flaxseed

Dinner, Lunch, Recipes, Snacks, Vegetarian

Baked Eggplant Fries

I’ve never been a fan of potato french fries. I’m actually not a fan of potatoes in general, with the exception of the occasional sweet potato. I decided that I wanted to make a healthy french fry alternative with a purpose. No oils, frying, or heavy starchy ingredients here!  These healthy eggplant fries are baked to perfection in a crispy golden flax-almond breading. Now I know what half of you are thinking. “Ewwwww eggplant!” I think a lot of my friends are turned off by the mushy texture of cooked eggplant, but trust me this is totally different! Even if you HATE eggplant, I am almost positive you will love these fries! You have to give them a try, pretty pretty please! Of course if you’re super anti-eggplant, zucchini would be a great alternative as well.

They’re perfectly crispy, delicious, and nutritious!
Made from flaxseed, almond, whole wheat flour, and spices, these oil-free baked fries deliver tons of micronutrients, healthy plant-based fats, and fiber. So good for you, you can eat them alllll without any worry!

Baked Eggplant Fries
Baked Eggplant Fries
Baked Eggplant Fries
Baked Eggplant Fries
Baked Eggplant Fries
Baked Eggplant Fries
Baked Eggplant Fries
Baked Eggplant Fries
Baked Eggplant Fries
Baked Eggplant Fries

Ingredients:
1 small eggplant
1/4 cup egg whites

Breading:
1 Tbsp ground flaxseed
1 Tbsp almond meal/flour
1 Tbsp whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp pepper
pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine all of the breading ingredients in a bowl and mix together. In a separate bowl, beat 1/4 cup of egg whites and set aside. Cut eggplant into 1/2 inch thick fries (I removed the skin but you don’t have to). Transfer the breading mixture to a plate. Dip each piece of eggplant individually into the egg whites, and then roll in the breading mixture. Place the breaded fries onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10 minutes, flip fries, then bake for an additional 10 minutes until golden and crispy.

Excellent when dipped in fresh marinara!

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Breakfast, Desserts, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Carrot Cake Bites

Hoppy Easter Everybunny!

Even if you don’t celebrate Easter, you can celebrate bunnies, spring, pastel colors, and carrot cake with me!
I’m so excited to hangout with my family this weekend. I will be celebrating Armenian Easter Saturday with my cousins tomorrow, and then Easter Sunday with my dad, mom, sister, grandparents, and aunt. Can’t wait for all of the bunny cuteness that will occur this weekend!

Since Easter is often associated with bunnies and carrots and those are pretty much the two best things on this planet, I thought it would be fun to make Carrot Cake Bites. Little bites of natural energy that won’t hurt your waistline! True rabbit food!

Carrot Cake Bites
Carrot Cake Bites

Carrot Cake Bites
Makes about 20 bites
Adapted from Baking Serendipity

1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup almond butter
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/4 chopped almonds
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 tsp cinnamon

In a mixing bowl, combine shredded carrots, almonds, raisins, flaxseed, and cinnamon and stir. Add almond butter and maple syrup and stir until evenly combined. Place mixture in refrigerator for at least one hour. Shape mixture into one-inch bites.

Don’t forget my other healthy carrot cake recipes:

Carrot Cake Oatmeal

Carrot Cake Oatmeal
Serves 1

1/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup grated carrot
1/4 cup nonfat cream cheese
1 Tbsp chia seeds
1 Tbsp maple syrup
2 Tbsp raisins
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp vanilla

Cook the oats with water in a pan over medium-high heat. Once most of the water has been soaked up into the oats, stir in the chia seeds, cream cheese, and grated carrot. Add in the rest of the spices, vanilla, and maple syrup and stir until all ingredients are combined. Transfer the cooked oatmeal to a bowl, garnish with extra shredded carrot, and top with raisins. Enjoy warm.

The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: carrot and raisins
Whole Grain: rolled oats
Protein: nonfat cream cheese
Plant Based Fat: chia seeds

Carrot Cake Smoothie

Carrot Cake Smoothie
Serves 1

1 cup chopped carrots
1 frozen banana
6oz Chobani Pineapple Greek Yogurt
1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/4 cup rolled oats
1 Tbsp chia seeds
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/8 tsp ground ginger

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Add almond milk as needed to acquire your desired thickness.
Note: For a vegan option, omit the Greek yogurt (and almond milk) and sub with 1 cup of coconut milk instead.

The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: carrot and banana
Whole Grain: rolled oats
Protein: Greek yogurt
Plant Based Fat: chia seeds

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Breakfast, Recipes, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian

Quinoa Granola

Ok granola lovers, today is your day! HEALTHY GRANOLA!
Can I get a woohoo?!

Most store bought granolas are loaded with unnecessary amounts of refined sugar and contain nearly no protein. I’m a granola lover, but it’s hard for me to find a good healthy granola, so today, I made my own! Not going to lie, I burned the first batch because I forgot about the altitude here in Denver! It was totally worth it though, this granola is so delish! It has the perfect amount of crunch and sweetness with the addition of protein from quinoa. Oh ya, it’s also vegan and gluten free! I might add some raisins next time!

Quinoa Granola

Let’s talk about why this granola is so excellent!

Quinoa (keen-wah)
Quinoa is a complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids.
Twice the fiber over most other grains.
High in iron.
Gluten free.

