Lemon-Kissed Blondie Bites from Plant-Powered Kitchen

"I just love any lemony dessert...really, anything lemony..." said my co-worker a few months ago.  Well, tomorrow is her birthday and she has a surprise coming her way! 

Lemon-Kissed Blondie Bites! 

After reading Dr. Fuhrman's book, Eat to Live, she has since made "the switch" to a plant-based diet focused on nutrient dense foods.  Most who hear these words used when describing someone's diet typically think of boring meals and certainly not having any "sweet stuff".  Well, that is certainly not true and this recipe is here to prove that.  It is sweet and refreshing and I think she'll be quite pleased on her first plant-strong birthday! :)

You can find the recipe here on Dreena Burton's website, Plant-Powered Kitchen.  Enjoy!

Hawaiian Lentil Joes

This recipe will work for any man!  A sweet, savory, hearty sandwich.  What more could he ask for?!  Plus, it was ready to eat before Nik was able to complete his post-work snack-attack cupboard raid. :)  This recipe also freezes well for an easy meal down the road.

Hawaiian Lentil Joes
Adapted from Chef Chloe's Hawaiian Sloppy Joes
Makes:  4-6 sandwiches

Ingredients
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 sweet onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
8 oz. crimini mushrooms
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 can black lentils (no salt added), drained & rinsed
1 can tomato sauce (no salt added)
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup Sucanat (or other natural sugar)
1 TBSP white or apple cider vinegar
1 can diced pineapple

Instructions
1.  Heat a pot on high with 1 TBSP water.  Once hot add diced green bell pepper, sweet onion, and garlic.  Stir frequently until lightly browned.
2.  While sauteing the above, pulse crimini mushrooms in blender until they are in tiny pieces. 
3.  Add mushrooms and crushed red pepper flakes to pot. Stir frequently for approximately 4-5 minutes.
4.  Add remaining ingredients and cook uncovered on medium-high heat for 10-15 minutes.
5.  Turn off heat, cover, and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes.  This allows it to thicken and the flavors to really come alive.

We enjoy these on Ezekial 4:9 Sprouted Whole Grain Buns which can be found in the freezer section of your grocery store. 

Refreshing Mint Smoothie

St. Patrick's Day is just a few days away.  Bloggers everywhere are posting mouthwatering recipes made with all sorts of green ingredients that not only look tasty but are absolutely adorable.  I love festive things.  They just bring a smile to my face and seem to make the mundane things of life a bit more fun.  :)

I certainly didn't create this recipe to be festive or to celebrate this rather random holiday.  I actually just had a bunch of mint and spinach sitting in the fridge that were soon-to-be mold victims.  But hey, might as well join in on all the fun!

This smoothie was the perfect refresher for after work and before running along to my evening activities.  I hope you find it as enjoyable as I did!

Refreshing Mint Smoothie
Serves: 1

Ingredients
1 large handful spinach
1/2 cup almond milk
1 date
3 large mint leaves
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 banana, frozen

Instructions
1.  Blend first 5 ingredients in high-speed blender until spinach is liquified.
2.  Add frozen banana chunks & blend until creamy.

*I slice bananas into chunks and freeze in plastic containers for quick use in smoothies.