I was inspired to create this series by former Beatle and vegetarian advocate Paul MCartney(Macca) who partnered with the Meatless Monday campaign to promote less consumption of meat. ?Not only do we discuss the advantages of a less meat diet we also do some cooking, share recipes and listen to great Beatle music!
I have been working with OFA in Florida to first register voters and now to Get Out The Vote. Our voter registration ?efforts were off the charts! And now we are working to GOTV with an unprecedented number of field offices and volunteers. ?Get Out The Vote efforts require massive energy with volunteers canvassing neighborhoods and manning phones banks to get direct voter contact which increases the likelihood of the individual vote.
So how does a volunteer prepare for the high energy intensive work of canvassing a neighborhood? ? There are some must haves. ?First, you must dress comfortably and wear your good walking shoes. ?I wear a baseball hat to keep the sun out of my face and eyes. ? You must take some water especially here in Florida where it's possible to dehydrate rapidly. ?And if you're going to be out for a while carry some high energy snacks to get you through the day ?
Today I'll share some easy recipes for some quick energy, easily transported snacks, perfect to add to your take-a-long small messenger bag or backpack. ?And some recipes for low maintenance dishes to take to a field office to feed grateful phone bankers and organizers.
? ? ? 
SPICY POWER BARS
Fantastic for canvassing but also great to take on a hike or run. So portable you can pack one in a pocket. h/t elana
? ? 1 cup almonds
? ? 1 cup macadamia nuts
? ? 1 cup dates
? ? 1 cup tart dried cherries
? ? 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
? ? 2 teaspoons ground ginger
? ? 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
? ? 2 teaspoons ground cardamom
? ? ? teaspoon sea salt
? ? Place nuts, dates and cherries in a food processor, pulse until well ground
? ? Pulse in vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and salt
? ? Remove mixture from food processor and press into a 8x8 inch Pyrex baking dish
? ? Refrigerate overnight (6-8 hours)
? ? Cut into squares and serve
? ? ? ?
GRILLED VEGETABLE SANDWICH
If you're going to be out all day don't succumb to fast food. ?You'll feel much better if you have a healthy, planet friendly quick meal that is easy to fit into your small backpack. ?Wrap carefully first in wax paper and then in plastic wrap and you should have no spills.
? ? 1 Japanese eggplant sliced on an angle in half-inch thick slices
? ? 1 small zucchini sliced on an angle in half-inch thick slices
? ? 1 red pepper cut in quarter's lengthwise
? ? 1 small red onion cut into 4 slices
? ? 2 portobello mushroom caps
? ? 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
? ? Salt and pepper
? ? 8 slices crusty peasant style bread cut 1/2-inch thick
? ? 4 pieces red leaf lettuce
? ? prepared pesto either basil or dried tomato (optional)
Using a pastry brush, brush olive oil on the vegetable slices and the portobello mushrooms. Season them with salt and pepper. Place vegetables on a hot grill(I use a stove top grill pan) and cook until they are tender. Once vegetables are done brush sliced bread with olive oil and grill on both sides. To assemble, slice portobellos into 1/4-inch slices, spread both sides of the grilled bread with pesto, if using and then top with 1 slice each of grilled vegetables and a quarter of the mushrooms, and finish off with lettuce and top with remaining piece of bread.
? ? ? ? 
CHICKPEA SALAD
For me, this is the ultimate quick, satisfying packable food. ?Just use a small plastic food storage container for this salad which requires no refrigeration.
? ? 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
? ? 1 small red onion finely chopped
? ? 1 small red bell pepper, finely chopped
? ? A few ribs celery and leafy tops, chopped
? ? 1 clove garlic, minced or grated then grinded into a paste with salt
? ? 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
? ? 2 tablespoons rosemary, finely chopped, a few sprigs
? ? 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
? ? 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
? ? Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Combine chick peas with onions, peppers, celery, garlic, red pepper flakes and rosemary in a medium bowl. Dress salad with vinegar and oil, salt and pepper.
? ? ? ?
FRENCH LENTIL SALAD
Can't get enough delicious, healthy bean salads! ?Here is another which will go perfectly with the grilled veggie sandwich above.
? ? 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
? ? 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
? ? 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
? ? 1 tablespoon olive oil
? ? 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
? ? 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
? ? 1/2 teaspoon salt
? ? 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
? ? 2 cups cooked French lentils (substitute brown lentils)
Optional: slice some cherry tomatoes for garnish
Combine the thyme, sherry vinegar, Dijon mustard, oil, parsley, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the lentils and gently toss all the ingredients together. Chill the lentil salad for at least 1 hour before serving.
? ? ? 
GAZPACHO PASTA SALAD
I can tell you from personal experience that phone bankers and organizers at the campaign field offices get a little tired of pizza. ?They're working long hours and really appreciate a homemade healthy and lighter snack or meal. ?They'll jump on you if you take this into a field office! ?Serves about 14 as a side 6-8 as entree. ?Use whole grain pasta to add more protein.
1 ? ?package (16 oz) bow-tie (farfalle) pasta 2 (or any shape you like)
2 ? ?large tomatoes, seeded, coarsely chopped (2 cups)
1 ? ?large cucumber, coarsely chopped (1 1/2 cups)
1 ? ?small red bell pepper, coarsely chopped (1/2 cup)
1 ? ?small yellow bell pepper, coarsely chopped (1/2 cup)
8 ? ?medium green onions, sliced (1/2 cup)
1 ? ?green Anaheim chile, seeded, chopped
1 ? ?can (2 1/4 oz) sliced ripe olives, drained (any kind)
1/2 ? cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
Tomato-Lime Vinaigrette
1/2 ?cup tomato juice or use Bloody Mary mix for more spice
1/4 ?cup olive or vegetable oil
1/4 ?cup lime juice
1/2 ?teaspoon salt
1/4 ?teaspoon pepper
2 ?cloves garlic, finely chopped
Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Rinse with cold water; drain.
In large bowl, mix pasta and all remaining salad ingredients.
In small bowl, mix all vinaigrette ingredients until well blended. Pour over salad; toss to mix.
? ? ?
CRUDITIES with HUMMUS
Want your local field office to love you? ?Take them a tray with some fresh sliced veggies and a container of prepared hummus. ?Some are working so hard on this election they barely have time to eat. ?They will be eternally grateful for some healthy fresh snacks.
? ? ? 
FRESH FRUIT
My favorite snack while working and great to take along while canvassing also.
"Get Out Of My Way" ?Paul McCartney
"Whatever Gets You Through The Night" ? John Lennon
What have you all been cooking? ?Please share your recipes and fave Beatle music here!
Help us GOTV here!
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