I Bought Myself a Cameo for My Birthday - And No, I Haven't Watched it Yet

January 31, 2025 by Kathy Patalsky 1 Comment

I Bought Myself a Cameo for My Birthday - And No, I Haven't Watched it Yet...

I’m alone in my car, waiting to pick up my daughter from musical theater class. Any mother knows that sometimes, sitting alone in your car, just waiting, can feel like the loneliest place in the world. Other times, it’s a sanctuary.

Right now, at 3:30 on a hectic Wednesday, as the sun starts to dip and my body begs for a giant glass of water and an early bedtime - it feels like a mix of both. Lonely, yet gratifyingly quiet.

There's nothing like the soundproofing in a car, amiright, moms?

This little phone booth of sorts is about to be bombarded with chaos.

Aka, my four-year-old, excited to see me.

I guess chaos is the wrong word. Maybe sparkles or glitter or a thousand butterflies being let go into a perfect blue sky would be a better metaphor for the joy and beauty my daughter brings to my life, even when she’s bringing chaos to my quiet sanctuary car.

But anyway.

I think the loneliness today is coming from the little moments - snippets of conversations or things that did or didn’t happen. The kind of small stuff that somehow still manages to burrow under my skin.

As you guys may or may not know, I’m turning 44 tomorrow. But I still feel like a teenager socially sometimes.

Even after years of blogging, I still have thin skin. I am sensitive. An empath. I am endlessly fragile - more so than most people. And the day, normal or not, always seems to eat away at me. I ruminate and overanalyze. But sometimes, that sensitivity is a gift. If it’s good stuff, I glow extra bright. Gratitude runs deep. I'm good at noticing the good. But if it’s hard stuff, it makes me feel heavy.

And as I sit in my car, a little ding pops on my phone. "Your video is READY!" Eeeks.

The Birthday Gift I Bought Myself

For my birthday, I might buy myself a new pair of jeans - the fancy kind. Mother, Frame or Paige - not sure. And a casual facial is on my schedule.

But the gift I’m most excited about?

Something a little different.

I bought myself a Cameo.

Cameo Videos: The Perfect Gift for Yourself

If you don’t know what that is, Cameo is a website where you can pay celebrities - big and small - to send you personalized messages. Yes, it sounds like something straight out of Tiger Beat (that’s a 1990s reference for all you Gen Zers). Cameo kinda feels like one of those ads from the back of a teen magazine - “Send fan mail here and get a shiny, fake-autographed photo!”

But it’s actually kind of amazing. And no, this is not a sponsored post.

Elise Myers on Cameo - My First Cameo Experience

The first time I ever used Cameo was for Elise Myers. If you don’t know her, she’s the Taco Bell girl. The “Thank you for asking, I would love to tell you…” girl too. The Taco Bell date story is how I found her and fell in love with her content.

Back then, I had no idea what Cameo really was, but I saw that Elise had one, and I thought - why not? I sent her a message telling her how much I loved her work. That I was feeling like I was failing at being a mom because I couldn’t juggle my career alongside it. I wanted to connect with her because I knew she also just had her first baby and was navigating that same intersection of creativity and motherhood.

Elise’s response was beautiful. She was tearing up as she spoke about motherhood, and it was so warming to hear. She told me that me, just thinking about this, asking, worrying, just caring so much about being a good mom, meant I already was one.

It was such a simple message, but it meant so much.

After that, I started to see Cameo differently. It wasn’t just a fun novelty - it was a real way to connect with people I admired.

Mr. Puppypaws on Cameo - A Birthday Surprise for Rosalie

Not long after that, I decided to use Cameo again - this time for my daughter.

For her birthday, I had James Monroe Iglehart, the voice of Mr. Puppypaws from SuperKitties, a show she was OBSESSED with at the time (and still loves), record a birthday message for Rosalie. If you don’t know, Iglehart is a Broadway star (he played Genie in Aladdin on Broadway!) and he absolutely nailed the message. It was the best thing ever.

Rosalie loved it so much, and I loved seeing how much joy it brought her.

So yeah, as cheesy and corny as Cameo sounds - getting a celebrity or artist to send you a message - it’s actually really special. For kids of all ages.

Why Does Celebrity Status Matter, Though???

So why would anyone care what a celebrity has to say - versus a close friend or even a therapist? Well, some people truly don’t care. And that’s fine.

But I’ve always been fascinated by the power of celebrity. It’s not just luck that brings these people into our cultural zeitgeist. They create something - whether it’s art, music, storytelling, or a persona - that resonates. Their voice, their presence, their work has shaped pop culture in some way.

And when someone like that acknowledges you personally, even just for a second? That’s kind of magical.

The Cameo Sitting in My Inbox

So for my birthday this year, I hopped on Cameo and sent a request to one of my favorite people on the planet.

The amazing. The sparkly. The incredibly sensitive and authentic and vulnerable - JVN. Jonathan Van Ness. JVN on Instagram.

And I have to tell you guys… I have the video in my inbox right now.

And I haven’t watched it.

I’m just picturing them saying, “Hello, Kathy!” in their sparkly, magical, sweet, kind voice, and I just… get really embarrassed. Like, I don’t even want to watch it. That’s how it always goes with this sort of thing. I just feel so stupid.

But writing this? It’s reminding me that it’s not stupid.

It’s cool. It's inspiring. It's fuel for life.

Why This Gift Matters

I think sometimes, when you admire someone from afar - someone whose voice, or kindness, or presence has meant something to you, it can feel surreal to have them say your name. To speak directly to you.

There are so many ways JVN has inspired me. The way they are endlessly kind on Queer Eye. The way they live their truth so fearlessly.

The only thing I watched all winter break? Queer Eye Vegas. It was the soulful mood boost I craved.

I love them so much.

So. That was my birthday present to myself, and I wanted to share it with you guys.

And no, I still haven’t listened to it. But when I do, I know I’m going to get a huge smile on my face.

HOT TIP: I never make my Cameos public. You have the option of posting them on their public profile, which I’m sure they love. But I wanted it to be just for me.

My Advice for You

If you have a birthday coming up - or anything worth celebrating - definitely check out Cameo. I am a LOW KEY birthday lover, and this little tech wonder of a gift was a perfect add on for my day. Cameo and a spa day? Kind of the perfect combo.

Oh, and maybe a new fancy pair of jeans.

HBD 2 ME. PS: TY JVN, ILYSM, LUV, K

Easy English Muffin Pizzas for Kids (Vegan & Kid-Approved!)

January 31, 2025 by Kathy Patalsky 1 Comment

Today an easy recipe, these Easy English Muffin Pizzas for Kids (Vegan & Kid-Approved!). Because we all need a bit of a kitchen break with our kiddos this weekend...

The past few weeks have been absolutely insane. If you live in Los Angeles, you know — we’re all still dealing with the fires. And even if you weren’t directly affected, the residual trauma, the grief, the smoke in the air — it lingers. I shared my tips for dealing with poor air quality here.

It’s been hard to focus on normal things, and honestly, I just feel overwhelmingly grateful right now. Grateful that I have my home, my kitchen, and stability for my child. I can’t even begin to imagine losing all of that in a single day. It’s just too much to process. So grateful for happy rescue stories like these from Pasadena humane.

That being said, sometimes the best thing we can do is find comfort in the small, familiar things. Like making lunch for my kid. And today, I wanted to share something ridiculously simple — something you probably already know how to make — but with a little extra love and a vegan spin.

Mini English Muffin Pizzas.

I actually made these over the summer and never got around to posting them, but they were the perfect, hearty lunch after a long morning of swimming. We had just gotten home, the sun was shining, and we were both starving — hungry for more than just buttered pasta. So I pulled out a few ingredients, let Rosalie help assemble them, and of course, because she made them, she devoured them.

These aren’t revolutionary. We all grew up with mini English muffin pizzas. But I have a few little tricks to make them extra crispy, extra rich, and extra delicious — plus, a few ways to make them vegan without sacrificing flavor.

The Secret to Better English Muffin Pizzas

The biggest difference in my version? Olive oil. Instead of slapping the sauce directly onto the English muffin, I start with a generous drizzle of olive oil. This helps crisp up the muffin in the oven and adds a deep, rich flavor that takes it beyond just “kid food.” After the olive oil, I add a light layer of sauce, then the cheese, then another drizzle of olive oil over the top. Trust me — this one small step makes all the difference.

I also like to sprinkle nutritional yeast under the sauce. It melts into everything, adding an extra layer of cheesiness while sneaking in vitamins, minerals, and protein. Rosalie doesn’t really know what nutritional yeast is — she just knows it’s the “yellowy stuff” I sprinkle on pasta sometimes. If I called it “nutritional yeast” to her face, she’d probably stare at me like I was offering her something out of a lab. So for now, we’ll just call it magic pizza dust or something.

The Best Vegan Pepperoni

For the pepperoni, you have options. The easiest route is just using vegan pepperoni slices as-is, but I like to dice them into tiny little bits. It makes them more palatable for kids and spreads the flavor more evenly. Some of my favorite store-bought vegan pepperonis include:

• PERSONAL FAVE: Field Roast Plant-Based Pepperoni — This one has a great smoky, meaty flavor and crisps up nicely in the oven.

• Yves Veggie Pepperoni — A little softer in texture but still great for kids.

• Sweet Earth Italian-Style Pepperoni — A bit spicier, but a good option for more adventurous eaters.

Cooking Methods: Toaster Oven vs. Oven vs. (Not) the Microwave

When it comes to cooking these, the toaster oven is my go-to. It’s fast, crisps up the muffins perfectly, and doesn’t require heating up the whole kitchen. If you’re making a bigger batch, a regular oven at 400°F for about 8–10 minutes works well.

The microwave? Hard pass. Sure, it’ll heat them, but you’ll end up with a sad, soggy, chewy mess. And nobody wants that.

Sauce Choices: Pizza Sauce vs. Marinara vs. Something Different

Most store-bought pizza sauces are slightly sweeter and thicker than traditional marinara, which works great for kids. But if you don’t have pizza sauce on hand, marinara works just as well — it just might be a bit tangier.

Want to get creative? Try:

• Tomato paste + olive oil + Italian seasoning — Instant DIY pizza sauce.

• Barbecue sauce — Sweet, smoky, and surprisingly delicious with vegan cheese. I did this a few years ago here.

• Just olive oil & cheese — A classic white pizza vibe.

The Best Vegan Cheese for Melting

Not all vegan cheeses are created equal, especially when it comes to melting. Here’s a quick rundown of my favorites:

• Miyoko’s Liquid Mozzarella — Hands down the best for a super creamy, real-cheese-like melt.

• Violife Mozzarella Shreds — Mild, melty, and kid-friendly.

• Daiya Cutting Board Blend — A solid option that melts well if you don’t mind a slightly stretchy texture.

• Follow Your Heart Mozzarella — A good, neutral option with a soft, cheesy flavor.

Fun Veggie Additions for Kids

If your kid is cool with toppings, try adding:

• Olives — Mild, salty, and fun to arrange.

• Finely chopped bell peppers — Adds crunch and color.

• Mushrooms — If your kid likes them, they add a nice umami boost.

• Fresh basil — If you want to be fancy.

The Bottom Line

This isn’t a new recipe, and I didn’t invent it. But consider this your reminder to make it. Because kids love it. It’s easy, it’s customizable, and it’s a lot cheaper than ordering a $20 kids’ pizza (because yes, somehow that is a real thing in LA).

And bonus — it’s one of those meals that kids actually want to eat, especially if they get to make it themselves. Because at the end of the day, if they made it, they’re way more likely to eat it.

So grab some English muffins, drizzle on that olive oil, and make some magic. And don’t forget the nutritional yeast — it’s basically pizza fairy dust.

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Easy English Muffin Pizzas

These easy and flavorful engllish muffin pizzas have a few tweaks to make them extra yummy for kiddos - and healthy for parents!

Prep Time10

Cook Time10

Total Time20

Course: pizza

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: kids, lunch, pizza

Servings: pizzas

Author: Kathy Patalsky

Cost: 5

Ingredients

2 whole english muffins sliced
4 teaspoon olive oil
2 teaspoon nutritional yeast
6 tablespoon pizza sauce
½ cup vegan cheese shreds
4 tablespoon vegan pepperoni chopped

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil
Drizzle the EVOO over top the open english muffins. Sprinkle on the nutritional yeast, then add the sauce - about 1-2 tablespoon per muffin.
Add the cheese and pepperoni - and any other toppings you'd like.
Bake for about ten minutes at 400 degrees - or just until cheese melts and edges brown.
Serve warm.

Notes

NOTE: Vegan cheese has different consistencies of "melting" based on your brand. Just because it isn't super liquidized doesn't mean it hasn't "melted" aka softened.. If your kid is ok with that, great! Otherwise, play around with brands...

44. birthday post.

January 30, 2025 by Kathy Patalsky 1 Comment

Birthday post. HBD. 44 with a 4 year-old. Hi.

Birthday reflection post coming your way...

Am I Doing This Right?

I’ve been at this 'in my forties' thing for over 10,000 hours now, so as an expert, let me say that your 40’s are all about realizing that you ARE doing it right. This getting older thing. In my late 30s, I was constantly wondering, "Am I doing this aging thing, right??"

"Why does half of me feel 60 and the other half barely 16? Am I supposed to be buying special creams or doing botox now? Secret gurus or life lessons I should know by now, but somehow don't... What's the secret?"

Well, 44 has me close enough to 50 to realize that I am doing everything right. You too. Promise. You don't need a special cream, or even botox. Unless you love it, do your thing. Just watch Demi Moore in The Substance to get an even wider view of aging with vanity rather than grit and growth. (It's good, watch it..)

Yes, I fail on a daily basis at something. But the way I fail and grow has gotten so much easier. My mind has had its fill of life experiences at this point. Now, it’s all about breaking the cycle of muscle memory – changing what I consciously know needs to be changed, but also what is so ingrained in my history and habits that some days it feels impossible to shed.

Those struggles involve self-esteem, triggers for anxiety and depression, anger, and even fear. Self-talk that I’ve been doing since my teens, but have slowly been changing.

Breaking generational cycles of trauma, blah blah, is what one therapist of mine called it. I liked that.

I haven’t done a birthday list in a while, but here it goes…

FIVE Lessons at 44 - Birthday Reflection

ONE - ON RELATIONSHIPS...

(Longest one in the bunch, for good reason.)

If you’re someone like me - who keeps their social world small to comply with their bandwidth for social exhaustion – you know it's wise to choose your 'people' wisely. You are energized by depth, repelled by fakeness and surface-level banter. You do it too, but it isn't what drives you.

For empaths, highly sensitive people and introverts - or extroverted introverts like me.. Every connection carries meaning. Relationships mean more. Some people won’t understand this. Some will run from your vulnerability, authenticity, and warmth. Your wide-open eyes who really notice people fully instead of a casual glance. Introverts make pretty rad friends, if you can dig deep enough. Beyond the unpolished replies and possible awkward silences.

For my fellow introverts: Don’t waste time on ‘maybe’ friends. You literally don’t have the nervous system bandwidth for it. But also don't give up. Discomfort means you are probably on the right path.

On your search for the right connections, let your nervous system do the choosing. When someone shares light and warmth with you, notice. Don’t listen to that instinct to run from things that feel too easy, surprisingly kind, or startlingly warm. Especially in a city like LA, where the vibe is to be carefree and cool, demure and busy. When someone shocks you with honest warmth, notice.

Human Nature

Human Nature is to Survive. Nice People = Weak. Where's the strong, bitchy person who will defend me at all costs??

Humans tend to run from warmth, as sad as that sounds. We are cautious, and skeptical. Why is this person so nice? Are they just actually nice or is there something wrong with them? Ohhhhhhh, they are literally just nice. YES. Found a keeper.

It puts pressure on us to be warm back. Am I doing it right? Am I being friendly and interested without being needy or overly open? Did I overshare? Did I show too much enthusiasm? Does this person actually like me, or are they just LA sparkle with enough charisma to fill a Beverly Hills pool?

Authenticity Rules

There’s only one way to live: Open and wide. Authentic and vulnerable. It’s the only way real connections will ever happen. Yes, it will send others away. But that’s the whole point. And this is hard. It’s painful. It’s a game of numbers.

How many close friends have you had in your life vs. how many people you’ve interacted with in your life? The numbers are not on your side.

“Everyone loves me” is not the same as “I have this armload of deeply connected friendships that bring my life so much more than people-pleasing ever did.”

TWO - SELF WORTH // SUPERFICIAL

Birthday review of the year, lesson I keep learning as a mom who chooses to be the primary caretaker... Your self-worth is not determined by your job. Even when it actually kinda is. Or at least feels like it.

This is a tough one because society – especially in big cities – absolutely does judge you by what you do, how white your teeth are, how smooth your forehead is, how big your house is, what car you drive, and what neighborhood you live in.

It’s like curb appeal for a home buyer. We assess the surface-level things and make assumptions. We all do it.

Live long enough – like, say, 44 – and have enough messy interactions with people who look shiny and brilliant on paper, and you start to realize that most of it is just a mask to cover something that needs healing.

I used to fall for it all the time. I was always drawn to the shiny, bubbly girl in the room – the one who kinda looked like me but maybe had even better clothes and teeth. The one who knew the secrets to perfect skin and always said the right thing in a group setting. That’s who I wanted to be besties with.

But in my 30s, I learned to stop chasing that. Now, I embrace anyone who puts my nervous system at ease. It’s a healthier survival instinct for me, compared to finding the strongest, most-capable person in the room. Sometimes, those people are also in fact the people who actually put us at ease - for real - and those are the magical unicorn humans of the world. Yes, they exist. And yes, I have some in my life that constantly stun and amaze me.

So like I said, it's complicated.

But all that doesn’t mean I give up on people like me. The ones still balancing their inner and outer lives. The ones who sometimes still need the mask but have gold and sparkles underneath. I fight for those people because they are me – soft and flawed, just trying to survive.

The key is knowing the difference between a mask for survival and a mask for vanity. Lipstick on a pig, as my realtor once said. (Though, honestly, I love pigs, so maybe not that one.)

THREE - BE DIFFERENT /// REBEL

Be different. This one never gets old.

When you don’t fit in, you react. Show up to a party Bridget-Jones-style, wearing a skimpy bunny costume in a sea of jeans and tees, and yeah – you panic. But instead of cringing, use humor and self-love to move forward. Sounds cheesy, but that’s the secret.

As a parent, I often feel like I’m doing it wrong when I’m doing it differently. I’m working to shift that. My intuition, my rare and unique soul, feels different – and that’s pretty cool.

FOUR - ON JOY /// CREATE HAPPY

Make joy a priority.

We all have big goals. Money. Career. Social status. But sometimes, we look up, and the room we sit in feels empty of joy.

You don’t need joy to survive. But you need it to live.

And with a small human just learning about life, I work my hardest to create joy – intentionally.

Late for school because all our favorite Taylor Swift songs were popping up on Alexa, and we had to have a dance party? Absolutely.

Ice cream before dinner because we just felt like it? Yes.

Staying up too late to finish a sparkle-glitter tape rainbow craft? OK.

Taking an extra moment to arrange her room because I know she wouldn’t yet know how to make it as magical as I can – because she doesn’t have my design skills yet? Of course. That kind of thing breeds joy.

Noticing how my body feels in certain settings and actively choosing the ones that feel effortless and joyful? Always.

FIVE - ON BOUNDARIES...

Boundaries in motherhood are different.

If you find yourself being a mom to a kid, while you are in your late 30s and 40s -- boundaries will be a challenge.

At this age in life, we finally get good at knowing where to set our boundaries. We even start enforcing them. And then?

My kid smashes them to bits. The lines you have set get trampled over like a toddler ignoring the trail of spilled blueberries on the floor. Leaving a muddy sea of purple and blue in her wake.

When you are a parent, you can’t cling to the boundaries you’ve set. The boundaries you made to protect yourself. Why? Because your child's needs or even wants come first. You have to bend in ways you never expected.

For example, I’ve always felt guilty about my energy reserves. I have Hashimoto’s. I get socially exhausted. Even though I love my friends, a long girls’ weekend wipes me out. Late-night cocktail dinners drain me. I used to force myself to do it anyway. Now?

I know my boundaries. I’m a brunch kinda girl. That’s when my energy is high, and it doesn’t wreck my next day. That’s a boundary I love. But as a mom, sometimes I can’t. Sometimes, I have to push past my limits for my child’s experiences or social experiences that are connected to her life or community of friends. And that’s okay. Because when you have kids, boundaries aren’t just about you anymore.

Yes, it's good for kids to see you setting boundaries and abiding by them. But that's a different thing entirely..

Ok guys...

GOTTA GO..

So, I could list so many more life lessons. But my body is telling me it’s time to stop. It’s my birthday. It’s 5 AM. My cats need feeding. And I need to ease into this day a little softer.

But if you keep following along, I promise – more stories, more lessons, always.

Love you guys. Stay well, listen to your body, and create some damn joy for yourself in this life.

We only get to do this once.

I love u for being here. xoxo

~ K

Broccoli / Birthday Cake Theory, How to Find Your Niche

January 23, 2025 by Kathy Patalsky 1 Comment

Today I'm sharing my Broccoli / Birthday Cake Theory, aka: The Secret to Find Your Niche (Again, or for the First Time).

Lately, I can’t stop thinking about Taylor Swift’s “shiny bug” theory.

Yes, of course I’m weaving Taylor into this intro — it’s perfect.

Taylor’s Shiny Bug Theory

No one really knows what it means. Here’s how it started: "Taylor announced a limited-edition vinyl set called The Life of a Showgirl: The Shiny Bug Vinyl Collection."

It was one of those cryptic Easter eggs she drops that sends the internet spiraling.

But I get part of it. It’s a metaphor for distraction. For how one tiny, glittery thing can pull focus from the whole story.

And honestly? That’s how content creation feels right now.

Everywhere you look, something shiny is flying by: a new trend, a new sound, a new strategy, a new “must-post” topic. It’s the digital version of a shiny bug fluttering through your feed. You can’t help but stare. You forget what you were even doing.

Which brings me to my own culinary metaphor: The Broccoli and Birthday Cake Theory.

Not as cool as “shiny bug,” but mine all the same.

(Side note: I still say the shiny bug has something to do with a musical. She’s got Broadway energy. Anyway.)

Broccoli vs. Birthday Cake: How to Find Your Thing

Ok, here's my find your niche deep dive. Because it's a huge part of creating art, sharing your story and connecting online and even in person.

Picture this: you walk into the kitchen and someone says, “Hey, can you grab me the broccoli?”

You nod. Easy enough.

But as soon as you walk in, you see it — on a teal glass platter, a giant, glitter-covered birthday cake. Layers of frosting, sprinkles, candles, maybe even a sparkler or two.

You freeze.

Your brain immediately goes, Oh right, the cake. Everyone loves cake.

You forget why you walked in.

You stand there wondering if you should just bring the cake instead. After all, who doesn’t love cake? That must be what people want.

Meanwhile, the broccoli — the thing you came in for — is literally in your hands. You bought it. And you know exactly what to do with it. But now you’re second-guessing it because the cake looks cooler, safer, trendier.

If the camera panned out, you’d see it: your whole kitchen is broccoli green. The fridge is stocked with it, the cookbook is open to a broccoli recipe, and there’s a steamer basket on the stove. This is your thing. It’s been here all along, but you got distracted by the cake.

Shiny Cake-y Things in Your Feed

That’s what the online world feels like right now, birthday cake everywhere.

Trendy, viral, sugar-coated ideas that feel safe because they already got a thousand likes somewhere else. Meanwhile, your “broccoli” .. the weird, wonderful, deeply you thing you actually care about — is sitting right there, waiting for attention.

The path to creating something magical isn’t paved in frosting. It’s paved in broccoli. So no, I’m not telling you to make literal broccoli content (unless that’s your thing). I’m saying: whatever your “broccoli” is, the thing you talk about nonstop, the thing you notice, the thing you can’t stop analyzing. Guys!! That’s your content. That’s your magic.

Zoom Out

And yes it might change. So zoom out if you ned to. Instead of that cookie recipe you made yesterday and can't stop thinking about - go with desserts. Instead of that weird group chat that boggles your mind - go female friendships and mom relations.

The "Find Your Niche" Secret

Your broccoli is what people will actually remember.

The cake gets applause, but it fades fast because it's not actually your thing.

The broccoli feeds people. It builds trust. It’s your real passion, the thing that gives your work flavor and depth. It might not be what the algorithm rewards first, but it’s what the right audience is starving for.

So here’s the move:

Stop chasing the cake. Cook the broccoli. Season it, style it, make it yours, but don’t cover it in sprinkles just because everyone else did. That’s how you find your creative thing again. Pay attention to what’s already in your hands.

Are we so sick of this metaphor??? Sorry. You know I get into metaphors and can't get out, lol.

The Niche Takeaway

The internet rewards cake.

But the world runs on broccoli.

Post the thing you can’t stop thinking about — even if it’s green, weird, or unpopular.

That’s your secret ingredient.

Or another way to say it, You Niche is Yourself - Gary Vee Video. All the wild and weird things that make up you. We love a broccoli in a world of buttercream layer cakes.

yellow chocolate cupcakes with rainbow sprinkles on cooling rack

Now go make some yellow cake cupcakes...

ps. I am going to say it again: post the thing you can’t stop thinking about -- even if it’s weird.

I cannot wait to hear about what lights you up.

7 Foods for Lung Health During Wildfire Pollution

January 16, 2025 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

Here in Los Angeles, wildfire pollution is top of mind for everyone this week, and sharing recipes and foods for lung health during wildfire pollution feels like the most meaningful way I can help.

