Vegetarian recipes & information to help you eat healthier
This savory quinoa vegetable casserole is based on my Mexican Rice recipe. Using quinoa instead of rice boosts the protein content. The quinoa gives it a totally different texture though, crunchy and nutty. The nutty flavor really compliments the cumin. I like this so much I don’t know if I’ll ever bother to make the Mexican rice again. Soaking the quinoa makes it more digestible and nutritious. Read more »
Yesterday I was fortunate enough to find fresh basil at a local gardeners market for a great price. I bought lots so that I could make basil pesto, for the first time ever. It was so easy and it turned out pretty well. Fresh herbs are always magical to work with, but here’s what’s special about basil. A study done in Russia a few decades ago showed that basil alleviates depression. They put a basil plant on the nightstand of people who had been diagnosed with depression and that was enough to alleviate it. I remember reading about that as a teenager. I think it was my first exposure to the concept of aromatherapy. Since then I can’t smell fresh basil without being reminded of that study, and noticing how happy I feel. Making your own basil pesto has the double advantage of that beautiful ‘happy’ aroma and lots of tasty, creamy basil pesto as a result. Read more »
Since seeing how popular my first Raw Sesame Halva recipe has become I have been intending to make a chocolate version. But there’s nothing like a food craving to actually propel me into action. I didn’t have enough sesame seeds on hand to make a worthwhile batch, so I used almonds to make up the difference. I also added maca powder for even more superfood goodness and a bit of finely ground coffee beans for an extra kick which sent the taste over the top into the heavenly realm. The base of this recipe is quite simple – sesame seeds, almonds and honey. Around that you can be a bit flexible with the ingredients. If you don’t have raw cacao powder (raw chocolate) you can use unsweetened cocoa powder instead. The coffee and maca, or other superfood powder can be left out and it’s still delicious. I’d also like to try this using spirulina as the superfood powder ingredient, though I [...] Read more »
I was introduced to oatcakes while living in London. I’ve been hooked ever since. Oats are the healthiest of all the grains, according to The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth (that’s grains only, not including the seeds such as quinoa and amaranth), so they have a lot more going for them than their beautiful, nutty flavor. This recipe is wheat-free, vegan, low salt and contains no added sugar. They are great to snack on as is, delicious spread with honey, or would be great served with savory pates or herb kefir cheese and sprouts. It’s taken me years to get around to making my own, but they are so quick and easy to make I’ll definitely be making more soon. Read more »
I wasn’t sure whether to call this a shake or a smoothie, because it reminded me so much of a vanilla milkshake so I opted for calling it both. This is one of the best smoothie (shake) recipes I’ve come up with so far. I was actually going to call this a breakfast smoothie until I decided to have it for dinner too because I enjoyed it so much. This is one of those quick and easy smoothie recipes that is just so delicious and nutritious that there’s no excuse not to make it any time you need a quick meal or pick-me-up. Vanilla, honey, maca and lucuma are all superfoods. Sesame seeds have more protein than any other seed or nut, are loaded with calcium, iron, and magnesium. Plus they contain lignans that can help burn fat. Flaxseed (also called linseed), is high in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and fiber. Oats are the king of the grains, they help [...] Read more »
If you love desserts, and chocolate desserts especially, but were afraid you’d have to give them up in order to eat healthier, rejoice! It turns out that in the uber-healthy world of raw food, desserts are some of the easiest and most delicious dishes to make. And if you have a special relationship with chocolate, you’ll be delighted to know that organic raw chocolate is not just good for you. It’s a superfood! It’s that good for you! Organic raw chocolate, also known as raw cacao, is higher in magnesium than any other food on the planet. Magnesium is the number one mineral deficiency in the world. Raw cacao is also the #1 source of antioxidants, iron and chromium. So if you’re a chocolate lover just trade the commercial, processed chocolate for raw organic cacao. Then trade in the guilt for the satisfaction and joy of knowing you’re eating one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Yes, there is [...] Read more »
Red cabbage is a superfood, and this has to be one of the simplest, yet tastiest ways to eat lots of it. I love cabbage, maybe it’s the Irish in me, but I can make a meal of this. Properly cooked cabbage has a slightly sweet taste which is complemented by the garlic. If you don’t like cabbage, you’ve probably never had it cooked properly. I’ve met many a person who thought they didn’t like cabbage until they tried one of my cabbage dishes. They’ve always asked for more. So if you imagine over-cooked, mushy cabbage with rotten-egg smell permeating the house give this recipe a try and see if cabbage doesn’t become one of your favorite vegetables too. Cabbage contains phytochemicals called indoles which are thought to be responsible for reducing the risk of cancer. It’s also high in fiber, and contains a good amount of vitamins C, K, beta-carotene and the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin which promote good [...] Read more »