Juicy Veggie Burgers

 The idea for this recipe is inspired by a recipe Kristen found on ChoosingRaw.com.  I make big batches of juice twice a week and always felt beyond guilty throwing the pulp in the trash.  After all, there's still tons of fiber and great nutrients left in that green stuff.  Now, not only will we NEVER waste that stuff again, we get twice as much food for our buck!  We now have 8 burgers in our freezer ready to go for a quick meal! This is really exciting stuff, ya'll!  Aaannndd, these are seriously the most delicious veggie burgers I've EVER had.  They don't fall apart on the grill, and they're moist and....juicy!  Shout out to Cathy who got us the cutest little green grill for our wedding! It was perfect Cath!

Still here!

 I'm still here I'm still here! I have some exciting recipes coming your way! Stay tuned for Cheater Chili (THE easiest and most delish chili you ever did see) and Juicy Veggie Burgers (never waste your juice pulp again)! For now, I'll let Cagney entertain you.  We call this, "You want me to lose how much weight??"

Good Mood Maca Smoothie

My friend Kristen created this recipe and I'm pretty much addicted.  It's a great little afternoon pick-me-up.  Ladies, maca is great for helping with pms.  This smoothie becomes my best friend at a certain time of month...and I double the cacao!

Oprah, Ice Cream, and Vegan Heroes

On her recent show, "Final Harpo Hookups," Oprah told us that you never know when something good is going to happen to you.  Well, she was right!  I just found out I won the Coconut Bliss contest for a ticket to Vida Vegan Con!!!!!  Sorry, Kiley, for breaking your eardrums on the phone.  I couldn't contain my excitement!  It's right around Michael's birthday, so we're going to take a road trip to the amazing city of Portland.  He'll explore while I learn from my vegan heroes and make lots of new friends.  So thank you thank you THANK YOU friends at Coconut Bliss for giving me this incredible opportunity. 

Coconut Blissful Cheesecake

 When I found out about a vegan blogging conference in Portland, I was bouncing off the walls.  When I discovered that it was sold out, I stopped bouncing.  But alas! There's still hope!  The generous people at Coconut Bliss are holding a contest for a golden ticket to Vida Vegan Con!  There is also a song contest, which sounds like a lot of fun, but ya'll don't wanna hear me sing!  After weeks of racking my brain, I had a brilliant idea.  Why not just combine my two favorite desserts in the whole wide world? Ice cream and cashew cheesecake!!!  Holy coconuts did this one turn out to be a winner.  Hopefully the attractive, talented, successful, wonderful, generous, kind, fantastic and amazing staff at coconut bliss will think so too ;)  Whatever happens, I came out a winner in three ways: I found my new favorite brand of ice cream (seriously, this stuff almost didn't make it from the grocery bag to the freezer), I now know what Michael's birthday cake will be, and I had a blast with this recipe.  On a very serious note, Luna and Larry know how to make some kick-ass creamy ice cream.

Southwest Quinoa Salad

Michael made this for me for lunch the other day.  He was inspired by all of the fresh food shown in the documentary Forks Over Knives.  I know I always say this - but this is our new favorite!!!  We'll be making this a lot this summer - it's fresh, clean, easy and DELISH!

Forks Over Knives

  "If the truth be known coronary artery disease is a toothless paper tiger that need never, ever exist and if it does exist it need never, ever progress."  -Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr., M.D (an INCREDIBLE person.  Check out his bio here)

Forks over Knives presents ground-breaking, heart-breaking, heart-saving and ground-saving (while I'm at it..) clear evidence, facts, clinical studies,  and scientific studies that prove and support the healing and health benefits of a whole foods plant-based diet.   It's really no question the Western diet sucks.  America is extremely unhealthy and for the most part, surprisingly OK with it.  What if we weren't OK with it anymore? What if enough suffering was enough and we decided to start voting for and eating healthy food?  What would that look like?  It would look like a hell of a lot less cancer, diabetes, auto-immune diseases, obesity, heart disease and suffering.  I really don't know what's so controversial about wanting a healthier planet, except that a lot of really rich people from top corporations -who are trying to make us all think we need dairy for calcium, we need meat for protein or we'll DIE- would have a few less houses and boats to play with.  Ok, maybe it's not quite that simple, but it's pretty darn close. 

Who should go see this movie? People who eat.

I started this blog as a fun way to provide my family and friends with my favorite recipes.  However, since seeing Forks Over Knives last year and continuing my research on a whole foods, plant-based diet, my goals have shifted.  Disease is no stranger to my family and friends and it's hard for me to sit back knowing that in most cases its existence and progression is unnecessary, preventable and reversible.  I'm also not the type to "preach" or "push" my views and findings on others, as I tend to resist those tactics myself.  So my goal is to create a fun and delicious atmosphere that you can't resist coming back to day after day.  I provide pretty pictures and test all my recipes to show you that healthy can be fun, delicious, easy, and sexy.  I absolutely have an agenda here.  I want everyone in the world to be happy and healthy.  I want needless suffering by humans and all living things to come to an end.  I want healthy food to be the status quo.  I want people to enjoy the food they eat.   I want people to demand and vote daily (every single purchase you make is a vote) for higher quality food.  I want world peace.  There, I said it.  And I'm going to continue using my passion and talents toward reaching those goals.  Really, Rach? Eating ONLY plants? Isn't that BIT extreme?  Why, yes. I would have to say it's extremely yummy, extremely environmentally friendly, extremely compassionate and extremely fun.  Dr. Esselstyn gives his take on the "extremeness": "Some people think the "diet" is extreme.  Half a million people a year will have their chests opened up and a vein taken from their leg and sewn onto their coronary artery.  Some people would call that extreme."

