SPICE IT UP VEGAN BBQ CAULIFLOWER TACOS (W/ LIME SLAW AND PICO DE GALLO)

Hello everyone! Here is a new recipe that I recently found that instantly became my new guilty pleasure: BBQ VEGAN TACOS! These tacos include roasted bbq cauliflower, lime cilantro slaw, and homemade pico de gallo. Yummy! The prep time is worth how amazingly delicious these are- also hint- these last for five days in the fridge. So here it is, SPICE IT UP VEGAN BBQ CAULIFLOWER TACOS! Enjoy:)

INGREDIENTS! 

ROASTED VEGAN BBQ CAULIFLOWER: 

Prep 10 min Cook 25 min

1  cup chickpeas 

1 head cauliflower

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. garlic powder 

1 pinch salt

1 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. freshly cracked black pepper

2 tablespoons coconut oil

VEGAN LIME CILANTRO SLAW: 

Prep 5 min

1 bag coleslaw cabbage mix 

1/2 cup vegannaise or low-fat mayonnaise

1 tbsp. spicy brown mustard

1 teaspoon Agave Syrup

(Optional) 1 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar 

Juice of one Lime 

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. black pepper 

PICO DE GALLO: Prep 5 min

Juice of 1/2 lime

1/2 cup Red Onion, diced 

1 medium Organic Tomato, diced 

2 sprigs cilantro 

 Let's do this THANG: Roasted Cauliflower! 

     

Preheat the oven at 415 degrees Convection Roast. For the cauliflower, you must deconstruct it- check out my post on Roasted Cauliflower to see the lowdown. Put your florets into a large bowl. Next, in separate small bowl will be your coconut oil, salt, and pepper-place it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Mix that coconut oil mixture with cauliflower, coating them. Now in a separate small bowl, mix together all of your spices. Pour that spice rub into that bowl with the cauliflower, and rub-a-dub-dub. Put that cauliflower onto 2 roasting pans or cookie sheet. 15 Min on Roast, take them out, and turn them oven, another 15 minutes and YOU ARE GOLDEN MY FRIEND!

It's PREPPIN' & PRIMPIN' time! 

   For the pico, dice the tomato and the onion as evenly as possible- in pico you can see literally all the veggies you're eating, so make it look beauuuutiful:) Add your onion, diced, cilantro, and then add your lime. Yummy

While your cauliflower in the oven, let's make your

pico and slaw. In a large colorful bowl, pour out your coleslaw mix, & add your vegannaise, mustard, salt, pepper, Agave syrup, and vinegar. Mix that all up together, stirring well, then add the juice of one lime. Mix it all up, cover the bowl, and place it in the refrigerator. 

THE GUILTY PLEASURE EMERGES! 

Okay, all the components are complete. I heated up some organic taco shells, but if you have corn tortillas, heat those up on stove for a wonderful crispy texture. I also made some quinoa to go with for the rice element.And voila, you have SPICE IT UP BBQ VEGAN TACOS!

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Namaste,

Zoe 

YOU WON'T BELIEVE THIS ZUCCHINI PASTA! (FROM SCRATCH)

Hey everyone! This week, I have entered the clean eating realm with eating predominately all the food that I create myself. I was so CRAVING some comfort food, pasta, and I put myself up for the challenge to make this zucchini pasta.  IT WAS FREAKING DELICIOUS! My mother ate all of it, and loved it as well, said it was so similar to pasta she did not know the difference. So here it is, YOU WONT BELIEVE THIS ZUCCHINI PASTA! 

Ingredients

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes 

2 zucchini- to be peeled

2 tablespoons coconut oil

1/3 cup diced tomato or grape tomato

1/3 cup onions

1/2 cup mushrooms 

5 cloves roasted garlic 

2 cups water for boiling on stove

2 cups cold water

Good'ole Prepping and Pestering! 

  First, peel your zucchini with a vegetable peeler length wise in long strands. Place in a paper towel layered salad spinner, and add 5-6 tablespoons of salt to the zucchini. Let rest on counter for 30 minutes until the paper towel is soaked in the bitter bleed out of the zucchini.

   Now, rinse off very well the salt off the zucchini, and dry on a separate sheet of paper towel.Set aside 2 cup cold water in a large bowl. Bring 2 separate cups of water on the stove to a boil, and place the zucchini in it for 60 seconds. Now, to stop the cooking process, quickly pour the zucchini into the 2 cup cold water. After about 2 minutes, dry the zucchini off. 

Taking you Down to FlavorTown:)

   In a large saucepan, place 2-4 tablespoons of coconut oil. Add your minced garlic, mushrooms, tomatoes, salt, and pepper. When all caramelized together, add your pasta, sauteeing for 5-7 minutes!

