the blog

In honor of Mardi Gras (and Fat Tuesday), I’m bringing you a veganized version of one of my favorite childhood treats: the powdered sugar-covered Vanilla Kreme Donuts (seen here). I used to love these powdered sugar-drenched donuts loaded with sickeningly sweet vanilla cream. Because I now eat gluten-free vegan, I didn’t see eating one of these guys again […]

With Superbowl Sunday coming up this weekend, game day recipes are popping up everywhere. If you’re looking for some gluten-free vegan healthier alternatives, you’ve come to the right place. Today’s recipe is is a football party favorite, the seven layer taco dip. I’ve swapped out the high fat dairy sour cream and cheese layers with vegan […]

I recently was out to dinner at a vegan restaurant in Philadelphia called Vedge (go if you’re in Philly). The inspiration for this salad comes from that meal and their ridiculously good Salt Roasted Gold Beets dish with Avocado, Smoked Tofu, Rye, Capers, and Creamy Cucumber. I tried to recreate similar flavors from that dish and came […]

  On days when I need a portable lunch option and I’m not in the mood for a smoothie (check out a smoothie roundup here), I usually pack some raw wraps. This PB&J wrap has been a favorite recently. It’s salty, sweet, and tastes delicious! You can pair them with some fruit to round out a full lunch. […]

Happy New Year! I hope everyone’s year is off to an awesome start. You may have resolved to eat healthier this year and this yummy Carrot Cake smoothie is a great place to start. I make smoothies for my work lunches and then take a few healthy snacks to eat throughout the day (like fruit, hummus and carrots, or […]

Do you remember Oatmeal Creme Pies? A soft oatmeal cookie filled with sugary sweet marshmallow gooeyness….. mmmm. Given that the first ingredient in these childhood favorites is corn syrup (along with partially hydrogenated oils, Red 40, and numerous other nasty artificial ingredients), I set out to make a healthy gluten-free vegan version. I replaced the […]

It’s only a few days until Thanksgiving, but today I want to talk Mexican food. More specifically, I want to talk enchiladas. I set out to recreate this childhood favorite with a gluten-free, vegan spin and a hint of the fall season. Enter these Gluten-Free Vegan Pumpkin Enchiladas. They are spicy, delicious and packed with pumpkin flavor. They are also […]

Have you tried making your own juice? I’ve shared a number of juice recipes before, but today I wanted to talk about the elephant in the juicing room- that poor, sad, fiberous pulp that is usually shoved down the garbage disposal. Leftover juice pulp contains flavor, phytochemicals, and fiber. You may be wondering what the purpose […]

Have you made a pumpkin spice smoothie yet this fall? If not, get on that! This version of a pumpkin spice smoothie incorporates turmeric, a bright yellow spice that contains the powerful curcumin compound. Curcumin has numerous health benefits including decreasing inflammation, reducing oxidative damage, and improving brain function. Pumpkin Spice Turmeric Smoothie Author: Lauren […]

There was a time when I loved jarred queso and tortilla chips. Calories were oddly low for a jar of (what seemed to be) cheese. Turns out, this yellow mystery jar is packed with modified corn starch, malodextrin, monosodium glutamate, and artifical colors Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. Not to mention, it’s a jar of cheese. […]

 Yes this recipe is made up of watermelon and peanut butter. I know that seems like a strange combination, but it’s delicious. I devised this combo one night when craving ice cream. Instead of blending up frozen banana and cacao, I reached for the melon and peanut butter. The results are so tasty, I would go […]

 I was excited to see that watermelons are still hanging around at the grocery store. They are super tasty when paired with some hydrating cucumber and zesty lime. This simple juice is not only tasty and hydrating, but it’s also packed with numerous health benefits, including: beta carotene & lycopene which help to combat the damaging […]

This weekend marks the unofficial start of the summer here in the US! If you’re celebrating, you may be headed to the beach. And if that’s the case, you might be around a lot of seafood this weekend. (Weird how my mind always goes straight to food.) If you’re vegan, this can be a little sad since you […]

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 […]

 We talked about a childhood frosty favorite last Wednesday, the Fugsicle, and we made it vegan. Today, let’s make some Gluten-Free Vegan Ice Cream Sandwiches. Because what’s better than ice cream on a dreary Tuesday? This recipe is two parts – Fudgy Flourless Chocolate Cookies and creamy Coconut Whipped Cream. Both are pretty phenomenal on their own, but I suggest combining […]

 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 […]