Coconut and Berries

Healthy, Vegan Recipes by Emma Potts

Orange Pepita Granola and Yum Universe Book Giveaway

I’m talking about a wonderful new book today, Yum Universe, sharing a recipe AND giving one of you the chance to win a copy!

Yum Universe Review

I’ve been reading and introducing others to the Yum Universe website for a long time now and it’s one of the first sites/blogs I started using and cooking from when I went vegan nearly 5 years ago. Everything I love about the site and a whole lot more has been put into this stunning new book of the same name by Yum Universe founder, Heather Crosby.

Almond Pulp Chocolate Pudding

Almond Pulp Chocolate Pudding-

A great way to use up that leftover pulp when making your own nut milks at home

This is so much more than a recipe book. Heather starts with why you might consider a “plant-inspired diet”, addressing common concerns and bringing some clarity to the huge confusion that exists in the world of diet and health. Though I’m already very committed to this lifestyle,  I still found this section fascinating and it definitely reinvigorated my commitment to healthy living.

The “how” section is hugely comprehensive and an amazing resource for everyone, from those who’ve never cooked vegetables  to long-time vegans. I’ve picked up so many useful tips I can’t even begin to list them. But what I can say is that the book is helping me cultivate habits which are, in turn, making eating healthily on a day-to-day basis that bit easier.  There are complete guides to recommended kitchen equipment and ingredients, storage advice, plan-ahead suggestions and a whole lot more.

Chickpea Flatbread with Blackberries, Balsamic & Thyme

Chickpea Flatbread with Blackberries, Balsamic & Thyme-

Heather shares a basic chickpea flatbread recipe and a whole string of variations, all of which sound scrumptious.

I’m looking forward to working my way through them all.

And then there are the recipes! All recipes are vegan (except the very occasional honey which can easily be swapped out), gluten-free and soy-free. I’ve only had my copy of the book for a few weeks but I’ve already made a lot. My pictures in this post only show half of what I’ve tried and everything I’ve made has been fantastic. Even more than the recipes themselves, I love that there are so many variations listed and ideas for making the recipes your own.

Sweet Potato, Kale & Lentil Stew

Sweet Potato, Kale & Lentil Stew-

This sounds humble and is so easy to put together but produces a seriously tasty meal that I’d happily eat over and over.

Buckwheat Noodle Pad Thai

Buckwheat Noodle Pad Thai-

This is going to be a regular. It’s one of those dishes that tastes far too delicious to be as easy as it is. Perfect for weeknights.

Heather and BenBella Books have generously allowed me to share a recipe from the book as well as hold a WORLDWIDE giveaway for one of you to win a copy of new book! (See bottom of post)

Orange Pepita Granola (Vegan, Gluten-free, Oil-free)

This Orange Pepita Granola is so good, I know you’re all going to love it. If you haven’t made your own granola yet, this one will have you converted. There are just a few ingredients, a short baking time and, best of all, it’s crispy and delicious.

Orange Pepita Granola (Vegan, Gluten-free, Oil-free)

Print
Orange Pepita Granola (Vegan, Gluten-free, Oil-free)

Yield: 10 + Servings

Orange Pepita Granola (Vegan, Gluten-free, Oil-free)

Ingredients

    Wet
  • 3/4 C Maple syrup
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract
    • Dry
  • 3 C Rolled oats
  • 1 C Shredded coconut
  • 1 C Pumpkin seeds
  • 1 C Almonds, roughly chopped
  • Zest from 2 navel oranges
  • 1 tsp Sea salt
  • Pinch ground cardamom

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 300/150C.
  2. In a small bowl, stir together the wet ingredients.
  3. In a large bowl, toss together dry ingredients
  4. Add wet ingredients to dry and fold well.
  5. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper (or just one- you can split the batch, baking one half at a time)
  6. Bake the granola for 20-25 minutes. Granola should look slightly browned and toasted.
  7. Remove from oven and repeat if you are splitting the batch. Granola will harden as it cools.
http://www.coconutandberries.com/2014/10/31/orange-pepita-granola-yum-universe-book-giveaway/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Yum Universe Review- Healthy Halloween

 Yum Universe is available to order now from Amazon and various other retailers. Check out this page to hear what the author herself has to say about the book and for more information.

