I Ate Like A VEGAN Personal Trainer For A Day (High-Protein Meals)

[@MerleONeal]

QUICK NOTE: for the banoffee bars: I'd recommend you store the "cake" and the caramel sauce seperately from the tofu whip and the banana, so they all last longer and don't get soggy! assemble them as needed! I love making these high-protein videos because they give me so many new dishes to try in my day to day life! Lmk which one you're the most excited to try and also curious whats your favorite way to get exercise?

[@one-eyepadidally8449]

FYI Trader Joe’s sells a cheap “wash” that removes pesticides on fruits/veg (so you could have zested that lemon if you used the wash on it). It’s a great product!

[@one-eyepadidally8449]

P.S. Merle girl, you gotta look up how to properly dice an onion. You can get it done so much faster and easier than the way you do it. Chef vids will show you how to do it right (hint: keep those onion ends ON!). ;)

[@one-eyepadidally8449]

Last comment (hopefully lol): I associate curry with heat/spicey (which I can’t hang with at all). Is this red lentil chickpea curry recipe spicey? Because it looks good, but I don’t want to suffer while eating it. 😅 Edit: I just now saw your quesadilla recipe… You didn’t properly cook both sides of the quesadilla/tortillas. The tortilla has no coloring to it. Were you too scared to flip it to cook both sides after the plate disaster? Lol. I can’t imagine tortillas that aren’t properly toasted being that yummy. : /

[@littlepatrinka7941]

I was wondering how the tofu whip would keep over the next few days. Did it separate or get watery?

[@emmymulreaney]

Love the high protein videos! I'd love to see a low-budget, high-protein meal video since some recipes can get pretty pricey (cashews, coconut, etc.)

[@MerleONeal]

duly noted!!

[@dfwolfe23]

Great video. I will be making at least two of these recipes. Tip: here in Mexico a quesadilla is only filled on one half of a tortilla. It is then folded in half and it makes it very easy to flip it.

[@MerleONeal]

Nowwwww you tell me

[@jaminwaite3867]

The double tortilla is just called a sincronizada but basically the same concept as our typical American “quesadillas”😅

[@arj-peace]

@@MerleONeal Same--I used to struggle with flipping and everything falling out but found if you only use one torgilla and fold in half, it's SO much easier to manage. My other trick is just to put the whole damn thing in the oven--no flipping required!

[@SplitGillStudio]

@@MerleONeal I do a trick where I only do one half, fold, then fold again into a quarter size packet which means NOTHING escapes. Overstuffed tortillas are the best as long as they're not squeezing out everywhere!

[@janvi.suresh]

Merle bestie can you please try her tofu burrata recipe? i've been meaning to make it but I need your Merle cheese queen stamp of approval first

[@MerleONeal]

Omg I didn't even know about this!!!!

[@spicy-teriyaki-tofu]

the high-protein videos are my fav! I'm glad you said that you'd likely pair the bar with a protein shake to get more protein bc SAME

[@melgalindo2585]

I added dill to the curry dish and used lime because I didn't have lemon. Really added another level I'm obsessed with and highly recommend! Thanks for the dinner inspo Merle!

[@MerleONeal]

YAYYY I'm so glad you enjoyed!

[@TiffanyYoung-bv2gb]

Ooooh!!! The addition of dill is a good idea!

[@plum.preserves]

every upload im like "its my girl merle!! 😍" thank you for always making my days better and inspiring me to care for myself better with my food choices!! 💜

[@MerleONeal]

Aw thank you so much for your kindess, happy to help in any way

[@tammiepowell2818]

Thanks Merle for all the vegan high protein meal ideas and putting this “semi old” life long vegetarian some new people to follow. I’ll drop here since I forgot to do on the lazy meals my lazy meal that has served me for over 30 years. Tofu, edamame, onion, garlic and what ever spices you want. Simply sauté or stir fry and eat. Personally like the onions slightly caramelized and tofu crisp but it is completely legit any way.

[@alejandradiez7338]

Hands up who loves when Marle sings😊🙌🙌

[@chelseashurmantine8153]

🙌

[@CarolCampos-x9p]

This video made me laugh out loud so many times. And I love that I don’t have to try other peoples recipes and wonder if they would come out. Definitely would give the curry a try, thanks!

