consistency--don't add so much as to make them gummy...you just want them pliable.
3. Divide dough into 6 small sections and roll into balls.
4. Place power balls on a small plate, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour or more, to firm up a bit.
5. Remove from fridge and enjoy!

Whipped Potatoes with Lentils and Parsley.

It's potato season...mashed potato season, I mean. And these go a step beyond...these are whipped potatoes people. And oh boy are they good...enjoy!

Whipped Potatoes with Lentils and Parsley. 

Whipped Potatoes with Lentils and Parsley. Vegan, gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. One large russet potato, peeled and chopped

2. 2 tsp apple cider vinegar

3. 1/8 tsp each onion and garlic powders

4. 1/2 T nutritional yeast

5. 1/2 cup Canned lentils, drained and rinsed

6. Dried parsley flakes, for garnish

Method

1. Place shopped potatoes in a small soup pot and cover with water. 

2. Bring to a boil and boil until fork tender. Drain, reserving about 1/4 cup of cooking water. 

3. Place potatoes and remaining cooking water in food processor with spices, vinegar, and nooch. Blend, scraping sides and adding more water as necessary until smooth. 

4. Spoon into bowl and top with lentils. Sprinkle with parsley and serve. 

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!

Peanut Butter "SauerSPROUT" Sushi! (And my new #TFVGSushisunday contest!)

So I'm starting a new thing..."Sushi Sunday"! Every Sunday I'll be eating sushi for one meal out of the day...I'm going to try and see juuuuuust how many sushi combos I can come up with!! Why?? Simple. If you've read my "About Me" page, you already know that I have thyroid disease, and had to start taking thyroid medication at age 13. After years of up and down blood levels, from too much medication to not enough, my levels finally stabilized when I went vegan (#plantpower!). As amazing as this is, I want to take it a step further: I don't want to have to take artificial thyroid hormone replacement medicine anymore! I want to be wholly healthy--no foreign substances in my body...this is all fine and dandy and sounds super terrific, but for someone with thyroid disease, if you just up and quit your medication, it's disastrous. 

So what's the natural solution, you ask?! One (magical!) word...IODINE! Iodine is a vital nutrient that our bodies need, but are unable to produce on their own. Iodine is not found in many foods at ALLLLL, so most people opt to take it in supplement form. But real food is always better, as you all know! Which is where this monologue comes to a point, finally...nori, kelp, dulse, and other sea vegetables are the ONLY natural, vegan, supplement-free way to get iodine! So, basically, this is the reason behind my "Sushi Sunday" theme...I hope you'll all join me in sushi creating (not only on Sundays!), and that you enjoy the recipes I'll be sharing. Happy sushi-ing! 

    Peanut Butter "SauerSPROUT Sushi. 

    Maybe not the prettiest roll I'll create...but it was dang goooooood!

Peanut Butter "SauerSPROUT" Sushi. Vegan, gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. One nori sheet

2. 4 T peanut butter of choice 

3. 1/2 cup sprouts

4. 1/4 cup sauerkraut

5. 1/2 tsp ground ginger

Method

1. One of the best things about sushi, besides the taste? Fill. Roll. Cut. Eat. Done! It's so simple! For this roll, simply spread your PB over the nori sheet and top with WASHED and dried sprouts (wash carefully! Sprouts are known to carry bacteria--buy organic if possible). 

2. In a small bowl, mix sauerkraut with ground ginger, and add on top of sprouts. 

3. Time to roll it up! Slice before serving. And yes. You have to use chopsticks ;) 

Pumpkin Pie in a Bowl!

This is literally the easiest thing ever. It's also the yummiest thing ever! Don't you just love those recipes that you just throw together, hope it turns out good, and it turns out INCREDIBLE?! Yeah...this is one of those. Enjoy, friends :)

     Pumpkin Pie in a Bowl. 

     Look at that swiiiiiirrrrrl!

    I added flax for texture. Delicious!

Pumpkin Pie in a Bowl! Vegan, gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 3/4 cup canned pumpkin purée

2. One packet stevia powder

3. 7 oz. silken tofu

4. One packet stevia

5. 1 T apple cider vinegar

6. Optional toppings: cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, flaxseed, gRAWnola, etc. 

Method

1. In a medium sized bowl, mix pumpkin and stevia packet. Set aside. 

2. Combine tofu, stevia, and ACV in food processor and blend until smooth. 

3. Spoon both pumpkin blend and Nogurt into serving bowl. Garnish with toooongs of choice, if desired. Serve!

Lazy girl's "Unsauteed Squash."

