This smoothie recipe from I Love Vegan is not only healthy for you and packed full of nutrients, but it’s also plant-based and full of healthy fats and protein to give you energy and keep you satiated until lunch. Plus, smoothies are super easy to make, so you can get your day started quickly. Here’s how to make it happen.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (250 ml) unsweetened almond milk
• 1 ripe banana, frozen
• ½ cup (125 ml) chopped mango, frozen
• 1-2 large handfuls of baby spinach
• ¼ cup (60 ml) pumpkin seeds (Pepita seeds)
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) hemp hearts (hulled hemp seeds)
• Optional: ½ scoop (approx. 30ml) vanilla protein powder + ¼ cup (60ml) water

Instructions:

1. Throw the banana, spinach, pumpkin seeds, mango, and hemp hearts into a blender. Add almond milk and blend until smooth. That’s it!
2. This recipe makes about two cups, which is a good serving size for one person, but it’s very easy to double or even triple if you want to make enough for multiple people.
3. All in all, it’s a great source of vitamins B6, C, E, A K, protein, calcium, iron, zinc, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, potassium, and healthy fatty acids. Yum!

The post You’ll Want to Drink This Healthy Smoothie Every Morning appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

What to Do Instead of Turkey

The center piece of almost any Thanskgiving meal is the turkey which, for obvious reasons, is off the table. Instead, you can consider a turkey substitute like the Gardein Holiday Roast or the Tofurky Roast With Wild Rice Stuffing. If you’d rather not do a meat substitute, you can aim for a hearty dish like a whole roasted cauliflower or a lentil loaf.

Appetizers and Sides

Who needs dairy-laden green bean casserole when you can make one of these great options?

• Roasted brussels sprouts
• Vegan gravy
• Vegan mac and cheese
• Vegan cranberry sauce
• Vegan green bean casserole
• Easy vegan stuffing
• Vegan sweet potato casserole

Desserts

Who’s to say vegans can’t enjoy traditional Thanksgiving favorites like pumpkin pie? Here are some plant-based recipes even your non-vegan guests are sure to love.

• Vegan pumpkin pie
• Vegan whipped cream
• Carrot cake with vegan cream cheese frosting

The post No Turkey, No Problem: Planning a Vegan Thanksgiving appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

First of all, it’s super good for you. It is called nutritional yeast, after all. This yeast is full of B vitamins and trace minerals like zinc, selenium, manganese and molybdenum. And it’s also a complete protein, which means it has all nine essential amino acids humans can only get from food. And you can get fortified nutritional yeast that comes with even more nutrients.

On top of that, it’s seriously tasty. Nutritional yeast has a savory, cheesy flavor that’s great with popcorn, pasta, and soup. If you’re a cheese lover but lactose intolerant or just want to cut down on your consumption of animal products—nutritional yeast is a great way to get in that cheesy flavor without the tummy problems real cheese can cause. Plus, it’s a great thickener for sauces.

Studies have shown that eating nutritional yeast can boost immunity and help lower cholesterol levels, which means it basically has superpowers. So why not give it a shot?

The post Nutritional Yeast Isn’t Just for Vegans appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Based in Vienna, Austria, Kutelas admits cooking had always been a great passion of hers, but after changing her diet and sticking to plant-based-food only, it quickly became more than that.

“In late 2015, I created About That Food because I wanted to offer a platform to help people who wanted to go on this wonderful journey of becoming vegan,” she shared in an interview with le buzz. “A journey that can sometimes be very confusing and frustrating but essentially is a very exciting and beautiful thing.”

After experimenting and creating her own recipes, her platform slowly grew, until a few years later it has become her full-time job.

“About That Food is meant to be a place to motivate yourself,” says Kutelas, “get inspired, and informed. Veganism isn’t that hard—if I can do it, so can you.”

Focusing on natural and seasonal ingredients (but with a little twist), Kutelas admits she doesn’t really have one favorite dish and changes her mind all the time. “To me, the most important ingredients are fresh vegetables, whatever is in season right now,” she notes.

You’d want to check her out.

The post You Don’t Have to Be Vegan to Enjoy Melina Kutelas’ Plant-Based Recipes appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

As strange as it might sound, pea milk is gaining more and more popularity as a plant-based milk alternative. Made with yellow split peas which are generally soaked in water and then made into a soluble solution which has a thick and creamy texture.

