The highlight of the recent vegan and gluten-free potluck I went to was definitely the desserts. Of course, the savory dishes were also terrific, I’m just naturally a fan of sweets and I’m not afraid to admit it! I was so happy that we had a good variety of desserts from pie to bars, to pizza. Some were more summer-themed and others were making me feel like it was fall already (which I definitely can’t complain about). The pumpkin pie dip was also nice and sweet, and you can find the recipe for that one here. Now, I know you’re dying to hear the recipes for these sweet treats, so here we go! (more…)
Better Bean – Rethought Beans
Better Bean makes these great bean dips, sides, and other additions that you can enjoy in so many different ways! The beans are gluten and soy free, and made with nothing but fresh and healthy ingredients. They each vary in flavor and heat in terms of spiciness, which you can find out more about on the company website. The Uncanny Refried Black Beans have just a slight kick that pairs well with avocado and salsa. It’s so easy to heat these up and serve them on top of tacos, and it adds a whole new depth of flavor and heartiness. Personally I’m not that big on tacos or burritos, but when they have these refried beans in them, you can count me in! (more…)
Vanilla Chai Protein Smoothie
I am a big fan of both chai and vanilla and let me tell you, they are even better together! Bhakti Chai makes these chai drinks blended with non-dairy milk as well as concentrates that you can buy to mix with your own milk of choice. I have tried and reviewed Bhakti Chai on here before if you’re curious about all the different varieties they have. This protein smoothie is made using their Toasted Coconut Almond Blend, but you could honestly use any of the Bhakti Chai varieties in place of it. In addition I added a scoop of Plantfusion Unflavored protein powder, but vanilla protein works just as well in this recipe. The final result is a well-balanced sweet and spicy smoothie that brings out the chai-lover in all of us. (more…)
Apricot, Coconut & Cashew Bars
Sometimes in the summer, it gets too hot to turn on the oven and bake something. This is one of those recipes that’s perfect for these kinds of occasions, since it’s a no-bake (but still delicious) treat. These bars are also gluten and soy free, healthy, and they only use a few ingredients that you likely have in your kitchen already. They contain healthy fats and good protein sources, and will last in your fridge for a while (or maybe not, they might be too good to resist). These also got the approval of non-vegans and vegans alike, so what are you waiting for? Try making them for yourself, and I would definitely give it a try with dried fruits other than apricots if you are feeling adventurous!
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