3 FABULOUS Protein Shake & Smoothie Recipes for Our Fit Fam!

I've done fabulous Postum recipes for cocktails, desserts and dessert-like beverages, even savory recipes too, but it occurred to me that all of those recipes were very rich and some even included ice cream or alcohol - what about recipes using Postum for the health conscious? And let's face it, we are ALL health conscious every now and again, especially when we are trying to cut back a little or get in shape before a big event.

So I wanted to do some smoothies and protein shake type of recipes that would be great to enjoy before or after workouts, as meal replacements, or as healthy snacks for when you are trying to eat a bit more on the clean side - but of course, in true Dirty Vegan style, they are fun and delicious too!

All recipes make 1 large shake or 2 small ones.

Double Chocolate Covered Strawberry Protein Shake

Double Chocolate Covered Strawberry Protein Shake 
(tastes like the decadent dessert!)

What you will need:

-2 teaspoons Postum Cocoa Blend
-6 ounces boiling water
-6 ounces chocolate almond milk
-1/2 cup frozen strawberries
-1 serving/scoop chocolate protein shake powder
-ice (optional)

What you will need to do:

Prepare Postum by mixing it with boiling water; set aside and allow to cool a bit. In a blender add prepared Postum and the remaining ingredients; blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Banana Split Protein Shake
(tastes just like a banana split - maybe even better!)

What you will need:

-2 teaspoons Postum Cocoa
-6 ounces boiling water
-6 ounces vanilla soy milk
-3 ripe strawberries
-1/2 ripe banana
-1/8 cup frozen pineapple
-1 serving/scoop chocolate protein shake powder
-2 tablespoons walnuts (optional)
-ice (optional)

What you will need to do:

Prepare Postum by mixing it with boiling water; set aside and allow to cool a bit. In a blender add prepared Postum and the remaining ingredients; blend until smooth. Enjoy!


Carrot Cake with Coffee Smoothie
(tastes like you are drinking carrot cake with a cup of coffee!)

-2 teaspoons Postum Natural Coffee Flavor
-6 ounces boiling water
-6 ounces vanilla almond milk
-1/2 ripe banana
-1/2- 1 large carrot
-2 tablespoons walnuts or pecans, optional
-ice (optional)

What you will need to do:

Prepare Postum by mixing it with boiling water; set aside and allow to cool a bit. In a blender add prepared Postum and the remaining ingredients; blend until smooth. Enjoy!

These drinks totally taste like desserts in a cup, without adding any additional sugar, other than what is already in the fruit or the vegan milks. If you want to cut down on the sugar even further, you can always opt for protein powders sweetened with stevia or other sugar-free sweeteners instead. These pre- or post workout beverages are so easy to make and customize. Try using different fruits or nuts and even nut butters to create your own! Be sure to share pictures of your creations with us on social media! You can find Me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook AND you can also find Postum on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook as well. And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off, smiles from my kitchen to yours!

This blog post was sponsored by Postum.

Awesome, Easy Holiday Weekend Snacks Using Hummus!

Memorial Day Weekend is notoriously known for consuming empty calories where you ate or "picked" a lot but don't feel satisfied the way you would if you ate an actual sit down meal. I have a solution for that common summer holiday problem - the unofficial meal! When you include Sabra hummus in your entertaining, your snacking or munching is probably as healthy and filling as it gets and becomes a meal, unofficially.

I have created two fun recipes using Sabra hummus and they are so incredibly easy, that you might just want to forgo the usual junky options and go for these instead this holiday weekend.

The first recipe is so elegant and ever so simple that your guests will be thoroughly impressed and you won't break a sweat whatsoever. They are classy and dainty little finger foods that won't get your hands messy as you eat them, and they prove to be an excellent appetizer or snack that feels satisfying like a light meal.

The second recipe is a little more hearty, but will leave your party goers pleasantly surprised! They look so beautiful that people won't imagine that they were simply just a couple ingredients, thrown together in a super effortless way. Another substantial addition to your cookout or gathering that will make guests leave feeling better and not worse.

Ok, for the moment you have all been waiting for... the recipes!