Pea milk is available in both unsweetened and sweetened/flavored editions, with the latter generally being preferred due to its more dairy milk-like taste. Flavored options on the market include vanilla and chocolate pea milk.

One of the big draws of pea milk is its environmental-friendliness. Using non-GMO products, unlike soy milk, and requiring much less water than other plant-based milk alternatives, pea milk is a product that is generally considered to be the most eco-friendly milk alternative.

With all of these points in its favor, it’s no surprise that pea milk is becoming more and more popular every day. Have you given it a try yet?

The post Pea Milk is the Newest Innovation in Plant-Based Milks appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Almond Butter

Almond butter contains just a little less protein than peanut butter (21g per 100g vs 25g per 100g), but it has more fiber, potassium, calcium, and iron. Both are great options when you need to add more protein to your meal.

Black Beans

Black beans are a nutritious option that you should go for if your diet requires more folate, potassium, iron, and fiber. You can cook them from scratch or use the canned ones.

Hemp Seeds

Hemp seeds have a nice flavor and are rich in fiber, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids. You can add them to various sweet and savory dishes.

Chickpeas

Chickpeas contain 19 grams of protein per 100 grams, similarly to some other legumes. You can cook them in numerous ways and enjoy them as a main or side dish whenever you feel like it.

The post These Are Some Great Sources of Protein For Vegans appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Fret not! There are still many ways for you to get in protein quickly by following these simple tips and recipes.

Hard Boiled Eggs

Eating an egg is a great source of protein, and if you hard boil them, you don’t have to add any fat or oil to cook them. Boil as many as you want at a time and keep them in your refrigerator, so you can quickly pull them out and peel them whenever you need a quick boost.

Hummus

Hummus is made of chickpeas and tahini, which are both sources of plant-based protein. Spread a couple tablespoons on some rice cakes, much of which only has 30 calories per cake, and you have a low calorie but incredibly high protein snack!

Flax Seeds

Flax seeds are a great source of plant-based protein, as long as you grind them up so they are easier to digest. Sprinkle some on top of a banana, your favorite toast, or really just about anything to transform it into a protein-packed snack.

The post Easy Ways To Get Vegetarian Protein In Fast appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Bananas

Bananas are full of vitamin B6, potassium and more — which makes eating them all the better. However, a medium-sized banana will have about 100 calories, which is quite high for a fruit. If you don’t want to eliminate bananas completely, think about eating only half at a time.

Blueberries

Surprisingly, blueberries are also quite high in calories. They hold tons of anti-oxidants and are said to help so many body parts function better, including your brain, heart, and eyes. However, they are also the berry with the highest amount of calories, with about 85 per cup.

Mango

Mangos are such a sweet treat to have on their own, with a little chili powder, or in a smooth. But, they are also very high in sugar and in calories, with 1 cup holding about 100 calories. One cup of mango will also give you 100% of your daily vitamin C requirement, so eat accordingly if you’re cutting out mango even a little.

The post If You’re Counting Calories, Watch Out For These Fruits appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Nisha makes her food look so incredibly delicious, and she uses all natural ingredients that give her food a color, unlike any other chef. By using spices like turmeric, you can turn your plain foods into a vibrant yellow masterpiece.

Nisha also does a great job with explaining new and familiar products. Even if you’ve eaten something a thousand times, it’s possible that you’ve been eating it wrong or not choosing the best or freshest product at the grocery store.

Even though her food is all plant-based, there is always room for sweet treats. It’s crazy to think that these cookies are all vegan and the pink frosting actually comes from beets!

Food waste is something that Nisha is really passionate about, and she asks her followers to consider buying ugly produce so it doesn’t get throw away at the end of the day by manufactures.

The post @rainbowplantlife Puts the Real Rainbow to Shame appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

The Naked Kitchen account has a collection of recipes for all times, lunch, dinner, breakfast and dessert options. Our favorites include soca pizza, collard cups and her millions of recipes for oat bowls. Not only are her images beautiful but her recipes are simple and creative.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhFUvdogX1F/?taken-by=thenakdkitchen

This is a great account if you are starting to run out of healthy options to make in the kitchen and want to try out new recipes. Emma, the account’s host, also provides tips for healthy lifestyle habits, positive outlook, and self-care.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjSQ4VgHlMi/?taken-by=thenakdkitchen

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiVRj-4nYzJ/?taken-by=thenakdkitchen

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjBEJI5nvuv/?taken-by=thenakdkitchen

The post Instagram Account with Endless Inspo for Plant-based Meals appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

