HEY BABES!
<3
OKAY, so I know this one has been a long-time coming, but it took me a while to put together because I wanted to compile all the recipe ideas from the blog that fit the foods I was recommending & lord knows, there’s a lot where that came from!!
BUT ANYWAY… today’s the day. It’s finally here!
And I know you munchkins are probably excited about this one because it’s one you asked for & I delivered (OBVIIII – I adore you guys!).
NOW, without further ado, let’s get right into it. LORD KNOWS I’VE GOT A HECK OF AN INTRO FOR YOU before I get into all my fave plant-based protein sources & all my recipe recommendations! Don’t skimp on the introduction. The information is useful, TRUST ME!
First things first, let’s establish that eating more plant-based protein is not the same thing as being vegan or vegetarian. I am by no means vegan or vegetarian & I don’t intend on becoming it anytime soon. BUT, throughout my journey towards adopting a healthier lifestyle & after having done lots of research, I have made a conscious effort to try to incorporate more plant-based protein into my diet. You’ll understand why soon, PROMISE (depends how long I decide to rant for today!).
I just want you guys to know that this post is by no means my way of telling or persuading you to become vegan or vegetarian but rather a way to communicate to you the importance of changing up your protein sources & to open your eyes to the fact that many sources of plant-based protein can be beneficial to your health in SO many ways that the traditional sources of protein (such as meat, poultry & fish) cannot.
THE NITTY-GRITTY ON PROTEIN – WHAT ON EARTH IS IT, REALLY?
Before we get into it, what exactly is protein? Protein is basically the building block of life. It’s made up of amino acids that our bodies use in every internal process. It is crucial for our overall health & well-being, our workouts & recovery & our nervous system function. Without it, our bodies cannot function optimally & would not be able to sustain us long-term.
The problem with the view of protein in today’s society is WHERE we are getting the majority of it from: animals. I’m not here to tell you to stop consuming meat entirely, but what I’m here to tell you is that we can’t ignore the fact that meat consumption in today’s society is excessive & is causing many health problems. Part of the problem is that we’ve been taught to think that we NEED meat daily to survive. But, in 2017, it’s time to get rid of the picture of a dinner dish in our minds that shows meat, veggies & a whole grain. The sad truth is that SO MANY of the health issues caused by excessive meat consumption could be solved with simple swaps in nutrition & trying out new plant-based foods.
One thing you guys should bear in mind is that protein needs will vary from person to person depending on age, health status & how much exercise/physical activity you are doing. Not only do protein needs vary from person to person but they may even vary individually from day to day, based on how on-the-go you are, how much you exercise & how much strain you are putting on your body. BASICALLY, the harder you’re asking your body to work to sustain you, the more protein it will need!
Some signs that you might be lacking protein in your diet are:
- feeling mentally/physically exhausted (if you find you always need a daytime nap, odds are you’re not fuelling your body enough to sustain you throughout the day);
- suffering from injuries/cramping & muscle soreness often;
- losing muscle or feeling like you are unable to build it;
- losing hair;
- having brittle/breaking/weak nails;
- suffering from frequent headaches, fainting & nausea;
- feeling cranky, anxious, moody or depressed.
Keep in mind that our bodies are built, designed & biologically programmed to survive. Symptoms like the ones listed above are the way your body communicates with you to ask you for FUEL. If it doesn’t have enough of what it needs to thrive, it will do its best to get what it needs with what it has. This is one of the reasons why if you find you’re having a hard time building/retaining muscle, you most probably aren’t getting enough protein and your body is taking it from where it can, a.k.a. your muscle tissue. If you find your nails are flimsy, you’re losing hair, your body may be holding onto whatever protein it has stored in the “bank” versus using what little it has to create new nails or fuller hair.
THIS IS ALSO WHY NUTRIENT-RICH WHOLE FOODS REALLY ARE THE ONLY WAY TO GO & why true health comes from these kinds of foods, as opposed to foods that fit a certain “mould”, “diet” or “restriction”. It’s not because you’re labelled vegan, vegetarian or carnivore that you’re healthier than your neighbour. Many people go vegan and consume a lot of processed, packaged foods that are void of nutrients and full of sugar & the same holds true for people who claim to get the majority of their good protein from meat. At the end of the day, IT’S ALL ABOUT CONSUMING WOLE FOODS. Excellent nutrition is truly about balance & variety.