As someone with extremely sensitive lungs, I feel this deeply—both physically and emotionally. Growing up, I spent far too much time in emergency rooms for breathing treatments, triggered by things like secondhand smoke, pet dander, or even a dusty house. Those experiences shaped how I approach respiratory health today.

*Baldwin Hills stairs a few weeks before LA fires 2025*

Now, as I sit in my home office surrounded by humming air purifiers, I’m reminded of the importance of being proactive. Outside, the sky is deceptively blue, the sun warm and inviting—classic Southern California. But take a deep breath, and you’ll catch the stale carbon stench of ash left behind by last week’s wildfires.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist—or even a high-tech air purifier monitor—to tell you the air quality is far from ideal. Sure, some AQI monitors might show a reasonable 20 or 30, but those readings often miss large ash particles that settle invisibly in the air. These particles are sneaking into our lungs every time we step outside. For those of us looking to breathe a little easier, certain foods to support lung health during wildfire pollution can support relief.

Before diving into tips, I want to make one thing clear: I’m not a fan of junk science or unproven old wives’ tales. I believe in evidence-based approaches to health and am cautious about the information I share.

That said, when it comes to lung health and the effects of wildfire pollution, there’s still a lot science hasn’t fully explored—especially regarding specific foods. This is where personal experience comes into play. As someone with sensitive lungs, I’ve lived through countless flare-ups, ER visits, and trial-and-error experiments to figure out what helps me feel better.

This list isn’t about offering a cure or replacing medical care. Instead, it’s a collection of foods and habits that have genuinely made a difference for me. My hope is that they might help you, too.

While there isn’t a magic snack to clear your lungs, I’ve learned that small changes in diet and daily habits can make a meaningful difference. So, I’m sharing some personal insights and tips—not as a prescription, but as tools that have helped me and might help you, too.

Is It the Placebo Effect?

Let me just say this: maybe some of my experiences with these foods are the placebo effect—I’ll never really know. I mean, I’m not a food scientist, and I can’t exactly run a clinical trial on myself. But honestly, if the placebo effect is making me feel better, I’ll take it. The good news is, there’s actual science to back up many of these foods, so it’s not just me shouting random health tips into the void. I’m just here to share what’s worked for me and hopefully help you guys out in the process—no fake news, just real talk....

7 Foods to Support Lung Health

1. Ginger

Ginger is my go-to when I’m feeling off. Its anti-inflammatory properties and intense zing always seem to wake up my lungs and clear the fog. Whether it’s a ginger shot from a juice bar or fresh ginger tea, it consistently helps me breathe better. I’ll never forget landing in London once, struggling to catch my breath, and grabbing a ginger shot from Joe & the Juice. It wasn’t a cure, but it made me feel alive again.

Why it works: Studies suggest that ginger’s active compounds, like gingerol, may help reduce inflammation in the respiratory system.

ginger green juice RECIPE

ginger tea RECIPE

super sinus ginger juice RECIPE

2. Apples

I’ve heard from several people that apples, especially tart ones like Granny Smith, can support lung health - and even help when asthma flares up. Maybe it’s the high levels of antioxidants and vitamin C? Or that crunchy texture and chewing motion? The tart skin and fiber? Again guys, I am not a food scientist here... BUT I've felt some relief from a good tart apple. And I keep apples around for snacking during high-pollution days.

Why it works: Apples are rich in quercetin, a flavonoid that may help reduce inflammation and improve lung function.

3. Grapes

This one might sound a little out there, but hear me out: grapes remind me of tiny lungs. Those clusters of juicy pockets just look like alveoli (the small air sacs in our lungs). Maybe it’s an old wives’ tale, but I find grapes soothing and hydrating when my lungs feel irritated.

Why it works: Grapes are full of antioxidants, like resveratrol, which may help protect lung tissue from oxidative stress caused by pollution.

4. Spicy Broths and Soups - with garlic and black pepper!

Nothing gets things moving—phlegm included—like a spicy soup. The heat opens up your sinuses and gets your respiratory system working. My go-to is a spicy miso broth with a splash of sriracha, but any warm, spicy liquid can do the trick.

Why it works: Spicy foods contain capsaicin, which can act as a natural decongestant and promote better airflow.

garlic bean soup - add lotsa garlic, raw/fresh

HOT TIP: Add fresh lemon juice to your brothy soups! It gives an amazing flavor and adds zing and vitamin C

5. Citrus Fruits

Oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and kiwis are staples in my fridge. Their tanginess wakes up my taste buds and seems to perk up my entire system. High in vitamin C, they support the immune system and might even help combat inflammation caused by pollution.

Why it works: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals, reducing inflammation in the lungs.

6. Rooibos Tea

When my lungs are feeling heavy, I turn to rooibos tea. This naturally caffeine-free tea is full of antioxidants and has a mild, earthy flavor that’s soothing to sip on throughout the day.

Why it works: Rooibos contains compounds that may help reduce inflammation and support respiratory health.

8 'not coffee lattes' - like rooibos

7. Pineapple

Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that can help break down mucus and reduce congestion. It’s also refreshing and hydrating, which is a bonus when you’re feeling under the weather.

Why it works: Bromelain has been studied for its ability to reduce inflammation and mucus in the airways, making it a natural choice for lung support.

pink pineapple lemonade

Bonus Tips for Lung Care

Aside from food, there are a few other tricks I rely on when the air is less than ideal:

Air Purifiers

• Air Purifiers: My house is practically powered by air purifiers. I recommend brands like Mila (stylish and effective), IQAir (gold standard for respiratory care), and Austin Air (medical-grade HEPA filters). Each offers something unique, but they all help create a cleaner, safer environment indoors.

Mila: A consumer-friendly, stylish, and effective air purifier suitable for moderate-sized rooms.
IQAir: Considered the gold standard by many respiratory doctors, offering advanced filtration systems.
Austin Air: Provides clinically proven air purifiers with medical-grade HEPA filters, trusted by various health institutions.

Masks

• Masks: Yes, they’re inconvenient, but wearing an N95 or KN95 mask outdoors during high-pollution days can make a world of difference.

Other

• Steam Showers: A classic remedy. Turn your shower on hot, drape a washcloth over your face, and alternate between hot and cold water to get your system moving.

• Over-the-Counter Help: Mucinex has been my saving grace when congestion hits hard.

A Final Note

If you’re feeling the effects of pollution—whether it’s from wildfires or anything else—know that you’re not alone. As someone with sensitive lungs, I deeply empathize with the fear and frustration that come with struggling to breathe. Take care of yourself, lean on tools like air purifiers and masks, and don’t hesitate to reach for an inhaler if you need it.

Lastly, if you’re a smoker, consider quitting. I grew up with a smoker in the house, and it did a number on my lungs. It’s not easy, but your future self—and your lungs—will thank you.

Stay safe, stay inside, and eat well. And if you have a go-to lung-friendly food or remedy, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Supporting Research & Resources

Disclaimer: This article is based on personal experience and is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider for guidance.

Letter from the Editor: Embracing the Holiday Time Glow

November 20, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

Letter from the Editor: Embracing the Holiday Time Glow (aka, holiday time for moms)

Dear Friends,

I thought it would be fun to start a seasonal letter. Blogging has become so sporadic for me that when I actually find the time, I really need to embrace that work energy. And today’s one of those days.

As the air cools, fall into winter feels like a bridge—it’s that transition when Thanksgiving, holiday travel, and all the seasonal chaos start rolling in. There’s a chill in the air, and even the smallest things feel cozy.

It’s also prime time for comfort food! Bean stews, pumpkin pie, frothy lattes with vegan marshmallows, sautéed winter greens, and pasta drenched in olive oil—yes, please. You can find all those goodies in my recipes section.

Here in LA, we don’t get hardcore chill or snow, but we still get some seasonal flair: cool mornings, moody sunsets, and that undeniable urge to cozy up with a Starbucks red cup in hand (soy milk is finally free, guys!). And those giant, brightly decorated community Christmas trees—love them! LA may not have snow, but it makes up for it with festive energy. We’ll definitely be heading to The Grove for their "snow" nights. It’s actually cool—they blow real snow from the store rooftops.

But I digress…

Rosalie (now four!) is diving headfirst into the holiday magic. We watched The Santa Clause last weekend, and for the first time, she sat through the whole thing. She cracked up at all the silly parts, and I giggled at the ridiculous '90s jokes. (Yep, that movie came out in 1994. Whoa.) My other fave Tim Allen holiday movie? Christmas with the Kranks. Why do I love that movie so much?

For all the holiday movie inspo: check out my Holiday Movies + Recipe Pairings post on the blog.

Life lately has been about juggling the chaos while finding those quiet moments. Between school events, holiday prep, and creative projects (hello, gift guides and new recipes!), I’m carving out space for the stuff that really matters. For me, that’s focusing on wellness in ways that feel doable—bubble baths, catching up with fellow moms, rambling through a therapy session, grabbing a facial at Face Gym, or treating myself to an amazing lunch (shoutout to the Sprout Sandwich at Urth).

This past year has also been about embracing a creative shift. I’ve got so many ideas simmering—courses, a podcast, all the things—but I’m learning to say yes to what lights me up and let go of what doesn’t. Balance, yet zero balance at all. Moms are all in - all the time. So work/life balance is a pretty silly phrase.

Balance doesn’t really exist in motherhood, but it’s something I’m always trying to harness. Like magic. I can’t see it, but I know it’s there—ha. Maybe it’s in tiny little bits and broken pieces. Shattered snow and ice. Chaos and energy. Energy is a good thing! And somewhere, there’s always the quiet eye of a storm.

Motherhood is a happy storm, a wintery crystal, sparkly flurry of feelings. Elsa in her castle, with Olaf rolling around at her sparkly shoe feet. Wait... am I Elsa or Olaf in this story? Hmm.

Fall with a preschooler means finding joy in the little things. Like last night, when we went out hunting for Christmas lights. Every new sparkle was a major deal for Rosalie. She even put on her “spotting eyes” to make sure she didn’t miss a single one.

Thanks for being here, for cooking with me, and for being part of this community. I hope you find inspiration in the recipes, stories, and ideas shared this season. Here’s to a fall full of cozy vibes, good food, and a little everyday magic.

~ Kathy

Don't miss my recent posts: HOLIDAY RECIPE QUICKLIST + HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Vegan Holiday Recipe Quicklist

November 20, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

You want it, I got it, this Vegan Holiday Recipe Quicklist is for all my seasoned HHL readers who know these recipes are a must-have around the holidays - vegan holiday recipes are a GO!

And on this page, you don't want the fluff, just the links. Let's do it...

Vegan Holiday Recipes

Recipe Categories

Appetizers

Entrées

Side Dishes

Desserts

Additional Resources

Vegan Lifestyle Resources

Tips for a Joyful Vegan Holiday

Thanksgiving and all through December as well - is about more than just food—it’s a time to celebrate gratitude, compassion, and connection. Focus on creating warm family traditions like cooking together, watching cozy holiday movies, or helping those in need. Don’t stress over making every dish perfect; instead, blend classic recipes with modern plant-based favorites for a feast that feels approachable and delicious. Remember, the best moments come from the love and memories shared around the table, not the number of dishes served!

Seriously, though I cling to these vegan holiday recipes as my guide, I also wing it a lot! Last night, we played in the kitchen, creating apple pie without any recipe at all. It wasn't perfect, but boy did my four year-old have fun!

Happy holidays everyone!

Holiday Gift Guide for 4-5-Year-Olds: Top Picks for Magic and Fun!

November 20, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

I’m popping in to share my holiday gift guide for 4-5-year-olds—some of my favorite ideas that spark magic and fun. Last year I posted this toddler gift guide. And this year, I get a bit more preschool/TK aged.

This time of year is pretty amazing when you have kids. Their wonder and excitement is so cute. But let’s be real: mixed in with all that bliss can be some overwhelm and stress. If you’re anything like me, you’re probably searching for a few fun, meaningful gift ideas. Well, here are mine to share!

My Gift Philosophy

Rosalie is only four, and she has her whole life ahead of her to want things. Right now, she doesn’t fully understand Christmas; she’s still learning. That’s the beauty of this age—you get to shape what the holidays mean for your family. Sure, gifts are part of it (maybe even a little Santa magic!), but they don’t have to be the whole story.

For us, the holidays are about creating a warm, glowy season filled with family traditions—baking cookies, decorating together, helping others, and cozy movie nights. Gifts are just the accent to that magic. Tiny, perfect things. (Which, by the way, is also the name of a book we just bought and adore—linked below!)

A Quick Memory

When Rosalie was one, we went all out—piled gifts under the tree, eager to share the Christmas morning magic with our new baby. She opened one present, fell asleep, and the day turned into a mix of coffee refills, naps, and figuring out how to get through that mountain of gifts.

It was a moment of realization for me: Christmas doesn’t need a giant pile of presents to be magical. In fact, it can feel overwhelming, even for little ones. Now, I focus less on things and more on gratitude, connection, and the joy of giving. Sure, we still open gifts—it’s part of the fun! But these days, I’d rather fill our holidays with experiences, hugs, and the warm fuzzies that come from making memories as a family.

So, here’s to gifts that spark joy without stealing the show—and to crafting the holiday traditions that feel right for your family. Let’s dive in!

HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR 4-5-YEAR-OLDS

The holidays are here—twinkling lights, frosty mornings, and the magical hum of excitement from kids everywhere. If you’re a parent of a 4- or 5-year-old, you know this age is all about curiosity, imagination, and big ideas. Whether your little one dreams of building rockets, baking pizzas, or creating potions, this guide has something for everyone.

So grab a mug of cocoa, get cozy, and let’s browse some picks for my holiday gift guide...

Holiday Gift Guide for 4-5-Year-Olds: Top Picks for Magic and Fun!

Entertainment Industry Barbie - buy it
Picture Books - links + list below
Ice Cream Shop Set - buy it
Tape Dispenser - buy it
Foil Fun - buy it
Large Flat Gem - buy it
Nat'l Geo Gem Kit - buy it
Sensory + Potion Kits - buy it
Fairy House Kit - buy it
Magnetic Dress-up Dolls - buy it
Adventure Kidz Kit - buy it
Wooden Puppet Theater - buy it
Knight and Dragon Play Set - buy it
Animal Rescue Vet Set - buy it
IKEA Yellow Chair - buy it

Let's go, holiday gift guide:

1. Entertainment Industry Barbie Set

Price: ~$30
Who it’s for: The budding filmmaker
Why it’s awesome: This set is all about inspiring creativity. With accessories like a camera and clapperboard, kids can imagine themselves directing movies or creating stories. Rosalie loves pretending to make her own little films—lights, camera, action!
Buy it: Amazon - Barbie Set

2. Books to Inspire Wonder

Some of our fave books lately.. Give the gift of stories and imagination! These picture books are beautifully illustrated and perfect for 4- to 5-year-olds:

Chicka Chicka Ho Ho Ho: A festive spin on a classic tale.
Tiny Perfect Things: A gentle reminder to find magic in the small moments.
The Circus Ship: Whimsical and adventurous, this story has a big heart.
The Candy Dish: A sweet and delightful read.
Space Block: Packed with fun facts and spacey illustrations—perfect for little astronauts.
Little Pea: Cute tale about a pea who lives veggies and hates candy!
The Cat with the Missing Sock: Cute tale of a cat named Theodore..

...We keep these books on heavy rotation on our nightstand lately!

3. The Gigglescape™ Target Ice Cream Set

Price: ~$25
Who it’s for: The dessert-loving dreamer
Why it’s awesome: Holiday gift guide must have: pretend food! This play food set brings ice cream shop fun right into your living room. Rosalie loves serving up pretend sundaes and cones—complete with sprinkles!
Alternative Gifts: Target's Gigglescape brand also has some very fun pretend food toys like a grocery register, pizzeria and coffee maker etc.
Buy it: TARGET

4. Tape Dispenser

Price: ~$10
Who it’s for: Craft Kids
Why it’s awesome: If you get this, you get this. Kids love tape. And it's about time they learn to get their own piece of it! Well a heavyweight dispenser can allow you to let them do just that.
Buy it: Amazon

5. Foil Fun Craft Kit

Price: ~$20
Who it’s for: Creative kiddos
Why it’s awesome: This is still a big hit in our home! She loves this activity.. This kit lets kids create shiny, textured art pieces. Easy, mess-free, and endlessly fun—perfect for fostering artistic expression.
Buy it: Amazon

6. Large Flat Gem

Price: ~$10+
Who it’s for: Sparkle Lovers
Why it’s awesome: Our little girl is gem obsessed lately and so when she could add this giant flat gem to her set, she was super excited. Comes in a variety of colors. Basically anything involving gold or gems is a hit in our house right now...
Buy it: Amazon

7. National Geographic Rock, Mineral & Fossil Kit

Price: ~$20
Who it’s for: The curious explorer
Why it’s awesome: Kids can excavate real gemstones, learning about geology while uncovering sparkly treasures. It’s messy fun with an educational twist! Rosalie loves this kit and all the many different gems in it. Also check out gem bingo - a purchase for my gift list this year.
Buy it: Amazon

8. Fairy Potion + Play Dough Sensory Kits

Price: ~$30
Who it’s for: The maker
Why it’s awesome: These enchanting sets let your kiddo run with their imagination. This company makes a bunch of really fun sensory kits in all sorts of themes.
Buy it: Sensory Kits + Potion Kit by Young + Wild and Friedman

9. Wooden Fairy House Building Kit

Price: ~$40
Who it’s for: The crafty builder
Why it’s awesome: Kids can build and decorate their own fairy homes with plants moss, and tiny furniture. It’s like bringing a magical forest into your home. This is a gift I will be purchasing as a gift this year. I will be getting my hot glue gun out for this one.
Buy it: Fairy House Kit

10. Magnetic Dress-Up Dolls

Price: ~$20
Who it’s for: Fashion loving storytellers
Why it’s awesome: These dolls come with mix-and-match outfits for endless pretend play. It’s easy for little hands and perfect for storytelling. My fave toy as a kid was paper dress-up dolls, so this is a modern spin on those!
Buy it: Amazon

11. Adventure Kidz Set

Price: ~$15
Who it’s for: The outdoor adventurer
Why it’s awesome: Encourage exploration and imaginative play with this adventure explorer kit for kids. Perfect for backyard adventures or pretend jungle treks.
Buy it: Adventure Kit

12. Wooden Puppet Theater

Price: ~$99
Who it’s for: Storytellers
Why it’s awesome: This tabletop puppet theater is ideal for creating and performing imaginative stories. Pair with hand or finger puppets for endless entertainment.
Buy it: Wooden Puppet Theater

13. Knight Dragon Play Set

Price: ~$10
Who it’s for: Adventure Storytellers
Why it’s awesome: This is a simple little stocking stuffer giving off some GOT vibes, but for kiddos with big imaginations. It would pair really well with the Knight Owl children's book!
Buy it: Knight and Dragons

14. Animal Rescue Vet Set

Price: ~$20
Who it’s for: Animal lovers
Why it’s awesome: Animal loving kiddos will love taking care of a few furry friends. We love this kit in our house. The cone and cast are two fave pieces..
Buy it: Ve t Set

15. IKEA Yellow Chair - Sotenäs

Price: $199-250 (depending on if it's on sale..)
Why it’s awesome: This one may be for both kiddos and parents, but this is the perfect storytime chair to place in the corner of the playroom or bedroom. It is low to the ground, soft and cozy and bright perky yellow! We love it.
Buy it: IKEA

And that’s a wrap on my Holiday Gift Guide for 4-5-Year-Olds! Whether you’re looking for creativity, imagination, or a little holiday sparkle, these gifts are sure to bring joy to your kiddo—and maybe even to you.

Remember: The greatest gift you can give is your time. Play together, read those books, and dive into the magic of the holidays with your little one.

Happy gifting and happy holidays! 🎄✨ ~ Kathy

Vegan "Dad Sandwich" Revisited

September 16, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky 2 Comments

I'm sharing my Vegan "Dad Sandwich" Revisited today. You bring the EASY, I'll bring the peasy. And the flavor. And the fun. And the plant protein!

This is a flavor-packed vegan sandwich that takes the classic "lunchmeat and cheese" sandwich of my youth and turns it on it's side.

This "dad sandwich" is a recipe from my memories as a kid and also from my second cookbook Healthy Happy Vegan Kitchen - amazon listing. The recipe might seem totally self-explanatory, but maybe the origins for me are not. So today, I am sharing the specific brands and ingredients I am into right now, as well as the story behind this yummy, plant-based lunchtime sandwich recipe!

Meat and Cheese Sandwich Gone Vegan

So in short, this is a vegan version of a meat and cheese sandwich. But I have pulled the recipe specifically from my childhood. I think I saw this recipe prepared about a million times... But only until now, is it actually appealing to me. Weird, right?

"Dad Sandwich" Origin

My dad worked from home, in real estate. This was nearly thirty years before the pandemic, so working from home wasn't the norm. But still, there he was, locked away in his first floor office on most weekdays, working up a storm. Of course I was usually at school, but even still, from sick days or summer days or whatnot, I still knew the drill by heart.

Come lunchtime, he would click open his office and thump up the carpeted stairs to our kitchen. Pull out the jar of mayo, mustard, white bread and whatever lunchmeat and cheese he had on hand. I think cheese was actually optional. Then he would prepare it all on a paper towel. Scooping mayo and mustard with the same knife, always mixing the jars together - irritating probably everyone in our family. But that was dad's lunch stuff, so we didn't complain.

I only ever remember him eating this sandwich for lunch.

I mean, it's a winning sandwich if you are looking for flavor and protein and ease, yes? But of course, I needed to give it a very hefty makeover of the plant-based variety.

But my version does not skimp on flavor OR protein! In fact, I'm pretty sure my dad would have loved this one just as much as the original version...

fancy version of my dad sandwich - vegan version

More of my VEGAN SANDWICH RECIPES.

The Ingredients for a "Dad Sandwich"

The vegan meat

For the meat I am using Field Roast Smoked Tomato slices these days. It is by far my fave "vegan lunchmeat" -- mostly because it doesn't taste like lunch meat at all and just has a nice smoky flavor kinda like pepperoni or smoky tempeh bacon. The slices are thin and the protein content is robust.

The vegan cheese

For the cheese, you have a very wide variety of options, but I am loving the Violife Gouda cheese slices for sandwiches and cheese and crackers these days. My fave part if the texture. It isn't soft or "rubbery" at all. It is actually a bit more of a firmer chees, but the flavor is so good. Smoky and salty, just perfect.

For the mayo, you can use and plant-based mayo you'd like. My forever fave is Vegenaise.

For the mustard, you really want to go classic with yellow mustard. Don't use the dijon or fancy stuff. You just want a sharp accent of mustard flavor.

Additional ingredients could be the following:

avocado mash or slices
pickles or capers or olives
salt and pepper - pepper is a must for me
tomato slices
1-2 leaves of crisp lettuce leaves

The Bread for a "Dad Sandwich"

Though my dad used the most average white bread around, I love to turn the bread way up with some fluffy bakery-style seeded sourdough. Anything that tastes good on it's own will do great here. And if you like the white bread thing, go for it. Whatever you are craving works!

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how customizable it can be. Growing up, my dad kept things simple, but now there are endless ways to upgrade this classic sandwich. The key to a great “Dad Sandwich” is finding the right balance between nostalgia and modern, plant-based goodness.

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Vegan "Dad Sandwich" Revisited

This classic gone vegan sandwich using meat and cheese and lots of flavor.

Prep Time4

Cook Time2

Total Time6

Course: lunch

Cuisine: American

Keyword: sandwich

Servings: sandwich

Calories: 486kcal

Author: Kathy Patalsky

Ingredients

2 slices sourdough bread
4 slices vegan lunchmeat field roast smoky tomato
1 slice vegan cheese violife gouda
2-4 teaspoon vegan mayo
2 teaspoon mustard
1 pinch pepper
1 dill pickle optional
¼ whole avocado optinal

Instructions

You know the drill. Toast the bread if you want, add the condiments, layer the ingredients and slice to serve!

Notes

any version of a vegan meat would work - even tempeh bacon or vegan "turkey" or tofu would be amazing in this!

Nutrition

Why I Love This Sandwich

It’s no secret that I love creating plant-based versions of my favorite childhood recipes, and this one has such a personal connection to me. Food has always been a big part of my family, and while my dad wasn’t exactly a master chef, this sandwich was his thing. It reminds me of those simple afternoons where the house would fill with the sound of his footsteps and the smell of mustard and mayo wafting through the air - lol. Reimagining it into something I can enjoy as a vegan is not only fun but also a way to keep those memories alive.

And you know what’s great? This sandwich is so easy to throw together, which makes it perfect for busy days when you don’t have time to think about lunch but still want something hearty and satisfying. The beauty of a sandwich like this is that it doesn’t take much effort but still feels special.

Other Add-Ins and Tips

One thing I love doing when I make this is playing around with different flavors and textures. The vegan meat and cheese are the stars of the show, but adding extras like pickles, avocado, or tomato can really take it to the next level. I sometimes like to sprinkle a bit of everything seasoning on top of my avocado for that extra crunch and flavor punch.

And for a fun twist, try toasting the bread. My dad used to make his sandwiches cold, straight from the fridge, but I’m all about that toasty warmth. A quick press in the panini maker or even on a stovetop skillet makes the cheese melty and the bread perfectly crispy. Trust me, it’s a game-changer.

Sandwich for Everyone

What’s great about this "dad sandwich" is how versatile it can be for everyone’s taste. Whether you’re packing it for a quick lunch, serving it up for a picnic, or making it for a family meal, there’s something comforting about a simple sandwich done right. Kids love it because it’s familiar, and adults appreciate the depth of flavors from the smoked vegan meats and rich cheese slices.

