Banana-Strawberry Waffles

I don't know what it is about Sundays, but I almost always wake up wanting pancakes or waffles. ESPECIALLY now that I'm pregnant, if I get something in my mind that I want to eat, I just gotta have it. Today, it was waffles. Thick, fluffy, Belgian waffles, with fresh banana and strawberry. Numnumnum. ;-)

This recipe is simple and easy to throw together on a lazy weekend morning.

Smoothietude Contest!

I love smoothies, especially when the weather starts to get warmer. They are so refreshing, and- if done right- filling, nutritious, and delicious too. Plus, they are quick and easy. I learned the great trick of using frozen banana in smoothies to help make them thick & creamy from Kathy from Healthy.Happy.Life., and when I saw her smoothietude contest, I thought I'd finally enter one of these things (especially since the prizes are awesome, including a Vitamix- I have been lusting after one for soooooo long)! The above pic is my photo entry for the contest.

I tend to keep my smoothies pretty simple, but I do love trying out new ones too. Some staples in my smoothies:

• Vega One Powders- Vanilla Chai is my fave, I think.
• Frozen banana
• Other fresh or frozen fruits
• Superfood mix-ins, such as chia seeds, maca or lucuma powder, etc... a little can really boost the nutrients you're getting!
• Almond milk &/or water for the base

The above smoothie recipe, for the contest, also uses some banana coconut "soft serve" - I simply mixed together frozen banana with some (light) coconut milk, and then re-froze it. Thawed a tiny bit, this actually makes for a surprisingly nice dessert on it's own (or even better with fresh berries!) Added to a smoothie, it adds a nice creaminess.

Wish me luck! And enjoy a smoothie ;-)

**Updates:

• I recently tried using frozen watermelon (another great recommendation from Kathy- the smoothie queen!) in my smoothies and it seriously rocks my world. My NEW fave is: frozen watermelon+coconut water+ Vega One vanilla powder (and sometimes some frozen banana too). It's incredibly delicious and so refreshing.
• I can't wait for Kathy's smoothie book:  365 Vegan Smoothies. Every smoothie of hers I've had I've loved- they are always innovative (frozen canteloupe? Yup!), delicious, and easy.
• I was nominated as a finalist for the above contest! So excited! EEK! (I would love your vote if you have a sec- trust me, I have a really, really, really good reason for needing a Vitamix- more to come on that later!!)

and PS- looking for the absolute star of my photo entry? That's my Vizsla Captain, and he has his very own blog too: It's a Vizsla Thing. He's my really, really, really ridiculously good-looking love bug ;-)

Orange Spice Chia Oatmeal

I am on some kind of crazy orange kick here. I've been craving orange like you wouldn't believe and putting it in just about everything- my water (a great refreshing way to start the day!), my farro & kale salad for dinner last night, cookies I made this weekend, and now my oatmeal too.

Random Recipe Round-Up

Here's a random array of dishes I've been whipping up in my kitchen recently:

Easy Asian meals (always a quick, healthy go-to!), pumpkin salad pizza, mini quiches, kale chips, desserts, and more.... if you are looking for vegan, healthy, and easy recipe links, ideas, quick options, and inspiration, read on!

Super Apple Salad

This simple apple salad is light and refreshing, but filling and nutritious. Crisp, slightly sweet Gala apples with a savory twist.

Smoothie & Juice "Cleanse"

Last week I tried out a 2-day mostly smoothie "cleanse." Things have gotten hectic and a little stressed, so I thought it would be a good time to reset and mix things up- literally ;-)

I did 2 days- rather than 3, or 7, or longer- because I'm a pretty active person and I didn't want to feel drained, and I didn't want to put a lot of time into planning.  I also didn't want to pay a lot for a juice cleanse through a company.  I just wanted to refresh, reboot, and refocus. I've been curious about juicing/cleansing for a while, and when I get curious about something, sooner or later, I just have to try it for myself. So when my hubby was away for work last week, I figured, what better time? While everyone else was posting about Valentine's chocolates and decadent desserts, I was doing this...

Nearly Raw Broccoli Slaw

Before I get to the other cookie recipe I made this weekend, let's have some greens, shall we?

Ok, so this technically might not be a slaw, but I just thought it had a nice ring to it ;-) This broccoli salad contains mostly raw ingredients, and just barely steamed broccoli, in a very light, slightly tangy and sweet, dressing. Barely-there dressing, but just enough to bring it all together. Crunch+sweet+fresh veggies= filling healthy meal love.

Power Energy Bites and "Super Foods"

These little bites are packed full of nutrients. Small and mighty. Easy grab & go. A little bit chocolatey, chewy, and just a hint of sweetness. Perfect for popping before a trip to the gym, a long run, or just when you need a little energy kick.

Banana Oat & Date Scones

The local bakery in our town makes amazing vegan oat scones. I was thinking of them when I woke up Sunday morning. I love baking on Sunday mornings, so I set out to make some scones this time. I  ended up making a lower fat, banana version that was lighter, and cake-ier than our bakery's - a bit more like a muffin. This is likely, at least partially, because I accidentally ended up leaving out the all-purpose flour that the recipe I was adapting from called for. Oops. I clearly needed coffee. But, the result was still delicious, and possibly even more flavorful than those bakery scones. Cinnamon spice, a hint of  banana, whole wheat goodness, wrapped in maple-dipped oats, and naturally sweetened by dates and raisins.