PLANT-BASED PROTEIN? HUH?!
Okay, rant over. WHAT ON EARTH IS PLANT-BASED PROTEIN THOUGH, RIGHT? Protein comes from animals, right? WRONG.
Plant-based protein sources are proteins that are not derived from meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, fish or seafood. They’re the form of protein that all vegans (& some vegetarians) rely on to get in their daily doses & YES, they survive JUST FINE (if not better than the token carnivorous person) & are in fact, VERY HEALTHY!
There are LOADS of plant-based protein sources but I’ll speak to you about the ones that I’ve tried (& tested, oops I mean, TASTED) & incorporated into my diet ever since I’ve been making a conscious effort to go “more plant-based”. And after each one I speak about… THE BEST PART... I’ll link a lot of (or all, if there aren’t 29831038140392) recipes that contain these ingredients to give you guys some inspo!!!
P.S. Feel free to use the search bar at the top of my homepage or on the sidebar of any other page on the blog to look up more recipes FOR MORE INSPO containing these amazing plant-based foods! (I wasn’t able to listen them all because there were just WAY TOO MANY!).
P.P.S. You’ll notice that in a lot of the recipes I’m sharing with you munchkins, plant-based protein is the main event, BUT there might still be some poultry, dairy, eggs, fish, seafood or meat as part of them! THAT’S WHAT I’M TRYING TO SAY HERE, MY LOVES. I ain’t telling you to go vegan, carnivore, egg-free, dairy-free, soy-free, vegetarian, gluten-free, sugar-free blablablala-free. I’m just here telling you to open your eyes up to the BEAUTIFUL WORLD OF PLANTS!!!!!!
TEMPEH: A fermented soybean that is made by a natural culturing & a controlled fermentation process. It can help reduce cholesterol, increase bone density, reduce menopause symptoms, promote muscle recovery & has the same protein quality as meat & contains high levels of B complex vitamins. Given that it’s fermented, it’s also super rich in probiotics!
A 100g serving will ring you in at a whole 18 grams of protein!
INSPO:
ALMONDS: Packed with tons of healthy fats, fibre, protein, magnesium, vitamin E! Helps lower blood sugar levels, reduce blood pressure & lower cholesterol levels. They’re also very satisfying, filling & make for a great afternoon pick-me-up or healthy fat add-in in salads, bowls, or baked treats!
1/4 cup of almonds will ring you in at 8g of protein!
INSPO:
- Kelly’s Gluten-Free, Egg-Free, Vegan Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Raisin Cookies
- Homemade Vanilla Cinnamon Almond Milk
- No-Bake Almond Butter Apricot Squares
- Creamy-AF Gluten-Free & Vegan Garlic Almond Milk Fettuccine Tossed With Roasted Cherry Tomatoes & Fresh Chopped Cilantro
- Homemade Creamy Silky Smooth Vanilla Cinnamon Raw Almond Butter
- Kelly’s Mixed Berry & Cherry Adaptogen Cocoa Vanilla Almond Protein Smoothie
- 9-Ingredient Stovetop Vegan & Gluten-Free & Refined Sugar-Free Vanilla Almond Granola
- Kelly’s Crumbly, Soft & Chewy 7-Ingredient Oatmeal Almond Butter, Maca, Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies
- Beautifully-Purplish-Pinkish-Bluish Blueberry Almond Butter Smoothie
P.S. Nut butters & nut milks: I mean, if the nuts themselves are great sources of plant-based proteins, then it’s only natural that their nut butter counterparts be just as nutritious! If possible, try to make sure to go for raw organic nut butters that contain no added salt, sugars, fillers or preservatives!
ARUGULA: Yes, you read right. Arugula… a leaf… actually contains PROTEIN. Not only that, but this leafy green can help prevent certain types of cancers, is super high in vitamin K, which is beneficial for the heart, bones & skin, great for eye health, loaded with antioxidants & vitamin C, as well as folate, B vitamins & minerals & it’s also super rich in chlorophyll!
A 1-cup serving will provide you with 5g of protein!
