A New Do! Also, I Killed Someone...

Yep, that's right! Produce On Parade's got a new do. How do you like it? Let me know what you think and if anything seems amiss, etc. I bet you didn't know I was an are-teest did you?? Okay, if you grew up with me then maybe you know that I may, somewhat involve myself in painting/sketching/metalsmithing and other artsy fartsy stuff. I painted the watercolours for our new little design and Todd got them up on the blog! Obviously, the rest of the night was spent with me crooning, "I need you and you need me, because without each other our blog would cease to beeeee!" ...there are several more renditions, but I will spare you.

By the way, heads up West Coasters...I killed Cal Worthington. "Pussycow, pussycow, pussycow." What? No, that's not right? Oh, it's "Go see Cal, go see Cal, go see Cal." Yes, that Cal WorthingtonOh lord, it's true you know. Yes. Last night Todd and I were smokin' and jokin' and I realized how old Cal was (and how obnoxious his commercials are) and I may have said something awful like, "Seriously, how is it that the man is still alive??" Well, Todd told me this morning, that yesterday Mr. Worthington had died. WFT! I spoke it and it happened. I'm a murderer! Though, let's be real, he was 92.

May Cal Worthington rest in peace. Which he should...since he doesn't have to watch his commercials anymore...

I'm going to hell. How do you like the new blog design???

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The Vegan Fat Shake

It's time to get fat... If you're looking to add on some lbs. the healthy way, or just recover from a serious workout, then look no further than this Fat Shake. Todd usually has one or two of these bad mofos per day.

He'd like to put on a few pounds and I'd like to drop a few. So, obviously I don't partake in this shake, but if you have a man (or you are a man) that'd like a little more meat on his bones (or her bones!), then try this shake out. No donuts or ice cream required.

Coming in at 800 calories (or add 2 Tbsp. of peanut butter for 1000 calories), this shake packs a serious nutritious punch. It's great recovery post-workout shake, or a meal replacement if you're short on time.

The Vegan Fat Shake


The Vegan Fat Shake
By

Coming in at 800 calories (or add 2 Tbsp. of peanut butter for 1000 calories), this vegan fat shake packs a serious nutritious punch. Full of healthy fats, plant-based protein, healthy fruits, and even some greens. It's great recovery post-workout shake, or a meal replacement if you're short on time. Inspired by No Meat Athlete.

Ingredients
  • 2 cups plain, unsweetened soymilk
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 cup (40g) fresh spinach
  • 1 cup frozen mixed berries
  • 1 ripe banana
  • ½ ripe avocado
  • 1 Tbsp. raw sunflower seeds (or favorite seeds)
  • 1 Tbsp. raw walnuts (or favorite nuts)
  • 1 Tbsp. whole or ground flax seed
  • 1 1/2 tsp. loose leaf green tea leaves
  • 1 tsp. creatine monohydrate (optional)
  • ½ scoop of Garden of Life Raw Meal (or other protein powder)
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to a blender and whiz on high until silky smooth. Put a straw in it and slurp away.

  2. Prep time:
    Cook time:
    Total time:
    Yield: 1 huge shake
    Calories: 800-1000
The Vegan Fat Shake - Produce On Parade - Coming in at 800 calories (or add 2 Tbsp. of peanut butter for 1000 calories), this vegan fat shake packs a serious nutritious punch. Full of healthy fats, plant-based protein, healthy fruits, and even some …

Sage Maple Chickpeas + Creamy Pumpkin Quinoa & Millet

This is the most delicious shit I've ever had. Yes, expletives were absolutely necessary here. I won't apologize. I just won't. This blog is PG-13, okay? What does crispy roasted sage, sweet maple syrup and creamy pumpkin add up to? Toasted caramel. Yes. That's exactly what this dessert dinner tasted like. Even Todd said so! I wish we had some left...

Produce On Parade - Sage Maple Chickpeas + Creamy Pumpkin Quinoa & Millet

Before the dish though, I'd like to take this moment to discuss James Cameron. Yes, the man behind Aliens, Titanic, Avatar, etc. The man is a genius. Everyone knows that. There's a few interesting things that I didn't know about him though. For example, he states that he is a "converted agnostic". He's an atheist, and says he's sworn off agnosticism which he now refers to as "cowardly atheism", sourceInteresting. Also, he applied for American citizenship, but revoked it after Bush won the presidential election in 2004, source. He's from Canada. Just sayin'.

Oddly enough, my favorite vegan quote happens to be from him, "...all of human consciousness is five years old emotionally. It's not a requirement to eat animals, we just choose to do it, so it becomes a moral choice and one that is having a huge impact on the planet, using up resources and destroying the biosphere." source. That pretty much sums it up, don't you think? It's not a requirement, it's a moral choice that has huge negative impacts on our lives, animals lives and the planet.

Well said, Sir. Well said, indeed.