I try to remain calm and refrain from getting emotional on this blog.  I try to refrain from preaching or being outspoken because frankly, there are plenty of other blogs that are much more effective than I am - thank heavens for them!!!  But know that I am asking you from the bottom of my heart to take someone you love and go see this film.  Do I want to "turn you vegan?"  Well, yeah, I have to admit, I feel that passionate that it's an incredible way to live, and I have fantasized about an entirely vegan world.  TMI? It's powerful knowing that I'm helping the planet, helping my body, and most importantly for me, no one or thing is suffering for me.  But what's also powerful is knowing the information that's out there and making informed choices at the grocery store.  It's powerful to read food labels, know exactly what's in that food, and decide for yourself if it's healthy or not.  Instead of being overwhelmed by the big words and pretty packages and having the marketing department (who is only interested in your money) make the choice for you.  I know the whole world doesn't share my views and morals, and I don't share some others' views and morals, but given the choice between healthy or sick, informed or uniformed, peace or suffering, happiness or despair, poverty or comfort, I'll bet most would opt for healthy, informed, peace, happiness, and comfort.  And you do have the choice.  You do have the power.

View trailers and find out where you can see it at FORKSOVERKNIVES.COM

Bean and Quinoa Salad

 This recipe is inspired by the yummy bean and grain salads at Whole Foods' salad bar.  I made it last night for dinner and we ate it with organic blue corn tortilla chips.   It might win healthiest meal on this blog - and it was super duper easy peasy and DELISH! Because it's balanced with lots of protein, veggies and grains, it's a complete meal.  It would also make an awesome side dish at a picnic! This salad is packed with nutrients including zinc, iron, and vitamin C.  And to add to the excitement, brazil nuts are a complete protein!  Woo hoo!!!

Mashed Potatoes with Asparagus

My sister made this for dinner last week and it looked too good to keep to myself! If a college student can do it, you can do it!  I'm so proud!!! She calls it: "Mashed 'Gus." Love it, Bird.  Disclaimer: I try all the recipes on this blog, but I have not tried this one.  But you can't really go wrong with mashed potatoes, garlic and asparagus!  When I do make it, I'll revise the recipe (if it needs it), but a.) I didn't want to keep this yumminess from you for too long and b.) I was so excited that she created this awesome meal!  Channel your inner top chef and have fun with it :)

Fig Bars

With a dash of magical maca, these bars will make you and your taste buds oh-so-happy!  Great for an early-afternoon pick me up snackeroo!  Or a guilt free, healthy, easy and low-cost dessert!

Sweet Apple Slaw

 Michael and I whipped this up for lunch today.  I'm not the biggest coleslaw fan, but this was awesome!!!  Because the sauce is cashew based, and it's packed with veggies, fruit, nuts, and dates, we ate it as a main course.  Add some brown rice or quinoa to get your grains in there too.  Why kohlrabi? We've been getting it in our CSA box and had no clue what to do with it.  Can't find kohlrabi? Use cabbage or broccoli stems instead.  What's so great about kohlrabi?  It has a lovely mild flavor that beautifully complements the apples and is a remarkable source of vitamin C among other vitamins and nutrients!

Chia Goodness

I'll be posting more meal recipes soon, but for now, here's a fun snack that we just discovered: Ruth's Chia Goodness (click here or on the pic to check out their website).  It's a combo of chia, buckwheat, and hemp seeds.  It's quick, satisfying, delicious, and super-hero healthy.  Michael eats it before ultimate frisbee and says he's never felt better or had more energy on the field.  Because I consider snacking a hobby of mine, I'm continuously on a quest for delicious, healthy, and satisfying treats.  The price seems a little hefty at first ($6.99 at WF), but it's so filling that you only need 2 Tbsp per serving so there's actually 10 servings in that little bag! 

I get the original because I prefer to sweeten it myself.  I add almond milk, cinnamon and agave to create a sweet pudding-like breakfast or treat! Michael likes to add a little nutmeg too.  YUMMERS!

Rice Snax - Yes Please!

These are so delish and super addictive.  I could easily eat 3 boxes in one sitting.  They come in four varieties- my favorite is the garlic and onion! If you can't find them in your grocery store, either ask if they'll start carrying them, or order online! You can buy in bulk! Go to the Edward and Sons Website here!
I should be getting paid for this...

Enjoy with some Edamame Hummus for a reallllly yummy snacky snack.

Me and Kris

 A couple days ago, Michael and I went to see Kris Carr at a book signing in Sherman Oaks.  We got there a little late (argh), but were still able to hear her speak for 30 minutes.  She  was so peaceful and knowledgeable and funny, you can't help but be drawn to her.  It was great fun!

Pad Thai

Another new favorite!  This is also from cooking class we took at Cru.  Not gonna lie, I wasn't too excited to try kelp noodles - they just didn't seem that appealing to me.  Once again, I was wrong - they're delish!  This is hands down the easiest meal I've ever made.  Even if you make your almond butter from scratch, it'll only take you about 15 minutes - you could make it for lunch!  I apologize for the less than scrumptious picture - for some reason this dish is very camera shy.