One Pot Mexican Quinoa

One Pot Mexican Quinoa

Prep instructions: 7 servings for 420cal each, 

14 servings for 210cal each

To Sauté first w/ veggie broth:

1 cup vegetable broth

2 small red onion, chopped

6 cloves of garlic, minced

2 orange peppers, chopped 

2 red peppers, chopped

1 jalapeño, diced (optional)

Step 2:

2 cups quinoa

3 cups vegetable broth 

6 cups canned diced tomatoes w/ green chilies 

3 cups black beans – no salt added  

4 cups frozen corn

2 tbsp paprika 

1 tbsp cumin

black pepper to taste

cayenne pepper to taste

red pepper flakes to taste

Step 3:

2 limes, juiced

4 green onions

1 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1/3 of an avocado per serving (not included in calorie count)

Over medium heat, add 1 cup of vegetable broth and chopped onion, bring to a simmer, and cover. Allow the onion to cook for about 2 minutes, then add the garlic, peppers, and optional jalapeño. Cover again and cook for another 2-4 minutes. 

Next, pour out any excess vegetable broth and then add all of the remaining ingredients except lime juice, green onions, parsley, and avocado. 

Turn heat to medium, cover, and cook for 20 minutes. 

Once cooked, mix in the lime juice then divide evenly into 7, or 14, containers. Top each evenly with green onions and parsley (if desired).  

Lemon Basil Couscous

Lemon Basil Couscous

Prep instructions for 4 servings

Original Recipe:

1 1/3 cup dry couscous (or sub 1 dry cup quinoa)

1 large organic cucumber, chopped

5 fresh organic basil leaves, chopped (or more to taste)

10 organic cherry tomatoes, quartered          

1 can (15 oz) organic Cannellini beans

1 organic lemon, juiced

1 package extra firm organic tofu, drained & cubed

Tofu Marinade:

3 organic lemons, juiced

5-10 fresh basil leaves, chopped

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

3/4 teaspoon pure raw honey

First, drain and set the tofu to press while you prepare the couscous and veggies. 

Pressing the tofu: This step helps to remove the excess water from the tofu and allows more flavor to be absorbed. Pressing tofu can be done by using a tofu press (found on Amazon), or by wrapping it in a kitchen or paper towel and by placing weight upon it. You could place it in-between two baking sheets or plates, and add a heavy book on top and let sit for 5-10 min. Ideally, you want to press it enough to drain the water, but not so much that it looses its square shape or that it turns to crumbles. 

In a separate bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the marinade and set aside.

Once the tofu is drained, cut it into cubes and let it marinate for at least 20 min, or even overnight.

While the tofu is draining/marinating, cook the couscous according to directions on package, but omit the salt and olive oil if the packages calls for them. While couscous is cooking, prep all of your veggies. 

Once the couscous is cooked, allow it to cool, and then add all your veggies, lemon juice, and basil and mix together. Then, simply divide everything evenly into 4 separate containers. 

Cooking the Tofu: For a soft, flavorful tofu, add the tofu and all of the marinade to a pan and let simmer on low until most of the moisture is gone. For a crispier tofu, using a non-stick pan, cook just the cubes over very low heat, rotating occasionally until all sides are light brown. You can also just add the tofu uncooked to your dish as well. 

Divide the tofu evenly into the same 4 containers, and refrigerate until ready to eat. 

Smoothie Recipes 6-10

Smoothie Recipes 6-10

Blend greens and water first, then add all remaining ingredients and blend again.

For optimal health, you'll want to make sure everything is organic; here's why.

Smoothie 6:

- 5 cups packed greens

- 2 cups water

- 1 apple

- 1 cup frozen strawberries

- your choice: ½ pear OR ½ cup mango

- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed

Smoothie 7:

- 5 cups packed greens

- 2 cups water

- 1 apple

- 1 cup frozen strawberries

- ½ banana

- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed

Smoothie 8:

- 5 cups packed greens

- 2 cups water

- 1 apple

- 1 pear

- 1 cup strawberries

- 1 tbsp flaxseed

Smoothie 9:

- 5 cups packed greens

- 2 cups water

- 1 apple

- 1 ½ cup blueberries

- ½ or 1 banana – your choice depending on your day

- 1tbsp flaxseed

Smoothie 10:

- 5 cups packed greens

- 2 cups water

- 1 cup strawberries

- 1-2 apples

- 1 tbsp flaxseed

Smoothie Recipes 1-5

Smoothie Recipes 1-5

Blend greens and water first, then add all remaining ingredients and blend again

For optimal health, you'll want to make sure everything is organic; here's why.

