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Vegetarian Pulled Pork Potato Nachos

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Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #VeggieSummerGrilling #CollectiveBias 

I love when I can throw things on the grill in summertime.

It’s hot y’all.  Granted, the rain here recently has cooled things off, I’m reminded on Facebook that just last year the temperature felt like 107 degrees. ONE-HUNDRED-AND-SEVEN.  However, I’m getting hot just thinking about it, to tell you the truth. Thankfully, it’s not THAT hot, but it’s still hot.  Hot enough that I don’t feel like standing over a stove or even heating up the oven, because that means it’s going to stay hot in our house for awhile.  I. DON’T. GOTS. THE. PATIENCE. FOR. ALL. THAT.

So, back to the grill.

These Vegetarian Grilled Pulled Pork Potato Nachos are exactly what you need in your life. 

But, wait.  URRRCHHHH.  Hold up.  These aren’t just any Grilled Pulled Pork Potato Nachos. These, my friends are Vegetarian Grilled Pulled Pork Potato Nachos.  Sure, if you are trying to use grandma’s famous recipe, do you boo, but please hear me out for just a second on trying them this way.  We have been trying to eat less meat, but I’ve always been scared of meat alternatives. However, a few months ago we perfected a black bean burger and since then, I’ve been dedicated to trying other alternatives.

Recently, I was walking through Wal-mart and saw MorningStar Farms® Veggie Pulled Pork and thought that it would be amazing for an easy dinner of pulled pork nachos. It’s a brand new product and we were excited to give it a try. The inspiration for this particular Vegetarian Grilled Pulled Pork Potato Nachos came from my friend who is currently gluten-free. She’s always looking for ideas and potato nachos are just the trick! As a result, perfection ensued.

Hover over the images to see them at walmart.com

The kids LOVED these Vegetarian Grilled Pulled Pork Potato Nachos and thought they were so cool! 

While at the store, I had also grabbed MorningStar Farms® Buffalo Chik Patties® and they were so good too! You have to grill it to believe it yourself! Seems like our possibilities are definitely expanding.

Here’s the recipe:

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Vegetarian Pulled Pork Potato Nachos
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • 8 medium potatoes thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup Olive Oil
  • 3 tbsp chicken spice rub
  • 1 package MorningStar Farms® Veggie Pulled Pork
  • Toppings: Mozzarella Cheese Cheddar Cheese, Guacamole, Plain Greek Yogurt (sub sour cream), green onions, cilantro, salsa, black beans, diced onions, sliced sweet peppers or jalapenos
Instructions
  1. Preheat grill to 400 degrees.
  2. Thinly slice potatoes.
  3. In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with the olive oil and chicken spice rub until evenly coated.
  4. Lay in single layer on baking sheets (may have to batch cook depending on your grill).
  5. Cook for 20-25 minutes (watching the last 5 minute to ensure they don't burn).
  6. *Tip: Thinly sliced potatoes after cooking time will be mostly crunchy
  7. Remove from grill.
  8. Cook MorningStar Farms Veggie Pulled Pork according to directions.
  9. On a serving tray, layer potatoes, pulled pork, and desired toppings from list above.
  10. Serve & enjoy!
Recipe Notes

It's important that all your potato slices are the same size

Nutrition Facts
Vegetarian Pulled Pork Potato Nachos
Amount Per Serving (8 g)
Calories 0
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Lastly, you can head to your local Wal-mart to find these particular products in the store!

Banana Swirl Ice Cream

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This post is made possible with support from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program. All opinions are my own.

I remember when we had our first baby.  I was OBSESSED with whether or not she was meeting her milestones. Anytime like I felt she was falling behind on something, I panicked.  I would ask the same question in all 3,421 Facebook parenting groups I’m a part of and they would all tell me the same thing, “Breathe.”

Thankfully, I was just being a first-time parent in all of the circumstances I presented. It’s important that while milestones are critical, hitting all of them exactly the second they turn 3, 6, or whatever corresponding age bracket, isn’t always going to happen.  Much to my friend’s pleasure, I calmed down a bit with my second child. I realized that sometimes she would hit things much earlier than projected, while other things took a few more weeks. And that was okay. What is important is to find reputable sources of information on developmental milestones and keep tracking your child’s progress.

CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program offers developmental milestones that most children should reach by different ages. What’s great about this campaign is that parents can now know exactly which milestones their children should be reaching from birth to age 5 years old.

The “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” program is geared towards early identification of children with developmental disabilities, including autism.  By detecting these concerns early, children and families are able to get the services, as well as the support, they need. Each milestone age gives targets for how your child should play, learn, speak, act, and move. By watching and tracking your little’s development, you are able to quickly act if something is not on track.

We recently hit the 18 month milestones, and are now gearing towards the 2 year old ones.

Some of the 18 month milestones she has been reaching are:

  • May have temper tantrums
  • May be afraid of strangers
  • Says and shakes head “no”
  • Knows what ordinary things are for; for example, telephone, brush, spoon
  • Scribbles on her own
  • May walk up steps and run
  • Drinks from a cup
  • Eats with a spoon
  • and more...