Hummus Stuffed Vegetable Bites

• Mini cucumbers (as many as you'd like to use appropriate for your crowd size)
• Cherry tomatoes (as many as you'd like to use appropriate for your crowd size)
• Sabra hummus in Classic flavor
• Paprika, to sprinkle on top

Slice cucumbers into 1/2 inch "coins" and cut cherry tomatoes in half. With a small melon ball tool, carefully scoop out a little of the cucumbers and tomatoes leaving room for hummus and making a small "bowl" in them; arrange them on a serving tray or plate. Place hummus into a piping bag with a star tip and pipe the hummus into the cucumber and tomatoes. Sprinkle the tops with a little bit of paprika. Refrigerate until ready to serve! They are bite sized so there's no need for tooth picks!

Broiled Olive Tepenade Hummus Stuffed Tomatoes

• 2 medium tomatoes, sliced in half with middles scooped out
• 8 tablespoons Sabra hummus in Olive Tapenade flavor
• Dried parsley, optional 

Place scooped out tomato halves on a baking sheet. Dollop 2 tablespoons of the hummus part (not the olive tapenade part that is in the middle of the container) into each tomato half. Then top each half with the olive tapenade found in the center of the hummus container. Sprinkle with parsley, if using, then broil on high for 10- 15 minutes. Serves 4.

These recipes are guaranteed to please! And if you would like more Sabra recipes, please check out my other Sabra post from earlier this month.

And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off - I hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday weekend! On Memorial Day, and always, I am grateful to the service women and men of America who so bravely and selflessly gave their lives for our safety and freedom.

This blog post was sponsored by Sabra.

Caffeine-free Icy Coffeeccino Recipe

Summer is just around the corner! Here in New England, we have already had days this month where it has been 90 degrees or hotter, can you even believe it? I don't know about you, but I love a refreshing and cold summery beverage this time of year. Many coffee or donut shops serve icy coffee drinks that become really popular now through the fall. There's one shop that makes a good one that I remember before going vegan, but it cannot be made dairy-free, plus it is full of way too much sugar. Another option is a popular coffee chain that can offer these chill drinks vegan-friendly, but they are super expensive and also full of a ton of sugar. I wanted to work on a recipe that will save you money and be healthier for you; I also chose to make it caffeine-free so that anyone can enjoy it! It is also such an easy recipe to make right at home that it isn't such a big deal that you aren't getting it from the drive-thru. Plus, no matter the method, who doesn't love a frozen iced coffee drink?

Like I've said before, Postum, the product I'm using in this recipe to give this caffeine-free beverage the coffee flavor, is a generous 75 servings per container! A much better value since you can make MANY chilled out summer "coffee" drinks with what you would pay for just one at a cafe. Plus you can take it along with you in an insulated cup that is designed for iced coffees or other cold beverages - this really is the perfect drink to bring along to the beach, to take to work or anywhere else you are headed to this summer! Let's dive right into this easy breezy recipe!

Caffeine-free Icy Coffeeccino Recipe featuring Postum

• 2 teaspoons Postum in Natural Coffee Flavor
• 6 oz. boiling water
• Coffee creamer, to taste (I like using a vanilla flavored soy creamer)
• Sweetener, to taste and optional (my creamer is plenty sweet but sometimes I'll add some sugar, maple syrup, apple nectar, agave or stevia - those are some ideas)
• 1/8 cup- 1/2 cup ice (this all depends on how icy you want your drink or what your blender can handle)
• Coconut whipped cream, optional (if you want your 'ccino experience to be just like a barista made it for you, give it a generous dollop!)
• Chocolate Syrup, optional for drizzling in cup or on top

In a mug designed for hot a beverage, add Postum, carefully pour boiling water in the mug and stir. Allow to cool (if short on time, allow to cool in freezer). Add creamer to reach the desired lightness that you prefer. Add sweetener, if using. Pour into blender, add ice, then blend to desired thickness. Pour into a glass or a to-go cold cup if you are bringing your 'ccino along with you. Drizzle with chocolate syrup and top with whipped cream, if you are using them, and the lid if you are using a to-go. Now enjoy!

