Gourmet Toast 4 Ways

If you've been to any health food restaurants lately you've probably seen some gourmet toasts on their menu. Not only are these SUPER easy to make (I mean, it's just toast after all) but they are a perfect snack or quick dinner when you are in a hurry. I hate heating up the kitchen in the summer time, so I will make a batch of these and some smoothies and voila! You have dinner.

Italian Summer Toast

1 slice Dave’s Killer Bread (thin slice)

½ avocado, smashed

1 slice of fresh mozzarella, segmented

3 leaves basil, chopped finely

balsamic vinegar

Cracked black pepper and salt to taste

1.     Toast bread (I have found the crunchier, the better!)

2.     Layer avocado on first, then mozzarella and basil

3.     Drizzle with vinegar and top with salt and pepper

Sweet Berry Toast

1 slice Dave’s Killer Bread (thin slice)

¼ cup lowfat cottage cheese

2 fresh strawberries, sliced

1 TBSP sliced almonds

2 tsp raw honey

1.     Toast bread (I have found the crunchier, the better!)

2.     Mix cottage cheese with 1 tsp of the honey

3.     Layer cottage cheese on first, then strawberries and then almonds

4.     Top with a drizzle of raw honey

Almond Butter and Banana Toast

1 slice Dave’s Killer Bread (thin slice)

2 TBSP natural almond butter

½ banana, sliced

1 TBSP chopped peanuts

1 tsp raw honey

dash of cinnamon

1.     Toast bread (I have found the crunchier, the better!)

2.     Layer almond butter (best to do this when bread is hot), then the banana

3.     Top with chopped peanuts and drizzle with raw honey

4.     Sprinkle cinnamon to finish off

Sunflower and Avocado Toast

1 slice Dave’s Killer Bread (thin slice)

¼ cup lowfat cottage cheese

½ avocado sliced

1 tsp olive oil

sprinkle of red chili flakes

2 tsp sunflower seeds

salt and pepper to taste

1.     Toast bread (I have found the crunchier, the better!)

2.     Layer cottage cheese and then the avocado

3.     Drizzle olive oil over top

4.     Sprinkle sunflower seeds and red chili flakes

5.     Finish toast off with salt and pepper

Carrot Quinoa Power Muffins

When you are watching your waist line, baked goods are usually off the list. It's not that muffins, pancakes and cookies aren't healthy, but usually what they are made of is process, enriched and loaded with white sugar. These are one of my favorite muffins of all time! They are filled with whole grains, superfoods, and even some vegetables. I love to make these as part of my meal prep and then freeze. Usually I pop them in the microwave for about 20 seconds or allow them to thaw on the counter for a few minutes. 

Carrot Quinoa Power Muffins

1cup cooked/cooled quinoa

¾ cup coconut sugar

½ cup melted coconut oil

½ cup plain Greek yogurt

1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs, beaten

1 cup grated carrots

½ cup chopped pecans

¾ cup plus 1 TBSP whole wheat flour

¾ cup plus 1 TBSP almond flour

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

1 TBSP chia seeds

1 TBSP sesame seeds

1.   Preheat oven to 350.

2.   Line muffin tins with liners (this is important..it helps keep the muffin moist)

3.   Stir together quinoa, sugar, oil, yogurt, vanilla, eggs, carrots and pecans.

4.   In separate bowl bowl add all dry ingredients plus chia and sesame seeds.

5.   Stir dry into wet.

6.   Fill tins ¾ full. Bake 18 minutes makes 16-18 muffins.

Oatmeal....healthified

Even though oatmeal is associated with a healthy breakfast, unfortunately the majority of people don't prepare it the way it should be eaten. For example, adding heavy cream is a popular thing to do, and makes the oatmeal very rich. Also brown sugar is the #1 sweetener that is used in making oatmeal delicious...also not healthy. A fast timesaver in the mornings, instant oatmeal is literally THE WORST oatmeal ever, nutritionally speaking. So now you are probably scratching your head thinking, great, either I can't eat oatmeal ever again, or if I do it will taste horrible. But don't worry, I've got you covered. I love eating hot oatmeal, especially in the the winter. It's the perfect breakfast and way to start your day. Here is a 5 minute (no joke) recipe that will restore your faith in oatmeal.

