2 Ingredient Veggie Pasta!

Posted in Lunch/Dinner by Vegan Mommy Dee

The last couple weeks have been difficult. I’m still on the mend after feeling super ill. I had to get tested for COVID-19 and thankfully it came back negative. It’s just a regular flu that needs to run its course.

I’ve been focusing on getting lots of vegetables into my diet. I need those extra nutrients more than ever right now! Packing a variety of fresh and frozen vegetables and fruits will help my body fight illness and provide me with extra energy.

I decided to create a healthy veggie sauce using frozen vegetables to add to my meals. I used this sauce on my pasta and it worked out fabulously. It’s a completely guilt free sauce using only two ingredients. I used a frozen mix of broccoli, cauliflower and carrots to make my veggie sauce. You can use whatever vegetables you have on hand to make this delicious veggie sauce. I’m sure the possibilities are endless and many combinations would be fantastic.

I used beetroot noodles for my pasta dish because that’s what I had on hand. They ended up being absolutely delicious. I actually found them at my local Dollar Store. They only cost my $1.50 and provided meals for two days. I ate large portions along with my partner and we still had lots left over for lunch the next day. I love saving money! I will definitely buy those again if I see them at the store. You can use whatever type of pasta you have or prefer for this recipe. I suggest using something like a whole grain pasta for added nutrition.

This is also a great way of cleaning out your fridge and making sure all the veggies you bought get used up. I hate food waste so I try creating recipes like this one in order to use everything up. We tend to buy a lot and don’t plan out our meals very well. Creating recipes like this is great to use it all up and not waste hard earned money. Nobody wants to throw away spoiled food.

Many people are also cutting back on food spending and trying to create cheaper meals. Grocery store spending can be quite high for all of us no matter what our diet is these days. If you live in a place where you can’t grow anything yourself due to the climate then these costs can be even higher unfortunately. I’m in that boat myself because it’s too cold most if the year where I live sadly. I can only grow my veggies for a short time every summer.

I hope you all enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I need quick and easy recipes because life is just too busy! I also need to keep my diet as clean as possible so I can feel at my absolute optimal. This is why I create simple and healthy recipes like this one. If you enjoy these fuss free recipes then consider Subscribing to my YouTube Channel where I have loads of quick and healthy video recipes.

2 Ingredient Veggie Pasta

Ingredients

– 300-400g of Pasta
– 5-6 cups of veggies (I used frozen broccoli, Cauliflower and carrots).

– Save 2 cups of the pasta water for the sauce. This will add great consistency and flavor.

Optional:
– Seasonings and spices of choice (optional)
– 1 tsp. nutritional yeast (optional)

Method

1. Boil a large pot of water for the pasta.

2. Add the veggies to a pan and cook them up. Just use water or veggie broth to cook them up. Don’t use oil because that will increase the calories significantly.

3. Add the cooked veggies to a blender. Add spices, seasonings and nutritional yeast if you are using them.

4. Add the pasta water to the blender. Start with 1 cup and decide how thick you want your sauce.

5. Drain and plate your pasta. Add the sauce. Combine well.

ENJOY!

I will add my video of how to make my easy veggie pasta below in this blog post for those of you who enjoy watching recipe videos.

I will make my best effort to get more recipes up on this blog this year. I’ve had a lot of people asking me to post more often here. I will do my best my friends! Thanks for the support, encouragement and love.

Health, Joy & Positive Vibes,

Debbie

~VeganMommyDee~

27Feb2021

2 ingredient Potato & Veggie Patties

Posted in Lunch/Dinner by Vegan Mommy Dee

Who needs a recipe that can be made super fast but will still help you stick to your wellness goals? Fast food can definitely be made with a healthy twist if you put some thought behind it.

I love making Potato and Veggie patties because they taste super delicious and keep me on track with my health and wellness goals. I also love how I can use the same mixture to make a variety of things too. I make patties and veggie bites using the same simple mixture. I love easy recipes like this that can provide us with many different meal options. Let’s face it if we don’t have a variety of quick recipes then we will seek unhealthy alternatives.

Easy Potato & Veggie Patties with Hot Sauce

Super simple & delicious Potato & Veggie Patties

The number one excuse people make for not eating healthy is that they don’t have time to cook.

