the blog

Whether you’re packing lunch for work, school, or a long day of shopping, quinoa is one of your best bets. Sometimes thought of as a grain, quinoa is actually a complete-protein seed. It contains all nine essential amino acids (which our bodies can’t make and must acquire from food). It’s also very versatile; you can make dishes […]

 I’ve tried my hand at vegan ice cream before (check out this vegan Cherry Garcia), but recently I’ve been blending up all kinds of different ice cream-esque creations (including my favorite adult beverage as of late involving watermelon and tequila). Today, we’re making Vegan Cherry Coconut Ice Cream with fresh coconut, cherries, and ice. Let’s […]

 A friend of mine recently asked me about the chocolate avocado pudding concept. The idea that blending avocados, cocoa powder (or cacao), and a little bit of sweetener gives you tasty non-dairy chocolate pudding is fantastic. But we can take this one step further – freeze the mixture and we get healthy vegan fudgsicles! I was […]

Happy Monday Lovelies! I thought we would start the week with a great batch of oatmeal. Last week I posted the Strawberry Banana Oatmeal recipe; this week, our flavors are cherry and cacao, which both offer numerous health benefits. Sweet cherries are high in potassium, which helps to keep fluids balanced in the body and […]

Gluten-Free Flour Friday is back!!! Today’s Gluten-Free Vegan Strawberry Shortcake Pancakes are also just in time for strawberry week. Strawberries and Coconut Whipped Cream go well together, but when you add in fluffy sweet pancakes you have a match made in gluten-free heaven. You can use the leftover Coconut Whipped Cream from Wednesday’s post to top these pancakes- it’s […]

Continuing strawberry week, today I have a seemingly decadent Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie. It only seems decadent though; it’s actually gluten-free, vegan, and you’ll feel good after drinking it. A completely sinful-looking healthy summer treat that is packed with good-for-you ingredients? What’s better than that? The Coconut Whipped Cream and Shortbread Cookie toppings are completely optional, but […]

 I love making a batch of oatmeal for breakfast in colder months- it’s warm, comforting, and one of my favorite parts of the morning. Now that it’s warm outside, I haven’t made oatmeal in a few weeks. It’s all about green smoothies and banana fruit ice cream. For some reason (I blame air conditioning), I woke up […]

 When I created this recipe, I had a ton of blood oranges (I got a great deal on them at a local market). We’ve passed blood orange season, but this recipe will be just as good using regular oranges, clementines, tangerines, or whatever is available. To make this smoothie into a meal replacement option, I […]

 It looks like it’s going to be smoothie week! Personally, nothing makes me want a smoothie more than a summer morning.  Today’s hydrating green smoothie can be a refreshing start to your day or snack later in the afternoon. If you don’t have any coconut water on hand, feel free to swap for filtered water or unsweetened almond […]

Monday’s back, so why not take on the week with some gusto? Maca powder has become one of my favorite smoothie ingredients. It’s a Peruvian root that you can buy at some grocery stores (Wegman’s, Whole Foods) or order online. (It’s expensive, but lasts for a long time.) The root is thought to have many benefits which include increased […]

Skin tightening benefits without an expensive price tag (or hours of sleep)? Count me in  (although I do wish I could get a little more sleep). Blackberries are not only packed with cancer-preventing antioxidants, they also help to improve skin elasticity as well as increase brain clarity. Start you morning with this juice and skip the over-priced […]

  I recently picked up a popsicle mold and knew I wanted to make fresh, healthy, and light fruit pops. I also knew I wanted to make some patriotic treats for the weekend. These healthy, light Patriotic Berry Popsicles are easy to prepare in under twenty minutes. Once you mix up the liquid, you pour into a popsicle […]

Fourth of July weekend is almost here! If you’re trying to figure out what to make, I have a few great options coming up on the blog this week. This detox Berry Quinoa Salad with Almond Butter Dressing is not only the perfect color for the upcoming holiday, it’s also delicious and easily portable to take […]

Carrot cake that leaves you revitalized and refreshed rather than in a sugar coma? Count me in! Also count me in because this sweet juice is high in beta-carotene. Beta-carotene has powerful anti-aging properties and protects us from free radical damage. Plus, with it’s yummy taste and lovely color, it’s the perfect starter juice for beginners. Whether […]

 They may be difficult to crack, but coconuts are worth the trouble for their numerous health benefits. While coconut meat is high in saturated fat, the fat is composed of medium-chain fatty acids, which are more quickly broken down than long-chain fatty acids, and are actually thought to help lower cholesterol. The meat is also […]

Are you a fan of the beet? What about a Beet Detox Smoothie? Prior to a year ago, I was not (probably because I never tried making beets myself- this makes a big difference). If this is you, buy a bunch of beets immediately and boil.  Boiling beets probably sounds pretty boring, but oddly enough, I […]

 Hi friend!!!! Today, I’m continuing with the detox recipes. This pear smoothie is a spin-off of my Banana Bread Green Smoothie, with pear replacing the banana. If you’re not into pears yet, get some as soon as possible! They’re high in vitamin C and A, which act as antioxidants to protect us against cell-damaging free radicals. Plus, […]

Today, I’m offering up three detox green juice recipes. They’re each a yummy, healthy way to start your day. Plus, if you’re looking to reduce your coffee intake (which is a good idea if detoxing), fresh juice is an awesome drink to supplement. You’ll get incredible energy from the fresh nutrients you’re drinking and won’t miss any […]

First, this juice tastes ridiculously delicious. Second, it has numerous health benefits that are definitely worth the time it takes to pull out the juicer. This juice helps with inflammation, digestion, and calming the nervous system. Plus, it’s the perfect balance of salty and sweet. Calming Pineapple Celery Juice Author: Lauren Vacula, LaurenVacula.com Serves: 2 […]

A juice that fights aging, helps with hair and nail growth, and improves skin tone? Sign me up. Carrots are nutritional powerhouses containing vital nutrients that leave your skin looking radiant, not to mention they happen to be very tasty in juice form. Pair with vitamin C-rich clementine and you have yourself a delicious beauty cocktail rivaling your […]