He apparently advocated a vegan diet during his speech at the National Geographic Society Gala, where he was being honoured. Cameron said,  "I've had an epiphany recently. I want to challenge all of you as people of deep conscience, people who are environment stewards of the earth and oceans … By changing what you eat, you will change the entire contract between the human species and the natural world." Source - The Huffington Post

Cameron talks about how much of an impact raising cattle has on global warming. Discussed in this article by The Examiner, "In 2006, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization released a report indicating that 18% of the world's man-made greenhouse-gas emissions come from livestock production. In reality, that figure is closer to 51%, according to a 2009 report by Robert Goodland and Jeff Anhang of the IFC Environment and Social Development Department." Yikes! For more on that, you can look at the World Watch's PDF, here. Don't choose ignorance.

So, if animal rights or the health impact meat has on the diet doesn't tickle your fancy, how about the health of our planet? Besides, the whole hipster bacon obsession "thing" is sooo 2012. "Do what you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." - Maya Angelou

Produce On Parade - Sage Maple Chickpeas + Creamy Pumpkin Quinoa & Millet

Sage Maple Chickpeas with Creamy Pumpkin Quinoa & Millet sounds better to me anyway.This dish would be great paired with a green, leafy salad. No meat or dairy necessary.

Produce On Parade - Sage Maple Chickpeas + Creamy Pumpkin Quinoa & Millet

Sage Maple Chickpeas + Creamy Pumpkin Quinoa & Millet

Inspired by Season to Season Eating

Makes 4 smallish servings

  • 15 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 16 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme, finely chopped (or 1 tsp. dried)
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or 1 tsp. dried)
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 Tbsp. maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup dry millet
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup dry quinoa, rinsed
  • 1 cup water
  • 15 oz canned pumpkin
  • 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
  • 2 Tbsp. canned full-fat coconut milk (or soymilk)
  • 1 tsp. lite salt (or additional salt), to taste
  • pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds), for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In a medium bowl, mix the chickpeas, oil, herbs, salt and maple syrup.

Produce On Parade - Sage Maple Chickpeas + Creamy Pumpkin Quinoa & Millet

When the oven reaches temperature, scatter across a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes at 350 F, stirring at 10 minutes.  

Produce On Parade - Sage Maple Chickpeas + Creamy Pumpkin Quinoa & Millet

Remove when 20 minutes is up and set aside.

Produce On Parade - Sage Maple Chickpeas + Creamy Pumpkin Quinoa & Millet

Meanwhile, bring the millet and 1/2 cup water to boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes. Now add in the pumpkin and continue to cook on low for about 10 minutes, then remove from heat. The millet will still be slightly crunchy.

Produce On Parade - Sage Maple Chickpeas + Creamy Pumpkin Quinoa & Millet

While the millet cooks, in another small saucepan bring the quinoa and 1 cup of water to boil over high heat.  Once boiling, cover, reduce to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes. When the time is up, the water should all be gone. Fluff with a fork at set aside. The quinoa should be soft and fluffy.

Add the cooked quinoa, maple syrup, coconut milk and additional salt to the millet and pumpkin mixture and stir well to combine.

Produce On Parade - Sage Maple Chickpeas + Creamy Pumpkin Quinoa & Millet

Serve warm with the roasted chickpeas (make sure to get all the crispy sage leaves too!) over the millet, quinoa, and pumpkin mixture. Garnish with additional fresh herbs and pepitas.

Produce On Parade - Sage Maple Chickpeas + Creamy Pumpkin Quinoa & Millet Produce On Parade - Sage Maple Chickpeas + Creamy Pumpkin Quinoa & Millet

Sage Maple Chickpeas + Creamy Pumpkin Quinoa & Millet
 
Recipe Type: Entree
Author: Katie - Produce On Parade
Serves: 4
What does crispy roasted sage, sweet maple syrup and creamy pumpkin add up to? Toasted caramel.
Ingredients
  • 15 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 16 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme, finely chopped (or 1 tsp. dried)
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or 1 tsp. dried)
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 Tbsp. maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup dry millet
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup dry quinoa, rinsed
  • 1 cup water
  • 15 oz canned pumpkin
  • 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
  • 2 Tbsp. canned full-fat coconut milk (or soymilk)
  • 1 tsp. lite salt (or additional salt), to taste
  • pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds), for garnish
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix the chickpeas, oil, herbs, salt and maple syrup. When the oven reaches temperature, scatter across a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes at 350 F, stirring at 10 minutes. Remove when 20 minutes is up and set aside.
  3. Meanwhile, bring the millet and 1/2 cup water to boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes. Now add in the pumpkin and continue to cook on low for about 10 minutes, then remove from heat. The millet will still be slightly crunchy.
  4. While the millet cooks, in another small saucepan bring the quinoa and 1 cup of water to boil over high heat. Once boiling, cover, reduce to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes. When the time is up, the water should all be gone. Fluff with a fork at set aside. The quinoa should be soft and fluffy.
  5. Add the cooked quinoa, maple syrup, coconut milk and additional salt to the millet and pumpkin mixture and stir well to combine.
  6. Serve warm with the roasted chickpeas over the millet, quinoa, and pumpkin mixture. Garnish with additional fresh herbs and pepitas.