       

One of my favorite milestones from this age was her learning to really use a spoon.  Mostly, because it meant that there was less mess to clean up. Don’t get me wrong, there are still messes and accidents, but her learning to use a spoon has helped so much.

Today, I wanted to share one of my favorite treats to make at this age is Banana Swirl Ice Cream.

Now, I know what you may be thinking.  Ice Cream at 18 months!? This isn’t healthy! But SURPRISE!  This Banana Swirl Ice Cream has just 3 ingredients, helps to meet the daily fruit serving size AND helps with teething. SAY WHAT!?  It’s true.  Frozen foods have always helped my girls when teething and these last teeth they get between 12-24 months are always the hardest in our house. It also helps with teaching them spoon skills.  What kid won’t practice spoon skills for some ice cream! 😉

Here’s the recipe for Banana Swirl Ice Cream

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Banana Swirl Ice Cream
Author: Larisha Campbell
Ingredients
  • 6 large bananas
  • 2 cups frozen strawberries
  • 3 tbsp water
  • Chopped Walnuts Optional
Instructions
  1. On a baking sheet lined with wax paper, chop up bananas into large chunks and spread across sheet.
  2. Place in the freeze until harden.
  3. Meanwhile, place frozen strawberries and water in a suacepan and heat over medium heat.
  4. Stir often until the strawberries break down.
  5. Using a sieve, separate the strawberry juice from the pieces.
  6. Set juice aside and let cool. *You can throw away or compost the pieces.
  7. Once bananas are frozen, place in a food processor and pulse until the consistency of ice cream.
  8. This takes about 3 minutes and you may have to scrap down the sides of your food processor.
  9. Pour ice cream into a bowl and swirl in the strawberry juice.
  10. Serve immediately or place back in freezer until ready to use in an air tight container.

 

Looking for more information about where your little should be?  Head over to the Learn The Signs. Act Early page today! 

The Best Black Bean Burger

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Looking for the perfect Cinco de Mayo recipe? This Black Bean Burger is it!

Spring is here which makes me want to break out the grill. I tell Larisha that our next meal is going to be outside on the grill and she tells me that our next meal is going to be vegan. And I’m like “whhhhhaaattttt.”

She goes straight Bugs Bunny on me, rattling off all these meals with carrots and lettuce and beans, while all I can think about is a juicy steak. So I cut her off to ask her where this is coming from. To be completely honest, it’s hard for me to give things much attention unless it’s logical (maybe that’s all guys?). Not that it’s going to make things much better, that randomly I’m going to have to start eating vegan, but when it’s logical at least I’ll understand where it’s coming from. When that happens, it makes my brain give into my “happy wife, happy life” mentality.

She tells me she heard on the news some nonsense about a plant based diet being less processed and blah, and blah, and blah. That’s all I really heard.

Now I’m trying to think about how I can get the news to air a segment on steaks being healthier for you. So, this is how we negotiate. She tells me what she wants and I do it…sometimes. I sit back and start thinking about my new diet without meat which sounds devastating. She snapped me back into reality when I heard the word burger. Ok, burger, I can do this.

Wait, vegan burger? What is this crap? I bet this is about to taste like eating straight grass outside.

“Black bean burger!” I finally hear her say after the initial thoughts of disgust leave my head. She tells me what goes into the burger and it’s starting to sound a little better.  I’m determined to give it a try at least. We make them up and I’m surprised at how easily these black bean burgers grill.

Watch us make this Black Bean Burger recipe!

Then, taste test time. Verdict: amazing!  No, really, I promise. I’m not about to sit here and lie to you guys about something I was hesitant on to start. I couldn’t believe that I was eating and liking a black bean burger.  Not only that, but I told her to put it in our meal rotation.

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The Best Black Bean Burger
Author: Andrew
Ingredients
  • 2 - 15 ounce cans black beans rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups tortilla chips
  • 1 cup cooked brown rice cooled
  • 1/2 red onion
  • 1/2 cup salsa
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 3 clove garlic
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil + more
Optional toppings:
  • Buns or tostada shells
  • Lettuce
  • Salsa
  • Greek yogurt plain (or sour cream)
  • Fresh cilantro leaves chopped
  • tomatoes
  • mashed avocado
Instructions
  1. In a food processor, add 1 1/2 cans of beans (reserving 1/2 can until later), tortilla chips, rice, onion, salsa, cumin, and garlic.
  2. Turn food processor on and combine well until a thick puree has formed.
  3. Add remaining 1/2 can of black beans to food processor and pulse 2-3 times, just until combined. These should still be chunky.
  4. With a little olive oil on your hands, shape mixture into 6 patties.
  5. Brush both sides of patties with olive oil.
  6. Cook on a grill 3-4 minutes on each side (or in a skillet over medium heat).
  7. Add desired optional toppings to burger and enjoy!

Now, I’m still not convinced that we should be eating vegan 2-3 days a week and I still really want my juicy steak, I’m at least giving it a go. If you’re looking to give vegan a go, this is a great recipe to start. I can’t believe I just said that. Also, if you’re wanting a great Cinco de Mayo recipe to feed a crowd, this is it. Larisha says this pairs perfectly with a frozen margarita.

Here’s some things that may help you!


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