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Healthy Vegan Mexican Platter

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Healthy Vegan Mexican Platter!

Healthy Vegan Mexican Platter

If you are looking for a healthy, allergen-free Mexican meal, this is it! I have developed four Mexican style recipes that are designed to be cooked and eaten together to create a Healthy Vegan Mexican Platter. All the recipes are gluten-free and vegan. I have included Mexican Style Rice, Quick and Easy Refried Beans, Fresh Pico de Gallo, and Homemade Guacamole. I like to serve with warm tortilla chips and red leaf lettuce wraps.

Due to the four recipes combined, this meal serves a lot of people, so invite some friends over and enjoy a healthy and delicious Mexican night!

For more healthy crowd pleasing recipes, try my Healthier Vegan Nachos, Chipotle Taco Pasta, or Strawberry Cheesecake Bites!

Tag me and follow along on Instagram @livesimplyhealthy for more healthy recipes and nutrition tips, or find out more about my personalized nutrition consulting here.

Healthy Mexican Platter

Laura Brining
Refried Beans, Mexican Rice, Pico de Gallo, and Fresh Guacamole make the perfect Healthy Mexican Night!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

Mexican Style Rice:

  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 2 cloves of garlic minced
  • 1/2 medium jalapeno seeds removed and minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 medium tomato diced
  • 1 1/2 cups of rice
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro diced
  • Juice of 1/2 lime

Fresh Pico de Gallo:

  • 2 medium tomatoes diced
  • 2 tablespoons onion minced
  • 1 tablespoon jalapeno minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice

Quick and Easy Refried Beans:

  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 small onion diced
  • One 398 ml can of pinto or navy beans drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • Additional 1-4 tablespoons water optional

Homemade Guacamole:

  • 2 avocados
  • 4-6 tablespoons onion minced
  • 1 medium tomato diced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

Instructions
 

Preparation Tips:

  • Begin by preparing the Mexican Style Rice. Once all the ingredients are combined, the rice will take 20-25 minutes to cook.
  • While the rice is cooking, prepare the Fresh Pico de Gallo. This will take 5 minutes to prepare. Set the mixture in the fridge to chill.
  • Next, prepare the Quick and Easy Refried Beans and Homemade Guacamole.
  • Serve the four dishes together and enjoy with tortilla chips and red leaf lettuce cups!

Mexican Style Rice:

  • Heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, minced garlic, and minced jalapeno. Saute until onion is translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Season with chili powder, salt, and pepper. Add fresh diced tomatoes, rice, and tomato paste. Stir until combined.
  • Add vegetable broth and water. Bring rice to a boil, then simmer covered over low heat until fully cooked, 20-25 minutes.
  • Add fresh cilantro and lime juice.
  • Serve with additional fresh cilantro if desired.

Fresh Pico de Gallo:

  • Add tomatoes, onion, jalapeno, and cilantro in a bowl.
  • Season with salt, pepper, and fresh lime juice. Stir until combined.
  • Refrigerate for up to one hour to allow the flavours to develop.

Quick and Easy Refried Beans:

  • Heat coconut oil in a pot over medium heat.
  • Add garlic and onion and cook until translucent, approximately 2-3 minutes.
  • Add drained pinto or navy beans and season with chili powder, salt, pepper, and lime juice. Cook over low heat until beans are heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Mash beans with a potato masher until you reach your desired texture. Refried beans are not meant to have a completely smooth texture, so it does not have to be perfect. You can add water to loosen the mixture if needed. Start slowly with 1 tablespoon of water and continue until you reach your desired consistency.

Homemade Guacamole:

  • Remove pits from avocados and mash until you reach your desired consistency.
  • Add onion, tomato, and cilantro. Season with salt and lime juice. Stir until combined.

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Healthy Vegan Mexican Platter

Dark Chocolate Coconut Balls (V + GF + RSF)

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Dark Chocolate Coconut Balls!