Out of all the delicious Postum recipes that I've created so far, this is definitely my fave for sure! It really reminds me of summer and is so much like the frozen and icy coffee drinks that I remember, but so great that you don't get an overload of sugar and caffeine just to indulge in it!

CLICK HERE to check out my other Postum blog posts. Also, I would like to take requests! What kinds of recipes would you like to see me make using Postum? Challenge me, I can handle any request!

And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off - stay cool, my Friends!

This blog post was sponsored by Postum.

Healthier Takes On Classic Snacks & Apps For National Hummus Day! Everyday I'm Hummus'n!

Tomorrow (May 13th) is National Hummus Day, hooray! I'm celebrating along with Sabra and most of the nation because hummus has saved my vegan butt. I love hummus as it is, right out of the container, but I have particularly enjoyed using it to replace other ingredients in recipes to make dishes healthier but actually add more flavor than ever before. I have done this with so many types of dishes, but to celebrate National Hummus Day, I'd like to share some quick and easy appetizer and snack ideas. These are super simple to whip together, so you can grab some hummus and party along with me! Obviously, my go-to hummus brand is Sabra because they are the best at doing hummus and many other delicious products.

Healthy Hummus Queso Dip

I have always loved cheesy queso dip but I don't like the feeling after eating too much... and let's face it, that dip is addicting. I won't ever stop making vegan queso, but for those times when I really do need to scale back on the fat and cals for a few (and need the nutritional boost that adding Sabra provides), I do my queso with hummus and I do it like this:

• 1 (10-ounce) container of Sabra Hummus (any flavor but I like Classic or Garlic for queso)
• 1/2 cup- 1 cup Sabra Salsa (I like using their Restaurant Style in Medium spicy)

Just mix in a bowl - that's it! You can warm it up a little if you like, but I never do. I think the best part of this dip is the refreshing quality it has and it is perfect for summer entertaining.

Creamy Hummus Guacamole Dip

I love creamy guac but usually when you make it creamy, you add sour cream. Well I thought, why not add some more protein and nutrition to an already nutritious ingredient (avocado guacamole)?

• 1 (10-ounce) container of Sabra Hummus (any flavor, but I like using Classic for this)
• 1 (8-ounce) container of Sabra Guacamole

Mix together and serve with chips! It doesn't get much easier (or more delicious) to serve and enjoy snacks or appetizers on National Hummus Day!

Tortilla Taco Pinwheel Bites

Sabra came out with this new flavor of hummus, Taco Inspired Hummus with pico de gallo and it is amazing! My mind was racing with ideas for recipes to make using this hummus just after I took one taste of this stuff! I wanted to make a quick snack using it and pinwheels came to mind. I have served this hors d'oeuvre so many times due to the fact that it is so easy to put together but really impressive to serve to guests,

• 4 flour tortillas
• 1 cup of Sabra Hummus in Taco Inspired flavor
• 1/4 cup shredded lettuce/ fresh greens
• 2 tablespoons salsa
• 4 slices veggie deli style"turkey"

Lay 4 flour tortillas flat and spread each evenly with hummus, sprinkle on olives, lettice and salsa, then place a deli slice on top. Roll each tortilla up tightly, then slice into "wheels", 4- 6 wheels per tortilla, depending on how large you want them. I prefer to make them smaller because when you entertain you don't want guests feeling like they have too big a mouth-full of food as they are chatting and drinking cocktails, so bite-size works awesome.

With these simple recipes, you can see why hummus has become the "unofficial meal" - fresh, filling but also good for you! What I like about the unofficial meal is that it takes the formality out of eating and makes getting together with family or friends fun and entertaining, but you are munching on a food that isn't just "empty" calories like other snacks can be - it really is a good meal. The unofficial meal; I love that.

Stay tuned this month for more hummus recipes from me! I have some recipes that you wouldn't imagine could be made so flavorful but also much healthier for you because of the addition of Sabra hummus.

Everyday I'm Hummus'n

This blog post was sponsored by Sabra.

This Vegan Protein Shake IS GOOOOD!!!

So I got these cool vegan products in the mail from Elite Lifestyle Cuisine and I have to tell you about their vegan protein shake, which is amazing.