You guys know those days. Those days when you're simply just TOO EXHAUSTED to even THINK about turning the oven on, much less standing at the stove sautéing fresh squash. Yeah that was me the other night...long shift + short night ahead of me = good food in a flash...and another quick and easy recipe for you guys! Enjoy my dears :)

      Lazy girl's "Unsauteed Squash."

Lazy girl's "Unsauteed Squash." Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. Two small (or one medium-large) yellow squash, sliced lengthwise then sliced into half moons 

2. Approximately 2 tsp braggs liquid aminos

3. Generous sprinkling of spices of choice (I ised onion, garlic, black pepper, and poultry seasoning...it was Delish!)

Method

1. You're not gonna believe how easy this is...it's too good to be so simple! Ok. Just combine your squash moons in a medium size microwave safe bowl with the aminos and spices of choice. 

2. Mix well with a spoon to throughly season veg, and microwave on high power for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. THAT'S IT GUYS! Use as desired and enjoy....but that lady part's a given...

Overnight Chocolate Protein Fudge Bars.

Yep, it's the recipe I teased you all with yesterday morning via Instagram...behold: the best thing you will ever eat. Enjoy! 

Overnight Chocolate Protein Fudge Bars. 

I topped mine with pomegranates and coconut! Delish!

Chocolates, fudgy goodness. 

  AHMYGOSH ITS SO GOOOOOOOOD!

Overnight Chocolate Protein Fudge Bars. Vegan,  gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. Two scoops chocolate protein powder (I used a blend with pea protein--pea is ESSENTIAL! Vega is a great choice.)

2. Two teaspoons agar powder 

3. 1/2 cup water

4. Stevia (optional-omit if protein is already sweetened)

5. Toppings/mixins of choice

Method 

1. Mix protein powder and agar I'm a medium bowl. Add water and mix well until a dough forms. 

2. Form two "bars" and place on a plate. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. Top as desired in the morning and enjoy!

BBQ Beans and Tangerines.

Ok don't ask WHAT made me think of this...but be glad I did...and that I'm sharing the recipe NOW instead of saving it for my cookbook! Enjoy friends. 

    BBQ Beans and Tangerines. 

         For reals though. This is bomb. 

BBQ Beans and Tangerines. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 3 oz. sliced white onion

2. 3/4 cup great northern beans (chickpeas would be Delish too!)

3. 1/4 cup BBQ sauce (like my spicy BBQ on the blog!)

4. One large tangerine, sectioned

5. Lettuce for serving 

Method

1. First, halve your tangerine and section it. Place about 4 slices in a plastic baggy and stick in the freezer overnight (or for at least 8 hours). 

2. Place onions in a small saucepan with a little water. Caramelize until soft. Add beans and stir (water should be prett much gone). Toss in your fresh tangerine chunks and add BBQ sauce. Stir well and cook, stirring regularly, over medium heat until gooey and luscious smelling. 

3. Spoon beans mixture over your lettuce (use spinach for extra iron!). Take your frozen tang slices out of the freezer and, using a hand grater, grate over dish to make "frozen citrus zest"...aka the secret ingredient of why this recipe is seriously insane. Serve immediately. 

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! 

Butternut Squash Breakfast Bowl (aka Fall in a Bowl!).

So the arrival of cooler mornings has me craving cooler weather foods...or, in terms others can understand...PUMPKIN (duh...), root veggies, and, the star of this DELISH brekkie recipe: butternut squash. This simple creation started out as a "I really need to use that butternut squash in the fridge, so I'm gonna make breakfast out of it," thing...and quickly turned into a new fall breakfast fave. Hope you guys enjoy it too!

      Butternut Squash Breakfast Bowl. 

                            I know. 

Butternut Squash Breakfast Bowl. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 3 cups raw butternut squash cubes

2. 15 drops vanilla stevia

3. 1/3 cup tvp granules

4. One packet stevia

5. 1/4 tsp cinnamon 

6. Two tablespoons peanut butter (I used powdered PB because of my fat intolerance...see my "About Me" page for my story!)

7. Two teaspoons maple syrup

8. Cinnamon for topping

Method

1. Steam or boil squash until very tender. Drain, and whip in food processor with stevia. 

2. Toast tvp in a skillet over medium heat, after mixing it with stevia packet and cinnamon. Cook, stirring regularly, until toasted. 

