Healthy Meals in Minutes

I always hear people on diets talking about all the foods they can't have, like carbs, sweets, fast food, etc.  Rather than focusing on the foods I am trying to avoid, however, I think it is so much nicer to focus on all of the delicious foods that I CAN eat.  There are more than enough plant-based recipes out there to last a lifetime, and they can be so delicious you won't ever feel like you're missing out.  I love playing around in the kitchen with new recipe ideas, and I've found that a lot of the vegan meals I have created are some of the best things I've ever cooked!  With so many tasty options, I would hardly say I am deprived.  

"Big bowls," as I like to call them, are one of my favorite easy meals to make.  These basically consist of a bunch of my favorite healthy foods thrown together in a giant bowl and topped with some kind of yummy sauce.  To keep things balanced, I always choose a combination of grains, proteins, healthy fats, and, of course, tons of veggies.  When I think of all the delicious things that I CAN have, the possibilities for these bowls are endless.  And my favorite part is, I almost never end up with the same meal twice!

Below are some ingredient ideas to get you started:

Grains:
Brown rice
Couscous
Quinoa
Millet
Whole grain pasta

Protein:
Black beans (we make a big batch on Sundays for the week)
Pinto, Great Northern, or any other kind of bean
Chick peas
Lentils
Tofu or tempeh (so good marinated and roasted in the oven)
Fried cage-free egg
Organic meat
Fish or shrimp

Veggies (I love them roasted in the oven with EVOO and sea salt or sautéed):
Cubed potatoes (sweet potatoes are my fav)
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Squash or zucchini
Eggplant
Tomatoes
Beets
Peppers
Onions
Carrots
Peas
Corn
Spinach, kale, or other greens (sautéed with EVOO, garlic, and lemon is the best!)
Garlic
Avocado
Jalapenos 

Sauces/toppings:
Braggs liquid aminos (tastes like soy sauce but much better for you...this stuff tastes good on EVERYTHING)
Sriracha hot sauce (tastes amazing in combination with the Braggs)
Tabasco or other hot sauce
Coconut oil (great alternative to butter)
Dijon mustard
Lemon or lime juice
Salsa
Organic salad dressing
Nutritional yeast (adds cheesy flavor)

Of course, it helps to keep in mind that some combinations work better together than others, but in my experience it is pretty hard to screw it up!