This has been one of my favorite means for a long time. Dave and I started buying pre-made veggie burgers in the frozen food aisle and I soon realized that I could create a veggie burger for less money and with more nutrient dense options. It takes a little bit, but the end result is super worth it! Plus, you can make a lot at one time and save them for later use. Note: they're crazy filling, don't make our mistake and eat two at one time!

Makes: 8 servings

Ingredients:
2 medium sized sweet potatoes
1 cup quinoa 
1 can black beans 
Garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste

Directions: 
1. Heat oven to 400 degrees
2. Peel and cut sweet potatoes in half. Place on baking sheet and cook until tender, about 30 minutes. 
3. Cook quinoa as directed on box (Cook 2c water and 1c quinoa until boiling then let simmer until done.)
4. Drain and wash black beans and place into large bowl. 
5. When sweet potatoes are done, place into blender or mash with fork. 
6. Place sweet potato, black beans, quinoa and spices in bowl and mix. 
7. Form into 8 patties (about a well rounded 1/2 cup), place onto baking sheet and cook another 5-10 minutes. 
8. Serve how you wish and enjoy!

For a more BBQ-y feel and taste, put patty on tinfoil on grill for a few minutes, feel free to add BBQ sauce!
​
At home I serve on a big salad or on an ezekiel bun with avocado. Mmmmmm

Nutrition for just patty:
Calories: 143
Fat: 1.5
Carbs: 28.8
Protein: 6.3

With bun and 1/2 avocado:
Calories: 443
Fat: 15
Carbs: 69
​Protein: 16

Oh ya.... they're delicious. And super healthy! 
​Makes: 4
Ingredients:
4 thick carrots
2 TBS soy sauce (or Bragg liquid aminos if vegan)
1/4 TSP onion powder chopped onions to taste
1/4 TSP garlic powder or to taste
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425 and line baking pan with parchment paper
2. Peel carrots. If you'd like a real hot dog look, round the edges
3. In a bowl, mix together soy sauce or liquid aminos, onion powder, and garlic powder. Let carrots marinate while oven heats up. 
4. Transfer to baking pan and let bake for 35 minutes or until tender. Every 5 minutes re-marinate with mixture .
5. Remove from oven, add favorite toppings and serve!

(I used an ezekiel bread roll, and ketchup)

Nutrition of just hotdog:
Calories: 47
Fat: 0
Carbs: 10
Protein: 3

With roll:
Calories: 217
Fat: 1.5
Carbs: 44
​Protein: 12

It's been a little over a month since Dave and I went vegan. It's been easy, but we haven't run into any social situations yet (I know, we're losers). This weekend my sister comes home from Oman where she has lived/worked the last year. So, the family is having a BBQ. This is our first true test of; can we be in a social setting and not come off as those people who bring their own food to parties (insert eye-roll). I decided to take this as an opportunity to create some plant-based party/BBQ foods that are healthy and enjoyable for all!
First, I thought about the foods commonly at BBQ's.
-Hot dogs
-Burgers
-Kabobs
-Salad
-Fruits
-Chips 
-Deserts
-Finger foods

If I'm missing anything it's because I don't frequent BBQ's often (again, we're losers). 
So, please check out each of the recipes I've made. Even if you're not vegan, these are all great plant based foods that are super healthy and friendly to all, I hope :)