INSPO:
- Mashed Avocado, Maple-Dijon Grilled Chicken Sprouted Bread Sandwic
- 5-Minute Gluten-Free Greens, Grilled Chicken & Roasted Carrot Power Bowl
- Vegan & Gluten-Free Creamy AF Pumpkin “Mac ‘n Cheese”
- Smokey & Garlicky Brussels Sprouts, Red Onion & Arugula Egg White Frittata
- Spinach, Arugula & Maple Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts Tuna Salad Tossed in an Orange-y Citrus-y Dressing
- Miso-Baked Mahi-Mahi on a Beautiful Bed of Charred Arugula, Bok-Choy & Portobello Mushrooms Drenched in a Sesame, Lime, Ginger, Maple & Garlic Sauce
AVOCADO: I’m talking tons of healthy monounsaturated fatty acids, over 20 vitamins & minerals (some of which include potassium, copper, riboflavin, vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin C, carotenoids), healthy, clear skin, protects the liver from damage & ailments, eye healthy, reduces risk of heart disease, helps with digestion & weight maintenance & contains tons of fibre!
1 avocado will ring you in at 4 grams of protein.
INSPO:
- Sprouted Toast With Greek Yogurt & Avocado & Some Mediterranean Feels
- Mashed Avocado, Maple-Dijon Grilled Chicken Sprouted Bread Sandwich
- Kelly’s Clean-Eating Zero Oil, Mayo, Refined-Sugar & Gluten-Free Greek Yogurt & Peach Guac
- Kelly’s Clean-Eating Creamylicious-Delicious Green Goddess Dressing
- Kelly’s Zero Butter, Zero Cream, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Refined-Sugar-Free & Possibly Vegan CHOCOLATE AVOCADO TRUFFLES
- Oven-Roasted Asparagus, Avocado & Spinach Maple Mustard Chicken Salad with a Sesame Garlic Vinaigrette
- Gluten-Free Spaghetti in a Creamy Greek Yogurt, Avocado & Mushroom Sauce
- Creamy, Smooth & Velvety-AF Chocolate AVOCADO Shake
- Kelly’s Clean-Eating Kale, Avocado & Steak Salad Topped with Cranberries & Toasted Almonds & Tossed in a Maple Dijon Balsamic Dressing
BRUSSELS SPROUTS: Yes, another shocker! 1 cup will provide you with a good dose of iron & potassium! They also contain tons of vitamin C, folate & antioxidants! They are anti-bacterial & anti-inflammatory, help maintain heart health, healthy bones & nervous system & are a great source of fibre!
1 cup of these babies will ring you in at 4g of protein!
INSPO:
- Roasted Asparagus & Brussels in a Garlic Lemon Dijon Marinade
- Fresh To Death Clean-Eating Goat Cheese, Black Bean, Shredded Brussels & Other Good Stuff Pasta Salad
- Kelly’s Indian-(VERY)-Spiced Brussels Sprouts
- Kelly’s Clean-AF Maple Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Heavenly Kale, Brussels & Avocado Tuna Salad Smothered in Miso Citrus Dressing
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts, Really-Chopped Kale, Sliced Strawberry & Creamy Ricotta Salad with a Lemon Maple & Mustard (Homemade, Duh!) Vinaigrette
MACA ROOT POWDER: Just 2 tsp. of maca rings you in at almost 2g of protein! It’s the perfect way to add in a little extra dose when making oats, cookies, brownies, smoothies, Greek yogurt parfaits, etc (because you won’t even feel it’s there!). Maca has TONS of benefits, which I speak about in the posts I will list below but in a nutshell, it helps balance hormones, boosts fertility, improves skin & hair health, increases energy, acts as an adaptogen so it helps the body’s adrenal glands adapt to & better cope with stress & anxiety, helping the body reach its optimal state of balance (known as homeostasis). It’s also great for immune health & bone strength!
