pumpkin pie protein shake

This is the most delicious shake that I have had in a while! I have been on a protein shake kick trying to get this body ready for all of the holiday grubbing that is likely to occur in the upcoming months. One of my favorite things about the holidays are those yummy drinks that pop up at Starbucks and Coffee Bean. Yes, those sugary, caramely, and spicy concoctions that call for an extra workout if you choose to indulge.  But why do that to ourselves? Instead make this healthy version that adds fiber and protein to your day. . .

1 cup coconut milk or almond milk // 4oz pumpkin puree // 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice // 1 tblsp raw pecans // 2 scoops vanilla protein powder // 1 scoop fiber // ice

ENJOY!! XOXO

vegan broccoli slaw in the raw

This is SO quick + easy there really is no reason why you wouldn't whip up a batch of this delicious slaw! It is like vitamins in a bowl! I made the ginger dressing out of a few things that I had in my pantry. Don't worry, there will be some left over to save for future veggie dipping. Our broccoli slaw is the perfect snack or meal on the go. . . simple and pure.

GINGER DRESSING

•  3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root
• 3/4 cup olive oil
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 cup water

In a mason jar or bowl, combine the garlic, ginger, olive oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, and water. Cover the jar with a tight fitting lid, and shake well. Remove lid, and heat jar in the microwave for 1 minute just to dissolve the honey. Let cool, and shake well before serving. Store covered in the refrigerator. 

BROCCOLI SLAW

• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 bag of broccoli slaw
• 4 tblsp ginger dressing
• 1/2 cup raw slivered almonds

Mix together the bag of broccoli slaw, chopped bell pepper, and slivered almonds in a bowl. Toss with ginger dressing. Best served chilled!

recipe // vegan chickpea salad

Step 1 // chop the following organic veggies

romaine lettuce, cucumber, red bell pepper, avocado, tomatoes, chickpeas

Step 2 // layer on crumbled falafel + pita chips

Step 3 // toss with Goddess salad dressing from Trader Joes

Enjoy!!

magical morning shake

With memorial day right around the corner, we are determined to have the healthiest and most heavenly bodies possible! Let's start with a recipe for the most important meal of the day. This magical morning shake is full of fiber, protein, and yumminess to keep you full for hours. Whether you go to school, work full time,  or chase kids around all day, it is important to wake your body up correctly. If you are looking for a something to begin your day with lasting energy, that can help you lose weight, and can help in the fight against heart disease and other anxiety-inducing diseases, drink this shake!! It is pretty darn delicious too. . .

here is what you need:

1 banana

1 cup almond milk (or whatever kind of milk that you like)

a handful of raw almonds

1/4 cooked oatmeal (we used organic, plain, gluten-free instant rolled oats)

a sprinkle of cinnamon

1 scoop of ground flaxseed

1 cup of ice

optional: add fresh organic fruit like strawberries or blueberries, and hey throw in a spoon full of almond butter too!!

enjoy!!

cinco de mayo salsa

Get ready!! Our family has been making this fresh, homemade salsa for years and it has become a staple in our fiesta dinner extravaganza!! We love our mexican food and this just completes us on so many levels. Perfect for creating a massive vegan burrito as well as the ultimate dip for your chips. Get creative with this recipe because we promise you that it is the best way to get your 5 servings of veggies!! All you need to do is chop the following organic veggies + mix:

4 roma tomatoes, 1 red onion, 1 tomatillo, 2 jalapeno peppers, 2 cups fresh corn, 1/2 cup cilantro, 2 avocados. Sprinkle a little sea salt+pepper and go to town!! P.S. Tequila and chips required. . .

{how cute is our dad's hand dipping the first chip??}

Here is the mega vegan burrito made with our salsa, spicy black bean spread (from Trader Joes) and some lettuce shreds!! YUM!! What will you create with this salsa?

morning energy snacks

Pinterest is the new black. . .  everyone is pinning, repinning, liking, searching, and getting inspired by this never ending magical site. Here is a quick little recipe for the healthiest, vegan, no flour, no sugar, morning snack ball of energy that we have ever made. . . check out some of our other favorite pinterest recipes here and here!

 1.5 cups of oats

 2-3 super ripened bananas

1 cup of unsweetened applesauce

a handful of craisins

a sprinkle of cinnamon

a handful of raw sunflower seeds

 Mix everything together and throw it on a baking sheet at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes!!

vegan spicy sushi rolls

Sushi is one of our families favorite indulgences. . . so we decided to step up to the challenge of creating our own vegetable rolls. We had been warned, and we were nervous, but we knew we could do it! We pulled out our patience pom-poms and got twirling. With the help of a little Hall and Oats Radio, we were zen masters in no time!  

makes 4 rolls

1/4 cup vegan mayonnaise

1 tablespoon of sriracha

4 sheets of nori

3 cups prepared sushi rice

1 avocado, peeled, pitted, sliced

1/2 cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and sliced

1/2 carrot, julienned

steamed asparagus

soy sauce

wasabi

pickled ginger

you also need:

bamboo sushi mat

secret heart spicy sauce

In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise with the sriracha. 

Taste and add more if you like it hot and spicy! 

sushi rolls

Place your bamboo sushi mat on a clean surface, with the sticks of the mat parallel to you. Place a sheet of nori on the mat, shiny side down, shorter edge toward you. Have a shallow bowl of water nearby to save you from a hot sticky mess! Dampen your hands in the water, use your fingers to press about 2/3 cup of Sushi Rice onto the nori, covering 2/3 of the sheet leaving about a one inch border around the edge of the mat. Get creative and place your veggies in a beautiful row about 2 inches from the edge of the mat closest to you. 

Take a deep breath and go for it! Start rolling the mat with a firm grip, enclosing the fillings. Give it a squeeze and continue making a compact roll by raising the end of the mat slightly to avoid rolling it in with the nori. Once you have completely rolled your sushi let it rest for a minute or two. Grab a sharp knife and moisten the blade with some toasted sesame oil. Slice the roll into 8 pieces. 

P.S. We enjoyed ours with some Fuji Apple flavored Saki. Delicious. 

recipe adapted from skinny bitch in the kitch

superbowl sunday funday

Superbowl Sunday is the one day that we actually look forward to watching football! We love to spend the day preparing snacks that not only are delicious but healthy too. . . post game you won't be promising yourself to hit the gym for 3 hours on Monday! If you are hosting the party, write down these recipes onto fun cards and hand them out to your guests. And if you are crashing another party, bring a mason jar full of mixed nuts as a hostess gift tied with some bakers twine.

spicy mixed nuts . skinny jalapeno poppers .  baked mozarella sticks . crispy sweet potato fries

**makes about 3 cups

1 1/2 teaspoons Ener-G egg replacer

2 tablespoons warm water

1 pound roasted, salted mixed nuts

1/3 cup evaporated cane sugar

2 teaspoons sea salt

1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne powder

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg replacer and water until foamy. Add the nuts and toss to coat. Transfer the nuts to a strainer and let drain for at least 2 minutes. Meanwhile, wipe out the bowl and combine the sugar, salt, and cayenne. Add the nuts, tossing to coat. Spread the nuts in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet.

Bake for 40 minutes. Stir with spatula and spread the nuts out again. Reduce the oven to 200 degrees F and bake another 30 minutes, or until dry. The nuts will crisp as they cool to room temperature. Thoroughly cooled, they can be stored for up to one week in an airtight container.

We dare you not to eat the entire batch before the game starts. . . enjoy!!

credit: late afternoon . skinny taste. taste of home . the art of doing stuff . wildfox . decor8 . oh so beautiful paper . 

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!!