I got two kick ass compliments at the gym this morning (in regards to my size vs. what I can and do lift)–one was even from a personal trainer! Okay, so that trainer is also an adorable 70-year-old man who thought I was 16 years old, but still. Protein plus lifting plus an up-and-coming training and diet plan? I’m on track with my goal!
Last Wednesday I brought you vegan high-protein efforts combined with Jenn’s Summer Staples WIAW. And this week? Doing it again–but featuring some protein-packed dinner ideas instead. So, clearly, I did not eat all this on Wednesday (but I did eat a lot of it on Wednesday…).
Green Pancakes. 27g.
(Hemp Protein + Garden Fresh Beet Greens)
I don’t know if pancakes are a legit dinner option, or if I was just excited that I finally remembered to take a picture of green food not on a green plate. Although the beet greens made this batch browner rather than greener. I can’t win.
Mac, Cheese and Spears. 26g.
(Quinoa + Nutritional Yeast Sauce + 1/2 a Seitan Sausage + Garden Fresh Baked Okra)
The mystery meal from yesterday. How well did I do with my Paint representation? And who didn’t love mac n’ cheese with hotdogs as a kid? Just me? I hope not, because this is an amazing healthy adult version with a mega-protein punch.
Orange-Sesame Stir Fry. 20g.
(Tempeh + Sauce + Garden Fresh Eggplants and Bell Peppers)
This was beyond delicious and had the added, if unnecessary, benefit of being an absolutely gorgeous meal. Make Sarah’s recipe right now!
Cauliflower-and-Tofu Tabbouleh. 18g.
(Cauliflower + Tofu + Chickpeas + Garden Fresh Parsley)
I’ve had my eye on Liz’s cauliflower tabbouleh for ages but wanted to add some protein to it. Would have been even better in terms of texture and protein count if I’d had the tempeh and fava beans I wanted to use on hand–Or if I hadn’t been too lazy to drive five minutes to the grocery store.
Plate of Delicious Mush. 21g.
(Red Lentils + Garden Fresh Eggplant + Spicy Peanut Sauce)
What can I say? It’s a plate of delicious mush. Delicious mush I never would have experienced if Laura hadn’t convinced me to buy peanut flour (and then inspired me with her Sriracha/peanut combo last Wednesday).
Dunker’s Delight. 39g.
(Hemp and Chickpea Flatbread + Spicy Curry “Yogurt” Sauce)
Cool yet spicy vegan sauce with a hearty flatbread that just begs to be used for scooping up generous…scoopfuls.
Have a favorite protein-packed dinner? Clearly the blog world inspired me this week, I’d love some more ideas!
ForgottenBeast 
The stir fry looks so fresh and colorful – I’m so wishing there was a stove here in my office so I could whip up a batch!
You should at least do so when you get home! It really is so fresh, plus so healthy and that sauce is beyond perfect–slightly sweet, slightly salty, light yet still flavorful. Hard to go wrong with that.
That baked okra sounds AMAZING!!! I have to find that! Your eats rock girl 😀
If you find fresh/small okra at a farmer’s market–buy ’em! It’s hardly even a recipe: Cut them in half, bake in the oven, sprinkle with seasoning of choice or dunk in (nutritional yeast) sauce of choice.
Tempeh is the best thing to ever happen to vegetarians.
Major congrats on your gym w00ts! Plenty more to come!
I am definitely rediscovering my love of tempeh–I’d somehow gone ages without any! But the health stats of tofu but with taste and texture? Perfect.
mac and cheese and hot dogs were my FAVORITE as a kid! Now? not so much lol
and Ive never tried okra…but it sure does look yummy!
Okra seems to be a love/hate veggie, you should definitely try it some time to find out. Especially if you can find fried okra. Because of course that’s amazing–it’s fried.
omgiloveokrasomuchespeciallyfriedokra!!!!
A love of country music AND fried okra? What are you doing across the pond, lady? You belong in the South. I even have an extra room ;D
That all looks incredible! I want to come to your house to eat. Especially that Mac ‘n cheese – brilliant idea!
