the blog

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

  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 […]

What is it about fall that screams comfort food? Longer nights, frequent family holiday gatherings, or colder temperatures? (Probably a mix of all three.) Shepard’s Pie is quintessential comfort food, usually filled with ground beef or lamb, a heavy gravy sauce, and topped with butter-filled potatoes. I came up with a gluten-free, vegan recipe makeover for this classic […]

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 […]

It’s almost Halloween, which means it’s almost time for costumes, candy, and scary movies. I’ll pass on the scary movies but count me in for the costumes and (plant-based, date-sweetened) candy! I’ve always had a sweet tooth, but I’ve changed my diet substantially to eat gluten-free vegan. I came up with these Vegan Caramel Apples as a […]

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 […]