Vegan Beet Brownies

Sugar-Free, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Oil-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free

When traveling I like to bring my own healthy foods so I don't have to pay for or depend on what's available at the airport. I experimented with making bars that have vegetables, protein, fiber, and that taste good, and these were the result! Beets are packed with nutrients, the chickpeas and quinoa flour provide a great protein source, cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar, and I even added a zucchini for good measure. These will be a good breakfast, snack, dessert, or mini travel meal. 

Health Benefits of Beets:

• Beets are packed with vitamins and minerals including potassium, magnesium, fiber, phosphorus, iron; vitamins A, B & C; beta-carotene, beta-cyanine; and folic acid.
• Beets help detoxify the body by boosting liver function, purifying the blood, and can prevent various forms of cancer.
• Beets help mental health and can also lower blood pressure.
• Beets are full of fiber, contain only 60 calories per cup, and have potent anti-inflammatory effects.

Health Benefits of Chickpeas:

• Plant protein source containing 15 grams of protein per cup
• Rich in soluble and insoluble fiber
• Rich in vitamins and minerals: A one-cup serving of chickpeas provides 50% of daily potassium needs, 2% vitamin A, 21% calcium, 13% vitamin C, 69% iron, 2% sodium, 55% vitamin B-6 and 57% magnesium. They also contain vitamin K, folate, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese, choline and selenium.
• Low glycemic index of 28, providing slow burning energy and not spiking blood sugar.
• Much more! Reference the sources below for the full articles

Raspberries & Blueberries sprinkled on top

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cup quinoa flour (or gf flour of choice)
• 1 ¼ cup cocoa powder
• ¾ cup erythritol or sweetener of choice
• 1 tablespoon (or less) stevia powder
• 1 ½ tablespoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon mineral salt
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon

Wet Ingredients:

• 3 steamed beets
• 1 raw zucchini
• 1 can organic chickpeas
• 3 tbs. chia seeds mixed with 6 tbs. water
• ¾ cup non-dairy milk (I used flax milk)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  Berries (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 355 degrees.
2. While the beats are steaming, measure out and stir together the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Blend together the wet ingredients in a food processor until totally smooth.
4. Gently stir the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients.
5. Smooth out into 2 9x13 inch pans. Top with berries, chocolate chips or any other toppings.
6. Bake at 355 for 30-40 minutes depending on your oven. Let cool on a wire rack before cutting.

All packed and ready for traveling!

Recipe revised from: http://www.theroastedroot.net/fudgy-paleo-beetroot-brownies/

Sources:

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-beet-benefits-aphrodisiac-brain-booster-more.html/2

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/01/25/beets-health-benefits.aspx

http://www.fullcircle.com/goodfoodlife/2012/05/10/6-health-benefits-of-eating-beets/

http://www.naturalfoodbenefits.com/display.asp?CAT=2&ID=86

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/280244.php

Herbed Chickpea Veggies

Chickpea Vegan Dinner

Chickpeas are so yummy, and when seasoned beautifully in this recipe they almost have a cheese-like texture with the warm veggies. 

Garlic + Lemon + Basil = Trinity of Herbs

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups chopped broccoli
• 1 chopped red onion
• 1 diced red pepper
• 1 can chickpeas
• 1-3 tbsp. crushed garlic
• squeeze of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup fresh basil
• sea salt or Trader Joe's Everyday Seasoning to taste
• Braggs Liquid Aminos (optional)

In a large saucepan, saute broccoli and garlic over medium/high heat with a bit of coconut oil or water (to keep fat-free, coconut oil is a healthy fat though that does not change with heat). After about 4 minutes once the broccoli are more tender, add in the chickpeas, red pepper, red onion, lemon, and optional seasoning. You can smash some of the chickpeas while stirring to give it a bit of a sauce and different texture. Once the veggies are tender and cooked through take off the heat. Stir in the chopped basil (or fresh herb). 

I don't add the fresh herbs earlier since you don't want them to wilt too much in the heat and you want to preserve as much of the antioxidant/healing properties as possible!

To make this taste EXTRA Amazing, you can serve it topped with warm Tomato Basil Marinara sauce (no salt/sugar kind from TJ's). The marinara makes it taste like a decadent Italian pasta dishes with bits of cheesy chickpeas, bringing the garlic, lemon, basil combo together beautifully!

1 cup of cooked chickpeas/garbanzo beans contains 12 grams of protein, so again this is a tasty way to get your protein and veggies in.

Enjoy :)