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Comments

  1. I ordered this book a few days ago after seeing the photos you posted on Instagram! I love Heather’s blog but haven’t actually made many of her recipes yet. Hopefully that will all change when I receive her book. Good job on the photographs, you take mouth-watering pictures Emma!

    • Really pleased to hear that Nicola! I’m certain you’ll love it. The kale in miso-dijon sauce is my favourite thing right now 😀
      Why not enter the giveaway anyway and if you win you can give the extra copy to a friend?!
      Thank you for the lovely comments on my photos too.

  4. Thanks for this wonderful giveaway !!! Your picture are georgous and evrything seem sooooo delicious !!!

    My biggest challenge is having to make two different menus most of the time since my husband is not vegan. Also, when I feel sad or stressed out, I’m tempted to eat at night…good food, but a bit too much.

    • Thank you Jessica. The pictures in the book are even more gorgeous!
      That does sound pretty tough having to create two menus. Maybe your husband will come around to more vegan food with a little time…?

  5. I love her blog and love her book now!.. Would love to win a hardcopy to give out as a holiday gift to family!.. I’m trying to get everyone in my family in the plant-based bandwagon!

  8. My biggest obstacle is finding the time to make healthy food! Especially since all three people in my house eat differently

  9. My biggest challenge is trying to eat everything that my body needs in a day or week to be nutritionally balanced.

    Thanks for the chance to win - these recipes look really yummy :)

  10. Thanks for the recipe and for introducing me to Yum Universe, it is a blog I did not yet know about! My biggest challenge to eating healthy is always wanting dessert!!

    • Oh gosh, I’m the same ! Even if I eat healthier homemade desserts it’s still dessert after all! Glad to introduce you to Yum Universe, I’m surprised it’s not wider known.

  13. What an amazing selection of recipes - and by the sounds of it, a really great book. That chickpea flat bread with berries has me very intrigued, and of course I’m always up for a take on chocolate pudding!

    • I think you’d like the book Kari! Though there are lots of great recipes on the Yum Universe website too if you want to get a feel for the style before committing to the book.

  14. The book looks fantastic Emma, I would Love to win it!

    IMO The biggest challenges to eating healthy every day are time and temptation!

    Have a lovely weekend!

  15. My biggest challenge in eating healthily (vegan) everyday is when I can’t cook my own food, especially being at friends houses who don’t know much about the diet! But other than that I have no problem keeping it up! I thrive on healthy living!

    • That’s great to hear Cynthia! So pleased you’ve discovered this lifestyle. As I said in my post, the book is suited to those at any stage on the healthy living journey so I bet you’d love it.

  16. Gosh, they all look delicious! Looks like a fantastic book :).
    Unfortunately right now I have a currently undiagnosed digestive illness which is making eating very difficult, so that’s my biggest struggle with eating healthfully right now.

  18. I’ve been aware of Heather’s blog for quite some time and love her no fuss, anybody can do this attitude. The book looks amazing and I will be making the granola very, very soon.

    • Do you have a copy of the book yet Kris? Other recipes I’ve made recently from it and highly recommend are the creamy red pepper and broccoli macaroni, kale with miso-dijon sauce and almond cardamom chia pudding.I want to make everything though!

  22. As a single person, I struggle to by the correct amount of groceries each week and cook for one so I don’t end up wasting a lot or making too much.

  23. Working long hrs it is easy to not cook but to catch something quick on the way home. Not as healthy!! Thanks!

    • I know that feeling. I try to do as much ahead of time as possible so when I get home it doesn’t take too long to put together a healthy meal. This book’s great for weeknight meals.

  24. I’ve not come across this book before but it looks fab and I definitely fancy making that granola.

  26. my biggest challenge is always craving a sweet treat after lunch and dinner…
    the worst is at night, but healthy recipes such as this one are super helpful :)

  27. My biggest challenge is going to other peoples houses. I always have to prepare my own food and make sure I have enough for extended stays.

