Loaded Vegan Nachos

I think just nachos and cheese are rather boring.  Instead, I like to put all sorts of stuff on top to make them delicious.  There are a few different ways this could be made.

Take a base of tortilla chips, whichever kind you like best, and dump them into a baking dish (the sort you would make a cake in, the deepest you have).
Preheat the oven to about 250 - you only really need to warm everything up and melt the daiya cheese.
Take whatever kind of vegan taco flavored crumbles you like and add a package of this on top of the chips.  You can also use chili.  My three favorites are Amy's Medium Chili, Fantastic Foods Vegetarian Chili, or Fantastic Foods Vegetarian Taco Filling.  Then, add 1/2 to a full can of vegetarian refried beans.  I also like to add a can of kidney or black beans.
Add a cup of your favorite vegan cheese.  Daiya cheddar works particularly well.
Put this in the oven for about 10-15 minutes, until everything is heated thoroughly.

While this is heating, chop up 2 avocados, one large tomato, 1/2 a red onion, and a little cilantro (if desired).  If you want spicy nachos, add fresh or pickled jalapenos.

Once the nachos are done, add the veggies on top and serve.  

Re-energizing Trail Mix

Trail mix is full of vegan protein and good, healthy fats.  Also, its delicious.  This is the trail I make when I want a quick pick-me-up.  I also make it for the donors who come to the blood drive at my work.  I use raw nuts and roast them myself, which can be tricky.  It seems like half the time they never want to brown, and the other half they burn.  However, this is what works for me:

Combine in a large mixing bowl:
1 cup raw cashews
1 cup raw almonds
1 cup raw pecans
1 cup raw walnuts
1/4 cup sunflower seeds, shelled.
1 Tbsp sesame seeds
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt, then to taste

Preheat the oven to 350.  Toss until everything is coated in oil/salt and evenly distributed.  Pour it into a baking tray and spread it out into an even layer.  Put it in the oven for 15 minutes or a bit longer if it doesn't look like it has browned at all.  Be very careful not to burn it.  Once you have pulled it out and it has cooled, mix in 1 cup cranberries.  It's great for when you need a little mid-day energy.