How I got myself to eat more carrots

Carrots are so healthy! They are full of nutrients but sometimes it's not so much fun to reach for them and eat them consistently. This is especially the case in my house. I used to add them to shakes but they thicken the consistency way too much for me. As I mentioned in my other posts, I can't stand thick shakes! They gross me out. So here are some tips and a quick recipe I use when I want to get more carrots in my diet.

1. Cook them! Raw carrots are great, but not as easy to get down.

2. Hide them. The more I add seasonings, other veggies, and a simple starch ( like potatoes) I find I can eat more of the carrots.

3. Add a protein. I love to use boca for this but you can also add a nice batch of fried tofu to dress up the dish.

My basic veggie medley

1/4 cup of onions
3 tablespoons of minced garlic
3 tablespoons of black pepper
4 tablespoons of berbere( can substitute paprika or any other cajun spice)
2 cups of kale
1 1/2 cups of carrots
1 1/2 cups of boca
1 cup of tomato sauce or diced tomatoes


Sautee onion, garlic, pepper, and berbere for 3 minutes. Add the tomato sauce. Add in all the other ingredients and cover on low for about 25 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Interested in having me create 30 days of custom Vegan meals for you for less than$12 per week? Check me out here. $10 off if you mention this blog post. 

Are chia seeds worth it?

The lowdown on Chia seeds

 People swear by them. You've probably pinned a few puddings made from them. Maybe you haven't tried them at all. Yes, I'm talking about ch-ch-ch-CHIA! I purchased Nutiva chia seeds as one of my staples for morning shakes because of all the amazing health benefits I had read about them. I'm glad I did because these stay in my rotation now. Here's the good, bad, and ugly from my experience. 

The Good

Hello energy! When that late afternoon hits and you need a boost to pick you up these will get you there. It is so much better than reaching for that cup of coffee and cheaper than running to Starbucks for that extra shot. Plus if you're limited on your caffeine intake( like me) this can be a huge help. You can make an energy bar out of them or blend it if you have access to a blender. I also love that they don't break the bank either. You can usually get a great deal on chia seeds. 

The Bad

This may still be a good, but be prepared for the clean out...because I wasn't. Chia seeds clean out your system really well. I ended up feeling fantastic afterwards, but I was not ready going into it. I have since learned that you have to soak the seeds ahead of time. This makes a difference, but they will still clean you out. 

The Ugly

Chia seeds do not look appetizing. They don't disappear in your shake and that can be hard to get down. I consider myself a fairly healthy person and it took me awhile to get used to drinking these. Once you soak them they take on a gel consistency that looks like a middle school science experiment. 

What do you think about chia seeds? Comment below! Don't forget to follow on Instagram @chefy101

Hemp powder vs Protein powder

To be honest, I am not a breakfast person. I love my coffee and that's about it. However, you can see the flaw with that way of living. I credit a good protein shake for giving me energy and the boost I need to start my day. Plus it's way easier for me to drink something versus forcing food that I just don't have an appetite for. When it came time to finding a good protein powder that was also Vegan( and didn't break my budget) I faced some challenges. Finally, after some trial and error I came to find my favorite essentials. Here's where I stand on the protein component...

I started with Orgain Protein powder

I loved this stuff in the beginning! Plenty of protein, nutrients, and it was only costing me about $25. It doesn't have a grainy texture and it's easily accessible to buy online or in stores. The problem? You have to use two scoops to get the recommended serving. One thing I can't tolerate is a thick shake in the morning. Gross! This was especially the case when I was pregnant so this powder was short lived.

I was also a huge fan of VegaOne

The taste of this shake was incredible! I only needed one scoop and not only was it full of protein but it also comes packed with nutrients which make it a great breakfast shake. The problem? It was a little bit on the pricier side. You can catch this powder on sale at the grocery store every once in awhile though. Another issue? It doesn't "play nice" with lots of ingredients. This is an issue for me because I want my powder to blend in and disappear into my shake. So I had to regretfully retire this one.

Alas, I have found my true love!

Nutiva Hemp Powder

Hemp powder blows my other protein powders out the water. It blends in fantastic with other ingredients when I make shakes and it still gives me the protein boost that I need in the morning. It's a huge plus that there is no aftertaste( yuck) and it fits right in with my budget since I can get this for under $14 for a tub. I only need 3 tablespoons to get a serving in and best of all it makes me feel great! I need my energy for the day to chase around my wild baby boy!

I hope this was helpful for you as you're navigating the protein powder decision. As always, if you want to test out the Vegan lifestyle for 30 days let me create a custom meal plan for you! Save the time of googling recipes and figuring out a grocery list and give Chefy101 a try.