I just don’t agree with that because I can cook up a healthy meal using just a few ingredients on a normal basis. In the time it takes you to order food and get it picked up or delivered you can make a healthy meal at home. It doesn’t take much effort to cook up potatoes, rice, open a can of beans or legumes and whatever veggies you have on hand. Frozen or canned veggies are wonderful to have at home because they cook up really fast. I feel like these types of convience foods are extremely helpful in order to keep us on a track with our wellness goals.

I use my instant pot to cook up most of my meals because I’m short on time. You can make pretty much anything in this amazing small appliance quickly. I love to fill up my instant pot with healthy starches like potatoes or rice. Having it pre-made gives me the opportunity to make a meal super fast. I also love having precooked potatoes in the fridge so you just have to grab them and reheat them when you get hungry. Rice can also be frozen which I find very helpful when I know it’s going to be a super busy day.

Having time saving hacks will prevent you from going out and buying terrible junky foods. Being prepared will help you stay successful and on the right track.

POTATO & VEGGIE PATTIES

Ingredients:
– 4-5 lbs of potatoes
– 4-5 cups of veggies (I used frozen veggies, my favorite is brocolli and green beans)
– seasonings of choice (optional)

1. I cook my potatoes in my 6 quart Instant Pot (about 4-5 lbs of potatoes) for 20 minutes and allow it to naturally release. You can also cook potatoes in a regular pot on the stove if you don’t have an Instant Pot.

2. Cook up 5-6 cups of frozen mixed veggies on a frying pan using water or broth to saute them.

3. Add the potatoes into a large mixing bowl and mash them up. Depending on the size of the bowl, you may need to do this in batches.

4. Add in the cooked veggies and mix well.

5. Add in any optional seasonings or spices of choice.

6. Shape into patties and pop them into the air-fryer to cook up. You can also use the oven if you don’t have a air-fryer available to you.

I cook mine at 350 F for 14 minutes, flipping them half way. Adjust the timing according to the size of patty you make.

I dip mine in sugar free ketchup most of the time. I also like to make veggie burgers using this recipe too.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. I’d love it if you could tag me on IG @VeganMommyDee if you make the recipe.

Health, Joy & Positive Vibes,

Debbie

~VeganMommyDee~

30Jan2021

No Waste Quick & Easy Meals

Posted in healthy living by Vegan Mommy Dee

I love making No Waste Quick & Easy Meals. I absolutely hate wasting food! Anyone else buy loads of food and a week or two later you start tossing it in the trash or organic bin? It’s just so wasteful.

This hurts our wallet, health and our planet.

I vowed to start changing this bad habit. I didn’t want to continue throwing out perfectly good food because I didn’t plan my meals well enough. It was also starting to get too costly which is not ok when you really want to buckle down and save money for a rainy day. Saving money is on my top priority list this year.

I do use an organic compost bin so at least the food waste isn’t going in the trash can. It is however still horribly wrong and wasteful. I can’t justify buying food to just toss into my compost bin. Why is it so hard to use up everything we buy? I work long 12 hours shifts. A stretch of days go by where I can’t cook anything. I batch cook staple foods like rice and potatoes before I start all my shifts because thats super easy. I just add a veggie to it for my work lunches. I typically make frozen veggies on those days. I definitely don’t have the energy or will power to cook much more than that on those days!

Late last year I decided that I had to make a big change. I made the commitment to be more mindful of what I’m buying at the grocery store. No I don’t need every veggie on every single shopping trip! This was a hard thing to change because I really embrace the eat the rainbow lifestyle. Now I limit myself to what I truly need to make a meal or two with.

Roasted Sweet Potato and Mixed Greens Salad

Making these changes was difficult at first and even now I sometimes find goodies in the fridge that I’ve missed. I just make a meal out of these sad overripe veggies and it always turns out great! I feel like almost always something can be done with them. It might not be the best meal but it will be healthy and taste good. Of course there will always be times where the odd thing is too far gone to use. I just try my best to avoid it as much as possible.

I create meals using only a few ingredients these days that I quickly grab in the fridge. I use up whatever needs to be eaten first and go from there. I love this way of cooking. No waste meals are my absolute favorite now. It forces me to think outside the box and get creative. I’m actually really enjoying cooking this way!

No waste cooking has also made me get back to basics and eat more simply. I’m able to save a lot of time by eating this way. I’m not spending endless hours in the kitchen. Great cooking doesn’t have to be fussy and complicated.

I hope that this inspired you to reduce food waste. Join me this year as I change myself to continue my no waste meals and reduce food waste in our homes!

