Healthy Banana Bread with Pecans and Granola

Okay guys, here's another banana bread recipe I whipped up this weekend, and I mean..you can never have enough healthy banana bread recipes in your arsenal of healthy baking! This time I used pecans annnnnnd granola! Vanilla chai veganic granola at that!

serving size: one loaf (i believe I used my 8 x 5 inch pan?)

What you need:

• 1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/3 cup melted coconut oil
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 eggs
• 2 large bananas, mashed
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup of rice milk depending on how thick your dough is 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 handful chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup your favorite granola (I used a veganic vanilla chai)

What you need to do:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix all dry ingredients together in a medium bowl.
3. In a large bowl, mix your liquids, then whisk eggs and mashed bananas into mixture.
4. Add dry into wet and stir until combined
5. Fold in chopped pecans, saving a couple to top your bread with
6. Pour into greased loaf tin and top with all the granola and leftover pecans chunks
7. Bake for an hour or until top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean
8. Let cool and then enjoy because this bread is delicious!

Spicy Avocado Cream Sauce and Buffalo Turkey Balls

If you love all things spicy, this is the meal for you! I threw this on top of some zoodles, but it would go awesome with any type of pasta, gluten free pasta or any type of veggie noodles really!

serving size: 15-18 turkey balls and I'd say about a cupish of sauce!

What you need (turkey balls):

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1/4 cup flour (I used almond)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/4 cup minced celery
• 1/4 cup minced carrot
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup hot sauce 
• 1 green onion, chopped

What you need to do:

1. Preheat oven to 400
2. Prepare a large baking tray
3. In a large bowl, add all ingredients together
4. Mix well, until everything is combined (easiest to use your hands!)
5. Form mixture into meatballs! I got 17 medium sized ones
6. Place on baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes (longer the bigger the balls are)
7. Turn oven to broil and broil those suckers for 1 minute
8. Remove and coat in hot sauce and green onion
9. Enjoy!

What you need (avocado sauce):

• 1 large, ripe avocado
• 1/4 cup unsweetened milk (I used coconut since I had some open)
• half of a large jalapeno, seeded
• 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon dehydrated onion (or onion powder)
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley

What you need to do:

1. Add all ingredients into food processor and process until smooth
2. Top on any and everything! pasta..fish..taco. seriously, anything!

Spicy Jambalaya

If you need an easy weeknight meal, I got chuuuu. This was very flavorful and you can definitely make this in a slow cooker or InstantPot to make your life easier. I also had to add in some extra water to this for the leftovers, just an FYI. The rice soaks up a lot of the sauce.

serving size: a lot. I filled almost 2 quart sized Tupperware's with leftovers!

What you need:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 pieces of chicken sausage, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 1 jalapemo, diced (can use less if you don't like it really spicy)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes in oil
• 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups rice (I used Jasmine)
• 4 cups unsalted chicken stock
• 1/2 cup tomatoe and pepper stock (Pacific Foods makes a great one)
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons hot sauce
• salt and pepper
• chopped cilantro

What you need to do:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or pan over medium high heat.
2. Add in chicken sausage and onions and cook for 5 ish minutes.
3. Add in garlic, celery and diced jalapeno and cook for 5 more minutes.
4. Add in your can of tomatoes and sun dried tomatoes and cook 2 minutes
5. Throw the stocks in and along with the rice and then add in all the rest of the ingedients minus the cilantro.
6. Bring to a boil then reduce heat, cover and simmer for around 20 minutes or until your rice is cooked.
7. Once done, add in your chopped cilantro and stir.
8. All done! Let's eat

Stuffed Pizza Peppers

New twist on a classic. I think I'm gonna keep going with this and make different kinds of stuffed peppers..maybe a chicken and veggie combo or an Asian inspired stuffed pepper...hmm. Anyways, super quick, easy, healthy and delicious!

serving size: 4 peppers!

