photo by Chloe Khachadourian

By Chloe Khachadourian, VRG Intern

Nutrition is one of the most important parts of an athlete’s life. It helps with performance and recovery and to be the best, athletes need to eat good and healthy foods such as whole food plant-based meals. As an athlete myself (tennis), I know that when I eat whole food plant-based meals before a match, I feel and perform better. Athletes need that extra boost before a game or match and this bowl is perfect for this. It is healthy and delicious with amazing ingredients such as mushrooms, corn, peas, rice, beans, and more. It is also extremely easy to make and will only take up twenty minutes of your time. So if you are an athlete who cares about nutrition, recovery, and having an advantage over your opponents, then check out this recipe and try it today.

The Ultimate Vegan Power Bowl

(Serves 1)

⅓ cup canned cooked black beans

⅓ cup canned cooked pinto beans

Spices, to taste (garlic salt, onion powder, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, paprika, salt, etc.)

⅓ cup frozen sweet yellow corn

⅓ cup frozen peas

⅓ cup frozen edamame

⅔ cup 365 frozen organic mixed mushrooms (can be found at Whole Foods)

One piece teriyaki tofu (I recommend Nasoya Plantspired teriyaki tofu)

1 cup cooked white or brown Rice

1-3 Tablespoons hot sauce

1-3 Tablespoons teriyaki sauce

1-3 Tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce

Instructions:

Drain beans and warm them up in a pot. While they are warming up, add spices of your preference.

Put corn, peas, and edamame in a pot and warm up. I recommend adding a bit of salt.

Put frozen mushrooms in a pan and warm up. Add spices of your preference (ex. some salt, hot sauce, cumin, cayenne pepper, paprika, onion powder, soy sauce, etc.)

Take one piece of the tofu out of the package and put it on a cutting board. Cut tofu into square pieces.

Grab a bowl and put ingredients in. Start with rice for base. Then add mushrooms in one corner, the vegetables on one side, and the beans in the other corner next to the mushrooms. Then put tofu in a straight line in the middle between all of the toppings.

Drizzle optional hot sauce, teriyaki sauce, and soy sauce to taste on top of your bowl and enjoy!