Vegan Chickpea Patties

     Do you try to do a few meatless meals a week?  If so, or even if not, this is one to add into the rotation. And definitely serve this vegan main up with a few more vegetables for a complete meal.  Each Pattie is only 137 calories, 22.7g carbs, 4.3g carbs, 18.4g net carbs, 7.9g protein and 1.3g fat.  And, I also think, if you haven’t tried an animal free walk around the block, you just should…why not!?

Ingredients for 10 Patties~

1 cup dried Garbanzo Beans (sub with 2 cans)

1 cup/6oz diced Carrots

1 diced Red Bell Pepper

1/2 cup Nutritional Yeast

1 cup Oats

1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard

1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic

Seasoning as desired

     Add Beans to bowl, cover with water overnight, in the morning, drain, add to pot, cover with water and simmer 2 hours, or sub with 2 drained cans.  Cool, add to food processor along with remaining ingredients, grind til well blended, chill for an hour, divide into 10 equal parts, bake on parchment line cookie sheet at 400 for 45 minutes, flip half way.  Enjoy  ;)

Raspberry Oat Bars

     Do you like simple?  Do you like delicious?  Do you like lighter fare?  If so, I have some exciting news!  My Raspberry Oat Bars can be thrown together in about 10 minutes, plus baking time.  This Vegan treat is only 339 calories, 53g carbs, 14g fiber, 39g net carbs, 11.3g protein and 11.5g fat.  Did I mention these are HUGE portions, each serving is a fourth of a 7X11 pan, but feel free to make smaller servings if desired.  Also, I like to heat mine up and pour a little cold Almond Milk over the top, taking it to the next level!  Don’t let this one pass you by, you have too much to lose!  ;)

Ingredients for 4 servings~

2 medium ripe Bananas

2 cups Oats (I don’t use Quick Cooking, but feel if you wish)

2 cups 30 cal/cup Almond Milk

1/4 cup ground Flax Seed

12oz fresh Raspberries

1 Tablespoon sliced Almonds

     Add mashed Bananas, Oats, Almond Milk, and Flax to bowl, stir til well combined, then gently fold in most of Raspberries, reserve extra to sprinkle on top.  Pour mixture into parchment lined 7X11, and top with remaining Raspberries, bake at 350 for 40 minutes, remove from oven and sprinkle with Almonds.  As an extra treat, add warm serving to bowl and pour a little extra Almond Milk on top (not included in macros).  Enjoy  ;)

Cauliflower Porridge

     Ok I’m about to get kinda crazy on you here…Cauliflower for dessert…how did that land on your ears!?  Simple to make, wild to eat.  In fact, it’s so weird you just have to try it…at least once.  It was definitely a unique flavor that grew on me with each bite, more like an experience than a meal.  Each of the 4 servings are only 302 calories, 56.3g carbs, 12.7g fiber, 43.6g net carbs, 9.5g protein and 8.1g fat.  So if you are feeling wacky, give this baby a try, I’d love to know what you think!!!  ;)

Ingredients for 4 large servings (each serving is 2 1/4 cups)~

2 pounds/8 cups Riced Cauliflower (I bought mine pre riced in the freezer aisle)

10oz bag shredded Carrots

4 medium ripe Bananas

32oz carton of 30 cal/cup Almond Milk

1 pound fresh Strawberries

1/4 cup chopped Walnuts

     Add Cauliflower, Carrots, Bananas, and Almond Milk to pot, bring to boil, reduce to simmer 20 minutes, longer if you like a softer Cauliflower Rice.  Divide into 4 equal portions, 2 1/4 cups each, top each serving with 4oz Strawberries and 1 Tablespoon chopped Nuts.  Enjoy  :)

Meat Loaf Sheet Pan Dinner

     Raise you hand if you like the idea of your meal all in one pan!?  Spare yourself, I already know the answer…. “Nobody like” extra clean up or prep work quite frankly.  This hearty meal weighs in at 390 calories, 41g carbs, 8.5g fiber, 32.5g net carbs, 31.5g protein and 11g fat.  Did you catch that protein number!?  #Powerhouse  If you want to reduce the carbs, then switch the Potatoes for another non starch vegetable.  Each serving includes 1/2 pound of Meatloaf, 4oz of Potato and 4oz Brussels.  Try this tonight, and don’t delay, this will soon be on your favorites list!!!