Catch me on VeganMommyDee’s Life on YouTube. Consider subscribing if you enjoy health, wellness content and easy to cook recipes.

Health, Joy & Positive Vibes,

20Jan2021

Save money with Dollar Store Meals

Posted in Lunch/Dinner by Vegan Mommy Dee

Do you think you can pull together real meals with Dollar Store items? I was pretty skeptical myself. I didn’t think they had much to offer. I also worried that I wouldn’t find oil free items there as well.

Where I live in Canada our Dollar Stores don’t have freezer sections sadly. Pre COVID-19 days, we crossed the border to shop I was amazed to find out that the Dollar Stores in the USA have freezer sections. They keep them stocked with some pretty amazing choices too! If your Dollar Store has a freezer then this challenge will be much easier for you. It will provide you much more to work with.

Here in Canada it’s not uncommon to find $3.00 and $4.00 items at the Dollar Store. I’m not sure why we even call it the Dollar Store anymore. It’s actually pretty hard to find $1.00 items these days.

I challenged myself to find $1-$2 items that I could pull a meal off with. I wanted to make sure each meal I made was between three and four servings as well. I wanted these meals to be something a family could enjoy or to have leftovers for lunches. Meal prepping is always such a great time saver! I’m not going to say I had tons of choices but honestly it wasn’t that bad at all. I was surprised at what I was able to find. I had to think outside the box and try creating family meals out of just a few ingredients. It’s definitely possible with a little thought and effort.

Many of us are trying to cut food costs and save some money. Shopping at the Dollar Store can help you save money and still put together some healthy meals. I plan on continuing to tinker in the kitchen and create more yummy inexpensive meals. It’s become a challenge that I’m now quite enjoying. I wonder what else I can come up with?

I don’t consume any added oil in my diet so I also had to make sure that foods were compliant. I originally wanted to make a pasta using traditional tomato sauce but every brand had canola oil in it. I had to pass on that idea and think of something else. I wanted to make a comfort meal using pasta. I decided to make my own healthy sauce. I threw only a few ingredients together and came up with a yummy pea sauce. This idea was actually way better and this sauce has become a staple in our house now!

I’ll add my video where I made this yummy recipe in this post so you can see how I made it. I made a Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in the video below. If you haven’t already Subscribed to my YouTube Channel please consider doing so now. That way you don’t miss any upcoming recipes videos!

I hope this inspired you to visit your local dollar store. Grab some staple ingredients and I bet you can create some great meals too! Let me know what you come up with in the comments. If you recreate my recipes please tag me on IG. I love seeing you guys make my recipes. It brings me so much joy!

Health, Joy & Positive Vibes,

Debbie

14Dec2020

Holiday Lentil Loaf & Chestnut Rice

Posted in Holiday Meals, Lunch/Dinner by Vegan Mommy Dee

Hi everyone! I hope the holiday season has been enjoyable so far. I know it’s hard to feel positive and happy during a pandemic but we have to push through this difficult time. We have to focus on the positive things we have in our lives and practice gratitude.

Continue reading →

4Aug2020

Veggie Garden Love

Posted in Uncategorized by Vegan Mommy Dee

I’m enjoying my veggie garden and it’s abundance this year more than ever. With COVID-19 happening I still only shop when necessary. I love being able to grow my own veggies so I don’t have to buy as much produce at the grocery store. Being able to just walk outside and pick my own veggies is the best feeling ever!

I also love how fresh my home grown produce is. Honestly it even tastes better! Currently I’m obsessed about how my Green peppers taste. I feel so grateful to be able to grow these healthy foods. I feel so energetic and happy during this time of year. It’s probably because of a combination of things I’m sure. I eat even healthier, fresher and more organic food than other times of year for starters. I feel way more active as I’m busy gardening and taking a couple long walks daily. The amount of vitamin D I’m also getting daily makes a huge difference in my wellness.

Continue reading →

22Jul2020

Easy to make Black Bean & Kale Spread

Posted in Uncategorized by Vegan Mommy Dee

Do you want to make a spread/dip that taste delicious and is good for you? Yes healthy spreads like this one can actually taste fantastic and be full of flavor!

I love how I can quickly make this recipe using my food processor and it stores so well in the fridge for up to a week. Part of staying on track is having those healthy snacks and foods handy. You don’t want to get tempted to eat unhealthy options. We don’t make the greatest choices when we’re hungry and in a hurry. We need easy healthy options that are already ready to go in the fridge in order to be successful.