[@tofuuuluvr]

I'd love to see a video of high-protein vegan recipes/ WIEIAD staying at or around $50 since that is my weekly grocery budget, and I am struggling to stay up on the protein. Thanks so much for another great video, Merle!!

[@MerleONeal]

A budget video is a great idea!

[@justin_g_smith]

Your commitment to adding the cilantro solely for the vibe always impresses me

[@CorineT]

Drop your workout week routine Merle! ❤ Been trying to stick to a workout 3x a week but I’m so unmotivated ugh

[@ViCT0RiA6]

i second this! 👀 for some reason merle motivates me to be active too

[@harshita2014]

i don’t know if it helps, but i just force myself to work out 6 days/week so i never really have consecutive off days after a few weeks i got used to this, and feel weird if i don’t work out!

One of the things that actually worked for me, was especially In the begining, to just go two to three times a week, even if I did just two or three exercises... it helped me, to establish a routine, so that when I started increasing the level of difficulty and frequency, I already had a routine down...

[@CorineT]

I was on a roll with 2-3 times a week for a few months and then fell off 🥲 It’s always the initiating part that’s so hard

@@CorineT a 100%

[@oddy_gg]

i've become a convience fiend. always canned and shelf stable plant proteins in the cupboard. when i soak and cook dried legumes, i usually meal prep / freeze most of it

[@KimberlyM-ww7wb]

Merle in her baking era is the happy hit I didn’t know I needed 🎉yay!!!

[@brett9595]

Another great video! As a plant-based workout girlie your channel is so comforting and fun to watch ❤

[@MerleONeal]

That makes me happyyyy🥹

[@monicatoro2286]

You know what would be great? A grocery list with the things you usually buy at the supermarket! I'm becoming vegan and still need some help with that! Also, I think in the last recipe if you had left both sides of the tortilla more brown it would have been much better because then the textures would have been great. Love your content!

[@MerleONeal]

this is SUCHH a good idea!!

[@littlepatrinka7941]

That curry dish looks amazing! Unrelated….thanks for the recommendation on the unsweetened soy protein powder from Whole Foods. Used it to add to chocolate over night oats. Winner!!

[@MerleONeal]

You are so welcome!

[@ginanotafan1039]

This intro is my sign to go outside and get some movement & sunshine & fresh air after this vid (its a mental health thing for me!!) Thanks, Merle!!💜✨💯

[@MerleONeal]

Soak up that sun!!!

[@ruthhorndasch6700]

Another winner video! I think you would like the quesadilla better if you cooked it longer and got a nice brown toasty outside ;) Also, the baked oat thing def blend all the toppings together, I am lazy too lol Red lentils are the bomb and instead of making the cashew cream use plant-based yogurt or coconut milk for a lazy option lol

[@kaliwillage8811]

Your song is 🔥! Also that cake looks really good!

[@lyndseybilocerkowec2044]

Merle, I felt so validated when I saw I'm not the only one that sings songs to their food while praying that it comes out of the pan cleanly, and I was crying laughing at the plate smash into the pan. 🤣

[@MerleONeal]

😅 this whole experience has been such an emotional rollercoaster

[@Livv_it_is]

I loooove all of these meals - so yum! I am a coach myself and do all sorts of exercise so I am always happy to get new high-protein meal ideas. Thanks for the amazing video as always. Also: what is it about the pronunciation ahahaha?! Do you get negative comments because of that??

[@MerleONeal]

ohhh yes, spent too long on the internet

[@HannaPramholt]

Yeeees give me some inspiration girl, I'm in the middle of doing my weekly shop online and I feel like I don't know what I should eat any more 😆

[@zachcain2639]

Any video from Merle is an insta-click 🤩

[@muddy_spaghetti]

I'm in the parsley instead of cilantro camp, too. All looks so good.

[@lunaisawitch]

i love ur videos sm and ur energy is just so nice ❤

[@thealiceftw]

i would love seeing your snacks too! need more snack ideas!

[@sparkleemojidotjpeg]

omg another banger! these all look so good. i love your channel :)

[@MerleONeal]

Thank you so much!!

[@andreab9954]

You show and test so many recipes. A compilation of your favorite high protein meals and things you have tried would be cool

[@MerleONeal]

Great idea!!