Ingredients for 4 servings~

1 pound 96% lean Ground Beef

2 Extra Large Eggs

1/2 cup Oats

1 chopped small Onion

1 chopped Green Bell Pepper

1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic

Seasoning as desired

Topping as desired (I used 1 teaspoon G Hughes Sugar Free Barbecue Sauce on each)~macros included

2 teaspoons Olive Oil

1 pound diced Sweet or White Potato

1 pound cleaned and trimmed Brussels Sprouts

Sliced Carrots as desired (not included in macros)

Diced Purple Onion as desired (not included in macros)

     Add Beef, Eggs, Onion, Bell Pepper, Garlic and desired Seasonings to bowl, mix well with hands, divide into 4 equal portions (mine were 1/2 pound each).  Meanwhile toss Potatoes with 1 teaspoon Oil, repeat with Brussels, spread on parchment lined cookie sheet, cover Meat Loafs with desired topping, bake at 375 for one hour, stir vegetables half way thru.  Enjoy  :)

Quinoa Porridge

     Are you trying to go sugar free, yet still have a hankering for lighter fare to fill your belly at times!?  Whelp, I have a great option to meet your needs, all guilt free AND GOOD FOR YOU!!!  Try out my sugar free, vegan, dairy free Quinoa Porridge for breakfast, snack or dessert…or hey, even for lunch!  We don’t discriminate!!!  Each of the six 1 1/2 cup servings are only 343 calories, 58g carbs, 10g fiber, 48g net carbs, 10.4g protein, and 11.2g fat.  Watch how easy this comes together, then satisfies all those high notes with each and every bite!!!  ;)

Ingredients for 6 servings~

1 1/2 cup Quinoa

4 cups 30 cal/cup Almond Milk

10oz bag of shredded Carrots

2 medium ripe Bananas

2 chopped Fuji Apples (sub with favorite)

1/2 cup ground Flax Seed

1/4 cup crushed Walnuts

     Add all ingredients to pot, except Walnuts, stir together and simmer for 30 minutes, when finished stir in Walnuts.  Divide into six 1 1/2 cup portions, if desired  serve with additional Almond Milk poured on top (not included in macros).  Enjoy ;)

Easter Egg Quiche

     You know what’s nice!?… starting a sugar filled day with a solid non sweet foundation.  Here’s the perfect option for Easter morning, or quite frankly any day of the year.  This pairs nicely with fresh fruit, and preps the stage for whatever lays ahead as the day unfolds.  The macros for each of these 8 servings are only 175 calories, 16g carbs, 3.3g fiber, 12.7g net carbs, 14g protein and 6g fat.  So, if you are wanting flavor, filling and fantastic in each and every bite, this one is for you! 

Ingredients for 8 servings~

1/2 Tablespoon Olive Oil (optional if you prefer to water sauté)

1 chopped Onion

1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic

Dash Cayenne (optional)

8oz fresh sliced Mushrooms

12 Extra Large Eggs

1 pound chopped small Red Potatoes

1 1/2 cups/4oz fresh Asparagus tops

1 cup diced Artichoke Hearts

1 diced Red Bell Pepper

3/4 cup Coconut, Almond or Oat Milk

Season as desired

     Add Oil to skillet, along with Onions, Garlic and Cayenne til lightly golden, then add Mushrooms to finish til deeply golden and and Mushrooms are cooked thru.  Meanwhile, beat the Eggs in mixing bowl, then stir in Potatoes, Asparagus, Artichokes and Bell Pepper.  Stir Milk into Onion mixture til thoroughly combined, then fold into Egg mixture.  Pour into parchment lined or cooking sprayed 9X13 pan, bake at 375 for one hour.  Season as desired.  Enjoy :)

Cashew Dressing

     I don’t mind a dry salad, but what’s even better is discovering the beautiful world of a healthy Dressing, especially my Cashew Dressing.  To make things even more spectacular are the macros, there are nine 2 Tablespoon servings that are only 50 calories, 2.5g carbs, .2g fiber, 2.3g net carbs, 1.3g protein and 3.5g fat.  I don’t know about you, but I think 2 Tablespoons goes a long way, AND so much flavor with this liquid gold.  I love this not only on my Greens, but on my roasted vegetables as well.  I am sure you can come up with many more idea, but the most important is just to give this a try, you won’t regret it!

Ingredients for 9 servings~

1/2 cup Cashews

1/2 cup Water

1/4 cup Lemon Juice

2 Tablespoons Mustard (I use Golden)

1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic

1 Tablespoon Cumin

     Add all ingredients to blender or Magic Bullet, soak for an hour, blend til smooth, store in fridge.  Enjoy  :)