Sweet Potato, Chickpea, and Quinoa Veggie Burger

Sometimes finding a dinner that pleases both myself as a vegetarian and my meat-loving very hungry fiancé is not that easy. I always search Pinterest for new inspirations for tasty meal options. I recently happened upon a recipe for a spicy quinoa veggie burger and decided I had to give it a shot. The recipe was originally taken from the PopSugar Fitness blog that has tons of inspiration for healthy meals and great easy to do at home workouts. 

Here's how to make this tasty veggie burger:

INGREDIENTS

1 small sweet potato, baked
1/4 cup dry quinoa
1/4 cup dry barley
15-ounce can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons parsley
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 fresh red peppers

                             

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake the sweet potato for 45-60 minutes or until soft.
2. While the sweet potato is baking, cook the quinoa and barley in separate pots until soft, about 30-60 minutes (barley takes a little longer).
3. Remove the stem and seeds from the red peppers. Cut the whole pepper in quarters and the half a pepper in half, and roast all six pieces in the oven for about 15-20 minutes.
4. Once the sweet potato is baked and cooled, combine garbanzo beans, sweet potato, parsley, cayenne pepper, cumin, salt and pepper, flour, and one tablespoon oil in a food processor.
5. Allow the grains to cool, and then in a separate bowl, mix the bean mixture with the quinoa and barley.
6. Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a large pan on medium heat. Place heaping spoonfuls of the mixture onto the hot pan, and use the back of the spoon to pat them flat and form four-inch diameter patties. Brown both sides of each burger. Serve on a bun with one piece of the roasted pepper, sliced into thirds.

Yield: 6 servings

NUTRITION

Calories per serving
 
202

It was definitely not the easiest veggie burger I have ever made, but it was definitely the best. My fiancé asked twice during dinner when I would be making this again. I believe that is a good sign.

<3 Kelly Jean

PB2 Peanut Butter and Banana Shake

Photo Credit

I recently learned about this amazing product called PB2. It is a powdered peanut butter that has 85% less fat calories than regular peanut butter. In one serving (2 tablespoons) you have only 45 calories or 1 WW points plus. I feel like this is a great alternative to peanut butter for those of you who are trying to count calories and get healthier. PB2 allows me to give into my cravings for peanut butter, yet still keep my calorie count in check. I normally mix the PB2 powder up to go on my whole wheat toast, but I've been looking for some new ways to use PB2. 

A few nights ago I decided to make a smoothie/shake using my chocolate PB2. It was amazing! I was so happy with the results. For a whole cup full of this delicious shake it only cost me 85 calories! That's pretty impressive when you consider the fact that most smoothies or milkshakes are over 300 calories.

To make this delicious shake all I needed was: 

• 2 tablespoons of PB2
• 1 Large Banana
• 1 cup of Almond Milk (unsweetened)
• 1 handful of ice cubes

Then blend it all together in the blender until creamy and ENJOY!

If you aren't into smoothies then the Bell Plantation website has some other ideas to mix PB2 into your lifestyle. 

<3 Kelly Jean