First of all, it is only 133 calories and 5g carbs per serving, which is awesome because depending on if I want to make it as a snack or meal replacement, I am adding either water or soy milk with banana, so this protein is perfect for my needs, whichever I'm choosing at the moment.

Super simple to use: just one scoop to 8 ounces of water (or vegan milk) and the scoop is included.

Impressive Amino Acid Profile here. I also love that the protein comes from pea, rice and pumpkin, which opens up this product to those who have soy allergies or sensitivity. Plus I like the taste, since the protein powder is a mixture of pea, rice and pumpkin protein, it is smooth and balanced and you don't get that funny aftertaste that can happen with other proteins that are just one main protein. Plus I really love balance. I'm not a fan of too much of one protein or thing in the diet, so the variety in this protein powder is really perfect actually.

I took a picture of this because when I opened up the container, the scoop was covered in powder and reminded me of a chocolate marshmallow or a marshmallow in cocoa powder and I giggled. Oh, the little things in life. Also, when you open this protein it smells SO FREAKING DELICIOUS! Smells like chocolate brownie or cake mix! I'm planning on using this in recipes too, like protein balls - how exciting!

The prepared protein shake is such a treat too! Amazing flavor and so versatile. I've already made it with banana, with spinach, with vanilla soy milk - all the different ways, it is super yummy! Probably one of my favorite protein shakes right now and I'm definitely enjoying this brand.

ELC also sent me their vegan multivitamin that is in a vegetarian capsule. 

Impressive nutritional breakdown for sure.

The capsule makes it easier to drink down than my regular multivitamin which is actually really difficult to take, but the ELC vitamin is required to be taken as 4 capsules per day and do that twice per day if you are in poor health. I'm more of a fan of a one-and-done vitamin, so I'm not sure if this is a product I'd try again. I felt the same taking it as when I'm taking other multivitamins or when I'm not taking one regularly. I would say it is worth a try if you are one that needs the ease of a vitamin that goes down super effortlessly, also if you are one who likes to break up your vitamin taking to spread it out throughout the day. I would love to do it that way if I had time, but with this product, I can see myself taking them all at once so I don't forget later because of how super busy my schedule is.

This protein powder is the winner, hands down, and I would definitely get this protein again and again. I love that it is 100% vegan, soy-free for those who care about that, gluten-free, sweetened with Stevia (awesome because I typically add sweetened vegan milk and ripe bananas) and non-GMO. There are protein powders on the market right now (I won't name names but I think you might know) that are awesome nutritionally and protein-wise, but are GMO or non-confirmed GMO-free, so the fact that ELC vegan protein powders are non-GMO is so important to me. This protein is also a whopping 21 grams of protein per serving, so you really can't ask for anything better than this stuff. I think the price is resonable and affordable, especially for those of you who are used to buying supplements and aware of their cost.

Loving this vegan chocolate protein, for reals. Big thank you to the folks at ELC for thinking of me and sending me your wonderful vegan products to try! 

And for now, The Dirty Vegan is signing off - I hope you enjoy lots of health food that tastes like junk-food today too! Muah!

Testing Exciting New Vegan Products: Enjoy Life Foods!

This is such an exciting time for vegan food and I'm so grateful that companies send me care packages to try out the latest products. There are so many amazing new food items just recently released or that will be available very soon, and I am over-the-moon happy about this!

The latest Enjoy Life vegan stuff! Yay!!!

I wanted to talk about the latest three delicious and gluten-free Enjoy Life products added to their line of wonderful vegan offerings and allergy-friendly foods.

The red bag is the Dark Chocolate Regular Size Morsels, which I thought they always had but maybe these are new because they are 69% cacao. Anyways, these are for baking and other recipes but are so good straight from the bag! What?? I didn't eat the whole entire bag before getting a chance to use them for a recipe post. What? There's a recipe using these scrumptious chocolate morsels coming soon...maybe.

