Tag Archives: herbs

Black Bean Lettuce Wraps

Posted in Lunch/Dinner by

I tend to eat lettuce wraps a lot! Why??? They are so easy to throw together super fast and most importantly they are incredibly healthy! See fast food CAN be healthy!!! I like to use black beans because they are my favourite bean but you can use what ever bean you prefer. The picture below is of a super plain wrap because that bean mixture was made for my 9-year-old who wanted just beans & hemp hearts. I like to add bell peppers, shredded carrot and sprouts if I have them on hand to my wraps. The beauty of these wraps is that you can pretty much use any veggie you have on hand or that needs to be used asap in them. Another bonus of lettuce wraps is that they are kinder to your waistline compared to wolfing down a bunch of tortilla wraps. Go ahead and wolf these down though because they are delicious and healthy … no guilt required! 🙂

 

Simple Black Bean Lettuce Wraps

Simple Black Bean Lettuce Wraps

 

 

Black Bean Lettuce wraps

You will need:

  • 1 can of black beans
  • garlic
  • apple cider vinegar
  • hemp hearts
  • salt & pepper , I use Himalayan pink salt
  • parsley
  • lettuce of your choice, *Boston/butterhead lettuce is a great choice because it holds the bean mixture well. I’m inserting a picture I found of Boston Lettuce in case your not familiar with this type of lettuce.*
Boston Lettuce

Boston Lettuce

 

 

Bean mixture:

  • 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed really well
  • 3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • Salt & Pepper, to taste
  • 2 TBSP hemp hearts
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/3 cup fresh torn up parsley
  • 2-3 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar
  • Veggie/veggies of choice, I usually cut up 1 large bell pepper and grate 1/3 cup carrot

Add all ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl. The longer you let these ingredients sit the better your bean mixture will taste! I sometimes make it the night before and keep it in the fridge.

 

Method:

  1. Pre wash & dry your lettuce leaves. Make sure they are nice and dry!
  2. Add your bean mixture to the lettuce. If you’re using the Boston lettuce it acts like a cup so it’s really easy to fill up.
  3. Top with more hemp hearts
  4. Eat them all up!!! Without any guilt I might add! 🙂

 

NOTE: I also sometimes add some brown rice or quinoa to my wraps which makes them a little more filling when I’m enjoying them for dinner. Give it a try! You will love this addition!

 

Enjoy!

Blueberry Protein Smoothie

Posted in Breakfast, Smoothies, Snack by
Blueberry Protein Smoothie!

Blueberry Protein Smoothie!

 

 

Blueberry Protein Smoothie

  • 2 cups blueberries (I use frozen most of the time)
  • 1 cup chopped cantaloupe
  • 1 scoop vegan vanilla protein powder
  • 1 cup lettuce of choice
  • 2 large peaches, chopped up
  • 2 cups cold filtered water
  • 1/3 cup chopped parsley (optional)
  • Ice (optional)

 

Add the lettuce, blueberries, peach, parsley (if you’re using it), protein powder, cantaloupe and water to a blender. Blend well to desired consistency. Adjust water if you think you need to add a bit more. Add in some ice if you want your smoothie colder & blend well.

Enjoy! 🙂

 

*Below are some of the reasons why I use parsley in my cooking but also in some of my smoothies as well!*

 

 

Health Benefits Of Parsley!

Health Benefits Of Parsley!

 

Mixed Greens

Mixed Greens

 

blueberries

 

My daughter holding a perfect yummy organic peach!

My daughter holding a perfect yummy organic peach!

 

 

Simple Bean & Herb Salad

Posted in Lunch/Dinner by
Simple & Easy Bean And Herb Salad!

Simple & Easy Bean And Herb Salad!

 

 

I’ve had many people ask me for this specific bean salad recipe so I thought I’d just post it here for everyone. I make many different types of bean salads but this is one of my favourite ones. It’s always a hit with family and friends! I use chickpeas and black beans in this salad but the bean possibilities are endless so use whatever you have on hand. I love how you can use whatever staple ingredients you have at home and create a lovely protein packed salad super fast!  I like adding chopped bell peppers into it because it adds a pop of colour to the salad and adds another element of great taste as well. For me fresh parsley is a must for bean salad so I add in a lot of it! I like to top my salad with healthy hemp hearts to finish it off.

 

 

Simple Bean & Herb Salad

 

You will need:

  • 2  – 19 oz  can of black beans
  • 1 – 28 oz large can of chickpeas
  • 3 – 4 large cloves of garlic
  • 3 – 4 tbsp. hemp hearts
  • 3 Tbsp.’s Apple Cider Vinegar, adjust to desired taste
  • 3 Tbsp. Olive Oil, adjust according to desired taste
  • Salt & black pepper
  • handful of parsley, I use two handfuls 🙂
  • large bowl or large container

 

Method:

  1. Mince the garlic
  2. Open up the cans of beans and rinse, rinse, rinse them very well!!!
  3. Add beans to your bowl or sealable container and toss in the garlic
  4. Drizzle with a 3 tbsp.’s of extra virgin olive oil and 3 tbsp.’s of apple cider vinegar. Adjust to desired taste. Add more olive oil or ACV if you need depending on how strong you want the flavors to be.
  5. Season with Himalayan salt and black pepper and add the parsley.
  6. Mix well and top with 3 – 4 tbsp. of hemp hearts on top.

 

* I keep my bean & herb salad in the fridge to let the flavors marry for a while before serving. The longer it sits the better it will taste!!!*

 

Enjoy!

Fresh Spring Rolls

Posted in Lunch/Dinner, Snack by

Making fresh spring rolls is super easy and boy are they tasty!!! They are a great way of using up those veggies in your fridge! Bust them out, chop them up and let’s make some spring rolls!!! I like adding veggies like carrots, bell peppers, cucumber, sprouts, lettuce, spinach, parsley and cabbage to my spring rolls. The options are endless so add whatever you enjoy and that you have on hand! I always have  a package of rice paper rolls in my fridge just in case I need to whip up a fast meal. I prefer using the small-sized rice paper but I sometimes buy the large size and then chop them in half once they are stuffed. Staples like this are what save me from resorting to picking up fast food on the run! 🙂

 

Fresh Spring Rolls

 

Fresh Spring Rolls

 

You will need:

  • 1 package of rice paper rolls, I prefer the small size
  • Chopped/Julienne veggies of choice
  • 3 tbsp. light soy sauce or alternative
  • 1 tbsp. Vegan/Vegetarian Hoisin sauce
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp. chopped peanuts, optional
  • baking dish with water
  • small bowl
  • serving dish or plate

 

 

Fresh Spring Rolls

 

Method:

  1. Make you dipping sauce by mixing the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, optional peanuts and garlic together in a small bowl. The longer this sits the better garlic flavor you will have … so yummy!
  2. Chop/Julienne veggies of choice.
  3. Add a rice paper into the baking dish with water and allow the paper to soften. Be careful not to over soak it because then the paper will break and become soggy!
  4. Transfer the rice paper to a large plate or cutting board so you can assemble the spring roll. Add a little of each veggie and some herbs if you’re using them to the rice paper roll. Remember not to over stuff it or else it wont roll up properly!
  5. Roll it up and place it on your serving plate or dish.
  6. Keep assembling as many as you like. Place the dipping sauce bowl in the middle of your serving plate or right beside it when your ready to serve them.
  • If your making them ahead of time then just cover them with plastic wrap and place them into the fridge. Sometimes I make them the night before. They are a fantastic & very healthy lunch to pack up for the next day!

 

Enjoy 😀