Almonds have been the top nut in global new product development since 2006. There are over 14 versatile ingredient forms we’ve come to know and love, like almond milk, almond butter, and almond paste, etc.  Beyond the kernels we eat, almond hulls, shells and trees themselves can be used in mushroom cultivation, soil amendments for crops, animal feed and more. California’s almond farmers have always taken a zero-waste approach to everything they grow and, with goals set in 2018, are working to find optimal uses for these coproducts that bring both environmental and economic benefits. This ..read more

Did you know More than 2 billion pounds of pumpkins are grown every year for all our pumpkin needs?⁠  And, according to the US Department of Energy, 1.3 billion pounds are uneaten and sent to the landfill. ⁠  ⁠  Food waste in landfills can’t break down so it’s stuck in limbo releasing methane a greenhouse gas 30x more powerful than carbon. ⁠  That’s why I love to use up my whole pumpkin – and that includes the seeds. If you have a big backyard or gardening space, you can save the seeds for planting next year and have your own pumpkin patch!    My favorite wa ..read more

Celery is definitely not my favorite vegetable. I mean… is it anyones? But, no matter my personal feelings, I can’t deny how important it is when it comes to developing flavor. It’s a centerpiece of the holy trinity used to make the foundation of many meals through a soffrito, mirepoix, and more.  Most people just use the heart of the vegetable, the long stalks often sold bundled together at the supermarket, but the celery leaves hold SO MUCH FLAVOR! So if you feel like your grocery store is skimping on the leaves, head to your local farmers market. You should be able to find plenty of le ..read more

When you make homemade almond milk, do you compost the leftover almond pulp? This is officially your sign to stop and use this incredibly versatile food scrap. I’m sharing a few of my favorite almond pulp recipes because you can use almond pulp in savory dishes like crackers and vegan cheese spreads as well as sweet dishes like protein bites and cookies!   Making your own almond milk is an easy way to reduce waste and save money. I love making homemade almond milk because it’s delicious and SO easy. But, after you make itit, you’re left with almond pulp, and while you can compost the ..read more

This vegetarian chili is based off My dad’s famous chili recipe. Seriously, he makes the best chili! Now, I know everyone thinks their dad makes the best chili, but I’m just going to unequivocally say that my dad’s is definitely up there and you know why…. I don’t even like chili. I have nightmares of my grandma making me eat an entire bowl of canned chili, and I could not stand the stuff. This happened more than once and scarred all future chili interactions. I was never a rebellious child, but if it were chili night at church – I was probably going to be sick. Chili night at home, definite ..read more

It’s been about two years since I’ve done a ‘What I Eat in a Day’ blog post and I thought it was time to do another one plus a little YouTube video. If you didn’t know, I have a YouTube channel and I would love for you to hit that subscribe button. Most of my meals are quick, easy, and plant-based since eating a plant-based diet is one of the best ways to have a positive impact on the environment. Since I live a zero-waste lifestyle, I buy most of my food without packaging. If you’re curious to learn more, check out my blog post The Ultimate Guide to Zero Waste Grocery Shopping. This post was ..read more

The pumpkin, the whole pumpkin, and nothing BUT the pumpkin so help me God. A few weeks ago, right before Halloween, I issued a plea on Instagram. Please, enjoy pumpkins responsibly! I love pumpkins. I mean who doesn’t? ⁠ ⁠ I love carving pumpkins, decorating the house with pumpkins, and I played Cinderella so it was reliable transport for at least one enchanted evening. ⁠ Major flashback to press photos from the show! And, of course, I love eating pumpkins! Every year during the fall my mom would make THE BEST pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie. I have such fond memories of sneaking into the kit ..read more

If you’ve been following me on Instagram for any period of time then you know the ONE item I so desperately wish I could find in the bulk bins…. The marshmallow. This post was sponsored by Further Food all thoughts and opinions are my own for more information please see my disclosure policy. Any other marshmallow fans in the house? I am a HUGE fan of s’mores. I mean – is there really anything better than a freshly toasted, ooey-gooey marshmallow paired with creamy melted chocolate and a crisp graham cracker? I don’t think so. For years, people have been telling me, “Marshmallows are so EASY t ..read more

Thanksgiving is amazing, but when you’re a vegetarian what do you put at the center of the table? I love sides as much as anyone, but it is nice to have a showstopper – a main – a kick-ass focal point that would put any turkey to shame!! I love to have something that really ties the plate together, and I think both of these options would be a beautiful edition to your menu. If you haven’t checked out my zero waste Thanksgiving guide make sure to grab a copy, it has an entire guide including a grocery list, menu, recipes, and even a cooking schedule! roasted cauliflower: I love this roasted ca ..read more

Remember that apple sauce recipe from Monday? Well I hope you saved your peels and cores because now it’s time to make some homemade apple cider vinegar! Yes, you can actually make vinegar. I know it sounds wild, but it’s honestly a piece of (apple) cake! homemade apple cider vinegar: I’ve been making my own apple cider vinegar for over five years now. It’s SO easy, and SO cheap. There are a few different ways that you can do it. You can use a whole apple that’s been chopped and chunked or you can use the peels and cores! I personally prefer to use peels and cores because it’s a great way to u ..read more