Easy Roasted Vegetables: Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts and Potatoes

I made this with one hand and one pan last night! The other hand was holding my adorable, but fussy, 5 week old son.  Sometimes he needs a little extra attention and I'm ok with that.

Photo by Nedas Notions

Ingredients:

-2 red skinned potatoes, chopped (leave on the skins, for the extra fiber!)

-2 cups chopped broccoli

-12 Brussels sprouts, stems cut of and cut in half

-1/2 cup olive oil

-6 tbsp balsamic vinegar

-Salt and Pepper as needed

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2. Combine olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper to a large bowl

3. Add vegetables to bowl, toss to coat

4. Add coated vegetables to a pan lined with tinfoil

5. Cook in oven for 30 minutes, tossing veggies after 15 minutes and you're done!

*Interesting Nutrition Facts*

Broccoli
-prevents bladder cancer
-increases breast cancer survival
-helps fight lung and heart disease
-keeps bones strong
-helps fight colds
-gives skin a healthy glow
-helps with weight loss
-considered a SUPERFOOD!

Brussel Sprouts
-fights cancer
-combats heart disease
-lowers blood pressure
-reduces the risk of birth defects
-aids digestive health
-helps with weight loss

Potatoes
-fights cancer
-lowers blood pressure

(Source: Foods that Harm Foods that Heal)

Enjoy!

-Joanna

Vegan Smoothie: Fruit, Spinach and Avocado

Ever thought about adding avocado to your smoothies? Sure it sounds weird but it will add an extra creaminess that is so tasty.

According to Natural News, avocados provide all the essential 18 amino acids needed for the body to form a complete protein and the nutrients are easily absorbed because it's also a great source of fiber (once again proving you don't need meat in your diet to have complete proteins...yes!). The super food is also a great source of "good" cholesterol and Omega-3s.

Ingredients:

-2 handfuls of spinach
-1/2 avocado
-1 banana
-2 cups almond milk
-1/2 cup blueberries
-1 cup strawberries

Directions:

1. Add almond milk and spinach to blender first and mix well

2. Add remaining ingredients, blend and enjoy! (take note: if not sweet enough, add another banana)

Have a great day!

-Joanna

May 2013 Photo by Nedas Notions

Vegan Sauce: Brown Gravy

I tried this for the first time last night because I wanted to add a gravy to my Veggie Pot Pie dish and the sauce came out perfect! My husband loved it and couldn't stop talking about how flavorful it was.

I must give a shout out to VegWeb for the recipe. But as always I made a few changes to make it my own.

Ingredients:

-1 serving of Better than Bouillon Vegetable Base

-2 cups water

-1/2 tsp onion powder

-1/2 tsp garlic powder

-2 tbsp nutritional yeast

-1 tbsp tamari soy sauce

-1/2 tsp mustard

-1/2 cup cornstarch (add more while heating sauce if needed)

-1 tbsp vegan butter

-salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients into a large bowl, starting with vegetable base, water, powders, yeast, soy sauce, mustard, salt and pepper

2. Add to a pot and heat over med heat, then add butter and cornstarch until dissolved

3. Lower heat to low-med, and sauce will begin to thicken. Add more cornstarch if needed and you're done!

Enjoy!

-Joanna

Photo by Nedas Notions Photography