Smoothie 1: 

- 3 cups of spinach

- 2 cups of water

- 1 apple

- 1 cup frozen strawberries

- 3/4 cup frozen mango

- 1/2 pear

- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed

Smoothie 2: 

- 3 cups spring mix greens

- 2 cups water

- 1 banana

- 2 apples

- 1 1/2 cup frozen strawberries

- 1tbsp ground flaxseed

Smoothie 3:

- 1 cup spring mix greens

- 2 cups spinach

- 2 cups water

- 1 1/2 cup frozen blueberries

- 1 banana

- 1 apple

- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed

Smoothie 4:

- 2 cups kale

- 1 cup spinach

- 2 cups water

- 1 apple 

- 1 pear

- 1 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries

- 1 tbsp flaxseed

Smoothie 5: 

- 3 cups spinach

- 2 cups water

- 1 1/2 cup pineapple chunks

- 1 1/2 cup frozen mango

- 1 banana 
- 1tbsp flaxseed

Detoxifying Celery Freeze

An easy way to enhance your detox, or add some veggies to your day!

Detoxifying Celery Freeze:

1 organic cucumber
2 organic celery stalks

2 organic limes, peeled

10 fresh spearmint leaves

1-2 cups of ice 

1/2 cup purified water 

Add everything to a blender, blend well, and enjoy!! 

If the ice makes it too thick, feel free to add more water. If you want a smaller drink, omit the ice and blend well. Enjoy chilled or over ice.  

Healthy Life Tip: avoid making this (or anything like it) into a juice via a juicer or strainer. You'll want to consume all of the nutrients and fiber found in the pulp that will be thrown away if turned into a juice. The goal is to "eat" the whole cucumber, celery, lime, etc.

Minty Cucumber Lime Freeze

The perfect way to add a cucumber to your day!

Minty Cucumber Lime Freeze:

1 organic cucumber

1-2 organic limes, peeled

5-10 fresh spearmint leaves

1-2 cups of ice 

1/2 cup purified water 

Add everything to a blender, blend well, and enjoy!! 

If the ice makes it too thick, feel free to add more water. If you want a smaller drink, omit the ice and blend well. Enjoy chilled or over ice.  

Healthy Life Tip: avoid making this (or anything like it) into a juice via a juicer or strainer. You'll want to consume all of the nutrients and fiber found in the pulp that will be thrown away if turned into a juice. The goal is to "eat" the whole cucumber, lime, etc.

The BEST Vegan "Crab" Dip Ever.

This may easily be one of my favorite dips of all time. 

Adapted ever so slightly from PractiGantic's recipe, 

you won't be able to stop making this and sharing it with everyone you know. 

Best if prepared the night before, or has a few hours to sit before serving.

Vegan Crab Dip (takes about 25-30 min to prepare):

28 oz heart of palm (found canned near canned artichokes etc.)
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

16 oz vegan cream cheese, softened (Kite Hill highly recommended for best taste)
1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise 

1 red bell pepper diced small

4 garlic cloves, minced
1/8 cup red onion, diced small

3 tbsp green onions, diced

4 oz pimiento, drained and diced small
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon vegan Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
dash of cayenne pepper
dash of freshly ground sea salt
a few dashes of Old Bay Seasoning

First, mince the garlic, then drain and chop the heart of palm into varying shapes and sizes to act as the crab in the dip. Don't worry if some starts to shred, as you sautee it this will happen to some pieces and that is perfectly fine.

Next you're going to sautee the garlic and heart of palm in the olive oil over low heat until the heart of palm browns. Keeping the heat low, allow this to occur as you prep the remainder of the dip, stirring with a spatula occasionally.

