Try this Healthy Twist - A Holiday Veggie Scampi
This year, I am really excited to present my family with this amazing alternative to a classic Italian dish! From my days working at a seafood restaurant as a teenager - shrimp scampi is one of my faaaaaavorite meals. But, you know - it’s super heavy. And it doesn’t have to feel that way! There are substitutions that can be made that don’t drastically affect the flavor.
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.
How to Get New Year Healthy without Spending a Lot of Money
Brace yourself for “wellness season”! AKA when everyone tells you the trendy ways you can get healthy and feel your best. And while there are definitely some cool brands and products out there, after 8 years in wellness, I can tell you there are four rather easy and simple ways you can approach this and feel a million times better before you drop a ton of cash on those trends!
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.
Hosting the Happiest and Healthiest of Happy Hours
As we continue practicing social distancing, the holiday season might look a little more unique in 2020. However, I wanted to share one of my favorite holiday gathering ideas, a healthy happy hour! You can take this idea and get creative with it given your circumstances - you save this in your pocket for next year, or do a healthy happy hour with your family, OR even try it out over Zoom! - I love this concept and wanted to share it.
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.
Practice Gratitude this Winter
Gratitude means so much to so many of us during the next two months. We have holidays to spend with family and reasons to reflect on what we are grateful for more than ever. So how do you practice your gratitude? I want to chat about the various ways you can center yourself and practice gratitude each and every day this holiday season - and hopefully it will carry into your daily routine into the new year!
Gift Guide For Your Favorite Busy Mama
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!
Easing Back Into Workouts after Having a Baby
Having now birthed three (and no it definitely doesn’t get easier) I wanted to share some of my favorite tips for returning to a “routine”, once cleared by doctors, of course. Getting back into fitness and wellness after having each of my kids, was one way I was able to start to feel good again. BTW, I don’t like saying “get back to normal” because I feel like your life is always your normal. It just changes as you change. I know not everyone has the capacity or support to get alone time for self-care, but I highly encourage every new mom to focus on themselves for even just 5 minutes a day! Here are some of my favorite tips for getting back into a safe and effective fitness routine, postpartum.
Why My Kids Don't Drink (dairy) Milk
One of the most frequently asked questions I get is, “what about the kids” and truthfully they are not AS into the plant-based eating as we are, and that’s okay. They can make their own decision! But one thing I did put a lock on was cow’s milk, simply because it seemed unnecessary to me and my pediatrician was always on board.
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.
How I choose my Supplements
If you’ve been following my journey, you know that a huge part of my life is nutrition and wellness. Having focused on a mostly plant-based diet for almost a decade, I constantly find myself re-evaluating and assessing how I am getting the key nutrients my body needs to thrive. As I’ve shared before, keeping up with my crew is a full time job, so I make it a priority to find easy and efficient ways to nourish my body. I am always re-evaluating the multivitamins and supplements I am taking, and have some tips for what I look for!
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!
How I make early mornings work for me
I think most kids under the age of, like, 10, get up early, right? I have a solid 9 more years of early mornings, but my morning routine has kept me sane. *if something is constantly viewed as terrible - it will be terrible* So I try to treat my mornings like a gift. An early gift that needs lots of coffee! :-P
What I mean by that is - how can I make these mornings more enjoyable and actually work for me?
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!
Summer and Early Fall Activities and Crafts for Kids
Has anyone else looked at the calendar lately and said “OH MY GOSH SUMMER IS ALMOST OVER?”, because I have done this a few times. I can’t believe how fast the year is going! Listen, I feel like I haven’t been too creative with the kids this summer. I’m kind of in survival mode - pool, pool, throw in a sprinkler. LOL.
I started looking for some new summer activities to do with the kids for August and part of September. Check out my list!