Foods I Take to Wake: First Edition

Avocados, Carrots, & Hummus

Welcome to another new series (don't you love them?)! I've (Emily, here!) received a lot of questions around how I eat on campus and survive my days of being a gluten-free vegan without dying of lack of protein (doesn't happen, folks) or only eating cardboard-flavored foods. I promise it's not impossible. The food I eat is tasty, delicious, and absolutely INCREDIBLE. I love food, and I love sharing my passions with you. Every other week, I'll be dishing out three of my go-to foods for everyday life, especially when I'm away at school. Let's get to it!

AVOCADOS

Avocados are incredible. Forget the outdated, fats-make-you-fat idea, because it does not apply to healthy fats like what's packed into these bad boys. Monounsaturated fats are not an enemy. Nope. In fact, they actually help regulate belly fat, carving and toning that belly from the inside out. The majority of the fat is oleic acid which reduces inflammation and has beneficial effects on genes linked to cancer. Did you know avocados have more potassium than bananas? Say goodbye to cramping. They are loaded with fiber, too, which is great for digestion, contributing to weight loss, and reducing blood sugar spikes. Also, notice how there is no cholesterol or sodium making these additionally amazing. Eat your avocados, okay? Okay.

---

CARROTS

Carrots aren't only good for purifying and stepping up the eye sight -- courtesy of the vitamin A and carotenoids content. Thanks to being rich in antioxidants -- alpha and beta-carotene, anthocyanins, vitamins, and minerals, carrots are anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and have cardiovascular benefits worth bragging about. I love this root vegetable and eat it so much that sometimes my skin turns orange on my palms - no joke; this is totally normal also. In addition to Vitamin A, they also rock out in the vitamins and minerals department with vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B8, pantothenic acid, folate, potassium, iron, copper, and manganese.

---

HUMMUS

Hummus is a serious babe. Chock full of protein, healthy fats, heart-aiding benefits if made with certain oils (like olive oil), hummus can be an ideal snack with the aforementioned carrots or with a sliced apple. It's also great in Avocado Toast or stirred into a stir fry or pasta to make a creamy yummy goodness. Garbanzo beans, a main component of this hummus you see above, are packed with fiber, helps regulate fat levels in the body, and lowers levels of LDL-cholesterol. They also help regulate blood sugar levels, too! They pack a punch in terms of vitamins and antioxidants: vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene, as well as concentrated supplies of antioxidant phytonutrients. I add hummus wherever I can. Seriously. It's too good not to!

+ what are your favorite foods that you couldn't live without? share below or on facebook!

Cabbage Steaks: Roasting at it's Finest

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

Cabbage Steaks: Roasting at it's Finest

In my (Emily, here) CSA basket, there have been these gorgeous heads of cabbage that I've had absolutely no no no idea how to cook. Of course I have ideas, but I didn't want the commitment of making sauerkraut or doing something boring and simple like shredding it up. I also knew I could use the leaves in place of tortillas for a wrap, but I ran out of those sammy fixins. There I was, thinking, 'hmm, I have to use them. Can't leave a veggie out -- that's just plain rude.' So that's what started this recipe. It's simple (5 ingredients!) and definitely yummy delicious.

Why do we love this recipe? Not only is it simple to throw together with major taste factor, the ingredients pack a major nutritional punch. Cabbage is low in fat and high in fiber, aka filling. It's full of vitamin K and anthocyanins which both help mental function and concentration; think helping out with nerve damage, strengthening your defense against Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia. Cabbage can help dry out oily skin and fight acne thanks to the sulfur which also draws out toxins like uric acid and free radicals (the main causes behind arthritis, skin diseases, and rheumatism). Amongst a whole host of others, it's an anti-inflammatory and blood sugar regulator. Wow! Talk about packing a punch!

We love our olive oil for it's resveratrol, aka the antioxidants that help with healthy hearts, no wrinkles, and keep us on this divine earth for a long while. Pink Himalayan salt has been known to stabilize ph levels, blood sugar, and water levels in the body; detoxify your system; and promote good respiratory and vascular health. Garlic contributes magnesium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C, can improve cholesterol levels, boost our immunity (hello, cold remedy), and helps the body detox the organs of heavy metals. Can't say this recipe is anything short of amazing. Five minutes to throw together, 40 minutes in the oven, and you can get all of those benefits? I'm not gonna pass it up. You? Find the recipe below!

Ingredients & Instructions

+ 1 Head Cabbage

+ Olive Oil

+ 3 Cloves of Garlic

+ Pink Himalayan salt (regular salt works, too)

+ Black Pepper

1. Preset the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Take the head of cabbage and slice from top to bottom (part where the leaves meet down to the flatter part/stem) in one inch widths.
3. Place the sliced rounds on a baking sheet.
4. Drizzle the slices with olive oil.
5. Chop up the garlic cloves. Sprinkle on top of cabbage rounds.
6. Rub the garlic and olive oil into the cabbage (like one might with a marinade rub).
7. Bake for 40 minutes, until crisped at the top and tender through the center.
8. Pull it out of the oven, drop next to some other side-dish yummies, and enjoy!

+ have you tried roasted cabbage this way? how about other veggies? what's your fave? comment below or on Facebook!

want support around yummy recipes, a more plant-based diet, and a lifelong glow?

sign up for your free health consultation today!

Avocado Be Kidding Me // Fast Food Done Powered by Greens Style

Avocado Toast: Simplicity at it's Best

Avocados contain loads of fiber and have great healthy fats, thus keeping our bodies healthy from hormone production and glowing with healthy skin, hair, and nails (amongst many, many, many other things). A great bread will give you a satisfying and beneficial carbohydrate source, more fiber, and depending on the nuts and seeds within, a varied nutritional profile. Pink Himalayan salt has been known to stabilize ph levels, blood sugar, and water levels in the body; detoxify your system; and promote good respiratory and vascular health. Hummus is filled with satisfying protein and nutrients for a happy tummy. Too good not to add, really.

When I'm in a rush and craving something yummy, nourishing, and energizing, I'm more than happy to toss these ingredients together, and hit the road. I hope you find this recipe easy and delicious.

Ingredients & Instructions

+ 1/4 - 1/2 Avocado

+ Slice of bread (I used an awesome gf & vegan bread from Sami's Bakery)

+ Pink Himalayan salt (regular salt works, too)

+ Pepper or other spices as desired

+ Variation: a tablespoon of hummus

Take your slice of bread -- toasted if desired, drop the avocado on top (for the variation, drop your hummus on there too), and with a fork mash it onto the bread. Top with salt and other spices if using, and take a huge bite. Enjoy! Seriously it's that easy.

+ have you tried avocado toast before? did you like it? comment below or on Facebook!