I didn’t know how many times would be too many/creepy times to mention you in this post–’cause that sauce was totally made possible through guar gum.
LOL! Are you going to post the full recipe? I want to make it!
It’s another one of those so-simple-I-feel-bad-calling-it-mine recipes, but hmm, also a request for the curry dip, so I think I’ll put together a recipe post for tomorrow. Didn’t have anything lined up for then anyway, perfect 🙂
I wanna know how you make a yogurt sauce? Tell me tell me!
It’s so insanely easy. But you’ll just have to wait ’til tomorrow 🙂
Fine.
I need to get more on board with instagram posts! Great idea for when I don’t know what to say. Glad all’s well on the protein front!
It’s also great for when you forget/are too lazy to bring a real camera anywhere ;D
so awesome to get compliments as you work toward your goal – means what you are doing is indeed effective, and provides motivation and extra energy!
as do all of these eats – everything looks fantastic!
They really do help–I mean, I can try to motivate myself internally all I want, but it’s really nice to get some outside validation. And thanks!
The okra looks yummy!
Mmm mac and cheese… seriously it’s been too long! Your plate of it looks tasty m’dear
http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/weightlifting/highlights-zhou-lulus-gold-medal-clean-jerk.html You’re well on your way to this. Only you’ll look way better with your sequins.
That food looks so, so good. All of it. You get so creative, colorful, and damn full of protein. Move over lame chicken breast, egg whites, and veggies that you see on most body builders’ diets.
What’s in the spicy curry yogurt sauce?
I was at the gym Sunday when that was on! Didn’t realize it was the gold medal win–no volume, haha. But it was super-inspiring to watch the ladies lifting ridiculous things…while I maxed out my squats at 90lbs…And the sauce will be revealed tomorrow! Or Friday.
I’ll be sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation!!
My dear, pancakes are ALWAYS a legit dinner option ;)! Love the look of all your meals, especially that stir fry- so colorful! I love making “protein bowls” which include quinoa, teriyaki tofu (or grilled chicken), chickpeas, veggies & hummus….it’s one of those meals which I feel ticks all the boxes!
It was even intentional to have a colorful stir-fry–but it came out so pretty! Love the idea of “protein bowls,” I’m going to start making those! Great way to combine a bunch of premade items you can store in the fridge.
You may have said in previous posts what Hemp Protein you use..but which do you use? That mac and cheese looks heavenly! When I was vegan that was something I truly missed and now that I am unable to stomach dairy I should test the waters with your recipe! Love and Shine CourtStar
I use Manitoba Harvest–I’m a huge fan, but I definitely recommend it in savory over sweet options. I love nutritional yeast sauces–they aren’t exactly the same as cheese, but they have a great flavor all their own (and great health boost)
How come you do have so many garden vegetables? Are you living on the countryside? And who is the talented gardener?
I’m barely outside of a city (about 15 min from downtown), so I have a small backyard that I stuck a garden in. And I do all the work myself 🙂 So I know it’s organic! And, of course, cheap.
That’s amazing. Currently I do not even have a balcony – but bf and me are searching for a flat at the moment, so hopefully I can at least grow some tomatos and cuces soon.
If nothing else, you should grow some herbs in pots in the window! It feels good to grow your own food, even it’s just a few leaves of basil 🙂 I hope you can find somewhere with a balcony!
I do already grow basil, cilantro, tiny peppers and a sweet potato (which just decided to start growing in my cupboard and is a beautiful plant now). But I will come back for advice as soon as I have some more space.
Awww thanks for the shout out!!! I hope you enjoyed it 🙂 I love the idea of adding tofu to it!
Oh my gosh, I did! Already planning to make it again for next week 😀
Quinoa mac and cheeze? Sign me up – I do love a good nooch sauce!
oh course pancakes are a legit dinner! 🙂 Especially green pancakes not on a green plate! lol
So many yummy choices here and check out the protein! Not something I track, but so many people ask that question, I love that you showed so many high protein options. 🙂
the spiced yogurt curry dip looks yummy. so does the Cauliflower-and-Tofu Tabbouleh. love seeing different ways to get high sources of protein in a diet. Nice job!