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Dark chocolate and coconut are one of my favourite combos, aside from dark chocolate and peanut butter, of course. These Dark Chocolate Coconut Balls are the perfect indulgence without being overly sweet. I like to keep these in my freezer and enjoy one after dinner for a treat once in a while.

These delicious treats are vegan, refined sugar-free, and gluten-free. The coconut and coconut oil provide healthy fats that are needed in our daily diets. These treats are so easy and super quick to make!

Dark Chocolate Coconut Balls

Laura Brining
Indulgent Dark Chocolate Coconut Balls.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon coconut milk
  • 50 g dark chocolate
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Instructions
 

  • Add shredded coconut, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla, and coconut milk to a blender or food processor. Pulse until combined. Roll into 1 tablespoon balls and set aside.
  • Melt dark chocolate and additional coconut oil together.
  • Dip coconut balls into dark chocolate and fully coat in chocolate mixture. Place in the freezer to harden for 10 minutes.
  • Remove balls from the freezer and dip in a second coating of chocolate. Return to the freezer for at least 10 minutes to harden. Store in the freezer for up to a few weeks.

 

Classic Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding

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Chia Seed Pudding!

vegan chia seed pudding

vegan chia seed pudding

Chia Seed Pudding is so versatile and full of nutrients. The chia seeds and plant milk in this recipe add protein, while the chia seeds add tons of omega 3’s and fibre to your day. You can also add coconut milk kefir for some probiotics. I chose vanilla for a classic and simple flavour that can be paired with any toppings, but you can also play around with the recipe and add cocoa or peanut butter.

This pudding is a great breakfast that will leave you feeling full for longer, but is so delicious it can be eaten for dessert too! I like to eat this pudding by itself or served with some fresh fruit or shredded coconut for breakfast or a mid-morning snack. It is also delicious added to yogurt or served over warm oats. This would be perfect for a healthy dessert with fresh fruit and whipped cream or a drizzle of maple syrup.

For more snack ideas, try my Healthy Toasted Granola or Banana Chocolate Chunk Muffins!

Tag me and follow along on Instagram @livesimplyhealthy for more healthy recipes and nutrition tips!

Classic Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding

Laura Brining
A quick and easy Classic Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup plant milk
  • 1/4 cup chia seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1-2 tablespoons additional plant milk if desired

Instructions
 

  • Stir 1 cup plant milk, chia seeds, vanilla, and cinnamon in a jar or container. Cover and place in the fridge for at least two hours or up to overnight.
  • Remove pudding from the fridge.
  • Serve as is or stir in an additional 1-2 tablespoons of plant milk if you desire a thinner consistency.
  • Serve with fresh fruit or your favourite toppings.

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vegan chia seed pudding

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The Importance of Listening to Your Body

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Today, for the first time in a very long time I reduced my weights during my workout. I am not feeling 100% and I think I might be getting a cold. At the end of the semester and heading into exam week, it’s normal to be feeling exhausted and ready for a break. When you are so used to constantly pushing yourself and striving for your best, it can be difficult to listen to what your body needs.

Listening to your body is so important.

Not only does this prevent injury, but it allows you to recover and become stronger. Your body really does know best. It knows when you need a break and it knows when you need to take it easy.

It’s okay to take a couple rest days. It’s okay to go easy during your workout, to lighten your weights or reduce your miles. Listening to what your body needs is the best thing you can do to for yourself.

This also goes for nutrition. If you are hungry, it means you need to eat. I know this seems blatantly obvious, but there are still many people who think you need to limit your calories to a specific number each day. There’s no magic number of calories you need. Your body is constantly changing and growing. Every day is different. If you are hungry, it means you need food. Your body needs fuel to repair muscles and to recover. It needs fuel for strength. It needs fuel for growth. If you are hungry, you need to eat.

I understand it can be difficult to listen to what your body needs, especially when you want to push yourself to reach new goals. Listening to yourself is part of the process and part of your growth. Remember to listen to your body. It always knows what’s best for you.

