I'm on Facebook!

I finally created a page for Plant-Based Happiness on Facebook! 

I'll be slowly adding my photos, recipes, articles, etc. to Facebook, so please login and like my page.

 Click here to access my Facebook page

 

I've had a page on my personal Pinterest for a while, you can access it and follow me here:

http://pinterest.com/jennyjellybean/plant-based-diet-happiness/

Vegan Girl Scout Samoa Wannabes

I've been trying some Paleo dessert recipes lately, most of them also happen to be Vegan or easily Veganizable!

 
The awesome thing about these raw/no bake dessert recipes is they are SUPER quick and they make small batches.  So, they're ready in a jiffy and you there's no pressure to over-indulge since they make only 6 - 12 tasty treats per recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup pecans, plus 8 extra whole pecans
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut, plus some additional for rolling
• 1 cup of pitted dates, about 12
• Pinch of sea salt
• 1/3 cup Vegan dark chocolate chunks (available at Whole Foods)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

1. Add pecans to the food processor and process until they are fine but not clumping.
2. Add remaining ingredients in order above.
3. Roll into 8 balls.  Roll in shredded coconut and press one pecan into the center of each ball.

In the event the balls don't stay together well, you can add a tablespoon of coconut oil to the mix.

Enjoy!

Are you kidding me?

I saw this cookbook recently in a store in Chapel Hill.  What are your initial thoughts when you look at the photo below?

Vegan Apple Pie Protein Shake

I've been experimenting with lots of different smoothies/shakes lately since I've been exercising a lot and I came across a recipe for an Apple Pie shake on the Vega website.



Vega One is more than just a plant-based protein powder, it's got fiber, probiotics, 50% of your RDA vitamins/minerals, Omega-3's, greens, antioxidants, etc.  I usually just combine a scoop with unsweetened almond milk but lately I've gotten more adventurous.

Weight Loss Progress Update - Week 5

I weighed in Thursday morning at 135.8 lb. and 23% body fat. That's 1.3 lbs. lost since last week and 5 pounds lost since I started this challenge on May 2! I've also hit another milestone with this weight, I'm exactly 20 pounds lighter than I was in July 2012!!!!

I'm very happy with my progress over the past week.

 Only 9 days left to meet my goals!  

Plant-Based Summer Cookout Menu Ideas

We grilled out for Memorial Day with the family and it was a huge success!  Here's what we had on the menu:

Weight Loss Progress Update - Week 4

Weekly status update: I've lost .7 lbs. and .8% body fat since my weigh-in last week and 3.3 lbs. since I started this challenge on 5/2/13.

So, I'm down to 137.1 lbs and 22.2% body fat. I've almost met my body fat goal of 22% but I'm still 12 lbs from my goal weight. I'm 14 days from my goal date (i.e. my 32nd birthday).

Delicious Vegan Strawberry Pie Recipe

Josh & I went strawberry picking a couple weeks ago and I made him these miniature strawberry pies.

 

They turned out really delicious.  I veganized this recipe and also made my own graham cracker crust using Organic Graham Crackers.  I was horrified after inspecting the labels on the pre-made graham cracker crusts and the pre-packaged graham cracker crumbs.  All of the leading brand graham cracker crusts and crumbs contained multiple hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup = transfatty, GMO yuckiness!