Vegan Chili (Hold the Cheese!)

Chili is always a great dish to make. Usually I make this a little (too) spicy. But this time I didn't add the spice (Cayenne pepper and jalapeno) for the sake of the kids. The flavor was still great! This can be a super simple and fast dish to make (buy canned ingredients). Or you can use fresh ingredients with some pre food prep! When buying canned goods, read labels!! I almost bought diced tomatoes with added high fructose corn syrup! And did you know canned kidney beans can have added sugar??!! Geesh, no wonder we have such an unhealthy nation!

    1/2 cup TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein)
    1/2 cup of water
    2 tbsp vegetable powder (bullion)
    2 cups black beans
    2 cups kidney beans
    1 small onion chopped
    1 green bell pepper chopped
    4-5 cups diced (canned or blanched fresh) tomatoes
    3 Tbsp chili powder
    2 tbsp cumin

In small bowl mix half a cup of warm water with tvp and vegetable protein. Set aside. In medium sized pot, saute onion and bell pepper in 1/4 cup of water until onion is translucent. Add all of your other ingredients into the pot including the tvp. Bring to a boil and lower to medium heat. Continue to heat stirring often for about 10 minutes. Lower temperature and simmer for at least 20 minutes.

The tvp in this recipe, tastes like ground turkey! Yields 6-7 servings.

Chocolate Coconut Protein Bars

This is a Jamie Eason recipe that I found and adapted somewhat to fit what I had on hand. It's a great no-bake recipe that is packed with protein. It's also versatile to fit your taste, from chocolate to a less sweet dark chocolate.



     2 cups oatmeal

     4 scoops  protein powder
     4 TBSP coconut milk
     4 TBSP coconut oil
     1/2 cups carob chips or other vegan chocolate chip (ghiradeli is great)!
     2- 4 TBSP unsweetened cocoa powder (depending on how sweet or not you may want it.)
     1 cup unsweetened almond milk(or other non-dairy milk)

Line a 9 inch square baking dish with parchment paper. In a small microwavable bowl combine coconut oil and chocolate chips. Heat in microwave until chocolate is melted (30-60 sec). In mixing bowl combine oatmeal, protein powder, and cocoa powder. Mix well. Add coconut chocolate mixture and coconut milk. Mix again. Add almond milk and mix well. with spatula, spread evenly into prepared dish. Put in freezer for about an hour. Lift out and cut into 9 squares. Wrap individually in parchment paper and store in fridge.