What you need:

• 4 bell peppers
• a medium sized onion, diced
• 2 large handfuls of fresh spinach
• 1 pound ground turkey (or chicken or beef)
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/2 cup chopped turkey pepperoni
• 1 can diced tomatoes (no salt if you can)
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce (or pasta)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• optional toppings* cheese! I put mozzarella on Sean's peppers and Kite Hill chive cream cheese on mine (it was a game changer, I promise!) I also added leftover quinoa to the bottom of my pan and poured remaining mixture all over, then set my peppers on top

What you need to do:

1. Fill a large pot with water and boil
2. Cut the tops off your peppers and gut the insides of the ribs and seeds
3. Once the water is boiling, set peppers in and boil for about 5-8 minutes or until tender, remove and drain
4. Preheat over to 350 degrees
5. Heat your avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 
6. Once hot add in your onions and saute 3-5 minutes, then add in your garlic and cook til fragrant, 1 extra minute.
7. Dump your ground turkey in and cook til browned, about 8-10 minutes
8. Next, add in your tomatoes and your sauce, and all your seasonings and stir to combine
9. Add in spinach, turn the heat down and simmer everything for about 10 more minutes
10. Grab an oven safe baking dish, add your peppers to the dish and fill with mixture
11. Top with whatever you'd like then bake for 15 minutes!
12. Eat 'em up cause they are so so good

Quick Sweet Potato Noodle "Nests" with an Egg Inside

Quick, healthy, filling breakfast idea here, guys. All you need is a couple ingredients for this recipe and you're good to go!

Serving size: probably a lot of nests..I only made one and I'm using the leftover "noodles" in a recipe for this week!

What you need:

• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 1 teaspoon dehydrated onion (can use fresh, I'm just lazy)
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic 
• 1 egg
• 1 handful sweet potato noodles
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Hemp seeds
• Optional* paprika, salt, garlic salt, sriracha, crushed red pepper flakes, hemp seeds

What you need to do:

1. Heat your oil over medium heat on your stovetop
2. Add in garlic and onions and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute
3. Add in your sweet potato noodles and cook for about 6 minutes or until tender 
4. Form a hole in the middle of your noodles and crack an egg inside the hole
5. Cook for about 2 minutes 
6. Then, add in a splash of water and cover your egg for an additional 1-2 minutes or until desired doness of egg. (I like mine dippy!)
7. You're done! Top with any optional toppings and enjoy

Sweet and Spicy Instant Pot Chicken Bowl

I made this in my instant pot and it was SO EASY. And probably took 30 minutes all together. Spicy, flavorful and the chicken is so tender and delicious. Plus it's good for you too. I made a homemade quick slaw too that was the perfect pairing with the spicy chicken.

serving size: 4

What you need for the chicken:

• 1.5 pounds chicken breast
• 1 cup carrot, diced
• 1-2 bell peppers, sliced
• 1/2 cup liquid amino's
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 1/4 cup of honey
• 2 tablespoons of garlic chili paste
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch to help thicken sauce
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• *extras: green onion, sesame seed, hemp seeds, peanuts, sriracha

What you need for the quick pickled cabbage:

• 1/2 cup cole slaw mix
• 1/2 red onion, sliced
• 1/2 cup red cabbage, sliced
• 1/2 cup apple cider finger
• 1 teaspoon coconut sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon minced dehydrated onion

What you need to do:

1. Prepare your pickled cabbage first and let sit in the refrigerator, the longer the better!
2. Place all ingredients in instant pot and place chicken on top
3. Stir around to coat chicken
4. Turn on high pressure and cook 10 minutes
5. One the timer goes off, use the quick release valve to release pressure
6. Once done, saute an extra 3-10 minutes depending on the thickness of the sauce
7. Assemble your bowls and top with extras!

Mediterranean Chickpea and Tuna Salad

This is one of the tastiest, easiest, quickest dinners to make on a weeknight when you don't have much time AND it's great as leftovers for the remainder of the week.

serving size: this bowl

What you need:

• 1 can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 2 cans of tuna, drained
• 3 tablespoons avocado oil
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
• 1/2 cup red onion, diced
• 1/2 cup cole slaw mix
• 1/2 cup cilantro or parsley, fresh
• 1/2 avocado, diced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• optional add in's capers, bell peppers, olives, nuts..anything really!

What you need to do:

1. Toss all the veggies and tuna in a bowl and mix well
2. Add in olive oil lemon juice and spices
3. Serve over salad, on a sandwich, or stuffed inside a pita

Baked Beet Falafels

Okay, I like beets now..it's a thing. I also love falafel's so why not mix the two? You get an incredible color from these and they're delicious. This was my lunch today, I just broke the falafel up on a Flatout wrap, added some kale, crunchy cole slaw mix, bell peppers, cucumber and topped with a little bit of Drew's Organics peppercorn ranch dressing. So good! I wish I would have gotten a better picture of the whole falafel! Oh wellll.....let's make 'em!

serving size: 12 falafels

What you need:

• 1 can of chickpeas
• 2 medium sized cooked beets, diced
• 1-2 teaspoons minced garlic
• little bit of avocado oil
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1/4 cup oats
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 1/2 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
• handful of parsley

What you need to do:

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
3. Honestly, I threw all of the ingredients in my food processor and processed! That easy
4. Form into 12 balls and smoosh them down on the parchment paper
5. Bake for 15 minutes, then flip and bake 15 more minutes
6. Remove from oven and enjoy!

