Your Guilty Pleasure Appetizers Gone Plant-Based
I’ve been around the plant-based block a few times and I have to say, there are definitely times when I just want to bite into a huge plate of nachos covered in cheese or munch on some classic wings. And you guys know I totally indulge when I feel I can’t recreate it :) But TODAY I really want to share how I am able to take some amazing apps I love and recreate them in a lighter, healthier, plant-based way.
Comforting & Healthy Vegan Pad Thai
One of my most favorite & easy meals to make in the winter is a comforting Tofu Pad Thai! This recipe will take you only 30 minutes and is seriously (I can’t say it enough) so easy. Make it for the family or entertain your friends with this - and be sure to tell me if you make it! If you don’t LIKE tofu, no fear. You can replace with fried egg, chicken, or whatever protein you’d like.
Easy Food Swaps For a Healthier Life
The past, gosh - 9 years - I’ve been finding ways to better our diet at home. It started with me, moved over to my husband, and now includes the kids! From shifting to a predominantly plant-based diet, to finding healthy takes on classic recipes, I love experimenting in the kitchen! One simple way I have made our food at home more kid and health friendly is by swapping a few key ingredients with healthier alternatives.
Vegan Pumpkin Granola
Healthy Thanksgiving Sides Everyone Will Love
You know I am all about flavor, so one thing you can bet on, is no lack of it from these recipes. I really just wanted to share some of my favorite, lighter side dishes, that you can include in your Thanksgiving this year!
Healthy & Delicious Brownies with just a few ingredients!
As we head into cooler weather and the shift from summer to fall and winter, I find myself craving baked goods. Love a good baked good with my coffee in the afternoon, right?! I can’t really turn on the oven to bake in the summer because of the heat - but as soon as fall comes my way I’m back in the groove. Also, how great is a brownie after a long day of school (or virtual school)? It’s perfect.
Vegan Goat Cheese Recipe and Tips for Making the Tastiest Salads
All summer I have been craving salads. All kinds. But let me tell you that the key to making a salad that everyone likes is flavor and texture. Let’s first talk about this cheesy goodness. I made this cheese using the below recipe, and I included ingredients you can find right at the grocery store. I am a big believer in keeping wellness and wellbeing approachable and attainable. You CAN eat healthy and make creative recipes without a specialty store or having to spend a lot of money.
EASY Enchilada Rice for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner
Filling, flavorful, and can easily be plant-based, gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, or whatever you need to make something for everyone. Plus, you’ll 100% have leftovers and truthfully, I think the leftovers are even better than the first night. Enchilada rice is different from enchiladas, just to be clear! But you could totally even add this to rolled up tortillas and top with enchilada sauce for another take. This is something I like for lunch, dinner, or even breakfast - and you can always top it with additional things like cheese, tofu, chicken or eggs if you want!
The Perfect healthy Treat!
I recently found these Whole Fruit bars at the grocery store and thought they would make the perfect foundation for a creative snack. It’s made with chunks of real fruit, there are organic options, dairy free, gluten free, and peanut free - so pretty amazing for you or the kids! While the taste is great on it’s own, I really love including chocolate if I’m going to go for a treat - and definitely love to play with texture by way of an added crunch.
End of Summer Anti-Inflammation Smoothie
In the summer, I think I make a smoothie every single day. It’s the perfect way to pack in fruits and veggies for myself (and for the kids when they steal my smoothies!). It’s also super refreshing and cooling when its 90+ degrees. It’s ALSO the easiest way to get a meal in when I am holding multiple children :)
Along with making my typical green smoothie, I like to switch it up with something sweet and spicy and anti inflammatory during the warm-warm days!
Good and Bad Oils to Use for Cooking
What you might not know is that there are a lot of oils out there which can cause you the opposite effect you are looking for. Marketed as “healthy” they are not always hitting the mark. Sometimes they are easy to spot - ie an oil you are purchasing off the shelf, but some are already added to the batter of your favorite processed foods. Yep, even those “healthy” ones! Always look on the back label of the products you buy at the store - oftentimes you will see an oil or two added into the ingredients that you might not do if you had made the food yourself.
Plant-Based Summer Recipe Round-Up
Does summer change your eating habits? It does for me. All I want is fresh produce, chilled sweet treats, and everything cold and light. As you’re probably aware by now, I am predominantly plant-based, but not 100%. I do eat some cheese, chicken and seafood but I really do LOVE making things purely with plants (and for the record, I’m not super keen on fake meats). Now, for the sake of giving you some awesome content and recipes, I’m keeping the below plant-based and hope you find something new to love this summer!
Homemade Better-For-You Coffee Flavorings
I typically drink black coffee, but every so often I do like to have a more fun drink. AND I REALLY LIKE TO MAKE IT MYSELF.
Prior to being an at-home barista, I would frequent Starbucks for my Friday treat. I’ve gone through phases of using their sugar-free syrups, one pump of the regular syrups, no syrup, soy milk, coconut milk and others to try and find the “healthiest” option. But, let’s be real – nothing I did was going to make those drinks healthy or any better than something freshly made at home.
Plant-Based Eating for Kids: Fat Intake
I have embraced a (mostly) plant-based diet for over 8 years now. Not completely - but you’ll see I’m honest about that! While John and I can find plenty of options that allow us to maintain a healthy balance of the nutrients we need as adult humans, it can be a challenge sometimes with the little ones. One of the big differences between a plant-based diet for adults and a plant-based diet for kids is a need for fat.
Plant-Based Crockpot Recipes - Light & Fresh for Summer
For the most part, crockpots and slow cookers are an essential cooking appliance for fall and winter. You might associate crockpots with soups and hearty dinners, but I am here to show you how you can break that thought and use your slow cooker all year round (and plant-based might I add!).
Make Bread in your crock pot
If you’ve read the title of this blog and thought WHAT, that sounds wild, then you are in the same boat as I was when I first heard about it! When I see or hear about an idea that just blows my mind, I have to try it! Throughout my life, and especially since becoming a mom, my slow cooker has become an essential kitchen appliance. That, and an air fryer - but that’s for another post.b