Flaxseed
Fich in monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid.
Excellent source of omega-3 essential fatty acids.
Contains B-complex vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin,thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6, and folates.

Coconut
Great source of manganese.
Improves digestion with dietary fiber.
Contains plant-based healthy saturated fat, monosaturated fat, and Omega-6 fatty acids that promote weight loss and increase HDL or “good” cholesterol levels in the body.

Agave
Natural sweetener.
Lower glycemic value than regular refined sugars.

Quinoa GranolaQuinoa Granola
Makes 2 servings

1/4 cup uncooked quinoa
1 Tbsp whole flaxseed or chia seeds
1 Tbsp shredded unsweetened coconut
1 Tbsp agave
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 F. Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well. Spray baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the mixture thinly on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes. Once the granola has started to turn a golden brown, remove from oven and let cool (this will let the granola set so you will have different sized pieces). After the granola has cooled for about 5 minutes remove from baking sheet with spatula.

You can portion this granola into halves and eat it as a little mid afternoon pick me up snack, or make it into a filling, protein packed breakfast by combining it with the following:

6oz of plain nonfat Greek yogurt
1/2 banana
1 serving of quinoa granolaQuinoa Granola
Quinoa Granola
Quinoa GranolaThe Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: banana
Whole Grain: quinoa
Protein: greek yogurt
Plant Based Fat: flaxseed and shredded coconut

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Desserts, Recipes, Snacks, Treats, Vegan, Vegetarian

Campfire Kisses

Motivation Monday: “You are always stronger than you think you are.”

UPDATE: LAPTOP IS BACK! YESSSS!
Today and tomorrow are super busy days for me as I am trying to get together a new part of my blog, Sam’s brother is here visiting, and two of my best friends are moving to Denver! It’s been kind of bittersweet this week… but I do have some really sweet giveaways and recipes coming up for you guys, yayyy!

If you didn’t get a chance to see my guest post on Wonder Forest a couple of weeks ago, you can read my original guest post on here! The author, Dana is an incredible artist with a gorgeous blog full of pretty type and imagery that you will just adore!

Here is the recipe for my Campfire Kisses from my guest post! The perfect healthy alternative to S’mores for your summer camping, hiking, or backpacking adventure!


Campfire Kisses
Makes 10 kisses

2 graham crackers + 1 for outer “crust”
1/2 cup unsalted cashews
1 cup Medjool dates – pitted
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 tbsp mini chocolate chips (or carob chips for a vegan option)
Optional: 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed for a boost of healthy omega-3s

Place 1 graham cracker in a food processor or blender and process until finely ground. Empty the graham cracker contents into a bowl and set aside, as it will be used to roll the kisses in later. Combine cashews and 2 graham crackers (and flaxseed if desired) in a food processor and grind until they become very finely ground, but not a butter. Remove pits from dates. Once pits have been removed, add the dates and vanilla into the food processor. Process until the contents are evenly chopped/combined and form a sticky dough. Remove dough from the food processor and fold in chocolate chips by hand or mixing spoon. Using a 1tbsp measuring spoon, scoop the dough into balls and roll evenly in your hands. Roll the ball through the bowl of ground graham cracker, coating it evenly (this will add flavor and prevent the kisses from sticking to the foil!). Wrap each ball separately in a 4x4in piece of tinfoil and twist off the tops like Hershey Kisses.

Take your Campfire Kisses on your next hiking trip or store in the refrigerator for 1 week, or freezer for up to 1 month.

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Dinner, Lunch, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Chickpea Patties

I hope that everyone is having a great Memorial Weekend. Thank you to all of the men and women who have served and are serving in the United States Armed Forces!

If you are starting up the BBQ in observance of the holiday today, I have another alternative protein burger recipe for you! Chickpea Patties provide plant-based protein, which makes this recipe a great option for vegans and vegetarians. Use Chickpea Patties in any recipe that calls for chicken or turkey.


For a low carb option, try serving your Chickpea Patties on Portabella Buns!
Simply remove the gills and stem from 2 large portabella mushroom caps and grill over medium heat.

Dress your burger with your favorite toppings such as fresh lettuce, tomato, onion and avocado.
Use the Portabella Buns as you would with a regular hamburger bun!


Chickpea Patties
Serves 4

2 cups chickpeas
1/4 cup grated carrot
1/2 yellow onion
1/4 cup finely ground flaxseed
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp turmeric

Thoroughly rinse and strain the chickpeas. Chop the yellow onion, and grate the carrots. Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir until well mixed. Transfer the contents to a food processor and pulse until it reaches a smooth yet firm consistency. Add water 1 Tbsp at a time to help reach your desired consistency.

Note: The mixture should be moist and smooth but still firm. It should not be crumbly.

After the mixture has reached the proper consistency, divide it into 4 patties. Place a pan over medium/high heat and lightly coat with nonstick cooking spray. Place patties in the pan and cover and grill for about 4 minutes on each side, spray the pan with cooking spray in between flips to prevent sticking. Continue cooking and flipping until they become firm and slightly browned but not dry.


Note: If storing the Chickpea Patties in the freezer; follow all instructions and precook patties before freezing. Let the patties cool. Place wax or parchment paper in-between each patty to prevent from sticking together. Store the patties in a ziplock bag, and freeze. Reheat each patty in the microwave before eating!

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