Vietnamese Spring Rolls - Vegan, Gluten-Free, Delicious! Also, Tips To Make Living a Healthy Lifestyle Easier.

This last year flew by, I cannot believe it's 2018.  I've shared a ton of recipes on Instagram, but in 2018 I will be focusing more on my site. I will be done Holistic Nutrition school in the Spring and I'm excited to have more time to get creative in the kitchen. The weather in Vancouver B.C., has been rainy and dark so I thought I would whip up a colourful recipe to cheer us up. 

Below, I also share some tips to continue staying on track in the new year. As we all know, it's about a healthy lifestyle that one can commit to, not a short-term diet or cleanse. Let's make a choice with each meal we enjoy. 

Inspired Greens and Artisanal Growers produce. 

Tips to keep on living that healthy life:

1- STOCK YOUR FRIDGE
I cannot say enough about this! If I don't have fresh vegetables in my fridge, I will end up making something that's not as nutritious or I will go out for food. Keeping my pantry and fridge full ensures I do eat at home. If you guys saw my fridge, you would literally think it fed a family of four, but no, it's just ME! Buying food for home also saves money since groceries cost less than eating meals out. Another benefit, especially for me, as my blood sugars drop. I have a snack on hand to get rid of that horrible anxious feeling in my stomach. 

2- EAT GREEN ONCE A DAY
What's your favourite green food? It's hard for me to choose because all mu favourite foods are green: lettuce, matcha, algae kombucha, broccoli... I gravitate to all things green. I think it's because they give me that boost and they're so nutritious. We all know the fresher the produce, the more nutrients it contains so I've been buying Inspired by Greens alive lettuce. I love this brand because the roots are still intact and it's grown year round throughout the winter. 
 

3- FOCUS ON WHAT YOU WANT TO INCORPORATE INTO YOUR DIET
As a nutritionist and live blood analyst, I see many clients that focus on the foods they want to cut out of their diet. I think this is a common trend that makes sense psychologically because the person may crave it, but doesn't want to eat it so then ends of thinking about these foods a lot. I often see this when clients are trying to reduce their refined sugar intake, cut out dairy or stop eating foods they are sensitive to. Let's take me for example, people are always commenting on what I don't eat, but I always flip it around and list everything I can: beans, lentils, all fruit, all vegetables, fungi, gluten-free grains. I can make a lot of filling tasty meals with those foods! I don't feel like I'm missing out either. 
 

4- BALANCE ALWAYS WINS
My family has commented on the fact that my willpower is not common... once I learn something isn't going to serve me, it's out. I knew my hypothalamus pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis was being taxed so I quit coffee even though I loved the taste of it. That being said, most people have a hard time quitting things they love and that is normal. The last thing I want for a client is to have feelings of guilt, that is NOT healthy. A healthy mind is the most important, without that, we won't thrive. If i choose to have an entire bar of dark chocolate I'm going to enjoy it, I do this sometimes by the way. Last night, I hate virtuous pie then today I stole a couple pieces of Panago GF/V pizza. That is rare, but hey, I wanted it and I know I'll have my roasted veggies for dinner. The key thing here is, balance! Every one is different, but if you restrict yourself, then that way of life just might not last. So go eat those yummy cartems donuts or make my vegan blondies on instagram, but eat your greens too. Once you start eatings lots of whole foods and cut down on sugar and refined foods, you'll notice your palate actually changes and you crave healthy food.  

5 - TRY NEW RECIPES
This is my very first time making Vietnamese Spring Rolls, The Bruce's Roots Way. If you don't try a new recipe than you could be missing out on something you LOVE. Be gentle though friends, my wrapping skills are not excellent yet. My favourite place to get inspired is Instagram! You can find my lettuce wrap tacos on Inspired by Greens Instagram post or search on my site. 

 

VIETNAMESE LETTUCE WRAPS
THE WINTER EDITION

Who says summer rolls have to be eaten in the summer? Enjoy these colourful wraps all year long!

Ingredients:

• 1 package of rice paper wraps 
• 2 heads of Inspired Greens lettuce 
• Artisanal Growers spiralized beets
• Artisanal Growers spiralized squash
• 1 small head purple cabbage, will only use 1/2
• 1 avocado 
• garlic, I used 4 cloves
• 1 lemon
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup water

Directions:

1. Place rice paper wrap in warm water in a skillet for 10-15 seconds then place it on a cutting board or flat surface. to avoid rips and make a stronger wrap, repeat this step so your wrap has 2 rice paper rolls. 
2. Add vegetables at the bottom of the rice paper wrap, which closest to you. I started with my fresh crunchy lettuce, then added squash, beets and my cut up cabbage. The benefit of buying Artisanal Growers spiralized vegetables is that it saves so much time in the kitchen. 
3. ROLL
4. Make a yummy dip: blend an entire avocado, the juice of 1 lemon, water to achieve desired consistency, garlic and extra virgin olive oil (can omit). Can add salt and pepper. 
5. Devour.

Option to add a protein: hemp seeds, quinoa, tempeh, brown rice. 
Note, you will have some vegetables leftover to keep your fridge stocked. 

Find more recipes on my Instagram account, @brucesroots.

xx

Jordan Bruce

enjoy!

Thank you to Inspired Greens and Artisanal Growers for the produce and for sponsoring this post.  Thanks to them, I'm able to spend my day cooking, photographing and recipe creating for you. 

---