Foodie Fridays: Happy Herbivore Light & Lean
If you’re still sticking strong to your fitness and eating New Years Resolutions’ (assuming you made some) then today’s gift idea may help you keep on keeping on. Lindsay S. Nixon is a successful vegan cookbook author that has really staked her claim on low or no-fat vegan recipes that are tasty, healthy and filling. How does she accomplish such a feat? Well her latest cookbook, Happy Herbivore Light & Lean, tackles the subject in the opening pages.
For one, the foods are rich in caloric density. To make a long story short, vegetables, fruits and other whole foods will make you feel fuller for longer than heavily processed foods. As you can imagine, eating less but getting more is a pretty easy way to lose weight. The second trick is keeping a closer eye on your calorie consumption. Every recipe in this book has a detailed nutrition breakdown, and virtually every recipe is 350 calories or less per serving, making it a snap for you to stick to whatever limit you’d like to hit each day. And as she kindly notes, eating 100 less calories per day over the course of the year can help you shed 10 lbs, just like that.
Of course, it’s not just about health content. You want recipes that are yummy and ideally easy to prepare, right? That’s another awesome strength of Lindsay’s books. The ingredients are generally incredibly commonplace and easy to pick up at your grocery store or at worst, a natural foods store in your community. And apart from the odd spice mix, the ingredient lists are pretty short – the tasty Caribbean Bowl pictured above only has 6 ingredients but a heckuva lotta taste! Cook time is often under 30 minutes and doesn’t generally go beyond stirring, slicing or sautéing.
And of course, the food is delicious. With over 150 recipes to choose from, this cookbook runs the gamut from super basic staples (like veggie broth and hummus) to chapters on tasty breakfasts and quickbreads (like the Blueberry Yogurt Muffins pictured above) to hearty choices for lunches and dinner including wraps, bowls, burgers, soups, salads, pastas and of course sides, she’s got you covered. And before you wince at the prospect of never consuming another sweet again, there’s even a section on snacks & appetizers, and another on desserts (plus drinks!)
Granted, as any fitness buff will tell you, it’s not just about what you eat (but it plays a way bigger part than many of us are willing to admit). You do have to integrate some physical activity into your routine, which is where this fourth entry in Lindsay’s cookbook career differentiates itself. Not only does it include a bounty of recipes, it’s also got Lindsay’s personal story about her own struggles with eating right and exercising to a healthy level, plus a number of workout plans to help you get off the couch (or away from the dinner table) and getting trim.
The overall result is a great pick for anyone that’s looking to experiment with Meatless Mondays, wants to start a new fitness or dieting regime (without you know, ‘dieting’), or simply enjoys the Happy Herbivore cookbook series. I’ve already seen plenty of copies (dwindling fast) at the bookstores which means this hot little book is ready to order.
Want to give it a whirl for yourself? I’ve got a reprint of the Thai Crunch Salad + Dressing recipe below for you to munch on whenever you’re in the mood for something light, delicious and satisfying.
Thai Crunch Salad
Single serving
Gluten-free, Quick, Budget, Single Serving
Before I was plant-based, I loved the Thai Crunch salad at California Pizza Kitchen. I finally decided to re-create a lighter vegan version of it for this cookbook. It’s easy, fresh, fast, and satisfying. (I also loved their Original BBQ Chicken Chopped salad, hence my BBQ Salad [in full cookbook] recipe!) By the way, CPK is one of the vegan-friendliest restaurant chains in the US. They have a PDF online indicating which menu items are suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
4 c napa cabbage, red cabbage, or lettuce (or a combination)
1 carrot, julienned
2 green onions, sliced
¼ – ½ c edamame
½ cucumber, sliced or diced
Thai Peanut Dressing
crushed peanuts (optional garnish)
cilantro (optional)
lime wedges (garnish)
Toss cabbage/lettuce, carrot, green onions, edamame, and cucumber together in a salad bowl, then top with Thai Peanut Dressing, crushed peanuts, and cilantro (if using), and garnish with a lime wedge. (I also love squeezing fresh lime juice over the salad.)