This smoothie recipe from I Love Vegan is not only healthy for you and packed full of nutrients, but it’s also plant-based and full of healthy fats and protein to give you energy and keep you satiated until lunch. Plus, smoothies are super easy to make, so you can get your day started quickly. Here’s how to make it happen.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (250 ml) unsweetened almond milk
• 1 ripe banana, frozen
• ½ cup (125 ml) chopped mango, frozen
• 1-2 large handfuls of baby spinach
• ¼ cup (60 ml) pumpkin seeds (Pepita seeds)
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) hemp hearts (hulled hemp seeds)
• Optional: ½ scoop (approx. 30ml) vanilla protein powder + ¼ cup (60ml) water

Instructions:

1. Throw the banana, spinach, pumpkin seeds, mango, and hemp hearts into a blender. Add almond milk and blend until smooth. That’s it!
2. This recipe makes about two cups, which is a good serving size for one person, but it’s very easy to double or even triple if you want to make enough for multiple people.
3. All in all, it’s a great source of vitamins B6, C, E, A K, protein, calcium, iron, zinc, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, potassium, and healthy fatty acids. Yum!

The post You’ll Want to Drink This Healthy Smoothie Every Morning appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

What to Do Instead of Turkey

The center piece of almost any Thanskgiving meal is the turkey which, for obvious reasons, is off the table. Instead, you can consider a turkey substitute like the Gardein Holiday Roast or the Tofurky Roast With Wild Rice Stuffing. If you’d rather not do a meat substitute, you can aim for a hearty dish like a whole roasted cauliflower or a lentil loaf.

Appetizers and Sides

Who needs dairy-laden green bean casserole when you can make one of these great options?

• Roasted brussels sprouts
• Vegan gravy
• Vegan mac and cheese
• Vegan cranberry sauce
• Vegan green bean casserole
• Easy vegan stuffing
• Vegan sweet potato casserole

Desserts

Who’s to say vegans can’t enjoy traditional Thanksgiving favorites like pumpkin pie? Here are some plant-based recipes even your non-vegan guests are sure to love.

• Vegan pumpkin pie
• Vegan whipped cream
• Carrot cake with vegan cream cheese frosting

The post No Turkey, No Problem: Planning a Vegan Thanksgiving appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

First of all, it’s super good for you. It is called nutritional yeast, after all. This yeast is full of B vitamins and trace minerals like zinc, selenium, manganese and molybdenum. And it’s also a complete protein, which means it has all nine essential amino acids humans can only get from food. And you can get fortified nutritional yeast that comes with even more nutrients.

On top of that, it’s seriously tasty. Nutritional yeast has a savory, cheesy flavor that’s great with popcorn, pasta, and soup. If you’re a cheese lover but lactose intolerant or just want to cut down on your consumption of animal products—nutritional yeast is a great way to get in that cheesy flavor without the tummy problems real cheese can cause. Plus, it’s a great thickener for sauces.

Studies have shown that eating nutritional yeast can boost immunity and help lower cholesterol levels, which means it basically has superpowers. So why not give it a shot?

The post Nutritional Yeast Isn’t Just for Vegans appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Based in Vienna, Austria, Kutelas admits cooking had always been a great passion of hers, but after changing her diet and sticking to plant-based-food only, it quickly became more than that.

“In late 2015, I created About That Food because I wanted to offer a platform to help people who wanted to go on this wonderful journey of becoming vegan,” she shared in an interview with le buzz. “A journey that can sometimes be very confusing and frustrating but essentially is a very exciting and beautiful thing.”

After experimenting and creating her own recipes, her platform slowly grew, until a few years later it has become her full-time job.

“About That Food is meant to be a place to motivate yourself,” says Kutelas, “get inspired, and informed. Veganism isn’t that hard—if I can do it, so can you.”

Focusing on natural and seasonal ingredients (but with a little twist), Kutelas admits she doesn’t really have one favorite dish and changes her mind all the time. “To me, the most important ingredients are fresh vegetables, whatever is in season right now,” she notes.

You’d want to check her out.

The post You Don’t Have to Be Vegan to Enjoy Melina Kutelas’ Plant-Based Recipes appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

As strange as it might sound, pea milk is gaining more and more popularity as a plant-based milk alternative. Made with yellow split peas which are generally soaked in water and then made into a soluble solution which has a thick and creamy texture.

