quick + easy veggie pot pie

Okay. So if you are like me, there are some nights that your belly is just craving something warm and comforting for dinner!  This recipe is super healthy, quick, and will satisfy that dreamy desire to indulge in something beyond the green salad that you have had for the past 3 nights in a row!

2 bags of Trader Joes Frozen Vegetable Melange
1 pie crust

3/4 Cup Canned Chickpeas, Undrained, use entire can of liquid
1/8 Teaspoon Cumin
1/8 Teaspoon Coriander
1/8 Teaspoon Turmeric
1/2 Tablespoon Nutritional Yeast
1 Tablespoon Corn Starch

Prepare the 2 bags of vegetable melange according to the package. While the veggies are cooking-

in a food processor put chickpeas with liquid, cumin, coriander, turmeric, nutritional yeast and corn starch. Process until liquefied. Pour into the pot with other ingredients and remove from heat.

Preheat oven at 400 degrees.

Spray 8X8 glass casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Pour ingredients from pot into baking dish. 

Place in oven and cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until top is lightly brown.

Enjoy!!

Vegan Tip: If you want to try this vegan-style just use a regular frozen veggie mix, add some seasoning salute and a touch of olive oil. You can also make a half whole wheat crust if you have time!! Get the recipe here.

credit: trader joes ,  my vegan cookbook

sculpt me protein shake

This one tastes too good to be true! I literally drank this entire glass without removing my lips from the straw! This drink is packed with vitamins and minerals that protect against free radicals and prevent aging. Enjoy this post workout or on a daily basis! It will provide your body with essential nutrients that promote health and vitality. Don't be surprised when you start feeling a dramatic increase in energy, better looking hair, skin, and nails, and increased regularity. 

 Ummmmm, ya it's that good for you!

• 1/2 banana 
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• 1 scoop of green magma
• 1 teaspoon matcha green tea
• 20 grams protein powder
• 1 date
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 cup ice

Place all of the ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. Enjoy!! 

big fat greek quesadillas

The oufit? A classic one shouldered Halston. The setting? A magical white linen tent on the bewitching sands of Santorini. What are we serving? The most bold and delicious quesadilla that you have ever tasted. Vitamin rich organic vegetables delicately scattered on top of a whole wheat tortilla and toasted to perfection! Enjoy this savory favorite with hummus or spicy red pepper sauce. . . These are getting tagged "husband approved". As the wife of a meat lover, it is hard to pull off a vegetarian meal without complaints. I am satisfied to tell you that he was so overwhelmed with joy from these veggie filled  delights that he didn't make a peep. And the cherry on top?  These babies are just as enjoyable the next day!

Market List

8 whole wheat tortillas {substitute gluten free or wheat free for those with sensitivities}
Fresh organic spinach (about 2 cups) 
One red onion 
Jarred red peppers or sundried tomatoes 
Falafel CrumblesMozzarella cheese, shredded (a handful or so per serving)  {optional}
Feta cheese (a few tablespoons per serving)  {optional}
Fresh Oregano 
Red pepper flakes

Get to Work

1  Chop the spinach. Thinly slice the red onion and red peppers

2  On a plate, place a tortilla. Sprinkle with your desired quantities of spinach, red onion, red pepper, falafel crumbles, mozzarella, feta, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Be careful not to get carried away!

3  Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat for a few minutes. Place the loaded tortilla on the griddle and place another tortilla on top. Cook until browned on the bottom, then flip and cook until browned on the other side (a few minutes per side).

Remove the tortilla and cut into wedges with a pizza cutter. If making several quesadillas at once, you can keep them warm in a 300°F oven.

credit: a couple cooks , fashions most wanted , tourism on the edge

rainy day hair how-to

Rainy days are meant for movies, munchies, and candle lit snuggle sessions.  But if you are like us, you have to get dressed, bare the elements, and head to work! It's time to embrace the smell of the freshly sprinkled rain drops and feel the earthly love. Just wrap, tease, or braid your locks into these mystical styles.  No need to grab that umbrella. . .

STEP 1:

• make sure that your hair is dry and bed-loved

STEP 2:

• Part your hair, then tease the back section, and spray

STEP 3:

• twist the top half of your hair into a french twist, and pin in the back

STEP 4:

• secure the remaining half of your hair into a ponytail, tease, and spray

STEP 5:

• twist your ponytail into a bun, secure with pins

Run outside, give a little whistle and click your heels together. . . you're ready to go!

image credit: pretty stuff , stolen inspiration , convoy

beauties + smoothies

Here it is! The drink that started it all! This smoothie has transformed my so-called "healthy" eating habits and has given me a freshly grounded, natural, and clean outlook on food. 3 weeks ago, I was on the downward spiral of drinking 4 cups of coffee from the pot in the morning, then visiting the local baristas for my afternoon triple shot of espresso pick me up. Lucky for me, the one gift that I wanted for Christmas was a Vitamix. . . and I got it!! The following day, I began reading The Beauty Detox Solution by Kimberly Snyder and it seriously knocked my socks off! From that minute on, I began drinking her Glowing Green Smoothie. It promised to give me the energy that I was desperate to have and melt away the love-handles that decided to pop out from my pants this past year. Let me tell you. . . the sceptic that I am of diet fads I wasn't expecting too much. But I was amazed at the energy that I had and didn't even think about coffee anymore! I broke free from the espresso chains and ran wildly towards this green dancing machine. This isn't a weight loss drink, it is a high kick and drop into the splits, feel your best liquid yumminess. Try it! I promise you will feel amazing and look radiant. After you finish your first drink, your body is going to sing to the mountains and do your best booty shake, shuffle, and pose. . . (I am picturing that scene in The Sound of Music when she sings "the hills are alive")

Ingredients (64 ounces / 2-4 servings)

• 1 ½- 2 cups very cold, filtered water
• 6 cups spinach, chopped
• 5 cups organic romaine lettuce, chopped
• 2 stalks of organic celery
• 1 organic apple, cored and chopped
• 1 organic pear, cored and chopped
• 1 organic banana
• 1–2 Tbs. fresh organic lemon juice
• Optional Ingredients
• Ice cubes (the extra coldness can help newbies with the taste)
• 1/2 cup of organic cilantro
• 1/2 cup of organic parsley

Directions

Add water, spinach and chopped romaine to the blender. Starting the blender on a low speed; mix until smooth.
Gradually move to higher speeds and add the herbs, celery, pear, and apple. Add the banana and lemon juice last.

*For 1 serving, cut out one of the fruits and the celery.

credits: kimberly snyder blog , dust jacket , midwestern cliche , flickr

welcome

Hey, we are Laura and Mary. We are sisters who share a passion for family, food, and all things beautiful. 2 homebodies that love to cook healthy meals using fresh ingredients that are good for the body + soul. Growing up as dancers we have been trained to treat our bodies as a temple. We hope to reveal a way of living that inspires and nourishes.  Mystics + Mint was born to share our favorite family recipes, our cooking experiments, our curiosity of food, and our love for fashion. Join us on our journey of discovering the magic and beauty that is all around us!