Paleo Apple Pumpkin Spiced Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips and Walnuts

Welp, my whole house smells amazing right now because of this bread. I had a couple old, really brown, scary looking banana's so I knew it was bread time! This bread is paleo, gluten free and refined sugar free!

serving size: 1 loaf

What you need:

• 3 very ripe banana's, mashed
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 maple syrup (I used the Maple Guild's cinnamon infused syrup)
• 1/2 nut butter of choice (I did a cashew/almond mix)
• 1/3 cup coconut flour
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• pinch of ground cardamom
• pinch of sea salt
• Optional Toppings: Dairy free, chocolate chips, pecans, walnuts, banana slices...

What you need to do:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Grease a loaf tin
3. Combine banana's, eggs, maple syrup and nut butter until smooth and very little chunks.
4. Combine flour, spices, baking soda and powder and salt
5. Pour dry ingredients into wet and stir well 
6. Top with any additional toppings you want
7. Bake for 50 minutes
8. Enjoy!

Lightened Up Veggie Pasta Alfredo

This was mighty tasty with minimal ingredients and more green veggies than you can imagine! I adapted this from the new Cooking Light magazine but of course changed a couple things around! I didn't want to use cream cheese so started researching what would be a good substitute. I was just gonna sub Greek yogurt for it but a couple places in Internet world we're saying neufchatel..what the fuck is that? Lower calorie cream type cheese! So, I grabbed that and threw it in and it was so creamy and delicious! Was very happy with how this turned out.

serving size:6-8 servings

What you need:

• 1/2 - 1 box of whole wheat pasta
• 1 pound green veggies (I used asparagus, snap peas and green beans)
• 1 1/4 cup low fat milk (could use unsweetened almond milk here)
• 1 teaspoon whole wheat flour
• 3 ounces neufchatel cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon minced onion

What you need to do:

1. Fill a large pot up with 5 quarts of water
2. Bring to a boil, add veggies and cook 4 minutes
3. Using a slotted spoon place cooked veggies in a colander to strain excess water
4. Add your pasta to the boiling veggie water and cook according to package directions
5. Mix your milk and flour together
6. After pasta is cooked, drain and reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water
7. To the same pot, add in your tablespoon of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of minced onion and minced garlic
8. Saute for about 30 seconds
9. Then add in your milk mixture and cook for about a minute until thickened slightly
10. Next, add in your cheese and cook until its melted
11. Add in your pasta, veggies and reserved water, stir to coat everything
12. Enjoy! I added some goat cheese but it would be great with Parmesan cheese too

Deconstructed Vegan Stuffed Pepper Bowl

This came together quite quickly which was really awesome, cause I was running late getting home today and then on top of being late, I got pulled over!! Sheesh. That already cubed tofu really came through for me though, wooo. You can obviously use meat with this recipe, I woulda preferred turkey but I only had tofu on hand and it still came out delicious.

Serving size: A lot. I also made a beef/rice version for Sean so there was tons

What you need:

• 1 block of cubed tofu/any kinda protein you want (I'd use a pound of ground meat)
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• little more than half a cup of tomato sauce
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup quinoa
• Extras* baby bell peppers, scallions, hot sauce, cheese, greens

What you need to do:

1. Drain tofu and squash out all excess water for about 20 minutes
2. Meanwhile, make your quinoa
3. Heat a large skillet with olive oil over medium heat
4. Once heated, add tofu cubes and cook 8 ish minutes or until they start to brown
5. Add in onion and cook 2-3 minutes then add in your garlic and stir til fragrant, about 1 minute
6. Next, add in your bell pepper, crushed red pepper, salt and pepper and cook for about 5 minutes
7. Add in your tomato sauce and Worcestershire sauce and cook 3 more minutes or until all your ingredients are incorporated
8. You're done, assemble your bowls!
9. Top with allllll the toppings

Vegan Beet Sauce with Quinoa Pasta and Spinach

I was inspired to make this after seeing someone I follow on instagram do a beet pasta sauce. I am definitely just starting to like beets, like..I despised them a month ago but here we are! And I mean, the pasta is freaking pink! How could you not love it? Anyways, I've been giving beets a shot ever since Valentine's day dinner. I had a beet salad with my meal and it was so so so good. So, here's me, tryin' to like beets with this awesome pasta dish! Enjoy

serving size: I was only working with 8 ounces of dry pasta so my serving size was 4