INSPO:
- Strawberry Maca & Cashew Protein Smoothie
- Kelly’s Mixed Berry & Cherry Adaptogen Cocoa Vanilla Almond Protein Smoothie
- Post-Workout Banana Cocoa & Greens Smoothie
- Kelly’s Maca Cacao Mid-Morning (Aphrodisiac!) Energy Boost Smoothie
- Kelly’s Crumbly, Soft & Chewy 7-Ingredient Oatmeal Almond Butter, Maca, Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies
CASHEWS: Packed with vitamins, minerals & antioxidants, including vitamins E, K & B6, as well as copper, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, iron & selenium, all of which are crucial for overall health! They are also immune system healthy, bone healthy & may help cure certain types of cancers.
A 28g (or 1 ounce) serving will ring you in at 4g of protein!
INSPO:
- Gluten-Free Raw Cashew Butter Oatmeal Collagen Bites
- Soft & Crumbly 5-Ingredient Flourless Almond Butter Cocoa Cashew Cookies
- Homemade Vanilla Cinnamon Almond Milk (Swap the almonds for cashews! Soak them, follow the same process but no need to go through the straining/nut milk bag process!)
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls
- Kelly’s Vegan Soft, Creamy, But Still A Lil’ Bit Chunky Cashew Herby-Garlicky Cheese
- No-Bake Blueberry & Cashew Protein Bars
- Kelly’s Thick, Creamy & Rich-AF Vegan & Gluten-Free Garlic Cashew Dressing;
CHICKPEAS (or garbanzo beans… REALLY WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?): Okay guys, wait for it… 1 cup of these babies will ring you in at 14.5g of protein!!! These babes help control blood sugar levels, keep you fill & help with healthy weight maintenance, improve digestion thanks to the high fibre content, protect against heart disease & certain types of cancer & contain tons of essential vitamins & minerals!
INSPO:
- Vegan, Gluten-Free, Naturally Sweet White Bean Scrumptiously Crumbly & Chewy Protein Balls
- Kelly’s Spinach, Broiled Asparagus, Avocado & Chickpea Beauty-Bowl Tossed in a Chilli-Lime Dressing
- Kelly’s Clean-Eating Homemade Hummus That Changed Everything
- Kelly’s Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar-Free & Possibly Vegan Chickpea Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar-Free & Vegan Flavourful AF Oven-Roasted Chickpeas
- Gluten-Free & Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Chickpea FALAFEL Muffin Cups
- Mediterranean Grilled Chicken & Roasted Turmeric Sweet Potato Bowl on a Bed of Gluten-Free Fettuccine Sautéed in my Clean-Eating Tzatziki
CANNELLINI BEANS: OKAY GUYS, as if it couldn’t get any better than the chickpeas, these babies ring you in at a whopping 15.5g of protein per cup! They contain TONS of B vitamins, including B12 (which is one that most people are lacking & the reason why so many people often find themselves feeling tired, weak & lacking energy mid-day). They’re also a great source of folate, they help stabilize blood sugar, contain tons of fibre & iron & may help fight certain types of cancer.
INSPO:
PINE NUTS: These babes maintain healthy blood levels, are great for bone health, help boost metabolism & fight free radicals (due to their antioxidant content). They’re heart-healthy, help lower bad cholesterol & contain tons of vitamin E! They’re also energy-boosting & support a healthy immune system!
A 1-ounce serving provides you with 4g of protein!
INSPO:
NUTRITIONAL YEAST: Nutritional yeast is high in B12 & is also a “complete protein”. It contains tons of other B vitamins, iron, folic acid & fibre, is super low in sodium, free of sugar, soy & gluten! It contains all 18 amino-acids
8g of protein in just 2 tbsp.!
OH &… I mean… IT BASICALLY TASTES LIKE FREAKING CHEESE!!!
INSPO:
- Vegan & Gluten-Free Creamy AF Pumpkin “Mac ‘n Cheese”
- Kelly’s Clean-Eating Gluten-Free Meatless Zucchini “Meatballs”
- Roasted Butternut Squash Mac & “Cheeze” with Tuna & Sautéed Spinach
- Homemade Kale Chips
- Best-Ever Healthy-AF Baked Red Bell Peppers Stuffed with Garlic Sautéed Ground Turkey, White Mushrooms, Onions & Cilantro
- AND BASICALLY EVERY OTHER RECIPE ON THE BLOG (LAWL)!