Then there's the brand new protein bites, ProBurst Bites that I'm most excited about! They are nut-free, made with sunseed butter (sunflower seed butter), they are completely natural, they pack a 6g of protein punch, but most importantly...they taste more like a dessert than a snack. I was expecting these to taste like the protein balls that I sometimes eat (you know when I'm in workout mode, occasionally) but they actually taste like the best chocolate truffles I've ever eaten! You get 5 servings per (resealable) bag, however that's 3 bites per serving and they are so rich and decadent that I can easily eat one or two and be satisfied. These are a great value and nutritional, but yummy, offering.

And last but certainly not least, the Muffin Mix with Ancient Grains. My favorite aspect of this muffin mix is that the mix has 5g of protein per serving developed with probiotics. I absolutely love when something like muffin mix isn't void of nutritional value. These muffins are coming in at only 170 calories each prepared muffin, and you can make about 10- 12 muffins per box, so if I am in workout mode (haha, yeah right) I won't feel guilty at all eating them...all...eating all the muffins. Damn, they are tasty muffins - don't judge me.

Big thank you to Enjoy Life Foods for sending these new products over to me to try. I am a big fan of this company and they really continue to make vegans lives so much easier with their delish and revolutionary products. Bravo!

Which of the latest Enjoy Life products are you most exciting to try out? 

Orange Carrot Tomato Celery Smoothie Recipe

This recipe came over to me from Tyler at Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company. Enjoy!

Orange Carrot Tomato Celery Smoothie

Servings: 2 smoothies (14 oz each)

Ingredients

•1 container (about 5.3 oz) vanilla flavored vegan Greek yogurt
•1 banana, broken into 4 pieces
•1½ cups frozen berries
•½ cup Natalie’s Carrot Tomato Celery Juice
•½ cup Natalie’s Orange Juice
•1 cup baby spinach leaves, washed and dried

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a blender and pulse until the mixture is well blended and no large pieces of fruit remain. Pour into 2 glasses and enjoy.

Credit: Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company

Thanks to the lovely Folks over at Natalie's for sharing this recipe with me and the Dirty Vegan community! And if you would like to check them out, here's their social:

Twitter: @nataliesoj

Instagram: @nataliesoj

Facebook: @nataliesoijc

www.orchidislandjuice.com

Tiger Nuts...Rawrrrr!

I know what you're thinking. Where does she find this stuff?

Here's a little something, something about Tiger Nuts...

Tiger Nuts are NOT nuts. Make sure you've had your caffeine before reading this one. They are actually nut-free and gluten-free. I know, mind blown.

If they aren't nuts, what are they??

They are tubers that grow underground like carrots or potatoes do. And you guessed it, they are jam packed with minerals which include fiber, vitamins C and E, and iron! They are vegan-friendly, obvi, but also suitable for people who must avoid gluten or have nut allergies - since they are tubers and not nuts.

You'd be nuts not to try these tubers! They are totally tubular! <--- I'm sorry, I had to do this.

Anyways, what you see pictured: the original Raw Premium Organic and the original Supreme Peeled, also the Tiger Nuts flour! Yep, you can bake with it, Folks! I will be posting some Tiger Nuts recipes on here soon - I've been hard at work since summer on my Dirty Vegan Cookbook, but you can definitely expect to see a recipe on the blog using this amazing Tiger Nuts flour coming soon!

Thanks, Tiger Nuts, for sending me these tubular tubers and Tiger Nut flour to try! I love trying new products and sharing with the Dirty Vegan community.

And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off - I hope you have a nutty-but-not-actually-a-nut day!

Vegan Snacks...CRUNCH, CRUNCH, CRUNCH!

Do ya'll remember Bugles? You know those tiny little crunchy cornucopias that were pretty darn tasty and extremely addictive? Now imagine that you want a natural and vegan option. Well, look no further! Here I present to you... Laiki rice crackers!

These light and delicious crispy crackers are ONLY 3 ingredients! Rice, oil, salt - that's it! These scrumptious snacks are also 100 percent whole grain, gluten-free, non-GMO, all natural and vegan of course!

Hoda Kotb raved on the Today Show, about how she's eating these snacks by the bagful. I can totally see why! These are so yummy and it is really hard to stop at just a handful of these, yet I feel completely guilt-free after eating them. Plus, they remind me of healthy Bugles soooo... see there is nothing that us vegans can't have!

