Vegetables

Mealtimes for parents with a fussy toddler are often a never-ending battle. Here’s how to win the war…

As the days grow colder, I love a good bowl of soul-warming soup. This one will do the trick in a jiffy and is perfect to make when you feel a cold coming on. It does require some time to make, so make sure you start preparing and cooking it at least an hour or two before dinnertime. This recipe should make anywhere from 6-10 servings, so be prepared for leftovers (no worries, they'll taste just as yummy).

Ingredients:

1 large can of vegetable broth

5-7 large carrots (peeled and chopped)

3-4 cups of water

In nature, an empty space will eventually fill. So when design student Philippe Hohlfeld realized that there was empty space available in the empty shipping containers in a cargo ship, he helped nature along. He created Grow Frame, a hydroponic container to grow vegetables during the ships’ return trips.

Planting a vegetable garden that remains free of aphids and bothersome bugs may seem difficult, but not with an age-old trick: companion planting. By planting certain vegetables with their companion plants, herbs or flowers, some form of cultural benefit is created. Planting cucumbers underneath sunflowers, for example, helps both plants; the cucumbers take up the otherwise unused space underneath the sunflowers, while the sunflowers provide shade for the cucumbers.

Drinking juice is a pleasant way to keep your diet packed with nutrients. If you use organic ingredients, you can also avoid absorbing pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals that are unfortunately often found in many contemporary food products. A juicer processes the fruits and vegetables you need into an easily digestible and tasty form.

Stuffed Acorn Squash

*Serves 2

The Lazy Composter / Homemade Fertilizers From Waste

Couldn’t get compost right? Try these homemade fertilizers instead…

If you are in search of a balanced, nutritious dish, then look no further. Comprised of a protein, grain, and greens, Buddha bowls are your answer to a well-rounded meal. Why the name? While this bowl has been called many things, the name “Buddha bowl” refers to the shape. Packed to the brim with some of earth's finest ingredients, the rounded top is compared to that of Buddha's belly. And I assure you it will make your belly just as happy!

Khichadi is a traditional Indian dish that is both nutritious and easy for the body to digest. It is loaded with spices that cater to the balancing of all three doshas in Ayurveda, and is perhaps the most common staple in the practice due to its ability to improve overall health and detoxify the body. This is also a naturally gluten-free meal for those that are avoiding gluten in their diet. The combination of rice and lentils with ghee, spices and vegetables make this a balanced, beneficial and wholesome meal.

What You Will Need

Are you looking for your next big adventure? If so, why not start with your dinner plate? Exploring a plant-based diet may not sound all too adventurous, but it certainly can be. Preparing mouthwatering plant-based meals is far from boring; as I’ve grown older, I’ve become more and more creative in the kitchen, solely with the help of plant-based flavors. More importantly, I’ve lived on a plant-based diet my entire life, and have witnessed the numerous health benefits firsthand.