Recipe: High Cruciferous Vegetable Stew

east to liveA little sun shining on my stew… It’s like God himself is pleased with this healthy dish! Another good one from the Eat To Live book.

Serves 10 (Yep! That’s going to be a lot of leftovers for us. But, I like do have extra for quick dinners during the week)

INGREDIENTS:

4 cups of water [we did 5 cups]
2 1/2 cups carrot juice
1/2 cup dried split peas
1/2 cup dried lentils
1/2 cup adzuki beans, soaked overnight, or no- or low-salt canned adzuki beans, drained and rinsed [we used one whole can]
1 bunch of kale, tough stems and center ribs removed and leaves coarsely chopped [we used half bunch]
1 bunch of collard greens, tough stems and center ribs removed and leaves coarsely chopped [we used half bunch]
1 head broccoli, cut into florets
8 ounces fresh or frozen Brussels sprouts, cut in half if large [we didn’t have any, so used 1/2 head of cauliflower cut into pieces]
8 ounces shiitake mushrooms, cut in half [we didn’t include, I don’t like mushrooms]
10 ounces celery sticks, cut into 1-inch pieces [we used 8 stalks, diced]
3 leeks, coarsely chopped
3 carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
3 parsnips, cut into 1-inch pieces [we didn’t have]
3 medium onions, diced
4 medium zucchini, cubed [we used 2 zucchini and 2 yellow crook neck squash]
4 cloves garlic, chopped, or 2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 (28-ounce) can chopped tomatoes, no-salt-added or low-sodium
1/4 cup Dr. Fuhrman’s VegiZest or other no-salt seasoning [we used 1/3 cup no-salt seasoning]
2 tablespoons Mrs. Dash [we didn’t use]
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 cup broccoli sprouts (optional) [we didn’t use]

DIRECTIONS:

Place all the ingredients except the parsley and sprouts in a large soup pot. Cover and bring to a simmer, cooking until the adzuki beans are tender, about 1 1/2 hours. (If using canned adzuki beans, simmer until the vegetables, lentils and split peas are tender and the flavors blend, about 1 hour.) In a food processor or high-powered blender, blend one-quarter of the soup until smooth. Return to the soup pot and stir in the parsley and broccoli sprouts (if using).

 

Restaurant Review: Harvest Restaurant – Utah

harvestBusiness lunch, so chose to meet at Harvest Restaurant at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. Consistently seeking vegan dishes, I was planning to have a bland salad, so was pleasantly surprised to find a grilled veggie sizzling platter. Left off the goat cheese and artisan bread. It was a great lunch!

Restaurant Review: Oasis Cafe – Utah

One thing I love about friends who live in another county, is the exposure to new restaurants.

Marilyn suggested that we meet at Oasis Cafe in Salt Lake for our dinner date. Yeah! An organic, vegetarian, local spot. We sat in their patio area, enjoying the mild night breeze and giggled like school girls. I love girls-night-out.

We started off with the zucchini wrapped baked tofu in marinara sauce. Holy cow was this good! I would’ve had two of them, but need to remember to order without the parmesan cheese next time. You gotta try it!

oasis2

Marilyn had the famous Mediterranean Salad with grilled salmon. I snagged one of her grilled potato slices. This vegetarian salad could easily be vegan with omitting the meat and vinaigrette dressing. Looked amazing though and Marilyn says it’s her favorite.

 

I enjoyed the Udon Noodles with tofu. This vegan dish was really tasty with fresh crisp veggies (gave Marilyn the mushrooms). The peanut sauce was amazing! I think peanuts are God’s way of telling us He loves us. I wish the noodles were whole wheat, or preferably rice, but were quite yummy.oasis2a

oasis2b

Thanks, Oasis for a great dinner! I’ll be back… maybe try the Med salad vegan style.

 

 

 

Vegan lifestyle tip: Wraps

Knowing that there are times I don’t want to cook, I make sure to keep my kitchen stocked with things that are fast and easy to make.

