HookedOnPlants

When getting hooked is a good thing

Oil Free

Pop-in-your-Mouth Chocolate Blueberry Clusters | Easy Vegan Dessert

By

Easy, pop-in-your-mouth, delicious and delightful lil’ morsels! These chocolate blueberry clusters are mind-bogglingly drool-worthy and refreshing.

Have no time?

Looking for something special to bring to the 4th of July potluck?

These are your ticket.

Thanks to Dana’s Dad at our weekend’s get away to the Okanagan for introducing these into our lives!

These clusters just happen to be PACKED with antioxidants too (hello blueberries and chocolate), and by the way vegan chocolate means no dairy, no problem.

On that note, if you’re looking for an all-in-one resource for going dairy free, why it should be done, and the science behind it, check out Dotsie Bausch’s @switch4good !

Head here to see what the experts are saying.

Tempeh Pinto Bean Grillable Vegan Burgers | Oil-Free & Gluten-Free

By

That feeling when you can flip your veggie patty with one spatula flip!!! Well, these grillable vegan burgers provide those amazing feels.

Backyard BBQ here you come.

I’m always on a burger making binge, trying to find all kinds of different ways to cook veggie burgers on the BBQ.

All veggie burgers want to do is just fit in, ya know!? And to fit in… they have to be a few things:

  1. Grill-able
  2. Flip-able
  3. Flavourful
  4. Filled with whole food goodness

Try these ones out next time you fire up the Q.

They’re packed with plant protein (thanks to tempeh and beans), and ready for the grill.

By the way … pairing this with garlic cream sauce is a day maker!

…plus a melty vegan cheese like Gusta (used here), Violife, Sheese, Chao.

Raw Chewy Hemp Date 2-Bite Brownies | Vegan Adventure Snack

By

The ridiculously easy and supremely mouth watering answer to your snack attack. Take these date 2-bite brownies on every adventure or camping trip you go on this summer. Make a big batch because they go quick.

Dates are the perfect thing to bring on your hiking mission. They’re packed with minerals, vitamins, energy and fiber. They taste amazing. They’re crazy versitile. They pack into your adventure bag like no thang.

I’m a fan of packing straight up dates for mountain bike missions, camping weekends, or even travel days. But, adding extra goodness to the dates and blending it all together… that’s next level, and not too much effort either.

You could totally make these into balls, but sometimes it’s nice to be lazy by just pressing them down into a pan and making the knife do the hard work.

ONWARD to the recipe.

Tag @hookedonplants on instagram if you make these, and let me know what adventure they’re going on with you.

Creamy Carrot Shroomy Noods

By

Before I go on about the how surprisingly creamy this recipe is… I invite you to say the title out loud. It’s just so satisfying. Thanks to @oliviarosepeltier over on instagram for naming this dish:) These Creamy Carrot Shroomy Noods are just that – creamyyyy!! It was a surprise to me, so maybe it will surprise you. Make it to find out.

Not only is this sauce perfect for that springtime ‘get ready for the bikini’ freak out (veggie heavy, low calorie, nutrient dense, high fibre)… but it actually brings that creamy pasta vibe, and an amazing colour.

Just steam some veggies. Sauté some things. Blend it up. Cook that pasta.

This sauce could be used for any kinda of saucy need.

A dip on a platter, a saucy addition to your burrito, a healthy nachos dish… or simply warmed up and eaten with a spoon!!

It’s a throw together kinda meal when you only have a few things to choose from. But remember, just add nooch + miso paste, and anything will taste YUM.

Vanilla Date Almond Milk | Milk Yer Nuts

By

Keeping it simple this week with a go-to recipe around here. Vanilla Almond Milk for your next latté, overnight oat soak, or just for that plain ol’ comforting glass of milk with your Peanut Butter Quinoa cookies, or Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookies, or these classic Black and White cookies.

Making your own milk doesn’t have to be complicated.

3 things you’ll need are:

  1. Nuts
  2. Blender
  3. Mesh (nut milk) bag.

Today we’re using almonds, and feeling a little flavourful…so we’ll add some date sweetness, cinnamon and vanilla goodness with a pinch of salt.

There’s nothing like a fresh batch of homemade plant milk.

Store bought plant milk is pretty darn good these days, but making your own gives you the advantage of knowing every fresh ingredient you put in there.

Of course, I’ve got to mention that ditching the cow’s milk is going to bring mega benefits to your body, the animal’s lives, and the environment.

Check out this video to see what Dr. Neal Barnard has to say about why humans are physically addicted to dairy and cheese. 

Benefits of Ditching the dairy:

  • Clearer skin – less inflammation and hormones
  • Less gastrointestinal issues – by decreasing any potential lactose sensitivity
  • Less fractures and healthier bones– contrary to popular belief, according to the Nurses’ Health Study dairy may increase risk of fractures by 50 percent! Plus, the countries with the lowest rates of dairy consumption (like Africa and Asia) also have the lowest rates of osteoporosis.
  • Improved digestion – that diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas and nausea could very likely be from a lactose sensitivity or intolerance (65-75% of the world’s population is lactose intolerant)
  • Weight loss – by taking out the hormones, animal proteins, lactose, and saturated fat found in the dairy products, many people find excess weight coming off easily. This is because dairy milk is naturally meant to help a calf grow into a cow (it’s a growth fluid)
  • Cancer prevention – there has been a strong link between dairy consumption and cancers because dairy consumption increases the body’s level of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a known cancer promoter that encourages tumour growth. 
  • Stronger bones – because the animal proteins in dairy are difficult for humans to digest, calcium is actually leached from the bones to help absorb with digestion. It’s better to focus on more absorbable sources
  • Better for the environment – the dairy industry has a big impact on air quality (greenhouse gas emissions), soil quality (land use, pesticides), and water quality (run offs of antibiotics, pesticides, pathogens, waste products and hormones). The plants grown to feed these cows to produce dairy could instead be eaten directly by us, saving vast amounts of resources.
  • Reduce your exposure to antibiotics and hormones – which are used regularly in the US dairy industry to reduce infection and increase production
  • Reduce the suffering of the cows – the less we demand dairy, the less it will be mass produced 🙂

Something to think about:

The majority of humans naturally stop producing large amounts of lactase (the enzyme needed to metabolize the sugar in milk, lactose) between the ages of 2 and 5. This is normal for most mammals once they have been milk been weaned, because we simply don’t need to produce the enzymes for properly digest and metabolize milk anymore. Our bodies just aren’t made to digest milk on a regular basis, especially as adults (we are the only mammals who continue to drink milk after weaning, let alone the milk from another species).

Most scientists agree that it’s better for us to get calcium, potassium, protein, and fats from other food sources, like whole plant foods —, fruits, beans, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts, and seaweed.

“It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal” – Joaquin Pheonix

Tag me if you make these! (@hookedonplants on instagram)

I love seeing your recipes.

For more inspiration and info on eating plant-based, sign up to my emails for bi-weekly inspiration, recipes, plus a free PDF on How to Get Hooked On Plants!

Need a guide towards a plant-based lifestyle? Try the MostlyPlants program.

Try the #PlantsForAWeek challenge by grabbing my new E-Book