The Smoothie Vegetarians

With all of the greener lifestyles that are being adapted all around the world there are tons of questions about exactly what veganism is, and exactly how it pertains to animals. For the vast majority of people it is extremely important to realize that you simply cannot make a sudden change like shifting from eating burgers every day to living a successful vegan lifestyle overnight. However, it is also possible to make some substantial changes that are on the path to becoming vegan and showing animals the respect that you believe they deserve. Many people in the quest to treat animals better are appalled to learn that many countries use some rather unconventional animals as food; this for many people can be action that triggers their desire to change to a vegan lifestyle, however for others it is simply another reason in a long list of reasons. Many countries such as China make usage of animals such as dog for their meals and many times people are unhappy to learn this, how...

Trying to create a new eating habit and switch to Veganism is something that more people are attempting to do each year. From a lifestyle that used to be quite uncommon, it has grown into a much more popular option and is finding a massive amount of support in all walks of life. People who work two jobs, people who live in multi-million dollar houses and even the rebelling teenager down the block are all likely to be vegans at this point. With so many people turning to veganism it is no doubt that you have wondered exactly what it would mean for yourself as well. Most people think that veganism is exactly like vegetarianism. However, this is actually highly incorrect; they are two completely separate ideas that only share a few similarities. Typically speaking vegetarianism is a much easier lifestyle to adapt and is much less rigid. Vegan is much stricter and can be much harder for someone to change to on a quick basis. This can make it extremely complicated to actual...

(photos by Danielle) A lot of people feel like transitioning to a healthier lifestyle will make it more difficult to be in situations like eating out. Going on to eat does not have to be difficult and there are so many articles and youtube videos showing you how to eat healthier/vegan/vegetarian when going to chain restaurants, even when there are not a lot of options. For a while, when I was going out to eat I was eating plant based at home, but struggled to stay that way when I went out. However, this does not have to be the case. You can still go out with friends and family and join in while still staying true to your morals and personal health goals.  I will be naming some restaurants that I frequently go to and also tell you what I got along with some pictures. I will let you guys know how I navigate the menu when I go out to eat. First of all, I am unable to eat dairy to begin with and get very sick if I happen to have it. To combat this issue, many restauran...

(photos by Danielle) Planning for meals during the week can be a challenge but since the internet has so many recipes, it becomes so easy. I find so many recipes on social media including websites like Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. I also love following food blogs and getting their monthly list of posts in my email inbox. I always save recipes that I enjoy. I also just recently got a recipe book to write down recipes that have worked out for me or ones that I want to try in the future.  A lot of my favorite recipes have zucchini in them. The first recipe was inspired by a time when I had a lot of zucchini in the house. I also had leftover sauce from spaghetti night earlier in the week, so I was trying to make something out of leftovers and create a delicious, but still healthy meal. I made some zucchini boats and they were great.  How do you make these??? Start by cutting the ends off of the zucchini. Then slice the zucchini down the middle like...

Going to the grocery store can be exciting for people who love eating and cooking. This can be fun and a great experience for people who like to try new things. I have been getting so many ideas from being online and finding blogs, Pinterest posts, and other resources to find new foods. I have been looking at a lot of new recipes and brands to buy from, especially over the past year or two. I have been cooking more and often and I have been interested in trying new things. I try to make my posts cater to a number of people. I've posted some things about meals that are whole food plant based. Other times I post some frozen foods for people who like meat alternatives and/or people who do not have a lot of time to cook. For myself, these meals are great for when I have 16 hour days.  I usually shop at a combination of stores to find the things that I like. I usually shop at Giant, Target, Kimberton Whole Foods, Whole Foods, Wegmans, Home Goods, and Trader Joes. All of these ...

In the new year, a lot of people put health as their priority and set new years resolutions to be healthier. For some people, they tend to fall out of their habits as time goes on, and then they rest their resolution the following new year. To stay with these habits, it can be helpful to find recipes that are delicious and healthy.  To maintain better health, try finding recipes that you already love and lookup healthier versions of them. It can be helpful to replace things with healthier ingredients or try to cut back on how often you have them.  One of the easiest ways to stay healthy and full through the day is having a smoothie bowl. If you are on the go, you can also take this in a mason jar wherever you need to. This is a quick way to eat healthy for those who do not have a lot of time on their hands.  (photos by Danielle) For the first health snack, I have a smoothie bowl. I have some almond milk blended with banana and mango. This is one of...

Hi everyone! Happy of Happiest New Year to you all! I have mentioned prior posts that I am a "Spoonie" If you aren't familiar with this term, please do a quick search for "The Spoon Theory". I wanted to give some tips to other Spoonies who are, or are considering being vegan. A lot of people think veganism is challenging. Especially those with chronic illness, they may think it's damn near impossible. I have many, many chronic illnesses, both physical and mental. I truly believe that if I'm able to make this lifestyle work, anyone can. It can be overwhelming at first, but you may find it easier to switch to vegetarian first, then choosing a date shortly after to go completely vegan. I prefer not recommending vegetarianism, as it's still contributing to animal cruelty, and I'm aware now of just how cruel all  aspects of animal agriculture are.. However, it's a decrease in animal consumption, and eventually switching to veganism...

