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Creamy Vegan Ranch Dip

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Ranch-Dip-Vegan

I’ve never been a big fan of Ranch dressing on salads, but for some reason, I find it incredible when dipping fresh veggies into it. Which is pretty much the same thing, since salads = fresh veggies. I guess I’m just weird.

The last time I tried my hand at Ranch dip, it was too runny for my taste, so I changed things up a bit, and now this one is much more to my liking. If you don’t like your dip to be as thick, or if you want to use it as a dressing instead of a dip, just add a bit more plant milk.

Vegan-Ranch-Dip

I used cashews for the dip you see in the photos, but I’ve also made it with tofu with great success. If you want to keep things soy-free, just use cashews.

Creamy Vegan Ranch Dip
 
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This ultra-creamy ranch dip is a much healthier version than the kind sold in grocery stores, and it really cannot be any simpler to make. Yum!
Author:
Recipe type: Dips/Dressings
Serves: 1 Cup
Ingredients
  • 1 cup raw cashews, soaked for at least 2 hours OR ½ block firm tofu
  • ¼ cup plant milk (I used unsweetened almond)
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic
  • ¼ tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp dried dill (if using fresh dill, up this to 1 tbsp)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender or food processor and blend/process until smooth & creamy.
  2. Serve with raw veggies, crackers or just spoon it into your mouth. Mmmm.

 

Mind Blowing Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies

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Chocolate-Oatmeal-Cookies

I’m just gonna come right out and say it:

Last week was my “special” time of the month. And during this time, I crave chocolate. Just like every other woman on the planet.

So, I did what any chocolate craving woman would do – I stuffed my face full of chocolate chips. The only thing I had on hand.

But then I thought – there has to be something better than this that I can make, that wont leave me slaving away in the kitchen for an hour (or more)!

Oatmeal-Chocolate-Cookies

I had planned on making chocolate chip cookies, but decided – nope. Not enough chocolate for me. So instead, I made my chocolate chip cookies with a few additions, chocolate CHUNKS (mmmm, more chocolate) and cocoa powder.

I get my ingredients out of the cupboards, and I’m about to grab my whole wheat flour, but then I realize – OMG, I’m out of flour! I’m out of flour! I will never eat cookies again!

After I sobbed for a bit, I put on my thinking cap. There has to be something I can use instead of whole wheat flour. I stared in my cupboards for about 10 minutes and finally I saw them… a big container of rolled oats.

YES! I can make oat flour! That will work!

And, it did. I made these cookies twice last week (don’t judge!), once with the oat flour and once with whole wheat flour (after I made my hubby grab some from the store on his way home from work). I actually liked these with the oat flour more than with whole wheat flour. Imagine that.

Mind Blowing Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookies
 
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If you're craving chocolate, this recipe is for you, my friend. These cookies come together so quickly and easily and they are loaded with chocolate! Ooey gooey delicious chocolate. Enjoy!
Author:
Recipe type: Cookies
Serves: 1 dozen cookies
Ingredients
  • 1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 2 tbsp water)
  • ¼ cup coconut oil
  • ¼ cup peanut butter (use sunflower seed butter for nut-free option)
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 3 tbsp cocoa powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1½ cups oat flour
  • ½ cup chocolate chunks
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a large baking sheet with a Silplat mat or parchment paper.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the flax and water and set aside to thicken (about 10 minutes).
  3. In a large bowl, add coconut oil, peanut butter, brown sugar and vanilla. Mix the ingredients until very smooth.
  4. Add in the baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt. Mix again until combined. Add in the oat flour and flax egg, and mix again.
  5. Finally, add in the chocolate chunks and stir by hand. Make sure everything is combined very well. Add a bit of plant milk if your batter is too dry, a tablespoon at a time.
  6. Roll batter into 12 large balls, place them on your prepared baking sheet, and press down gently on each ball, with the palm of your hand, to flatten.
  7. Bake for 12 minutes, then remove to a cooling rack. Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes.
Notes
*Use sunflower seed butter to make these cookies nut-free.
*Add a tablespoon or two of plant milk (almond, hemp, soy, etc.) to your batter if it is too dry to roll into balls.

To make oat flour: Take 1½ cups rolled oats and add to your food processor. Process until the oats resembles flour. 1½ cups rolled oats = 1½ cups oat flour.

 

Lemon Blueberry Bran Muffins

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Blueberry-Lemon-Muffins

Am I the only one that thinks muffins are one of the greatest foods ever? They’re just so convenient, easy to make, and you can pack them full of healthy ingredients, such as bran flakes and flax seeds (among other things!).

I often make muffins once a week, and try to do something different each time. They make a super simple breakfast on the go, and are great snacks, too. Much better than a chocolate bar or bag of chips, am I right?

Lemon-Blueberry-Muffins

 

Lemon Blueberry Bran Muffins
 
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There's something so comforting about a warm, freshly-baked muffin - and these muffins are just that. Comforting. Delicious (I mean, blueberry and lemon - how could you possibly go wrong?). The perfect start to your morning.
Author:
Recipe type: Breakfast
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup kamut flour
  • 4 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup coconut sugar
  • ¼ cup bran flakes
  • 1 tbs ground flax seeds
  • ¾ tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 cup plant milk (I used almond milk)
  • 1 medium banana, mashed
  • 1 lemon, zested
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease or line a muffin pan with liners.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, baking powder, salt, sugar, bran flakes and flax seeds.
  3. Add in the milk, lemon juice and vanilla.
  4. Add in the mashed banana and lemon zest until fully combined.
  5. Gently fold in blueberries. Do not over-mix.
  6. Scoop batter into muffin cups (about ¾ full).
  7. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Notes
Make this recipe nut-free by using a different plant milk, such as oat or soy.