3 Herbal Teas for Healthy Digestion

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Herbal teas provide so many health benefits. These three herbal teas help with increasing healthy digestion. I have incorporated these specific teas into my daily diet. They have helped me with digestion issues and stomach discomfort. I drink each tea for their different benefits and uses whenever needed.

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1. Traditional Medicinals Eater’s Digest – peppermint, ginger, fennel, lemon balm.

Eater’s Digest is my favourite tea for after meals. This tea helps with bloating and digestion and is especially perfect after a large meal or overindulgence. This tea helped me through my daily bloating and discomfort while fighting leaky gut (intestinal permeability) and food intolerances.

  • Peppermint relieves abdominal gas and bloating. Peppermint tea can be used to relieve many stomach problems, including IBS.
  • The benefits of ginger are included in this tea, including reducing nausea and speeding digestion.
  • Fennel improves digestive health and reduces heartburn.
  • Lemon balm can be used to help with menstrual cramps.

2. Traditional Medicinals Ginger Aid – ginger, lemon.

Ginger Aid is my go-to tea for an upset stomach. This tea helps to aid with digestion and relieve nausea and stomach pains. I personally use this tea for an upset stomach or nausea, as opposed to the Eater’s Digest for digestion issues and bloating after meals.

  • Ginger increases absorption of food and food digestion.
  • Reduces stomach pain and nausea.
  • Can be used to help combat stomach disorders.

3. Traditional Medicinals Everyday Detox – burdock, stinging nettle, dandelion, lemon.

Everyday Detox is one of my favourite daily teas, I try to drink it every day with lunch. This tea helps with digestion and removing unwanted toxins from your body. I drink this tea for overall health and digestive benefits and to help cleanse my body of toxins. It also tastes delicious with hints of lemon and is perfect any time of day.

  • Burdock root has been used to help remove toxins and soothe stomach ailments.
  • Stinging nettle helps provide relief from added water weight.
  • Dandelion root helps soothe digestive ailments and reduce water weight.
  • Lemon helps to cleanse the body and speed digestion.

Incorporating herbal teas into your diet is extremely beneficial. These three teas can help with increasing healthy digestion. Herbal teas can help relieve symptoms of many different health issues and can improve your overall health in multiple different ways.

Healthy Snack Ideas for School and Work

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Healthy Snack Ideas!

Many of us struggle with finding healthy snack ideas that keep you feeling full all day. Many pre-packaged snacks are unhealthy and contain unnecessary sugars and additives, without leaving you feeling full. It is important to fuel your body, especially while at school or work for up to 8 hours a day.

The key to staying full for longer is to combine protein with complex carbohydrates.

I’ve put together a list of easy and quick and healthy snack ideas to bring with you on the go.

  • A piece of fruit with nut butter – I love apples with peanut butter or bananas with almond butter!
  • Veggies and hummus – Mix it up! Mix up your veggie options from week to week to keep it varied and interesting.
  • Seed crackers and hummus – Try a cracker with lots of fiber to keep you full. My favourites are Mary’s Organic Seed Crackers – gluten-free, vegan, and made with all natural ingredients!
  • Dried fruit and nut mix – Make your own mix of your favourite dried fruits, seeds, and nuts. Try adding in coconut strips for a delicious twist!
  • Smoothies – I like to make a smoothie in the morning and keep it in the fridge at work for a mid-morning snack. Try adding flax seeds, hemp hearts, and chia seeds for protein and added fiber.
  • Yogurt and fruit – Make your own yogurt cup by adding coconut yogurt, fruit, and granola in a reusable container. Try my recipe for Healthy Toasted Granola.
  • Make your own energy balls – A healthier alternative to granola bars. My chocolate energy balls are packed with protein and fiber, and contain no added sugar!
  • Chia Seed Pudding – Chia Seed Pudding is a quick and easy snack that you can easily make ahead for the week. My Classic Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding recipe is packed with protein and fiber and will keep you feeling full all day.