3.  Spoon squash purée onto large plate and add "granola" and peanut butter on the side. Drizzle maple syrup on top and sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve!

Frozen Creamed Coconut Lemonade.

Happy national lemonade day! Yup, it's a real thing. And this frosty yumminess is real good 👌🏻 chilled creamy tangy sweet goodness comin your way! Enjoy 😄

    Frozen Creamed Coconut Lemonade. 

    Frosty, tangy, luscious breakfast.

Frozen Creamed Coconut Lemonade. Vegan, gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 6-7 large ice cubes

2: 1 cup light canned coconut milk

3. Juice of 2 large lemons

4. 6 oz. silken tofu

5. 10 drops coconut flavored stevia

Method

1. Blend it yo. And then slurp till the last dropsies gone. 

 

Holiday Post!: Patriotic Pasta Salad.

Happy flag day, friendzies! Hope everyone has enjoyed the day. Here's a quick and easy little vegan addition to a family BBQ--simple to make, easy to take, and of course yummy. Enjoy! 

               Patriotic Pasta Salad. 

        So nice and festive--and all those fresh flavors!

Ingredients

1. One serving macaroni noodles, prepared and drained

2. 1 T white wine vinegar

3. 3" chunk of daikon radish, thinly sliced

4. Small handful of cherry tomatoes, sliced

5. 1/3 cup fresh blueberries

6. Onion and garlic powders to taste

Method

1. In a medium size bowl, mix all ingredients together. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Note: tastes the best when allowed to sit for a while...the flavors mingle and the overall taste is so superior to when it is enjoyed right away. 

World's Creamiest (Vegan) Strawberry Vanilla Smoothie. Secret Ingredient Revealed!

So I was going to save this one for The Fit Vegan Ginger Cookbook...but I can't do that to you guys. I love you too much...and I love this SMOOTHIE too much! Oh my goodness gracious. Talk about delicious...this smoothie is literally so creamy you will collapse in your seat (although I hope you don't because then you might knock it over and waste the goodness...)! And you will NEVER BELIEVE my secret ingredient...are you ready for this?! CAULIFLOWER!!!! Yup, I went there. And boy--are you gonna be glad. Enjoy, darlin's 😄

    World's Creamiest Strawberry Vanilla Smoothie. 

There's a reason creamy and dreamy rhyme...

World's Creamiest Strawberry Vanilla Smoothie. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 2 cups frozen strawberries 

2. 4 oz. raw cauliflower, steamed and cooled completely (chilling in the fridge wouldn't hurt if you have the time!)

3. 15 drops vanilla flavored stevia

4. 1/2 tsp vanilla powder

5. 1 cup vanilla unsweetened almond milk 

Method 

1. In your vitamix, combine frozen strawbs, chilled

Cauli, vanilla, stevia, and milk. Blend low to high until silky smooth and luscious looking. 

2. If you can resist drinking this straight from the blender, pour into a tall glass and enjoy!

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! 

Healthified Raisin Bran Cereal.

When I was little, one of my favorite cereals of all time was raisin bran. Hotel breakfasts were a highlight of vacation because I could stock up (for FREE!) on snack size boxes of my beloved crunchy best friend. However, when I got a little older and realized how secretly UNhealthy this "health claiming" cereal is, I was shocked...and heartbroken. Now that I'm vegan, I've started getting very good at making what I peevishly call "copycat recipes": vegan makeovers of non-vegan fave foods. This is one of those such makeovers! And it couldn't be simpler. An added bonus?! High in protein, only 3 ingredients, AND grain free. Looks like someone's having a NOT SO BORING bowl of cereal in the morning :)

             Healthified Raisin Bran. 

      Crunchy. Raisin-y. YUMMMMMY!

Healthified Raisin Bran Cereal. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 1 cup TSP (textures soy protein) flakes*

2. 3 T raisins

3. 1/2 packet stevia

4. Plant based milk of choice 

Method

1. In a medium size bowl, combine tsp, raisins, and stevia. Mix well to coat with stevia. Add milk and serve! So simple and delish. 

*TSP is different than TVP. For this specific recipe, you want to make sure you use TSP FLAKES, by granules. I use NOW Foods brand (sold on Amazon). 

