Jen & Dave's Big Ass Salad
I love salads, but hate seeing boring salads at restaurants. You know, the ones that literally look like rabbit food? Not only do they not hold much nutritional content, but they are boring and often won't be something you lunge at to eat. Dave and I have been enjoying salads together for years, and this is one that keeps up happy and full for a long time. 




Ingredients: Makes 4 servings
4 cups baby spinach 
1 medium-large sweet potato
1 avocado 
1c uncooked quinoa
1/2 cucumber
1/2c pepper
1c broccoli 

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400. Cut sweet potatoes in 1 inch cubes, toss with a little oil and add seasonings (I like garlic, pepper and salt) Cook for 25-30 minutes, checking occasionally. 
2. Cook quinoa as directed on box. 
3. Cut up cucumber, pepper, broccoli, avocado as desired and divide into bowls with spinach
4. Divide quinoa and sweet potatoes into bowls
5. Store in fridge until ready to eat. 
6. We use Green Goddess dressing, feel free to choice your own!

Nutrition: per serving
Calories: 262
Fat: 8
Carbs: 40
Protein: 9
Fiber: 8
​Sugar: 2

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 :)

Ingredients: ( Makes 4 servings)
-1 Box Explore Cuisine black bean pasta
-1 of each: green pepper, red pepper, yellow pepper
-Grape tomatoes to your liking
-Dash of salt and garlic to your liking 

Directions: 
-Chop peppers and tomatoes to your preferred size 
-Saute peppers, tomatoes, garlic and salt on a pan medium heat for 8-10 minutes
-Cook 1 box of black bean pasta in boiling water for 5-8 minutes
-Drain pasta and add pepper medley
-Enjoy!

Nutrition: (per serving)
Calories: 495
Protein: 33g
Carbs:72g
Fat:8g
​

Who doesn't like pizza? Adults love pizza, kids love pizza.. it's a win win. Even more so that this recipe is extremely healthy, quick, and costs WAY less than a pizza chain. This takes just about 15 minutes to make.. so get to it!

Ingredients for single pizza:
1 flat out pita  ( or any whole wheat pita ~100 calories)
1 cup of your favorite veggies (I like broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, onions)
1/2 cup all natural tomato sauce 
1/3 cup favorite cheese (mozzarella for traditional pizza taste or feta to be daring!) 
3/4 cup favorite protein (this is optional, I don't put protein on my pizza)
TSP olive oil

Directions: 1.Set oven to 375 degrees and spray cookie sheet cooking spray. Once at temp, put pits on pan and pop in oven. Cook for ONLY 3 minutes. 
2. Remove and top with TSP olive oil, spices (I like garlic) and  WHATEVER your little heart desires! I had the toppings above but you can put ANYTHING on this and it will taste amazing. Once you have everything layered, put back in and bake for 10 minutes. Keep an eye on this, I like my pizza a little crispy. If you add meat or chicken I do recommend cooking it first as 10 minutes isn't a long time for meat. 

3.Cut into pieces and enjoy!

21 Day Fix Containers:
1 Yellow
1 Green
1/2 Purple 
1 Blue
1 TSP
1 Red ( if protein used)

This recipe is extremely easy to prepare, and delicious as well. It can be made in larger quantities for families, or put into single serve tupperware for lunch. 
Ingredients: 
4 cups baby spinach 
1 cup sliced cucumber
1 cup shaved carrots 
4 hard boiled eggs 
12 ounces chicken 
1 cup shredded cheese (optional) 
A tad balsamic dressing 

Directions:
Cut cucumbers, shred or cut carrots, cook chicken, boil eggs. Add all ingredients together and enjoy! This recipe is for 4 servings for a 4 family dinner or for 4 on the go meals. Without the dressing added in until ready to eat this will stay good in the fridge for a few days. 

21 Day Fix Containers:
1.5 Green
1.5 Red
1 Blue 

Ingredients: 
1 apple 
Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 200 F
2. Core the apple and use a paring knife to slice into very slim slices. 
3. Prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper
4. Lay the apple slices on the parchment paper and sprinkle with cinnamon
5. Cook for 40 minutes, flip and cook for another 40 minutes. 
6. Since this makes only one serving, prepare more than one apple at a time for on the go snacks. 

Containers:
1 Purple