This sandwich can even be a fun little project if you want to get the whole family involved. My daughter loves “building” her sandwiches, and it’s such an easy, hands-on way to introduce little ones to plant-based eating. She gets to choose what goes inside, and of course, we always add a bit of avocado and pickles for her. It’s messy, but it’s fun!

Why This Dad Sandwich Sticks With Me

In the end, what makes this sandwich special isn’t just the taste—it’s the memories. Weird, because it's just bread, "meat" and cheese. Vegan style.

But every time I make this, I can’t help but smile thinking of my dad’s lunchtime ritual. As I continue to evolve the recipe, it’s like I’m creating new memories while honoring the old ones. That’s what food should be about, right? Telling stories, remembering the past, and making new traditions.

So if you’re looking for a quick, flavorful, and protein-packed vegan sandwich, the “Dad Sandwich” is it. Whether you make it exactly as I have or switch things up to fit your taste buds, it’s a recipe that never disappoints. Plus, it’s the perfect reminder that even the simplest meals can carry the most heart.

Now, go ahead and grab those ingredients, and let’s make some lunchtime magic!

dad sandwich - vegan version - pinterest

Best Preschool Lunchboxes. My Top 3 Picks!

September 4, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

Today I am sharing The 3 Best Preschool Lunchboxes have tried more than a handful of lunchboxes over the past few years, and here are my faves. These brands are the absolute best on the market IMO. But check out these stats for yourself...

My 3 Favorite Preschool Lunchboxes:

Let's check them out!...

The Best Lunchboxes for Preschoolers

When it comes to packing lunch for preschoolers, finding the perfect lunchbox can make all the difference. A good lunchbox should be easy for little hands to open, durable enough to withstand daily use, and, of course, cute enough to make your kiddo excited about lunchtime. After trying out several options, I’ve narrowed it down to my top three favorites: YUMBOX, Bentgo, and PlanetBox. Each of these lunchboxes has unique features that make them stand out, and I’m excited to share why they’re the best on the market, in my opinion.

Let’s dive into what makes these lunchboxes so special!

And then later, you can fill these boxes up with some kid recipes.)

YUMBOX

First up is the YUMBOX, a favorite among parents and kids alike. This bento-style lunchbox is perfect for preschoolers because it’s designed to make healthy eating fun and easy. The YUMBOX has a variety of compartments, which are just the right size for packing a balanced meal, including fruits, veggies, proteins, and snacks.

Features:

Portion Control: One of the standout features of the YUMBOX is its built-in portion control. The compartments are labeled with food groups, helping you ensure that your child is getting a well-rounded meal. This is especially helpful if you’re trying to encourage healthy eating habits early on.
Leakproof: The YUMBOX has a silicone-lined lid that makes it completely leakproof, so you don’t have to worry about spills or leaks, even with liquids like yogurt or applesauce.
Easy to Open: Preschoolers will have no trouble opening and closing the YUMBOX on their own, thanks to its simple, child-friendly latch. This independence is a big win for both kids and parents.
Durable and Safe: Made from high-quality, BPA-free materials, the YUMBOX is built to last. It’s also dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a breeze.

Why It’s Great for Preschoolers: The YUMBOX is perfect for preschoolers because it encourages variety in their meals. The small, divided compartments are ideal for packing different foods without them touching (a common concern for little ones). Plus, the colorful designs and fun themes make lunchtime exciting, which can be especially helpful for picky eaters.

Choose a YUMBOX color on Amazon

BENTGO

Next on the list is the Bentgo Kids lunchbox, another fantastic option that’s perfect for preschoolers. Bentgo is known for its thoughtful design and kid-friendly features, making it a popular choice among parents.

Favorite Pick!

Bentgo is our favorite lunchbox this year. It has just enough space for lots of options, but not too much space, which is my complaint with the PlanetBox for tiny kiddos. We just love this one this year!

Features:

Five Compartments: The Bentgo Kids lunchbox has five compartments in varying sizes, allowing you to pack a variety of foods. The large compartment is perfect for a sandwich or main dish, while the smaller compartments are great for sides and snacks.
Leakproof Technology: Like the YUMBOX, Bentgo Kids lunchboxes are also leakproof, thanks to their rubberized seal. You can confidently pack liquids or foods with sauces without worrying about spills.
Microwave and Dishwasher Safe: Bentgo Kids lunchboxes are both microwave and dishwasher-safe, making them incredibly convenient for busy parents. You can easily heat up meals and then toss the lunchbox in the dishwasher for quick cleanup.
Durable and Drop-Proof: Bentgo lunchboxes are built to withstand rough handling, which is important when dealing with preschoolers. The sturdy design and rubber edges help protect the lunchbox from drops and bumps.

Why It’s Great for Preschoolers: The Bentgo Kids lunchbox is perfect for preschoolers who like a bit of variety in their meals. The different compartment sizes allow you to get creative with what you pack, from sandwiches and wraps to fruits, veggies, and dips. The easy-to-open latch and durable design make it ideal for little ones who are still getting the hang of handling their lunchboxes.

Snag one on Amazon

PLANETBOX

Last but certainly not least in my Best Preschool Lunchboxes list, is the PlanetBox Rover, a stainless steel lunchbox that’s as stylish as it is functional. PlanetBox is known for its eco-friendly design, making it a great choice for parents who want to reduce their environmental impact.

My only complaint about this ROVER size is that it is pretty huge. I started preschool by packing all my 2-3 year-old's lunches and this and quickly realized it was just too massive for her. That being said, the ONE PIECE wonder part of it is pretty amazing. And I love stainless steel anything for kiddos.

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planet box Features:

Eco-Friendly: The PlanetBox Rover is made from high-quality stainless steel, making it a durable and eco-friendly alternative to plastic lunchboxes. It’s built to last for years, which means less waste and more sustainability.
Customizable: One of the unique features of the PlanetBox is its customizable design. You can choose from a variety of fun magnets that stick to the outside of the lunchbox, allowing your child to personalize their lunchbox and make it their own.
Divided Compartments: The PlanetBox Rover has five compartments, including a large main section and smaller sections for sides and snacks. The compartments are perfectly sized to keep foods separate and fresh, without the need for disposable plastic bags or containers.
Dishwasher Safe: Cleaning the PlanetBox Rover is a breeze, as it’s completely dishwasher safe. The stainless steel design means no worrying about stains or odors, and the materials are completely safe for your child’s food.

Why It’s Great for Preschoolers: The PlanetBox Rover is perfect for preschoolers who enjoy variety in their meals and appreciate a bit of independence in customizing their lunchbox. The sturdy, eco-friendly design is ideal for parents who are conscious of sustainability, and the fun magnets add a personalized touch that kids love. Plus, the stainless steel construction ensures that the lunchbox will last for years, making it a great investment.

Snag a PlanetBox on Amazon

Which Lunchbox is Right for Your Child?

Choosing the right lunchbox for your preschooler can depend on a few factors, such as their eating habits, how much variety they like in their meals, and how independent they are with opening and closing their lunchbox. Here’s a quick summary of my Best Preschool Lunchboxes, to help you decide:

YUMBOX is great for kids who need a bit of guidance in portion control and enjoy a colorful, playful design.
Bentgo is perfect for kids who like a variety of foods and need a lunchbox that can handle the occasional drop or spill.
PlanetBox is ideal for eco-conscious families who want a durable, customizable lunchbox that will last for years.

No matter which lunchbox you choose, the most important thing is that it works for your child and makes lunchtime enjoyable. These three options are all fantastic choices that offer unique benefits, so you can’t go wrong!

Other Lunchbox Brands People Love...

A few others to browse that just might be amazing enough for this Best Preschool Lunchboxes list. I have not tried all of these, but my reviews below.

OMNIBOX

OmieBox
The OmieBox is a fantastic choice for parents who want to pack both hot and cold items in one lunchbox. It features an insulated thermos insert that can keep food warm, making it ideal for soups, pasta, or other hot meals. The rest of the compartments stay cool, perfect for fresh fruits, veggies, or sandwiches. This versatile design is a game-changer for busy mornings when you want to pack a variety of foods that need different temperatures.

REVIEW: I did not love this one. The elastic strap/waterguard component just really bothers me.

LUNCHBOTS

LunchBots
LunchBots are known for their simple, stainless steel designs that are both durable and eco-friendly. They offer various compartment options, which makes it easy to pack a balanced meal with different food groups. The sleek, minimalist design is perfect for parents who prefer a no-fuss, easy-to-clean lunchbox. Plus, the stainless steel material ensures that the food stays fresh without absorbing odors or stains over time.

BENTOLOGY

Bentology
Formerly known as Laptop Lunches, Bentology offers bento-style lunchboxes that are perfect for portion control and variety. The boxes come with multiple containers that fit snugly into the larger box, allowing you to pack a wide range of foods without them mixing. Bentology lunchboxes are also known for their vibrant colors and fun patterns, making them a hit with kids. They’re easy to clean, dishwasher-safe, and durable enough to withstand daily use.

SKIP HOP

Skip Hop
Skip Hop’s lunchboxes are particularly popular among younger kids due to their adorable animal-themed designs. These lunchboxes are the perfect size for preschoolers, offering just enough space for a sandwich, a small snack, and a drink. They come with an easy-to-use zipper and a comfortable handle, making them a breeze for little hands to carry. The designs are not only cute but also functional, with insulated interiors to keep food fresh throughout the day.

MUNCHKIN

Munchkin Lunchbox
This popular brand carries a lesser known lunchbox that is pretty amazing. It contains a built-in fork that snaps in magically. I actually discovered this lunchbox while researching this post and purchased one to try out! Will update this post as needed..

Conclusion

Finding the perfect lunchbox for your preschooler doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With options like the YUMBOX, Bentgo, and PlanetBox, you can feel confident that you’re choosing a lunchbox that’s durable, easy to use, and fun for your child. Whether your little one is a picky eater or loves trying new foods, these lunchboxes make it easy to pack a nutritious and appealing lunch every day. So, go ahead and pick the one that best suits your child’s needs—lunchtime just got a whole lot more exciting!

Leftover Coffee Smoothie

September 4, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky 1 Comment

If you despise wasting food - even coffee - and love a frosty sip - this flavorful and fun Leftover Coffee Smoothie is for you.

Come eleven AM, I stumble through the kitchen and notice my pot of coffee, warmish and sitting there, but no desire to actually drink it. Well let's create a recipe for it! One that has some oomph, nutrition and frosty-deliciousness.

Yes, this was more of a summertime post for me when the weather was hot and a midday frappe sounded amazing. But hey, you can easily make this year round if you turn up the heat or pile on a bundle of warm winter sweaters.

Just Make Less Coffee?

Look, I get it, the average person will hear about my leftover coffee dilemma and tell me to simple measure better and stop making too much coffee. Okay, that is a lovely-sounding plan, but here's the thing. I only want to make coffee once. So overmake it, it is. Plus, some days we drink more and other days less. I can't really explain it, but to have enough coffee, we always need to have a little leftover.

Plus, this recipe is fun and delicious, so it's not such a bad thing to have leftovers!

Matcha Spin?

You guys know I love matcha, so if you want to give this smoothie a match spin, simply replace the coffee with about ⅓ more plant milk and add in 1-2 teaspoon matcha powder. Easy. Browse my matcha green tea reviews here.

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Leftover Coffee Smoothie

This easy coffee smoothie is perfect when you have some leftover coffee and crave a cool sip. Plant-baswed.

Cook Time3

Course: beverage

Keyword: coffee, smoothie

Servings:

Calories: 123kcal

Author: Kathy Patalsky

Ingredients

½-1 cup coffee
2 whole bananas frozen for the best creamy texture
1 cup soy milk
1 tablespoon agave syrup
1 tablespoon almond butter optional
pinch cinnamon optional
ice to taste

Instructions

Add everythign to your blender and blend until smooth. Start on the lowest setting and move to the high blender setting. Vitamix-style blenders work best for rock hard frozen bananas.

Nutrition

Why Make a Leftover Coffee Smoothie?

Beyond the obvious benefit of reducing waste, a leftover coffee smoothie is a fantastic way to elevate your mid-morning or afternoon snack. It combines the rich, bold flavor of coffee with the refreshing coolness of a smoothie. Plus, it’s a versatile recipe that you can customize based on what you have in your kitchen.

Think of it as a cross between your favorite coffee shop treat and a healthy smoothie.

How to Make Your Leftover Coffee Smoothie Unique

What’s great about this recipe is how adaptable it is. You can keep it simple or dress it up depending on your mood and what’s in your pantry. Here are some variations and add-ins to make your leftover coffee smoothie even more delicious:

Protein Boost: Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to turn your smoothie into a post-workout treat. Vanilla, chocolate, or even unflavored protein powders work well with the coffee base.
Nut Butter Swirl: A spoonful of almond butter, peanut butter, or cashew butter adds richness, healthy fats, and a creamy texture that pairs beautifully with coffee.
Fruit Additions: Frozen bananas, berries, or even a handful of dates can add natural sweetness and a fruity twist to your coffee smoothie. Bananas, in particular, help create a smooth and creamy consistency.
Spice It Up: For a warm and cozy flavor, try adding a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even pumpkin pie spice. It’s like your favorite fall latte in smoothie form!
Oats for Fiber: Toss in a handful of rolled oats for extra fiber and a heartier smoothie. This is great if you’re looking for something more filling that can serve as a quick breakfast.
Greens for Goodness: Want to sneak in some greens? A handful of spinach or kale can easily blend into your coffee smoothie without altering the flavor too much. It’s a great way to get an extra serving of veggies without even noticing.
Chocolate Lover’s Dream: If you’re a chocolate fan, add a tablespoon of cocoa powder or even a few dark chocolate chips for a mocha-flavored treat.

How to Make Your Leftover Coffee Smoothie

Making a leftover coffee smoothie is as easy as can be. Start by gathering your ingredients. At its simplest, you'll need your leftover coffee, a liquid base (like almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk), a sweetener (if desired), and ice cubes. From there, you can add any of the variations mentioned above or keep it straightforward.

One more recipe: my other fave coffee shake recipes is here.

Conclusion

So, next time you find yourself with a bit of leftover coffee and no desire to reheat it, why not give this smoothie a try? It’s a simple, delicious way to enjoy your coffee in a new form and make the most of every last drop. Whether you stick to the basic recipe or experiment with different add-ins, I’m sure this leftover coffee smoothie will become a staple in your kitchen, just like it has in mine. Happy blending!

Vegan Cinnamon Toast for Kids

September 3, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky 2 Comments

Today I am in the kitchen with my daughter's current obsession recipe of Vegan Cinnamon Toast. I kid you not when I say she requested and devoured four giant pieces of this stuff on our recent lazy weekend Saturday morning. Maybe it was even six pieces, I lost count! Okay, I will note she does not eat the crusts, but they are so important for the texture and handling of the toast!

Speedy Breakfast, Snack or Dessert Recipe

This is a recipe that you can easily make in five minutes, and include your kiddo in the cooking process. And the cool thing about vegan cinnamon toast is that it can easily be served as a snack, breakfast side or even a dessert! When I serve it at breakfast, I pair it with some soy or pea milk and some fruit, maybe even a diced JUSTEgg if she is into it. And you can easily dial the sugar part up or down based on what meal it is served for.

I mean, at it's core, cinnamon toast is really just a fast way to enjoy the flavor and essence of a cinnamon roll, right?!

Tips and Tricks Ahead

Don't be fooled, this isn't just a basic recipe! There are a few tips and tricks I have to make your cinnamon toast extra amazing. Let's get going...

The Magic of Cinnamon Toast

Vegan cinnamon toast is a plant-based play on one of those timeless recipes that brings back fond childhood memories for many of us. There’s something so comforting about the warm, buttery toast coated in a sweet, cinnamon-sugar sprinkle. And the best part? It's incredibly easy to make, which makes it perfect for cooking with kids.

But this vegan cinnamon toast recipe isn’t just any cinnamon toast. We’re going to take it up a notch with some simple tweaks that will make it extra special and maybe even a little healthier.

And if you are a culinary history buff, check out this origin post in the New York Times on Cinnamon Toast.

Why We Love Vegan Cinnamon Toast

There are so many reasons why vegan cinnamon toast has become a favorite in our household. First of all, it’s incredibly simple to make. With just a few pantry staples, you can whip up a batch in minutes. It’s also highly customizable, which means you can adapt it to suit your taste preferences or whatever you have on hand.

For my daughter, the best part is that she gets to be involved in the cooking process. She loves helping out in the kitchen, and cinnamon toast is the perfect recipe for little hands. From spreading the vegan butter to sprinkling the cinnamon sugar, there are plenty of opportunities for kids to get hands-on and feel like they’re really contributing to the meal.

Browse more of my vegan breakfast recipes to pair with this toast!

Choosing the Right Bread

The first step in making the perfect vegan cinnamon toast is choosing the right bread. While any bread will technically work, some varieties are definitely better than others. For the ultimate vegan cinnamon toast experience, I recommend using a thick, hearty bread that can hold up to the toppings. Whole grain bread adds a bit of extra fiber and nutrients, while sourdough gives a nice tang that pairs beautifully with the sweet cinnamon sugar.

If you’re making this recipe for little kids, consider using a soft, fluffy white or whole wheat bread. It’s a great way to make sure the toast is easy to eat and appealing to little ones. For an extra treat, you could even use cinnamon raisin bread for double the cinnamon flavor!

The Perfect Vegan Butter Spread

One of the key ingredients in my vegan cinnamon toast is, of course, the butter. There are so many great vegan butter options available now that it’s easy to find one that tastes just like the real thing. My personal favorite is Miyoko's Oat Butter. It sounds odd, but it is SO GOOD. I like the one that comes in a container with the blue lid. You can spot it in the photo above...

The key to getting a perfect spread is to make sure your butter is soft, but not melted. This will help it spread easily over the bread without tearing. If your butter is straight out of the fridge, just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften.

And that is why I love the Oat Butter in the container. It is always ready to spread.

Cinnamon-Sugar Magic

The cinnamon-sugar mixture is where the magic really happens. Many recipes will say to make a cinnamon-sugar mixture ahead of time. Using 1:3 ratio of white sugar to cinnemon. Well, I don't do that. I simply add the sugar, then sprinkle the cinnamon over top.

I also do not use white sugar. Instead, I will either use dark brown sugar - or coconut sugar.

Coconut sugar adds a lovely caramel flavor that pairs wonderfully with cinnamon, while turbinado sugar gives a nice crunch.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Cinnamon Toast

Now that we’ve got our ingredients sorted, let’s talk about a few tips and tricks to make your vegan cinnamon toast extra amazing:

Toast Twice for Extra Crunch: Toast the bread before adding the butter,etc.
Soft on One Side: I love toast that is soft on one side (the bottom) and crunchy on the top. To achieve this effect, you ONLY use the oven on broil setting. This way the top caramelizes and gets all crunchy sweet with the butter and sugar, while the bottom side stays soft and fluffy. The edges get browned and crispy too.
Get Creative with Toppings: Try adding fresh fruit like sliced bananas or strawberries. Nuts or granola can also work.
Add a Touch of Spice: Try adding a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, or even a little cayenne to your cinnamon-sugar topping.
Go Savory-Sweet: If the butter isn't savory enough for you, add a pinch of salt.
No Butter! If you are out of butter, replace with olive oil or avocado oil - or even coconut oil. Add a pinch of salt to mimic the savoriness of butter.
Make It a Meal: Try serving it alongside a smoothie or a bowl of fruit for a balanced breakfast. Not even kidding, it can even be paired with savory dishes if you are willing to be creative with taste buds! It could even be a gateway item to get your kids to eat the rest of their dinner!
Soak the Edges: For extra decadence and healthy fats, I will drizzle avocado or olive oil over top my toast before putting it in the oven.
Use Fresh Cinnamon: Grind your own or simply make sure that your cinnamon is fresh. Check that expiration date!
Add Raisins and Almond Butter: I love adding raisins and drizzling a nut butter over top before baking.

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Vegan Cinnamon Toast for Kids

This simple yet always dreamy recipe is perfect for cooking with kids.

Prep Time2

Cook Time3

Total Time6

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: banana bread, cinnamon, stuffed sweet potato

Servings:

Calories: 167kcal

Author: Kathy Patalsky

Equipment

1 baking sheet
1 parchment paper sheet

Ingredients

2 slices bread
1-2 tablespoon vegan butter
2 tablespoon brown sugar
¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

Turn oven to broil while you prep the toast.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Spread the butter on the bread - making sure to butter every crevice and corner.
Sprinkle the sugar over top - covering evenly and using a thickness that you desire to taste. More sugar will make it sweeter and with a thicker crunch on top.
Sprinkle the cinnamon.
Place in the oven, top rack, but far enough from the broiler so that it cooks evenly. Broil for 3 minutes or until desired browning is achieved.
Slice and serve!

Nutrition

Cooking with Kids: A Learning Experience

One of my favorite things about making cinnamon toast with my daughter is that it’s a great way to teach her some basic cooking skills. From spreading the butter to measuring out the cinnamon and sugar, there are so many opportunities for little ones to practice their motor skills and learn about different ingredients.

Yes, she usually licks the sugar bowl somewhere during the process, and maybe slathers on a bit too much butter, but hey, that's part of cooking with kids!

I also love using this recipe as a way to talk about nutrition and making healthy choices. We discuss why we use vegan butter, the benefits of whole-grain bread, and how sugar should be enjoyed in moderation. It’s a fun and interactive way to start teaching kids about food and cooking.

Making Memories in the Kitchen

At the end of the day, the best part about making cinnamon toast isn’t just the delicious end result—it’s the memories we create in the process. There’s something so special about spending time together in the kitchen, making a mess, and enjoying the fruits of our labor.

I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your kitchen as it does to mine. Whether you’re making it for a quick breakfast, a cozy afternoon snack, or a fun cooking project with your kids, vegan cinnamon toast is sure to be a hit. So grab your ingredients, gather your little helpers, and let’s make some memories (and some delicious toast) together!

Final Thoughts

I’d love to hear how your cinnamon toast turned out! Did you try any fun variations or add any special toppings? Share your creations in the comments below, and let’s inspire each other to keep experimenting and having fun in the kitchen.

Thanks for joining me on this cinnamon-sugar adventure. Until next time, happy cooking!

The Problem with the Term "Stay at Home Mom" - And My Own Complicated Feelings

September 1, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky 1 Comment

The Problem with the term "Stay at Home Mom" - And my own complicated feelings on it. This is an issue that's been close to my heart for the past four years - so let's talk about it...

There’s a term I’ve never been able to get behind .. stay-at-home mom. Tossed around casually, it attempts to neatly categorize moms who don’t have traditional office jobs. But here’s the thing: the term doesn’t just miss the mark, it couldn't be further from reality.

I’ve been a mom for four years now, and if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that staying at home is the last thing I do. My days are a blur of movement - school drop-offs, doctor’s appointments, playdates, grocery runs, and squeezing in creative work whenever possible - at least a few hours each day - hunched over my desk, speedily typing, constantly glancing at the clock to make sure I don't leave for preschool pickup too late.

I interact with teachers, coaches, medical professionals, small business owners, and other parents daily. I juggle logistics, emotions, and responsibilities that shift by the hour. All of which are brand new to me. Every day is on-the-job training. The landscape of Los Angeles my training grounds, I was just dropped here, no "style guide" to abide by. No boss to ask for advice. Just me and my kid crying in the car because I didn't let her go on a playdate that wasn't even happening. Yup, kids plan playdates together at school and then the parents are thrown for a loop...

My most favorite moments in life - ever - are with my child. I love being a mom more than words - but guys, IT'S A LOT. All parents know this. But when you do mom-ing full time, it never leaves your day. Imagine working a shift at work, then staying there forever. It's my dream job, but it's intense.

OUT AND ABOUT

Life as a mom isn’t confined to four walls, as "stay at home mom" depicts. In fact, labeling my life as such feels very dismissive of the scope and complexity of what my mom role entails. More than that, it erases the reality of being a creative worker in the gaps between motherhood - a space where ambition and exhaustion constantly collide.

The most cringe: is when someone you love or trust casually calls you a "stay at home" mom. Honestly. Sorry if that sounds odd to, absolutely, feel defeated from that moment. But I do. Let's talk about why.

So, let’s unpack why stay-at-home mom, as a term..

Moms Are Always in Motion

The idea that moms are staying at home is rooted in an outdated vision of domestic life that no longer applies. In reality, whether we work from home, outside the home, or manage the household full-time, we are constantly out and about.

My mornings start with school drop-off, where I might have a quick chat with teachers or other parents before heading to grab a coffee (sometimes the only moment of stillness I’ll get all day). Then it’s back home - yes, I do technically return to my house - but that doesn’t mean I’m off duty. Whether I am doing 'house things' or 'work things' it's all still just that - work.

photo credit: Rosalie, aka my four year-old. Shot on iPhone.

Laundry. Meal prep. Kitchen cleanup. Toy organizing, aka throwing it all into a bin. Writing, editing, brainstorming creative projects.

By the time school pickup rolls around, I’m out again: tennis lessons, playdates, doctor’s appointments, Target runs. My car functions as an office, snack station, and second home. There’s no neat boundary between parenting, personal life, and work. And yet, somehow, we’re still called stay-at-home moms.

If anything, I’m more out in the world now than I ever was when I had a traditional career.

Voice Leaders Weigh In: Lessons From Power Pause and more...

In a recent interview on The Drew Barrymore Show, author Neha Ruch discussed her book, The Power Pause, emphasizing the importance of mothers reframing how they view breaks in their careers. She encourages women to see these pauses not as setbacks but as opportunities for growth and self-discovery. This perspective aligns with the idea that motherhood is not a period of inactivity but a dynamic phase filled with personal development and community engagement.