For the next steps - if you're short on time, you can just add all of the ingredients (except Old Bay) together in a bowl while the heart of palm sautees. But, I find doing it in the following order allows the seasonings to flavor the cream cheese and mayo base the best. 

First add the cream cheese and mayonnaise to a large mixing bowl and combine together. Then add the Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice and mix well.

Next, add all of the dry ingredients (except the Old Bay) to the dip, mix together well, then set aside to marinate while you prep the rest of the ingredients. Dry Ingredients: paprika, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, freshly ground sea salt.

Head back over to the heart of palm, add a light dash of Old Bay Seasoning and a grind of pepper, stir together well, and continue to let brown.

Next, dice all the veggies (red bell pepper, red onion, green onion, pimientos), and add them to the dip as well and stir together.

By now your heart of palm should be almost ready. Add another dash of Old Bay and continue to sautee until ready. Then remove from the heat and let cool.

Once cooled, fold the heart of palm into the dip and mix together well. I enjoy serving this dip cold after it's had the chance to sit for a few hours first, or overnight, but sometimes it's just too hard to wait! Enjoy!

Dairy-Free Creamy Queso Dip

One of my favorite recipes, made entirely of veggies and whole foods, 

it's tastes so good, it's so versatile, and so healthy too!

Dairy-Free Creamy Queso Dip:

3 organic russet potatoes
3 organic carrots
1 organic small yellow onion
1 organic red pepper
1/2 cup organic cashews
lemon juice from 1/2 an organic lemon
15oz diced tomatoes and green chillies

Optional: 1/2 or whole packet of taco seasoning
Optional: organic diced jalapeño


Peel the potatoes, carrots, and onion and deseed the pepper. Add them all to a pot of boiling water along with the cashews and boil until potatoes, carrots, and cashews are soft. About 15-20 min.

Set aside about 1 cup of of the water used for boiling incase you need to thin out the dip, and then add the drained cooked veggies, cashews, and lemon juice to a high speed blender or food processor and blend until smooth, adding about a tablespoon of reserved water at a time to thin out only if needed.

Once blended, add to a small sauce pot over low-medium heat and stir in the the tomatoes and green chillies. This is also when you would begin to add the taco seasoning and diced jalapeño to taste if you want.

Serve warm and enjoy! I also find this freezes well if you end up having extra or want to make it ahead of time.

Perfect to top these Twice Baked Potatoes with,

or dip these Southwest Taco Wontons into!

Crunchy Veggie Medley with Fresh Lime

This fresh pop of flavor is great as a snack, on tacos, 

as part of a salad, or anything you can think of! 

Crunchy Veggie Medley with Fresh Lime:

1 organic cucumber

1 organic red yellow pepper

1 organic green pepper

2-3 organic celery stalks

1 organic lime

Optional: fresh spearmint and a variety of other crunchy veggies like red peppers!

Dice the veggies to the size of your liking (I think the smaller, the better), combine them in a bowl, and top with the juice from the lime to taste. That's it!

Healthy Life Tip: prep this at the beginning of your week and separate into several different grab-and-go servings for an easy snack! 

Pairs excellently with these BBQ Seitan Skewers 

and may also want to check out this Pepper & Lime Salsa:

         

Classic Spinach & Artichoke Dip

Classic Spinach & Artichoke Dip:

1/8 lb. vegan butter

12 cloves fresh garlic, minced

12 oz vegan cream cheese (Kite Hill highly recommended for this recipe)

16 oz vegan sour cream (Tofutti highly recommended for this recipe)

4 oz vegan parmesan (Follow Your Heart highly recommended for this recipe)

24 oz artichoke hearts, chopped

24 oz fresh spinach, chopped

1/4 tsp onion powder

salt & pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients into your slow cooker and set on low. Cook for 2-3 hours stirring and testing occasionally until it's all melted into this the best spinach & artichoke dip you've ever tasted, then enjoy!!! 

Mushroom Barely Soup

Mushroom Barely Soup:

64 oz organic low sodium vegetable broth
1 cup dry organic barley
1/3 cup Marsala wine
16 oz organic baby Portobello mushrooms
5 organic russet potatoes, chopped
5 organic carrots, chopped
1 organic yellow onion, diced
2 organic celery stalks, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 tablespoons garbanzo bean flour
8 sprigs fresh organic thyme
2 bay leaves

Cook barley separately and according to direction.

