Healthy snacks to munch on!

Snacks are probably the only thing humans can agree are the best thing in the world. What is even better are healthy snacks. Yeah, that's right. Snacks that don't come out of a vending machine, but healthy stuff. 

Junky snacks to healthy snacks can be a difficult conversion, especially in this day and age where we are in a constant rush and shove anything in our mouth for that immediate gratification. I am very guilty of this and I'm sure you can relate to this predicament. However, there are alternatives to our junky snack problem...

-Fruit 
Yes. Yes. YES. Fruit will keep you stuffed and prevent you from aimlessly shoving food into your mouth. 

-Nuts
Almonds and other nuts are a "naturally high source of vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, and potassium and are rich in protein and fiber." Source Basically, it is good for your health. 

-String cheese
It is always fun and distracting to play with your food. 

And more...
-Baby Carrots with hummus 
-Egg whites on wheat toast 
-Dark chocolate
-Yogurt with granola
-Quesadillas (my favorite)
-Smoothies
-Raisins, dried cranberries

Wellness Wednesday- 4th of July Recipes

Good morning, readers! Today is Wednesday Wellness. To begin the 4th of July with a healthy start, here are some recipes we recommend you share with friends & family! 

Vegan Tempeh & Black Bean Burgers 

To begin you will need :

1 tbsp ground flax seeds

3 tbsp unsweetened almond milk or water

1-8oz package tempeh

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp grilling or hamburger seasoning mix

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

1 cup cooked black beans

2 medium scallions, sliced thin

½ cup shredded vegan cheese 

3 tsp extra virgin olive oil

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Line a baking sheet aluminum foil and spray it with cooking spray.
2. Combine ground flax seeds and almond milk or water in a small bowl. Set aside.
3. Crumble tempeh in a large bowl. Add Paprika, hamburger seasoning, salt and black pepper and toss gently.
4. Add black beans, scallions, cheese and flax mixture and using your hands, mash it all together until all the ingredients are combined.
5. Divide the mixture in 4 pieces and shape each one into patties, about an inch thick.
6. Brush both sides of each patty with olive oil and carefully transfer them to the baking sheet. Bake at 375F for 30 minutes then broil for 5-7 minutes, watching them carefully so they don't burn.
7. Serve on a bun.
8. Pat yourself on the back for achieving this delicious vegan burger!

Everyone on this Earth loves pizza and can't say no to a pizza dish. Try this Vegan Grilled Veggie Pizza recipe!

To begin you will need :

• 1 recipe for a 10-inch vegan pizza dough
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup tomato sauce
• 1 vine-ripe tomatoes, cored, seeded, thinly sliced
• 1 small zucchini, thinly sliced
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 6 button mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 3 to 4 finely torn fresh basil leaves
• 1 cup shredded vegan cheese

1. Spray grill rack or griddle with a nonstick cooking spray. Preheat grill to medium heat.
2. Put those muscles to work by rolling the pizza dough out to either 10-inch round or a rectangle.
3. Brush with olive oil and place pizza on grate or griddle. Then, close the lid and grill for 2-3 mins. 
4. Remove the from grill and add the remaining ingredients.
5. Slide back onto grill and close the lid. Grill for 4 mins or at least until the cheese is melted.
6. Cut into wedges or squares.
7. Sit back and watch as the others enjoy your dish. 

We hope you have a happy and safe 4th of July!