BLACK BEANS: Okay, you guys already know that this is a freaking obsession. Black beans & I are TIGHT AF. Like bestie-tight. Not only are they delicious & super versatile, but they’re also one of the richest sources of antioxidants & one of the healthiest beans of all beans/legumes. It’s actually their dark colour that indicates their strong antioxidant content & they also contain less starch than some other beans.
OH & don’t be fooled… it’s not because they’re beans that all you can do is cook with them. Black beans have become a staple in my kitchen when it comes to baking & let me tell you, once you try it, YOU’LL NEVER GO BACK.
A 1/2 cup serving of black beans rings you in at a whopping 19.5g of protein. NOPE. I’M NOT EVEN KIDDING.
INSPO:
- Vegan, Gluten, Oil, Egg & Refined Sugar-Free Chunky BLACK BEAN Burgers;
- Kelly’s Clean-Eating Vegetarian Butternut Squash & Black Bean Chili
- Fresh To Death Clean-Eating Goat Cheese, Black Bean, Shredded Brussels & Other Good Stuff Pasta Salad
- Flourless Chocolate Cake
- Vegan/Clean-Eating/Gluten-Free DOUBLE Chocolate Cookies
TOFU: I personally don’t enjoy the texture of tofu & would much rather eat tempeh. BUT, there are a select few brands that I’ll eat because the ingredients are super clean & it’s usually smoked! That’s actually the best part about tofu: it can be flavoured HOWEVER you want it to be as it literally takes on the flavours of whatever you’re seasoning it with!
A 1 cup portion packs approximately 10g of protein!
INSPO:
QUINOA: Do you love rice but often find yourself getting bloated when you eat it? Same same. Quinoa is a great alternative because it’s gluten-free & it’s actually a seed-like grain but will still give you a similar texture & feel to that of rice so you won’t feel like you’re missing out! It’s full of protein, magnesium, antioxidants & fibre!
A 1-cup serving rings you in at 8g of protein!
INSPO:
- Kelly’s Asian-Inspired Sweet & Savoury Quinoa Salad Tossed in a Peanut Maple & Sesame Dressing
- Kelly’s Clean-Eating Vegan Quinoa Burgers
- Cauliflower-“Quinoa” Taco Salad
- Kelly’s Clean-AF Morroccan-Inspired Quinoa & Chickpea Protein-Packed Power Salad
- Clean-Eating Pecan & Dried Fruit Quinoa & Oat Cookies
PUMPKIN SEEDS: These babies are one of the most overlooked sources of iron & protein out there. They’ll ring you in at a whole 8g per 1/4 cup serving. They’re also a great source of magnesium & they’re a freaking delicious add-in for baked goods, granola bars or as a topping for bowls/salads!
INSPO:
PECANS: They’re super high in healthy unsaturated fat & a handful a day can help lower bad cholesterol! They also contain more than 19 vitamins & minerals, including vitamins A, B & E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium & zinc! They’re also amazing for your skin!
A 1 ounce portion rings you in at almost 3g of protein!
OH & that same ounce provides you with 10% of the RDV for fibre.
INSPO:
- 5-Ingredient Vegan & Gluten-Free Baked Mini Apple Cinnamon Pecan Pies
- Vegan, Gluten-Free & Refined Sugar-Free Crumbly But Chewy Cinnamon Pecan Walnut Muffins
- Kelly’s Clean-Eating Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar-Free & Vegan Pecan Shortbread Cookies
- Gluten-Free & Vegan No-Bake Pecan Pie PROTEIN Bites
- Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
- 5-Minute Gluten-Free Greens, Grilled Chicken & Roasted Carrot Power Bowl
CHLORELLA: DETOX HERE. DETOX THERE. DETOX EVERYWHERE. Chlorella is a source of chlorophyll (I think the color is self-explanatory)! It’s packed with protein, iron, magnesium & tons of amino acids. Due to its tiny size, it has the ability to bind to heavy metals in the body, as well as unwanted chemicals… and LOW & BEHOLD… GET RID OF THEM!
In just 3 tbsp., you get a whopping 16g of protein!
