Healthy grilled cheese with veggies and a side of protein, strawberries n' yogurt (vegan!!)

Yum! Even being a vegan, I still enjoy dairy favorites such as grilled cheese and yogurt with added toppings. I wasn't going to let my choice of cruelty free living stop be from enjoying some of these things. Here is a dairy-free version of a delicious nutrient packed lunch for you and your family to enjoy!

Ingredients for (each) grilled cheese:

2 slices of sprouted wheat bread (or another healthy bread of your choice)
2 slices of soy cheese, cheddar flavor
⅛ of a sweet onion, chopped
5 very thin slices of apple (sweet varieties like fuji and gala taste best)
1 small handful of fresh sunflower or pea shoots
coconut oil spray

Ingredients for garnishments and sides (per plate):

handful of fresh spinach
5 baby carrots
3 piece chopped celery
3 grape tomatoes
any leftover grilled cheese toppings that don't fit in the sandwiches

Ingredients for (each) yogurt parfait side treat:

1 cup of coconut, soy or almond yogurt (vanilla or plain)
4 fresh strawberries, sliced
3 tablespoons of Linwood's ground flaxseeds and goji berry superfood mix (can be found at your local healthfood store)


Directions for making grilled cheese:

After apple and onion is sliced, place one slice of bread in an oil sprayed frying pan with heat on medium-low. Place one slice of soy cheese onto bread, top with 5 apple slices (one in each corner, one in middle), and place onion slices in the spaces in between the apples. Place small handful of shoots on top and top with other slice of cheese and other slice of bread to help hold it all together. Use a shallow bowl or plate, and place base of it on top of the sandwich and while using gentle pressure, push down so cheese can melt and sandwich flattens. After a couple of minutes, use a spatula to lift up sandwich to check bottom, and once the bread turns a dark golden brown (or darkened to your personal liking), remove sandwich, respray pan, and flip sandwich, repeating with plate on top again. Once cheese melts and both sides are darkened, lay grilled cheese on serving plate over a bed of fresh spinach and a side of other fresh veggies, including any extra apple slices and onion. 

Directions for yogurt parfait side treat:

Scoop yogurt into a small bowl and top with superfood mix and strawberry slices. Enjoy as a side, or as dessert!