  29. my biggest healthy eating challenge is my IBS and struggling to eat a low-FODMAP diet. also chocolate chips are a huge challenge…

    • It sounds like you have more challenges to contend with than most Emily. I don’t know a huge amount about FODMAPS but bringing more limits into the equation can’t be easy. Thanks for entering the giveaway!

  30. Even if I don’t win: thank you for introducing me to another great blog. I thought I’d heard the name before but apparently never visited the blog - too many out there to keep up. (:
    My biggest challenge is the time aspect. Especially where I live vegan or even just healthy options are hard to come by so it means I have to plan and reserve time for food prep. Actually, I just finished 2.5 + hours of that to have snacks and a few lunches for the week to come on hand. I really like eating homemamde meals but during the week it can be a struggle when I get home later than planned.

    • Aw, thank you for entering! Yum Universe is fantastic - I’m so surprised it’s not more widely known.
      I’ve started to do a lot of meal prep at the weekends too. Now that I’m working full time I just don’t have the time or the energy during the week to devote to cooking like I did as a student.

  31. My biggest challenge is lack of social support. I’m pretty good about cooking healthy for myself, but if my roommate then offers me a cookie I have a hard time turning it down.

  32. Wow, these photos look amazing: especially the chocolate pudding and that pad thai! Wow! There are so many incredible new vegan cookbooks coming out every month it seems like! I love it!

  33. My challenge is money there is never enough to get essentials (bread, greens, milk) and then get individual ingredients for certain recipes. It adds up and I can’t afford $200 on food each week. Look the book, follow the blog.

    • You definitely shouldn’t need to spend that amount on food a week to eat well. My advice would be to focus on seasonal fruits and vegetables - which are usually cheaper, especially if you can get to a farmers’ market, as well as beans/legumes and whole grains, which can be bought in bulk for better value. There are lots of great ideas for cheap meals in this book!

  34. Entered :)

    My biggest challenge is working full time on my feet in a kitchen and then having to come home and do it too. Whole foods are very time consuming- but I love them!

    • I’m not sure how I’d be in your position… I love cooking too but all day and night might be a bit much, even for me!
      And you’re so right, it does take more time to cook from scratch but it’s definitely worth it!

  35. My biggest challenge is not being able to cook right now! Hopefully that will change in the next months, as I move….

  36. I’ve heard many great things about this book lately, and your delicious photos have made me even more keen to get my hands on a copy. Such a fab review & giveaway Emma ♥
    I don’t really find it a challenge to eat healthy these days because my taste buds actually crave healthy foods. I just make sure the cupboards & fridge are stocked with easy to grab snacks like nuts, seeds, fruits, etc and that I keep a few energy bars in my backpack for emergency snacking when out & about 😀

    • It’s really a wonderful book, Sharon. I’m sure it would be a hit in your household.
      Great to hear that healthy eating’s a breeze for you! It’s not difficult for me anymore either but now I’m working full time I’m looking for ways to make quicker healthy meals or things I can prep ahead of time.

  37. Easy-to-put-together but delicious recipes are the best kind! I’m loving the look of that sweet potato stew. The granola looks gorgeous too but I always, ALWAYS overindulge if I make granola. I turn into a single-minded robot with the sole purpose of munching until the entire tray is gone. With the exception of that one very specific compulsion, I don’t face any challenges eating healthily - with my current diet, it just happens automatically :)

    • The stew is so good! Definitely one to make over and over.
      I don’t think you’re alone with the granola munchies. I don’t go as far as a whole tray but I can’t help but grab an extra handful after I’ve finished a bowl!
      Great to hear healthy eating comes so naturally to you too 😀

  38. My biggest challenge is knowing how to make spice combinations or sauces that enhance the flavor of healthy, plant-based meals. I love healthy meals, but sometimes they can taste quite bland. I wish I had a foundation of some versatile seasoning blends or easy low/no-oil sauces to top on everything to elevate the taste of the dish.

  39. Probably resisting the temptation of unhealthy comfort food, especially when in need of a snack!

  40. Those recipes all look amazing!
    My biggest challenge to eating healthily is really an issue of time. It can be so hard to cook a nutritionally complete meal after a long day at work, so I sometimes forego all the veggies I know I should be eating in favor of a simple, comforting (but not particularly veggie-laden) main.
    My other challenge is definitely chocolate. A little dark chocolate is fine, but I’ve developed a habit of grabbing a little handful of chocolate chips every time I pass my pantry.

