Mindful eating isn’t just a cute trend made popular by our favorite social media influencers; it’s the key to a longer life and positive mental health. The internet claims that Albert Einstein once said, “The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will involve the patient in the proper use of food, fresh air and exercise.” I know that might upset the entire population of pre-med students (I personally cannot provide any scientific evidence to back up Einstein’s claim, but I’m sure someone can), but the hard truth is that there are few things more important than eating mindfully. Fortunately, healthy food (and education regarding it) has never been more accessible. Unfortunately, college students tend to have extremely limited access to baking areas and resources (as well as healthy food options!). It’s also incredibly tempting to simply disregard health altogether, while under the misconception that “healthy” food is too expensive, requires too much effort, and doesn’t taste very good. In order to combat this, I have compiled a list of my favorite recipes for vegan treats from two of my favorite Instagrammers (with their permission!). While these desserts cannot make up an entire diet, I hope they encourage you to pursue healthy living (and remind you that eating mindfully does not mean completely giving up your favorite treats)! These recipes are quite easy, require very little supplies, and are very tasty. I hope you enjoy!
Courtesy: NordWood Themes
Brownies by Anneka from Tasty Teaspoon
Ingredients:
· 15 oz of chickpeas
· ½ cup your choice of nut butter (almond, peanut, etc) *I personally use PBFit*
· ½ cup maple syrup (or agave!)
· ½ cup cocoa powder
· 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
· ½ lemon
· ½ cup flour (original recipe recommends using either oat flour or almond meal)
· ¼ teaspoon sea salt
· ¾ cup vegan chocolate chips
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Bring the chickpeas, nut butter, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and coconut oil together in a large mixing bowl. Mix/blend until smooth.
3. Once the batter is smooth, add the flour, lemon, cocoa powder [CP8] salt. Mix/blend well again.
4. Add the chocolate chips.
5. Scoop into an 8×8 pan.
6. Bake for ~ 22 minutes and enjoy!
Fudge Peppermint Brownies by Wellbeing with Abigail
Ingredients:
· 1 ½ cup black beans
· ½ cup oats
· 2 crushed candy canes
· 1/3 cup maple syrup
· ¼ teaspoon salt
· 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
· ¼ cup coconut oil
· ½ teaspoon baking powder
· 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 2/3 cup vegan chocolate chips
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Bring all of the ingredients (except for the chocolate chips and candy cane) together and mix thoroughly. Once the mixture is completely smooth, add the chocolate chips.
3. Grease an 8×8 pan and pour in the mixture.
4. Sprinkle the crushed candy canes across the top.
5. Bake for ~ 24 minutes and enjoy!
Courtesy: Ruth Reyer
Chickpea Chocolate Chip Cookies by Wellbeing with Abigail
Ingredients:
· 1 ¼ cups of chickpeas
· 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
· ¾ cup peanut butter (or any nut butter!)
· ¼ – ½ cup coconut sugar
· 1 teaspoon baking powder
· ½ teaspoon baking soda
· ½ cup vegan chocolate chips
· Sprinkle of salt
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Bring all of the ingredients (except for the chocolate chips) together and mix/blend until smooth.
3. Once smooth, add in the chocolate chips.
4. Scoop equally sized balls of batter onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 10 – 12 minutes and let cool.
6. Enjoy!
Vegan Levain Bakery *Copycat* Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies by Anneka from Tasty Teaspoon
Ingredients:
· 1 cup vegan butter
· 1 cup brown sugar
· ½ cup white sugar
· 3 cups flour
· ¾ teaspoon baking soda
· 1 teaspoon cornstarch
· 2 flax eggs (I personally like the egg substitute powder!)
· ¾ teaspoon sea salt
· 2 cups of walnuts
· 1 ½ cups vegan chocolate chips
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 410.
2. Bring the vegan butter, brown sugar and white sugar together and mix/blend until very creamy.
3. Add the flax eggs one at a time. Mix thoroughly after adding each one.
4. Add the flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt.
5. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts
6. Place onto cookie sheet and bake for ~9-10 minutes.
7. Enjoy!
In addition, I really like the No Bake Cookies from A Couple Cooks.
These cookies only require coconut oil, peanut butter, dark maple syrup, cocoa powder, vanilla extract and rolled oats! I really encourage you to check them out; they taste amazing and (as the name suggests) are incredibly easy to make.
I also recommend the brownies from SandyWifey31s on All Recipes – very simple and yummy!
I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I do!
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