Pea milk is available in both unsweetened and sweetened/flavored editions, with the latter generally being preferred due to its more dairy milk-like taste. Flavored options on the market include vanilla and chocolate pea milk.

One of the big draws of pea milk is its environmental-friendliness. Using non-GMO products, unlike soy milk, and requiring much less water than other plant-based milk alternatives, pea milk is a product that is generally considered to be the most eco-friendly milk alternative.

With all of these points in its favor, it’s no surprise that pea milk is becoming more and more popular every day. Have you given it a try yet?

The post Pea Milk is the Newest Innovation in Plant-Based Milks appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Almond Butter

Almond butter contains just a little less protein than peanut butter (21g per 100g vs 25g per 100g), but it has more fiber, potassium, calcium, and iron. Both are great options when you need to add more protein to your meal.

Black Beans

Black beans are a nutritious option that you should go for if your diet requires more folate, potassium, iron, and fiber. You can cook them from scratch or use the canned ones.

Hemp Seeds

Hemp seeds have a nice flavor and are rich in fiber, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids. You can add them to various sweet and savory dishes.

Chickpeas

Chickpeas contain 19 grams of protein per 100 grams, similarly to some other legumes. You can cook them in numerous ways and enjoy them as a main or side dish whenever you feel like it.

The post These Are Some Great Sources of Protein For Vegans appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Fret not! There are still many ways for you to get in protein quickly by following these simple tips and recipes.

Hard Boiled Eggs

Eating an egg is a great source of protein, and if you hard boil them, you don’t have to add any fat or oil to cook them. Boil as many as you want at a time and keep them in your refrigerator, so you can quickly pull them out and peel them whenever you need a quick boost.

Hummus

Hummus is made of chickpeas and tahini, which are both sources of plant-based protein. Spread a couple tablespoons on some rice cakes, much of which only has 30 calories per cake, and you have a low calorie but incredibly high protein snack!

Flax Seeds

Flax seeds are a great source of plant-based protein, as long as you grind them up so they are easier to digest. Sprinkle some on top of a banana, your favorite toast, or really just about anything to transform it into a protein-packed snack.

The post Easy Ways To Get Vegetarian Protein In Fast appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Bananas

Bananas are full of vitamin B6, potassium and more — which makes eating them all the better. However, a medium-sized banana will have about 100 calories, which is quite high for a fruit. If you don’t want to eliminate bananas completely, think about eating only half at a time.

Blueberries

Surprisingly, blueberries are also quite high in calories. They hold tons of anti-oxidants and are said to help so many body parts function better, including your brain, heart, and eyes. However, they are also the berry with the highest amount of calories, with about 85 per cup.

Mango

Mangos are such a sweet treat to have on their own, with a little chili powder, or in a smooth. But, they are also very high in sugar and in calories, with 1 cup holding about 100 calories. One cup of mango will also give you 100% of your daily vitamin C requirement, so eat accordingly if you’re cutting out mango even a little.

The post If You’re Counting Calories, Watch Out For These Fruits appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Nisha makes her food look so incredibly delicious, and she uses all natural ingredients that give her food a color, unlike any other chef. By using spices like turmeric, you can turn your plain foods into a vibrant yellow masterpiece.

Nisha also does a great job with explaining new and familiar products. Even if you’ve eaten something a thousand times, it’s possible that you’ve been eating it wrong or not choosing the best or freshest product at the grocery store.

Even though her food is all plant-based, there is always room for sweet treats. It’s crazy to think that these cookies are all vegan and the pink frosting actually comes from beets!

Food waste is something that Nisha is really passionate about, and she asks her followers to consider buying ugly produce so it doesn’t get throw away at the end of the day by manufactures.

The post @rainbowplantlife Puts the Real Rainbow to Shame appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

The Naked Kitchen account has a collection of recipes for all times, lunch, dinner, breakfast and dessert options. Our favorites include soca pizza, collard cups and her millions of recipes for oat bowls. Not only are her images beautiful but her recipes are simple and creative.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhFUvdogX1F/?taken-by=thenakdkitchen

This is a great account if you are starting to run out of healthy options to make in the kitchen and want to try out new recipes. Emma, the account’s host, also provides tips for healthy lifestyle habits, positive outlook, and self-care.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjSQ4VgHlMi/?taken-by=thenakdkitchen

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiVRj-4nYzJ/?taken-by=thenakdkitchen

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjBEJI5nvuv/?taken-by=thenakdkitchen

The post Instagram Account with Endless Inspo for Plant-based Meals appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.