Easy Avocado Dressing!

This has definitely become my go to meal this summer, a salad drizzled with a creamy and zesty avocado dressing.  It's actually quite easy and quick to make! With just a few ingredients and five minutes you can enjoy it too!

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 Avocados
• 1 Lime
• 2 Garlic Cloves peeled
• 3 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt 
• 1/2 tsp Black Pepper

1.  In a small food processor or blender combine the garlic, avocado, lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. 
2. Blend ingredients together until smooth (you may need scrape down the sides with a small spatula)
   
   • You can also thin down the salad dressing with a little water to reach a desired consistency.
   
   
     Your dressing will last a few days refrigerated in a airtight container.
   
   
   My favorite way to enjoy this zesty dressing is drizzled over a salad with a few Gardein Seven Grain Crispy Tenders. (as pictured above) 
   
   
   Enjoy!

Homemade Fruit & Veggie Washes!

I always try to make sure I carefully wash all produce that we eat. Especially store-bought produce, even if it is organic.  If you are like me, you don't trust most store bought washes.  Many have been found to contain chlorine and are not that effective.

These Homemade fruit and vegetable washes are great at removing dirt, bugs, dissolving pesticides and residue from your produce, as well as helping to extend the life of your foods.  They are also Natural, Chemical Free and Safe.

Fruit and Veggie Wash 1

• Fill a large (clean) sink or bowl with water
• Add 1 Cup of Distilled White Vinegar 

Let your produce soak up to 30 minutes. Scrub with a veggie brush if necessary, then rinse produce thoroughly and allow to dry before storing in refrigerator.

Fruit and Veggie Wash 2

• Fill a large (clean) sink or bowl with water
• Add 1/4 Cup Hydrogen Peroxide

Let your produce soak up to 15 minutes. Scrub with a veggie brush if necessary, then rinse produce thoroughly and allow to dry before storing in refrigerator.

When washing leafy greens make sure to rinse off all the pesky hidden dirt and insects that can be found in crevices.  A salad spinner works great for helping to dry your greens.

Enjoy!

Buffalo Cauliflower Sandwich!

I have always loved buffalo anything! My husband and I have been making Buffalo Cauliflower Bites, both battered and just roasted, for sometime now. What's better than a buffalo bite? A whole buffalo sandwich, of course!

What you need
1 head of Cauliflower
2 Sandwich Rolls
1 Red Onion, sliced
1 large Tomato, sliced
Lettuce
*optional* Vegan Ranch

Batter Ingredients
2/3 Cup Flour
2/3 Cup Panko Bread Crumbs
1Tbsp Onion Powder
1Tbsp Paprika
1Tbsp Garlic Powder
1tsp Kosher Salt
1tsp Cracked Pepper
2/3-3/4 Cup Cashew Milk or other plant milk


Buffalo Sauce
1 Tablespoon Earth Balance or other Vegan butter substitute (Melted)
1/2 cup Franks Red Hot or other Vegan wing sauce

You will want to line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 450 F (Tip: spray a light layer of olive oil or cooking spray to avoid sticking). Remove the greens from the base of the cauliflower while keeping the stems in tact.  Cut your head of cauliflower in half, and then cut a 1/2 inch "steak" from each side. You will only be able to get a few large steaks from one cauliflower, but save the leftover pieces and florets! You can batter, coat and cook them with the steaks to make buffalo bites, or use them in another recipe like Oven Roasted Cauliflower, or even juice them!

Mix all the batter ingredients but the Panko Bread Crumbs in a large bowl until well combined. Then slowly mix in the Panko. Submerge the steaks in the batter, you may want to use your hands to coat thoroughly in all their crevices.

Place the battered cauliflower on the coated, parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 40 mins at 450F.

While the steaks are cooking, whisk your melted vegan butter and hot sauce in a large bowl. After the 40 minutes, remove the cauliflower from the oven. Coat the cauliflower in the buffalo sauce. Then, place them back on the parchment lined baking sheet and bake for another 10 mins at 450F.

