Healthy food does not have to be nasty.

It can be beautiful, simple and nutritious. Whenever I find something out in the world that I love to eat, be it an appetizer, a snack, an entree, a desert, or a sandwich, it is always a matter of time before I try to duplicate the dish at home so I can enjoy it at my leisure, and more importantly, at a fraction of the cost.

I have never believed that healthy food has to be complicated or unsavory. Quite the opposite, healthy food tends to have extremely rich and complex flavors with a depth that cannot be found in processed or mass produced foods.

For me, there is no competition. I do not feel that I sacrifice flavor for health, or deliciousness for less calories.

A while ago I posted about a vegan sandwich I tried from Whole Foods called the TTLA - short for tempeh, tomato, lettuce and avocado, and I am obsessed. I think I have bought about 5 of them since my first one.

Which brings me to this post...as much as I love the convenience of going somewhere and paying someone to make this for me, it can get pricey - so I decided to make it at home.

My version isn't exactly like theirs, but considering this is my first attempt, it came out beautiful and delicious. I am going to try to make it as close as possible to the original, but I must say, my first attempt was a total success.

Recipe:

• 2 toasted slices of Iggy's Sourdough bread
• 1 smallish romano tomato
• thin rings of white onion
• black beans heated up in a pan (i prefer cast iron pans) in a bit of vegetable oil sprinkled with garlic salt
• mixed spring greens
• 4 strips of smoked tempeh
• vegan chipotle mayonaise

Took me about 5 minutes to prepare, not including toast time...and even though I was full after eating the first half, it was so delicious that I ate the whole sandwich in one sitting.

Let me know if you decide to make this! <3