While most people associate the backyard ritual of grilling with foods like meat or fish, a growing number of people are leaving meat off of their grills in favor of plant-based alternatives. If you aren’t familiar with plant-based cooking, it might be challenging to know what to grill when you’re not grilling meat. Do you need help navigating a meatless grilling season? Here are a few unique ideas to keep the meat off your grill. Avocado halves on a girll / Source Avocados Avocados are a fantastic choice for grilling, transforming into a delectable treat when placed on the grill. The c ..read more

Exploring the great outdoors is the perfect way to learn about the incredible variety of wildlife that calls our planet home. For kids, the natural world is a treasure trove of adventure and possibility, with something new and fascinating to discover around every bend. Here are five outdoor activities parents can enjoy with their children as they explore and learn about the local wildlife. Child using cell phone to watch and photograph birds / Source 1. Birdwatching Birdwatching is a fun and exciting activity that children can enjoy with their parents. It’s a great way to spend time tog ..read more

Disclosure: Gratitude and thanks to Book Publishing Co. for graciously sending me a copy of Crafting Seitan for review. All opinions expressed are mine and not influenced in any way by the receipt of goods or services. I will always notify you when a product has been given to me for review, use, or to talk about. Crafting Seitan Let’s dig into Chef Skye’s cookbook, Crafting Seitan. There’s a lot to talk about. The Cookbook First things first, the aesthetics of the book. The book has a muted color palette using browns and greens with maroon and dark blue accents that work well. It se ..read more

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow. Let’s talk about it. I’ll be honest. It’s not my favorite holiday. That’s Halloween, and I’ll die on that hill. Don’t get me wrong; I am entirely in favor of celebrating loving people because the world certainly could use more of that. Everyone benefits from more kindness and compassion. But even with its good intentions, this holiday can have capitalistic undertones. [And since capitalism cannot work without its system built upon oppression, and veganism is about anti-oppression, we must reject capitalism whenever and wherever we can. I know, I’m rea ..read more

When cold temperatures come, it means one thing: Staying warm. It’s the perfect time for sweaters, extra-thick socks, cozy blankets, and mugs of hot tea. And, it’s also an ideal time to reach for the spices in your spice rack that bring the heat to dishes. Spices come from the root, bark, seed, or dried fruit of a plant or seed. They contain essential oil, and this is where spices get their flavors. Interestingly, many spices have the same oils only in varying amounts, and it’s the difference in proportions that creates different tastes. To release the essential oils, aka the fla ..read more

Traveling with dogs & cats can be fun and rewarding, but it does take a bit of extra planning to do it safely. Always be prepared isn’t merely a good motto; it’s good advice too.  Whether it’s a drive across town to the local pet store, or it’s a cross-country trek, there are some things to do before you leave that will help ensure both you and your friend arrive at the destination safe and sound. One thing to keep in mind, these tips are geared more towards long-distance travel with dogs and cats. Even so, some of them are incredibly helpful for daily trips, too. B ..read more

Winter months might not seem like the best time for backyard birding; however, savvy birders know that colder months can bring an abundance of feathered activity into your yard. Providing food is perhaps the easiest way to attract winter birds, and it can also help them survive the winter season. Well-fed birds can withstand the harsh rigors of winter by staying warmer than those unable to find reliable sources of food. When feeding birds, it’s important to remember to keep feeding stations clean, even in the coldest winter months. Dirty bird feeders, especially during warmer win ..read more

Let’s talk perfect, fluffy vegan mashed potatoes, the kind that will make you go back for seconds. This comfort food is a staple for rich gravies and savory vegetables, and it’s also America’s favorite Thanksgiving side dish. Traditional recipes call for butter or milk, so making a vegan version might be confusing if you’ve never done it before. Deceptively simple, delicious mashed potatoes have just a few ingredients, but it’s easy to get it wrong. Here’s how to get the perfect bowl of vegan mash to the table. Choosing the Right Potato The humble potato is the world’s ..read more

By now, everyone knows that a big part of a healthy diet includes lots of fruits and vegetables. It’s easy to pack these foods into crisp, refreshing salads in the summer, but when the weather starts turning chilly, most of us start craving warming and comforting foods. Enter warm salads. They’re salad plus comfort food. Making a warm salad couldn’t be easier either: It’s just mixing and matching warm or hot ingredients with fresh into one hearty meal. Let’s take a look at what goes into building a warm salad. Step 1: Build a Base Lettuces are one of the most common gr ..read more

Did you know that watching birds can boost your mental outlook, decrease stress, improve work performance, and can even help improve the attention span of some children? Not only that, having a backyard that has a reliable food and water source can help alleviate some of the hardships that birds face, namely things such as sustenance scarcity, habitat loss, and climate change. A common question among people new to feeding birds is whether or not you should offer food to birds during migration. To answer it, let’s take a look at some myths about feeding birds in the fall, then tal ..read more