And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off. I hope you all have a crunchy day... you know I will!

The New and Improved Zevia!

I didn't think it was possible to get any better than Zevia has always been, but they managed to outdo even themselves, now making them arguably the best soda on the market...period.

No GMO! They are officially Non-GMO Project Verified!

No caramel color! They are clear in fact!

Stevia and monk fruit sweetened, making Zevia a healthy soda that is also waistline-friendly!

Wearing my Zevia tank top! Had it for a while now and it is still my favorite.

I have always adored Zevia, but began to love them even more when I found out that they were also fans of mine! These days, with their new formula and look, I am quite smitten in deed, some would say head over heels even.

Some of my favorite flavors that are pictured at the top of the page, are:

ginger root beer - so good, you'll never want another root beer again unless it is a Zevia!

caffeine-free cola - when you've had WAY too much caffeine for one day, but would really enjoy the taste of a nice cold cola.

ginger ale - my go-to whenever my tummy is not feeling great... and it always does the trick!

cola - you will become addicted to this cola... plus it has just enough caffeine zip to give me a kick in the ass, but without the jitters.

grape - finally a grape soda that I don't have to feel guilty about after drinking it! No harmful dyes and sans a week's worth of sugar. Love it!

cream soda - tastes like it is straight from the 1950's soda pop shop... if I were actually alive in the 50's and had ever been to a pop shop. However, this is what I imagine it tasted like. Perfect for vegan ice cream floats!

dr. zevia - just call the good doctor... he or she will fix ya!

lemon lime twist - love this refreshing flavor.

cherry cola - this flavor makes it possible for vegan and natural foodies to enjoy a cherry cola that is NOT full of crapola!

black cherry - love it. Enough said.

strawberry - thank you Zevia for making it possible to enjoy a delicious a strawberry soda without junky ingredients and red dye!

Zevia...

i heart...

you! <3

Definitely liking all of the changes Zevia has made and just a huge fan of their products in general. Whether you are craving an ice cold fizzy beverage, hankering for an ice cream float, or want a natural and diet-friendly soda to use in recipes, Zevia is my go-to choice for sure! Be sure to follow the fun Zevia folks on Twitter, and also keep an eye out for my Zevia tweets! I love to show off my culinary creations in which I utilize Zevia... especially ginger root beer floats! 

And for now, the Dirty Vegan is signing off. Wishing you a sunshine in your pocket kind of day! 

Breakfast Banana Bites: Toddler Approved!

Any parent knows that getting a toddler to eat, especially around that molar-teething phase, is a full time job in itself. If you have a toddler like mine, who yells "cupcake!" in poo-poo protest of my delicious and nutritious full course meals that I serve, you have to get inventive. I am betting that you'll appreciate this recipe for banana bites.

These breakfast bites are not just for kids... and not just for breakfast either. You can make these anytime, for anyone. Dipped in warm maple syrup, they are a delightful addition to your day. Toddler and mama approved!

What you will need:

• 2 large bananas 
• 1 cup all purpose flour (I used Target's brand this time)
• 1 tbsp cane sugar
• 2 tbsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp fine sea salt
• 1 cup vegan milk (I used Very Vanilla flavored soy)
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

To garnish and dipping:

• vegan butter (I used Earth Balance)
• pure maple syrup

What you will need to do:

Slice your bananas in long horizontal slices, try to keep them thick enough to handle without breaking, but thin enough to warm nicely, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Then make your batter by mixing the rest of the ingredients.

Dip your banana slices into the batter and place on your preheated griddle. Grill each side for about 1 minute, or until you see tiny bubbles in the batter.

Keep doing that until all of your banana slices and batter are gone. Butter your bites when they come off the griddle and place them onto a plate while you're doing this. Once you are finished griddling, warm up some maple syrup for dipping.

Enjoy!

