Category: Blog

Healthy Falafels that are Gluten-Free and Vegan!!!

MeganLeave a comment

PictureWhat’s high in protein, fiber and keeps you feeling fuller longer? 

It’s a Falafel!!!!! 

When it comes to trying new recipes with ingredients you already love…then I AM TOTALLY in!!! Today, I’m sharing, my version of Healthy Falafels…what the heck is a Falafel you might be asking yourself?

A Falafel is predominately a Middle Eastern food and has been coined the “The Hot Dog of The Middle East.” Or “The Meatballs of the Middle East.”  Since there is a cloud of mystery as to where these icons originally originated from you will most certainly see regional differences to some of the ingredients but generally, falafels are made with either garbanzo beans, fava beans, flour, (in this case gluten-free flour), and spices for an amazing pop of flavor.
Falafel’s are commonly served in a pita type pocket or roll of flat bread with some sort of fresh vegetable or salad and a yogurt, tahini (sesame seed), or hot sauce.  If you have ever tried a veggie burger, the Falafel is very similar in consistency and texture.  In some places, the Falafel is served by with a tomato sauce with spices similar to our tomato sauce with meatballs.

Falafels are also very popular among Vegans.  In case you were wondering, someone who follows a strict vegan diet simply put they do not consume anything that comes from a mother or has a bladder. 

Falafels are usually pretty healthy…let’s just say the Falafels that are not deep fried are very Healthy and Nutritious!

Go ahead and make “The Meatballs of the Middle East”  I know you’re all going to love them!

Cheers!

Ingredients:

  • 16 oz. Garbanzo Beans
  • 1 cup Spinach
  • 1 bunch of cilantro
  • 1 bunch of parsley
  • 1/4 Teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Lime Juice
  • 2 Tablespoons of Tahini
  • 1 Onion
  • 4-6 Garlic Cloves
  • 2 Tablespoons of Namaste Foods Quinoa Flour
  • 3/4 Teaspoon of Salt
  • 1 Teaspoon Olive Oil

Directions:

  1. Add chickpeas in the Food processor and blend well until they have a paste-like consistency.
  2. Put them in a large bowl and blend in all the other ingredients, except oil.
  3. Add in the quinoa flour into the mix
  4. Heat some oil in a non-stick frying pan. ( I used Olive Oils)
  5. Make the patties – 1 Tbsps per patty.
  6. Fry them 2 minutes on each side. The Falafels should be crispy on the outside and soft but not mushy on the inside.
  7. Put the falafels on a plate covered with a paper towel in order to absorb all excess oil.
  8. Serve!

Avocado Toast

MeganLeave a comment

PictureHello, Friends!  I hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

I am not joking when I say that I LOVE avocado toast!!!  I have literally eaten this delightfully crunchy, creamy goodness for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Maybe not all in the same day but on many occasions when I don’t necessarily feel like cooking dinner or if it’s TOO hot outside. 

This delicious toast hits the crunchy, creamy mouthfeel without adding other unnecessary sugar, or unhealthy fat.  

One of the great things about this snack is not only can you peel and store the avocado ahead of time but you can definitely take this super easy and satisfying snack on the go. 

Avocados are very nutritiously dense.  Meaning they contain a wide variety of nutrients, vitamins, healthy fats, fiber and even protein.  Here are just a few of these amazing benefits of avocados:

    • Monounsaturated fatty acids (good fat)
    • High in folate
    • High in potassium 
    • Contain Phytonutrients -> such as polyphenols and flavonoids
    • Contain Carotenoids -> specifically Lutein

 

I also wanted to include just a few of the MANY health benefits of adding Avocados to your lifestyle:

  • Avocados can easily be used to substitute fat in baking 
  • Helps to regulate Blood Sugar
  • Protect against some cancers
  • Promote healthy eye health
  • Fights against free-radicals
  • Help to increase nutrient absorption
  • May help protect against strokes
  • Helps to control against High Blood Pressure

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 Slices of Bread to toast
  • 1 Avocado
  • Salt and Pepper

Happy 4th of July…Fruit Cups with Lime and Honey Vinegrette!!!

MeganLeave a comment

PictureHappy 4th of July…Fruit Cups with Honey Lime Vinaigrette

Happy 4th of July!  What an exciting time of year to celebrate our wonderful nation’s birthday!   Barbeques, picnics, and fireworks you seriously can’t get any better than that! 

With all of the summer-time food, from corn on the cobb, to sweet treats, sometimes you need a quick yet festive dish to bring and share that is not only light but refreshingly healthy on those sticky summer nights!

I must admit I too, love flipping through magazines and reading seeing all the festive decorations, recipes and family picnics in so many magazines and I love when the food perfectly blends and picks up the color theme in the dish!

Ingredients:

  • 3 Bananas
  • 1-2 cups Blueberries
  • 1 lime, fresh
  • 16 oz. Strawberries1/8 cup Raw Honey

 Directions:

  1. In a medium sized bowl quarter the strawberries, and cut bananas, add the blueberries
  2. In a small bowl squeeze lime and add raw honey mix and drizzle over fruit