I love making this spread because I can create a meal that’s fiber and protein rich. It keeps me feeling full for a long time and it pairs great with potatoes or rice.

I add kale in this recipe because I have an abundance of it growing in my veggie gardens. If you prefer spinach you can also use that in this recipe. Both healthy greens will work great in my recipe.

This recipe is oil free so this lowers the calories considerably. Added oil would add hundreds of calories to this recipe. In my opinion that totally unnecessary. Why add refined unhealthy oil to such a healthy recipe? I love cooking oil free. It keeps my food lower in calorie density. Less calories and more food is a reality when you eat this way. It’s life changing!

BLACK BEAN & KALE SPREAD

INGREDIENTS:

2 cans of black beans
3 large kale leaves
Juice of 1 medium lemon
Spices: Garlic Powder, Paprika & Chili Powder. Start with 1 tbsp. and adjust flavor according to preference
1 tbsp Hot sauce (optional)

METHOD:

1. Rinse canned beans and add them to a food processor.

2. Add the juice of 1 lemon and spices.

3. Place the kale in the food processor.

4. Pulse until a smooth consistency.

5. Place the bean spread into an airtight container and add the optional hot sauce if desired. Mix well.

6. The spread will stay fresh in the fridge for up to one week. If it lasts that long!

ENJOY!

I will add a video of me making this yummy dip to this post. If you haven’t already Subscribed to my YouTube channel please consider doing so if you enjoy healthy recipes.

Stay Healthy & Happy,

Debbie

~VeganMommyDee~

18Jun2020

Healthy Arugula & Spinach Pesto

Posted in Lunch/Dinner by Vegan Mommy Dee

Calling all Pesto sauce lovers!!! I have a recipe that you will not only love but it’s actually healthy too.

Do you love Pesto but hate all the calories associated with it? Traditional pesto is loaded with oil which is just empty calories. Did you know that each tablespoon you use will add on 120 calories to your meal? I don’t know about you but I’m not interested in adding on all these extra unneccessary calories. I also don’t know any person that just adds one tablespoon of oil to their food when they cook. Think about how much oil is called for in traditional pesto recipes. Add up all those extra calories. It’s actually pretty horrifying. If those extra calories came from wholesome unrefined foods then I wouldn’t worry about it. Oil of any kind has been refined and adds no benefits to our health contrary to popular belief however.

If you want to read more about the hazards of including oil in your diet I recommend you check out Dr. Mcdougall’s website and pick up some of his amazing books. The Starch Solution will open your eyes to a weath of information and practical tips.

My recipe for pesto is oil free, nut free and dairy free. I eliminated a ton of calories and I only use real whole foods. I believe that the food we eat should be full of nutrients and vitamins. This is the food of vitality and wellness. This is the food I want to fuel my body with and I hope you do too.

So what if pasta isn’t your thing? Yes some people just aren’t big pasta fans. It’s true but hard to believe I know! Don’t fret because you can also use this fresh oil free pesto sauce on baked or boiled potatoes which is amazing. It will take your plain potatoes to a whole new level trust me! It’s also a great alternative to adding unhealthy butter or sour cream to your potatoes. I also like to top my rice with a little of this pesto sauce too. It gives your rice a bit of extra flavour and colour which is really nice.

Here is my healthy and super easy to make recipe for Pesto. This recipe is made using Arugula and Spinach which is probably very easy to find for everyone. I do like to use Fresh Basil when I have it but it doesn’t have to be the staple ingredient in pesto. I love how you can play around with different healthy greens to create new and wonderful pesto recipes. You can never get sick of pesto sauce when you try new greens and create new ways of making this fabulous sauce.

Healthy Arugula & Spinach Pesto Pasta

Ingredients:

• 3 cups Arugula & Spinach Mix
• Juice of 1 large lemon
• 5 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 cup Pumpkin Seeds or Sunflower seeds
• Salt & Pepper
• 1 cup chopped Tomatoes
• 1-2 Tbsp. Nutritional Yeast
• 5 cups pasta of choice. I used Quinoa Pasta.

Method:

1. Boil large pot of water and add in the pasta. Cook according to directions on pasta packaging.

2. Add all ingredients to a food processor. Combine well.

3. In a large bowl add the pasta and mix in the pesto sauce.

* Serves 4 people *

Enjoy!

If you want to see how I made my recipe then just take a peek at my video below. It’s my latest recipe video on my YouTube channel.

