Remember when your Mama used to stop by the local chicken joint after school? She would pick up a bucket of chicken and then go home and open a can of string beans and corn and then put dinner on the table? I KNOW I'm not alone in this. I was raised by a single Mother and she did NOT like to cook, so she did what was painless. Life gets busy and while I no longer enjoy chicken, I still enjoy shortcuts! 

I'm thankful for the Mediterranean spot by my house. I love falafel wraps but I wasn't in the mood for the extra bread tonight. So, I ditched the extra large wrap and ordered individual falafel balls. They were only $0.75 per ball!! As soon as I got home, I put some noodles in a pot and chopped up cherry tomatoes, onions and mushrooms (you can buy all of those veggies pre-cut to make the process quicker), added in some unsweetened almond milk, earth balance and spices and BOO-YAH; dinner was on the table in no time flat! 

Use what you already have at home to make simple, delicious, vegan meals and when those meals need a boost, head to your local veg-friendly restaurants for reinforcements.  

Falafel > Bucket of Chicken

Ingredients:

• Spring Greens/Lettuce/Spinach
• Pre-made/cooked falafels 
• Gluten-Free/Wheat noodles
• Chopped onion
• Cherry tomatoes
• Chopped mushrooms
• Assorted dried spices - basil, garlic, salt, chili pepper
• Almond Milk
• Earth Balance
• Nutritional Yeast (optional) 

Directions:
1. Boil noodles as directed
2. Drain noodles
3. Add in 1 cup of almond milk
4. Add in spices, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, onions and 2 tablespoons of Earth Balance
5. Mix and serve 

 Every single time you go out to eat, you are voting with your dollars. Either you are supporting fresh foods and healthy options or you aren't! It's really just that simple. Whenever I eat at Chipotle I know I am doing a good thing. The options for meat-eaters are cooked healthfully and each item on the menu can be "veganized".

My favorite thing to eat at Chippy is the burrito bowl. I want it piled high to the sky! I like it with brown rice, black beans, fajitas, sofritas (seasoned tofu), hot and mild salsa, corn, guacamole (yes, there is an extra charge for guac...don't get me started with that *rolls eyes*) and shredded lettuce on top. Yummy!

Did you know that the Sofritas are Oakland made? The tofu used at Chipotle comes from Hodo Soy. They are a tofu manufacturing company right here in West Oakland. Fun Fact: I used to live two blocks from the company headquarters AND it is the best tofu that I've ever tasted. I know you're probably thinking "Uhhh, I thought tofu was tasteless!?" It is, but consistency matters and Hodo Soy recognizes that. Additionally, their flavored products are absolutely delicious. If you want Hodo Soy products, you can find them at Safeway (bay area residents only...for now)! 

I can wholeheartedly stan for their products because I recently had the opportunity to tour their headquarters/plant and meet Minh Tsai, creator and owner of Hodo Soy. Not only are they extremely clean, the staff seems happy (even the staff working with the machinery). I feel better knowing that the people preparing my food have a good disposition. I also feel better knowing that the tofu of my choice is locally created and the company is providing jobs to bay area residents. Food is more than what lands on your plate; it's a business. Let's keep it clean, ethical and cruelty-free.