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!

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!

Tuscan Spiced White "Beananini".

This is the simplest and best recipe ever. I eat one of these almost every week! They're so so good--perfect combo of plant based protein and healthy carbs...even add some spinach or other light greens before toasting and get some veggies in there too. Get creative! (I do these in sweet flavors as well...!) and as always, enjoy. :)

    Tuscan Spiced White "Beananini". 

Tuscan Spiced White "Beananini". Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 2 slices whole grain vegan bread of choice (use gluten free if needed)

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

3. 1 T water

4. 1 tsp braggs liquid aminos

5. 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning 

6. Onion and garlic powders to taste

7. Oil and sugar free marinara sauce for dipping (I use Engine 2 brand from whole foods!)

Method

1. Combine beans, spices, aminos, and water in mini food processor and blend until smooth, scraping sides as you go. 

2. Spoon out and spread onto one slice of bread. Place second slice on top. 

3. Toast sandwich over medium heated nonstick skillet for about 3 minutes per side, or until desired level of "toastiness" is reached. Serve warm with dipping sauce. 

Caramelized Red Onion Sandwich with Balsamic Cream Dip.

Ever had a craving? And I don't mean a craving for something...normal, like popcorn or nice cream. I mean a weird craving. Like a...date I say it...PREGNANCY CRAVING. And before your eyes jump out of your face, I can happily assure you that I AM DEFINITELY NOT PREGNANT. Or plan on being ANYTIME SOON. But I swear...sometimes the things I crave make me wonder. Take this little sammie into account. Really Anna?! An onion sandwich?! And yep, a delicious, caramelized, ooey-gooey luscious onion sandwich. Complete with tangy balsamic cream for dippage. Holy. 

    Caramelized Red Onion Sandwich with          Balsamic Cream Dip. 

Caramelized Red Onion Sandwich with Balsamic Cream Dip. Vegan, gluten-free option. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. Two slices vegan bread of choice (use gluten free, if needed)

2. One small red onion, sliced into thin strips

3. 3 T water

4. 2 tsp braggs aminos

5. 1/2 tsp dried thyme 

6. 5 oz. silken tofu

7. 1/8 tsp each onion and garlic powders 

8. 1 T balsamic vinegar

Method 

1. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Test the heat of your pan by adding a drop of water. If it sizzles of, congratulations: your pan is heated! 

2. Add 3 T water and aminos to pan. Toss in your sliced onions and sprinkle thyme over top. Fold continuously with spatula, adding more water if needed, until caramelized. Set aside off of heat and let cool. 

3. In your food processor, combine tofu, balsamic, and onion/garlic powders. Blend until completely smooth and creamy. Spoon into small ramekin. 

4. Place onions on top of bread, toasted if desired, and serve with cream on the side. Enjoy!

Quick Lemon Pepper Chili.

My daily lunch consists of a salad. ALWAYS and without fail! But on my days off from work--when I can actually fix lunch instead of pack lunch, I go wild. Now don't get me wrong--salads are wonderful. I love my salads...like, MEGA LOVE. But when the weather gets chillier, there's nothing more perfect than snuggling into a steaming bowl of delicious soup as you watch your favorite movie. In your pajamas and slipper socks, of course ;) enjoy guys!

           Quick Lemon Pepper Chili. 

   Now come on--HOW DELISH IS THIS?

Quick Lemon Pepper Chili. Vegan, gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 2/3 cup tvp granules

2. 2/3 cup water

3. 2 tsp braggs aminos

4. 1/8 tsp each onion and garlic powders

5. 1 cup no salt added (or low sodium) vegetable broth

6. 1 cup frozen broccoli

7. One large tomato, chopped 

8. 1/4 tsp black pepper

9. 1/2 lemon, juiced 

10. 1/2 tsp dried thyme

Method

1. This chili can be made in 10 minutes y'all. Start to finish! Ready, set, go! Okay, combine tvp with onion and garlic and mix. Add water and aminos and pop in the microwave for 2 minutes. 

2. Once cooked, scoop tvp meat into a small soup pot and add all ingredients EXCEPT TOMATO. Bring to a boil over high heat. 