Much Love & Gratitude,

Debbie

~VeganMommyDee~

4Jun2020

Best Ever Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Posted in Snack, Vegan Baking by Vegan Mommy Dee

My most popular homemade cookie is my Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookie recipe. It’s healthy, nutritious and keeps you feeling full super long. They even qualify as a great breakfast cookie in my opinion. I say if they include oatmeal then they qualify as breakfast!

This recipe can also be altered to suit your preferences. You can mix it up a little by replacing the chocolate chips with raisins or cranberries if you prefer. Those options would be tasty. My kids like them best with vegan chocolate chips, so I stick with this option pretty much every time I make it.

I feel good knowing that although I’m eating a cookie that it’s a healthy alternative. I love guilt free options!

I will indulge in store bought baked goods sometimes but they just don’t seem to settle with me well. These treats are usually too sweet and contain oil in them. I’m not used to either of those things in my diet. I now avoid outside treats as much as possible and try making my own healthy snacks.

If you don’t like bananas then I apologize because the star of the show is banana in my recipe. It binds everything so nicely and provides all the sweetness we need without adding any extra sugar. I avoid adding extra sugar in my baked goods whenever possible. You can use sweet potato as an alternative to banana however and that should work really well too.

BEST EVER OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

• 2 cups oats
• 4 cups oat flour
• 9 bananas
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup hemp hearts
• 6 flax eggs.

FLAX EGGS: 1Tbsp. Flaxmeal + 3 Tbsp. Water. This will make 1 Flax Egg. Allow to thicken up for 5 minutes.

Preheat Oven to 350 F. & Make your Flax Eggs

1. Mash Bananas and add Vanilla

2. Add in the thickened Flax Eggs and mix with a fork
3. Toss in the Oats and combine well
4. Next add in the Oat Flour

5. Add in the Hemp Hearts & Vegan Chocolate Chips
5. Combine Well
6. Place parchment paper on a cookie sheet and shape the cookies out with a spoon. Flatten them as well.
7. Bake for 18 Minutes at 350 F

ENJOY!

Bake at 350° for 18 minutes. Allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

I hope you enjoy my recipe as much as we do at my house! Healthy foods can taste exceptionally good when you use the right ingredient combinations. These cookies make me feel like I’m eating a decadent treat but in reality it’s just a wholesome snack.

Stay Healthy my friends! Much Love & Positive Vibes to you. 💚

9Apr2020

My Covid 19 Grocery Staples

Posted in Uncategorized by Vegan Mommy Dee

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all coping with all the craziness that’s currently happening. It’s all very overwhelming and a lot to take in at times. The isolation is starting to get to most of us and we truly miss that connection with others.

I’m still going to work and commuting as usual because I’m an essential worker. I’m just trying to use all the preventative measures possible but it’s still a scary time. I’m grateful to have a job during this difficult time however. These are hard times but we will get through them. Together collaboratively we can get through anything.

I’ve learned that we took things for granted before. We now have to line up outside grocery stores to buy basic items instead of just walking in sometimes multiple times a week. We have to plan when we have to go and try figuring out where the shortest wait will be. We now have to deal with limits on items as well so that there is enough to go around. At the end of all this we will all be master meal planners however! See there is always something positive to reflect on.

My go to for groceries has been the Business Center Costco. We like to shop there nornally because we need super large quantities of food items. I have five kids and we like to stock up on most used items. I’m very grateful for stores like this. It’s a bit of a drive but it’s well worth it for us. Buying in large quantities like this also provides me with the opportunity to share our food. I off load lots of grocery items at my parents house so that they have plenty during this ordeal.

Please remember to connect with others and see if they need assistance. For many older individuals it’s very risky to go out grocery shopping. They should stay at home and try finding alternative options for getting essentials. If we all lend a hand it would make a huge difference for them.

I also love how we can also the advantage of grocery delivery or pick up services. Many grocery stores have this convenient and safe method of shopping which is fantastic. Yes the waits are long and you’re not going to get groceries right away but it’s worth waiting. I’ve been planning a week or two ahead so I know what we will run out of.

I made a staple covid 19 food items video on my YouTube channel because people were curious about what types of things I stocked up on. So I walked you through what my family of 7 needs during this time.

Let me know what you found was the easiest way to shop. How did you stock up on essentials? Drop me a comment below and let me know how things are in your neck of the woods currently.

I would be so grateful if you could Subscribe to my YouTube channel. Thank you for the support and love.

Stay Healthy my friends.