One of my favourite things to do with food is to transform traditionally ‘unhealthy’ food/recipes into delicious and healthy recipes that are simple to make. One recipe that I love to ‘healthify’ is fried rice. This recipe has prawns in it but it can easily be substituted with organic tofu or tempeh to make it vegan friendly.
If you are meal planning for the week or are just short on time, this recipe is effortless and tasty!
What you will need:
1 can organic corn
1 can organic peas
1 can organic corn/carrots/beans
2 cups scented rice
4 cups filtered water
3 cloves of garlic
1 red onion
1 package of cooked prawns (or 1 block of tofu)
1/3 cup hoisin sauce
Hot sauce (if desired)
4 tbsp coconut aminos
3 tbsp gluten-free soy sauce
1 tsp turmeric
Sea salt (to taste)
3-4 Tbsp Sesame Oil
Step 1:
In a rice cooker, add 4 cups of water and 2 cups of rice. Set to cook.
Step 2:
Open all of the canned vegetables and pour them into a strainer and let it sit so all of the water is removed.
Step 3:
Remove prawns from the package and let sit in a large bowl of warm water for 4-5 minutes until they become soft. Remove the tails if needed. Drain water and pat them to dry.
Step 4:
In a wok, add sesame oil, garlic and onion. Let simmer until they are soft. Add your sauces and spices: hoisin, hot sauce, turmeric, salt, coconut aminos and soy sauce. Stir well.
Step 5:
Add cooked and canned veggies to the wok and stir so the sauce is evenly distributed. Add the shrimp.
Step 6:
By this time the rice should be ready. Once all of the ingredients are in the wok, add the rice and mix it very well.
Step 7:
Remove from heat, taste to your liking (you may want to add salt or more sauce, depending on what you personally like.) Eat and enjoy!
Organic Veggie Leek Soup
Cold temperatures call for warm comfort food. Not all comfort food is unhealthy, one of my favourite meals to make during the winter season is a hearty veggie soup. This one is a favourite because of the bold flavours and simplicity of the recipe.
If you're looking for a recipe that is simple, healthy and delicious, this one is for you!
Step 1: Add 1 TBSP of coconut oil to a large pot set on low-medium heat.
Step 2: Chop 3 Leeks and add to coconut oil in pot, stir.
Step 3: Chop carrots and celery (half a bag of organic rainbow carrots) and 1 bunch of organic celery. Add to pot of leeks.
Add your favourite seasonings: I used SPIKE (a seasoning that is a mix of herbs and salt), along with some freshly cracked organic pepper and a dash of hot sauce.
Once all of your veggies are in the pot, and the spices are mixed in, simply add 2 cartons of sodium-free vegetable stock and let simmer on low for approximately 30-45 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
If you want to create a heartier soup, I like to add chunky sweet potatoes, rice noodles or chopped butternut squash. Root vegetables are a great addition to this soup!
Simmer until cooked. Eat and enjoy! xoxo JMH
Healthified Chocolate Chip Cookies (Vegan & Gluten-Free)
I'm always on the hunt for healthy food that tastes incredible. Eating healthy isn't just about eating twigs and dirt (which many people assume). There are many ways to make delicious, nutritious food.
That being said, on Saturday night I had a major sweet tooth and was feeling under the weather...so naturally I felt like baking something. I searched online for "healthy treat" recipes that I could make, but most of them included ingredients that I had sensitivities to, or were full of sugar. I gave up my quest to find a recipe, and headed to Loblaws grocery store to create my own!
After searching meticulously through the 'gluten-free' isle, I stumbled on this clean and healthified chocolate chip cookie mix:
After reading the ingredients and being surprisingly impressed, I decided to embark on my healthy baking adventure. The instructions recommended adding 1 egg and half a stick (1/2 c) of butter into the mixture before baking. Being very sensitive to eggs and dairy, I swapped it out for Earth Balance vegan 'butter' and replaced 1 egg with 3 tbsp of water mixed into 1 tbsp ground flaxseed. After mixing all the ingredients together and baking them, I was beyond satisfied. These cookies were so tender and chewy on the inside with a little crunch on the outside.
If you're looking for a recipe that will satisfy that sweet tooth and won't leave your tummy upset, check out my recipe below:
You will need:
1 whole package Bobs Red Mill Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
1 Tbsp Ground Flaxseed
6 Tbsp water (3 to mix with flax, 3 to add to mix)
1/2 C Earth Balance Vegan Butter
*optional* 2-3 drops stevia (if you like your cookies extra sweet)
Directions: (Heat oven to BAKE @ 375)
1. Place chocolate chip cookie mix into large bowl
2. Mix 1 Tbsp Flax with 3 Tbsp water and mix until thick
3. Melt or soften 1/2 c vegan butter and add to flax mixture
4. Add flax mixture and vegan butter to the dry cookie mixture and begin to stir
5. Add 3 tbsp water to the bowl and mix with hands until it forms a cookie dough
Add scoops of dough with a large spoon to a oven tray with non-stick baking sheet paper.
This will make 24 small cookies or 18 medium size cookies (depending on how you like them).
Bake for 10-13 minute, or until brown.
Let cool for 5 minutes and enjoy these delicious cookies alongside your favorite glass of non-dairy milk alternative like almond/cashew or coconut milk!
xoxo JMH
My Healthy Take on: 'Chinese Fried Rice'
Picture this: it's Friday night and you're craving a salty and sweet mix of delightful Chinese food, but you don't want the added MSG, high sodium or calories. Well... this receipe is your dream come true! Packed with flavor and nutrients, this 'Chinese fried rice' inspired dish will keep you feeling satiated and pleased. The best part is: you most likely already have all the ingredients in your kitchen!
