Yummy Protein Power Energy Smoothie

These days, I seem to be eating one of these every morning. They make for an especially satisfying meal when I'm eating 5-6 meals per day. Many thanks to Mike C. for implanting this idea into my feeeeeble brain!

6 oz silken tofu
1 ripe banana (or other fruit of choice)
2 scoops (60g) of GNC Vanilla Whey Protein powder
1/2 cup juice (I use Central Market's fresh squeezed Red Delicious Apple juice)
A handful of ice.

You know the drill: throw it all in the blender. Blend. Pulse pulse. Blend.

Serves 2.

Calories: 310
Fat: 8g
Carbs: 30g
Protein: 31g

Monica's Vegetable and Seitan Stew

Not only is this soup incredibly easy to make, but it's also healthy and so very yummy!!!

4 cups vegetable broth
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
8 oz seitan, chopped
1 cup cauliflower
2 carrots, chopped
1/2 cup chopped green beans
1/4 cup sliced green onion
celery salt
2 cups cooked brown rice (optional)

Put the broth, tomatoes, and all the veggies in a big pot over hight heat. When it starts to bubble joyously, turn the heat down and cook until the cauliflower is done. Add celery salt to taste. Serve over rice or with a tasty piece of whole wheat bread!

Serves 4.

let's hear it for whole grains

Monica's Strawberry-Banana Hippie Muffins

1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats, uncooked
1 1/2. cups whole wheat flour
3 Tbsp. brown sugar (give or take)
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. salt
3 Tbsps. baking powder
1 cup chopped strawberries
1 cup skim milk
2 ripe bananas, mashed
1 Tbsp. canola oil
2 egg whites

Preheat oven to 400. Spray a 12-muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, thoroughly mix the rolled oats with the whole wheat flour, brown sugar, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon and salt. Add the strawberries and stir gently until they are distributed evenly in the mixture.

In a small bowl, stir together the milk, banana, oil and egg whites until blended. Add liquid ingredients to dry and stir just until moistened. Spoon batter into muffin cups, dividing evenly. Bake for 15 to 20 mins, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Makes 12 dinky muffins (or 8 less dinky muffins)

Nutritional guesstimates for 1 dinky muffin:

Calories: 150
Fat: 3 g
Fiber: 4 g.