[@gaurivasudevan2291]

May I ask a favor! To make things easier you coudl do a coconut yogurt frosting:) Do you mind sharing nutrition info for the recipes?

[@mwitkowski10]

Merle I love your videos and the quesadilla portion CRACKED ME UP 😂🫶🏽

[@Pyrion93]

I want more high protein blender pasta sauces please 😂 That is the perfect amount of effort for trying new recipes for me. Love your videos as always 🥰💪

[@personaltrainer1]

New subscriber here. Love your content!

[@MerleONeal]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@msjkramey]

For quesadillas, I recommend only using one tortilla folded in half so that you can flip it easily over the flat, folded edge. If you want a larger portion, just make two of the folded ones!

[@sharonetheridge]

I was watching you from my vibration plate and I lost my balance when I jumped from the plate breaking! I wasn’t expecting that! I thought everything was going to explode on one side or something! 😂😂😂 Great video! 😂😂😂 Oh! The food looked amazing too! ❤️

[@MerleONeal]

OMG lmao are you okay!?!?!

[@sharonetheridge]

@@MerleONeal I have broken a plate or two in the kitchen but not in a skillet! 😂 That was impressive! My vibration plate is about ten inches from my big screen tv, I need the wall just in case I lose my balance! So everything is in my face! 😂 That was pretty cool and unexpected! Love your videos! They help the time go by quickly on my plate and rebounder!

[@msjkramey]

You can always gently scrub your lemons before you zest them (just don't use the scrubber that you use for dirty dishes so you don't cross-contaminate)

[@papahewitt]

Underrated blending transition

[@amimia3104]

You were too rough with the plate!! I literally wasn't expecting that! 🤣 Plus I think the plate size difference vs the pan size threw you off!

[@blaireblack8903]

You need to use potato or rice or roasted/steamed veggies. That will totally bring out the flavor in the curey, I think I am going to try this Saturday.

[@one-eyepadidally8449]

19:55 Nobody would get “disparaged“ from this. They might get discouraged though. 😂

[@embersparks13]

I think her thought process was she didn't want to disparage the recipe which would potentially discourage the audience from trying it but her brain just shoved the two things together. It happens to the best of us and she was still mourning her poor plate.

[@gustavogomez3286]

The plate breaking 🤣

[@MerleONeal]

😅

[@msjkramey]

This Dijon mustard actually makes a lot of sense. Mustard intensifies cheesy flavors even in non-vegan recipes. If you've ever had a beer cheese dip, there was probably mustard in there, too, even if you never noticed it

[@chelseashurmantine8153]

Thank you for talking about the lemon zest. Maybe your next sit-and-talk episodes could be about pesticides on our food

[@MerleONeal]

I do really want to do something on that, after I watched Kiss the Ground I was totally flabbergasted

[@chelseashurmantine8153]

@@MerleONeal Girl. I used to work in pest control. I had a guy who started working with me who was from Canada. He was SHOCKED by the lack of care when applying pesticides. Lack of PPE, not having families and pets leave the home, and treating in any weather, rain, snow, shine. Mosquito treatments killed my soul when I did the first treatment and came back for a second and there were no more leaf hoppers, flies, ANYTHING buzzing or flying around their yards. And that's all just domestic and cosmopolitan pests, and weed control..... I haven't taken the time to look into agricultural pest control besides getting a random cert for a raise $$ for in livestock treatments.... They literally send the animals like pigs and cows, whole ass mammals, through these little shower riggs (4 jets, like a square shower that they walk through) that's literally coating the animal in pesticides. Otherwise, reading Silent Spring and letting a lot of it go in one ear and out the other so I can stay sane lol. Thank god I don't do that anymore. But the damage is done, whatever it is. I breathed in and got so much on my skin, in my eyes, and in my mouth doing that job.

[@dfue0797]

you are so funny!! I appreciate you!!

[@MerleONeal]

I appreciate you!!!!

[@rosesnlilies]

A quesadilla hack I recently learned: don't stack 2 tortillas on top of each other, take one tortilla and fold it in half. Then add all the fillings inside. Do that twice so you get the equivalent of 2 tortillas, but now you have a wall going down the middle to hold the goodies inside :)

[@bellegage3312]

The plate breaking was hilarious I did not expect that

[@MerleONeal]

NEITHER DID I

[@NourishNavigato]

🌱 What an inspiring journey into high-protein vegan meals! Your enthusiasm for plant-based cooking is contagious!