Now it's time to assemble your sandwich! Layer your roll your cauliflower, lettuce, tomato and onion. I also like to spread some delicious Vegan Ranch on both sides of my bun.

ENJOY!

The Best Damn Vegan Ranch!

Just because your Vegan doesn't mean you have to give up the delicious flavor of Ranch Dressing! There are many times that creamy and zesty flavor comes in handy, from salads to sandwiches! You would never know it's dairy free, and best of all it contains no additives and preservatives!

Vegan Ranch Dressing

• 3/4 Cup Grapeseed Oil Veganise or other Vegan Mayo
• 1.5 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/2tsp Onion Powder
• 1/2tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/4tsp Salt or to taste
• 1/4tsp Fresh Ground Pepper or to taste
• 1Tbsp Fresh Chives
• 1Tbsp Fresh Dill

Finely chop the the fresh herbs and mix all of the ingredients in a small bowl 
Enjoy!

Green Lemonade!

I love my Green Lemonade juice! It is Light and fresh with a sweet flavor.  It's easy and only requires a handful of ingredients.  Being that I am not much of a fan of Celery, I use Bok Choy as a base for this juice, but you can use either or both!

Ingredients:

• 5 Celery or Bok Choy
• 1 Handful of Spinach
• 1 Green Apple
• 1 Lemon
• Small Chunk of Ginger  

ENJOY!

Paleo Peanut Butter Cups!

This recipe for Paleo Peanut Butter Cups is super fast and easy to make.  They are a great snack for when you are craving something sweet. I have a huge sweet tooth and these hit the spot.  Ever since I was a kid I was obsessed with Resse's peanut butter cups. They were by all accounts my favorite food group.  These days I have adopted more of a clean eating lifestyle and stay away from highly processed foods and candy.  So with traditional Resse's being out I decided to create my own clean version of my favorite childhood treat.  They contain no hydrogenated oils or refined sugars, just natural clean ingredients.  This delicious snack only requires a few simple ingredients and about 10 minutes!  For more healthy snacks to help you get through the holiday season check out some of the ideas over at Nuts.com

Ingredients:

• 1 cup smooth Almond Butter (or peanut butter if not Paleo)
• 1 tablespoon Coconut Oil
• 1 tablespoon Raw Honey
• 1 cup Dark Chocolate Chips (or Enjoy Life Chips)

For my cups I used a small chocolate mold, you however can use a muffin tin or even an ice cube tray.

Directions:

1. In a small bowl add your chocolate chips and microwave for 20-30 seconds or until melted.
2.  Evenly divide the chocolate into your mold/tray
3. In a small bowl place your almond butter, oil and honey, then microwave for about 30 seconds or until it's melted.
4. Pour your almond butter mixture on top of each of the chocolate bottoms.
5.  Place your mold/tin in the freezer for about an hour.
6. When you take your cups out of freezer you may be able to just pop them out of your mold/tray.  If not carefully go around the edges with a knife and they will pop out.

ENJOY!

Vita Kale Juice!

Today I'm enjoying my Vita Kale juice! A sweet green juice loaded with essential vitamins and nutrients. 

Ingridients: 

• 4 Large Kale Leaves
• 1 Golden Beet w/Stem 
• 3 Carrots 
• 1 Apple 
• 1 Orange 
• 1/2 Lemon 
• Small Chunk of Ginger 

Juice and enjoy!

Carrot Apple Ginger Juice

I love this delicious and easy juice .  It is also a great immune booster as we head into colder weather.  Fresh fruits and veggies are full of great nutrients that can help keep your immune system strong.  Since I am rolling in apples right now, I added one to this juice to add some sweetness.

These three ingredients are a power house of immune protection.  Apples contain immune boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. Carrots benefit the heart, lungs, skin, eyes, and  immune system as well as fight infection. Ginger stimulates circulation and also has anti-inflammatory abilities. 

• 4 Carrots
• 1 Apple
• 3/4 inch Chunk of Ginger

Juice and Enjoy!