What you need:

• 2 cooked beets (I used Love Beets already cooked beets cause I'm lazy)
• olive oil
• salt and pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 cup veggie broth (chicken works here to, just won't be vegan)
• 1/2 cup boiled cashews
• 4 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• one yellow onion, chopped
• frozen spinach
• salt and pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 box of pasta (I used Andean Dream's quinoa shells)

What you need to do:

1. Boil your water for your pasta
2. Add 1/2 tablespoon olive oil to a separate pan and heat over medium high heat
3. Add your beets, veggie broth, drizzle of olive oil, pinch of salt and pepper, garlic and onion powder, cashews and nutritional yeast to a blender (not food processor!!!)
4. Blend until creamy
5. Once your pan with the olive oil is heated through, cook onions for about 6 minutes then add in your spinach and garlic and cook til warm/not frozen
6. Drain your pasta and add to your spinach/onion mixture
7. Throw your sauce on top of the pasta and cook for about 3 minutes, until warmed and flavors are blended together
8. Viola, you're done!
9. Top with vegan cheese, green onions or whatever your heart desires
10. Eat, eat, eat

Paleo Seed Bread

THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS I'VE EVER MADE! And I'm already thinking of all the different ways you can make this! Takes awhile to bake, but man oh man, is it worth it! I cut mine up after 5 minutes and grabbed a slice and topped with ghee and it was delicious! Great gluten free and nut free bread for someone with allergies! 

serving size: one loaf of bread

What you need:

• 1 1/4 cups almond flour (I used Pereg's)
• 6 eggs (can sub flax eggs to make this bread vegan)
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (if you're making a more savory bread, otherwise just use 1/3 cup coconut oil)
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 4 tablespoons cassava flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
• optional toppings: pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, poppy seeds, pepitas...

What you need to do:

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Grease a loaf tin. Mine was 9x5 I think
3. Mix both flours, salt, seasonings, baking soda, and flaxseed meal
4. In separate bowl, mix eggs, oil and vinegar
5. Add the wet ingredients into the dry, mixing thoroughly
6. Add your mix into greased pan and add any additional toppings
7. Cover and bake for 20 ish minutes
8. Uncover and bake for 20 minutes more
9. Slice and eat quickly as it's SO GOOD warm!

Easy Ground Chicken Lettuce Wrap

I LOVE LETTUCE WRAPS! These are really versatile (like, you can even use tofu or turkey as the "meat") and you can customize with your fav veggies! (think: chopped cabbage, peppers, bean sprouts...) This took me maybe 30 minutes from start to finish, so great weeknight dinner. Let's goooo

serving size: varies. I used butter lettuce and I'd say it makes around 16 wraps

What you need for the sauce:

Head of lettuce! I used butter lettuce, so they were smaller

• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 5 tablespoons liquid aminos (can sub for tamari or soy sauce, I used Bragg's)
• 1 tablespoon Gochujang (chili garlic paste)
• 1-2 tablespoons lime juice (I used 1)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder

What you need for the stuffing:

• 1 pound lean, ground chicken
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil (I used Whole Food's brand)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon minced dried onions
• pinch of chili pepper flakes (I used Mother in Law's)
• pinch of black pepper
• 1 large scallion, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped unsalted cashews
• 1 large carrot, grated or chopped
• 1/2 cup frozen edamame
• 1 can sliced water chestnuts
• optional: cilantro, sesame seeds, extra cashews for topping

What you need to do:

1. If using frozen edamame, I recommend throwing them in a bowl and heating them in your microwave to thaw them
2. Add all sauce ingredients to a bowl and whisk well, until honey is incorporated. Set aside
3. Heat toasted sesame oil in large skillet over medium high heat. 
4. Add in your ground chicken and spices. Cook until browned, about 10 minutes. 
5. Throw in your cashews and cook 3 minutes.
6. Next, add your sauce in and cook 2 minutes
7. Lastly, throw in your veggies and cook 1-2 minutes or until heated
8. Assemble lettuce wraps and enjoy!

Vegan Red Velvet Cupcakes

I made these for Valentine's day but really they're delicious any time of the year. Mine didn't turn out as red as I woulda liked and I think it's because I used actual beets instead of a beet powder but not sure. I definitely want to make these again with the powder and see how they turn out.