[@natalierios2110]

I don’t really like chickpea salad either so I usually mash chickpeas with buffalo sauce instead. I wonder if you’d like the quesadilla more with buffalo or bbq sauce better I feel like those flavors would go better with the cashew cheese

[@MerleONeal]

okay YESSSSSSS Actually I was thinking about that!!

[@JubeiKibagamiFez]

On the subject of cilantro for the curry.... You can substitute culantro, if you have a local spanish market, or maybe an asian market.

[@jolenepham]

sophies soups are AMAZING

[@amywilliams3168]

I also say caramel the correct way like you 🤭🤗 love your videos!

[@LightsHikesAndWanderlove]

I love chickpeas (when they aren't roasted) thank you for these recipes!!

[@MerleONeal]

then that should be right up your alley!

[@jordynshevonne5745]

I know you said it's unflavored protein powder in the first recipe, but do you find it imparts any flavour? I'm not a fan of how protein powder tastes and would love to find one that I won't even notice adding to my food 😊

[@MerleONeal]

I didn't notice it in that tofu whip - the maple syrup & lemon did a nice job covering it

[@bethanyhartzell5336]

Damn. I needed this pick me up today.

[@MerleONeal]

glad you're here

[@llovingllife]

When you showed the plate busting in the pan during the intro lol 😂😂😂😂😂

[@MerleONeal]

you needed to know there were gonna be stakes! lmao

[@Katsnailsnailvideos]

*I don't like the taste of natural yeast. Is there anything else I could use instead?*

[@katarinakrizova2969]

Fantastic recipes. Thank you💪

[@MerleONeal]

Glad you like em!

[@sunrel893]

Flipping quesadillas seems so daunting lol, would a panini press save the heartache?

[@MerleONeal]

THE HEARTACHE! it was heartache, and yes it definitely would

[@Local_library_rat]

You should check out Mrs Slim on Plants!! She puts TVP in her oatmeal and it’s been game changer for me!! 10/10

[@aprilblossoms4]

Yes I really enjoy her videos!

[@Local_library_rat]

@@aprilblossoms4 finding her videos has truly saved me for meal prep ideas and eating high protein!

[@FoxtrotNovember2817]

YES!!! Sophie is the fricken best! I’m an omnivore but I make 2-4 vegan recipes a month and hers are the best

[@FoxtrotNovember2817]

Honestly I think I found her through you, so thanks!

[@MerleONeal]

You are so welcome!

[@dorrolorro]

Could you do protein breakdowns on all of the featured recipes in future vids? 😊

[@MerleONeal]

they're all in the description! I meant to have them in the vid but they're there if you need em

[@scienceislove2014]

Love me some high protein vegan meals 💚🌱.. Also, you're so underrated....

[@JubeiKibagamiFez]

On flipping the quesadilla at 17 36.... That's the weird way to assemble a quesadilla. It's more manageable if you do half the tortilla and fold over.

[@ennmoon]

Thank you for these videos about protein! ❤ Been doing CrossFit for a while now and I’m always looking for new ways to up my protein intake. And on that note, does anyone know a brand of vegan protein powder that doesn’t taste dusty and awful? That’s my problem since going vegan, whey protein used to taste much better (and even then there were some brands that tasted terrible). Thank you!

[@brittanyneeley1996]

The song is fantastic! 😂

[@dinavegan]

Wow Merle, your vocals❤please more singing 😂😂❤😊

[@mm0901]

When you started singing 🤣🤣🤣🤘🏻

[@magorzatagaazka2971]

Love it❤

[@sydneyfury]

RIP Pink Plate. You served and slayed until the end queen. 👑 ❤

[@steamyvegan]

Great recipes, can't wait to try them out! Perfect timing as I start p90x again.

[@MerleONeal]

LETS GOO

[@StrangeBats13]

Loving the Lydia Deetz hair

[@j96700]

For the algorithm!💖💖💖

[@TheMughes]

"Chopped coriander" is British for cilantro, not dried coriander. That may be why the flavours of the quesadilla didn't meld for you :)

[@MerleONeal]

I hate cilantro though!