In a separate pan over medium heat, add the vegetable broth and slowly whisk in the garbanzo bean flour. Next, add the potatoes, carrots, onion, celery, garlic, thyme, and bay leaves and bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low.

While the vegetables are cooking, sauté the mushrooms in the marsala, stirring continuously, until the wine has completely evaporated into the mushrooms and set aside.

Once the vegetables in the soup are soft (check carrots and potatoes), then add the mushrooms and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.

Once soup is complete, add barely to a bowl, cover with soup, and enjoy!!


Healthy Life Tip: As with all soups, I recommend making extra to either have throughout the week as an easy lunch or quick dinner, or to freeze to enjoy later or to have on stand-by for those nights when things just don't go according to plan!

Clam-less New England Clam Chowder

Clam-less New England Clam Chowder:
makes 8-10 servings


Blend Together:

1 cup organic whole cashews, boiled
1 organic russet potato, boiled
- boil the potato and cashews together until soft and before blending, don't discard water
2 tbsp of the cashew/potato water
1 1/2 cup organic unsweetened almond milk
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
2 tsp ground black pepper
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp garlic powder

Cook in Vegetable Broth:

2 cups organic low sodium vegetable broth
1 organic yellow onion, diced
2 organic celery stalks, diced
2-3 large potatoes, chopped - skin on or off, your preference
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
2 tbsp garbanzo bean flour (may or may not be needed)

Sautee Mushrooms:

10.5 oz organic oyster mushrooms, chopped to the size of clams in chowder
1/4 cup water
1 tsp organic miso paste
1/2 tsp low sodium soy sauce
1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar


Begin by adding the vegetable broth, onion, celery, potato, oregano, and thyme to a pot, bring to a simmer, partially cover and allow to cook, stirring occasionally.

Set the cashews and potato to boil. While they are boiling, add all other ingredients in "Blend Together" to your blender and set aside.

Next, combine the water, miso paste, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar and whisk together. Add the mixture to a frying pan over medium heat and sauté with the mushrooms until the mushrooms have absorbed the liquid. Once they have, remove from heat and set aside.

Once the potato and cashew are soft, add them to the blender, along with 2 tbsp of the water they were boiled in (more if needed depending on your blender) and blend everything together until mixture is smooth and set aside.

Once the vegetables in the vegetable broth are mostly cooked, add the cream mixture from the blender and stir together. Allow to simmer together for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, test the chowder for taste and thickness. If it needs to be thickened, add 1-2 tbsp of garbanzo flour and also add more pepper, and other spices to taste if needed.

Finally, add the mushrooms and stir together completely. Allow to cook together for another 5 minutes and then enjoy!

I especially love this chowder the next day, as I feel the flavors really get a chance to blend together overnight.


Healthy Life Tip: With all soups, I suggest making enough to save for lunches or quick dinners later in the week!

Slow Cooker Seitan "Beef" Stew

Slow Cooker Seitan "Beef" Stew:

24 oz seitan, cubed into large bite-sized pieces
64 oz organic low sodium vegetable broth
1/4 cup garbanzo bean flour
16 oz organic tomato paste

3-4 large organic carrots, chopped
4 organic red potatoes, cubed
3 organic celery stalks, chopped
1 organic medium onion, chopped
4 organic garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup organic sweet yellow corn

2 1/2 tablespoons organic parsley
2 tablespoons organic oregano
2 teaspoons organic thyme
3 organic bay leaves
1 teaspoon organic onion powder
1 teaspoon  organic garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon organic ground black pepper
1/4 tsp freshly ground sea salt

Optional: add 1/2 cup organic peas and/or string beans


First, add the vegetable broth to the slow cooker and whisk in the garbanzo bean flour and all purpose flour thoroughly then whisk in the tomato paste. Add all of the spices, cover and let warm while you prepare the vegetables. Drain the seitan and pat down with paper towels lightly reducing the amount of water left inside, cube to large bite-sized pieces, then add to the slow cooker. Prepare and then add the vegetables, cover and cook for 6-8 hours, and Enjoy!