With the holidays coming up, the semester that recently ended, and my job being on holiday break, I have had more time to make delicious and healthy recipes. I have been enjoying such a wide range of meals and have been also discovering some new foods and meals that I love. I have really enjoyed cooking and finding new foods or recipes to prepare. These could also be good for holiday parties as well.  The first recipe I have loved making recently is a sandwich and I usually have a side with this. I have been switching up what I have as my side. I usually have quinoa, couscous, fries, tater tots, roasted veggies, or riced veggies on the side when I eat this and I usually switch it up for variety.  (photos by Danielle) For this picture, I have a ciabatta roll by the brand Schar, which is gluten free. I do not personally eat a gluten free diet, but I have been seeing these in the stores and wanted to check them out. I enjoy these with Gardein chicken scallopi...

  A few weeks ago my partner and I were invited to dinner at the home of a couple he knows. I didn't know these people at all so I was really stressing about the whole vegan thing and what I should do. Eventually it was decided that I would bring my own dinner, which if fine with me. I went to a local vegan restaurant and picked myself up a really great meal to take over there. I also found a recipe for what looked like fantastic vegan fudge and decided to make it. I figured that way there would be something sweet for me to eat after dinner and I could share it with everybody and sell them on the goodness of vegan food! Recipe fail! The fudge tasted amazing, but it didn't set. At all. It was more goop than fudge, although I did enjoy eating spoonfuls of it all that afternoon! I told myself it didn't matter – I didn't need dessert anyway, I should eat less sugar, blah, blah, blah. I was disappointed though. I really, really wanted to impress some omnivo...

A lot of people think that when you make these lifestyle changes you have to stop eating these things when in reality, there are alternatives that taste exactly the same. You do not have to give ANYTHING up or cut anything out of your diet because there are copious amounts of alternatives and you won’t know the difference! This was a wonderful way to show people that this lifestyle is easy regardless of the myths. Even in smaller stores, there were so many options that are expanding! (photos by Danielle) For Thanksgiving Day appetizers, we bought the Pepperidge farm party bread. We also got Toasted crackers in two flavors: savory onion and sesame. To top the cheese and crackers, we got some Chao cheese, which is imported from Greece. This product tastes exactly like dairy cheese and is wonderful for people who are unable to eat dairy or want to be healthier. It is pricey but I usually but it on sale for special occasions. For other snacks, there ...

I have pets. I have a large dog; my daughter has a tiny dog, and we also have a cat. I constantly see the argument online debating whether or not it's ok to feed pets a meat based diet when one is vegan. This discussion almost always ends in heated arguments that go on for days. There are the vegans who make damned sure that their pets are vegan too and there are those who are more relaxed about the whole thing and recognize that making a cat vegan is most definitely on the extreme end of the spectrum. I have a vegan dog; this is entirely for health reasons and the dog has been vegan longer than I have. He suffers from itchy skin and constantly has ear infections. A vegan diet was suggested to me to help alleviate allergies. I tried it and he has shown significant improvement. A ton of research has taught me that a dog can be vegan and live a healthy, nutritionally balanced life. My cat, however, is most definitely not a vegan. This cat was deathly ill a year or s...

I must confess, I have a bit of an addiction. I love Dollar Tree. I think for some people Dollar stores may have a "trashy," or "cheap," reputation, or vibe. I don't think so at all. I find that things are the same, or better quality as "regular" stores. I can't recall being unsatisfied with any of my purchases there. And often, you can find the exact same name brands, that are sold in other stores. Also, the stores are smaller, so you can get in and out, quickly. So that's a plus, if you are short on time. Also, if you are in the  U.S.A. like me, and are lower-income, they take SNAP, or EBT. Which is another added bonus. I have been on a fixed income for quite some time, and over the last several years, especially, Dollar Tree has been one of my main stays. Now that I'm vegan, it has become even more prominent in my shopping trips. One of the only down falls is not all stores have freezer/fridge cases. And the selection can ...

              “Why?”   Ah, the persistent question.     It comes out  at my church:   “ Why be vegan when  God made animals so delicious ? ”   (   ´_ ゝ `)     And  also  my college:   “ Why are vegans so judgmental, Nicole?  Do you think I’m sinning?”   (◞ ‸ ლ )   And  all of  the PETA campaigns   “ Why  adhere to a religion that  endorses  animal slaughter? ”  ( ； ´Д ｀ )   And their “societies of knowledge”:     “ Why do that to yourself?  Aren’t Christians, like, super intolerant?”  ヽ ( 。 _ ゜ ) ノ   Tell me please – why do you care? Why – this question, it  follows me ev erywhere!    Ahem. I apologize. I couldn’t resist rant-rhyming. And please, never stop asking questions.    Anyways,  the purpose of this post is no...