You will need:
- 1 can preservative-free carrots and peas
- 1 can sweet corn (sodium free)
- Organic quinoa
- 2 bouillon cubes (I used beef but feel free to use veggie or chicken)
- 1/2 red onion
- 3 organic eggs
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Braggs soy seasoning (optional)
- Pepper (to taste)
Directions:
Boil water with bouillon cubes and add desired amount of quinoa (it's usually a 2:1 water to quinoa ratio).
On a separate pan, lightly fry scrambled eggs until almost-well done. After placing eggs in a small bowl, use that same pan (with olive oil added) and add diced onion. Cook onions until they are caramelized.
When the quinoa is finished cooking, let it rest for 10 minutes with the lid on. Once the 10 minutes has passed, stir quinoa until it is fluffy. Add cooked eggs, sauteed onion and drained carrots/peas/corn from the can.
Stir all ingredients together. Add 1-2 tablespoons of Braggs Amino Seasoning along with a dash of pepper.
Eat, share and enjoy this delicious and easy-to-make recipe!
*To make this recipe vegan, omit the eggs for diced tempeh or tofu, and cook quinoa in a veggie-broth!*
xoxo JMH
Rainforest Coconut Protein Bites
Move over granola bars... these bites are made with the highest quality ingredients and are loaded with nutrition and impeccable taste!
Ingredients:
1 cup organic wheat-free rolled oats
3/4 cup rainforest nut butter with coconut (Nut to You Nut Butter Inc)
2/3 cup vanilla protein powder
1/2 cup organic canadian maple syrup
1 tbsp chia seeds
1/4 tsp organic vanilla extract
1/2 cup organic shredded coconut
pinch of sea salt
Directions:
Add all ingredients to a bowl and mash with your hands, roll into bite-size balls and finish off by rolling the balls in a bowl of shredded coconut for a decorative and tasty finish!
Morning Grind Power Coffee
Ingredients:
1.5 cups organic fair-trade coffee
1 tsp grass-fed butter
1 tsp mct oil
dash of stevia
dash of cinnamon
Instructions:
Brew or french-press coffee and add to blender with listed ingredients. Blend on medium for approximately 8-10 seconds, until a creamy caramel-colour consistency appears.
This recipe can be made as a pre-workout drink, or in place of your morning/afternoon coffee, to provide sustained energy and balanced blood sugar levels.
Pour, sip and enjoy!
JMH Cookie Dough Protein Bites
Ingredients:
1 cup organic wheat-free rolled oats
2/3 cup vanilla protein powder
1/3 cup organic canadian maple syrup
1 tbsp chia seeds
3/4 cup organic peanut butter
1/2 cup Krisda sugar-free chocolate chips
1/2 tsp organic vanilla extract
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to bowl and mix with hands! Roll into bites, and store in the fridge or freezer. Finger-licking during clean-up is encouraged...enjoy! ;)
Pre-workout Energy Bar Recipe
Need a quick bite before you run out the door? Make a batch of Pre-Workout Energy Bars to store in your freezer!
Ingredients
- 10 dates
- 2 tsp coconut oil
- 3 Tbsp shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup crystallized ginger
- Sea Salt, to taste
Preparation
- Place ingredients into food processor and process for 30-45 seconds.
- Shape into bars and place in shredded coconut and lightly dust with sea salt.
- Place into the freezer for a chewy and delicious bite anytime!
Written by: Jessica Morris
Originally posted on: www.myvega.com
Glorious Green Smoothie
Do you crave a taste of the topics, but still want to maintain a glorious, nutrient-packed green smoothie? This recipe is a sweet and fresh way to start your day! Don’t let the green color fool you, this recipe will leave your taste buds wanting more of the tropics without buying a plane ticket!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup coconut water (coconut milk may be used as an alternative)
- 1 cup frozen pineapple
- 1 handful baby spinach
- 1 Tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 serving Vega Protein Smoothie Viva Vanilla
Preparation
- Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until creamy smooth.
- If you desire a lighter consistency add more coconut water or coconut milk!
Written by: Jessica Morris
Originally posted on: www.myvega.com
PB&J Concord Grape Smoothie Recipe
A new twist on a classic favorite! Try this mouth-watering, satisfying smoothie that will bring back childhood memories. This nutrient dense smoothie may taste like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich but is gluten-free and full of plant-power!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 banana
- ¾ cup Concord grapes
- 1 Tbsp peanut butter
- 1 serving Vega One Nutritional Shake Natural
Preparation
- Combine all the ingredients in a high speed blender (liquids first).
- Blend until smooth.
Written by: Jessica Morris
Originally published on: www.myvega.com
Cake Batter (Dairy-Free) Milkshake Recipe
Have your cake and eat it too! This smoothie is a healthy indulgence that tastes just like cake batter. Celebrate your birthday every day with this nutrient-dense delicious treat!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- ½ cup vegan vanilla coconut ice cream
- 2-3 cubes of ice
- 1 serving Vega One French Vanilla
- 1 tsp cashew butter
- Naturally colored sprinkles
- Unsweetened shredded coconut
Preparation
- Blend all ingredients (except for sprinkles and shredded coconut) in blender.
- Top smoothie with shredded coconut and sprinkles.
- Serve and enjoy!
Written by: Jessica Morris
Originally published on: www.myvega.com
