Avocado Caesar Salad (Vegan, Paleo)

This delicious recipe was seen on Detoxinista.com then recently recreated by The Bold Vegetarian.

This recipe is Vegan and Paleo!

Makes 1 1/2 cups of dressing

Ingredients:

1 ripe avocado, pitted (about 1/2 cup mashed)

5 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon raw apple cider vinegar

3/4 cup water

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

2 tablespoons nutritional yeast

Directions:

Combine all of the dressing ingredients in a high-speed blender, and blend until completely smooth. Pour over chopped Romaine lettuce, and toss well to coat. Serve with roasted potatoes as "croutons," if desired. Leftover dressing can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

* Bold modifications: 

"I use half kale and half romaine and make croutons from a sprouted vegan protein bread I get at WholeFoods. I toast, then lightly dress with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and garlic."

* Bold tip: 
Use a pizza cutter in the bowl to chop the kale and romaine into smaller pieces.


Check out Detoxinista.com for recipe and directions!

Crispy Kale Chips

The Bold Vegetarian recently made these savory homemade kale chips. This delicious treat is so simple and easy to make at home.

 Bake for 300 degrees for. 15 minutes with 1 tsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, sea salt, pepper, garlic, nutritional yeast for cheesiness and a pinch of cayenne. Flip once 1/2 way through. *Bold tip: make sure your kale is washed and thoroughly dried, otherwise kale won't get crispy!

 *Bold Tip: Extra virgin olive oil is safe in oven up to 356 degrees

#VegetarianMeet - Dennis

What inspired you to switch from eating grazing cows to only eating grazing greens?

I got on the 'garden fence'….. When I read about the impact of over-farming and overfishing and its impact on animals, humanity, energy consumption and the negative impact it has on health and the overall cruelty to animals in the industry.

How long have you been a vegetarian?

I have been a vegan for two weeks now. My weaknesses were gelato and pizza. I have you been a vegetarian for approximately 20 years.

What veggie dish rocks your 'spirulina’?

I like simple, unprocessed vegetables.  My favorite combo is serving up garbanzo beans with baked sweet potato fries accompanied by steamed broccoli and kale. I season with cayenne and olive oil only.  It’s a good quick bachelor meal for a vegan.

Raw or Hot?

I definitely prefer a hot dish!

If you had to strike a pose, what would it be?

Eagle pose.

Your go-to restaurant for a good veggie meal?

My favorite go to restaurant is Soya e Pomodoro as they have a different vegan soup every day.  It is perfect for those who work near downtown Miami for lunch. The restaurant offers up an eclectic, yet romantic atmosphere.

Any recommendations for those on the fence of the plant-based garden….

Expand your knowledge on the cruelty to animals in the meat and dairy industries as well learn more about the health benefits.

Check it out.. Here are some of Dennis' home-cooked plates below:

Sprouted whole grain bread, 365 pizza sauce, avocado and spinach 'pizza' and garbanzo beans, broccoli and kale with olive oil and cayenne pepper.

#VegetarianMeet

The Bold Vegetarian will be randomly interviewing people she meets at plant-based restaurants/cafes.  What is the purpose to this? I don't know... but it is fun hearing what people have to say!

A Visit to Jugofresh

The Bold Vegetarian was challenged this week by her first cold of the season.  She decided to head out to see what natural immune boosters she could find at her closest juice bar so she headed to Whole Foods to check out what Jugofresh had in store.  Jugofresh opened up approximately three months ago in the South Beach location.  She asked the employee what she recommended and she suggested, Saca Lo.  Saca Lo is a juice shot comprised of lemon, lime, ginger, cayenne, turmeric, oregano oil, Echinacea extract and raw honey.  If you are a vegan, this shot will not be an option as it contains raw honey.   The shot is spicy and if you are suffering from a sore throat, it might burn more than is comfortable, so I would probably avoid.  Otherwise, it seemed to help. 

Jugofesh offers cold pressed juices with catchy names and a variety of smoothies and acai berry bowls in this location.  Many of the options include raw honey so be sure to take note what options are vegan or not.  Also some of the smoothies and juices contain sweetener in the form of coconut palm nectar.

Jugofresh offers innovative juice blends that are organic and made fresh daily.

What is your favorite juice or smoothie?  What is your go-to juice bar? Bold Vegetarian wants to hear from you!

Bold Vegetarian’s favorite juice is a combo of kale, cucumber, celery, ginger, lemon and parsley with a half of green apple.

See you next week!

Turmeric Tea with Black Pepper​

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of hot water

1/2 cup heated almond milk

small piece of ginger root

1 teaspoon turmeric spice

spinkle on cinnamon

sprinkle on black pepper

Improve Digestion and Promote Intestinal Health with Black Pepper

Black pepper (Piper nigrum) stimulates the taste buds in such a way that an alert is sent to to the stomach to increase hydrochloric acid secretion, thereby improving digestion. Hydrochloric acid is necessary for the digestion of proteins and other food components in the stomach. When the body's production of hydrochloric acid is insufficient, food may sit in the stomach for an extended period of time, leading to heartburn or indigestion, or it may pass into the intestines, where it can be used as a food source for unfriendly gut bacteria, whose activities produce gas, irritation, and/or diarrhea or constipation.

Black pepper has long been recognized as a carminitive, (a substance that helps prevent the formation of intestinal gas), a property likely due to its beneficial effect of stimulating hydrochloric acid production. In addition, black pepper has diaphoretic (promotes sweating), and diuretic (promotes urination) properties.

Black pepper has demonstrated impressive antioxidant and antibacterial effects--yet another way in which this wonderful seasoning promotes the health of the digestive tract. And not only does black pepper help you derive the most benefit from your food, the outer layer of the peppercorn stimulates the breakdown of fat cells, keeping you slim while giving you energy to burn.

​- whfoods.org