   Then voila! You have a beautiful zucchini pasta dish ready to go! I, based on my own gut feeling, smashed one half of an avocado with lemon as an additional sauce to the decadent pasta! Enjoy!

*If you enjoyed this post and others, make sure to go follow ThinkZoeBoost on Twitter and Instagram for more recipes, life hacks, and inspiration! 

Namaste,
Zoe

ZOE'S MOST SACRED PLACE (A SECRET)

Hi everyone! With my family, I am pursuing being more active, and eating smaller portions of the great healthy food that I do love to eat (a lot of:) We found that in simply walking around this secret place during lunch, both helped us digest, and be more active- to breathe, to relish in our surroundings, and simply be grateful for the love, companionship, and family we all, at some point in our lives, can take for granted. So here it is, ZOE'S MOST SACRED PLACE, with accompanying quotes to lift your day up!  

"Silence, I've come to discover, is something you can actually hear." Haruki Murakami 

Inhale the future, exhale the past. Your breathe is in the present. ALWAYS. 

"I love when conversations and energies just flow. Not forced. Not coerced. Just present."

"Don't you DARE for what one more second, surround yourself with people who are not aware of the greatness that you are." 

"I just want to have a completely adventurous, passionate, weird life." 

"What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you create." Buddha

"Every single is YOUR DAY if you claim it."

"Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be." 

"The most important relationship you will ever have in your life is with yourself." I didn't like this picture when my sister took it, but this is a lesson I wanted to share. I AM ENOUGH. TODAY I AM IN CHARGE AND CHOOSE HAPPINESS! 

Thank you all so much for enjoying and reading my posts, it means the world to me and I so appreciate the good vibes and comments! This is a journey towards self-actualization that we are taking together-sometimes I have to remember the trials, tribulations, and worry are a part of that path towards being present. I'm getting there. Together we're getting there.

 Namaste,

Zoe

*If you enjoyed this post and others, make sure to go follow me on Twitter and on Instagram for more recipes, life-hacks, and inspiration. You rock! 

KILLER HEALTHY DOUBLE FUDGE BANANA MUFFINS (SUPER EASY)

Hello everyone! This week's recipe is super easy, moist, delicious, melt-in-your mouth kind of gorgeous. I've been making these muffins for years, and they have never failed to be super-"uber" delectable! They last at least 4 days in the fridge, are excellent snacks, and guilt-free desserts heated up in the microwave! So here you go, my HEALTHY KILLER DOUBLE FUDGE BANANA MUFFINS! 

Ingredients:

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes 

2 organic bananas mashed                                        3/4 cup organic applesauce

1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour/ coconut flour              1/4 cup organic cacao powder 

3/4 teaspoon baking soda                                          1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon                                             1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/3 cup Agave Nectar or honey                                  2 large egg whites

1 teaspoon Vanilla extract                                         1/2 cup dark chocolate chips  

12 fun colored baking cups                                        1/2 cup organic shaved coconut

2 tablespoons almond butter

The "Howdown" 101

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Bake. Spray your baking cups with canola spray. Mash your banana with a fork into a liquid consistency-still lumpy. Add your Agave syrup, vanilla extract, applesauce to the banana in a large bowl, mix well. With a sift, sift your dry ingredients, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cacao powder, salt, and nutmeg into a large bowl. Mix well until combined. Now slowly little by little, fold your dry ingredients into your wet ingredients. Once readily combined in increments, add your 2 large egg whites. Stir Well. 

Now add your chocolate chips, slowly folding them in. Place your batter into your greased baking cups, and in each stir in some almond butter and adorn with coconut flakes! Now, bake for about 15 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean. 

Voila! Enjoy!* 

Namaste,

Zoe

*If you enjoyed this post and others, make sure to subscribe by email, and follow me on Twitter and on Instagram for more recipes, life-hacks, and inspiration! 

THE BEST ILLEGAL PANINI YOU'LL EVER HAVE (LUNCH WITH THE FAM)

Hello everyone! I went out to a lovely lunch with my mum and sister a few days back, and we so enjoyed this new farm to table cafe called Mockingbird Cafe. We sat outside in the sunshine and the food, atmosphere, environment was outstanding. #THEBESTMEAL I'm a foodie, and I appreciate when meals are well-crafted, thoughtful, and maintains its integrity to the ingredients. So, here a tidbit about THE BEST PANINI IN THE WORLD (LUNCH WITH THE FAM). ENJOY!