Similarly, in her latest book, The Let Them Theory, Mel Robbins introduces a mindset that empowers individuals to focus on what they can control and release the need to manage others’ opinions or judgments. So sure, I could just say, 'let them think I'm a stay at home mom' - and I do - but that doesn't mean I'm not going to rally the troops and use my voice to argue my POV.

The Emotional Labor of “Out in the World” Motherhood

Beyond the physical exhaustion of never sitting still, there’s another layer: the emotional labor.

The emotional multitasking is something that isn’t easily quantified, and it certainly isn’t captured by the phrase stay-at-home mom. The term strips away the nuance of what it means to be deeply engaged in your child’s life and in the world. It reduces a multifaceted role to a static, oversimplified idea: a mom who is simply at home waiting for their kid to get home, so their life can begin. Eyeroll.

A Broader Network Than Ever

One of the most surprising shifts in motherhood is how much bigger my world has become.

Even as someone who worked remotely before having a child, my network has expanded. I interact daily with people from all walks of life - teachers, coaches, doctors, therapists, small business owners, other parents. These aren’t passive, surface-level interactions; they require real energy, effort, and engagement. And intelligence and people skills.

Parenting feels like a constantly shifting job description because nothing is predictable. Some days, it’s peaceful. Other days, it’s absolute chaos. And on top of all that, I’m trying to maintain my own creative identity and career in the slivers of time I can carve out.

It’s ironic, isn’t it? The term stay-at-home mom implies isolation, but I’ve never been more connected—to my child, my community, and the world around me.

Skills in Action

Another reason I take issue with the term? It erases the skills we bring to the table every day.

Motherhood isn’t about staying still at home - it’s about adaptability, creativity, and resourcefulness.

My career skills - like photography, writing, storytelling, and branding - aren’t on hold just because I’m also raising a child. They show up in ways that might not look like a traditional job, but they’re still real, valuable, and active.

I’m still writing. Still networking. Still building something.

And yet, because I’m not earning a traditional paycheck for these things right now, society tends to devalue them. That’s what frustrates me. The term stay-at-home mom reinforces that invisibility, making it seem like these contributions don’t matter because they don’t fit into a clear job title.

I love THE MOM PROJECT and what it does - showcasing how moms are actually amazing hired. They can multitask like no one else. Speak to anyone, anywhere. And are whipsmart at reading people and gauging the emotions in a room.

The Need for a New Term

So, what should we call it?

Community mom? Full-time mom? Person raising tiny humans for zero pay? Flex-working mom? How about just CEO. Literally. CEO of the most important company on the planet - my family.

Transparency: My Own Judgment on Full-Time Moms

To be totally honest, even I am part of the problem. In this post, I keep reminding you that I am not just a mom - that I still have creative projects, run two brands, maintain an online presence, and continue working traditionally, even if it’s much less than before. I’m not even resigning myself to what a stay-at-home mom is supposed to be - someone who is stepping back from a career for a bit. I keep needing you to know that I "still do a lot of creative work!" I'm def not just a stay at home mom...

That's my own self-esteem trying to protect itself. Gross, right? Nah. I'm just human.

But really. I'm all moms. Do you even know a mom who just sits at home all day waiting for their kids to come home? I don't.

Moms do things. We find ways to contribute, create, work, and find joy. We are active, engaged, and constantly in motion.

So, have I internalized the idea that the term "stay-at-home" mom means lazy or uninteresting? Unfortunately, yes. And that realization is frustrating. I wish I didn’t feel that way, but I’m actively working to challenge my own biases. Because the truth is, I judge myself the hardest. Ask my therapist.

I measure so much of my worth through my career, and it’s something I wrestle with constantly. That inner voice telling me, you are not enough unless you have it all - kids, career, husband, flashy friends, big full life.

But here's the replay: you are enough, even if your primary job is being a mom. Your life is big. Even when small things take priority. Careers do not define a soul. And they definitely don't define your genius or mental capacity to achieve things.

That Necklace That Broke Me..

I think I’ve told this story before, but on my very first Mother’s Day, my husband surprised me with a necklace that said “Mom.” I sobbed when I got it. Not because I loved it, but because it labeled me in a way that felt… suffocating. Is this who I am now? Just a mom? Cue the sobbing tears. It felt like a loss of identity, not a celebration.

Over the past few years, I’ve come to love the title Mom a lot more. But I still struggle - especially when the “stay-at-home” label gets attached.

Why This Matters

You might be wondering: Does it really matter what we call it? This is lame. It's just a label. Well, words shape how we see ourselves - and how the world sees us. When we use a term like stay-at-home mom, we reinforce outdated stereotypes that don’t reflect the reality of modern motherhood.

For moms like me - who are deeply involved in their children’s lives but also trying to maintain their own creative identity - the term feels limiting. It doesn’t capture the energy, ambition, or effort that go into this role.

By rethinking the language, we create space for moms to feel seen - not as people who “stay at home,” but as active, engaged, ambitious members of their families and communities.

A Final Thought

Motherhood is an ever-evolving journey, and no two moms’ experiences look the same. But one thing is clear: we’re not staying at home.

We’re moving. Adapting. Building.

We create. Work. Contribute. Thrive.

Supermoms is more like it...

xoxo, Kathy

photo credit: karin in Copenhagen for flytographer

The Color Monster Cake

August 30, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky 1 Comment

Continuing on my kid-inspired posting trend, today I have this The Color Monster Cake to share with you all! It is a delicious creation made using a protein-rich lemon-flavored cake base with a simple cream cheese frosting on top. Plant-based colors swirled in at every step.

The Inspiration Behind The Color Monster Cake

Hey there, friends! As you know, I'm always on the lookout for fun and creative ways to bring a little more joy and learning into our lives, especially with my little one in tow. When I stumbled upon The Color Monster book by Anna Llenas, I knew I had to turn its vibrant, emotion-filled pages into something edible and fun for us to enjoy together.

If you haven't read The Color Monster yet, let me fill you in. It's a delightful children's book that explores emotions through a lovable character called the Color Monster. This little guy wakes up feeling all sorts of emotions tangled up inside, and throughout the story, he learns to sort through them by associating each emotion with a color. It’s such a brilliant way to teach kids about emotions and the importance of understanding how they feel. Plus, it was the perfect inspiration for a colorful, fun treat in the kitchen!

Helpful Links:

Why a Color Monster Cake?

You might be wondering, "Why a cake inspired by The Color Monster?" Well, it’s all about turning learning into a hands-on, delicious experience. And since we already did our feelings jars craft, baking was the next activity. This book is just so inspiring to me.

By creating this Color Monster Cake, we get to enjoy a tasty treat while chatting about emotions, colors, and feelings. Even things like texture and mixing, maybe even a little baking science in there, for older kids. It’s a wonderful way to bring the story to life and have meaningful conversations.

Plus, who doesn't love a good cake? Rosalie kept asking for more cake! Two days after we made it, "Mom, I want another slice of that cake!"n She never gets super into cake, so I think the fact that she made it really inspired her.

This lemon-flavored cake with creamy frosting is the perfect base for all those beautiful plant-based colors that mirror the hues in the book. Each slice of cake becomes a canvas, allowing your little ones to explore their creative side while baking. And the candy eyeballs? Totally optional. Raisins, grapes or even small cookies would also work for eyes. They add a whimsical touch that brings our Color Monster to life on the plate.

Monster Design. How Many Eyeballs??

The cool thing about this cake is that you can let your kiddo do whatever they want with the design. Swirl all the colors together. One eyeball? Great! Five? Perfect! Make your monster however you'd like. No rules here. Mistakes encouraged!! That's how we learn about swirling colors and frosting and shapes and textures and all that good stuff that goes with doing a baking and book craft.

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

The Color Monster Cake

Fluffy lemon cake swirled with bright colors and frosted on top. Kid-approved.

Prep Time10

Cook Time28

frosting10

Total Time48

Course: cake, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked cheesecake, kids, lemon

Servings: slices

Calories: 256kcal

Author: Kathy Patalsky

Equipment

1 9" square cake pan
mixer
parchment paper
spatula or frosting spreader

Ingredients

WET

1 cup sugar
⅔ cups soy milk
1 cup Just Egg or silken tofu (Just Egg liquid egg replacer used)
⅓ cup fresh lemon juice + pinch of zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup avocado oil

DRY

3 cups flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder

Frosting:

4 oz vegan cream cheese
1 c powdered sugar
2 tablespoon soy milk
assorted plant-based food coloring droppers
candy eyeballs

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line your baking dish with some parchment paper, cut to size.
Add the wet ingredients to a mixer. Mix until well combined.
Add in the dry, and mix until smooth.
Pour liquid batter into your baking dish.
Optional: Swirl food coloring right into the cake to give it a swirled color look.
Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes, or until it passes the 'toothpick test.'
While your cake is baking, you can prep the frosting. Add the cream cheese, powdered sugar and soy milk to your mixer. Whip until smooth and fluffy. This is not super fluffy, like a buttercream frosting, but rather like a very thick glaze frostring.
Separate the frosting into 3 separate containers and add food coloring to each - one color per container. We did yellow, red (pink) and blue. Place frsting in the fridge to chill.
When cake is done, allow to fully cool before frosting.
When cake is cool, swirl the different colored frostings over it. Then add candy eyeballs! Serve!

Nutrition

The Magic of Plant-Based Food Coloring

One of my favorite parts of making this color monster cake was experimenting with plant-based food coloring. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know that I’m always on the hunt for ways to keep things healthy and vibrant, without compromising on flavor or fun. Plant-based food coloring is a fantastic way to achieve those bright, bold colors without any artificial ingredients.

For this cake, I used a mix of natural colorings like beet juice, spirulina, turmeric, and butterfly pea powder to create a rainbow of emotions just like in The Color Monster. These colors are gorgeous, and they bring a subtle hint of flavor that complements the lemon cake perfectly. It’s also a great way to introduce kids to the wonders of plant-based ingredients!

It's actually also pretty cool to say, "Hey you know that frosting? It has veggies in it!!!" Ha. That may land well with some kids and not with others, lol. Then you can maybe just say, "colored by plants!"

A Creative Journey in the Kitchen

Being a parent means constantly finding new ways to nurture creativity in our little ones. Whether it’s through art projects, storytelling, or cooking, there are endless opportunities to explore and create together. This Color Monster Cake is a perfect example of how we can use everyday activities like baking to spark imagination and learning.

When I first decided to make this cake, it wasn’t just about creating a delicious treat. It was about taking inspiration from a story my child loves and turning it into a hands-on experience. Books are such powerful tools for teaching and connecting, and bringing The Color Monster to life in the form of a cake was a fantastic way to reinforce the lessons of the story—plus, it was a lot of fun!

Kathy's Book + Craft Series:

Exploring Emotions Through Color

As a parent, I’m always looking for ways to help my child understand and express their emotions. It’s one of those things we all have to navigate, no matter how old we are. The Color Monster is a brilliant book because it uses color to represent different emotions, making it easier for kids to identify and talk about how they feel.

When we bake this Color Monster Cake, we’re not just making something tasty; we’re also exploring emotions through color in a playful and engaging way. Each color represents a different emotion—yellow for happiness, blue for sadness, red for anger, and so on. As we mix the batter and choose our colors, it opens up conversations about how each color makes us feel and why.

Watching the batter transform into a rainbow of hues is magical in itself. It’s a great reminder that food can be both nourishing and a form of artistic expression. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to get kids interested in different ingredients and how they can be used to create something beautiful.

Baking as a Learning Experience

Baking with kids is about so much more than just the end result. It’s an incredible learning experience that covers a wide range of skills, from following instructions and measuring ingredients to understanding the science behind baking. Every time we bake together, I see it as an opportunity to teach my child about patience, problem-solving, and the joy of creation.

There’s something truly special about getting your hands messy, stirring up a storm, and watching as simple ingredients come together to make something extraordinary. It’s a fantastic way to encourage curiosity and creativity in kids. They get to see firsthand how different elements work together, how colors mix, and how flavors develop. And the best part? They get to enjoy the fruits (or cakes!) of their labor at the end.

Bringing Stories to Life Through Food

Combining books and baking is such a wonderful way to bring stories to life in a tangible way. When we bake something inspired by a story like The Color Monster, it adds another layer of experience and makes the narrative feel more real. It’s not just a story on the page anymore—it’s something we can taste, touch, and enjoy together.

For kids, this kind of multi-sensory learning is incredibly powerful. It helps them connect more deeply with the story and its characters, making it easier for them to remember the lessons and messages. Plus, it’s a lot of fun to see their excitement when they realize that they’re creating something inspired by their favorite books.

The Joy of Making Memories

At the end of the day, the most important thing about baking and crafting with my child is the memories we create together. There’s a special kind of magic in the kitchen when you’re baking with your little one—laughter, spills, a bit of chaos, and a lot of love. These moments are fleeting, and I want to savor every second of them.

Whether we’re baking a cake, making a craft, or just reading a book together, these are the times I cherish the most. They’re the moments that remind me why I started this journey as a mom and a creative entrepreneur in the first place—to bring joy, imagination, and a little bit of magic into our everyday lives.

Encouraging Creativity in Everyday Life

Encouraging creativity isn’t just about the big projects or elaborate plans. It’s about finding those small moments throughout the day to let your imagination run wild. Sometimes, it’s as simple as turning a story into a cake; other times, it might be turning a walk into a scavenger hunt or a quiet afternoon into a painting session.

I want to encourage all of you to find ways to infuse creativity into your daily routines with your kids. It doesn’t have to be perfect or planned out—some of the best creative moments happen when we least expect them. So let’s embrace the mess, enjoy the process, and create something beautiful together.

Final Thoughts

Thank you for joining me on this colorful, emotion-filled adventure. I hope this Color Monster Cake inspires you to bring a little more creativity and fun into your kitchen. Remember, the goal isn’t just to make a cake—it’s to make memories, explore emotions, and enjoy the journey of creating something together.

If you try this recipe or any other book-inspired activity, I’d love to hear about it! Share your stories, photos, and experiences in the comments below. And if you have any other favorite books or creative ideas you’d like to see featured on the blog, let me know. I’m always looking for new inspiration and ways to connect with all of you.

Happy baking, friends!

Book + Craft Series: The Color Monster

August 28, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky 1 Comment

Today I'm sharing my easy The Color Monster Craft for preschool-aged kiddos!

I'm back with another entry in my book and craft series, featuring the beloved book Book + Craft Series: The Color Monster by Anna Llenas. You can find this adorable and feelings-filled children's book in bookstores or on Amazon. And today, I am sharing a simple, fun, conversation-sparking activity you can do with your child after reading the book.

I actually wasn't sure if this activity would be TOO simple, but it wasn't! She loved it and actually uses the bottles just as I had intended. We have them on display in our playroom for easy grabbing when needed. Let's get to it!

Exploring Feelings Through Creativity

The Color Monster by Anna Llenas is a fantastic children’s book that helps kids understand and express their emotions. The book uses colors to represent different feelings: happiness is yellow, sadness is blue, anger is red, fear is black, calm is green, and love is pink. It’s such a clever and visual way to introduce the concept of emotions / feelings to young children, making it easier for them to articulate how they feel.

As I read this book with my daughter, I noticed how engaged she was with the idea of associating colors with emotions. And to be honest, this sometimes OCD, organizing-makes-me-happy-and-calm mama loved the ideas of organizing emotions via color coordination!

Then when I found out The Color Monster book was the first book that her preschool class is reading this year, I knew I wanted to create an at-home activity using it. So this Color Monster craft was born... Feelings Jars.

mom and toddler crafting feelings book — Screenshot

Color Monster Craft: Making Emotion (Feelings) Jars

The idea behind the Emotion Jars is to create a physical representation of feelings using colors, similar to the book. By filling jars with different colored items, we can explore emotions in a hands-on way that makes it fun and educational. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to open up a dialogue with your child about their feelings, which is so important for emotional development.

What You’ll Need

To create your Feelings Jars, gather the following supplies:

Six clear jars or containers (one for each emotion) - I had plastic craft jars on hand but you could easily use glass jars, reuse jam or sauce jars or even SPICE JARS are such a great size for this craft.)
Colored poms, beads, or pieces of paper (red, blue, yellow, black, green, pink)
Labels or stickers to write the name of each emotion
Markers, stickers, or other decorative items for decorating the outside of the jars
Optional: Glitter or sequins for a little extra sparkle!

How to Make Your Emotion Jars

Prepare Your Jars: Start by washing and drying your jars thoroughly. Once they’re ready, label each jar with an emotion: happy, sad, fear, love, calm, and anger. You can use pre-made labels, or let your child write the words themselves for some added handwriting practice.
Sort Your Colors: Next, lay out your colored items. Explain to your child that each color represents a different emotion, just like in The Color Monster. This is a great opportunity to revisit the book and discuss what each emotion means and how it feels.
Fill the Jars: Now, the fun part! Begin filling each jar with the corresponding colored items. For every pom, bead, or piece of colored paper that goes into the jar, encourage your child to share something that makes them feel that emotion. For example, if they’re filling the yellow jar for happiness, they might say, “Playing with my dog makes me happy!” or “I feel happy when I eat ice cream.” This not only reinforces the association between color and emotion but also helps them think critically about their feelings.
Decorate the Jars: Once all the jars are filled, it’s time to decorate! This is where creativity comes into play. Let your child use markers, stickers, glitter, or whatever they like to personalize each jar. This step is all about making the jars their own and giving them a sense of ownership over their emotions.
Display Your Emotion Jars: Finally, find a special place in your home to display the Emotion Jars. We put ours in the playroom where they’re easy to grab whenever we need to talk about feelings. Having them visible and accessible serves as a reminder to check in with our emotions regularly.

Shopping Links:

Book - The Color Monster Book - Amazon
Plastic Craft Jars - Amazon
Poms - Amazon - Amazon
Letter Stickers - Amazon
Stickers, Assorted - Amazon

the color monster craft - happy love and calm feelings jars

Using the Emotion Jars

The great thing about the Emotion Jars is that they’re not just a one-time craft—they’re a tool that can be used again and again.

How We Used Them Last Night..

My husband was about to hop on an airplane for a work trip. So obviously Rosalie saw him feeling quite sad about leaving. I told her to go give daddy whatever feeling jar he was feeling and she waltzed right up to the blue sad jar and ran into the other room, "Here daddy!" And he said, "Thanks, Rosalie. I am feeling sad!" It was such a beautiful and simple representation of acknowledging someone's feelings, having clarity on what and why someone is feeling something and really being able to move on from that feeling because it was spoken out loud. Even though these feelings are in bottles, It is important to never keep the feeling of having different feelings inside! Unbottle them by sharing the jar with someone!

Anyways, it's a great craft to use again and again. Especially around the start of a new school year when a lot of big feelings can come up!

feelings jars preschool color monster craft

Expressing Kid's Emotions via Jars!

Whenever your child is feeling a strong emotion, encourage them to pick up the corresponding jar. Ask them to add another item to the jar and talk about why they’re feeling that way. It’s a simple yet effective way to help kids process their emotions in a healthy manner.

For example, if your child is feeling angry, they can grab the red jar and add a red pom or bead while saying, “I’m angry because my friend wouldn’t share with me.” This act of identifying and expressing their emotions can be incredibly validating for a child. It helps them understand that all feelings are okay, and it’s normal to experience a range of emotions.

This such a fun Color Monster craft for kiddos of all ages! Maybe even the adults in the room.

The Power of Emotions

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as a parent is the importance of acknowledging and validating emotions, both for myself and my child. Emotions are a natural part of being human, and it’s crucial to teach our children that it’s okay to feel a wide range of emotions. By creating these Emotion Jars, we’re giving our kids the tools they need to express themselves in a healthy way.

Books like The Color Monster are fantastic resources for initiating conversations about emotions with our children. They provide a framework for understanding feelings and a jumping-off point for deeper discussions. The craft adds a tactile element that reinforces the lessons from the book, making the learning experience more memorable and impactful.

Making Emotions Fun and Accessible

What I love most about this Color Monster craft is that it takes something as complex as emotions and makes it fun and accessible for kids. It’s a playful way to explore feelings without making it feel like a chore or something scary. Emotions can be overwhelming for children, especially when they don’t have the words to express what they’re feeling. By giving them a visual and tactile way to explore these concepts, we’re making it easier for them to understand and communicate their feelings.

Tips for Encouraging Emotional Awareness

While the Emotion Jars are a fantastic tool for promoting emotional awareness, there are other ways to encourage this in your children. Here are a few tips that have worked well for us:

Model Emotional Awareness: Kids learn a lot by observing the adults in their lives. If you’re feeling a certain way, don’t be afraid to express it in front of your child. For example, “I’m feeling a little sad today because I miss my friend.” This shows them that it’s okay to talk about feelings.
Create a Safe Space: Make sure your child knows that it’s safe to express their emotions at home. Encourage them to share how they’re feeling without fear of judgment or punishment.
Use Emotion Words: Incorporate emotion words into your everyday language. The more children hear these words, the more likely they are to use them to describe their own feelings.
Read Books About Emotions: Just like The Color Monster, there are many great children’s books that address emotions. Reading these books together can help normalize feelings and spark important conversations.
Practice Mindfulness: Simple mindfulness activities, like deep breathing or guided meditation, can help children calm down and connect with their emotions. It’s a great way to teach them self-regulation and emotional resilience.

Continuing the Journey

As I continue exploring non-recipe content, I’m excited to dive deeper into topics like emotional awareness, creativity, and parenting. There’s so much joy in discovering new ways to engage with our kids and foster their growth. I hope this post inspires you to create your own Color Monster craft - maybe even these Emotion Jars -- and have meaningful conversations with your children about their feelings.

Remember, it’s all about making learning fun and memorable. I’d love to hear how the Emotion Jars work for you and any other creative ideas you have for exploring emotions with your little ones. Let’s keep sharing and supporting each other on this journey of parenthood!

Happy crafting, everyone!

Kathy's Book + Craft Series:

Book + Craft Series: The Red Lemon by Bob Staake

August 27, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

the red lemon book and craft - preschool activity

Welcome to my book + craft series featuring the children's book The Red Lemon! Let's get to it..

Alright guys, this is my first foray into non-recipe content! I love creating a recipe, but now that I'm a mom to a preschooler, I have been playing around with creating stimulating playtime activities. I wouldn't call myself crafty, but I am a bit artsy. So creating crafts will be a "let's see how this goes!" sort of adventure.

Kathy's Book + Craft Series:

The Color Monster by Anna Llenas - Recipe: Color Monster Cake
The Red Lemon by Bob Stokke - Craft: Decorating Lemon Trees
The Color Monster by Anna Llenas - Craft: Feelings Jars

Children's Book Activity

One thing I am passionate about is children's books! In fact, this entire adventure into being an entrepreneur started with writing my own children's books for the brand I called The Lunchbox Bunch. Lunchbox Alphabet can be bought on Lulu still!!

If anyone here remembers that, you are indeed an OG blog reader! But yes, I drew my own characters and then created around three kids books. I took some classes, went to a few events in NYC, and joined the prestigious SBCWI organization. Such a cool group of people!

The Red Lemon

Now that I am a mom, I have an excuse to buy as many kids books as my creative heart desires. I also love browsing the children's book section at any bookstore, exploring characters and brands new and classic. I adore Goodnight Moon and Goodnight Construction Site, alike.

And one of our favorite books is a lesser known book called The Red Lemon by Bob Staake. You can buy it on Amazon. We received it as a gift from my sister.

What this Book Teaches Kids

I love this book because it is just plain FUN to read. It rhymes. It has energy. It's simple. It's basically talking about a farmer and his lemon grove! I mean, you guys know me and produce farms... From avocado groves to date farms, I have spent a lot of time frolicking amongst pretty fruit trees! My blogger happy place.

But what The Red Lemon teaches is that sometimes something new, different and odd might actually be something positive and amazing! Even if you think "Hm, a RED lemon!? I don't want that! That's not normal!" In the end, the red lemon becomes beloved, special, different and a source of creativity and uniqueness to be coveted!

Lemon Recipe to Pair!

Of course, I love my lemon bars to go along with The Red Lemon book. You could even give your lemon bars a RED lemon spin by adding in some beet juice or plant-based red food coloring for red color.

The Joy of Exploring New Things with Your Kids

As a mom, I’ve learned that one of the greatest joys is exploring new things with my little one. Books like The Red Lemon offer a perfect opportunity to dive into a world of imagination, where the unexpected becomes exciting. It’s a reminder that, as adults, we can often overlook the joy of something different and new. Kids, on the other hand, are natural explorers, and they can teach us so much about embracing the unfamiliar with open hearts and minds.

In our household, reading time is sacred. It’s a moment to pause, snuggle up, and get lost in a story together. We have made it a ritual to visit our local library and bookstore to discover fresh stories to add to our collection. The Red Lemon is one that my daughter became obsessed with to the point where I know all the words ... and pretty sure she does as well!

How The Red Lemon Inspires Creativity

What I love most about The Red Lemon is its underlying message about creativity and thinking outside the box. In a world that often values conformity, this book encourages kids to appreciate what makes them different. It’s a story about celebrating uniqueness and recognizing the beauty in things that don’t fit the mold.

I think it’s such an important message for children to learn early on. In a society that sometimes pushes them to be like everyone else, it’s crucial for them to understand that being different is not just okay—it’s something to be celebrated.

And what better way to explore this theme than through a fun, colorful story? Paired with a craft!

Creating a Red Lemon Craft

In addition to reading The Red Lemon, we decided to create our very own red lemon craft! Now, as I mentioned, I’m not exactly a crafting expert, but this project turned out to be so much fun and really simple to make. It’s an activity that encourages kids to use their imagination, just like in the book.