Another heartier soup you may enjoy:

Buckwheat Banana Pancakes

Buckwheat Banana Pancakes:
Makes 4 large pancakes

1 cup Bob's Red Mill Buckwheat Pancake Mix
1 NeatEgg
1 tbsp organic extra virgin olive oil
1 cup cold Orgain Unsweetened Protein Almond Milk
1/2 cup cold water
1-2 organic bananas
1/2 tsp organic cinnamon
1/2 tsp organic nutmeg
1/2 tsp organic vanilla flavoring

Prepare the NeatEgg according to direction, mash the banana, and set both aside.

Next, combine the flour, olive oil, almond milk, water, NeatEgg, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla flavoring together, then fold in the banana.

If you don't have a non-stick griddle, heat a large fry pan and coat it however you choose so that the pancakes won't stick. I either use extra virgin olive oil, or about 1/3 tsp vegan butter per pancake.

To test that that pan is hot enough, take a pea sized amount of batter and put it on the pan, if it sizzles then you're ready to go! Add about 1/4 of the batter to the pan. It can be a little thick sometimes, so I quickly and gently spread it out some. Once the edges begin to crisp and there are bubbles forming throughout the top of the pancake, flip it over for about a minute.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Healthy Life Tip: Spread a nut butter such as peanut butter over the pancake instead of syrup to increase the protein count and keep all of that extra sugar out of your breakfast!

A package of neategg was gifted to me by Neat Foods LLC.

Sesame Veggie Noodle Stir-fry with Tofu & Seitan

Sesame Veggie Noodle Stir-fry with Tofu & Seitan:

6 servings Pad Thai brown rice noodles
2 packages seitan strips
1 package extra firm tofu, drained and cubed 4x5x3
1 tbsp organic extra virgin olive oil
1 cup organic green beans broken in half
2/3 cup organic shredded carrots
1 package organic white mushrooms
1/2 package organic portobello mushrooms
2 organic zucchini,
1 organic red pepper, chopped
1 organic yellow onion

For the Noodle Sauce:

1/2 cup organic soy sauce
3 tbsp organic rice vinegar
1 tsp organic sriracha
2 2/3 tbsp (or 2 tbsp and 2 tsp) organic sesame oil
1/4 tsp organic cane sugar

Toppings:

sliced organic green onions
organic sesame seeds

Drain and lightly rinse the seitan, then pat it dry between two paper towels. Cover fully with Annie's Sesame Shiitake Dressing and set aside to marinate for at least 15 minutes. I usually do this in a tupperware container or plastic baggie. Once the tofu has been fully drained and cubed, in a separate container from the seitan, also cover with the dressing and set aside. You can save time by setting the tofu and seitan to marinate the night before.

Prep all the veggies by rinsing and chopping accordingly. Then begin sautéing the pepper and zucchini in the olive oil in a large fry pan.

While they are cooking begin sautéing the seitan on low in a separate fry pan. Add the seitan, and all of the dressing it has been marinating in to the pan together. The seitan will cook here for the rest of the meal prep, so just make sure to stir occasionally and keep the heat on low.

Add the green beans, carrots, mushrooms, and onion to the zucchini and pepper, stirring everything together and cooking for another 2-3 minutes. Then add the tofu and about half of the dressing it has been marinating, stir together gently, bring heat to medium-low and allow to simmer.

Next, cook the pad thai noodles according to direction.

In a separate bowl combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sriracha, sesame oil, and cane sugar and whisk together.

Once the noodles are done, drain them and rinse them very well in hot water, and add them to a large mixing bowl. Whisk the noodle sauce again and then poor directly over the noodles and mix until all noddles are evenly coated. Return the noodles back to the pan they were cooked in, cover, and place back onto stove to keep warm without turning the stove back on.

Once the veggies are cooked and softened, spoon some noodles onto a dish, the top with veggies and tofu, and add some seitan and enjoy!