Green Curry Mango Sauce with Tofu and Green Cabbage.

Not quite sure where summer has run off to...its 50 degrees and raining here today! Thus, a cooked food recipe is essential to warm up! Enjoy this one--sweet and spicy with hints of tangy and salty. Basically perfect...whatever your craving at the moment! 

    Green Curry Mango Sauce with Tofu and Green Cabbage. 

Green Curry Mango Sauce with Tofu and Green Cabbage. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 1/2 cup coconut milk

2. 1 cup frozen thawed mango chunks

3. 1 T green curry paste

4. 2 tsp coconut flour

5. Dash of braggs aminos

6. Scallions for garnish

Method

1. In a small soup pot, combine coconut milk and curry paste and whisk over medium heat until mixed. 

2. Add thawed mango and braggs aminos and stir. 

3. Bring to a simmer. Simmer 5 minutes, add coconut flour, stir, reduce heat, and continue to simmer for 5-7 minutes. Sauce is done when thickened and carmelized. Serve over tofu and cabbage with Pitas or brown rice. 

Ginger Grapefruit Frosty.

Dare I say it? I think SUMMER HAS ARRIVED, guys!!!! And I am one happy little vegan :) as a mostly raw vegan, I have to admit I really struggle in the winter...I always want warm, cooked food because I'm always cold 😓 but summer?! Bring on the smoothies and nice creams! I rarely if ever cook during the summer months--it's wonderful! Food prep takes less time, AND you don't heat up the house with the oven, thus, you can get away with not turning on the AC 👌😂 

This zesty frosty is the perfect refreshing treat after a hot day like today! Enjoy. 

                Ginger Grapefruit Frosty. 

            Energizing, sweet, tangy, and lightly spicy. PERFECTION! 

Ginger Grapefuit Frosty. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. One grapefruit, frozen in sections

2. 2 tsp grated ginger

3. 1 T maple syrup or maple flavored agave nectar

4. 1-1 1/2 cups cold water

Method

1. Place frozen grapefruit sections in a strainer and briefly rinse under warm water. Place in vitamix with all ingredients and blend low to high until frothy and smooth (add water as needed). Enjoy! 

Radish Chili.

Yet ANOTHER random food creation that is so good it deserves a whole blog post! Enjoy my dinner, guys 😂👌

                     Radish Chili. 

Radish Chili. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 1 c vegetable broth

2. 1/2 cup canned pinto beans, drained and rinsed

3. 1/2 cup tvp

4. Onion and garlic powders

5. Scant 1/2 cup water

6. 1/2 cup jarred salsa, heat of choice

7. About 4 large radishes, thinly sliced

Method

1. Mix tvp with spices, water, and a dash of braggs liquid aminos. Microwave 1 1/2 minutes. 

2. Combine all ingredients in a small soup pot and bring to a boil. Reduce, simmer 10, and serve. Enjoy! 

Peach Cobbler Smoothie with Cinnamon Crumble gRAWnola.

It's the season...peaches! Aka HEAVEN in the form of a luscious little fruit. Super easy and quick to make, this nutrition packed smoothie bowl is sure to please even the non-vegans 👌 

Peach Cobbler Smoothie with Cinnamon Crumble gRAWnola. 

The whole package. YUM ALERT Y'ALL!

                   NOMMMMMMMMMS. 

Peach Cobbler Smoothie with Cinnamon Crumble gRAWnola. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 3 cups frozen sliced peaches

2. 5 oz. silken tofu

3. 1 cup cashew milk (almond works well here, too)

4. 1/2 cup raw tvp granules

5. 2 T flaxseed

6. 1/2 tsp cinnamon

7. One packet stevia

Method

1. In your vitamix, blend peaches, tofu, and milk of choice. Pour into large bowl. 

2. Mix tvp, flax, cinnamon, and stevia in a medium size bowl. Top smoothie with gRAWnola crumble and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Brownie Hummus!

Yeah, I went there. No words. Except BOMBALICIOUS DELICIOUS! Enjoy!

     Brownie Batter Hummus Dip. 

    Everything can be used as an oatmeal topper! SO GOOD!

Brownie Batter Hummus Dip! Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed

2. 2 T carob or cocoa powder

3. 2 packets stevia

4. 3 T water

Method

1. Blend it, yo. And then eat, of course! Use as desired-it's delish on oats, in a sweet Sammie, or even with veg. Yum!