INSPO:
FLAXSEED: OMEGA-3 FTW. Flaxseed is super heart healthy, anti-inflammatory, metabolism boosting, full of antioxidants, B-vitamins, magnesium, potassium, manganese, iron, copper & phosphorus. It’s also very high in fibre & helps with digestion! It can also help lower cholesterol, blood pressure & protect against certain types of cancer.
In just 3 tbsp., you get 6g of protein!
INSPO:
- Vanilla Strawberry & Mango Protein-Packed Smoothie Bowl Topped with Bluebs, Flax & Gluten-Free Muesli
- THE-BEST-EVER Superfood Cocoa Almond Butter Oat Bites
- Kelly’s Clean-AF Baked-Not-Fried Flax Garlic & Basil Eggplant Chips
- Vegan, Gluten-Free & Grain-Free Cinnamon Peanut Butter Almond Pulp Crackers
- Vegan & Gluten-Free Almond Pulp Herby-Garlicky-“Cheezy”-Crackers
WALNUTS: Walnuts are a great source of anti-inflammatory omega-3 essential fatty acids! They’re super rich in antioxidants, as well as manganese & copper, and an amazing source of the B vitamin, biotin, which as you guys know, is great for strengthening your hair & nails! They’re also good for bone health & strength!
In just 1 ounce, you get almost 4.5g of protein!!
INSPO:
TAHINI: You can use this stuff like you would use nut butters! It’s obviously a little less sweet, but still super delicious as a salty treat spread on rice cakes or as a dip for veggies! It’s super filling, an amazing source of iron, B vitamins, magnesium & potassium! Just 2 tbsp. will ring you in at 8g of protein!
INSPO:
- Gluten-Free & Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Chickpea FALAFEL Muffin Cups
- Kelly’s Clean-Eating Vegan Kale & Tahini Spread
- Healthy-AF Smooth & Creamy Tahini Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing
- Kelly’s Clean-Eating Homemade Mayo-Free-But-Creamy-AF Baba-Ganoush
- Gluten-Free, Vegan & Good-For-You (But You Can’t Tell) Cashew Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet
SWEET POTATO: Amazing source of Vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), as well as vitamin C, manganese, copper & vitamin B6. They’re also a great source of potassium, fibre, B1, B2 & phosphorus! They help boost immune system, are amazing for digestion/stomach ulcers & help maintain water balance within the body! A 1 cup serving provides you with a little over 2g of protein!
INSPO:
- Sweet & Savoury Gluten-Free & Vegan Oven-Roasted Sweet Potato Rounds
- Gluten-Free Spaghetti Tossed with Sautéed Flaked White Tuna, Braised Cherry Tomatoes, White Mushrooms, Sweet Potato & Spinach & Tossed in a Red Wine Vinegar, Maple, Mustard & Garlic Sauce
- Kelly’s Take on an Indian-Themed Salad with Curried Sweet Potato & a Cumin, Honey & Yogurt Dressing
- Baked Sweet Potato Chips
KIDNEY BEANS: A great source of folate, fibre & copper, as well as manganese, phosphorus, protein B1, iron, potassium & magnesium! They help reduce cholesterol, stabilize blood sugar, are great for memory, boosting energy & heart health! They’re also packed with antioxidants. A 1/2 cup serving rings you in at about 21 grams of protein!
INSPO:
LENTILS: These babies pack an entire 9g of protein & 15g of fibre per 1/2 cup serving! They’re a good source of folate, fibre, copper, phosphorus, manganese, protein, iron, vitamin B1, zinc, potassium & B6. They may help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, lower blood pressure, help with healthy weight maintenance, boost nervous system health, metabolism & promote healthy digestion!
INSPO:
- Deliciously Protein & Fibre-Packed Lentil Green Goddess Salad with Cranberries & Butternut Squash Topped with Creamy-AF Greek Yogurt & Tossed in Kelly’s Honey Dijon Vinaigrette
- Comforting Red Lentil Penne With Sautéed White Onion & Portobello Mushrooms In A Kale Tomato Basil Sauce
- Clean-Eating Yummy-AF Green Lentil, Spinach & Fresh Veggie Salad Tossed in a Beautiful Lemon, Tahini & Cumin Vinaigrette
- Vegan Warm & Hearty Best Ever Sprouted Green Lentil Soup
HEMP SEEDS: Hemp seeds are a complete protein, they’re super versatile & easy to use and can basically be put on just about anything! They’re also exceptionally rich in 2 essential fatty acids (omega-6 & omega-3). And they also contain GLA (gamma-linoleic-acid), which has been shown to be very beneficial to the health! They’re great for digestion, hair/skin/nail health & heart health!
