Hemp Mushroom Chicken Quinoa

Immediately when I saw this recipe I was inspired. It sounded so succulent.

I made my own version off of what I had in the house and it couldn’t have been easier.

• 1 c quinoa
• 2 c water
• 1/2 t salt
• 1/3 c hemp seeds
• 2 T Teriyaki Sauce 
• 1 c mushrooms
• 3 chicken cutlets (optional – I used the whole free range organic kind 😉 )
• chopped green onion
• garlic (I used 1/2 t of prechopped)

1. Add garlic and quinoa into a pot over medium heat for 1~3 minutes
2. Meanwhile saute mushrooms and chicken in a separate pan
3. Add water to quinoa mix
4. Once quinoa has absorbed liquid add in Teriyaki sauce, then the cooked chicken, mushrooms, hemp seeds, and green onion

I’ve eaten it plain this way and top it over a bed of lettuce to bring as my lunch at work.

I’m obsessed with hemp seeds at the moment which is why I went with those, but traditional sesame seeds might give more of a crunch.

I can’t believe its taken me this long to make a full on cooked meal with seasoning, sauces, and spices. I went all out as it was nothing but rain, rain, rain the whole weekend. Lots of cooking and baking happened. Even a visit to a vegetarian festival. Stay tuned!

x

Casey

Ninja Magic and Blackberry Almond Smoothie

Green Smoothies tend to all look the same though they taste very different. I call these power smoothies because they’re packed with nutrients and tons of protein so they keep you energized and full for a long time.

And I’ve crossed Vitamix off of the “things I want” list because the ninja gets the job done.

Coffee Peanut Power Smoothie

• 1/2 c almond milk
• 1/2 c coffee
• 1/4 c water
• 1/4 of an avocado
• 1 T peanut flour
• 1 T flaxmeal
• 1 T hemp seeds
• 1/2 t Maca
• 1 t vanilla extract
• 1 c ice
• handful of spinach
• pinch of salt

Spirulina smoothie

Warning: do not use spirulina in your smoothie, unless you’re prepared for an extremely grassy flavor and turns your smoothie dark green fast.

Some kind of version of an elvis. I definitely missed the avocado texture wise.

Banana Peanut Power Smoothie

• 1/2 c almond milk
• 1/2 c water
• 1 very ripe frozen banana
• 1 T plant based protein powder
• 1 T peanut flour
• 1/2 t cinnamon
• 1 t vanilla extract
• 1/2 t Maca
• 1 T flaxmeal
• 1 T hemp seeds
• 1 c ice
• handful of spinach

 I swear I create brilliance every time I’m about to leave somewhere and have literally nothing to work with for a morning meal. This one’s going in the books.

Blackberry Almond Power Smoothie

• 1/2 c almond milk
• 3/4 c water
• 1 T flax
• 1 T hemp
• 1/2 t maca
• 2 T cashews
• 1 t almond extract
• 1/2 c blackberries

Blackberries and almond flavoring were meant to be together. Almond extract is my new favorite smoothie addition and it should be yours too.

Question: Any smoothie flavor combo suggestions while I’m creating ninja magic?

x

Casey

Smoothielicious

I finally know what also the huh-bub regarding smoothies is all about. Better late then never!

I have my ninja blender to thank for that. I bought this model at Bed Bath & Beyond with the handy-dandy 20% off coupons they give out like they’re going out of style.

This model is magic bullet like. It comes with three individual grab-n-go cups and also a larger blender for making big batches of smoothies or dough, etc…

The difference maker of the ninja products is that the blade is at the bottom, not the top of the blender, so all of the ice is blended easily. Just 5 or 6 pumps and its smoothielicious.

In the mix:

• Almond milk
• coffee
• avocado
• hemp seeds
• flaxmeal
• spinach
• cacao
• protein powder
• maca
• salt
• ice

This specific recipe came from Katie at Rooted Wellbeing‘s Whole Foods cooking class on power breakfasts. I took her breakfast challenge and tried each of the three breakfasts to see what my body responded best too. Obvi, the smoothie won out.

Problem solved.

So freaking delicious but I forgot one of the basic rules of smoothie making. I had no straws on hand. Smoothies aren’t quite as fun with a spoon. Or spilling all over your face.

The avocado makes it super creamy which I love. The hemp, flax, and protein powder give this staying power. I was stuffed for a long, long time. It kept me from feeling snacky the whole day and night. And it was a nice cooler in this 80 degree heat.

I used Life’s Basic protein powder which is vegan and derived from pea and rice protein. I sampled it at a grocery store and was sold ever since.

Welcome to my life Green Monsters. I may or may not be having you every single morning.

x

Casey