Being vegan can be very hard but I am here to show you how to make it fun and delicious!

Hi! My name is Drewe Raimi, I am a junior in high school, I absolutely love to write, and cook! Not only am I a vegan but I am also gluten free! That being said it is very hard to eat out and find foods I actually enjoy. The only way to see is to cook it yourself! Not only is it fun and easy but it is also so healthy!

These next few recipes are 100% vegan and gluten-free but you do not need to be either to try them out! I have done much-needed kitchen testing to perfect my recipes and hope you enjoy them as much as I do! They are trendy, pleasing to the eye, and soothing to the stomach!

1. Cholocate Acai Bowl

This recipe is perfect for any time of the day. I usually eat it for breakfast, however, it makes a great, fresh lunch and or dinner!

Ingredients;

- 1 frozen banana

- 1 cup of frozen strawberries

- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk

- 5 tsp cocoa powder unsweetened

- 1/3 fresh banana

- 4 fresh strawberries

- 1/2 kiwi

- 1 TBSP shaved coconut

Preparation:

1. Add frozen banana, frozen strawberries, almond milk, and cocoa powder into a food processor and blitz until smooth

2. Place your base into a bowl and chop fresh bananas, kiwi, and strawberries into thin slices. Place on top of your smoothie bowl. Sprinkle coconut and eat right away!

2. Garlic Kale Chips

The perfect snack!

Ingredients:

- 1 Tbsp coconut oil

- 4 cups of kale

-2 tsp sea salt

- 1 TBSP garlic powder

- 1 tsp cracked black pepper

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with tin foil sprayed with non-stick oil

2. Wash and cut stems off of the kale ( be sure to make sure there is no water on kale to ensure chips are crispy!) Chop into "chip" sized but keep in mind kale will shrink up to 3x its size when baked

3. Toss kale with melted coconut oil, salt, pepper, and garlic

4. Spread out on the baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes or until crisp. Allow cooling completely! This recipe is two servings, 95 calories each!

3. All Natural Avocado Toast

Ingredients:

- 1 sweet potato

- 2 avocados

- 1/8 cup diced white onion

- 2 tsp salt

- 1 tsp pepper

- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder

- 1 tbsp lemon juice

- 1/4 cup arugula

Preparation:

1. Slice potatoes lengthwise into 6, 1/2 inch pieces

2. toast "toast" aka sweet potato slices like a normal slice of bread, until cooked through, and slightly crunchy

3. In a separate bowl mash avocados and add remaining ingredients except for arugula. Stir until combined and the consistency you prefer for your guacamole

4. Spread avocado mixture onto sweet potato bread and top with arugula! This recipe makes 6 servings. Each avocado toast is a little 130 calories!

4. Vegan "meat" Sauce

Ingredients:

- 24 oz. can of crushed tomatoes

- 12 oz. can pureed tomatoes

- 1/4 diced white onion

- 2 garlic cloves minced

- 2 tsp pepper

- 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

- 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano

- 1 tsp basil

- 2 tsp Truvia

- juice of 1/2 lemon

- 3 cups of cauliflower rice

- 1 1/2 cup mushrooms

Preparation:

1. In a heavy bottom pot, spray with nonstick spray and sautee onions and garlic until onions are translucent 3-5 minutes

2. Add Cauliflower rice and mushrooms, stir for 4 minutes

3. Add tomatoes and all the seasonings. Stir uncovered for 5 minutes and let simmer. Cover on low heat for 7 minutes. Quick, easy, "meat" sauce! Each serving of 1/2 cup is 60 calories.