Craft Options: Create a Lemon Tree or Lemon

For the book The Red Lemon, you can choose what to create. I decided to create trees out of green construction paper and popsicle sticks, but you can also just cut out a yellow or red lemon to decorate as well. Or do both!

CRAFT #1: DECORATING LEMON TREES

What You’ll Need

Green (tree) construction paper
Scissors
Glue
Markers or crayons
Stickers
Sparkly sticker gems (optional but super fun)
Glitter (optional for that extra sparkle!)
treetop template (you can easily freehand it)
Popsicle sticks (for a tree trunk)

How to Make Your Lemon Tree

Cut Out the Tree Tops: Start by cutting out tree top shapes. I did two shades of green for some depth. The trees do not have to be perfect. Think, cloud-like shapes.
Glue Trunks: Glue the trunk stik to the back of the tree - or if pairing two treetops, place the trunk in the middle. This is what we did. It's a bit less messy!
Decorate: Add some lemons! Red, yellow, blue, any colors they want. One kid I shared this with even added different expression smiley faces and called it a "feeling" lemon tree! Wow.
Display Your Artwork: Find a special place in your home to display your new artwork. It’s a beautiful reminder of the story and the fun you had creating together.

craft trees made with paper and popsicle sticks

CRAFT #2: DECORATING PAPER LEMONS

What You’ll Need

Yellow and red construction paper
Scissors
Glue
Markers or crayons
Glitter (optional for that extra sparkle!)
A lemon template (you can easily find one online or draw your own)

How to Make Your Red Lemon

Cut Out the Lemons: Start by cutting out lemon shapes from both the yellow and red construction paper. If your kids are old enough, let them help with this step. It’s great for practicing their fine motor skills!

Mix and Match: This is where the creativity comes in. Encourage your child to mix and match the colors, creating half yellow, half red lemons or adding their own unique patterns.

Decorate: Use markers or crayons to add faces, patterns, or even little stories on your lemons. Maybe one lemon is going on an adventure to find other red fruits! If you’re feeling brave, add a little glitter for some extra pizzazz.

Glue It Together: Once you’re happy with your designs, glue the halves together. You can create a whole red lemon, or keep them as halves to show the blending of yellow and red.

Display Your Artwork: Find a special place in your home to display your new artwork. It’s a beautiful reminder of the story and the fun you had creating together.

The Benefits of Crafting with Kids

Crafting is more than just a fun activity to pass the time; it’s an excellent way to bond with your children and help them develop a variety of skills. Here are a few benefits of crafting that I’ve noticed with my own little one:

Fine Motor Skills: Cutting, gluing, and coloring all help children develop fine motor skills, which are crucial for writing and other daily tasks.
Creativity: Crafts encourage kids to think creatively and make their own decisions about what they want to create. It’s a fantastic way to foster a love for art and creativity from a young age.
Patience and Focus: Working on a craft project requires children to focus and follow steps, which can help improve their patience and attention to detail.
Confidence: There’s nothing like the sense of accomplishment a child feels when they complete a project. It’s a great way to boost their confidence and show them that they can create beautiful things with their own two hands.

Tying It All Together: Reading and Crafting

Combining a book with a craft project is one of my favorite ways to make stories come alive for kids. It adds an extra layer of engagement and helps reinforce the themes and messages of the book. Plus, it’s just plain fun!

With The Red Lemon, I love that the craft ties directly into the story’s message about embracing what makes us different. It’s a tangible way for kids to explore these ideas and express their creativity.

In the Classroom

I was lucky enough to actually venture into my daughter's preschool classroom to showcase this craft! The kids seemed to love it and I was simply amazed by all the creative interpretations of a lemon tree. There were rainbow trees and feelings trees and sparkly trees. So fun.

One tip is to make the paper trees ahead of time and write each child's name on the popsicle sticks.

Let’s Keep Exploring!

As I continue this journey into non-recipe content, I’m excited to explore more books and crafts with you all. There’s so much joy in discovering new stories and finding creative ways to bring them to life. I hope this post inspires you to pick up a copy of The Red Lemon and get crafting with your kids.

Remember, just like recipes, it doesn’t have to be perfect—it’s all about the experience and the memories you create together. So, grab some paper, get a little messy, and let your imaginations run wild.

And please, share your creations with me! I’d love to see how your red lemons turn out and hear about your favorite children’s books. Let’s make this a fun, collaborative space where we can share ideas and inspire each other.

Happy reading and crafting, everyone! Until my next crafty inspiration...

More From the Children's Book Author

Bob Staake has a few more amazing books to check out!

Bob Staake books on Amazon (We love The Donut Chef!)

Vegan Butter Pasta for Kids

August 2, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky 8 Comments

This Vegan Butter Pasta for Kids might be one of the easiest recipes ever, but that's kinda the whole point, yes? This recipe is simple, delicious and always a hit!

I knew I had to share this one because it’s a staple in our kitchen, a dish I make a few times a week that never fails to please. My little one absolutely loves it, and the best part? It’s entirely plant-based!

When it comes to feeding kids, simplicity can be a lifesaver. Sometimes, less is more, especially when you're aiming for something quick, nutritious, and satisfying. This recipe is all about making mealtime easy without sacrificing flavor or nutrition. It’s a classic, comforting pasta dish that’s not just kid-approved but also parent-friendly.

The Beauty of Simple Ingredients

In our busy lives, having a go-to recipe that’s both simple and delicious is a blessing. For this Vegan Butter Pasta, the ingredients are straightforward: pasta, vegan butter, and a touch of salt. But simplicity doesn’t mean boring. When you use quality ingredients, even the most basic recipes can shine.

Pasta: Choose your favorite shape – whether it’s classic spaghetti, fun penne, or curly fusilli, the pasta is the base of this dish. I often go for whole grain or legume-based pasta for a bit of extra fiber and protein, but any pasta will do.

Vegan Butter: This is the star of the show. Vegan butter adds a rich, creamy texture without any dairy. It’s a fantastic option for a plant-based diet and still provides that comforting buttery flavor.

Salt: Just a pinch to enhance the flavors. It’s amazing how a little seasoning can bring a dish to life.

Adding Extra Nutrients and Flavor

While the basic version of this pasta is already a winner, I love to jazz it up with a few simple additions. It’s a great way to sneak in some extra veggies and protein, making the meal more balanced and nutritious.

Veggies: Adding vegetables to this pasta is a breeze. You can toss in some steamed peas, sautéed spinach, or even roasted cherry tomatoes. These veggies not only add color and texture but also boost the nutritional profile. Plus, they make the dish more appealing to little ones who might need a bit of coaxing to eat their greens.

Protein: For added protein in this Vegan Butter Pasta, try incorporating some cooked chickpeas or lentils. These legumes blend seamlessly with the pasta and butter, adding a satisfying element to the meal. You can also sprinkle some nutritional yeast on top for a cheesy flavor and extra protein boost.

Cooking Tips for Busy Parents

I get it – life is hectic, and time is often limited. Here are a few tips to make preparing this Vegan Butter Pasta even easier:

Prep Ahead: Cook a big batch of pasta and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready for a quick meal, just reheat the pasta and mix in the vegan butter and any add-ins you like.
Frozen Veggies: Keep a stash of frozen vegetables on hand. They’re just as nutritious as fresh and cook quickly. Simply steam or microwave them and add them to your pasta.
One-Pot Wonder: If you’re feeling lazy (we all have those days), try making a one-pot version. Cook the pasta, then stir in your veggies and vegan butter all in the same pot. It’s less cleanup and just as tasty!

Nutritional Yeast, aka NOOCH

Look, this stuff is amazing. And if you don't believe me, just read this article on BonAppetit. "Everything You Need to Know About Nutritional Yeast, Nature’s Cheeto Dust" - yup.

The Joy of Family Meals

There’s something incredibly satisfying about serving a meal that’s both easy to make and loved by your family. This Vegan Butter Pasta for Kids is one of those dishes that brings joy to the table. It’s comforting, familiar, and makes mealtime a little bit brighter.

What I love most about this recipe is its versatility. You can customize it to suit your family’s tastes and dietary needs. Whether you’re adding in extra veggies, switching up the pasta shape, or experimenting with different herbs and spices, the possibilities are endless.

pair this pasta with my summer tomato salad!

A Quick Recap

So here’s the scoop: this Vegan Butter Pasta is a no-fuss, all-star dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or a simple lunch. With its creamy, buttery goodness and the option to sneak in some veggies and protein, it’s a meal that both kids and adults will appreciate.

I hope this recipe becomes a beloved part of your meal rotation, just as it has in ours. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the simplest dishes are the most satisfying. So grab your pasta, vegan butter, and a pinch of salt, and get ready to enjoy a delicious, family-friendly meal that’s as easy as it is delightful.

Here’s to making mealtime simple, fun, and full of flavor!

Print Recipe

5 from 8 votes

Vegan Butter Pasta for Kids

This go-to kid and adult-approved dinnertime staple is a must for every plant-based pasta loving family.

Cook Time12

Total Time12

Course: pasta

Cuisine: American

Keyword: kids, pasta

Servings:

Calories: 492kcal

Author: Kathy Patalsky

Cost: 6

Equipment

1 large pot
1 pasta strainer
wooden spoon

Ingredients

16 oz pasta dry

sauce

3 tablespoon vegan butter
¼ cup nutritional yeast
1 teaspoon olive oil optional

veggies

1 cup peas or broccoli optional

Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until tender.
Strain pasta add back to warm pot or a mixing bowl.
Add in the vegan butter, optional olive oil and nutritional yeast. Add more nooch to taste as desired. If adding veggies, you can also mix them in here or serve on the side. Cooking veggies: I simply add them to my pasta pot 2 minutes before cooking is complete.

Nutrition

Yellow Banana Kids Smoothie

July 31, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky 1 Comment

This Yellow Banana Kids Smoothie is everything your kiddo wants in a yellow smoothie. It's sweet, frosty, creamy and super colorful. It is also super easy to make and doesn't get to complicated with flavors. So if your kiddo is obsessed with the color yellow, like mine is, or just wants a delicious appealing smoothie flavor, give this Yellow Banana Kids Smoothie a try!

Yellow Banana Kids Smoothie

This Yellow Banana Kids Smoothie is everything your kiddo wants in a yellow smoothie. It's sweet, frosty, creamy, and super colorful. It is also super easy to make and doesn't get too complicated with flavors. So if your kiddo is obsessed with the color yellow, like mine is, or just wants a delicious appealing smoothie flavor, give this Yellow Banana Kids Smoothie a try!

Smoothies and Beading

This week our routine involves: summer camp in the morning followed by something fun. Maybe even just some beading of friendship bracelets while we sip yellow smoothies and watch the Olympics gymnastics in the background. Well, that was this fun little afternoon!

Looking for even more smoothie inspiration? Browse the smoothies on this blog or buy my book: 365 vegan smoothies.

Why Yellow?

There’s something about the color yellow that just screams happiness and sunshine. And if you’ve got a little one who’s all about bright, cheerful hues, this smoothie is going to be a hit. Not only is it visually appealing, but it also packs in some serious yumminess and nutrition. Bananas are the star here, providing that creamy texture and natural sweetness we all love. Plus, they’re a fantastic source of potassium and vitamin C, perfect for keeping those little bodies energized and healthy.

Kid-Friendly and Parent-Approved

One of the best things about this smoothie is how simple and straightforward it is. As parents, we’re always looking for easy, quick, and nutritious options to keep our kids happy and healthy. This smoothie checks all those boxes. The ingredients are all items you probably have in your kitchen right now: bananas, non-dairy milk, maple syrup, yellow plant coloring, and a handful of ice. No need to run out and buy exotic ingredients or spend hours in the kitchen.

Take it Outside!

On this warm and sunny Los Angeles day we took our smoothie outside. It makes those frosty cool flavors taste even better to be sitting under the sunshine, watching the butterflies flutter and a friendly squirrel stop by to say hello. We even attracted a bumblebee who was clearly very into the yellow color.

Three cheers for lazy summer, smoothie-filled days.

Sneaking in the Good Stuff

What I love most about this smoothie is how easy it is to sneak in some extra nutrition without the kids even noticing. The natural sweetness of the banana pairs perfectly with a touch of maple syrup, creating a treat that feels indulgent but is actually quite healthy. And the yellow plant coloring? It’s a fun way to make the smoothie even more visually appealing without adding any artificial colors or flavors. It’s a win-win for both parents and kids!

Making It Together

Another great aspect of this smoothie is that it’s so simple, you can make it with your kids. Getting children involved in the kitchen is a fantastic way to teach them about healthy eating and get them excited about trying new foods. Let them help peel the bananas, pour the milk, and add the maple syrup. They’ll love being part of the process, and they’re more likely to enjoy the smoothie if they’ve helped make it.

Versatility at Its Best

While this Yellow Banana Kids Smoothie is perfect as is, don’t be afraid to get creative and make it your own. You can add a handful of spinach for an extra nutritional boost (the yellow coloring will still keep it looking bright and fun), or toss in some chia seeds for added fiber and omega-3s. If your kids are into other flavors, you can experiment with adding a touch of vanilla extract or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Perfect for Any Time of Day

This smoothie isn’t just for breakfast. It makes a fantastic snack or even a healthy dessert. After school, after a playdate, or just because – it’s always a good time for a Yellow Banana Kids Smoothie. It’s refreshing, satisfying, and just plain fun to drink. Plus, it’s a great way to cool down on a hot day or refuel after some active play.

A Burst of Sunshine

Incorporating more plant-based foods into your child’s diet doesn’t have to be a struggle. This Yellow Banana Kids Smoothie is a delightful example of how easy and enjoyable it can be. It’s a burst of sunshine in a glass, packed with flavor, nutrition, and pure joy. So next time your little one asks for something tasty and colorful, whip up this smoothie and watch their eyes light up.

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Yellow Banana Smoothie

This bright yellow banana smoothie has a fresh and fruity flavor while being sweet and simple! Protein loaded too!

Prep Time5

Total Time5

Course: beverage, smoothie

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bananas, blender, smoothie, yellow

Servings: servings

Calories: 94kcal

Author: Kathy Patalsky

Ingredients

2 whole bananas frozen
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 ¼ cups non-dairy milk, protein-rich ripple KIDS variety is my fave
a few drops yellow plant-based food coloring
ice optional, to taste

Instructions

Add all ingredients to the blender and blend from low to high until smoothie. Start with minimal food colroign and add more as desired for the brightness of the yellow color.

Nutrition

Final Thoughts

Creating happy, healthy memories in the kitchen with your kids is priceless. This Yellow Banana Kids Smoothie is more than just a delicious drink; it’s a chance to bond, laugh, and enjoy some quality time together. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to introduce them to the joys of plant-based eating in a fun and engaging way. Give it a try and see how quickly it becomes a favorite in your household. Cheers to happy, healthy kids and the simple joys of a colorful, plant-forward life!

Simple Summer Tomato Salad

July 29, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky 3 Comments

This Simple Summer Tomato Salad is one for this summery season! If you have been obsessed with tomatoes all summer long, then this one is for you. And even if you have not been obsessed with summer tomatoes just yet, this is your opportunity to sneak healthy-delicious tomatoes into your diet and actually fall in love with them in the process!

A Burst of Sunshine on Your Plate

If only one thing excites you about this recipe, let it be the look of it! Yes, you want to ideally use a variety of tomatoes from yellow and orange to red and deep red striped heirloom. This is easier to do by choosing cherry tomatorS. Cherry tomatoes are also great because they hold up very well with their sturdy texture and less mushy, seedy filling that a giant ripe tomato. So let's get to it!....

Summer Tomato Recipe

Summer is in full swing, and that means: peak tomato season! If you're anything like me, you're always on the lookout for fresh, vibrant ingredients to elevate your meals. Today, I'm sharing a dish that's become a staple in my summer rotation – a simple yet irresistible Summer Tomato Salad. I love it because it truly just looks so pretty!!

I am able to serve the most average of pasta (like a vegan butter pasta for my toddler) and have the table look fancy because of this dish.

It is made with juicy cherry tomatoes from the farmers market, a splash of zesty lemon juice, quality olive oil, and an optional sprinkle of fresh herbs, this Simple Summer Tomato Salad is the epitome of summer on a plate.

You could even turn things up a notch and cram these tomatoes into a grilled cheese sandwich. Yup. Squeeze them right in before toasting. Try a recipe like this one.

The Magic of Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are one of those magical ingredients that seem to embody the very essence of summer. Their sweet, juicy flavor and vibrant colors are like little bursts of sunshine. Whether you’re growing them in your garden or picking them up from your local farmers market, cherry tomatoes are a versatile and delightful addition to any dish.

What I love most about cherry tomatoes is their natural sweetness and the way they pop with flavor. Each bite is a reminder of why I look forward to this season all year long. For this salad, I selected a mix of red and yellow cherry tomatoes to add a beautiful contrast of colors and flavors. The yellow ones are slightly milder and creamier, while the red ones bring a bright, tangy punch.

The Simple, Fresh Ingredients

When it comes to making a salad that truly shines, simplicity is key. This Summer Tomato Salad is all about letting the ingredients speak for themselves. Here’s what you’ll need:

Cherry Tomatoes: Fresh from the farmers market, bursting with flavor.
Lemon Juice: Adds a zesty, refreshing tang that complements the sweetness of the tomatoes.
Olive Oil: A good quality, extra-virgin olive oil will enhance the richness and bring all the flavors together.
Salt and Pepper: Just a pinch of each to season the salad perfectly.
Fresh Herbs: Basil, parsley, or mint – whichever you prefer, or a combination of all three for a delightful herbal note.

Why Farmers Market Tomatoes?

Well, you know, the experience of shopping for your ingredients makes your meals so much more satisfying! YES, I use Amazon Fresh Whole Foods delivery pretty much weekly for my cooking staples, but I love buying a big chunk of my fresh produce from my local farmer's markets. And tomatoes are one of the most amazing ingredients to shop for at local markets in the summertime.

Today's beautiful tomatoes were sourced from the organic farm market in Santa Monica. I was inspired by a vendor that had probably 10-15 different cherry tomato varieties, and you could mix and match the colors. So fun!

Farmer's Market Produce

There’s something truly special about farmers market produce. When you buy tomatoes from a farmers market, you’re not just getting an ingredient – you’re getting a story. These tomatoes have been nurtured by local farmers, harvested at peak ripeness, and brought to market with care. The result is a product that’s fresher, more flavorful, and more nutritious than what you’ll find at most grocery stores.

Farmers market tomatoes are often heirloom varieties, which means they come in a range of colors, shapes, and sizes, each with its unique flavor profile. This diversity adds an extra layer of excitement to your salad, making each bite a little adventure.

The Art of Simplicity

In the world of cooking, there’s a saying that goes, “Less is more.” This couldn’t be truer for our Summer Tomato Salad. By using just a few high-quality ingredients, we allow the natural flavors to shine through. The lemon juice provides a bright acidity that balances the sweetness of the tomatoes, while the olive oil adds a silky richness. A pinch of salt and pepper brings everything into harmony, and the fresh herbs add a fragrant, herbal note that ties it all together.

One of my favorite herbs to use in this salad is basil. Its slightly sweet, peppery flavor pairs beautifully with tomatoes. But don’t be afraid to experiment with other herbs. Parsley adds a fresh, green note, while mint brings a cool, refreshing twist. Or, mix them all together for a herby extravaganza!

A Versatile Delight

This Summer Tomato Salad is incredibly versatile. It makes a fantastic side dish for almost any meal, from grilled vegetables to pasta dishes. It’s also perfect for picnics, barbecues, or a simple lunch at home. One of my favorite ways to enjoy it is on a slice of crusty bread, drizzled with a little extra olive oil – it’s like a deconstructed bruschetta!

For a heartier meal, you can toss this salad with some cooked quinoa or farro. The grains will soak up the delicious dressing, making each bite even more satisfying. Or, add some creamy avocado slices for a rich, buttery texture that complements the tomatoes perfectly.

The Joy of Seasonal Eating

Eating seasonally is one of the best ways to ensure you’re getting the freshest, most flavorful produce. It’s also a wonderful way to connect with nature and the changing seasons. When you savor a dish like this Summer Tomato Salad, you’re not just enjoying a meal – you’re experiencing a moment in time, a taste of summer’s bounty.

There’s a certain joy that comes from creating a dish that’s so deeply tied to the season. It’s a reminder to slow down, savor the moment, and appreciate the simple pleasures in life. And isn’t that what summer is all about?

Final Thoughts

I hope this Summer Tomato Salad brings a little bit of sunshine to your table. It’s a celebration of fresh, vibrant ingredients and the joy of simple, seasonal cooking. So next time you’re at the farmers market, grab a basket of cherry tomatoes and give this recipe a try. I promise, you’ll fall in love with its bright, refreshing flavors and the way it captures the essence of summer.

Here’s to sunny days, delicious food, and the simple joys of summer!

Print Recipe

5 from 3 votes

Simple Summer Tomato Salad

This short and sassy tomato salad not only tastes diving, but adds a colorful accent to any summer table.

Prep Time7

Total Time7

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: salad, summer, tomato

Servings: servings

Calories: 92kcal

Author: Kathy Patalsky

Ingredients

4 cups cherry tomatoes mixed colors
2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon pepper
fresh herbs to taste - basil, parsley, dill

Instructions

Quarter your tomatoes. Rinse any excess seeds.
Add evoo, lemon, salt, pepper and any fresh herbs to a large mixing bowl. Add tomatoes. Toss well. Optional: Allow to marinate for 10-20 minutes to soften tomatoes a bit and marinate with flavor.
Pour mixture into a serving dish. Serve! Delicious with warm crusty bread as a side so you can dip up all that yummy marinade.

Nutrition

5 High-Protein Vegan Meals for Summer

June 27, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

I thought I would jump in today and share my fave 5 High-Protein Vegan Meals for Summer! Though I have been vegan for twenty years, the number one question I still seem to get is how do I get enough quality protein. And I am here to say that it is quite simple! Here are some thoughts and five fave protein-rich vegan recipes for summer...

Thriving on a Vegan Diet: Meeting Your Protein Needs with Ease

Having been vegan for twenty years, I often encounter the same question: "How do you get enough quality protein?" Despite the growing popularity and awareness of veganism, this concern persists. However, I'm here to assure you that obtaining sufficient protein on a vegan diet is not only possible but also quite simple. Here are some thoughts on this topic and ingredient suggestions to help you thrive on a plant-based diet.

Understanding Protein Needs

Protein is essential for the body's growth, repair, and maintenance. It's made up of amino acids, nine of which are considered essential because our bodies can't produce them; we must get them from our diet. While animal products are known for being complete proteins (containing all essential amino acids), many plant-based foods can also meet our protein needs when eaten in variety and balance.

Dispelling the Protein Myth

The myth that vegans struggle to get enough protein likely stems from a lack of understanding about plant-based nutrition. In reality, a well-planned vegan diet can provide all the necessary nutrients, including protein. Many plant foods are rich in protein and, when combined, can offer all essential amino acids.

Top Plant-Based Protein Sources

Legumes: Beans, lentils, and chickpeas are excellent protein sources. For example, a cup of cooked lentils provides about 18 grams of protein. They are also high in fiber, iron, and other essential nutrients.
Tofu and Tempeh: Made from soybeans, these foods are versatile and protein-rich. A serving of tofu (half a cup) contains around 10 grams of protein, while tempeh offers even more, with about 15 grams per half-cup serving.
Seitan: Also known as wheat gluten, seitan is a protein powerhouse with about 25 grams of protein per 3.5-ounce serving. It has a meat-like texture, making it a great meat substitute in various dishes.
Quinoa: This pseudo-grain is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids. One cup of cooked quinoa provides about 8 grams of protein, along with fiber, iron, and magnesium.
Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, chia seeds, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, and pumpkin seeds are all good sources of protein. For instance, two tablespoons of hemp seeds provide around 10 grams of protein. They also offer healthy fats and other nutrients.
Edamame: These young soybeans are a tasty and protein-rich snack or addition to meals. A cup of cooked edamame contains about 17 grams of protein.
Nutritional Yeast: Often used to add a cheesy flavor to dishes, nutritional yeast is also a good source of protein, with two tablespoons providing about 8 grams. It is also fortified with B12, an essential nutrient for vegans.
Green Peas: These humble vegetables offer about 9 grams of protein per cup. They can be added to soups, salads, or eaten as a side dish.

My High-Protein Vegan Meals / recipes below will give you a few ideas to try...

Combining Foods for Complete Proteins...

While many plant-based foods provide substantial protein, they might lack one or more essential amino acids. However, by combining different protein sources throughout the day, you can ensure you're getting a complete amino acid profile. For example, pairing rice with beans, or spreading nut butter on whole-grain bread, are simple ways to achieve this balance.

Note that you DO NOT need to pair these foods at the same time! We are looking at an average over a few days even.

Incorporating Protein into Your Meals

Ensuring that your meals are protein-rich can be effortless with a bit of planning. Here are some ideas to incorporate protein into each meal:

Breakfast: Start your day with a smoothie made from plant-based protein powder, spinach, chia seeds, and almond milk. Alternatively, enjoy a bowl of oatmeal topped with nuts, seeds, and a dollop of almond butter.
Lunch: Prepare a hearty salad with mixed greens, quinoa, chickpeas, avocado, and a sprinkle of hemp seeds. You can also enjoy a wrap filled with hummus, tofu, and fresh veggies.
Dinner: Opt for a stir-fry with tofu or tempeh, mixed vegetables, and a side of brown rice. Another option is a bean-based chili or lentil soup.
Snacks: Keep protein-packed snacks on hand, such as edamame, roasted chickpeas, or a handful of nuts and seeds.