Serving size: 12 muffins

What you need:

• 2 cooked beets
• 1 cup sweetened or unsweetened almond milk
• 3/4 cup coconut sugar
• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup whole wheat flour + 1 tablespoon
• 1/2 cup of cacao powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• salt

What you need to do:

1. Preheat over to 375 
2. Grease a muffin tin
3. Puree your beets in a food processor 
4. Whisk together almond milk and lemon juice
5. Add in sugar, coconut oil, vanilla extract and beets
6. In a separate bowl add the flour, cacao powder, baking soda and salt and mix together
7. Mix the wet with the dry ingredients
8. Add your mix to the greased muffin tray
9. Bake around 23 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean
10. Let cool around 10ish minutes
11. You can make a quick icing out of confectioners sugar and water! (I used Swerve's confectioners sugar!)
12. YUMMMMM

Whole Wheat Vegan Lemon Chia Berry Donuts

These are so good! And seriously satisfying if you love lemon poppy seed because these taste pretty darn close. These can also be muffins if you don't have a donut tray.

Serving size: This made 12 muffins and 6 mini muffins....

What you need:

• 2 cups flour (I like King Arthur's whole wheat)
• 3 tablespoons chia seeds
• 3/4 cup coconut sugar (I use Wholesome)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 cups nut milk (I used almond)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• zest of one medium sized lemon
• 1 cup frozen berries

What you need to do:

1. Preheat your oven to 400
2. Grease your tray
3. Add all the dry ingredients first. Flour, chia seeds, coconut sugar, baking powder. Mix well
4. Next add in your milk, vanilla and lemon zest. Stir well then fold in frozen berries.
5. Be sure not to add too much donut mixture to your baking tray as these expand.
6. Bake 15 minutes or until tops are browned slightly.
7. Let cool for 10 minutes then enjoy!

Wild Caught Salmon with a Pesto Coconut Milk Sauce

I really just threw this together in about 20 minutes and it was SO GOOD. Minimal ingredients, minimal chopping (!) it's a great, quick weeknight meal. Checkkkk checkkkk it out below!

Serving size: 2 fillets of salmon

What you need:

• Wild caught salmon, 2 fillets
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil (can sub olive or avocado, I used Nutiva's that's magically always liquid)
• salt and pepper
• half an onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/2 cup coconut milk (I used unsweetened)
• 1/3 cup stock (I used chicken)
• 2 cups packed spinach
• 2 tablespoons pesto (I used my homemade spinach/pine nut/nutritional yeast pesto)
• pinch of dried basil 

What you need to do:

1. Dump in your coconut oil
2. Pat your fillets dry
3. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and dried basil
4. Once oil is hot, place your fillets in and cook 4 ish minutes each side
5. Remove fillets then add your chopped up garlic and onions
6. Cook about 2 minutes, don't burn the garlic! Keep stirring it
7. Add in your broth and pesto and cook another 2 minutes
8. Dump in your coconut milk and spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes
9. Place your fillets back in the pan and simmer for about 3-4 minutes
10. Woah, you're done. Eat it up! 
11. Would be great with a side of grains

Vegan Butternut Squash Pasta with Fried Sage

I am definitely your number one pasta fan, along with all the unhealthy sauces, fats and cheeses that go along with pasta dishes. When I bought my first butternut squash, I was like "what the hell do I do with this thing?" That's where this recipe comes in. Satisfies my pasta craving (hello, whole wheat pasta) and my cream craving (this sauce is amazing). AND, I really truly think I like butternut squash MORE than sweet potatoes..and I fucking lovvvvvve sweet potatoes! Yum, here's the recipe and what you'll need!

serving size: You could probably stretch this sauce using a whole box of pasta, I did a half box so mine was extra saucy/creamy. all depends on your preference!

What you need:

• I used 8 ish ounces of whole wheat pasta (could also sub in GF pasta, like Banza or something from Explore Cuisine!)
• 1 small to medium sized butternut squash, gutted and cubed
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 cups veggie broth (I've also made with chicken, but then it's not vegan..duh)
• crushed red pepper, as much or as little as you like
• salt
• pepper
• Parmesan cheese for topping

What you need to do:

1. Heat a skillet with your olive oil in it over medium/high heat
2. Add your fresh sage and cook 5 minutes or until your sage is crispy
3. Scoop out sage and set aside
4. Add your butternut squash, onion and crushed red pepper to the already hot oil
5. Cook about 8 minutes, then add your crushed garlic, being careful not to burn
6. Cook garlic until fragrant, maybe an additional minute
7. Add your broth to the skillet, bring to a simmer than lower your heat slightly
8. Let simmer for 25 minutes
9. Make your pasta at this time according to package directions, reserving half a cup of pasta water
10. Once your squash is mushy, remove mixture, add to a blender and blend on low 
11. Pour mixture over pasta, add reserved pasta water to thin sauce out 
12. Top with fried sage, some cheese, salt and pepper!
13. Yum, eat!

