Quick VEGAN Meals for Busy Triathletes!?!

The most recent Trifuel newsletter had an interesting article in it entitled "Quick Meals for Busy Triathletes." I looked at the list and thought about how each one could be "veganized." So I thought I could do two lists: one that veganized what the author had suggested and one that had quick meals that I use myself. Take note that I have not tried out the first set of "recipes."

Veganized Quick Meals:
1. Mediterranean Surprise. Use some whole wheat noodles or use orza style pasta or even rice. I pretty much grab whatever type of pasta is in the pantry for this one. Prepare the pasta. When it is finished, stir in a small handful of nutritional yeast, a tablespoon of olive oil, a handful of raisins, a handful of almonds, and parsley/salt/pepper to taste. As a tasty bonus, you can throw some capers and garlic in. You can make a bunch of this and eat it all week, and if after a workout, you can take your shower while the pasta cooks.

2. Tofu/Avocado Grilled Sandwich. Quick, fire up a pan drizzled with olive oil. Put the bread on the pan and put the tofu on the bread. While all that grills to a nice toasty texture, slice one avocado and have it ready to slap on the sandwich and pack away or eat immediately. I also include sliced tomatoes and alfalfa sprouts on this one.

3. Soup. I call it soup. My wife calls it heated up vegetables with water on top. Whatever. Put a handful of broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and spinach into a pot. For protein, also included cubed tofu (easy to find at grocery store produce section). Pour 1/2 cup water over the vegetables and tofu, and then heat for 8-10 minutes. Stir in salt, pepper, a bit of vegetable stock if you desire, then eat with a spoon out of the pot.

4. Dinner Burrito. Just because everyone else calls it a breakfast burrito. Scramble tofu (ie. crumble it with some nutritional yeast and mustard powder) with 2 tablespoons soy yogurt, 1 handfull spinach and 1 chopped tomato. Salt and pepper to taste, and then shovel onto a whole wheat tortilla. Sprinkle with vegancheddar cheese (or leave out the cheese all together) and consume.

5. Zucchini Pancakes. In a blender or food processor, blend 1 chopped zucchini, a handful of sliced red onion, a handful of whole wheat pancake mix, 1 Tbsp. ground flax, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1 handful vegan parmesan cheese. Pour this mixture onto a grill and make pancakes with it (duh, pour it in a pan and grill 4-5 minutes/side). Season with ketchup. Organic ketchup.

6. Tapas. Lovely little appetizers all put together make a complete meal. I slice 1 tomato and drizzle with olive oil, sea salt, and parsley. I slice one pear or apple and eat with peanut butter. I cover one handful of walnuts with maple syrup and cinnamon. I eat. Side note: Veggie samosas can also be used with these tapas dishes.

7. Big Chef Salad. Mix onto a bowl or plate two handfuls mixed greens, 2 sliced vegetables of choice, 1 handful raisins, 1 handful walnuts, and a small drizzling of olive oil and vinaigrette. Slice tofu and throw it on top, then salt and pepper to taste. If you need more carbs, crumble whole grain crackers for croutons.

8. Mexican Delight. It's like the Mediterranean Surprise, but a delight is somewhat different than a suprise. Use quick 10 minute brown rice. Just as it is finishing stir in black beans, salt, pepper, and any other creative items from the fridge such as olives or leftover salsa. If I'm not showering while the rice is cooking, I throw 1 block of tofu into a pan, and sprinkle with curry or turmeric (which I guess makes it an Indian Delight) and add that as well. Yum.

9. Power Oatmeal. My favorite, bar none. To one bowl of raw oats, I add 1 tablespoon almond butter, 1 tablespoon soy yogurt, 1 sliced banana, 1 Tbsp. ground flax and 1 sprinkling of cinnamon. Also 1 tablespoon Vega protein powder if it's handy. Pour boiling water on top and microwave on high for 60 seconds. Warning: very calorically dense and should be consumed 2 hours prior to or immediatley after a workout.

10. Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. My signature dessert. Use a small half bowl of plain, soy yogurt. Add 1 tablespoon peanut butter and 1 tablespoon dark chocolate pieces or cocoa mix. Close your eyes and imagine you just took it out of that little orange wrapper.

Disclaimer: your spouse and children may not share any affinity for these meals

Crystal's Top 5 Quick Vegan Triathlete Meals
1. Pasta with Tofu.
This is very similar to the Mediterranean Surprise, but a little different. I take half a block of tofu and either fry it in olive oil or just cut it up (depending on how hungry I am because this takes the longest amount of time). I start boiling the pasta. I cut up some onions and garlic for nose-gasms with the tofu once the tofu has browned on two sides. Once the pasta is almost done, I add in some tomato sauce with the tofu and onions&garlic. I simmer until the pasta is done. Strain pasta. Put sauce in pot with pasta. Eat out of pot. Veggie ground round can be used in place of the tofu.

2. Post-workout veggie dogs
Sometimes when I'm done a workout, there is nothing that I want more than some easy, accessible, salty protein. This is where the veggie dog comes in. I know some people find this disgusting, but when I'm all sweaty and hungry and there just isn't anything quick enough, I will sit down and eat one or two veggie dogs raw. Quick, easy, no muss, no fuss!

3. Post-workout smoothie infusion
I drink this in the morning especially. The ingredients to my "special" smoothie:
1 banana (preferrably a bit on the edge of being too ripe)
a few frozen mangos
a few frozen strawberries
(I buy my frozen fruit in bulk)
2 scoops of Vega protein powder
1 c. Soy or Rice milk (there are pros and cons to both of these beverages)
2 Tbsp. ground flax seed
Blend. Drink. Huge amount of protein from the supplement and the soy milk, good omega-3's from the flax (among so many other great things about flax), much-needed-for-triathletes potassium from the banana, and the great nutrition from the other fruits. Plus, it's tasty! The Vega can throw off the taste a bit, but you can hardly tell with the yummy mango and banana (I try to buy organic of both of these politically contemptuos fruits).

4. Pre-made meals
I found the easiest way for me to be vegan and eat quickly (and not get extremely sick of veggie dogs) is to prepare meals ahead of time. This can either be frozen in the freezer or just prepared on an "off" training day. Veggie Chili packed with lots of beans and eaten with a slice of break is a great example. The chili can easily be frozen and thawed to be eaten for lunch at work/school or after an evening workout. I also use lentil curry for this purpose.

5. Quinoa
Quinoa is one of my favorite foods of all time. It is packed with COMPLETE protein and many vitamins and minerals... it is a SUPERFOOD! What I have been known to do before is cook up some quinoa (takes around 15-20 minutes), add some Braggs, and salsa and eat it right there! However, a nice quinoa salad with raisins, almonds, tomato, with a lemon-based dressing is also nice.

These meals all contain foods that I consider staples at my house during training season. The off season is a time of leisurely cooking, but during training time, it is a special treat. Please comment if you have any quick favorites of your own!

Disclaimer: your spouse and children may not share any affinity for these meals