THE BEST PANINI ON PLANET EARTH! It should be illegal it is so freaking delicious. Zucchini, artichokes,tomato, pesto, & succulent goat cheese on toasted buttered ciabatta. My mouth just watered to an extent I did not think possible. Absolutely visionary, beyond belief. A vegetarian panini to marvel at! 

A fresh side salad with balsamic blueberry reduction, romaine, and grape tomato came with the best panini on our blue and green planet. The tomato was so ripe, it tasted all the more loved and beautiful in its fresh state.

My sister's lunch, not vegetarian, but she swears it was absolutely divine! A artisan turkey club with cranberry aioli with a chicken Ceasar salad to die for. I tasted the croutons- the most crunchy, decadent buttery things your little hands will ever come across. Just an orchestral meal. No words!

A spicy cold Gazpacho soup! Shared with three people, this more than cleansed our palates between each bite of delightfulness. Super easy to make, and wonderful on hot summer day! Gorgeous, healthy and tasty! A winner in my books every day. 

Thank you for all responding, commenting, and loving my posts! If you enjoyed this post or others, make sure to go follow me on Twitter and on Instagram!

Namaste,

Zoe

CRAZY GOOD VEGAN DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CAKE

Hello everyone! Recently, I have wanted to try some new recipes from scratch, and as I'm craving some chocolatey goodness, I came up with this CRAZY GOOD VEGAN DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CAKE with (optional) Nutella peanut butter frosting. Enjoy!

Vegan Double Chocolate Cake 

1 cup whole wheat flour or coconut flour       1 tsp. baking soda 

1 cup Agave nectar or syrup                            2 tbsp. pure cacao powder

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips                           1 tsp. salt

1/3 cup organic unsweetened applesauce       2 tbsp. coconut yogurt 

1 tsp. vanilla                                                   2 tbsp. almond butter or cashew butter 

Optional* Peanut Butter Nutella Frosting

1/4 cup coconut oil- in microwave so warm

1/2 cup of cane sugar- place in blender to make it incredibly smooth

4 tbsp. melted dark chocolate chips 

2 tbsp. melted almond butter

2 tbsp. Nutella *(totally optional if you want to keep it vegan but delicious if you want to really indulge) 

How to do it. The Cake I mean. ;)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees bake. Spray your bunt pan with canola oil. Sift the flour, baking powder, cacao powder, and salt together for the cake. In separate bowl, combine the agave nectar, applesauce, yogurt, and vanilla. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mix. After fully combing the two, add your 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. Place mixture in the bunt pan, and swirl the melted almond butter on top of the cake. Bake on 350 for 25-30 minutes or until tooth pick comes out clean.  Now, after it is done, let rest for 10 minutes.

Happy Frosting Time

Now, the glaze/frosting. Melt the coconut oil in the microwave while you, in the blender, break the cane sugar into smaller pieces, a consistency similar to confectionary sugar. Mix these well together, then add your melted chocolate chips and almond butter together. Now, add the Nutella if you so desire! Drip it all over the cake. 

Ouila! You now have a beautiful, scrumptious, oh so heavenly vegan chocolate cake in your midst! Enjoy! 

Thank you for reading and experiencing ThinkZoeBoost. If you enjoyed this post, make sure to go follow me on Twitter and Instagram to see more recipes, life hacks and inspiration!

Namaste, 

Zoe 

5 WAYS TO POSITIVELY IMPACT YOUR DAY

         Hello everyone! Today, I wanted to discuss with you all how to remember you. I, often, in my life, forget to take care, honor, and  respect myself: my best self, so here are 5 ways in ZOE'S HOW TO: REMEMBER YOU! 

My desk: a book Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Wolf, and a cup of tea

My beautiful breakfast: fried egg,
avocado, & Ezekiel toast 

FOOD. COOKING. BAKING. 

If you've already checked out my earlier post, you will know, I am an absolute foodie. I love everything about food, it is an experience involving all the senses. Being creative, I love trying new recipes from cookbooks; in this, I am totally and utterly engrossed in small tasks for a finished product. It allows me to be mindful of the smaller things, which in life, are truly the most important.

Tip #1: COOK SOMETHING TO MARVEL AT! 

BOOKS. ESCAPE.

I love reading, obsessed would be a better word. Books allow me to enter new world of fantasy, consider moral dilemmas, and inspires my present reality with art, language, and characters. Books have always made me world all the more richer- returning to a loved book, is returning to part of myself I might have lost temporarily in the chaos and confusion of life. 

Tip #2: READ. READ EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING. LET YOUR WORLD BE MORE COLORFUL. 

TEA. RELAXATION. 

