Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash

This super simple sweet potato hash makes for a hearty, healthy breakfast.

Sweet potatoes are not only a great source of fiber and vitamins, like vitamin A, but they are packed with antioxidants, making them a great addition to any meal. I love having them at breakfast time, or as an evening snack with some peanut butter.

Sweet Potato Hash

For this breakfast hash, start with a baked sweet potato. I did this by piercing the potato in multiple places and putting it in the microwave for 2 minutes, flipping it to the other side, and cooking for another 2 minutes. Times may vary depending on your microwave and potato size. Once the potato is cooled some, you can get to work. Depending on the size of your potato, this could make 1 or 2 portions.

INGREDIENTS

1 baked sweet potato

handful of diced tomatoes

handful of diced onions

handful of chopped kale (fresh or frozen)

1/3 block of pressed tofu

LET'S COOK

1. Cube 1 baked sweet potato. Leave the skin on to reap the nutritious benefits.

2. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add a bit of preferred cooking oil to the pan, then add the sweet potato cubes, tossing them to coat.

3. Let them cook for a few minutes, stirring them around occasionally.

4. Add chopped onions, tomatoes, and kale. I used frozen but you can also use fresh.

5. Lower the heat and put a lid on the pan. Let cook for a few more minutes.

6. Once the potatoes start to brown, remove from heat.

7. Prepare your tofu scramble. Heat another pan over medium heat.

8. Add cooking oil of choice and then crumble up the tofu into the pan.

9. Use a spatula to move the tofu around. As it starts to cook, add spices and a spoonful of nutritional yeast if desired. You can also use black salt which will add an egg-y flavor.

10. Once the tofu starts to get some color, remove from heat.

11. Add to the sweet potato hash, mix, and serve!

You can add a sauce to the hash if you'd like, but I found that this has enough flavor all on its own!

-Kat

Easy Vegan Jalapeño Popper Egg Rolls

This recipe is SO EASY, and a perfect appetizer for a party or game day. Even your non-vegan friends will enjoy these!

Vegan jalapeño popper egg rolls.

INGREDIENTS

• Vegan cream cheese (I used Kite Hill brand, but you can even make your own!)

• Vegan egg roll wraps (I used Nasoya brand)

• Whole jalapeno peppers

• Filling add-ins, if desired (vegan cheese shreds, diced green onions, spices, etc.)

Depending on the size of your jalapenos and how many you plan to make, you may use a full container of vegan cream cheese or just half. I only had 4 big peppers which I cut in half to make smaller sizes, and only used about half of an 8 oz container of Kite Hill Original Cream Cheese. I also mixed Bitchin' sauce into the cream cheese. If you've never had Bitchin' sauce, stop what you are doing and go to the store immediately.

LET'S COOK

1. Cut the tops off of your jalapeño peppers. You can also cut off the bottoms, I like to keep them as it is easier to fill with cream cheese without too much spillage. My peppers were big so I also cut them in half to create smaller bites.

2. Using a small knife, insert through the top of the pepper and carefully scrape out the seeds and insides.

3. Rinse your peppers really well and allow them to dry.

4. In a bowl, add your cream cheese. You can add whatever other fillings you want in your mixture, like spices, diced green onions, vegan cheese. I used a small scoop of Bitchin' Chipotle sauce and some diced green onions.

5. Mix it all up until it's a smooth consistency that will be easy to scoop into the peppers.

6. Take a spoonful of your cream cheese mix and start to fill your peppers. Once full, set aside. After all peppers are full, pull out your egg roll wraps.

7. Place one pepper on a single wrap, diagonally and more towards a corner than the center - this will be the corner you roll from.

8. Using your finger or a brush, wet each corner of the wrap to help it stick once rolled.

9. Take the corner your pepper is closest to and roll it towards and over the pepper, wrapping it, and starting to tuck the wrap around the pepper as you keep rolling. When you reach the end, make sure all corners are tucked.

10. I pan fried these, but you could certainly deep fry them or bake them as well. Heat a big pan over medium heat. Add a small amount of oil and then add your poppers. Once they start to get brown and crisp up, rotate them. Do this until all sides are slightly browned.

11. Allow your poppers to cool a little before serving.

-Kat

Vegan vs. Cruelty Free - What's the Difference?

What's the difference between certified vegan and certified cruelty free in the skin, hair, body, and cosmetic realm?

Have you ever noticed a little "v" or bunny logo on your shampoo bottle? These logos symbolize that the product is either Vegan or Cruelty Free, as determined by various certifying agencies that work extensively with the manufacturer to make sure the product meets their criteria and standards. It's important to understand the difference between these certifications and what they mean so you can make more ethical decisions when you shop.

Vegan

In order for a product to be certified vegan, it cannot contain any animal products. In the cosmetics, hair, skin, and body care realm, that includes milk and milk products, honey and honey bee products, and insects which are often used for pigment in cosmetics.

Products also cannot have been involved in animal testing in any way. This includes ingredients and the final product, and applies to manufacturers, suppliers, etc. This also means that it has not been tested "as required by law" (for example, some countries like China require animal testing on all imported cosmetics), and it cannot be tested on animals in the future. Find out more information here.

Cruelty Free

Certified vegan products are cruelty free, however not all cruelty free products are vegan. There are a few certifying agencies, Leaping Bunny being the gold standard and only internationally recognized certification, for cruelty free products and brands. In order to be certified cruelty free, the product and its ingredients must not have been tested on animals, nor is it allowed to be tested "as required by law" in other countries. For a list of detailed criteria, check out Leaping Bunny.

Parent Companies

There are a growing number of vegan beauty products available. However, it's important to note that while many makeup companies now offer certified vegan products, not all of their products are vegan.

There are also plenty of cruelty free brands that are owned by a parent company that tests on animals.

For those really looking to make a difference and vote with your dollar, it may be worth avoiding these companies, because in the long run your money is still supporting animal testing. On the flipside, many people believe buying these products will show the manufacturers that there is a demand for cruelty free and vegan products, which might encourage a change.

Take this knowledge with you next time you go to the store to pick up shampoo or makeup, and make sure to check those labels! I'm working on writing extensive shopping guides for cruelty free and vegan products to help you kick cruelty in 2021!

-Kat