Spicy Bruised Bugs is so named for its bright shades of "bruise" green, yellow, and black, and it’s teeny tiny size. When you use fresh/frozen veggies, each bite will burst with flavor; canned veggies just sort of smoosh. You can use tiny cookie cutters to shape the carrots, or just chop them into bug-sized bits. See below for more creative ideas. Like Spooky Slaw, this is also a great way to get kids who "don’t like vegetables" to load up their plates with them. But maybe go a little easy on the spices unless your kids are comfortable with spiciness.

Ingredients (organic whenever possible, fresh or frozen):

• 2 parts peas
• 2 parts black beans (canned is ok)
• 2 parts corn
• 1 part avocados, largely cubed
• 1 part carrots, cubed or shaped (see below for ideas)

Toss together above ingredients in a bowl. The following spices are approximate, so use them as a guide and do everything "to taste". I actually like a little less cumin and a little more nutritional yeast, but I adjust the spices every time for new combinations and it is always delicious:

• 2 parts cumin
• 1 part ginger
• 1 pinch cloves
• 2 parts nutritional yeast (or “cheesy sprinkles” as we call them)
• cold-pressed olive oil, just enough to coat veggies
• Braggs Liquid Aminos (or soy sauce or salt)

Drizzle oil and sprinkle spices into mixed veggies. Cumin, ginger, and especially cloves can be acquired tastes due to their intense flavor so try small amounts at first and slowly increase to reach desired taste. Serve in either an equally brightly colored or a black bowl.

For the carrots, we like to use tiny fondant cutters (generally found in the cake decorating supply isle at craft stores). First make thin slices with a mandolin type slicer (or a knife) and then use the cutter to punch out the shape. As you can see, we used stars. Sean decided to get creative and cut out some freeform shapes with a knife. He made a cleaver, dagger, ghost, pumpkin, and a rocket with the word "sugar" carved into it (those are black mustard seeds on top). If you have the time and inclination you can make any spooky shapes you want. Spiders would probably be pretty easy and go great with the "bug" theme.

Suitable for: Vegan, Vegetarian, & Raw Food diets (use sprouted black beans, nix the nutritional yeast, and use nama shoyu instead of Braggs for 100% raw)