5 Minute Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

1/2 c rolled oats

quarter of an apple diced (leave skin on)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 TBSP almond butter

1 tsp honey or desired sweetener

1. Boil one cup of water in small saucepan

2. Add oats and apples

3. Allow to cook until all moisture is absorbed and apples are soft (around 4 minutes)

4. Remove from heat and add cinnamon, almond butter and honey.

The Best Breakfast Smoothie....Ever

A few years ago my husband and I stayed at a super swanky hotel in Southern California. After our spa treatments, I ordered a Blueberry Chia and Lemon Smoothie from the spa menu. Let me tell you, it was life changing. I feel like blueberry and lemon are an obvious flavor combo, but chia? Genius. Here is my version of this delicious concoction.

Lemon Blueberry Smoothie

1 cup unsweetened almond milk 

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

handful of frozen blueberries

1 tsp chia seeds

¼ lemon diced (with peel on but remove seeds)

½ frozen banana

5 ice cubes

1. Blend!

 XO,

Veggie Lisa

Coconut Greek Yogurt Parfait

My girl Chelsey over at Housewife to Hostess and I teamed up to bring you a series of drool worthy, healthy breakfast recipes to get your 2016 resolutions off to a great start! After developing these recipes, I headed over to her house for some feedback and to stare at her gorgeous kitchen. This first recipe is my favorite. In fact when I left Chelsea's house I came home and whipped up a batch to have on hand. It's...that...good...folks. I mean, you really can't go wrong with creamy coconut and fresh berries. The best part is it's low in sugar, high in protein and tons of antioxidants from the berries. 

Coconut Greek Yogurt Parfaits

1 cup non fat plain Greek yogurt

1 TBSP Truvia baking blend

 ( adjust to desired sweetness level)

splash of coconut extract

fresh blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, or raspberries

finely shredded unsweetened coconut flakes

1. Mix together yogurt, extract, and Truvia. Allow to sit in fridge for 20 minutes or until trivia granules have dissolved.

2. In parfait cup layer yogurt, berries, yogurt and more berries on top

3. Top with unsweetened coconut flakes

Enjoy! XO,

                        Veggie Lisa

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Vegan Cookies

I have been making these cookies for years, and over time have made little tweaks here and there. Vegan cookies can be tough to make and not be dry and crumbly. However, these have a few unique ingredients that make them super moist. Also try to follow the baking steps closely, if you mix the batter too much, the cookies will become dense and dry.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp pink himalayan salt (or 1 tsp regular salt)

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

*mix together in bowl and set aside

*in separate bowl combine

1 cup natural, chunky peanut butter ( I use Adams from Costco)

3/4 cup maple syrup

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350. Add dry ingredients to wet all at once. Stir until just combined. Wait 5 minutes and then five a few more stirs to the batter. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto parchment or silicone baking sheet. Press down on the top gently to flatten a bit. Bake for 9-10 mins. Do not overbake. Allow to cool on wire rack and store in a ziplock bag or airtight container. These are even healthy and yummy enough to eat for breakfast or take to a cookie exchange

XO,

Veggie Lisa

Kind of a Big Deal

After months of planning, organizing and strategizing, I am so over-the-moon-excited to share with you my BIG NEWS. I have teamed up with the ultra cool, genius minds over at Chatbooks! If you have been living under a rock and never heard of them, they are the latest and greatest Instagram tool to document and publish your memories. The best part? The price! They are easily the most affordable custom books out there. Chatbooks also allow you to sign up for a subscription service so that when your Instagram fills up to 60 pictures, you are sent a notification vis email to edit your book and then they publish it and send it to your door.

How...Easy...Is...That...

Anything that makes my life easier, not to mention makes me look like a complete ROCKSTAR, so when my kids grow up I will have everything documented (yes even those not so flattering pictures). Obviously, I will look amazing in every single one....

Anyways, back to the BIG NEWS... I have teamed up with this awesome company to publish my very first cookbook! It is no secret that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so I present to you (drumroll.....)

Veggie Lisa Breakfast Recipes for Health Vol 1

In this book are 15 of the healthiest, tastiest, most nutrient packed recipes to start your day on the right foot. They have all been kid approved, and yes, even husband approved! These are recipes you will use for years. I don't know about you, but with school quickly approaching, I like to be prepared for the early morning rush of getting kids ready and fed a good, nutritious meal that will keep them full until lunch. 

Not only is this a real book (sorry e books, but sometimes you get lost in internet outer darkness), it is more affordable than probably any cookbook you have bought before. For less than $.50 a recipe, you can get this shipped out and on your doorstep in a matter of days! Here is the link to purchase

XO,

Veggie Lisa