Muesli with Fruit and Almond Butter

This submission is from Kiki, and if you can read Greek you can even read about it on her mom's blog, Betty's Cuisine.

Muesli with Greek yogurt, fruits and almond butter: Mix 1/2 cup of muesli - you can pick and choose, use your fave muesli/granola/cereal (I use Dorset Cereals Tasty, Toasted Spelt, Barley & Oat Flakes) with 2 spoonfuls of Greek Yogurt.

Add your favorite fruits chopped up - I used a small green apple, a banana, and a handful of red grapes. Top with 1 spoonful of Almond Butter.

I think soy or coconut yogurt would be a great vegan substitute for the dairy yogurt.

Hazelnut Apple Crisp

Hazelnut Apple Crisp from Hello Veggie. Jenn Blumberg writes, "It's one of my favorite healthy desserts."

Raw Nachos

Melissa Cohen writes, "These are my organic raw-vegan take on nachos: homemade tomato and pepper flax crackers, marinated mushrooms, cashew cheese, backyard kale, sprouted lentils, and backyard tomatoes ... so yummy!"

Grilled Asparagus with Roasted Beets

Grace from Front Porch Yoga sent this in: "I am a mostly vegetarian yoga teacher who loves being upside down. Here is a close-up shot of my Grilled Asparagus with Marinated Roasted Beets from Via Vite restaurant in Cincinnati!

Black Bean Stew with Kale

"Black bean stew with kale from our garden, harvested in mid-March 09."

(from Karen Peissinger-Venhaus.)

Bellydancing

I love bellydancing! And trust me, it's a darn good workout. Here's a picture hubby took of my former instructor, the fabulous Karena Djimmah, leader of our local Troupe Du Soleil.

Any more bellydancers want to throw their picture in the ring?

Raw Pea Soup

Grace writes, "I discovered this delicious raw soup at Ross's Alkaline Diet blog. I made it last night for an early dinner. Super scrumptious!"

Someone care to fill us in on what it means to eat alkaline?

PIZZA WEEK: Time For Dessert!

Submitter Christie pointed out that this fruit torte looks like a pizza ... "I would call it fruit pizza. I have dreamed of making one of these in a low fat and low sugar variety for eons. I finally did it and isn't it GORGEOUS?"

PIZZA WEEK: Mexican Pizza

Whole-wheat and cornmeal crust topped with mashed black beans, salsa, cheddar cheese, onions, peppers, cumin, greek yogurt and homemade guacamole. 200 calories a slice!

You can find the recipe at SparkPeople, and I think this would be the perfect time to also link to Bryanna's Melty Pizza Cheese, a gorgeous orange cheese sauce that would go perfectly on a vegan version of this pizza (or any pizza!)

PIZZA WEEK: Grilled Tofu

Wow, this one's loaded: mushrooms, sweet corn, grilled tofu, sundried tomatoes, kalamata olives and red pepper.

Lots more photos and Laura's recipe for wholemeal yeast-free pizza dough at Vegan Food and Fitness

PIZZA WEEK: asparagus and broccoli

Natasha Burge sent in this yummy-looking vegan pizza made with bell peppers, asparagus, and broccoli and served with a twist...

vegan garlic butter for dipping! I would leave off the garlic butter for a lower fat pizza; I bet it's delicious either way.

Check out the recipe at Natasha's blog, The Voracious Vegan.

PIZZA WEEK: Whole Grain Yeast-Free

Whole grain, yeast-free pizza with goat cheese, pesto, and vegetables (can easily be made vegan by omitting or replacing the goat cheese). Recipe and more pics at Healthy Eating, Naturally.

PIZZA WEEK: pesto pizza

Speaking of vegan mozzarella, here is a pizza made with pesto, vegan mozzarella, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes.

(submitted by Tamara McFarland)

PIZZA WEEK: veggie and shiitake

Megan Raley writes, "I made a most delicious veggie pizza a few months ago and had to take a photo of it. I used a locally-milled pizza crust mix that I then baked at home. The toppings are: flavored olive oil in place of tomato sauce, sliced tomato, zucchini, shiitake mushrooms, onion, fresh home-grown basil and fresh soft mozzarella on top." You can find the recipe at Megan's blog Bird's the Word.

