Quick & Easy Black bean Burgers

Makes 8-12 Patties

Ingredients

• 2 cans rinsed black beans
• 1 cup of instant oats
• 1 tsp yellow mustard
• 1/3 cup diced carrots
• 1/3 cup red onion
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• black pepper
• cumin
• season salt 
• garlic 
• Olive oil * as needed..

Directions

Drain Black beans and mash in bowl adding ingredients and seasonings until well combined ( You can use food processor but it is not needed). Once all ingredients are added form a paste like texture roll and form into patties. Preheat oven 400 F Spray baking sheet with olive oil and bake on each side for 8 minutes or until firm and crisp. Use any wholegrain buns you like add your own condiments and enjoy. This burger pairs well with sweet potato fries.

Homemade Vegan Pizza

Dough Recipe

• 2 packets (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons sugar- organic raw brown
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for bowl and brushing
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (spooned and levelled), plus more for work surface

Directions

Pour 1 1/2 cups warm water into a large bowl; sprinkle with yeast and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Whisk sugar, oil, and salt into yeast mixture. Add flour and stir until a sticky dough forms. Transfer dough to an oiled bowl and brush top with oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm, draft-free place until dough has doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. Turn out onto a lightly floured work surface and gently knead 1 or 2 times before using.

*Break off big enough piece to make 14 inch pizza.

, you can wrap the dough in plastic and freeze it in a resealable freezer bag for up to 3 months. If you plan to use it in a recipe that calls for half a batch, divide it before freezing.

Pizza & toppings

• 1/2 cup organic pizza sauce
• 1 cup vegan cheese, any vegan brand *
• 1/4 cup onions
• 1/4 cup spinach leaves
• 1/4 cup kale
• 1/4 cup cucumber
• 1/4 mushrooms
• 1/4 pineapples
• 1/4 green peppers

Directions

Form Pizza with dough and shape on baking sheet. Spread sauce evenly on pizza dough, add toppings bake at 425 F for 20-25 mins.

The post Vegan Recipes appeared first on RG Magazines.

Foundation 

I was raised in a home that did not eat red meat. My brother and I where brought up only eating chicken and fish. My father was Rastafarian at the time, which is prominent religion in Jamaica were meat and alcohol are not allowed.  During those times people didn’t really consider white meat as bad for you.

Making Changes

After noticing several recurrent health problems; I had been diagnosed with gestational diabetes twice and been told I was pre-diabetic. Not to mention the weight I had put on I decided to make changes. I decided to do the 30 day Vegan Challenge. Something I encourage persons interested in the “plant based lifestyle” to try. After the 30 days was over I was 12 pounds lighter and has a new zest for life that was short  lived once I traveled abroad for schooling.

One step forward two steps backward

Once I began school, I found it easier to consume coffee and drive thru meals. At the time I felt it was also cost friendly which is what I often hear people say to me. But  what I saved in money, I paid for in health. After all “health is wealth”I began to pack on the pounds I had lost months before, and then began sluggish, lazy and weak.  I suffered with migraines and depression I kept thinking what I could do to begin to change. I tried diet pills, they were loaded with caffeine which left me with no appetite, I had constant jitters and couldn’t focus in class.

Turning Point

The New Year was fast approaching and like everyone else I know, that is the time where everyone wants to set goals in place for the upcoming year.  I decided I wanted to start feeling like I did when I did the 30 day challenge the year before. I started to incorporate veggies in everything I ate I mostly started with salads and wraps, I also experimented  with different grains. My go to meal is Avocado on seven grain toast.

My go to smoothies always have bananas – I love bananas.

My breakfast consist of: Fruit smoothies, hot cereal i.e. oatmeal, polenta, cornmeal with almond milk, avocado on toast.  With my favourite being a super green smoothie

Lunch:  Salads, wraps, grains with steamed veggies, favorite: Black Bean Burger

Dinner:  Quinoa and black beans with veggies, mashed sweet potato with cinnamon, lentil loaf. Favorite: Homemade Vegan pizza 

How did VEGAN4LYFE Brand start?

I was constantly asked by people who noted my significant weight loss what I had done differently. It became such a frequently asked question I was prompted to start a blog and then a Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter. The Facebook page has been the most successful so far.

The recipes I share and post online are for people transitioning to a vegan lifestyle or just starting out. I try and make things easy for persons who may not be used to cooking their own meals. I try and make them less than 25-30 minutes if possible.

For more information visit vegan4lyfeblog.wordpress.com or visit them on social media.

This article was originally published in the April 2018 Edition of rg Green Pages.

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