Wraps are one of my favorite ways to eat quickly, but healthy. Helping me to stay true to my vegan way of eating.

In this wrap, I reheated some left over yellow squash and zucchini stir fry, with salsa, spiked sour cream, and guacamole. Fold up the end and roll the sides together… It’s almost like eating a Mexican burrito, but lighter and healthier.

vegan wrapsThe trick is to have ingredients on hand and ready to go all the time, including:

  • Guacamole
  • Fresh salsa
  • Spiked sour cream
  • Left over cooked veggies
  • Ezekiel Bread wraps (LOVE these)

Look in your fridge and make sure that you have ingredients to be used in multiple different dishes. I promise, it’ll make your life easier! Plus, you’ll be more inclined to eat healthy because you’ll have yummy stuff ready to go!

Recipe: Apple Pecan Quinoa

apple quinaServes 8

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups red quinoa
1 apple small dice
1/2 cup chopped pecan
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup currants
1 avocado cubed

DIRECTIONS:
Prepare quinoa using directions on the package. Allow to cool on the counter top for 1-2 hours. Mix together all the other ingredients and add in the cooled quinoa. Serve as a stand alone dish, or on bed of lettuce with drizzle of your favorite dressing. We served on red leaf lettuce and Walnut Cinnamon Dressing.

Recipe: Walnut Cinnamon Dressing

Created this dressing off the cuff because we needed something to add to the Apple Pecan Quinoa salad.

Yields about 2 cups

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup walnuts
2 tablespoon cinnamon
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon no-salt seasoning
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup pomegranate juice

DIRECTIONS:

Blend all ingredients together in a high-powered blender until smooth and creamy. Add extra water if necessary. Chill until ready to serve.

Note: We used this dressing with the Apple Pecan Quinoa salad.

Recipe: Fruit and Granola

Breakfast yumminess. This was really refreshing, yet filling way to start the day.

Serves 1

INGREDIENTS:
1 banana sliced
1 kiwi sliced
1/4 cup raspberries
2 tablespoons dried tart cherries
1/4 cup granola

DIRECTIONS:
Put all ingredients in bowl and pour 3 tablespoons unstrained almond milk on top. Serve immediately.

Restaurant Review: The Wild Grape

wild grape 2
Business lunch in downtown Salt Lake area, so I invited my guest to join me at The Wild Grape. She hadn’t been before, so that was a nice bonus!

Pamela enjoyed the Beet Salad with side of grilled salmon. Love how the yellow beets are so bright and springy! She really liked the meal.

I enjoyed theGrape Salad. Their signature salad normally has an awesome honey vinaigrette, but to keep it vegan, I requested lemons instead. They provided me with steamed asparagus and broccoli rabe with garlic. This was a great vegan meal – hooray for another business lunch spot that meets my vegan preferences!


wild grape

British folk love their chips, so Pamela tried a side of fries. I had a few… the salt and oil just about caused a coughing fit, but soooo good.

 

Recipe: Black cherry chocolate ice cream with raspberries

black cherryA creamy, rich dessert. Will satisfy any sweet tooth.

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS:
12 cashews
1 cup frozen black cherries
1/4 soy milk
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
4 medjool dates pitted
Fresh raspberries

DIRECTIONS:
In a high powered blender, combine all ingredients – except raspberries – and blend. Sprinkle raspberries on top and serve immediately.

Recipe: Chocolate peanut butter green smoothie

chocolate smoothieThis smoothie is almost like eating a peanut butter cup, but it’s actually good for you!

Serves 2 (28 ounce servings)

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups frozen blueberries
3 medjool dates, pitted
1 banana
1 cup soy milk
1 tablespoon flax meal
2 tablespoons natural peanut butter
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
5 ounces spinach
2 large stalks of Swiss chard
10 pieces of ice

Blend together in high powered blender and enjoy immediately. Or freeze and enjoy another day when needed (betcha can’t wait that long though!).