To make this pizza vegan, try substituting vegan mozzarella cheese. I hear Teese makes a mean vegan mozzarella.

PIZZA WEEK: Thai Chik-Un Pizza

Thai Chik-Un Pizza from Eat, Drink & Be Vegan.

(submitted by Peace, Love and Veganism from Where's the Meat?)

PIZZA WEEK: Broccoli and Zucchini Pizza

Vegan pizza with red peppers, onions, broccoli, yellow and green zucchini and sesame seeds with soy cheese.

(submitted by Shae Small)

PIZZA WEEK: Butternut Squash Pizza

Bonniejean says, "Thinly sliced butternut squash, sage and walnut pizza on a wholegrain crust! (There is some gruyere cheese on it, but I'm sure it would be
just as delicious with the squash, sage and walnuts.) A spinach strawberry and balsamic vinegar salad to go with it. One of my favorite meals ever!"

PIZZA WEEK: Pita Pizza

Here's a yummy vegan pita pizza made with organic spinach, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and "Follow Your Heart" vegan cheese on sprouted grain pita bread. Recipe and more pictures at Making Stuff and Doing Things.

PIZZA WEEK: veggie pizza

Home made veggie pizza: spinach, sundried tomato, bell pepper, onion, kalamata olives, and chevre.

For us vegheads, I think this pizza would be just as yummy without the goat cheese.

(from Michelle Ellis Photography)

PIZZA WEEK: Kale Pizza

That's right, it's PIZZA WEEK here at "This Is Why You're Thin!" Skip those greasy fast-food slices and have one of these healthy options instead!

I'm starting off with MY personal favorite: KALE PIZZA. Steam chopped kale until tender, drain and press out excess moisture, then toss the kale with pizza or tomato sauce, chopped sundried tomatoes, and kalamata olives. Spread the kale mixture on a wholegrain pizza crust and top with a sprinkle of pine nuts. Bake and enjoy!

It's not too late to submit your favorite healthy pizza for Pizza Week; I'm still hoping for one or two raw pizza submissions, like the recipes I've seen in Thrive.

Mulberries

(submitted by Nicole)

Dog Walking

"Walking is my favorite exercise -- and my dog makes it even more fun!"

(submitted by Ruthie)

Green Smoothies for Breakfast

Lucy at Vegan Family House in the UK writes:

"We usually have green smoothies for breakfast now, such a good way to get lots of nutrients into the kids. This is a photo of one from last year. It consisted of (for four people with big glasses) 4 large dark green cabbage leaves from garden, 1 sprig parsley, 1 heaped tsp spirulina, 1 avocado, 2 tablespoons of raw cacao nibs, 2 bananas, dash silver, 1 litre orange juice, 10 brazil nuts and a little agave bashed up in the wonderful Vitamix."

Holy Yoga Pose, Batman!

Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese, the main man of Disease Proof Blog. You can read more about his story and see before and after pics here.

Cute Fruit

"I was making my morning fruit bowl and got kind of creative!"

(submitted by Danielle Martin in San Francisco)

Kale Chips

A kalerrifc how-to post from Christie Haigh:

"If you like crunchy salty food like I do, you might like baked kale chips. Really, I am serious, give it a try. You might be surprised...

"[Buy the] curly variety that is known to be less bitter. Pull of pieces, leaving the central stalk. I usually make about as much as will fit in my large salad spinner.

"Put the pieces on a baking pan sprayed with cooking spray. From here you can either toss with extra virgin olive oil or spray the kale with cooking spray for a lower fat version. Season with your choice of seasoning. I have used kosher salt in the past. Today I used taco seasoning. Other times I have also sprinkled parmesan cheese.

"Bake for about 15 minutes at 375°F, until edges are brown and kale is crispy when moved in pan.

"My youngest daughter Violet enjoying a kale chip. She always asks for more. The big girls finally got curious enough to try some after seeing us eat it several times. They like to dip them in ketchup and now eat them regularly."

Brown Rice Onigiri

Onigiri made with short grain brown sushi rice. The miso soup has tofu, wakame seaweed, and green onion. "Simple, filling, and delicious!"

