Green foods hold a special place in a plant-based diet. Not only do they add a splash of color to your plate, but they also bring several health benefits that can transform your well-being. And we’re not just talking about leafy greens. Other green foods are just as nutrient-rich and can help keep you healthy, especially if you have heart disease. Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn recommends eating leafy greens six times a day—yes, six—if you have heart disease and want to keep a healthy heart! While six servings seems like a lot, you can vary your consumption of leafy greens by adding the other green f ..read more

The rise of plant-based diets has led to an explosion of vegan alternatives flooding the market. One category that has gained a lot of attention is fake vegan meat. These faux meats mimic the taste, texture, and sometimes even the look of traditional animal-based meats. Their popularity is evident not just on supermarket shelves but also on the menus of many fast-food restaurants. It’s now easier than ever to grab a vegan burger from a drive-thru or pick up a pack of plant-based sausages from the local grocery store. These products provide an alternative for those looking to reduce or elimina ..read more

Replacing traditional carbohydrate sources like pasta with vegetable alternatives such as veggie noodles is a popular option, especially among those looking to enhance their diet with more nutritious options. This is not just about reducing carbs but also about incorporating a wider variety of vegetables into daily meals, providing an innovative way to enjoy your favorites while reaping substantial health benefits. Veggie noodles, made from vegetables like zucchini, carrots, sweet potatoes, and beets, are an excellent way to increase your vegetable intake. This simple switch contributes to a ..read more

Are you missing some of your favorite recipes since going plant-based? I understand how much you cherish these traditional recipes, whether they’ve been in your family for years or were favorites from before you embraced a plant-based lifestyle.  That’s why, in this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of transforming almost any of your favorite recipes into wholesome, whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) versions.  By suggesting alternatives for oils, meat, milk, cheese, eggs, butter, salt, processed sugars, and even refined grains, I hope to empower you to reinvent these beloved dis ..read more

Roasting is a delicious and one of the easiest ways to enjoy vegetables. It can transform humble nuggets of nutrition into tantalizing dishes bursting with flavor. It’s incredible how the simple process of roasting can elevate the natural sweetness and flavors of produce, resulting in creations like “Golden-Crisp Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze,” “Spiced Butternut Squash Wedges,” and “Caramelized Beetroot Medallions.”  Cabbage has recently entered the spotlight as a favored roasting option. Once overlooked, when roasted, cabbage sheds its slightly pungent raw taste and takes on a de ..read more

The switch to a whole-food, plant-based diet has gained acclaim for its benefits to human health. But as we navigate through this lifestyle, one area still causes considerable debate: the inclusion of processed oils, including olive oil, in the diet. Is Processed Food Bad? While not all “processed” food is bad to eat on a whole food, plant-based diet, we are encouraged to eat only minimally processed foods, for example, frozen vegetables, canned tomatoes and beans, tofu, and plant milk. And, of course highly processed foods are just off the plate. For a deeper dive into processed and packaged ..read more

As a follower of a whole food, plant-based diet, you’re already aware of the fantastic health benefits that come from avoiding processed foods and animal products. But let’s face it; even the most dedicated among us can struggle with fitting in the recommended daily servings of vegetables.  Eating enough fruits and vegetables is crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends consuming at least 1.5-2 cups of fruit and 2-3 cups of vegetables daily for adults. However, studies show that only 1 in 10 adults meet these recommendati ..read more

Have you ever found yourself reaching for another chip, even though you’re not hungry anymore? Or have you finished a box of cookies and wondered where they all went? If so, you’re not alone. Designed to be addictive, processed foods can wreak havoc on our health. They’re everywhere we look—supermarkets, gas stations, even food labeled as healthy It’s convenient, often affordable, and, let’s be honest, sometimes downright delicious. But beneath the surface of these seemingly harmless snacks and meals lurks a dark side: a cocktail of ingredients designed to be addictive and detrimental to our ..read more

In recent years, the phrase “plant-based” has taken the wellness world and the food industry by storm. Instagram, TicTok, and Facebook feeds are filled with colorful bowls of vegetables, fruits, and grains, all tagged with the hashtag #PlantBased.  The rise of plant-based eating has not gone unnoticed by the food industry either, which has been quick to capitalize on this health-conscious trend. While some might see the proliferation of plant-based options on grocery shelves as a positive development, caution is warranted. Many of these new “plant-based” products are laden with high leve ..read more

When it comes to enhancing the flavors of your favorite dishes, condiments play an important role. However, many popular condiment brands on the market today contain unnecessary oils, added sugars, and salt, which can compromise your health goals.  While it’s always a plus to make your own condiments, and I have a recipe for mayonnaise and sour cream on the website, it’s not always convenient. I was inspired to write this post by a question I received from a follower who was frustrated about not being able to find oil-free condiments in the market. If you’d like to read her question and ..read more