Get Some Pumpkin in Your Life!
‘Tis the Season. THE SEASON FOR PUMPKIN! *cue demonic laughter* While I am not, and never have been, a PSL devotee (tho I hear they’re making vegan ones now), I am a huge fan of pumpkin. In part because from stem to seed – and everything in between – it’s so dang good for you! Pumpkin can help you: Lose Weight & Lower Blood Sugar: the high fiber content in low-calorie pumpkin helps your body absorb sugar slower and keeps you feeling full longer – which means less snacking! Most Americans average just 15g of fiber a day, which is barely half of the recommended levels of 25-30g a day.…
I Quit Washing My Face (and My Skin Looks Better Than Ever)
Oily skin isn't tough-as-leather skin. It's can actually be quite sensitive, even if it is thicker than other skin types. And it often overproduces oil because it's out of balance due to LACK of moisture - NOT because it needs to be 'dried out'.
Let’s Talk: Protective Styling
A ‘protective style’ is any hairstyle that covers and protects the ends of your hair (the most delicate part) or minimizes exposure to damage. Any hair type can benefit from protective styling. I’ve always preferred wearing my natural hair out, favoring simple styles like wash and goes or a puff but every once in a while my arms and my ends need a break. That’s when I turn to protective styling. Reasons for choosing a protective style vary from person to person but here are a few: Breakage and Mechanical Damage Breakage we’re all familiar with. It could be the result of a dietary deficiency, lack of protein…
Review: My Experience with Purple Carrot
I recently had the opportunity to review the Purple Carrot plant-based meal delivery service! For many vegans. new and old, coming up with new recipes and interesting meal ideas can feel like hard work. After a long day, I just don’t always have the energy to do much more than roast whatever is in the fridge and put it on quinoa. Here’s where Purple Carrot comes in. All of the recipes (I tried 3) came out fantastic. I was worried that things might be bland but everything was well seasoned and each was something I’d never attempted (and probably never would have attempted) making before. This video covers the Korean…
Pineapple/Kale Raw Smoothie
If you’d told me, say, 5 years ago that not only would I be drinking raw green smoothies but that this variation would literally be my FAVORITE smoothie of all time I would have laughed directly into my late night slice of pizza. But, that is exactly what happened. In the past, green smoothies always made me feel like I was choking down grass clippings. And I’m not going to lie. This smoothie does look like a glass full of thick, vibrant grass remnants but the actual taste is amazing. The sweetness of the pineapple, normally a bit overpowering, is tempered by the herbaceous kale while a hint of mango…
Watermelon Cherry Blast
This is a riff off the Watermelon Lime Cooler recipe that ratchets up the healthy quotient (with help from a secret ingredient) on this refreshing summer treat. Everyone already knows that watermelon is good for you. But did you know that dark cherries aka ‘America’s Superfruit’ and celery (a bonafide nutritional powerhouse) are great for you, too? The Darker the Berry… Like most jewel-toned berries (blueberries, anyone?) dark cherries are brimming with antioxidants. One cup of cherries contains 90 calories and contains significant amounts of fiber, protein, and vitamin A and C, according to the United States Department of Agriculture . Cherries also have anti-inflammatory properties, making them beneficial for arthritis sufferings, melatonin,…
Watermelon Lime Cooler
This is a super easy, incredibly refreshing summertime treat (some have referred to it as a 'mocktail') that makes the most of seasonal ingredients.
Are You Using These Vegan Apps Yet?
Apps as in ‘applications’ not ‘appetizers’ (although I prefer them to most things overall). If you’re a new vegan (or even an old one), the constant influx of information can be pretty overwhelming. While I encourage you to get used to reading (and understanding!) your food labels, these apps can go a long way towards helping you begin your vegan journey, stay vegan while traveling and speed up the grocery shopping process. There are, of course, tons of other apps out there, but these are the ones I reach for regularly. Full disclosure, I use an Android but I believe most if not all of these apps are available for…
Vegan on the Go: Eating Vegan in Kaua’i
I’ve wanted to visit Kaua’i since high school, and that desire only intensified after as my career in travel marketing afforded me the chance to learn more about the island. Since becoming vegan, my vacations of shifted a bit more towards the eco-friendly variety and Kaua’i strengthened its position as a dream destination on my travel bucket list. Naturally, when a friend of mine announced that she had a place on the island for a week and anyone with a plane ticket was welcome to stay, I jumped at the opportunity. Because we were traveling across the island nearly everyday hurrying to this activity or that, I didn’t get a…
Tofu Caprese Salad with Arugula & Toasted Ciabatta
I've had some decent mozza stand-ins but between texture & taste, this simply and delicious tofu rendition wins hands down. Combine it with fragrant basil. toasted ciabatta, peppery arugula, a perfectly ripe tomato and a little balsamic for a delicious, summery meal.