Veggie Detox Soup Plus Protein

Veggie Detox Soup Plus Protein:
Makes 8-10 servings

64 oz organic low sodium vegetable broth
4 cups water + 1/2 cup cold water
14 oz organic diced tomatoes with liquid
3 organic carrots
3 organic celery sticks
1 organic yellow pepper (small to medium sized)
1 organic yellow onion
1 organic sweet potato
1 tbsp freshly minced organic ginger
3 organic garlic cloves
1/4 cup organic low sodium soy sauce
1/3 cup organic rice vinegar
1 package extra firm tofu
2 cups dry organic quinoa
1/2 tsp organic turmeric
1/2 tsp organic cayenne (more to taste)
1/3 cup garbanzo bean flour
freshly ground black pepper to taste


First, set the tofu to drain and the cook the quinoa according to direction.

While the quinoa is cooking and the tofu is draining, peel the carrots, cut them in half and add them, along with 2 cups of water, to a large soup pot over medium heat and cover.

While the carrots are cooking, mince the ginger, chop the garlic, and then add them to the pot as well. Stir everything together and then re-cover.

Next, peel and dice the sweet potato, dice the celery, and add them to the pot stirring everything together while adding the remaining 2 cups of water. Replace cover. The soup should have a low rolling boil going at this point.

Chop the onion and pepper and add them to the pot along with 32 oz of vegetable broth, turn the heat to medium-high and replace cover for at least 5 minutes.

In a separate bowl whisk together 1/2 cup cold water, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and garbanzo bean flour then add to the pot along with the remaining 32 oz vegetable broth, turmeric, cayenne, and black pepper. Stir together well, cover, and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Finally, cube the tofu. For soup, I usually cube 1 block into 72 pieces, cutting the block: 6X4X3. Once cubed, add gently to soup and cook for a final 10 minutes.

To serve, first add quinoa to your soup bowl and top with some soup. Enjoy!


Healthy Life Tip: Always cook extra soup to have on hand for easy lunches to pack and quick dinners to have throughout the week.

For another great detox soup with tons of protein, 

check out this Rosemary & Lemon Protein Packed Soup:

The Healthy Life's Banana Bread

There's nothing quite like a slice warm banana bread on a weekend morning... I even like to toast mine and add a little vegan butter on top! But between the sugar, fat, cholesterol and other stuff, that one slice of banana bread can wreak havoc on your system and start your day of in a not-so-healthy kind of way. So, using an old family recipe (one of my favorites growing up), I set out to make a healthier version with the same great flavor...
and it was so much easier than I thought! In just two attempts, I bring you

The Healthy Life's Banana Bread!

The Healthy Life's Banana Bread:

makes 10 slices

2 cups organic whole grain oat flour 

2 tsp organic baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp organic baking soda

1/4 cup organic cane sugar

1/3 cup organic unsweetened applesauce

1 neategg

2 cups mashed ripe organic bananas (4-5 bananas)

1 tsp organic vegan butter (to grease pan with) 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease bread pan.

In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda and set aside. 

Mash the bananas, measure out 2 cups, then set aside.

In large mixing bowl, combine the sugar and applesauce together well. Prepare the neategg according to direction (combine 2 tbsp water and 1 tbsp of neategg mixture, and mix well), add to the sugar and applesauce and mix together completely. 

Add about 1/3 of the dry mixture to the large mixing bowl with applesauce mixture and combine. Then add about 1/3 of the bananas to the large mixing bowl and combine again. Repeat this process until all ingredients have been combined well into the large mixing bowl. 

Add mixture to the greased baking pan and bake for about 45-55 minutes, depending on your oven. 

Test the center of the bread with a toothpick and once it comes out clean, remove the bread from the oven, allow it to cool for several minutes, and enjoy!

A package of neategg was gifted to me by Neat Foods LLC.

Tofu "Egg" Breakfast Sandwich

Tofu Egg Breakfast Sandwich:

1 organic english muffin
1 package extra firm organic tofu
vegan cheddar cheese (for this dish I prefer to shave some of Daiya's Medium Cheddar Block)
organic extra virgin olive oil
organic turmeric
organic cracked pepper
optional garnishes: sliced tomato, vegan bacon, avocado, salsa... make it your own!

Drain and press the tofu well then cut into 4 filets (once lengthwise, and once widthwise). To save time, I would suggest doing this the day or night before and storing it in the refrigerator overnight so it's already prepped for the morning.

