non dairy Archives - Compassionate Women

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Brownies

June 14, 2015 by Jillian 2 Comments

I like pumpkin. I like chocolate (understatement). I like brownies. So my little, tiny, genius mind thought “Why not put them all together?” Before I even came up with the recipe, I just knew it would be tasty. It had to be. How could it not? Well, they came out perfectly – just a tad of crunch on the outside, gooey melted chocolate on the inside, and the thick, moist pumpkin that gives it all a great consistency. There are some recipes that I make one time and I’m good. But this is a recipe that I intend to make again and again. It’s yummy, easy to make, gluten free, vegan, and as close as you can get to healthy when it comes to brownies.

Plus, look at that color! Just beautiful. These will make great treats during Halloween time, but trust me, you need to try these brownies now. RIGHT NOW.

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Vegan Quesadillas With Homemade Guacamole

June 8, 2015 by Jillian Leave a Comment

Mmm mmm quesadillas! And these are extra special, super duper quesadillas because they’re vegan and gluten free. Oh, and some rockin’ guacamole to slather all over them doesn’t hurt either. I absolutely love Mexican food but when I go out to eat, I find that if it’s not stuffed with dairy and meat, then there’s the gluten and oil and processed foods to worry about. So I decided to make my own plant-based ‘dillas with very few processed ingredients. If you want a quick meal that’s cheesy, crispy, and savory all in one, then read on!

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Cheesy Broccolini & Brown Rice Patties

May 25, 2015 by Jillian Leave a Comment

It’s been raining nonstop here in Austin, Texas. The humidity has been off the chain and my hair is very unhappy. However, it’s been great for the greenery and all the lakes. I’m hoping it means this summer won’t be quite as scorching as usual. But that’s probably just a pipe dream…

On the plus side, broccolini popped in my brain the other day and I ran with it. Broccolini is one of those veggies that people tend to forget about, but it’s full of vitamins and nutrients, easy to prepare, and very yummy. I decided to create a recipe using this cruciferous vegetable and I came up with the idea of making cheesy brown rice patties and broccolini. I wasn’t sure if it would work, but I had a feeling it would, and the end result was better than I expected.

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Compassion In Numbers

March 29, 2015 by Jillian Leave a Comment

Today’s blog is all about numbers! Being a compassionate, caring individual that makes a difference in the world can be as easy as 1-2-3. In my opinion, it’s all about baby steps and focusing on what you can do today. Every little choice we make and every little action we take has a ripple effect. No matter how small of a good deed, it’s worth it and it impacts someone, we just don’t always witness that impact. Here are some simple suggestions to help you get started if you are overwhelmed or not sure where to begin.

ANIMALS

puppy love

Our furry friends need our help! Working with animals in various settings, especially homeless cats and dogs left to suffer their fates alone, I really realized how much of an impact I had on them just by spending ten minutes petting them or playing with them. It means the world to them. There are other ways to help out, too. Here are a few:

13 Ways To Help Animal Shelters

7 Ways You Can Help Wildlife

For kids:

5 Ways Kids Can Help Animals

10 Ways to Save Animals

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Turmeric Milk

March 13, 2015 by Jillian Leave a Comment

I’m crazy about this drink! If you want a delicious and healthy alternative to coffee, hot cocoa, or tea, then turmeric milk is your drink. It’s packed full of cancer fighting antioxidants but you don’t even notice because you’re too busy enjoying the creamy taste and the rich yellow color. Make this warm drink in the morning for a coffee substitute, as an afternoon pick-me-up, or in the evening when you’re winding down. I like to drink it mid-morning as a light snack or before bed with a piece of dark chocolate. You will fall in love with this easy to make drink.

Before we get started, I want to quickly go over the health benefits of Turmeric:

It fights inflammation, and since inflammation leads to diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and other chronic diseases, that’s pretty awesome.
It’s a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals (which also cause cancer).
It’s linked to improved brain function.
Can lower the risk of heart disease, prevent and treat Alzheimer’s, and alleviate arthritis.
Studies show that it may treat depression.
Turmeric benefits anti-aging.

These are just a few of the many benefits of using turmeric. If you don’t already have some lying around in your kitchen, go out and buy some and get busy using it!

I originally found the recipe for turmeric milk at Nutrition Stripped, which is a blog I highly recommend. It contains some great plant based recipes and resources for healthy living. I decided to make my own simplified version of this vegan drink. Here goes!

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