Paleo Lemon Donuts

If you like sweets, and you like easy, then this recipe is for you! These took one bowl, minimal cleanup, hardly any time, but they DO NOT disappoint in taste! They're also paleo friendly, gluten free and refined sugar free. 

Serving size: 8 donuts, I added waaay too much batter so probably could make all 12. Not sure how many muffins this could make..12?

What you need:

• 1 tablespoon oil (I used Nutiva's coconut oil)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (I used a mix of both, could sub agave for veg/vegan)
• 3 eggs (can sub flax eggs for veg/vegan)
• 1/2 cup milk (I used almond milk)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• lemon zest of 1/2 a fresh lemon
• 1/4 cup cassava flour (I used Otto's) 
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• powdered sugar for sprinkling on top (I recommend Swerve's confectioners "sugar")

What you need to do:

1. Preheat oven to 350 ℉.
2. Mix together oil, vanilla, sticky sweetener, eggs, milk, lemon juice, lemon zest until combined.
3. Add in your cassava and coconut flour and baking soda
4. Grease up your donut/muffin tin
5. Fill halfway, as these rise quite a bit!
6. Bake for 20 minutes
7. Remove from oven and let sit
8. Sprinkle with powdered sugar
9. Enjoy!

Vegan Bang Bang Tofu Bowl

I love Bang Bang shrimp and this version is made a smidge healthier using tofu, vegan mayo, and I mix my panko with whole wheat breadcrumbs for the coating! These bowls are super versatile, as in you can literally customize this with anything! I am a bit low on quinoa at the moment, so I opted for farro and then I added some veggies I had on hand. Keep in mind, if you aren't vegan or veg, or just don't like the taste/texture of tofu, this breading will work with chicken also. (and shrimp, duh) I am definitely an "add a pinch of this and a splash of that kinda gal" so I'm gonna try real hard with these measurements here! Anyway, here I present to you my healthy, Vegan Bang Bang tofu bowl recipe!

What you'll need:

For the tofu:

• 1 package firm or extra firm tofu (cubed)
• 1/4 cup vegan mayo (I like the brand Just)
• 2 tablespoons Sriracha (more/less depending on preference) 
• 1 teaspoon seasoned rice vinegar
• 1/2 cup or more flour (I used whole wheat from King Arthur)
• 1/2 cup or more Panko bread crumbs 
• 1/2 cup* or more whole wheat breadcrumbs (I grabbed mine from Whole Foods) *optional
• Water (add bit by bit til you get a batter consistency)
• 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder

For the rest of the bowl:

• 1/2 cup uncooked and rinsed grains (I used farro, quinoa would be awesome here too!)
• 1 ish cup of veggies (I used up my carrots and kale and some edamame, this is where this recipe is fun because you can use ANYTHING and customize it to your liking)
• 1-2 teaspoons soy Sauce or tamari (I used Bragg's Liquid Amino's cause it's delicious and better for you)
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• more sriracha!

What you need to do:

1. Press out liquid from tofu. This is important! I place multiple paper towels on the tofu then set my heavy marble cutting board on top for at least 30 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 450℉.
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Cut your tofu into cubes.
5. Mix your flour, spices and water until you get a batter like consistency. 
6. Toss tofu in batter, than transfer to your panko/breadcrumb mixture
7. Roll tofu cubes in mixture.
8. Place tofu cubes on baking sheet, evenly spread out. I had to use two sheets.
9. Place in oven for 40 ish minutes, it's a good idea to flip them halfway through, so they brown and crisp up evenly.
10. Make your bang bang sauce! In a medium bowl combine, sriracha, rice vinegar, and vegan mayo, whisking well.
11. While the tofu is cooking, make your grains, following package directions.
12. When the tofu is done, add tofu to sauce mixture and toss to coat evenly.
13. Add your sesame oil to a small frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add in your veggies, soy sauce (or alternative) and sriracha. Could also add in a little honey!
14. Cook until veggies are tender.
15. Assemble that bowl!
16. Top with more sriracha, sesame seeds, chopped spring onion, whatever!
17. You're done! Enjoy!

Be sure to check out my instagram for all my recipes first!