Supplements and Protein Powders

While it's entirely possible to meet protein needs through whole foods, some people prefer the convenience of protein powders and supplements. There are numerous plant-based protein powders available, made from sources like pea, hemp, and brown rice. These can be added to smoothies, baked goods, or simply mixed with water or plant milk.

I do not really use protein powders these days and stick to High-Protein Vegan Meals, like the recipes below..

Listening to Your Body

Everyone's protein needs are different, and factors like age, activity level, and overall health play a role. It's important to listen to your body and adjust your diet as needed. If you're uncertain about your protein intake, consulting with a registered dietitian who specializes in plant-based nutrition can provide personalized guidance.

Ok, I changed it to SIX High-Protein Vegan Meals...

6 Fave Vegan Recipes - Rich in Protein

Snag even more of my fave recipes in my books: on Amazon.

PEANUT BUTTER TOFU:

Conclusion

After twenty years of thriving on a vegan diet, I can confidently say that meeting protein needs is both manageable and enjoyable. By incorporating a variety of protein-rich plant foods into your meals and being mindful of food combinations, you can ensure a balanced and nutritious diet. Dispelling the protein myth is crucial in promoting a better understanding of vegan nutrition and supporting those who choose this compassionate and healthful lifestyle.

CHOCOLATE PROTEIN SHAKE:

Ode to the SMF

June 11, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

My Ode to the SMF. I'm taking a note from Taylor Swift and writing some (parenting) poetry today...

INSPO

Yesterday, I left preschool dropoff a bit early because I felt that familiar heat in my eyelids, red cheeks and an ache in my gut. Tears were coming. The reason for my tears was something real yet also somewhat silly, as motherhood struggles can often feel. One ridiculous incident had been tumbling in my head all weekend and now it was Monday morning dropoff and I was leaving her to fend for herself amongst a sea of tiny souls. This age is so fragile like glass, yet sturdy like stone. They can break in a moment or bounce back in an instant. Hugs and gummies can heal all and the silliest of things can cause a meltdown.

Bottom line was this. Another mom, she noticed. My pause. My heaviness. I told her I was having a rough morning and she knew exactly how I felt. She pulled me aside. She stood with me. Listened. Let me hug it out. And we even squeezed in a few laughs. It meant the world to me. As it always does when I get blessed with those parenting moments. Those SMFs...

SMFs are the antidote for almost any challenge. And today I wanted to shout them out in this little post....

Ode to the SMF

Just like air, water, chocolate, spandex, hoodies, slides, hair ties, kid snacks, sunglasses, coffee and a DisneyPlus subscription, something every mom needs is an SMF.

What is an SMF, you ask? An SMF is a supportive mom friend.

She doesn't have to be your lifetime bestie or ride-or-die. (Or maybe she just happens to be both those things.) She doesn't even have to have kids of her own, btw! She might surface for a moment, or stay with you for a lifetime. The point is, she plays an important role in your mom journey. Like a fairy-godmother of sorts, dropping in at a random crucial moment of strife, to bring you the perfect dress, pretty makeup, event hair and magical shoes. She will wipe away your tears and turn your stepsisters into pumpkins - just maybe. Immesurable gratitude comes from every SMF interaction. She feels like a deep sigh of relief, a cozy fleece set or when a new episode a real housewives reunion drops - she's a breath of fresh air, momentary salvation from your mom-life stresses.

How many SMFs do you need? Plural is a blessing, but it truly just takes one.

Supportive Mom Friend Deep Dive

She is the woman you can text at any hour, without hesitation. The 9pm to 2am hours are prime time for the juiciest, most random, giggle-inducing chats ever.
She is the chick you give a knowing side-eye to when someone is very off-vibe or kinda mean.
She is your emergency exit. Your lifeline. Your saving grace.
Roaring fits of laughter are your love language and beloved emojis are your punctuation.
She tells you you're a rockstar when you know your giving Fraggle Rock.
She tells you your cookies are the best, even with the burnt edges.
She raves about your look, even when it's mom hair and pajama pants.
She is the soul who you could see every day or once every five years and still have the same ethereal vibe with. The same glances, snickers, giggles, head nods and looks of approval. The same dance moves, drink orders, outfit vibes and eye contact.
She is the human you can hug at any moment because your spirits are already one.
She always double taps, even on your most obtuse of IG posts.
She loves your kid because she knows he or she is your heart, twirling around the universe on the outside of your body.
She DMs you the best reels on Instagram. And tags you in the best posts.
She is the friend you reach out to when you have a hard day and you just need confirmation that you're still you.
She would leave her own kid with you in a second and you would both give each other 'emergency contact' status if needed.
But just to be clear, she doesn't have to be a mom herself. All women hold the keys to SMF royalty. And all women need their own version of this support system magic. Young, old, single, married, childless or not.
Take this in: SMFs are often transient! Temporary souls, wafting in and out of your life as circles shift, locations change and schools run their course. You don't need a lifetime interacting with an SMF for her to have an impact.
Because, the truth is, she will be with you forever. Whatever interaction you had. Nuzzled deep in your heart, memories attached to giggles or tears or moments of ache, you'll remember how she made you feel - for always. Even if today is the last day you meet.
People drift in an out of this life. You know any SMF might not be forever. (Or she just might be.) But if you must part ways, you will simply you hold your breath through motherhood, until the next gold crown surfaces and meets your mama heart in an invisible embrace -- with the mask of a knowing smile.

Let's hear it for the SMFs in our lives. Be one. Find one. Keep going mamas...

Motherhood Work-Life Balance Update Summer 2024

June 11, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

Hey guys! I wanted to give a long overdue Motherhood Work-Life Balance Update for this summer 2024! You in for a raw and real ramble of thoughts? YES!

In the spirit of 'anything but AI posting" - this is a barely-edited, no looking back, journaling my thoughts style post. Ranting allowed and topic jumping approved. You in? Let's go..

End of the School Year Vibes

Here in LA, the school year is winding down and the sun is starting to stick around during the day. Sunshine, sparkles, garden hose mist and green grass rainbows kind of days. Mornings? Still pretty gray, thank you June Gloom, but we're getting there.

I have pulled out my fave seasonal slides and quickly dabbed some bottom-of-my-bathroom-drawer red nail polish on my toes. Swimsuits from last season are on the top of my closest shelf, and sunscreen on my bathroom counter. Bring on the season. Yes, smoothies have also made it back into my daily routine. All the smoothie inspo you need: my smoothie book! Or hop over here: smoothie recipes on the blog.

....Current vibes: backyard giant bubble, golden hour moments over here. Wanna join in, try this..

Summer Photo Challenge: Take a photo of someone looking through a giant bubble!!! It's so fun and the coolest shots come out..

But what about the work side of my Work-Life Balance?

Well, I have been hard at work finalizing a new project that has been in the works for a *long time* now. Trying desperately to get it into LAUNCH phase. I never expected that my parenting work/life balance would be so challenging to get back on track with the work part. But here we are. I'm finally accepting the slow as molasses pace of things.

SAHM Pride vs. Working Mom Awesomeness

SAHM or working mama? Do we really need to split moms into groups? Nah. But the challenges for both sides do differ.

In true work-life balance fashion, I have juggled both identities these past four years and see benefits and challenges of both paths. But the destination is the same... Just wanting the best for ourselves and our kiddos.

Work Life Cravings

When it comes to my self-identity, I definitely crave getting back to my work life. I want to get back to the 'daily grind' of my creative work, because my brain craves it and I feel more in my own skin putting out work and collab-ing with creators and brands and just creating something that inspires and resources others. And as always, spreading the plant-forward life message whenever I can, because that is what I have grown such expertise in these past fifteen years, as an author, blogger, speaker and recipe developer.

SAHM Bliss

BUT, I will also say that SAHM life has perks. It's been so nice to say yes to playdates with other moms and kiddos - with a flexible schedule. And I get to say YES to lazy afternoons in our backyard, beach days, random toddler lunches and ice cream trips and afterschool pool time or playground-ing and just being within arms reach when she's not in school. Easier pickup and dropoff schedules with dad and less stress when your spouse has a long work trip.

Chatting work-life balance, I see the benefits of both SAHM life and working mode life, and no matter what style of parenting you have chosen or find yourself in -- I support you and applaud you! This stuff is hard! We share our end goal. Happy, healthy parents - and in turn healthy, happy kiddos....

OH MY GAWD I LOVE THIS HUMAN....

my daughter toddler at the pool for summer cute

Big Picture View on My SAHM Life vs Working Mom Moments...

Work-life balance real talk: I wouldn't trade any second I have had with my daughter. After-school tantrums and all.. But the price is that my career has taken a huge backseat and I'm struggling to get it back on track.

Will I ever regain the success I once had in my career? Have I already hit my peak as a worker? Is it all downhill from here? The industry has changed so much! How can I reinvent myself? Who is supporting me now? Who is listening? Who cares? Will I find success if I take a creative pivot in my work? How do I work my way back up to feeling like my career actually matters to the world again? Small businesses are challenging. Do I get a 9-5 job and ditch my identity as a creative entrepreneur? (Nah)

And then when I look at moms who still hold their power careers while parenting, I feel envious. Like I missed the boat on succeeding in balancing work/life and juggling it all. Am I less than? And why do I keep ruminating in my head about these questions? Shouldn't I be past second-guessing my choices and intuition? The struggle is so real. Even if that phrase has been overused beyond belief.

Bottom line: work-life balance when parenting is incredibly complex and multi-faceted, just like the detail work on Taylor Swift's opening Eras tour costume.

But moms (and dads) I GOT YOU! Here it is. The parenting secret you have all been waiting for. The work-life balance solution. It's not proven, but it is 100% guaranteed, says my scientific study of one....

The absolute key: getting out of your own head!!!!!

Seriously, moms. Do it.

But how?

Who helps you do that? SMFs...

...this is the best-kept secret to work-life balance IMO. Stop analyzing. Start living and connecting and trying to see the funny side of everything! Let's dive into this..

SMF'S (Supportive Mom Friends!)

Like air, water, chocolate, spandex, hoodies, slides, coffee and a DisneyPlus subscription, something every mom needs is an SMF.

Smf = supportive mom friend! Plural, friends, is even better. But really, you only need ONE!

Read my post: ODE TO THE SMF for the full vibes.

Support Systems

It takes a village is so true. And what type of support you have as a mom can define your journey. To be honest, I have felt a bit like an outsider, here in LA, choosing to not hire a nanny. But that's just kinda who I am, lol.... Really bad at outsourcing - HA! - and also really wanting to be hands-on as much as I can with my only child who I seriously waited so long to have.

Some days on my work-life balance journey, I love my decision to DIY this parenting with my husband as my only option for childcare -- and a handful of random neighborhood babysitters... And other days I am envious of the working moms who have a nanny. SO ENVIOUS. To just be able to sit at a desk among adults and chat about things other than parenting, ahhhhh. Well, I try to do that with my work, but look at me now, talking about mom life on my blog. Oh my!

Every Family is Unique

I think the most important thing that I have realized while observing how other families take on parenting, is to truly realize that there is no one right way of doing things and we are all on the same team. And to cherish those mom friends who get that and support you no matter what your daily grind looks like.

Supportive mom friends have 100% gotten me through these first four years of mom life! I would be a mushy puddle of leftover, melted Annie's gummies, left in a hot car, if I didn't have those mom friends both online and in person. I am a hot mess some days and feel like I have it all figured out on other days. Parenting is a constant roller coaster.. Mostly fun and sometimes scary, always twirling you around through the atmosphere!

And finding people who help you thrive in both those phases (hot mess and superstar mama) is key.

And even more key: finding people who can roll their eyes with you at the absurdity of parenting in 2024 - make you laugh, maybe share some funny parenting reels, Taylor Swift nonsense, pop culture randomness and memes and just get through the day feeling like, "Yeah this is hard, but I'm laughing my way through the hard stuff, because it's way better than taking myself seriously and crying!"

...Whoa, sorry, that was my "moms supporting moms" rant. Where did that come from? No clue. But this is a no-edit, no looking back, journaling my thoughts post, so here we are.

Work-Life Balance Goes Seasonal: Summer Goals

Alright, this summer is going to be a spontaneous one, guys. I want to be lazy and fun with my adorable soon-to-be four year-old. My mom life comes first this summer! Give me all the melted popsicles, splash pads, giant bubble wands, pickleball, sandy toes and chlorine-scented hair vibes. My god, this age is SO CUTE. But I also have BIG WORK GOALS to tackle. I want both worlds this summer.

Creator Kathy Project

CAN I DO IT???? Both worlds, this summer? We will see... If you made it THIS FAR and want some BTS action on my work life journey, check out my *secret* Instagram account: @CreatorKathy that I just started. It has two followers as of posting this. I seriously like having no one watching what I'm sharing. It's so freeing! But that being said, HHL blog insiders, welcome! It's super secret and I only want true, positive, supportive fans following it. So YOU are that for reading this rambling post.

What I'm up to on that account now: I am about to film some really cool stuff and I am giving daily updates on my progress. Lots of BTS clips. One foot in front of the other. Messy hair, daily stories updates vibes.

About the Project

It's not too public yet, but some insider info: this project is geared towards anyone looking to improve their plant-forward journey or even transition to a fully vegan lifestyle. All shades of green are welcome! If you are on my email list or following my on IG, you will be the first to hear about any updates on that.

Happy Summer to You

So that's it. I hope you enjoyed this chat about work-life balance and all things personal t me. I am sending you so many warm, sunny, summer vibes hugs! I hope you can get away at least once and take a break from your norm. Please give yourself a big hug for me, you are part of this community of readers and for that, I am so grateful and feel so full of pride.

If you do one thing this summer in honor of our virtual friendship, let it be this: Blend up the best smoothie bowl ever, add a handful of fresh fruit and granola on top, and sit in the sunshine and eat it. Maybe play your fave summer vibes song. I'll be belting out the Cruel Summer bridge on repeat. how about you?

xoxox, K

kathy patalsky 2024 in studio vegan for the animals sign in background

Aulani Disney Resort Travel Review with a Toddler

May 9, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

A few weeks ago we took a late spring break trip to Hawaii, and with that, here is my Aulani Disney Resort Travel Review - with a Three Year-Old. Spoiler alert: she loved it! Here are some of my tips, tricks and reviews of what we loved and didn't love. And of course, lots of photos of paradise...

Quick List: 10 Things My Toddler Loved at Aulani Disney Resort...

Shaved Ice! Mickey ears, what's not to love...
Swimming! Goggles, swimsuit, simple bliss.
Meeting Moana. Obviously.
Being silly with other toddler guests! Fast friends. Toddlers love meeting strangers and being buddies for a bit.
The Moana performance on the lawn. It was quick, cute and funny.
Picking out a Disney dress at the salon shop... She chose Belle.
Shopping in the gift shop... of course.
Getting snacks at the cafe! She loved getting beverages at the drink machines too.
The music at the luau. She started off by dancing around in the back with some other wiggly toddlers...
Stargazing premium activity! She loved this activity. I was worried she would be too young to enjoy it, but any mention of Saturn and planets and then looking through a telescope all on her own and she was in heaven.
...Oh! How could I forget the best part of hotels for toddlers: elevators and long hallways to run down. Yup.

5 Things I Loved About Aulani Disney Resort

Here is my Aulani Disney Resort Travel Review!

1 - The Pools

So number one of this resort has to be the extravagant pool system in place. There is something for everyone. A fun lazy river - that actually kinda pushes you downstream. There is a giant splash pad structure with a toddler slide and even a baby splash pad area. A snorkeling pool! And there is a giant pool for lounging. Another smaller pool off to the side and then the most popular pool seems to be the one that overlooks the beach with an infinity edge. We loved the vibe of that pool. There are also three hot tubs. However, one was out of service for us so the hot tubs in use were ridiculously over-filled. I counted 18 people in one on our one cloudy cool day.

But overall, the pools are just great here. Kid paradise for sure. Oh, and though we didn't use it, there is also a giant water slide for older kiddos!

2 - The Gentle Disney Influence

We are Disney fans, and we booked this trip when my daughter was in a Moana phase. She would watch Moana everyday and sing the songs at the top of her lungs on every car ride. As parents know, phases come and go, but luckily, she still liked Moana enough during the trip to be pretty enthralled by the surroundings. It felt more like "where Moana lives" rather than an actual Disney park - which is a great thing when you are in Hawaii and really only need the natural beauty of the surroundings to speak for themselves!

That being said, we loved seeing characters a bit and we even attended a show: Moana with live actors. It was super minimal and quick and really cute. A nice chill afternoon activity.

She loved her Mickey shaved ice and also the subtle Disney accents in the room and hotel. The hotel has that spatial Disney magic, without being overbearing or disruptive of the main event: Hawaii!

3 - The Spa

There isn't much to say about a good spa other than this: my service was awesome and the surroundings were relaxing and tranquil. Though I didn't get to lounge in the spa as much as when I came here once before having a kid (we had stayed next door at the Four Seasons on that trip) - I still loved the spa. They do this gently rock picking ceremony at the start which is really fun.

4 - The Activities

At first, when discovering that you needed to reserve activities in advance, I felt a bit overwhelmed. This was my vacation, not something I felt like micro-planning months in advance. But alas, reserving a few things ahead of time worked great. We reserved the luau as well as the stargazing activity. My space-loving daughter LOVED looking through a telescope and hearing about the stars!

There are many activities everyday at the resort, and while I liked that they were there, I wouldn't bother filling your itinerary with too many things. Seriously, pick one or two and then let your days unwind with ease. There is no pressure to do every offering, even though some people seem to like to do "all the things."

I can say this: having a toddler definitely teaches you to just go with the flow a bit more because planning can be nearly impossible. We almost missed our luau because we were all taking a late afternoon, jetlag nap!

Stargazing at Aulani...

5 - The Beach

I came to Ko Olina a few years ago, without a kid. And I remember looking at the beach and thinking, "This is so silly. There are no waves!" I was so unimpressed. I tilted my nose up at these baby beaches that weren't actually "beaches" but instead, man-made coves right off the real ocean.

But coming back with a tiny human has changed all that! We loved spending time on the beach. It is super close to the hotel, has a hut where you can rent beach and sand toys and there are plentiful amounts of beach chairs and umbrellas.

It's a great spot to catch the sunset and take some golden hour photos.

And to balance out my Aulani Disney Resort Travel Review, I wanted to include some things that were not Disney-perfect. I mean, you guys probably know that Disney offers the BEST children-friendly travel experiences anywhere on the planet - so the stakes are always very high for me.

3 Things I Didn't Love About Aulani Disney Resort (These were tiny things!)

1 - The Luau Meal + Timing

OK, so this is a tricky one because the chef really tried... So of course I am vegan and was assured that there would be plenty of options for me. Alas, upon arrival it seemed like salad, rice and fruit were the only things I could eat. I asked a staff member and the chef made me a special marinara pasta. Sadly, it may have just been made too quickly or something, but the pasta was pretty bland and a bit rubbery.

So basically, the food wasn't the best.

The entertainment was amazing. I wish they had included Moana in the entertainment a bit - since this was a Disney resort and my daughter kept asking about her. Mickey came out for a minute, but it wasn't what she was hoping for... The entertainment ran a bit long and I wish some of the fire elements were moved up a bit. My daughter was really ready to leave by the time the really cool fire tricks were unveiled.

Overall, I'm glad we did the luau once, but I probably wouldn't do it again because it was so expensive and felt a bit too large to be able to be exquisite with food and service.

2 - The Check-In

Our flight was delayed by a few hours, so we arrived late at night. There was zero rush at the desk, but the night check-in staff member was not on par with the vibe and toner I expect from Disney. He was kinda grumpy and when we asked about a specific room request he just said that we could change later and that requests can't be guaranteed. Plus, the lack of leis at check-in is a bit of a bummer.

3 - The "Towel Chair Saving" Situation

Hot, sweaty and carrying around a three year-old who doesn't feel like walking as we hunt for a spot to plop our stuff for the afternoon is not exactly how I like to start a vacation day. So many people wake up at the crack of dawn to reserve a "good spot" set of lounge chairs. I know this sort of thing happens at every resort, but for some reason it felt really bad here. At one point, I literally had to ask a staff member about where we should sit because every chair around the pool was taken or "reserved."

If Disney is listening... I would personally pay a fee to select a chair in advance to avoid the pain of hunting for a chair in Hawaii heat... Yes, I know reserving cabanas is a thing, but what about pool lounge chairs?

And lastly, for my Aulani Disney Resort Travel Review...

My 5 Tips for Traveling to Aulani Disney Resort:

1. Book Activities in Advance:

Given the popularity of activities at Aulani, consider booking them in advance to secure your spot. While spontaneous adventures are part of the fun, pre-planning ensures you won't miss out on experiences like the luau or stargazing sessions -- or the spa!

2. Arrive Early for Poolside Seating:

If you really want prime poolside seating, arrive early in the morning to beat the rush. It's annoying that this is what you have to do to snag a good spot, but as the system and resort capacity is set up now, you really need to play the game to get a good spot.

And if you do leave for the day, please be a kind traveler and clean up all your towels so that someone else knows your space is free.

3. Explore Nearby Dining Options:

We loved going the the Four Seasons to dine and grab coffee. The Four Seasons has an amazing vegan menu at their main fine dining restaurant - so we went there twice! Plus, it's kinda fun to eat off-resort.

I really loved the quick grab options at the Aulani Cafe. Their coconut milk chia seed pudding with berries was my absolute fave for a healthy breakfast! Plus a giant container of strawberries to share...

4. Explore the Island - or Not:

Don't overwhelm yourself. Look, I adored our last Oahu trip where we drove all over the island and saw so many new spots and beaches. But honestly, with a toddler, I kinda wish we had just stayed at the resort the whole time - ha. So venture out if you have time, or if this may be your only visit to Hawaii for a while. But if you just stay put at Aulani the whole time, you will still have the best time! No pressure, parents!

5. Take Advantage of Resort Amenities:

As I mentioned, Aulani is unique in that it truly offers an on-going array of amenities beyond the pools and beach. They have a jam-packed daily schedule with character visits and arts and crafts and even performances! Be aware of them, even if you can't join them all... My fave: stargazing!

Aulani Disney Resort Travel Review Summary:

During this trip to the Aulani Disney Resort in Hawaii with my three-year-old daughter, we discovered a blend of enchanting experiences and a few very minor setbacks. I highlighted five aspects that stood out, including the fantastic pool facilities, the subtle yet charming Disney influence, the relaxing spa amenities, the diverse range of activities available, and the stunning beach setting. However, I also share three areas that fell short of expectations, such as the dining experience at the luau, the check-in interaction, and the challenge of securing lounge chairs around the pool areas.

Overall I loved our trip and we would return for another visit.

5 Plant Protein Smoothies for Spring

May 8, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

The sun is out, so it's the perfect time to share 5 Plant Protein Smoothies for Spring! Also known as a good old-fashioned vegan protein smoothie.

These five recipes are my absolute fave smoothies that not only taste amazing and refreshing, but also include some protein so that you can feel like you can make a meal out of them if need be. Smoothies are such a great meal alternative on a busy day. I love doing a smoothie bowl for lunch or a late-afternoon boost. When I am out and about I pick up an acai bowl at my fave LA spots like Backyard Bowls in Santa Monica. Whrn I'm at home - I get to make my own smoothies - hooray!

So ahead, I share five faves for 5 Plant Protein Smoothies for Spring... BUT!...

365 VEGAN SMOOTHIES BOOK

And if you need even more smoothie inspiration, check ut my cookbook 365 VEGAN SMOOTHIES! I had so much fun writing it and doing all the p[photography for it. Wow, I sometimes can't believe I actually tested out 365 smoothie recipes for that book! That was a fun and crazy time! I worked so hard on each page of that book and I hope you own a copy to pull out whenever you need some smoothie-inspiration. And there is even a section that is filled with recipes for a vegan protein smoothie.

Nutritional Info: Calculated!

Bonus, every recipe has nutritional info included so you can see how much protein is in each one! Yes, I calculated nutrition info all myself for 365 smoothies!!!

Not sure about another cookbook purchase? Well this book has over 350 reviews and almost a perfect five star rating! Check out these voices...

FEATURED REVIEW OF 365 VEGAN SMOOTHIES COOKBOOK:

5.0 out of 5 stars "12 WELLNESS THEMES, DELICIOUS SMOOTHIES, HELPFUL TIPS, AND MORE!" Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2013

Verified Purchase

"Kathy Patalsky delivers 365 Vegan Smoothies, a 12 month wellness program, tips, photos and more. In her Foreword, she explains the health benefit of smoothies, including information for those who want simple and fast. She also highlights information on breakfast opinions, and nutritious choices. This book is informative, concise, and educational. The author gives reasons to drink smoothies, and why vegan smoothies are important. In addition, she includes 10 types of smoothies, myths and facts, and tips on Smoothie ingredients. There is additional information on kitchen tools, and helpful tips. The types of Smoothies include: detox; energizing; Slim-Down; strengthening; Calming; Brain-boosting; Healthy-Digestion; Healthy Heart; Anti-Aging; Mood-Boosting; Immunity-Boosting; and Beauty-Boosting. There are 5 tips for working without a high-speed blender. Also, there are Substitutions for: Greens; Citrus; Berries; Creamy texture; Roots; Sweeteners; and more. Some of the Smoothie Recipes include: JAZZY GINGER GRAPE; DANCING BLACKBERRY; FRESH STRAWBERRY -MATCHA MORNING; HOT PINK FROSTY; and many more tasty recipes. I made the COFFEE-BANANA FREEZE, and the FROZEN RASHBERRY LEMONADE Smoothies. They were delicious, and filling. As we try new recipes, I will leave updates. Enjoyable, simple, and healthy. Highly recommended!" - Author/Reviewer Geri Ahearn

..Thank you so much Geri! And thank you to the over 350 people who also gave a review! I adore reading how this book has helped transform your smoothie-making life!