3. When at a rolling boil, reduce heat to medium and add chopped tomato. Stir well and cook over low heat for 7 minutes. 

4. Pour into a large soup mug and devour. Just don't scald your mouth like I did. :P 

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. 

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! 

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. 

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. 

Chocolate. Chip. Cookies. OHHHH MYYYY GOSHHHH.

The title of this post says it all. I mean, COME ON GUYS IT'S CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES. What else is there to say?! 

            Chocolate Chip Cookies!

                    Ummmmm yeah. 

      My mouth is watering...another batch, please! 

    Chewy, chocolate-y vegan goodness!

Chocolate Chip Cookies! Vegan, gluten-free. Serves one (seriously!). 

Ingredients

1. 1/2 cup instant oatmeal 

2. One overripe mashed banana

3. 1 T raw cacao nibs (you can also use Lilly's stevia sweetened chocolate chips...these are amazing! I just didn't have any this morning 😭)

Method

1. Mash your banana in a medium size bowl. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. 

2. Using a spoon, scoop out about 2 T of "dough" at a time and form into cookies. Repeat until dough is gone. 

3. Place cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 350 F for 20 minutes. Let cool and eat! (Perfectly acceptable as a breakfast item 😄👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻)

Summer Tomato Dijon Spaghetti with Fresh Mint.

Summer is officially here, people. The temps have hit the upper 90s here in Delaware this week, and let me tell you all: I COULD NOT BE HAPPIER! Summer, to me, signifies so many things...family, fun, freedom, happiness, and last but NOT least, fresh, delicious summer produce! The lovely Roma tomato is the star of this show, dressed with a nice tangy Dijon Vinagrette and garnished with fresh mint. This quickie dinner can easily be whipped up in less than 15 minutes, which officially makes it another of my "Dinn in 10" recipes! Enjoy, guys! 

Summer Tomato and Dijon Spaghetti with Fresh Mint. 

Sweet tomatoes, tangy Dijon, refreshing spearmint...what could be better?!

Summer Tomato Dijon Spaghetti with Fresh Mint. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. One serving spaghetti noodles of choice, cooked according to package instructions and set aside. 

2. 2 T Dijon mustard

3. Pinch stevia 

4. 1-1/2 T water

5. One large Roma tomato, chopped 

6. 2 fresh spearmint leaves, chopped

Method

1. In a medium size bowl, combine prepared noodles and Roma tomato. 

2. In a small bowl, whisk Dijon, stevia, and water. Pour over pasta mixture. 

3. Serve into a small bowl and top with mint. Easy as pie! (But so much tastier and better for you!)

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! 

Blueberry and Blood Orange Smoothie Oatmeal Parfait.

This one's kind of a mouthful...but this insanely delicious breakfast of mine (enjoyed this morning, as a matter of fact!) DESERVES an epically long title! But long title does NOT mean long prep time; you can whip this bad boy up in about 15 minutes, start to finish. And this can definitely go for a lunch or snack as well as a breakfast...dinner is acceptable, too! Whenever you opt to enjoy it, I know you will! 

Blueberry and Blood Orange Smoothie Oatmeal Parfait. 

          Look at those luscious layers!

  I'm literally drooling. This was so good!

SERIOUSLY. LOOK AT THOSE COLORS. 

Blueberry and Blood Orange Smoothie Oatmeal Parfait. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 1/2 cup raw old fashioned oats

2. 5 oz. silken firm tofu

3. 2 tsp Apple cider vinegar 

4. One packet stevia

5. 1 medium size blood orange, peeled

6. 1 cup frozen blueberries

7. One scoop protein powder of choice 

8. One packet stevia (omit if protein is sweetened)

9. 2 tsp grated ginger

10. Ginger powder for garnish

Method

1. In a small trifle bowl, spread raw oats on bottom. 

2. In your food processor, blend tofu, vinegar, and stevia until smooth. Spread evenly over oats. 

3. Blend remaining ingredients in your vitamix until smooth and creamy. Spoon over Nogurt and garnish with ginger. 

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). 

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! 

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!