How to Cook… the Easy Way!
I love to cook. Or, I used to love to cook. Well, I used to love to make easy recipes that require me dumping food in a bowl and saying, “Ta-Da!”
While some of my favorite blogs have gorgeous food with ingredient lists a mile long, in the words of a working mom (and YouTube sensation): “Ain’t nobody got time for that.”
Lately, my hubby and I have gotten into a massive rut eating pasta and other carby things that take little to no time to make. We’ve been eating carbs like carbs are going out of style. (They’re not. They’re here to stay, so suck it Paleo people.) Since we’re active, we need a certain amount of “good” carbs, but three pounds of brown rice pasta at night when all I’m going to do is curl up on the couch and watch Masters of Sex? I think not.
And then I stumbled upon my two favorite vegan cookbooks ever. And I’m not just being dramatic. They’re amazing in every way: Thrive Energy Cookbook by Brendan Brazier and The Oh She Glows Cookbook by Angela Liddon. Rarely do I stumble upon vegan cookbooks with food so simple, healthy, tasty and wildly varied. Thrive is more well-suited for people who live athletic lives and want simple, yummy recipes with nutrient-dense ingredients. There are recipes and meal plans for those who want to “transition,” who want o eat a more standard diet and for athletes. For those of you who follow Angela’s blog, you know what her food is all about. While I find her heavy on the salt and the portions a bit small (Mama likes to eat!), the recipes are spot on.
I loaded up on way too many groceries at the dreaded Whole Paycheck Foods and decided to delve in. I haven’t eaten this well in ages. I feel energetic (despite not sleeping from the tiny terrorist that is our daughter); my nails and hair are growing like weeds and all systems are fully functioning. It’s GO TIME, colon. Literally.
Some of our faves from this week?
Black Bean Veggie Burger Patties with Cashew Sour Cream and Arugula, Pear and Beet Salad (Thrive)
Sweet Potato, Black Bean and Sweet Corn Chili with Veganic Sprouted Grilled Cheese (Daiya) with Edamame Hummus (Thrive)
(I have no more pictures, because I ate everything as soon as I made it. Whoops.)
Almond Butter Cups (Thrive)
10-Spice Vegetable Soup with Cashew Cream (OSG)
Kale Mojito (Thrive)
Peanut Butter Dough Bites (OSG)
Power Goddess Bowl (OSG)
Oh, the list goes on.
So, whether you’re a vegetarian or an omnivore, step outside your eating box and try some simple recipes that will give you energy without breaking the bank.