Onto today's recipes...

5 Ways to Boost the Protein Content of ANY Smoothie..

GRANOLA. Add protein-rich granola on top, to serve.
NUT BUTTER. Blend in a few tablespoons of nut butter
SOY OR PEA MILKS. Use soy or pea milk instead of a low protein non-dairy milk like oat or rice or almond. Soy and pea (Ripple..) definitely have the most protein of the plant milks - on average..
POWDER. Add protein powder.
TOFU OR YOGURT. Use silken tofu or non-dairy protein-rich yogurt instead of plant milk - or sub it for some of the liquid.

...So those are a few ways that you can literally make ANY smoothie into a meal by boosting the protein content of it. But here are a few of my faves to try...

5 Plant Protein Smoothies for Spring

1 - Easy Energy Smoothie

This is one of my all-time fave smoothies. It is super simple to make and the flavors always hit home! It always tastes like slightly melted ice cream to me. Even if you don't think you like almond butter, give it a try in this smoothie. It just works so well for some rich and creamy nutty-sweet flavor.

The basic ingredients are: frozen banana, almond butter, maple syrup, non-dairy milk and a pinch of optional cinnamon. Blend and serve. The full recipe is here: Easy Energy Smoothie.

2 - Nut Butter + Granola-Topped Acai Bowl

So this is the DIY version of what I love buying in stores when I am out and about in LA. It is basically the yummiest acai bowl ever with protein-rich toppings. You could blend in some protein powder or nut butter right into the acai smoothie, but I actually prefer the texture of adding the hearty ingredients right over top. You can choose your own store-bought granola that is protein dense, or make your own using ingredients like hemp seeds, oats, nuts and more. This is such a fave on my list of 5 Plant Protein Smoothies for Spring.

The basic ingredients are: acai packets, blueberries, non-dairy milk, banana and optional walnuts or another nut blended in. Sometimes I add agave syrup to boost the sweetness.

Complete recipe here: Acai Bowl + add almond butter and protein-rich granola over top. KIND makes a protein-rich granola that is peanut butter-flavored. But there are many brands online!

3 - Chocolate Protein Shake

If you are a chocolate lover like me, give this sweet treat a try! I love this one after a workout because it feels hydrating and nourishing. Like a frosted hot cocoa! The basic ingredients are banana, cocoa, non-dairy milk, agave or maple, protein powder OR hemp and pumpkin seeds, nut butter is optional.

Full Recipe: Chocolate Protein Shake

4 - Coffee Shake

Now that I love coffee again. IYKYK ... I basically switched to matcha for a good five years but now I drink both. Motherhood refueled me for as much caffeine as I can handle lol. But anyways, those coffee shake is so good! It includes walnuts and banana, cinnamon and coffee or espresso. This coffee-loaded recipe needed to be on this list of 5 Plant Protein Smoothies for Spring.

Let me rehash a modernized recipe for this smoothie since I will admit the old school one (linked) is more complicated than it needs to be....

Recipe: 6oz coffee, 6oz non-dairy milk, ½ cup ice, 2 frozen bananas, 2 tablespoon walnuts, pinch of cinnamon, touch of agave or maple syrup. Blend and serve! Alternatively, you could do 8oz milk and then 1-2 shots of espresso.

For the protein part, simply add enough walnuts. You could also do pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds or even a protein-boosted non-dairy milk! I have seen a few out there..

Full Recipe: Coffee Shake

5 - Strawberry Banana Protein Shake

This is such a classic smoothie flavor. Well, YES, you can absolutely give it a protein boost in two ways: 1 - try adding 8oz of your fave protein-rich vegan yogurt. Vanilla or plain flavor. OR, simple add those toppings I chatted about in the form of DIY or store-bought protein-rich granola. Easy peasy.

Full recipe: Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Alrighty, I hope you love those recipe ideas! And don't forget to snag a cop of my smoothie book for SO much instruction, history and inspiration to make plant-powered smoothies all summer long!

Summer Camps for Preschoolers in Los Angeles

April 3, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

Today, I took a brief pause from my ongoing projects to delve into the world of summer camps for preschoolers in Los Angeles, focusing on the west LA and Santa Monica areas. While I hadn't planned on crafting a blog post about this initially, I found myself immersed in research this morning, as all moms do when they rabbit hole on a topic... Oh man, how research for your iid can spiral into an all-day thing! So I decided to share my findings with my fellow LA moms! And hopefully save someone some time...

Who is this post intended for? Primarily, it's aimed at moms residing on the west side, including Santa Monica, Culver City, Venice, Mar Vista, Brentwood, Palisades, and the South Bay areas of LA. Yes, I know, you guys miss my recipes!! I've heard your DMs, lol. And this post is more niche than my usual food content, but I am still wanting to provide value wherever my head is at these days. And mom stuff is it!

But for anyone in a summer mood, I'll also be offering some of my favorite summer activities for young kiddos. So scroll all the way down for that.

So whether you're a seasoned LA mom or simply someone seeking valuable insights into summer activities for little ones, this post is for you. Let's explore the diverse range of preschool-age summer camps available in Los Angeles - west side edition.

So Many Summer Camps!

Geez, this city has SO MANY camps. Summer Camps for Preschoolers and big kids alike. What a time to be alive, haha. Kids today! I mean, I think we had like one summer camp in our town. One for littles and then big kids did science nature camp or Junior Lifeguards. My mom never did let me do that one... I always wanted t!

Now before I get to the list, a recipe. Summer Strawberry Ice Cream. Make it this summer for a special sunny treat!

Summer Camps for Preschoolers in Los Angeles

Here is my list. I have perused the web in search of nature-infused, fun-infused, creativity-rich camps. Day camps. Camps that actually take tiny kiddos who are still in preschool! And for me, that means age 3-4. Not an easy find since most camps like 4.5 and up. It's all about the list so here we go...

Preschool-Age Summer Camps in Los Angeles List:

Tumbleweed
Fitness by the Sea
Little Kitchen Academy
YADA - musical theater camp
Sandy Days Kids Camp
Steve and Kate's Camp
Galileo
Ecole Claire Fontaine
Perfect Day Surf Camp
Bananas summer Camp
Big and Tiny Summer Camp
Hawks LA
Aloha Beach Camp
iVerbe
Santa Monica Playhouse Create-a-Play
SoFlyKids
Michelle's Dance Academy Summer Camp

My Camp Reviews

Before I dive into the details that my research yielded, I want to share with you the few reviews that I can actually offer at this point in my parenting journey! So out of all these camps, I have experienced two so far... And can totally vouch for them! So number none, Little Kitchen Academy. LOVED it. It's definitely an indoor, focused activity style camp. And it is only three hours, so not full day child care. But if your kid is interested in food, ingredients, being a leader in the kitchen, independence and learning a set of new skills, this camp is amazing! I will definitely be sending Rosalie to "cooking camp" again.

Next up, I can vouch for SoFly. We have done a variety of programs there and they really are a well-run machine for kiddos.

As for our summer camp plans, well we have signed up for another camp on this list and I will be sure to update you when it is finished! Please leave any comments if you have tried any of these!

Details of these Preschool-Age Summer Camps in Los Angeles finds, for your little one!..

photo by Heather Leven

Summer Camp List for Younger Kiddos in LA:

Little fun fact, this list was 100% researched by me. No AI used! I feel like that is so important to note these days. But I asked around, researched using fave websites and of course, good old Google for some guidance. These camps all look amazing and with a bit more research and maybe a friend to join up too, I would feel excited to send my kiddo to any of these! What do you think? Does anything look amazing to you? What have you tried for summer camp that works well?

The list..

1 - Tumbleweed
Description: Tumbleweed offers a range of outdoor activities including hiking, nature exploration, and team-building exercises to foster confidence and connection with nature. This camp looks absolutely amazing, but it seems to fill up very fast, so get in early! Transportation of buses available.
Website: www.tumbleweedcamp.com
Instagram: @tumbleweedcamp

2 - Fitness by the Sea
Description: Fitness by the Sea provides a beachside camp experience! Activities such as surfing, swimming, and beach sports. Fitness and outdoor fun vibe. But again, get in early for spaces.
Website: www.fitnessbythesea.com
Instagram: @fitnessbythesea

3 - Little Kitchen Academy
Description: Little Kitchen Academy offers hands-on cooking classes for children, teaching culinary skills, nutrition, and fostering independence in the kitchen. Kids cook healthy recipes and learn about kitchen tools and safety and ingredients.
Website: www.littlekitchenacademy.com
Instagram: @littlekitchenacademy

4 - YADA
Description: YADA (Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts) provides theater camps where kids can explore acting, singing, and dancing, boosting creativity and confidence on stage. Basically, it looks like one big dance party sesh with an end goal. Can I sign up?? I mean, that Swiftie week is calling my name.
Website: www.yada.org
Instagram: @yadakids

5 - Sandy Days Kids Camp
Description: Sandy Days Kids Camp offers a beach-themed camp experience with sandcastle building, beach games, and water activities, fostering creativity and outdoor play.
Website: www.sandydayskids.com
Instagram: @sandydayskidscamp

6 - Steve and Kate's Camp
Description: Steve and Kate's Camp offers a flexible day camp with a wide range of activities including arts, sports, and STEM, allowing kids to choose their own adventures.
Website: www.steveandkatescamp.com
Instagram: @steveandkatescamp

7 - Galileo
Description: Galileo offers innovative STEAM-based camps where kids can explore science, engineering, art, and design through hands-on projects and activities.
Website: www.galileo-camps.com
Instagram: @galileocamps

8 - Ecole Claire Fontaine
Description: Ecole Claire Fontaine provides a French immersion summer camp with language lessons, cultural activities, and creative arts, fostering bilingualism and cultural awareness.
Website: www.ecoleclairefontaine.org
Instagram: @ecoleclairefontaine

9 - Perfect Day Surf Camp
Description: Perfect Day Surf Camp offers surfing lessons and ocean safety instruction for kids of all skill levels, promoting water confidence and beach enjoyment.
Website: www.perfectdaysurfcamp.com
Instagram: @perfectdaysurfcamp

Keeping it going.. More Summer Camps for Preschoolers in Los Angeles:

10 - Bananas Summer Camp
Description: Bananas Summer Camp offers a diverse range of activities including sports, arts, and outdoor adventures, providing a well-rounded summer experience for kids.
Website: www.bananascamp.com
Instagram: @bananasummercamp

11 - Big and Tiny Summer Camp
Description: Big and Tiny Summer Camp offers a blend of educational and recreational activities including art, music, and mindfulness, nurturing creativity and social skills.
Website: www.bigandtiny.com
Instagram: @bigandtiny_

12 - Hawks LA
Description: Hawks LA provides basketball camps focusing on skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship, offering coaching for young athletes to improve their game.
Website: www.hawksla.com
Instagram: @hawksla

13 - Aloha Beach Camp
Description: Aloha Beach Camp offers a beach-centric camp experience with surfing, paddleboarding, and beach games, promoting water safety and coastal appreciation.
Website: www.alohabeachcamp.com
Instagram: @alohabeachcamp

14 - iVerbe
Description: iVerbe offers French-language immersion camps with cultural activities, sports, and outdoor adventures, providing a dynamic and enriching summer experience.
Website: www.iverbe.com
Instagram: @iverbecamps

15 - Santa Monica Playhouse Create-a-Play
Description: Santa Monica Playhouse Create-a-Play offers theater camps where kids can write, rehearse, and perform their own plays, fostering creativity and collaboration.
Website: www.santamonicaplayhouse.com
Instagram: @santamonicaplayhouse

16 - SoFlyKids
Description: SoFlyKids offers aerial arts camps where kids can learn circus skills such as aerial silks, trapeze, and hoop, promoting strength, flexibility, and artistic expression.
Website: www.soflykids.com Instagram: @soflykids

17 - Michelle's Dance Academy Summer Camp
Description: Our 2024 Summer Camps offer a fun mix of different dance styles, creative movement, and Arts& Crafts. We divide students into groups, according to age. At the end of each week, we will have a mini, in studio performance for parents. Students will learn dance styles of Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Tumbling. Arts and crafts too.
Web: https://www.michelledanceacademy.com/
Instagram: @michelledanceacademy

And a little bonus for anyone who may NOT be doing a camp for summer - or just for those camp-free summer days. My absolute fave ways to spend the summer break with my daughter...

My 5 Fave Summer Activities for Preschool Kiddos

1 - Garden Party

This one is so easy. We head to a local garden store, buy some seasonal flowers and head back home to plant them, water them, play in some sprinklers, break out the bubble machine, eat popsicles and maybe do some art or backyard sports. This is the classic at-home summer day, and I just adore it! Bonus points if you want to bring along your kiddo's bestie or neighborhood friends. But honestly, some of my fave days are when it's just the two of us.

2 - Beach Day (Or Lake Day!)

Getting out by the water is always a treat. In LA, it's the beach that calls me! But if you live inland, a lake or stream or anything that bubbles and mists would work. Heck, you could easily replace the beach with a pool or local splash pad! Just get some sun and water on in your face and watch the giggles roll in.

3 - Field Trip!

Do some research on the popular kiddo spots in your town. Maybe a kids museum or botanical garden or even a science center or mal rescue or education center and head out on the road to visit it!

4 - Farm Day or Farmer's Market Day

I love visiting a farm in the summertime! Pick strawberries or watermelon or other blossoming goodies! You could also visit a farmer's market. Every fruit-loving kiddo will have a blast loading up on all the colors of the rainbow!

5 - Lazy Day + Fun Night

So this is a personal fave. Some days we will just stay home and do pretty much nothing but play, eat and have zero schedule. Stay in your PJs kind of day. Then as the sun sets we will finally venture out on the town! Well for a few hours anyways, we can't push bedtime back too much!

So nighttime activities may be going out to dinner, visiting a theme park at night, a nighttime scooter session in a safe neighborhood, a movie at the theater or even just driving to a fave spot for ice cream and eating it outside under the moon and stars! Oh, and we love Griffith Observatory too. Space kiddo all the way.

So there you have it. Just a bit of info from my day's worth of personal research on the topic of Preschool-Age Summer Camps in Los Angeles. I hope you loved reading about these amazing camps and a few tips from me. Summer is just around the corner, can't wait! Happy spring, for now!

Navigating the Adventure: A Comprehensive Guide to Traveling Abroad with a Toddler

January 23, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky 1 Comment

This past November, I spent ten days in Switzerland with my husband and three-year-old, I am fresh with ideas for you on the topic of toddler travel - so this is my Guide to Traveling Abroad with a Toddler.

I'm thrilled you've dropped by to explore the world of traveling abroad with a toddler. Buckle up as we dive into an extraordinary adventure filled with surprises, challenges, and heartwarming moments. As a mom who cherishes these explorations, I've gathered valuable insights that go beyond the usual tips. In this comprehensive guide, I'll share unexpected wisdom that aligns with my unique style.

For more on our Switzerland Trip Itinerary, see this post

I Love Traveling Abroad

A bit of backstory. My husband and I love traveling abroad. We have gone on more than a handful of trips in our relationship and have loved every single one. Even the time I had a severe asthma attack in Iceland. And even that time I sprained my ankle on cobblestone with three days left in our trip to Croatia and Italy.

You can read a few of our trip blog posts here:

Kathy's International Travel:

And guys, just linking to these posts and remembering all the gorgeous trips we have taken reminds me even more how much international travel is part of my DNA. And something I want to pass on to my daughter.

So yeah. This was a big trip. Lots of pressure. Expectations. Fear....

I Was Freaked Out to Travel Abroad with my Toddler

First off I want to note how scared I was to take this trip. This was by far the longest trip both in days and distance we had taken with our kiddo. We went to Hawaii twice when she was two, but that flight was only about 5-6 hours and though exhausting, felt short and sweet compared to the twelve-hour flight to Zurich! We live in LA...

And the crazy part of this story is that everything I was worried about turned out to be just fine. And some unexpected problems popped up! So here are my tips for you guys..

A Comprehensive Guide to Traveling Abroad with a Toddler - 25 Tips

Tips List:

FEAR OF NIGHTTIME + TIME CHANGE // JETLAG ***
PACK EXTRA SHOES, DON’T STRESS ABOUT CLOTHES
BRING THE WARMEST COAT FOR THE SEASON
BUY A FEW LOCAL TOYS
EMBRACE JET LAG AND SLEEP INSOMNIA
MAKE SURE THEY RUN AROUND
FEED THEM MORE THAN USUAL
EMBRACE TRANSPORTATION VARIATIONS
CHANGING HOTELS CAN BE EXCITING OR STRESSFUL
LOOK FOR COOL KIDS CLUBS AND DON’T DROP THEM OFF
ENJOY THE EXTRA CUDDLES, SNUGGLES, AND BONDING TIME
DO EXTRA DESSERTS IF SUGAR ISN’T A PROBLEM FOR THEM
FRESH FRUIT AND EXTRA HYDRATION
ROOM SERVICE IS YOUR FRIEND
VISIT LOCAL MUSEUMS AND KID PARKS – WHAT DO LOCAL KIDS DO?
TANTRUMS WILL HAPPEN
POOLS, ONLY IF INTERESTING
LOOK FOR LOCAL WILDLIFE
IT’S THE SMALL THINGS!!! FRESH WATER, MOON, OBSERVING
DO FAMILIAR BEDTIME THINGS. BOOK. TV. SNACK. BATH.
BRING OR BUY A WATER BOTTLE
FOOD HALLS, FARMERS MARKETS, BREAKFAST BUFFETS...
ENCOURAGE TRYING NEW FOODS
BRING A BACKPACK
HAVE A PHONE-A-FRIEND BACK HOME READY

1. FEAR OF NIGHTTIME + JETLAG ISSUES

Chasing Sunbeams and Banishing After-Sunset Fears

This was our biggest issue the whole trip. So I want to deep dive a bit.

"I want the sun to come out!" Was a daily, maybe hourly, phrase for us.

Take your toddler's natural fear of the dark and combine that with a time change where they might be wide awake all night long - at first - and you have some issues.

How I helped fix this problem: As much time outside as possible when the sun was out + taking advantage of hotel windows and stargazing when the sun is down. Seriously, get the NightSky App and start enjoying the star time with your toddler. She loved finding the planets and seeing how far off the sun was from rising from the horizon.

More on this Fear of the Dark // Night...

The universal toddler challenge – the fear of the dark. Spend as much time outside when the sun is out. This helps calibrate their internal clocks to the local time and gets their energy out during the day -- and allows them to have as much sun time as possible.

It Gets Dark Quickly in Fall // Winter

The thing is, when you travel to Europe in fall or winter, you get a small window of sunlight. The sun was rising at past 8 AM! And setting around 4:30. So really, when you have a jet-lagged little who is waking up at 2 am, that's a lot of dark time.

So be prepared for this day-to-night shift. Get them prepared ahead of time. Maybe even do some stargazing at home before you leave for the trip. We are obsessed with this Planets book right now!

BOTTOM LINE: Plan for your nights just as much as your days...

2. Pack Extra Shoes, Don’t Stress About Clothes

Prioritize footwear.

Packing for a toddler can be overwhelming, but here's a golden nugget – prioritize extra shoes over excess clothes. Toddlers have a knack for dirtying their shoes or suddenly saying that their shoes are not comfortable, and having backups is a game-changer. As for clothes, a minimalist approach with the option to do laundry during our stay has proven to be more practical and liberating.

We had an issue where her fave shoes got too wet on day one and then mildewed overnight. I stupidly tried to wash and dry them off by using a hair dryer. Well, I burnt right through the plastic mesh on the shoes because I wasn't paying attention. They were ruined. So the only shoes we had the entire trip were some new boots that she initially called "too small."

Luckily, she got used to the boots. But we would have been very screwed if she couldn't comfortably walk around in those shoes.

BOTTOM LINE: Finding footwear for kids overseas is WAY more challenging than finding an extra shirt or pants.

3. Bring the Warmest Coat for the Season

Ensuring Comfort in Unpredictable Climates

Regardless of the season, packing the warmest coat for your toddler is non-negotiable. Airlines can be chilly, and evenings in destinations may be cooler than expected. Investing in a cozy coat not only ensures warmth but also provides a familiar and comforting layer during transitions.

We had three coat options ahead of our trip. She wanted the light one. But we brought the warmest one. It was the best decision. Because she could always dress in layers when needed and when it was cold - we didn't have to stress about her being cold.

BOTTOM LINE: Bring the warm coat!

4. Buy a Few Local Toys

Easy Distraction

Adding a personal touch to the trip, buying a few local toys becomes a delightful distraction for toddlers. These toys not only serve as souvenirs but they are awesome playthings during your trip. We bought two horses and she was obsessed with them our entire trip. She didn't care much about the toys we brought from home.

BOTTOM LINE: Leave room for toy purchases in your luggage!

5. Embrace Jet Lag and Sleep Insomnia

Transforming Challenges into Bonding Opportunities

Jet lag and sleep disturbances are common when traveling across time zones with a toddler. Instead of viewing these challenges as obstacles, embrace them. Using this time for quiet bonding, bedtime stories, and extra cuddles has not only helped me adjust to new time zones but also created precious moments of connection.

We made it fun the first night and ordered room service at 3 am.

So yes, it sucks. But you have to expect it and make it fun for everyone.

BOTTOM LINE: Expect 2AM wake-up-calls from your kid. Try and make it fun.

6. Make Sure They Run Around

Turning Every Destination into a Playground

Ensuring your toddler has ample time to run around is vital. Treat the trip as a playground tour of the destination. Not only does it expend energy, but it also allows your child to interact with the local culture in a fun and interactive way.

We loved finding local playgrounds, trying new swings, and interacting with local kids. If there is a playground within walking distance of your hotel - you are good to go!

Basically, this is an easy way to make your kiddo get excited about the day.

BOTTOM LINE: Find spaces to safely RUN!

7. Feed Them More Than Usual

Fueling Exploration with Nutrition

Traveling is a physically demanding experience for toddlers. They're absorbing new information, exploring unfamiliar environments, and expending more energy than usual. Ensuring they're well-fed and not overly restricted in their diet not only sustains their energy but also transforms mealtimes into an adventure for their taste buds.

We always call our kid a picky eater. Well, she ate so much on this trip! She was very often hungry. We did a lot of savory meals early in the day to ensure she was well-fueled.

BOTTOM LINE: Pack more snacks than usual.

8. Embrace Transportation Variations

By bus, plane, train....

Embrace varying modes of transport. Trains can be exciting! Planes as well. Or maybe even a local bus looks fun.

BOTTOM LINE: Take the slower but funner mode of transport!

9. Changing Hotels Can Be Exciting or Stressful

Navigating Transitions with Familiarity

Changing hotels can be both exciting and stressful for toddlers. While new places are intriguing, the constant change can be overwhelming. Creating a familiar bedtime routine that includes their favorite book, a comforting TV show, or a bedtime snack helps ease transitions and ensures a restful night's sleep.

Overall, our kid loved changing hotels and checking out the new window views and lobbies to run through. She loves elevators, key cards and all that comes with hotel check-in!

BOTTOM LINE: Observe your kid. Do they love a hotel switch or not?

10. Look for Cool Kids Clubs and Don’t Drop Them Off!

Balancing Independence with Safety

While kids' clubs can offer a break for parents, it's essential to strike a balance. Choosing clubs that allow parents to participate or observe ensures that the child feels secure while still enjoying the activities.

...This hotel kids club in Interlaken was beyond incredible. We all played together a few times during our stay!

BOTTOM LINE: Overseas kids clubs can be epic + kinda cultural!

11. Enjoy the Extra Cuddles, Snuggles, and Bonding Time

Treasuring Moments Amidst the Journey

Traveling with a toddler provides extra opportunities for closeness. Embracing the extra cuddles, snuggles, and bonding time creates a special connection, turning the journey into a series of heartwarming moments.

I loved those sunrise moments with my early riser.

BOTTOM LINE: This is the real trip highlight.

12. Do Extra Desserts if Sugar Isn’t a Problem for Them

Savoring Sweet Moments

While maintaining a balanced diet is crucial, occasional indulgence in desserts can be a source of joy for toddlers. If dietary restrictions allow, savoring extra desserts becomes a delightful part of the travel experience.

These were some vegan churros at Montreux Noel...

BOTTOM LINE: This tip may be for the parents too...

13. Fresh Fruit and Extra Hydration

Prioritizing Healthy Choices

Incorporating fresh fruit into your toddler's diet during travel provides essential nutrients and hydration. Exploring local markets for seasonal fruits adds a cultural element to their culinary experience.

BOTTOM LINE: Be a fruit lover!!!

Rounding out to number 14 of Guide to Traveling Abroad with a Toddler....

14. Room Service Is Your Friend (Non-Tipping Countries!)

Convenience and Comfort in Your Room

Opting for room service in non-tipping countries provides a hassle-free dining experience. It allows you to enjoy a variety of meals in the comfort of your room, catering to your toddler's preferences and schedule.

BOTTOM LINE: Do it. Order room service.

15. Visit Local Museums and Kid Parks - What Do Local Kids Do?

Immersing in Local Culture through Play

Exploring local museums and kid-friendly parks offers a glimpse into what local children do. This not only entertains but also educates, providing insights into the local culture and creating a unique perspective for both parents and toddlers alike.

BOTTOM LINE: Think like a local kid or local parent!

