TGIF: Labor Day Vegan Country-Fried Seitan Recipe

It's been a long week for all of us, but it's finally Friday And even better news, we have a three day weekend to kick back, relax and perhaps entertain some friends with a cook out or barbecue. Other than the mandatory fruit salad with under ripe strawberries and way too much cantaloupe that someone manages to bring to each and every potluck, it can be hard for us herbivores to partake in the tasty treats. But never fear, because we've unearthed this delicious recipe for Country-Fried Seitan Cutlets that is not only easy, but will be sure to please any vegan or vegetarian guests you may entertain over the holiday!

This Recipe is makes about 6-8 small cutlets

You will need a 18 oz box of water-packed chicken-style seitan, with the water drained.

For the marinade you will need
2 tbsp tamari
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp Ener-G egg replacer powder
1 tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar

For the dry mixes, in two separate bowls, you will need
1st bowl (spices)
1 tbsp parsley
2 tsp garlic granules
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
1 tsp paprika
2 tbsp flour
1/4 tsp pepper

2nd bowl
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs


1/4 cup safflower oil for "frying"

To make:
1. Prep your 3 bowls (one for spices, one for panko crumbs, and one for all the liquids) The Ener-G egg replaces acts as a "fluffer" and will be activated by the liquid in the bowl (tamari, etc).
2. Drain your seitan and set aside
3. Set a non-stick skillet to high heat and add the safflower oil. Start with just enough oil to coat the pan.
4. Now start the process of crusting your seitan: dunk in the liquid bowl, then spices, then submerge in panko until covered. You want a good think coat on the seitan
5.Place the breaded seitan in the pan and continue crusting pieces until the pan is full. Flip each piece quickly. Each piece of seitan only needs 1-2 minus on each side to cool in the oil. Since the seitan is actually already "cooked" you don't need to worry about under-frying it as you would with meat.
6.When pieces are browned on both sides, pale on a paper towel and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving. Slice and serve or serve as is!

Enjoy your holiday, and don't forget to check back in for recipes, info, and DIY projects.

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!

BODY BALM REVIEW

Grill Season Is upon Us!

 
                                                     Grill Season Is Upon Us!!

Summer is back! There will be pool parties, barbecues, and 4th of July engagements galore. All of which include food so what's a vegan or vegetarian to do? Bring these black bean burgers, of course!
Try this hearty yet flavorful vegan recipe that can be either grilled right away or kept frozen until needed.

                                                                  Ingredients:
                                                      2 cups of cooked black beans
                                                      1/4 of a green pepper diced
                                                      1/4 onion diced
                                                      1 serrano, jalapeno or fresno pepper diced
                                                      3 sprigs of fresh oregano or 1 1/2 tsp of dry
                                                      1/2 tsp cumin
                                                      1/4 cup corn
                                                      1 tsp of chili powder
                                                      1/4 cup of ground oats
                                                      2 tbsp corn meal
                                                      1 tbsp of flax mixed with a 1/4 cup water

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and place a pan of water on the lowest rack to keep the burgers from drying out.

Prepare the mixture of flax and water first as this mixture will need to sit for 10 minutes until it becomes  viscous. This is your egg substitute and will act as the binding agent to keep the patties together.

Add rinsed beans, onions and peppers together and mash. Then adding the flax/water mixture, ground oats, corn meal and spices and mix/mash thoroughly. Mix corn in last to keep kernels whole. Oil baking sheet and form patties to make 3 large  4 small ones. You can also double up this recipe if you are cooking for more people. Throw them on the cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes on each side. They are then ready to put on the grill immediately or you can freeze them for a later date. They are best served on a pretzel bun with avocado, mixed greens and tomato.

GirlieGirl Army

Check out this article on "Give Good Face" by GirlieGirl Army!

You may see a familiar face or two :)

http://girliegirlarmy.com/style/20131215/give-good-face/

World Vegan Day

Happy World Vegan Day from Lulu Blossom

and of course the animals :)

Celebrate by ordering one of our vegan lotions, bath bomb powders, or sugar scrub melts!

National Kale Day

Happy National Kale Day, Lulu Lovers!

Today, October 2, is National Kale Day. Kale has tons of benefits and is also super tasty. It is loaded with antioxidants that protects cells, and is also a natural anti-inflammatory. Kale provides cardiovascular support, and helps to prevent colon, breast, bladder, prostate, and ovarian cancers. It also has super doses of Vitamin K, A, and C! 

The best perk of all is that Kale is delicious. You can bake it into chips, dehydrate it, or add it ass a boost in almost everything!

Grab a green smoothie, and celebrate kale today!