    • Your issues are the exact same as mine. Sometimes I just don’t have the energy after work to cook and though I still choose healthy foods, my dinners can lack some balance.
      And yes, chocolate!

  41. Everything sounds super delicious…especially the lentil soup! I make a couple of lentil soups this time of year each year and I’m obsessed with them. Love how high in protein they are! That granola looks really yummy too with the pumpkin seeds added. I’ve actually never even visited her blog before, guess I need to change that real quick, huh?!! Looks like a fantastic book!

    • The soup is so good! It has buckwheat in too so lots of texture as well as all the tasty flavours.
      Definitely check out Heather’s site. It’s a wonderful source of info as well as recipes.

  42. I am a fan of Heather’s website and love that you have cooked so much from the book and enjoyed her recipes. I am drooling over your pics especially the pad thai. so yummy looking.

  43. Biggest challenge to eating healthily is time. These kind of recipes help me meet that challenge - easy to make and using ingredients that I’ve got on hand. Thank you, Emma and Heather!

  44. My biggest challenge is keeping the momentum going Inmy progressing from 30 years of Vegetarianism to being a fully fledged Vegan…thus far I have ditched cow’s milk and associated products but I have much to learn
    I know.

    • Fantastic that you’ve made the leap to veganism after being vegetarian for so long Susan. Hope you’re feeling happier and healthier for it!
      I’m still learning after nearly 5 years vegan!

  45. My biggest challenge is probably being able to resist eating just chocolate and peanut butter for every meal. I always have those things around and I never get tired of them, for good reason. I just make sure to balance it all out with plenty of kale :-)

  46. My biggest challenge is breakfast. I get shaky and 10 hungrier after consuming any hot cereal, tofu scramble is okay once a week or so, smoothies just don’t hold me for more than an hour. I’ve used chia, hemp, kale, nuts, Spirulina, and protein powder in these breakfasts to no avail. It’s very frustrating.

    • That does sound tough Linda. Have you tried more savoury options for breakfast? Remember, there are no rules about what you can and can’t eat at specific times of the day! I haven’t delved too far into the breakfast chapter in this book yet but there are lots of fantastic ideas.

  50. When I come home ravenous, I can’t think straight to make a healthy meal - I just want something delicious, fast!
    Also, where I live, it’s sometimes difficult to get a variety of greens and vegetables, and I make the same dinner over and over again so I get bored with it and eat cookies and chips ‘to make up for it’.

    • I know that feeling! I sometimes come home thinking I could eat my arm off if I don’t get a meal on the table pronto. I’ve taken to packing a little snack to eat late afternoon - that way I can take a little longer to prepare a healthy, balanced dinner without eating half of it while it’s cooking!

  51. My biggest challenge in eating healthfully at home is time/planning. I know what I SHOULD do, but I just can’t seem to fully adopt those good habits.

  52. Cooking healthy meals me and my husband like is a big challenge. He was raised to pretty much think veg was gross so whilst he has learnt to love vegan food and much more veg, he still has stuff he hates and I love.

  53. The biggest challenge is to make sure both my partner and I get what our bodies both need, and that is often not the same. Only just discovered your website. Wow, so impressed!

  54. can’t say it is a blog I know of but I have seen the book promoted a bit lately and I can see why - those recipes look really good - the how to section sounds interesting too - and I just saw that it is a worldwide giveaway - hurrah!

  56. That picture of chickpea flatbread with blackberries sounds unusual but looks totally delicious.
    My biggest frustration has been remembering to soak beans/pulses well ahead! I like to use dried ones but a can or two in my pantry has saved me occasionally.

  57. My biggest challenge is my craving for fries! They are so bad for me but sometimes I can’t hold myself back!

  58. My biggest challenge is always ensuring that I have plenty of healthy options at my disposal at home at all times…otherwise…I eat what is here!

  60. I find the hardest thing about eating healthy is having good food to eat available. And going out to eat with friends! Such a challenge at times. Luckily, more and more restaurants have GF and soy free options on their menu. Thanks for the wonderful recipes!

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