Acai and Blueberry Runners' Smoothie

 

This is a great smoothie to make before or after a nice run.  It's packed with energy and antioxidants to keep you going.  Acai is incredible for weight loss, but I like it for its superfruit capabilities.  The addition of the chocolate is optional, but I came up with it after reading a blog on Runners' magazine that emphasized how it can help keep your energy level high during a big run.  Chia and flax seeds are enormously beneficial for our bodies, and so this is one way I can very easily sneak them into my diet.  The recipe can certainly be doubled, but it makes just one serving.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup acai juice
1/4 cup soy or almond milk
2 teaspoons agave nectar
1/2 cube of bakers chocolate
pinch of chia seed
1 Tablespoon flax seeds
8 oz soy yogurt
few cubes of ice

Directions:
Place cubes of ice in blender, and chop up.  Add all ingredients on top of chopped ice and then blend until smooth.  Enjoy!

Vegan Sliders with Mango and Guacamole Sauces

These are not only vegan, but they are gluten free as well, minus the yummy pretzel buns we obtained from Companion, a local bakery.  The basis of this meal was derived from Chef Chloe's recipe.  The guacamole and mango sauces are something I'd like to make again for nachos or tacos recipes.  The recipe makes approximately 12 sliders and I served them with some simple, fresh, hand-cut fries.

Slider Ingredients:
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup water
1 medium yellow onion
14 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 carrot, shedded
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup gluten free breadcrumbs
1 Tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped

Mango Sauce Ingredients:
1 mango, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
pinch of Kosher salt

Guacamole Ingredients
4 avocados
2 limes, juiced
1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped
1 handful fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
2 Tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt and finely ground pepper

Slider Directions:

1. Heat olive oil over medium heat in large skillet. Add onions and cook until caramelized, about 20 minutes.

2. In large bowl, add black beans and mash a bit with a potato masher or hands.  Add shredded carrot, cornmeal, breadcrumbs, chili powder, cilantro, salt, and water.  Mash again or use your hands to combine all the ingredients.

3.  Add caramelized onions to the bowl.  Add additional water if necessary to incorporate all ingredients.

4. Use your hands to form mini burger patties.

5. Heat 2 Tablespoons olive oil in non-stick skillet over medium to high heat.  Add burger patties and fry a few minutes on each side until browned and slightly crisp.  Add more olive oil as necessary to skillet.

Mango Sauce Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in blender (or food processor) and blend until smooth.

Guacamole Directions:
1.Halve and pit the avocados. Scoop out avocado and place directly into medium bowl.  Mash the avocado flesh with a fork.  Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and mix everything together to incorporate.  Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.  Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving with the sliders.