We have all had those days – the type that feels like you need more hours to get everything done, or where it feels like the day drags on and you are beyond exhausted by the time you hit your mattress to sleep. The type of day where you are running a mile a minute just to check a few things off of your to-do list only to pile on 10 more things. A report is due at work, the kids need to be picked up or you are so immersed in a project that you look up and somehow it is already dinner time.

Then panic mode sets in. What do I make for dinner? I am so hungry, but I don’t feel like cooking. I don’t have time to go to the grocery store and pick up anything healthy or nourishing.

Thankfully there is a solution. This super simple and nutritious dinner is plant-based, vegan, gluten-free and can be made in 30 minutes all while answering work emails, helping the kids with homework or taking a moment of self-care instead of cooking.

I am so happy I discovered Open Nature® products that are available exclusively in my area at Albertsons and Safeway, especially this Gluten Free Cornbread Mix. It is the perfect partner in crime for a lazy weeknight dinner with O Organics® Three Bean Chili & Kale Bowl when you don’t have time to cook, let alone think about what you want to make.

If you remember how much I loved the brownies I made in this post, I am equally loving the Open Nature Gluten Free Cornbread Mix. It cooks up perfectly, isn’t too dry or too sweet. Honestly, in my opinion, it is the best gluten free cornbread mix I have ever made. I’ve slaved over making my own from scratch and I will never need to again now that I know how easy and fluffy this cornbread comes out.

I usually don’t eat frozen meals because of the added preservatives in most that you find, but this Plant-Based Chili from O Organics doesn’t have any processed ingredients. Perfect for when you can’t make that trip to your grocery store and you want to grab something healthy from your freezer to heat up.

Here’s how you can make this nutritious dinner come together. I know you will enjoy it as much as I did!

Ingredients:
1 Box Open Nature Gluten Free Cornbread Mix
1 cup O Organics Unsweetened Almond Milk
1 egg
1/2 stick of vegan butter (or regular butter), melted
1 O Organics Three Bean Chili & Kale Bowl
Shredded cheddar cheese and chopped green onions to top

Method:
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees while you combine the cornbread mix with the almond milk, egg and vegan butter with a whisk. Pour into a greased 8x8 baking dish and bake for 30 minutes. Remove to cool for 5 minutes while you make your chili. Follow the directions on the package to heat up your chili, place into bowls and top with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped green onions.

If you are eating more plant-based or gluten-free for health reasons, your local Safeway and Albertsons stores have thousands of products to choose from. I especially love O Organics because they are USDA certified I can find all my favorites at affordable prices and Open Nature makes products with simple ingredients and great quality.

In the San Francisco area Open Nature products are available exclusively at Albertsons and Safeway. You can also find them at the Albertsons Companies family of stores, including Albertsons, ACME Markets, Jewel-Osco, Vons, Pavilions, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Shaw’s, Star Market, United Supermarkets and Carrs/Safeway.

Try any of these clean, free-from Open Nature products and USDA certified organic O Organics products exclusively at stores and online.
VISIT www.albertsons.com/exclusivebrands
VISIT www.safeway.com/exclusivebrands

This is a sponsored blog post in which I received payment for my opinion on all products.

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This dish is both vegan and gluten free, AND packed full of protein. I am using Millet which I refer to as a super grain because it has both 10g of protein and 8 g of fiber per half cup serving. I also feel like Millet is the forgotten grain next to its contenders brown rice and quinoa.  So if you are looking to mix it up, this recipe is for you with tasty curried millet with tender zucchini.

This recipe turned out legit and was worth the extra time in the kitchen. This is a 30-minute meal and I’m more of a 5-minute meal girl  But sometimes it’s fun to cook and experiment and see what comes of it. I almost forgot how happy cooking a good meal feels, the therapy of chopping and prepping and plating. The magic that your hands can create. I’ve told you all before that July is my month to CREATE. So here is this recipe I created to share with all of you.

INGREDIENTS
Stuffing: 4 large zuchhinis (round or regular) // 1 tablespoon coconut oil or ghee // 1/2 can of white beans // 2 cloves garlic // 1/4 cup cilantro // 1/4 cup dried cranberries (I used @honestlycranberry since they are unsweetened!) // juice of one lemon

Sauce: 1/2 cashew milk or non-dairy milk // 1/2 tablespoon curry powder // salt and pepper // 1.5 cups cooked millet

METHOD
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Trim edges of the zucchini and scoop out seeds. Save the removed pulp and chop and set aside. Place zucchinis onto a baking sheet or a shallow baking pan and place in the oven while you prepare the stuffing.  

To prepare the sauce, heat oil or ghee in a skillet and add the chopped garlic and zucchini pulp. Cook for 2-3 minutes until juices start to release. Add in the cashew milk, curry powder, cranberries and white beans. Stir in for another 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and add lemon juice. Add cooked millet to the pan and stir to combine with the sauce. 

Take the zucchini out of the oven, spoon in the millet stuffing and place back into the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes covered until the zucchini is tender. Divide onto two plates and enjoy!