the blog

Friend! It’s been a minute and I’ve missed you! The past month has truly been a whirlwind and I can’t wait to catch you up on everything. You know how life gets busy and you feel like you don’t have a minute to catch your breath? I’ve kind of been feeling like that but in […]

Well hi there! Today I’ve got another plant protein-packed recipe for you. I’ve been working on adding more recipes to the blog that are focused on plant protein because we’ve got a special masterclass coming up this week inside of Patreon that is a complete guide to plant-based protein! So, to prepare for that class […]

You know when you find something that you love so much you have to tell your friends about it? That pretty much sums up how I feel about Thrive Market. What is Thrive Market? I started using Thrive about a year and a half ago and fell in love with how easy and efficient the […]

  I’m coming at you today with a healthy, dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan pizza that is straight up fall! Maybe it’s the savory butternut squash sauce, maybe it’s the roasted veggies, but either way it’s all kinds of tasty. Don’t let the cauliflower crust scare you; this pizza does not have to be complicated! If you’re able […]

The holidays have officially arrived and with that usually comes PUMPKIN! Do you have any favorite holiday pumpkin food or drinks? My mom made pumpkin roll every holiday season growing up, which inspired today’s recipe. It’s a gluten-free, vegan (BOMB) version of the classic holiday dessert. It’s free of any processed sugar, nutrient-lacking white flour, or unhealthy dairy add-ins […]

  This recipe is such an awesome way to get into eating meatless meals if you’re currently trying to get into a vegan lifestyle. If you are already vegan, this recipe is a fantastic way to show any of your meat-eater family or friends that eating a vegan diet does not mean depriving yourself of tasty […]

Happy holidays! Before I get into the plant-based vegan holiday meal prep details, I wanted to let you know that I’ve created a new YouTube channel which will be completely dedicated to plant-based food!(YouTube username: Lauren Vacula) I’ll be posting gluten-free plant-based recipes, tips and tricks, thoughts, and plant-based travel finds on this channel and I […]

With the 4th of July coming up this weekend, I put together a roundup of some of my favorite patriotic recipes. They’re all gluten-free, they’re all vegan, and they’re all a healthy choice for a summer barbecue (even the margaritas). The Vegan Peanut Butter Dip above is the perfect fruit dip dessert for the Fourth of July. If […]

Happy Friday! Let’s talk about how good this superfood smoothie tastes for an early Friday morning breakfast. Refreshing, energizing, and filling, this baby leaves you feeling ready to take on whatever lies ahead of you for the weekend. Hopefully that includes some fun things?! Superfoods (including blueberries, kale, and acai berries) win their super title […]

I’ve mentioned before that I would rather eat my breakfast over drinking it. Enter the smoothie bowl, which you can pile high with bomb-ass toppings like gluten-free muesli, fresh berries, and sliced banana. If you’re in the same eat-over-drink breakfast camp, add more frozen fruit to your smoothie and get down with the smoothie bowl! I’ve been on a mango […]

Every time I eat mango, I notice how filling it is. (I also notice how ridiculously good it is!) That satiated feeling can be attributed to fiber, which the fruit is packed with. This fiber, along with water content, helps with digestion and keeps your system running in tip top shape. Plus, mango contains a substantial amount of vitamin C (hello glowing […]

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I’m sharing my absolute favorite summer drink, this refined sugar-free watermelon margarita. This drink is not a traditional margarita by any stretch, but it tastes delicious and I promise you’ll love it even more than any standard margarita. Margaritas typically contain a sour mix, a combination of simple syrup […]

I’ve been on a smoothie kick lately (see my papaya, kiwi, and blueberry muffin creations) and today’s recipe is no different. I typically like to start a weekday with a fresh smoothie full of tasty frozen fruit that will keep me carbed up throughout the morning. They’re also quick, easy, and perfectly portable. Today’s drink is a play on the […]

Are you into papaya? I never really was just because of my lack of experience with it. The few times I tried it, I wasn’t crazy about the semi-mushy/mealy texture. Feeling experimental recently, I decided to pick one of these tropical fruits up when I saw them hanging out at Trader Joe’s. I then realized I have […]

This yummy tropical smoothie has been a go-to of mine recently as the weather gets warmer and I’m craving anything cold, fruity, and liquid. I added maca powder in the drink, which is a Peruvian superfood that provides an awesome hit of energy (among other benefits). I highly recommend this nutrient-packed powerhouse powder, however, if you don’t […]

Smoothies are awesome. (Blueberry smoothies are even better!) They’re a great way to pack a ton of nutrients into a meal that’s portable, tasty, and perfect for the morning when you’re running out the door. Or, if you’re in the mood to eat rather than drink your meal, you can add more frozen fruit and decrease the […]

I’m starting the week with a recipe for my favorite post-gym drink as of late. I always try to get a great dose of protein after a muscle-strengthening workout, whether that’s barre, lifting (never really happens), or something else. If you’re eating a plant-based diet, clean vegan protein powder is an option for feeding your muscles […]

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 […]

  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 […]