French Toast TWO!

This is an update from my earlier posted recipe for vegan French Toast with date compote.  Like the last version, I whipped this up in no time, and also used banana. Both recipes are incredibly easy, and trust me, you don't miss the eggs at all. But with this version, you can actually get some "eggy-looking" bits, sans any dairy products at all. This version also adds in a bit more flavor. Soft, sweet, toasty French toast. Simply made, and simply vegan.

Coconut Collards with Spiced Chickpeas

Collard greens. Not something I tend to think of as a go-to green. If anything, collard greens make me think of a greasy-spoon, down-home Southern cooking restaurant we used to go to in New York called Mama's. They aren't something I'd really go out of my way for, usually. But they do work beautifully in my black bean very veggie soup. And now, I have another great recipe they shine in: coconut collards, complemented by spiced, nutty, hearty chickpeas. A filling side dish or meal.

Citrus-Herb Maple Tofu and Arugula Salad

Maple and soy sauce marinated, sweet, herb-seasoned tofu over fresh arugula and spinach with cinnamon-nutmeg orange slices and fresh avocado. In under 30 minutes. It's a delicious big fresh flavorful salad meal!

Winter Kale Salad

I feel whole again. This was a stressful week of tons of work (and more to come), of no time for cooking exciting meals, and it left me feeling less than. But after an awesome Saturday yoga flow class, a run with my dog, (and ok a little shopping), and a giant bowl of this hearty, healthy kale salad, I felt renewed, revived, and energized. Easy to make but so, so delicious, this salad just makes you feel good. It would also make a great addition to a Thanksgiving spread.

Salad Pizza and Vegan Frozen Pizzas

Since going vegan, I probably eat less pizza than I used to; I'm totally ok with that, since I think those pizza meals have been replaced by better, healthier options. But every now and then, you do just want some pizza! Or, you need to rely on a ridiculously easy dinner option with little to no effort. At least, I do. Recently, I've found two great, vegan frozen products that make for easy and delicious pizza meals.

Above and beyond opening the box, "Salad pizzas" make a typical frozen pizza more filling by piling on tons of greens and veggies, which can also help you eat less of the pizza. Also, opting for a pre-made, whole grain crust only, or a gluten-free or vegan frozen pizza can help make those quick frozen meals healthier, since they tend to be lower in fat, sodium, and processed ingredients. Here are some of my thoughts and ideas for easy salad pizzas.

Kale & Kabocha Squash Curry Coconut Soup

This would be a perfect meal to make Sunday night, and then store and have waiting for you when you come home after a case of the Mondays; it's comforting, delicious, and tastes even better the next day. But it's also easy enough to quickly whip together after a long work day, in keeping with the theme of many of my vegan MoFo recipes.

When I saw red kabocha at the farmer's market, with a little sign that described it's sweet flavor, I knew I had to have it. I use green kabocha pretty regularly now, but hadn't tried the red variety yet. Kabocha squash is delicious roasted on its own, in curries, or in soups -like this Asian udon noodle soup- or this Fall-themed soup.

Coconut Greens and Kuri Squash

Nothing fancy here. Just another simple, easy, healthy but yummy weeknight meal to add to the mix!

Rosemary Socca with Roasted Eggplant

Since our anniversary dinner, I've been wanting to make socca at home. If you haven't ever had or heard of socca, it's just a chickpea "pancake," almost is a little like polenta in texture and consistency. Socca is simple to make, and can be varied in a bunch of ways, so it's a great addition to quick weeknight meals. Perfect for enjoying a restaurant-style dinner, right at home in your warm & cozies.

Dreamy Creamy Tofu, Pickle, and Pea Salad

Sometimes I go weeks without eating tofu. I go through phases. Beans...tofu...tempeh. And repeat. Cycling through proteins. Today, I seem to be back to tofu. I was craving a little tofu salad for lunch, so I whipped this up in a snap. Tangy and creamy but still light, and perfectly paired with some fresh greens or rolled up in a soft wrap.

Tropical Black Bean Sliders

Trust me when I say this is a recipe everyone should have. Notice how I didn't say every vegan. Or every vegetarian. Nope, everyone. I made the massive mistake of just making one batch of these suckers for our housewarming party this weekend, and if I wasn't a few drinks in, I would have been seriously concerned about an uprising. They are good, and they go in a flash. And they are MINI! Which means, not only are they tasty, they are CUTE. I love all things mini almost as much as I love all things mango. Speaking of which...

Simple Pleasures

Ok, I'm on a tomato kick. But these little cherry tomatoes looked too good to pass up at the Farmer's market. And sometimes, the best food is just plain, simple, and fresh. Uncomplicated and clean. All I did with this was cut up the fresh, juicy tomatoes, sprinkle a tiny bit of sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper, drizzle a tad of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and add the fresh chopped basil from my back yard.

Served with fresh baked bread from our local shop.

Fresh and yum! For something a little more exciting, see my vegan caprese or tomato pie.

I love simple, easy, delicious healthy food- and I LOVE sharing it with friends & family! It makes me really happy to get other people excited about healthy food... particularly if I've made it ;-)

Other simple pleasures I'm thankful for today:
Sunny days and blue sky
Cuddling with my dog
Being by the water
A scenic long run

Hope you are enjoying your weekend as well!