Heat a fry pan over medium heat then coat the pan generously with olive oil and allow the oil to warm. Sprinkle some turmeric and cracked pepper into the oil and reduce heat to medium-low. Place a single filet onto the pan and immediately press down firmly with a spatula and move the tofu in small circles preventing it from sticking to the pan. If it begins to stick, reduce heat further and continue to move around while pressing firmly. Continue to press down and move the tofu around the pan. During this time, sprinkle some turmeric and cracked pepper on top of the filet as well.

Once the filet has been cooking for about a minute, add a second filet a repeat the same process ensuring it does not stick to the pan. Once the bottom has begun to very lightly brown and crisp, flip over and repeat the process on the second side. One side should take anywhere from 2-5 minutes.

Depending on how large your pan is, it may be best to cook two filets at a time.

Once the filets have been cooking for about 1 minute on the second side, add the cheddar cheese to the top side of the tofu, reduce heat to low and cover so that cheese can began to melt. Make sure to check and move the tofu around occasionally during this time to ensure it does not stick - be careful not to rush the melting process and turn up the heat - the tofu will stick.

While the cheese is melting, toast your english muffin, then add your tofu to the english muffin, add any extra garnishes, and enjoy!!

Rosemary & Orzo Protein Packed Soup

Rosemary & Orzo Protein Packed Soup:

96 oz organic low sodium vegetable broth
1 package extra firm organic tofu, pressed well
15 oz organic garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
4-5 servings organic orzo
5 sprigs fresh organic rosemary (put in cheesecloth bag before adding to soup)
3 tsp organic dried thyme
3 organic dried bay leaves
1 medium organic yellow onions, diced
3 large organic celery stalks, chopped
4 organic carrots, diced
4 organic garlic cloves, diced
juice from 1/2 organic lemon
1 mini cheesecloth bag


First, set the tofu to be pressed and then put aside to drain while you prep the veggies.

In a large soup pot over medium heat add the broth, veggies, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves and bring to a low boil. Cover and let simmer until veggies are soft and cooked. About 20-30 min.

After the soup has been cooking about 15 min, begin cooking the orzo according to directions on package, then add the cubed tofu to the soup.

Finally, once the veggies are cooked, turn the heat to low, add the garbanzo beans and lemon juice, and cook for another 5 minutes.

Add a serving or 1/2 serving of orzo to your bowl, top with the soup, and enjoy!


Healthy Life Tip: For extra protein and whole grains and protein, sub out the orzo for some quinoa!

Teriyaki Seitan Bowl

Teriyaki Seitan Bowl

4 servings organic rice

4 generous servings cubed seitan

Vegan teriyaki sauce. my favorite is Soy Vay's Veri Veri Teriyaki Sauce

1 pound organic white mushrooms, largely chopped

1 organic green pepper, largely chopped

1 organic red pepper, largely chopped

1 organic yellow onion, largely chopped
1 tbsp organic extra virgin olive oil
- feel free to add additional vegetables such as snow peas, baby corn etc.


Drain and lightly rinse the seitan, and if needed cut into bite-sized cubes. I like to leave them on the larger side. Very lightly squeeze out just some of the moisture and place them in a mixing bowl, then cover with teriyaki sauce and set aside.

Next, set the rice to cook according to direction.

Chop all veggies, and add the peppers to a large pan and begin sautéing over low heat in the olive oil. When peppers begin to soften, add the onion and continue sautéing. Once peppers are mostly cooked and without the onion browning, add the mushrooms. During this time, you will need to add moisture to the pan, do so by adding a few tablespoons of water at a time, not more oil. I also find it beneficial to allow this process to take some time, keeping the heat low and adding a cover over the veggies to trap in heat and moisture once I've added some extra water.

Once the mushrooms begin to cook and shrink in size, add the seitan, without the marinade they've been in. Add some new marinade (about 1/4 cup max) and mix everything thoroughly. Increase heat to medium and allow to simmer for about 5-10 minutes.

Once the rice and seitan are done, add a serving of rice to the bowl, top with seitan and veggies, and enjoy!!


Healthy Life Tip: This meal is loaded with protein and is great left-over. Make more than you will need in one setting and save for extra meals throughout the week like lunch, dinner, or even to have as great snack after work.