Chef’s Note: For a soy-free version, substitute chickpeas for the edamame.
Per Serving
Calories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Fat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.7g
Carbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39.4g
Fiber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.7g
Sugars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.3g
Fat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17.3g
WW Points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Thai Peanut Dressing
Makes ¼ cup
Gluten-free, Quick, Budget, Pantry
Creamy, delicious—here’s a lower fat and lower calorie DIY peanut sauce.
1 tbsp smooth peanut butter
1 tbsp warm water
1 tbsp sweet red chili sauce
juice of 1 lime wedge
2 tsp low-sodium soy sauce or gluten-free tamari
1 ¼ tsp rice vinegar
garlic powder
ground ginger
1–2 drops Asian hot sauce (e.g., Sriracha)
1 tbsp nondairy milk
In a small, microwave-safe bowl, add peanut butter with water, chili sauce, lime juice, soy sauce or tamari, rice vinegar, a few dashes of garlic powder and ground ginger, plus hot sauce. Microwave for 10–20 seconds (so peanut butter is melty), whisk into a sauce, and then whisk in nondairy milk. Taste, adding more hot sauce as desired.
Per Serving
Thai Peanut Dressing (1 tbsp)
Calories . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Fat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.4g
Carbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3g
Sugars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0g
Fiber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0g
Protein. . . . . . . . . . .0.9g
WW Points. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
After you’ve sampled that yummy salad, you may be keen to know that I’ve got a copy of Happy Herbivore Light & Lean to give away. Interested in winning? Here’s how to enter:
1) Tell me in the comments below by March 6, 2014 – have you made any healthy living resolutions for 2014? How would winning this cookbook help you stick to ’em (or simply eat or live better going forward)?
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around March 7, 2014 to select the winners, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.
4) Bonus Entry: Tweet tweet about this contest little birds! Follow me (@cdngiftguide) and Lindsay S. Nixon (@happyherbivore) on Twitter, and send up to three Tweets out over the contest period about this awesome cookbook and why you’d like to try it, linking back to this post. One Tweet per day please! Be sure to leave links to your Tweets in the comments below to earn up to 3 bonus entries.
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I try to eat meatless once per week, so this book would definitely help me achieve that!
I’ve incorporated more fruit and vegetables into my meals.
We are eating way more fruits and vegetables so far this year. This book would help alleviate the boredom that is beginning to set in with having the same dishes over and over again. I need some new recipes!
Yes, I have started eating no flours and am having a lot of raw foods. This book would certainly give me some great ideas. I do make a salad like the Thai Crunch and add ricotta cheese to it.
Yes, I’m trying to eat healthier this year. My daughter & son-in-law are vegetarians and I feel better when reducing the amount of meat in my diet. This book would be a great help with deciding what to serve when my daughter visits but it also would go a long way to helping with this year’s resolution to eat healthier.
I’ve downloaded an app to my phone that lets me keep track of what I’m eating during the day. I would love to win this cookbook and make all the healthy recipes. I’m trying to eat less meat so this would be a great help.
Following on twitter – first tweet :
https://twitter.com/anniebalanie/status/436920602390065152
https://twitter.com/anniebalanie/status/438060543874592768
https://twitter.com/anniebalanie/status/440220930891984896
I don’t eat meat very often. I would love to win this cookbook with the wonderful tasty and healthy recipes.
My family wants to eat healthier to help us train for a marathon and be heart healthy.
I don’t eat red meat very much & always have been this way. Would love to try some new recipes with the cookbook. I alway enjoy trying new things/foods.
I haven’t made an ‘official’ resolution, but I’m always looking for ways to eat healthier and willing to try healthy new recipes. I’m trying that Thai Crunch Salad next week!! Sounds yummy!
