To be perfectly honest, I was expecting the transition to a plant-based diet to be harder than it was. Probably the biggest thing I had to get over in terms of cooking was my preconceived notion of what a meal should look like. I grew up eating a lot of three part meals: some carb … Continue reading Vegan Pasta with Sweet Potato Tahini Sauce Recipe
In January of this year I decided to go vegetarian for a month. I simply wanted to try it out and see how I felt afterwards. I figured if I liked it I would keep going and if I didn't I would stop. These events were sparked by a documentary I saw about the health … Continue reading Health Benefits (Part 3 of Why I Went Vegan)
How many people can say that they loved spinach as a child? Anyone? Anyone? That's what I figured, but you know who did? My sister and I and we have our grandma to thank for that. She lived with us when we were growing up and she would do a lot of the cooking, which … Continue reading Easy Spinach and Kale Soup
I had a different subject in mind for the next part of my 'Why I Went Vegan' series, but since it's Earth Day it only seems appropriate to broach the subject of how veganism benefits the environment. This is largely a matter not of what vegans do, but what they don't do. They don't contribute … Continue reading Environmental Reasons to go Vegan (Part 2 of Why I Went Vegan)
Many years ago my mother was given a recipe from a merchant at our local Farmer's Market. It was for strawberry rhubarb granola bars. Initially I just wanted to veganize that recipe, but I ended up taking it in a bit of a different direction all together. Regardless, it remains the initial inspiration to what … Continue reading Blackberry Peach Crumble Recipe
If you're not familiar with the world of homesteading you may be picturing a 'Little House on the Prairie' scenario. Let me clarify what I'm talking about. Homesteading is a lifestyle focused on self-sufficiency. For some people, that means having a few backyard chickens, a vegetable garden, and making homemade bread twice a week. Other … Continue reading Homesteading: A Call to a Simpler Life
If you're already vegan this may be seen as preaching to the choir, but may help motivate or solidify your current beliefs. If you're not vegan, I would strongly encourage you to read further. This isn't an effort to convert you or shame you, but promote understanding. If you can't imagine why anyone would ever … Continue reading Why I Became Vegan: Part 1/?
My husband Ricky has a crazy sweet tooth. I'm talking cookies, ice cream, candy, you name it! I've been able to sway him towards fruit and away from the peanut butter sugar sandwiches he used to make (yes, seriously). Back when I first started packing his lunches for him I'd always include an apple with … Continue reading Simple Fruit Dip Recipe
For someone new to the world of homesteading, there's the looming question of where on earth do you start? Now, to clarify, I don't have unlimited funds and I'm willing to bet you don't either. Starting from scratch means there's a lot to do and a lot to pay for. Part of the allure of … Continue reading Where I’m Starting: Planting Fruit Trees
It's hard to absorb the amount of food that goes to waste in the world every year. One third of the food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted. One third! The most commonly wasted food? Fruit and vegetables. That part probably doesn't surprise you. I know I've found my fair share of fuzzy … Continue reading A Peek into Food Preservation
The Vegan Homesteader 