[@rabbitheartedgirl123]

Just made the curry. It's delicious!

[@MerleONeal]

Glad you liked it!!

[@veronicasmemories]

Your plate was so cute too 🩷

[@AngiDas]

Videos idea …Since it’s about to be fall, maybe some cozy Ina Garden or Martha Stewart fall recipes but make it vegan.

[@ahhhlindsanityyy]

RIP to the nice pink plate 💔 I recently broke one of my favourite bunnykins pattern bowls. Did you know you're not supposed to microwave fine bone china? I didn't lol

[@MerleONeal]

☠ RIP

[@Dreamysunshine23]

I'd like to see your what I eat in a day just as you do any day... since it seems like you try to do quick and easy stuff for yourself... I'm the same way lol... I'm trying to do the minimal work 😊

[@umafa1645]

Loved these recipe ideas, inspiring! Please eat like Ariana Grande for a week haha (or a day)

[@garlandstyle5797]

The Red Lentil Curry Chickpea looks AWESOME. 👍

[@MerleONeal]

It's SO GOOD!

[@ninanegri4794]

For thé quesadillas i would have mashed the rest of the cheakpea curry AD the cashew yeast sauce et voilà !!!! I think you'll have much more Flavour and a better taste

[@sarahhendrickson9795]

A new recent hack, I am sure you already know, but with baking you can use wheat gluten for added protein 🎉

[@MerleONeal]

TY!!! this is a hot tip

[@kellydenmeade2504]

Thanks for this ~ love your channel and your so beautiful- I didn't see who you were following do you have the name of the trainer?

[@cathleenwarner1778]

Good video, but yes, keep doing the celebrity recipes too and beginner/lazy videos, really need help getting started, thanks

[@MerleONeal]

Will do!

[@VerifiedVegan]

Desiccated coconut sounds terminal ☠️

[@MerleONeal]

Right?!?! But I'm also so here for the drama

[@carlacookingvegan]

I’ll have to check her out 😊

[@MerleONeal]

YES!

[@one-eyepadidally8449]

I associate curry with heat/spicey (which I can’t hang with at all). Is this red lentil chickpea curry recipe spicey? Because it looks good, but I don’t want to suffer while eating it. 😅

[@aprilblossoms4]

Curry is not hot unless you add heat by adding chilli powder or chillis. Spice is not the same as heat. Cumin, coriander, turmeric are not spicy. Garam masala will add a little heat but you can add a couple of pinches. Also if you notice, most of these dishes are had with a side of yoghurt(or vegan yoghurt) to keep things in balance.

[@samm7418]

Hey Merle, I loveee these videos so much! I'd really appreciate you including the total calories per serving / dish along with the protein, since while I'm definitely trying to gain muscle, I struggle with overeating. keep up the good work!

[@TheSaneHatter]

I know, all too well, the pain of having a beloved plate break on you at the worst possible time: over a decade ago, a treasured piece of my hand-me-down set of black stoneware plates from Trend Pacific broke on the floor of a previous apartment, and it's hard to replace because they've gone out of production! ☹

[@MerleONeal]

GAH that's so rough :(

[@TheSaneHatter]

@@MerleONeal I can still replace it, but I have to shop around online, and I have bigger priorities right now.

[@hettiebrigham8413]

It’s my girl Merle !

[@jointrainwell]

We are living over here for those high protein recipes 🤩 Thank you for sharing your journey with trainwell so far! We are so happy you are loving your workouts with Jill.

[@sbbsgee3319]

Can you do the Cher diet please.

[@deadorchid65]

I grilled mine in a George Forman. I made 2 folded in half no flipping way easier.

[@brandonku3217]

Aria taste tests too

[@Girlofpages]

The plate 🥲

[@ThePled9e]

Nice hair 🫶🏼🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@boxman888]

the chickpea lentil curry is tight, just made it.

[@VerhoevenSimon]

For me the chickpea curry was the clear winner.

[@pqrs_987]

16:03 'chopped coriander' and 'ground coriander' are not the same thing (even if they come from the same plant); 'chopped coriander' implies chopped cilantro leaves, while 'ground coriander' are ground-up/powdered 'seeds' (that are actually fruits but look like seeds) of the cilantro plant