Easy-ish Recipes
Here are some of the things I regularly eat during the week! I try to eat lots of raw veggies and fruit, but a good way to gauge your healthy eating habits is by focusing on making your plate as colorful as you can. These recipes are fairly easy, plant-based, and make you feel good inside and out.
I usually just eyeball these, so I didn’t include very specific quantities of the ingredients. Play around how you like it! Everything can be adjusted based on your preferences.
Fresh Spring Rolls
Super easy and fresh, these herby rolls are great for a light dinner. I also love throwing the base in a salad and drizzling the sauce over. You can replace the avocado with mango for a sweeter take, or really add whatever veggies you like.
The filling:
-shredded carrots
-thinly sliced cucumber
-shredded purple cabbage (or any type of green, romaine and microgreens work as well)
-thinly sliced avocado
-roughly chopped mint
-roughly chopped cilantro
-thin rice noodles (just drop them in boiling water till soft, then cool)
-tofu (I just press the tofu, then sauté in strips on the pan with some olive or sesame oil)
The extras:
-rice paper (I switch off between white and brown rice paper, either work!)
The sauce:
-heaping scoop unsweetened peanut butter (I like crunchy, smooth also works)
-spoonful chili garlic sauce (I found mine at zanattos, sriracha and garlic also work)
-spoonful coconut aminos or low sodium soy sauce (I like a mix of both)
-spoonful of coconut sugar or honey (adjust for sweetness)
-heavy spoonful of fresh lime juice
-sprinkle of salt
-sprinkle of red chili flakes (for garnish)
-hot water (to thin)
The directions:
Prepare all the raw veggies into different stations to aid in the assembly process later. Try to slice them so they’re all around the same length. Follow the directions on the package to boil, then cool your rice noodles and set aside. Press your tofu and sauté. Prepare the sauce by mixing everything up with a whisk, adding hot water to thin into a thick sauce for dipping or thinner sauce for a dressing. Follow the directions for the rice paper to soak in hot water and soften, then wrap the rolls up. I try to do veggies first, then rice noodles on top to prevent the tofu from sticking out or breaking the rice paper.
Pitaya Bowl
Super easy way to incorporate vitamin C and fiber into your diet. Pitaya, or dragon fruit, has so many benefits and the bright pink color is so fun.
The base:
-1 or 2 frozen bananas (thaw for 20 seconds in the microwave)
-a small scoop of frozen mango (thaw for 20 seconds in the microwave)
-1 or 2 pitaya packs (I like pitaya power)
-splash of almond milk (or plant-based creamer for extra creamy base)
The toppings:
-small scoop cacao nibs
-small scoop of granola (I’ve loved Purely Elizabeth lately)
-loads of fruit (I go for raspberries or sliced strawberries but whatever floats your boat)
The directions: add all base ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth and fully blended with no chunks (less milk for a thicker consistency and more for a smoothie-like base). Then top with whatever you like! Honey to finish if you want it sweeter.
SunLife Wolverine Smoothie
I miss SunLife ever since it closed in Palo Alto, so I started recreating my favorite recipe. Sub cashew butter for the almond butter for extra decadence. I like to sip this after a cardio-heavy workout to replenish energy levels.
-1 or 2 frozen bananas (thaw for 20 seconds in the microwave)
-ice cubes (the smaller the better)
-2 spoonfuls of cacao nibs (whole foods)
-small spoonful of bee pollen (I get mine at the farmer’s market)
-1 or 2 dates (adjust for sweetness)
-heaping spoonful of almond butter
-spoonful of flax meal (optional for added fiber. Sometimes I like to add oats instead for a more filling smoothie)
-cinnamon (optional)
-lots of almond milk (or any plant-based milk)
The directions:
Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth and ice is fully incorporated
Detox Smoothie
Great for post-drinking, this detox smoothie helps you get your greens in while making your skin glow. Ginger helps soothe your stomach too.
-1 or 2 frozen banana (thaw for 20 seconds in the microwave)
-a small scoop of frozen mango (thaw for 20 seconds in the microwave)
-ice cubes (the smaller the better)
-big scoop of chopped spinach
-small scoop chopped kale
-a bit of ginger (I add a ton for extra detoxifying)
-cinnamon (optional)
-1 or 2 dates (adjust for sweetness)
-lots of almond milk (or any plant-based milk)
The directions:
Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth and ice is fully incorporated.