veggies

Tips for Hosting a Stress-Free Thanksgiving Feast

The truth is that I’ve never hosted a Thanksgiving, but I have made an entire meal spread for it. When you’re vegan and gluten-free, the growling tummy that comes along with not grubbing with everyone else at family functions becomes tiresome. So, I went for it. Those murals make it look effortless, but making a cornucopia of food from scratch was quite a handful. Since last year, I’m thankful to have thought of some ways to relieve the stress and pressure of preparing so much food in so little time.

Lately, I’ve been really good about going to the gym four times a week. However, when my mom and dad came down with a cold, I couldn’t help but think of the bright side of things—if I caught what was going around, I’d get a few days of rest from the gym. If I could manage to eat anything right now, I’d be eating my words because this sickness is terrible. I’d take the gym over this sore throat that refuses to go away a million times over. Since I always seem to become ill pretty early in the cold and flu season, I decided to look into foods I could eat to help my body fight back.

October is, without a doubt, the best month out of all 12 of them. The weather is pure perfection because I greatly appreciate a slight chill. Even just looking outside of my window right now is picturesque. I mean seriously—is it a life-size painting or my front yard? I could be biased because I’m such a Halloween fanatic, but it truly is the best 31 days of the year. If the cozy-up weather, fall foliage, and ghosts, ghouls, and goblins haven’t convinced you that nothing beats October, let the produce do the talkin’.

It’s finally fall (only fancy folks say “autumn”). This time of year, in between summer and winter, is my absolute favorite season. I’m a horror film fanatic; this means that, leading up to Halloween, I actually have a chance at successfully convincing the scaredy cat types to let me pick the movie. Also, I’m a sucker for Halloween decorations (if I stop to look around, you’ll have to drag me out of the aisle). Don’t even get me started on how wonderfully crisp the air becomes. Are you as obsessed with the colors of the leaves as I am? Mother Nature is quite the artist.

Time for some hearty vegetable soup! Its thick and creamy consistency provides a comforting antidote to those first chilly days as we move into fall. Simple and easy, you only need one pot to cook enough soup for the whole family and you can even make the most of extra veggies or herbs that you have laying around the house! The  wonderful mix of both richly developed and subtle flavors is what sets this dish apart.

*Serves 4

Ingredients

2 Large Carrots

1 Celery Stalk

1 Small Onion

1 Medium Zucchini

Rainbows are auspicious and always a delight to see, especially after a rainy day. The primary colors that comprise the rainbow -- red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet—can be seen all around us in the clothes we wear, the cars we drive, the art we enjoy and of course, in nature.

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.

This sandwich is a staple that is so easy to make and perfect to cool off with in the middle of a hot day. The hummus adds a bit of protein and creaminess to complement the crisp and cool veggies, while also giving you an opportunity to experiment with different flavors.

Back when I was a starving student, I came across a create-your-own salad bar. The salad I made on one particular day changed my life forever. So, I tried recreating it on my own and the rest is history. It is without a doubt the best salad I’ve ever had in my entire life.