I’m trying to eat healthier, protein-rich breakfasts so I don’t snack mid-morning. This book sounds like it may have some ideas to help me with that.
When I think I am hungry, I will drink a glass of water before heading to the snack foods.
I’ve been biking to work to get more exercise, but I could use the cookbook for healthier recipes.
I decided to stick to fresh food and cook oil free. I figure like anything else it will become habit after enough time of being conscious of what I am cooking and eating. I’d love to have the cookbook to assist me in planning.
omg the thai salad sounds yummy. I love salads eat them like 4 to 5 times a week bit always the same 3 or 4
My healthy living resolution is to be more active. I already eat a vegetarian diet but am always looking for good recipes and this looks amazing!
sounds like this book has some delicious recipes. i try to incorporate healthy eating into everyday
Continue my vegetarian diet and try to cut down on sugar and get more active.
I’m working at controlling my blood glucose levels and tasty inspirations are needed.
We are eating more fruit and vegetables. The book would give me some new ideas.
I am working on maintaining my weight. This cookbook will help me adhere to a healthy diet with more variety!
im always interested in new an nutricious receipes
I am consciously trying to cut out processed foods and eat more fruit and vegetables in their place. It is an ongoing process but one that I hope will become routine in a short while. This cookbook would definitely help me along the way.
Eating more fruits & vegetables
I haven’t made any healthy living resolutions for 2014 ‘cos I think I already tend to eat well enough but winning this cookbook will help me with more food options.
Bonus entry: Following you (@cdngiftguide) and followed Lindsay S. Nixon (@happyherbivore) on Twitter, and tweeted https://twitter.com/SoulSeeker0/status/437805535492984832
My resolution was to have meat free Mondays so far I have kept to it but seem to only make dahls and Indian rice and although extremely scrumptious I need to find different alternatives to enlighten my palate ,This wonderful sounding book would be the answer.
Yes I have made healthy resolutions. This book would help and give my more ideas when I’m cooking for myself and family.
I made a resolution to eat more raw fruits and veggies and have a lot more vegan meals.
I want to make some changes this year like getting outside more, going for more walk and hikes, etc. It’s hard with a baby and bad weather though! We eat a lot of vegetarian meals and I’d love to try some new ones!
Not necessarily healthy but I am trying to cook 1 new meal a week. This book would help with that goal!
I’ve made no solid resolutions by specifics … just to stay healthy, happy & do what feels right for me. Last year I lost 35pds so now I’d like to take off the trim and keep it off. I’ve eliminated coffee, alcohol, pop, fast food, most sugar, cut down on carbs and a few other things. I think this book would help keep the motivation going! 🙂
Congrats on the huge weight loss Crystal! Keep up the good work 🙂
I’ve vowed to eat more vegetables and less processed foods this year. The recipes in this book sound great and it would help me to have a guide like this to stick to my resolution
My husband has high blood pressure and high cholesterol and he loves veggies…I think this cookbook would be great to include more veggie recipes into his diet.
I have a Happy Herbivore Cookbook and love it. I would love to try some new recipes. I am committed this year to eating no processed foods.
I’m trying to eat more home-cooked meals so this recipe book would help with that!
This book would help to add new textures and flavours to meatless meals.
winning this cookbook would certainly show my head cook a better way to help me lose a few pounds, I told him I wanted more veggies incorporated into my diet, so he made me a deep friend onion
Been cooking all fresh foods and I think this book would help me find more creative recipes
I’m doing Moksha yoga almost every day. Winning this cookbook will give me great, healthy ideas. I tend to make the same meals a lot, so I need some new ideas!!
I’ve decided that I’m going to seriously cut back on the amount of meat that we eat and 2014 is the year we’re going to make this happen. I tend to get bored of plain vegetarian foods and this book looks interesting and healthy so it would help me accomplish all my goals.
i’m trying to cut down on meat – so i think this book would help give me other meat-free options for meals.
I’m vegan and would love some new recipes to try!