Easy Raw Lemon-Lime Sport Gel

Every strenuous workout needs fuel, and for long distance runners, triathletes and cyclists, energy gels are a quick and concentrated way to refuel without having to fumble with a bar or bottle. This recipe is from Thrive, by vegan pro-athlete Brendan Brazier.

Ingredients:
4 dates
1/2 cup raw agave nectar
2tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp dulse (will work without it)
Sea salt to taste

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until desired consistency is reached. Put into a plastic zip-lock bag or gel flask. To eat just tear off a corner of the bag or gel flask and squeeze.

Quinoa and Red Beans

Last night I made a dinner so simple, quick, easy and tasty that I just had to share. There's nothing fancy here, just 4 basic ingredients that make for a great, filling lunch or dinner.

Ingredients:
1 cup of quinoa.
1.5 cups of water or vegetable broth.
1 vegetarian vegetable boullion cube, if using water.
1 can of kidney beans, drained and well rinsed.
1 tsp pepper.

Directions:
1. Bring the vegetable broth or water and cube to a boil.
2. Add quinoa and reduce heat to simmer. Simmer for 10 mins.
3. After 10 mins, add drained and rinsed kidney beans. Cook 5 more mins, until beans are heated.
4. Stir in pepper and eat!
Serves 4.

Banana Rabanada

The recipe for this Banana Rabanada (aka Brazilian French Toast) comes from the book Vegan Brunch by Isa Chandra Moskowitz.

Ingredients:
2 very ripe bananas
1.5 cups of almond milk
2 tbsps cornstarch
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp cinnamon
cooking spray
1 stale baguette, sliced
strawberries for garnish

Directions:
1. Blend bananas, milk, cornstarch and vanilla until smooth. Spread baguette slices on a baking pan. Pour mixture on bread and flip slices to coat, letting sit 10 mins each side to soak in.
2. Preheat a large skillet over med heat. Cook 5-7 mins on one side and 3 on the other, until golden brown. Keep warm on a plate covered with foil until both batches are done. Top with strawberries and syrup.

Vegan Brunch Cookbook

Vegan Brunch by Isa Chandra Moskowitz is an excellent cookbook of delicious recipes including veganized versions of basic staples such as pancakes and biscuits and gravy, as well as recipes for less traditional dishes that will quickly become favorites (banana rabanada, anybody?). In addition to having amazing recipes, Vegan Brunch also contains plenty of beautiful pictures, as well as tips on adjusting the recipes to include your favorite flavors.

Vegan Brunch is an excellent vegan cookbook, and I recommend it for any vegan, long-time or new to the awesomeness of vegan food, and any person who loves brunch. Rating: 5/5!

Pansy Maiden: Vegan Bags

Pansy Maiden is a line of cruelty free, entirely vegan, beautiful hand made bags lovingly crafted in Boston. These bags are adorable, and according to every view I've read they are also sturdy and beautifully detailed inside and out.
My current favorite is the sold out microsuede Shake Sugaree.

Fellow ladies: which do you like best?