On a warm summer evening in Durango, Colorado, I sipped mojitos on the back deck of my friend’s home overlooking a den of pines. Not only is she an amazing cook, but she surprised me with vegan grilled vegetables, these Killer Vegan Black Beans and guacamole! I feasted on handmade tacos until we ran out of tortillas. The beans were so delish, I needed the recipe.
Ever Wonder How Vegans Get Enough Protein?
If so, you are not alone. As a vegan, I’m frequently asked:
“But How do You Get Protein?”
Or someone might dismiss the idea saying:
“Oh – I Could Never be Vegan, I Need my Protein”
So I’ve written this post for anyone who is unsure about how vegans get protein.
This is the world’s easiest tofu recipe and my favorite way to eat it – crispy browned cubes with a tamari/tahini coating. There is no pressing required, only 3 ingredients (plus salt if desired), a non-stick pan and quick 15 minute cooking time. I mostly devour these cubes immediately but when I can manage self-restraint, I love adding these tasty chunks to salads, soups and Buddha bowls.
If you love the texture and taste of milkshakes than you will love this healthy, vegan Cinnamon Chai Froth. It’s my latest addiction. This light foamy beverage combines sweet coconut water, vanilla almond milk and frozen banana with a ton of cinnamon and other warming spices like cardamom and cayenne. Plus, I snuck in a few hemp seeds for protein and Brewer’s yeast for Vitamin B. It’s the perfect Fall drink when you’re tired of Pumpkin lattes.
Social media sites like Instagram and Pinterest are making veganism more popular. And as it becomes more mainstream, “vegan friendly” options are increasingly available. Countries and restaurants that were traditionally “meat based” are trending towards plant based selections free of meat and dairy. This makes me happy! I’ve recently had several friends proudly prepare vegan dishes or want to come over for an “all vegan” meal. I am grateful for their enthusiasm.
But veganism is still new, and I’ve met curious people who want to learn more about it. In this post, I respond to the top 10 frequently asked questions I get about being vegan. I hope my answers help anyone who is thinking about becoming vegan or knows someone who already is.
This healthy lentil quinoa protein salad was one of the first recipes I made from Oh She Glows, Angela Liddon’s amazing vegan cooking blog (and still my favorite). It’s got all the things I love mixed together in a mouth watering bowl of plant based protein. Lentils, grains, leafy greens, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy Tahini dressing that would make anything taste divine.
Several weeks ago, my husband and I hosted a BBQ with all the accouterments to make grilled steak sandwiches. Grilled meat (none for me), sliced red onions, crimson beefsteak tomatoes, Swiss cheese, spicy sweet mustard and organic mayo to spread onto warmed sourdough baguette. The spread was so appetizing but to my surprise, hardly anyone ate the bread. This is usually my favorite part of the meal. Instead, our friends ate deconstructed “carb-free sandwiches leaving us with 3 long uneaten baguettes.
I am loving this Quinoa and Edamame Asian Chopped Salad right now. I often get obsessed with new salads and they become the only thing I want to eat. So I make a big batch and keep it in the fridge adding it to greens, Buddha bowls, or scooping spoonfuls into a bowl when I want something light and delicious. You know what they say about eating the rainbow! Well, this rainbow in a bowl is snappy, crunchy, tangy, beautiful and HEALTHY so it checks all of my boxes. Throw this salad together for your family, guests, or a potluck/BBQ.
Before making this 3 seed mix, I learned about Chia seeds from a healer I’d seen in Mexico who suggested I add more protein to my diet. I’d never heard of them before aside from the infamous “chia pet” I tried to grow as a child. But there they were in Mexico, a bin of little black seeds.
Little did I know then, they’d hit super-food stardom. Once I began learning more about these odd seeds, other nutritionally dense seeds fell under my radar. Eventually, I developed my protein rich 3 seed mix which I can’t resist sprinkling on nearly everything………