Vegan Blueberry Brown Sugar Coconut Muffins Recipe

Blueberry Brown Sugar Coconut Muffins

What you will need:

1.5 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp fine sea salt
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup vanilla soy milk
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 cup shredded coconut

What you will need to do:

Preheat oven 400°. Line 12 spots in a muffin pan with liner cups. Combine first 3, dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine next three (wet) ingredients. Combine both dry and wet ingredients, then fold in blueberries and coconut. Divide batter evenly among 12 spots in muffin pan. Bake for 20- 30 minutes, or until toothpick can be inserted and come out cleanly. Enjoy!

Cheesy Kale Chips Recipe! Better than Store Bought Kind!

Ever since trying store bought, cheesy flavored kale chips, I've been trying to come up with a way to have these at home, in larger quantities (yummmm so good!), but without the hefty $7 price tag per 2 ounces. I've finally mastered this recipe. These taste cheesy, delicious, dare I say nacho-like, and are actually better than the packaged ones. This recipe also makes quadruple or more than the store bought ones, for about $6 or $7! These also taste fresher! Be warned, these crispy miracles, taste amazing, you WILL be addicted, you may just eat the entire batch. Just know this. Ok, onto the recipe!

What you will need:

1 cup soaked cashews
1 red bell pepper, seeded
Juice of 1 large lemon OR 2 small lemons
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1 tbsp pure maple syrup
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 large bunch kale, de-stemmed and cleaned

What you will need to do:

Blend first 6 ingredients in the blender until smooth, like a nacho cheese sauce. In a large bowl, pour sauce over kale and mix with hands until each kale piece is well coated. Place clumps of kale onto dehydrator trays (I used the Nesco Professional with the round trays). Dehydrate on 135° for the first hour, then 115° for about 15 more hours or until coating is dry and chips are crunchy. Enjoy these delicious little morsels!

Litehouse Herbs Review & Amazing Artichoke Recipe!

Tell me if this has ever happened to you. You buy fresh herbs at the store, with every intention of using the entire bunch, but sadly they wilt away to their demise before you ever get the chance to use them. Or, have you ever purchased one of those herb plants, to find that one day it just dies on you? Or how about this one - have you ever bought a bunch of fresh herbs and then by the next morning, they appear to be as wrinkly as a 95 year old man's behind? For the record, I have never seen a 95 year old man's behind, but I am just guessing that there is some sort of resemblance. Let's face it, fresh herbs taste so much better than those dried herbs that you find on the dusty shelf in the grocery store. If you are like me, you have longed for herbs and spices that have the taste of freshly picked produce but the convenience of spice-rack-friendly, herbs in the jar. Finally, the solution to our dilemma has arrived, and it's name is Litehouse!

Litehouse sent me their delicious and fresh tasting herbs to try in: Thyme, Spring Onion, Ginger, Sage, Garlic, Italian, Parsley, and Basil. I used the same amount that a recipe would call for with fresh herbs. The ratio is the same. You just add them to water to revive them. I also added them to dishes that were watery already, like soups or stews. I've been using these herbs in everything and my food tastes so much fresher! And the value and convenience is great! For instance, you get about 3 bunches of basil in just one jar of Litehouse instant herbs! Pretty neat. I have been having such success using these, so here is my favorite recipe so far. The Litehouse herbs add something seriously special to this dish. Here is my Herby Steamed Artichoke Recipe and you can find Litehouse products by browsing their online store or at retailers like Target.

The Dirty Vegan's Herby Steamed Artichokes

Serves 2

What you will need:

2 artichokes, washed, stems cut, tops cut (about 1 inch)
1 heaping tsp Litehouse Parsley
1 heaping tsp Litehouse Garlic
1 heaping tsp Litehouse Spring Onion
2 bay leaves
1 lemon
1/4 cup white wine
2 tbsp olive oil
4 cups water
1 bouillon cube
sea salt and black pepper to taste

What you will need to do:

Place all ingredients in a large sauce pan. Cover and let artichokes steam in the Herby steaming liquid for about 30 minutes, or until leaves are tender. To eat, simply scrape the pulp from the leaves with your teeth (don't eat the leaves - yuck!). You can eat the heart by removing the prickly covering around it. The heart is soft and delicious and really soaks up all of the flavors in the steaming liquid. Enjoy!

This is what the artichokes looked like in the delicious Herby broth!

And as they were steaming to perfection. Yum!