In just 3 tbsp, you get a full 13g of protein!!!
INSPO:
OATS: OKAY guys, oats are a serious sitch. They have 3x more protein than brown rice with LESS STARCH + MORE FIBRE. They’re also an amazing source of magnesium, calcium & B vitamins & contains both soluble & insoluble fibre & BTW, the soluble kind forms a gel that helps lower cholesterol & stabilize blood glucose levels. It’s also great for healthy weight maintenance, contains more antioxidants than broccoli, controls blood pressure, may help athletic performance & may help prevent certain types of disease.
In just 1/2 cup of gluten-free rolled oats, you get 7g of protein!
INSPO:
- Gluten-Free Raw Cashew Butter Oatmeal Collagen Bites
- 7-Ingredient Vegan Soft & Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
- Gluten-Free Vanilla Collagen Oatmeal Pancakes
- Kelly’s Gluten-Free (& Possibly Vegan) Golden Toasted Almond & Dried Apricot Granola
- Magically Delicious Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Crisps
- Cinnamon Blueberry Oat Muffins
- Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar-Free & Vegan Clean-Eating Oatmeal Cookie Smoothie
- Banana Raspberry Oatmeal Cookies
- Gluten-Free & Vegan Oatmeal Flax Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Kelly’s Vegan & Gluten-Free Coconut Raisin Oatmeal Log Bars
CHIA SEEDS: I mean… they’re a freaking superfood. Do I need to explain? Kay fine, a bit. They’ll rank you in at 5g of protein for just 2 tbsp. Like hemp seeds, they are also a complete protein source! They contain tons of omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, antioxidants & calcium!
INSPO:
SPINACH: At 5g of protein per cup, WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE WHAT ELSE YOU’RE GETTING WITH THAT CUP. I’m talking: low in cholesterol, high in niacin & zinc, protein, fibre, vitamins A, C, E & K, thiamin, B6, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper & manganese… NEED I SAY MORE? It’s also great for balancing healthy pH levels in the body, lowering blood pressure, fighting acne & wrinkles, preventing heart disease, helping with digestion & maintaining low blood sugar. It’s anti-aging & helps strengthen the eyes!
INSPO:
- Chickpea Collard Green Wrap with Spinach & Cilantro “Cheesy” Vegan Pesto
- Seared Tuna Buddha Bowl With Raw Veggies, Sautéed Cremini Mushrooms & Fresh Herbs
- Kelly’s Spinach, Kale, Apple & Cucumber Green Juice
- Very Chopped Thai Spinach & Turkey Salad with a Sesame Maple Soy Vinaigrette
- Oven-Roasted Asparagus, Avocado & Spinach Maple Mustard Chicken Salad with a Sesame Garlic Vinaigrette
- Roasted Vegetable Salad on Spinach topped with Goat Cheese, Roasted Turkey, Cranberries & Sun-Dried Tomatoes with a Lemon, Dill & Garlic Vinaigrette
BROCCOLI: For 4g of protein per cup, you’re also getting 30% of your daily calcium needs, vitamin C, tons of fibre & B vitamins! It’s also an amazing source of vitamin K, provides a substantial source of potassium & folate… AND WAIT FOR IT, due to its vitamin C content, it helps in the formation & building of collagen & is loaded with antioxidants, which are basically the body’s shield against free radicals. BUT YOU KNEW THAT.
INSPO:
- Kelly’s Clean-Eating Detoxifying-AF Cabbage, Broccoli & Mint Soup-ish Purée
- Really Really Yummy & Green Kale & Broccoli Frittata with Sautéed Garlic, Bell Peppers & Onion
- Kelly’s Spiced-Up AF Broccoli, Mushroom, Onion, Greens & Goat Cheese Egg White Scramble
- Really, Really Chopped Spinach, Broccoli, Avocado & Dried Fig Salad in a Garlicky Balsamic Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette
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