This is the simplest thing you can implement in your day to remember to take care of you. My family loves tea, and I have drinking it since I have been a wee child. A cup of tea can relax you and lessen your chance of heart attack, carries bountiful beneficial antioxidants, and is supremely hydrating for the skin. Green tea can also contribute to weight loss. How about that? Take that ten minutes of me time, you deserve it.

Tip #3: DRINK TEA FOR ENERGY AND HEALTH! 

ART. CREATION.

        In the creation of art for fun and enjoyment, art is not hierarchy- it is for pure pleasure, complete create control of the imagination. In creating art, I remember my childhood- and let my self go, to create and innovate. Art is and has always been a form of therapy, even buying a coloring book or doodling can release harmful emotions and feelings! 

Tip #4: ART IS A FORM OF THERAPY! 

A hike up Mount Holyoke. 

EXERCISE.

Exercise is integral to my emotional, physical and spiritual well being. Whether yoga, my favorite, Zumba, cardio, BodyPump, resistance, hiking, biking, etc- I need that time to just sweat that shit out- that emotional garbage, shame, guilt- to get it out of my system to be that better person in tune with her emotions. My advice: find something you love, whether a class, working out on your own, and stick with it and TREAT IT LIKE THE SPA. This is you time- time to care and honor your beautiful self and all the wonderful things your body can do. 

Tip #5: SWEAT THAT SHIT OUT! 

WARNING. I am not perfect. I struggle just as much as the next person with finding that me time, honoring and respecting myself, & remembering that positive thoughts can shape my world into a more productive, warm and kind one. I wrote this post as a way to remind myself, as well as others, of the ways I remember I'm beautiful. At the end of the day, no matter what practices you use, self-love has to come from yourself and no one else. It is a journey I'm still on, but God I'm fighting for it. 

I love you all, if you enjoyed this post and others, make sure to go follow me on Twitter and Instagram for more inspiration, life hacks, and recipes!

Namaste,

Zoe 

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER (THE EASY WAY!)

     Hello everyone! After over-indulging yesterday in portobello burgers and an oh-so-delicious custard milkshake from ShakeShack, I decided to regain that 80-20 balance with a focus on some delicious veggies that I could roast Ina Garden's recipe for roasted cauliflower with pine nuts has remained our family staple for several years. I have amended the recipe to be slightly more health-conscious and vegan. Enjoy! 

Ingredients*: makes 2 large bowls of roasted cauliflower                     

Time: 30 min

2 heads of organic cauliflower

1/2 cup of whole pine nuts 

2 organic lemons

2 tbsp. salt

2 tbsp. pepper 

1/2 good olive oil or coconut oil

Note*: (I'm serious. These are all the ingredients:) 

1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Convection Roast. 

2. Take your 2 heads of organic cauliflower, and get the leafy bits off the bottom of the base with a sharp knife. Then, just start pulling the bunches of cauliflower apart, in small pieces, the size is shown above in the finished product. For each head of cauliflower, place the pieces in a separate large bowl, so you should have 2 bowls with pieces of cauliflower in them. 

3  In each bowl, place 1 tbsp. of salt, 1 tbsp. of pepper, and about 1/4 cup of the olive oil. Toss the cauliflower, making sure enough of the seasoning is evenly coated.

4. Place the 2 bowls of seasoned cauliflower into 2 separate cookie pans. Using cookie pans is important; it distributes the heat evenly onto the cauliflower, and overall, roasts veggies more quickly and easily for people on the go, like you, who don't have time to roast for two hours! 

5. Now, to each pan, add about 1/4 cup of pine nuts.  Also add to each, a 1/2 of a lemon's juice. With your hands, mix the cauliflower up with pine nuts. Bring your trays to the oven, preferably with both on the top rack in the oven. 

7. Now, 10 MINUTES into cook time, you MUST TAKE THE CAULIFLOWER OUT OF THE OVEN. Then,take out the smaller pieces which are cooked or dark brown, black out into a separate bowl on the counter, and turn over the rest of the cauliflower on their back sides to make sure they cook evenly. Place your trays back in the oven. 

8. When 20 minutes are up, take your cauliflower out of the oven. On the tray, spitz 1/2 of a lemon on top of the cauliflower.

9. Voila! You now have easy, gorgeous roasted cauliflower with pine nuts! 

Thank you all for reading and trying out the recipes! I so appreciate your inspiration and good vibes. It means the world! If you enjoyed this recipe and others, make sure to go follow me on my ThinkZoeBoost Twitter or on my ThinkZoeBoost Instagram to get more recipe concepts, inspiration, and life hacks!

Namaste,

Zoe