Great way to get some GREENS!

This is a great recipe from Meg Wolff.  Check out her website at www.megwolff.com.

CRAZY FOR COLLARDS 1 bunch of collard greens, washed and sliced into thin ribbons 2-3 cloves garlic, minced (or try the organic, already chopped garlic) 2 carrots, thinly sliced on the diagonal 1/2 bulb of fennel, thinly sliced 1 summer squash, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin, unrefined is best) 1-2 teaspoons soy sauce (I like Eden brand) Put carrots and fennel a large skillet with olive oil (I use cast-iron or stainless steel) on high. Saute 2-3 minutes. Add greens and summer squash, then soy sauce, and saute another 4-5 minutes or until slightly wilted, but not colorless. Voila! Yummy.

Muffin in a Mug in a Minute

So, when I went to see my naturopath today, she had a recipe to give out.  It looks AWESOME!  I'm so excited to try it!

This recipe originally used an egg.  When experimenting using egg replacer--the results were poor to say the least!  So, instead, I tried using flax seed meal for egg replacer.  Add the the mug first before everything else and let it gel up. 

So, first combine 1 Tbsp flax seed meal with 3 Tbsp water.  Mix together and let it sit for a minute or two to thicken.
   Then add:
1/4 c. Flax seed meal (Bob's Red Mill from any grocery store)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 pkg sweetner (maybe Truvia)

Mix together in a coffee mug and then add 1 tsp of melted earth balance.  Cook on high in microwave for 1 minute.  Shake out onto a plate and cut.  Add more earth balance if desired.

Add 1 tsp dark chocolate cocoa powder, 1 Tbsp of water, a few chopped up nuts, another pkg of sweetner and just a few chocolate chips for a chocolate muffin.  Or add whatever you want to the base to make a banana nut muffin or any other flavor you choose.  Just make sure you use the 4 ingredients and build from that.  Very good and very good for you!

Vegan, grain free brownies

I got this recipe from http://www.thespunkycoconut.com/.  She has some great recipes, so check it out.  I have her recipe book as well.  Of course, not all of the recipes are vegan, so look around.  But, they are dairy free,  sugar free and gluten free!

Vegan, Grain-free Brownies:

Whip with an electric mixer:
1/2 cup applesauce + 2 tbsp of water
1/4 tsp guar gum

Add to mixture:

1/2 tsp baking powder (Grain-free Baking Powder Recipe)
1/2 tsp baking soda

1 cup almond butter

1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp chocolate raspberry liquid stevia

1/4 cup coconut sugar

1/4 cup + 3 tbsp cocoa powder

1/4 cup dairy-free chocolate chips. (I use Enjoy Life. I like them because they're mini.)

1/4 cup walnut pieces

Beat with electric mixer.

Scoop into a square greased cake pan.

Spread it out with wet hands or a spatula  

Bake at 325 degrees, for about 30 minutes.

WOW! What a smoothie!

So, there's this restaurant I LOVE in Whitefish that is Gluten free and has many vegan choices.  They have a to-die-for smoothie and guess what!! They posted the recipe in a local magazine!  ALRIGHT!!  So, here goes.....

Liquid Gold Smoothie

1 frozen banana
1 tsp maca
1 tsp ground flax
1 tsp bee pollen
1 Tbsp raw almond butter
2 Tbsp chai protein hemp powder
1/4 c. ice
10-12 oz. hemp milk

Packed with healthy ingredients--and TASTES SO GOOD!

Red & White Quinoa

Quinoa is really high in protein and makes a great side dish!

Red & White Quinoa
1/2 cup red quinoa (I used Alter Eco Fair Trade brand)
1/2 cup of regular "white" quinoa (I like the organic TruRoots brand)
2 cups of spring or filtered water
Pinch of sea salt
Add quinoa to a pot, and water to cover. Rub the quinoa between the palms of your hands to rinse off the slightly bitter natural coating. Drain the water and refill with new cooking water.
Bring to a boil on high, add a pinch of salt, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

Going on a date with a vegan

So, it's always a little challenging when someone asks me out on a date and they want to go out to eat.  I have to tell them I am vegan (and explain what the heck that means!) and suggest some choices where we might go.  Most guys don't really understand anything about being vegan.  If the guy is a big eater, sometimes he is challenged with getting full when he's used to a huge steak, potato and salad and we go to an oriental restaurant!

So, this weekend I have a date with a guy who wanted to make dinner at his place. He wants to have me come and cook with him.  He says he's eaten tofu before and liked it.  He suggested that we make tofu stir fry.  Most of the people I meet haven't the foggiest idea how to make tofu.  I mean there's a disgusting way for sure!  I know how it tastes good.  So, I'll let you know how it goes!!  At least he's willing to go to all the effort and willing to try it out himself!

No Bake Chocolate Coconut Oatmeal Cookies

Sometimes I have the need for something sweet and delicious and chocolate-y!  These really hit the spot!

 Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup organic sugar or coconut sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa
• 1/4 – 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 1 1/2 cups oats
• 1/4 cup natural peanut butter or coconut peanut butter
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut


Directions:

Combine sugar, cocoa, coconut oil and milk in a saucepan. On medium heat, bring to a boil. Once mixture has reached a rolling boil, boil for exactly 1 minute.

Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter and oatmeal. Also stir in shredded coconut if using.

Drop by spoonful onto wax paper. Let cool for at least 30 minutes (place in refrigerator after cooled at room temperature for faster firming). The cookies will become more firm as they sit longer.

Makes approximately 24 cookies, depending on size. Store in refrigerator.
Preparation Time: 15 minutes