(submitted by Kristina Phelps)

Falafel

Meghan says, "Falafel is a chickpea based recipe, with yummy tomatoes, cucumbers, and pickles combined in a whole wheat falafel with tahini dressing to make a delicious meal."

Submission Request #1: PIZZA!

Hello, fit and fabulous!

I decided it would be fun to occasionally request specific submissions based on a particular theme and then run the submissions all at once as a special focus group.

The first theme will be PIZZA! Did you know that Americans eat approximately 100 acres of pizza every day? Regular fast food pizza is high in saturated fat from cheese and meat toppings, and some slices have as many calories as a Big Mac (and who eats just one slice?).

But we don't need to say goodbye to the pizza pie! Send me pictures of your healthy pizzas: wholegrain crusts, vegetable toppings, vegan, and raw pizza submissions are all encouraged. Include links to recipes if you have them. Then we can all enjoy the return of pizza night, only better.

Visit the submissions page to find out how to contribute!

Green Beans

Christen says, "I was breaking the ends off of beans this summer and needed a place to put them. My water glass was a good storage spot!"

Chili

Hearty Healthy Vegan Chili.

(submitted by Nicole at Another One Bites The Crust...recipe is there but you have to scroll down)

Orange-Ginger Noodles

Orange-Ginger Noodles (whole grain pasta with stir-fried veggies and orange-ginger sauce)

(submitted by Kiersten at Full Of Beans)

Vegan Bodybuilding

What wonders can be achieved on an entirely plant-based diet? Behold...

Giacomo Marchese (RAW Vegan Bodybuilder)

Robert Cheeke (President of Vegan Bodybuilding and Fitness)

Jimi Sitko (Top Vegan Bodybuilder; CFT)

BTW, all three men will be competing in the same bodybuilding contest on April 25th in Phoenix, Arizona. They're filming a documentary about their training and the competition that should be out this fall. Visit their fundraiser at Vegan Proteins and show them some love!

Rice-Stuffed Squash

From Anna at Carrot and Potato Time (sung to the tune of "Peanut Butter Jelly" :)...

"I have a vegan recipe blog and this is one of the nicer photos from a recent
post. The recipe is for Rice-Stuffed Squash." (Although the picture looks like white rice, the recipe calls for brown rice).

Asparagus, White and Green

My contribution to family Easter dinner: white and green asparagus, blanched and chilled, topped with a homemade lemon vinaigrette just before serving.

Stir Fry

From Meghan: "The attached picture is of a stir fry I made recently. Broccoli, peppers, pineapple, carrots, and some Thai Peanut baked tofu. Absolutely delicious. This picture was taken before the coconut milk and brown rice went in!"

Toasted Millet Stuffed Peppers

Made with toasted millet, sauteed mushrooms, green onions, black beans, fresh salsa, red bell peppers, and a sprinkling of feta cheese on top.

I think pine nuts would make a lovely vegan alternative to the feta.

(submitted by Emily Weaver Brown)

Frisbee

Christen says, "Frisbee playing on the first day of Spring got us up and active!"

(I think every triathlon post should have a frisbee chaser...)

Olympic Distance Triathlon!

Olympic Distance Triathlon in Folsom, CA.

(submitted by Karen Almquist)

Community Supported Agriculture

Valerie sent in this picture of her latest share box from Tuscon CSA. She writes, "My husband and I have been members only for about 18 weeks or so, but I love that we're eating local, organic produce. Our farmer has land all over southern Arizona, which is proof that you CAN garden in the desert! I'm very excited for the upcoming weeks (artichokes, corn, tomatoes, YUM!). In the photo are cosmic carrots, a lemon, turnips, sweet potatoes, scallions, green garlic, salad greens, and a basil plant!"

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili

Megan wrote, "I'd like to submit this photo of the dinner I cooked tonight - Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili. Totally plant-based and full of healthy ingredients, it's a colorful and hearty meal for all palates. Of course, I was naughty and only had white rice on hand, so I'll hope you'll still accept it even though obviously it would be BEST with whole-grain rice or bread :)."