Juicy Vegan Quinoa & Lentil Burger

Craving a juicy greasy burger that is meat-less, dairy-free and soy-free? Here is a healthier version and so delicious, even a meat-lover would love this! This meal is a huge hit with my family. They love when I combine the quinoa with the lentils to make burgers. I smother the burgers with tahini. In our opinion it has a cheesy flavor and texture when melted and combined with the grease, but we are plant-eaters LOL. Spoon the sautéed portabellas, red bell pepper and garlic mix with extra virgin olive oil on top. Lastly, add a side of raw leafy kale, which is said to be the new beef. Kale contains omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, is anti-inflammatory, boosts the immune system and is higher in iron and calcium (per calorie). Sprinkle some himalayan salt and cayenne on top and get down! :)

Recipe yields about 8 medium sized burgers.

*What you need*

Organic Quinoa, 2 cups

Organic Lentils, 3 cups

Organic Portabella Mushrooms, 1-8oz container

Organic Red Bell Pepper, 1 medium size

Organic Garlic, 3 cloves minced

Organic Ground Flaxseed, 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons

Organic Spelt Flour, 1 cup

Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), about 1 tablespoons (for sautéing the veggies)

Organic Sunflower Oil, about 2 tablespoons (for frying the burgers)

Organic Cayenne Pepper, to taste

Himalayan "pink" Salt, to taste

Organic Sesame Tahini, as much as you want

Get down!

1. Follow the directions of cooking quinoa and lentils in order to get the recommended amount above. 

2. Sauté the bellas, bell pepper, and garlic in 1 tablespoon of EVOO.

3. Put 1/2 cup of sautéed veggies to the side for topping the burgers later.

4. Once the quinoa and lentils are done, combine with the rest of the sautéed veggies, flaxseed, flour, and seasonings.

5. Mold into burgers and cover in flaxseed.

6. Set the stove on med-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil at a time.

7. Fry the burgers on each side for about 2-3 minutes.

8. Top the burgers with tahini and the veggies you put to the side and lay on a bed of kale.

Enjoy <3

Can You Eat Too Many Avocados? - Raw Detox

I love LOVE avocados!! You can call it an obsession - I have avocado plants in my house.  You can call it a craze - I can eat it any time of the day. They are pretty much my favorite fruit and I can eat it with just about anything. It's funny when I hear people say "don't eat too many avocados they are fattening." I guess they are only fattening if your eating a lot of tortillas, fried rice, sour cream and cheese with that lol! Before I was a vegan, I went head-over heels, the whole nine yards! I'm a die-hard mexican food lover and have been ever since my dad introduced me to it. He's from Buenos Aires, Argentina and makes the most amazing fajitas and rice that I've ever had in my life as well as his famous guacamole dip, which may be where I developed this whole avocado fixation. Whenever I went to visit him I always asked him to whip up this delicious dish. We would run down to the corner store and pick up all the ingredients plus this special green spicy sauce/seasoning...can't remember what it was called, but it was all amazing. I blame my dad for my Mexican food cravings!!

In regards to the "fattening joke" of avocados, yes this is true, BUT they are full of healthy fats such as monounsaturated oils. Fats you need in order for your brain to function to it's maximum ability. Avocados are a SuperFood because they are rich in fiber, potassium, vitamin E, folate and magnesium - all important nutrients. The phytonutrient, beta-sitosterol in avocados, is known for lowering cholesterol and preventing cancer-cell growth.  And by indulging in just one cup of avocado a day is 23% of your daily need for folate, which reduces the chance of cardiovascular disease and stroke. An avocado contains 145 calories with approximately 2g of protein, 6g of fiber, and 13g of fat (8.5g monounsaturated).

The #1 recipe for today is guacamole salad:

Ingredients:

1 Organic Hass Avocado

1 Organic Zucchini (Sliced)

1 handful Organic Spinach

1 handful Organic Romaine

1 sliced Organic Lemon

1 sliced firm Organic Roma Tomato

1T chopped fresh Organic Cilantro 

1T chopped fresh Organic Basil

Salt to taste

Directions:

Use a fork and a small bowl to mash the avocado. Mix in the cilantro and basil. Salt to taste. Arrange the veggies in bowl. Top with the guacamole dip and enjoy!