16. Tantrums Will Happen

Understanding and Managing Emotional Outbursts

Tantrums are an inevitable part of toddler life, especially in unfamiliar environments. Instead of feeling stressed, ride them out in a safe space and investigate their triggers. For us, tantrums often signaled exhaustion, swiftly followed by a much-needed nap.

In mom mode... "Please don't break a castle, sweetie.."

BOTTOM LINE: Prepare for the worst...

17. Pools, Only If Interesting

Choosing Quality Over Quantity

While pools are often associated with travel, opting for them only if they offer unique and interesting features ensures that the experience is enriching for both parents and toddlers. Quality trumps quantity in creating memorable moments.

BOTTOM LINE: Swimming is great for getting energy out, but so is wandering local scenes...

18. Look for Local Wildlife

Connecting with Nature

Spotting local wildlife adds an element of excitement to the trip. Whether it's observing birds in a park or discovering insects on a nature walk, connecting with the local environment fosters a sense of wonder.

BOTTOM LINE: You know kiddos love animals....

19. It’s the Small Things!!! Fresh Water, Moon, Observing

Finding Joy in Simple Pleasures

Encouraging your toddler to appreciate small things, like the taste of fresh water, the beauty of the moon, or the joy of observing everyday scenes, the birds, the sunset, listening to music nearby -- these little things cultivate a sense of quiet, gratitude and mindfulness.

BOTTOM LINE: Think small + slow + simple...

20. Do Familiar Bedtime Things. Book. TV. Snack. Bath. Tea. Massage. Song.

Creating Consistency Amidst Adventures

Amid new adventures, incorporating familiar bedtime rituals becomes a grounding force. Whether it's reading a favorite book, enjoying a soothing bath, or singing a lullaby, these familiar routines bring a sense of comfort and security to your toddler.

We did a lot of bubble baths and Bluey breaks, and I'm ok with that.

Maybe a Guide to Traveling Abroad with a Toddler TOP TIP: Pretend like you are at home. Not fun, but it makes sense when you are in a hotel room with an unsure toddler.

BOTTOM LINE: Familiarity is key to comfort...

21. Bring or Buy a Water Bottle

Prioritizing Well-Being Through Hydration

Bring or buy a water bottle. Staying hydrated is crucial for both you and your toddler, and having a refillable water bottle ensures you can quench your thirst on the go.

And that's my Guide to Traveling Abroad with a Toddler: did these tips help? I hope so!

BOTTOM LINE: Hydrate those kiddos without spending a fortune on toss-away plastic.

22. Food Halls, Farmers Markets, Breakfast Buffet, Seasonal Markets, and a lot of Food Options Rock

Culinary Exploration as a Family

Exploring food halls, farmers markets, breakfast buffets, and seasonal markets provides a diverse range of food options. This not only expands your toddler's palate but also turns mealtime into a cultural exploration.

BOTTOM LINE: Seek these out.

23. Encourage New Foods!

Fostering a Culinary Adventurer

Encouraging your toddler to try new foods becomes a delightful adventure during your travels. Whether it's sampling street food, participating in cooking classes, or discovering unique dishes, culinary exploration becomes a central theme of your travels.

BOTTOM LINE: "Just one bite..."

24. Bring a Backpack

Practicality and Convenience On the Go

A backpack is your secret weapon when traveling with a toddler. It keeps your hands free, stores essentials like snacks and toys, and is convenient for carrying extra layers or souvenirs.

BOTTOM LINE: Ditch the cute bag or purse, bring a many-pocketed backpack.

25. Have a Phone-a-Friend Back Home Ready!

Maintaining a Support System from Afar

Having a friend back home ready to chat provides a familiar connection during your travels. Sometimes, a familiar voice can be a comfort, especially during moments when you need a bit of adult conversation.

We had a train tantrum that was saved by calling a cousin back home.

BOTTOM LINE: "Who will be awake right now???"

Are you ready for a big trip overseas with your little one? You can do it!

In conclusion, traveling abroad with a toddler is an extraordinary adventure that involves a mix of planning, flexibility, and a sense of wonder. By embracing the unexpected and incorporating these tips into your travel toolkit, you're not just exploring the world – you're creating beautiful memories with your little one that will last a lifetime. Safe travels!

PS. What would you add to my Guide to Traveling Abroad with a Toddler? Let me know in the comments!

Switzerland Travel with a Toddler: 10-Day Itinerary in Fall Season

January 23, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky 4 Comments

Last fall - late November specifically - we took an amazing trip to Switzerland, so here is my post on Switzerland Travel with a Toddler: My 10-Day Itinerary. I hope this resource helps you plan the best trip to Switzerland with your kids (of any ages!)

Of course, to be noted, we only had one kid. One three-year-old. But this info is accessible and adaptable to anyone with kids - one or many!

Ok, let's hop on the plane and get moving!...

Need travel abroad tips? Here is my Guide to Traveling Abroad with a Toddler -- 25 tips based on this trip!

chapel bridge switzerland travel toddler

Above: 2023 vs. Below pic: 2015

This photo below is from when I went to Lucerne in 2015 - without a kid. I have to say, as crazy as it was - I loved being here with Rosalie a million times more!!! 🙂

My first Swiss post is here

Overview of our trip - Switzerland Travel with a Toddler:

TEN DAYS IN SWITZERLAND:

Land in Zurich + head to Lucerne
2 nights in Lucerne
3 nights in Interlaken
3 nights in Montreux
1 night in Zurich
Fly home

Trains: Yes it was a lot of train rides, but we really planned for that since our toddler was train-obsessed during that trip! Gave us lots of views and down time. We loved it. And really, wasn't too bad with luggage. We pack light! One suitcase per person. Rosalie learned to drag hers. JETKIDS luggage.

swiss alps in fall, interlaken, blue sky

Those mountains. We could just bathe in the sight of them all day.

...Switzerland Travel with a Toddler highlight: jetlag naps are intense!

...loved out Joe a the Juice room picnics during rainy days!

10-Day Switzerland Itinerary with a Toddler

Switzerland Travel with a Toddler, let's go!...

DAY ONE: ZURICH + LUCERNE TRANSFER

Train to: Lucerne
Hotels in Lucerne:
- We stayed at: Mandarin Oriental, Lucerne
- Other options: Hotel Montana - we stayed her last time and loved it as well
Evening: Settle into your hotel - order room service, eat, shower, bounce around with a toddler who was on a very long plane ride!
Overnight in: Lucerne

...window view from our hotel in Lucerne.

DAY TWO: LUCERNE EXPLORING

AM: Wake up early + explore Lucerne!
Lazy Activities: Visit local playgrounds, walk along Lake Lucerne, Walk across the Old Chapel Bridge, Get Coffee + Hot Cocoa, chase a few birds, ogle swans, run through the fall leaves.
Planned Activity: Boat ride on Lake Lucerne + train up to Mount Rigi + Afternoon nap.
Meals: Starbucks + a local cafe for breakfast + room service for dinner. Joe + the Juice Delivery to hotel. (It was rainy so we didn't wander once at night!)
PM: Star-gazing out our window at our hotel.
Overnight in: Lucerne

And onto the next day in Lucerne...

DAY THREE: LUCERNE + TRANSPORT MUSEUM FUN

AM: Wake early - again. We did a room service breakfast since it was rainy.
Planned Activity: Walk along Lake Lucerne to the Transport Museum. This museum was a HUGE HIT with our travel-lover! She was able to explore indoors and outdoors. It was not crowded at all. Loved this place.
Afternoon: Back at the hotel to pack and eat lunch. We had Joe in the Juice delivered - it was perfect! Rain was strong. We checked out and were off to catch a train to Interlaken!
TRAIN: Interlaken... It was a gorgeous train ride! Rosalie napped for most of it. We actually had to switch to a bus mid-route, all while Rosalie slept in my arms... thank goodness she still kinda fits in a baby carrier! That thing was a lifesaver.
Checked into our hotel after dark. Room service dinner though we were not very hungry because we ate a huge lunch + snacks on the train. Rosalie went right to bed at the hotel...
Hotels in Interlaken:
- We stayed at: Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
Overnight: Interlaken

DAY FOUR: INTERLAKEN ADVENTURES

AM: Early up for a buffet breakfast at the hotel. So pretty! We watched the paragliders as we ate.

Activities: We had nothing on the schedule! We walked around the town, enjoying the gorgeous views, visiting playgrounds, watching the paragliders and enjoying the crisp air.

Lunch: Velo Cafe Interlaken - vegan options galore!

PM: We were going to swim in the pool, but it was sadly closed. Instead we went to the KIDS CENTER at the hotel. Oh my it is the most gorgeous kids' club I have ever seen. Three stories of pure Scandinavian-style toys and fun. Art. A music room. Toddler area. Computer room for bigger kids and so much more. Nicest staff too. It was a surprise highlight of this hotel.

PM: Room service again! Do you see a trend here? They had a yummy vegan wrap! And the toddler had pizza.

Overnight: Interlaken

DAY FIVE: MORE INTERLAKEN ADVENTURES

Day five was pretty much a repeat of day four. These days kinda blurred together except that it was just such a lovely place to hang out. Gorgeous views. Chill atmosphere. We could just sit and watch those paragliders coming out of the sky and play on nearby playgrounds all day long. Oh and the cute cows in the grass outside the hotel too!

Overnight: Interlaken

DAY SIX: TRAIN TO MONTREUX

AM: All I remember from this day is that I made sure to get another Apple Muffin at Velo Cafe for the train ride to Montreux. And that the train ride was long but gorgeous.

Gorgeous train all day. It may seem like we trained a lot on this trip, but we planned it this way! Our toddler LOVED trains and riding in them, being at the train stations and watching Switzerland go by out the giant windows was a huge highlight for her. Plus, since fall weather can be rainy, we could see a lot of Switzerland in a dry cozy train.

PM: Arrived to Montreux at sunset. Room service - they had a vegan burger! It was so good...

Hotel: Fairmont Montreux

TIP: We arrived the day before the famous Montreux Christmas Market was set to open! If you travel for Thanksgiving, definitely make sure to be in Montreux after the market opens because it is so cute! We were excited to explore it the next day....

Overnight: Montreux

Rounding out a week of Switzerland Travel with a Toddler....

DAY SEVEN: MONTREUX FUN

AM: We ate breakfast at the hotel because it was super delicious and cute and felt social with a bunch of other families with kids there. Great view of the lake. Plus it even snowed one morning during breakfast!

Activities: After breakfast, we ventured out to find some playgrounds and check out the newly opened Christmas market. So fun! Many cute playgrounds along the water.

Afternoon: Nap time! Long lazy nap...

PM: I think we may have ventured out one more time, but we may also have just stayed inside and conked out. It's all a lur guys!

Overnight: Montreux

DAY EIGHT: MONTREUX DAY TWO + CHILLON CASTLE

We explored the market again, visited playgrounds and ended out day at Chillon Castle. So gorgeous! Rosalie loved exploring the cobblestone halls and secret passageway in the very old bedroom of the castle. We took some cute photos there too. I tried to dress up a bit to get some cute family pics.

We walked back to our hotel from the castle. Again, the baby carrier and the fact that Rosalie still sort've fit into it - saved me. We carried her home and walked together just after the sunset. All the twinkly lights along the water flicked on as it grew dark. Chilly air and lots of people out on this Friday night. So fun! I totally forget when we had for dinner....

Overnight: Montreux

DAY NINE: TRAIN TO ZURICH + NIGHT XMAS MARKET

AM: We woke up and let Rosalie ride on her fave baby carrousel at the Montreux Xmas market one last time. We also got some coffee and snacks for the road. We bundled up and hopped on one more train ride to our last stop in Zurich! This train ride was pretty good. The toddler slept most of the ride.

PM: Checked into our hotel

Hotel: Park Hyatt Zurich

Dinner: Joe in the Juice comes to the rescue again! Love this chain when we travel.

Activity: We ventured out at night, since Rosalie was wide awake. We went to a nearby Christmas Market. It was so crowded!! But really cute. We rode the two-story carousel and shopped for some glass Christmas ornaments. Ventured back through the city to our hotel - a lot of walking felt really good this whole trip! (Tiring yes, but I love it!)

Overnight: Zurich

DAY TEN: FLY HOME

Oh my! It was time to go home! We went on a morning walk to load up on vegan Swiss chocolate and also got coffee and vegan eats at Tidbits.

Then we ventured to the Zurich airport. While there, Rosalie and I spent a lot of time on the kids observation deck. Basically a huge playground where you can watch planes! It was freezing but so cute!

We flew home happy and healthy - souls full of new memories and adventures!

This trip was amazing and I so glad we did it!

Mandarin Vegan room service eats. This salad was SO GOOD!... The dressing that made it is not shown yet...

...Cafe Vello in Interlaken

Switzerland Travel with a Toddler: worth it? YES!

Vegan churros at the Montreux Xmas market...

Oh heyyyyyyy jetlag + travel on trains with a toddler in a foreign country..

I think she had fun though...... Yes indeed.

The first time I went to Switzerland - without a kid: HHL TRAVEL Switzerland

RESEARCH TRAVEL TIP: Fave travel planning resource website: Swiss family Fun

Five Ingredient Peanut Butter Tofu

January 23, 2024 by Kathy Patalsky 1 Comment

Lately, I have been making this Five Ingredient Peanut Butter Tofu, aka Easiest Peanut Butter Tofu a few times a week, so I wanted to share with you guys a slightly modified recipe from the original version. This modification is so easy! I can whip up an entire dinner in about ten minutes. This meal is protein-packed and supper satisfying and delicious....

Simple Tofu Recipe

So this recipe uses just FIVE ingredients that I always have on hand. They include:

tofu, firm, diced into cubes
peanut butter
maple syrup (or agave)
liquid aminos (or tamari or soy sauce)
olive oil

That's it! So simple and super flavorful.

Some additional ingredients I sometimes include:

cashews
nutritional yeast
pepper

Flavor profile: Savory Sweet

This recipe takes the blandness of tofu and instantly makes it sassy, sweet and savory! The salty liquid aminos, mixed with the bright sweet maple syrup compliment the rich and nutty flavor of the peanut butter. The peanut butter creates a thickness to the sauce, so no additional ingredients like corn starch are needed.

So if you love a savory-sweet flavor to your meals - this is a winner!!!

Add Some Heat?

It can be fun to add some spice or heat to this Five Ingredient Peanut Butter Tofu recipe... You could add in cayenne, red pepper flakes or even some diced onion or garlic. Chipotle or turmeric spices could also work for another layer of smoky flavor.

But honestly, I just love the simplicity of the tofu, peanut butter, maple and aminos!

On the Side..

I serve this Five Ingredient Peanut Butter Tofu with steamed broccoli - seasoned with nutritional yeast and some salt or more liquid aminos. And on the side, some fluffy white or brown rice - or even pasta or quinoa would work well!

I usually make a double recipe of the tofu when it becomes a family meal.

Exploring Nutritional Powerhouses in Peanut Butter Tofu...

Embarking on a culinary journey that fuses the velvety richness of peanut butter with the versatility of tofu opens a world of not just sensational flavors but also impressive nutritional benefits. Each component in this peanut butter tofu recipe contributes to a symphony of taste and health, making it a delightful addition to your plant-based repertoire.

Tofu: The Plant-Powered Protein

At the heart of this recipe lies tofu, a soy-based powerhouse of nutrition. Tofu is a prime source of plant-based protein, making it an excellent choice for those adopting a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. Packed with essential amino acids, tofu supports muscle growth and repair. Moreover, tofu is a rich source of iron, calcium, and magnesium, promoting bone health and overall well-being. Its neutral flavor makes it a versatile canvas for absorbing the robust taste of peanut butter and other complementary ingredients.

Peanut Butter: A Spoonful of Goodness

The marriage of tofu with peanut butter not only elevates the dish's flavor but also enhances its nutritional profile. Peanut butter brings a generous dose of healthy fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are heart-friendly. Additionally, it contributes a satisfying protein punch and an array of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium. Opt for natural peanut butter without added sugars or oils for a cleaner and more nutrient-dense option.

Liquid Aminos: Flavorful Elixir of Amino Acids

Instead of salt or even soy sauce in this Five Ingredient Peanut Butter Tofu, I use liquid aminos.

Liquid aminos, derived from soy protein, serve as a savory substitute for traditional soy sauce in this recipe. Beyond its role as a flavor enhancer, liquid aminos offer a concentrated source of essential amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, crucial for various bodily functions, including muscle development and immune support. This savory elixir not only intensifies the umami notes but also adds a nutritional boost to your peanut butter tofu creation.

That being said, you could sub LA with salt, tamari or soy sauce. Just modify a bit because soy sauce is stronger in saltiness than LA, in my opinion.

Maple Syrup: Nature's Sweet Elixir

Balancing the savory elements, maple syrup lends a touch of natural sweetness to the dish. Beyond its role as a delightful sweetener, maple syrup provides an array of antioxidants and minerals like manganese and zinc. Opt for pure maple syrup for a genuine and unrefined sweetness that complements the robust flavors of peanut butter and tofu.

Photography Note

Guys, I am at a point in work right now where I just can't squeeze in full-fledged photo shoots of new recipes! Ha. So this is literally an iPhone shot. Sorry! I promise it tastes delicious. I am working on a BIG project tba soon and burying my head in it, along with all my other mama duties. Photography will make a comeback eventually, promise.

thanks for understanding! if you take a prettier shot of your recipe - be sure to TAG ME on social media an I will share it!!! @ findingvegan or kathypatalsky on Instagram.

Print Recipe

5 from 3 votes

Five Ingredient Peanut Butter Tofu

This super simple five ingredeint panut butter tofu makes a delicious main course entree to pair with veggies and grains. Protein-packed and full of savory-sweet falvor.

Prep Time4

Cook Time6

Course: dinner

Keyword: peanut butter, tofu, vegan

Servings: servings

Calories: 203kcal

Author: Kathy Patalsky

Cost: 5

Equipment

1 skillet

Ingredients

10 oz tofu, firm
2 tablespoon peanut butter heaping
2-3 tablespoon maple syrup
1 Tbsp liquid aminos
2 teaspoon olive oil

Instructions

Warm a skillet over high heat. Add in the oil.
Slice tofu into cubes. Squeeze cubes very well in a paper or cloth towel to remove excess liquid.
Add tofu and liquid aminos to the hot oil and cover with lid. Shake pan a few times to distribute the oil over the tofu. A spatula could also be used.
Cook 2-3 minutes then. remove lid.
Lower heat to medium.
Add in the peanut butter and maple syrup. Use a spatula to mix tofu and maple and peanut butter until it becomes a thick sauce. The tofu should be nicely coated in a chunky sort of sweetened peanut butter sauce.
Cover with lid again and turn off heat. Let sit for a few minutes - until ready to serve. The closed lid will allow the flavors to marinate the tofu a bit and also allow the tofu to rest before serving. The lid keeps the tofu warm.
Serve alongside veggies and rice for a full meal!

Notes

Note: All the sauce ingredient amounts are totally modifiable! You can add more or less maple syrup for sweetness. More or less peanut butter for richness. More or less liquid aminos for savory flavor.

Salt and pepper optional.

I love to add a handful of cashews in as well - when I add the peanut butter. This adds some texture and varied nutrition.

Nutrition

Vegan Christmas Desserts: 29 Veganized Classics!

December 4, 2023 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

Hello, wonderful readers, lets chat Vegan Christmas Desserts today!

The holiday season is upon us, and that means it's time to indulge in some delightful sweet treats. Whether you're a seasoned vegan or just exploring plant-based options, there's no need to miss out on the joy of holiday baking. In this blog post, we'll explore 29 classic holiday recipes and provide you with tips on how to create vegan versions that are just as delicious.

So, let's dive into the festive world of vegan holiday baking!

holiday christmas tree and rosalie age 3

Vegan Holiday: Sweet Treats

Today I'm going to show you how easy it is to spend the holidays as a vegan. Yes, seriously. The goal for my vegan content is to help you never miss out on a thing. So here we go.

29 Vegan Christmas Desserts

Sugar Cookies
Gingerbread Cookies
Peppermint Bark
Fudge
Pumpkin Pie
Apple Pie
Pecan Pie
Shortbread Cookies
Truffles
Linzer Cookies
Snickerdoodles
PSL
Cinnamon Rolls
Cheesecake
Cranberry Bread
Cupcakes
Snowball Cookies
Yule Log
Fruitcake
Peppermint Brownies
Biscotti
Thumbprint Cookies
Hot Cocoa
Rice Crispy Treats
Puppy chow
Donuts
Holiday granola
Candy Cookies
Nog French Toast

1 - Sugar Cookies:

The first Vegan Christmas Dessert recipe is an absolute classic sweet treat for the holidays. Sugar Cookies! And yes indeed, these are super easy to veganize. Grab your cookie cutters and turn on Home Alone for some background noise.

How to Veganize it: For a vegan version of classic sugar cookies, substitute butter with plant-based margarine or coconut oil, and use a flax or chia egg or another egg substitute as a binder. Check out this Vegan Sugar Cookies Recipe.

2 - Gingerbread Cookies:

How to Veganize it: Make vegan gingerbread cookies by swapping out dairy butter for vegan butter and using molasses as a sweetener. Try this Vegan Gingerbread Cookies Recipe.

3 - Peppermint Bark:

How to Veganize it: Create a dairy-free peppermint bark by using vegan white chocolate and dark chocolate. Crush candy canes are often vegan-friendly.

I personally prefer to make a nut and fruit style bark over the holidays, but you can play around with both! Check out this Vegan Bark Recipe.

4 - Fudge:

How to Veganize it: Next on the list of Vegan Christmas Desserts, fudge!

Opt for a creamy vegan fudge using coconut milk or condensed coconut milk and dairy-free chocolate. You can even use nuts and I have seen some tofu and bean fudge recipes as well. Fudge is basically very soft chocolate. It's sweet and cozy.

I actually do not have a holiday fudge recipe here on the blog yet so here is one.. Here's a delightful Vegan Fudge Recipe to try from Rainbow Plant Life.

5 - Classic Pumpkin Pie:

How to Veganize it: Enjoy a vegan twist on classic pumpkin pie by using coconut milk or cashew cream or whole cashews instead of dairy. I love using vegan cream cheese in place of traditional dairy milk in pumpkin pie. And for the egg, the pumpkin does well, or you can toss in a vegan egg. So many replacement options for vegan eggs!

Try this Vegan Pumpkin Pie Recipe.

6 - Apple Pie:

How to Veganize it: So easy to veganize this recipe! Basically, apple pie is all about the apples and butter. So, boom, use vegan butter instead.

For a vegan apple pie, use plant-based margarine or coconut oil for the crust, and ensure the apple filling is free from dairy. All the apple pie spices are already vegan. Check out this Vegan Apple Pie Recipe.

7 - Pecan Pie:

How to Veganize it: Make a vegan pecan pie by substituting corn syrup with maple syrup or agave nectar. Use a vegan egg replacer like JUST Egg for the best gooey texture, gone vegan. Here's a tasty Vegan Pecan Pie Recipe for you.

8 - Shortbread Cookies:

How to Veganize it: Vegan shortbread cookies are easy to achieve by using plant-based butter. This Vegan Shortbread Cookies Recipe by Nora Cooks is a must-try.

9 - Chocolate Truffles:

How to Veganize it: Indulge in vegan chocolate truffles by using dairy-free chocolate and coconut cream. Or use nutty filling using nut butter and blended nuTry this decadent Vegan Chocolate Truffles Recipe.

10 - Linzer Cookies:

How to Veganize it: Make vegan linzer cookies with plant-based butter and your favorite dairy-free jam. Here's a delightful Vegan Linzer Cookies Recipe.

11 - Snickerdoodles:

How to Veganize it: Enjoy egg-free snickerdoodles by using applesauce or a flax egg. Try this Vegan Snickerdoodles Recipe for a cinnamon-sugar delight.

12 - Pumpkin Spice Latte:

How to Veganize it: Create a vegan pumpkin spice latte using plant-based milk and pumpkin puree. You can use dairy-free whip and all the traditional PSL spices. Check out this Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe.

13 - Cinnamon Rolls:

How to Veganize it: Make gooey vegan cinnamon rolls with dairy-free butter and plant-based milk. Try this Vegan Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Recipe.

14 - Eggnog Cheesecake:

How to Veganize it: Indulge in a vegan eggnog cheesecake using dairy-free cream cheese and coconut cream. Here's a delectable Vegan Eggnog Cheesecake Recipe from Susan of FFVK. Or check out my vegan cheesecake using chocolate chips.

15 - Cranberry Orange Bread:

How to Veganize it: Bake a vegan cranberry orange bread by using plant-based butter and non-dairy milk. Try this Vegan Cranberry Bread Recipe.

You can also check out my pumpkin loaf.

16 - Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes:

How to Veganize it: Make vegan chocolate peppermint cupcakes with dairy-free chocolate and peppermint extract. Check out this Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes Recipe from my friend Sam over at IDTLC.

17 - Snowball Cookies:

How to Veganize it: Veganize classic snowball cookies by using plant-based butter and powdered sugar. These traditional-gone-vegan Pfefferneuse cookies are probably my most favorite to make every year for friends and family. They look so pretty and taste like the holidays.

Try this Vegan Snowball Cookies Recipe.

18 - Yule Log (Bûche de Noël):

How to Veganize it: Create a vegan Yule log by using a dairy-free sponge cake and plant-based cream. Here's a Vegan Yule Log Recipe to impress your guests - made by Baked by Clo. ps. I actually have made several yule logs but have never posted my recipe. I will have to get on that because this recipe is so fun to make!!

19 - Fruitcake:

How to Veganize it: Veganize fruitcake by using vegetable oil instead of butter and ensuring the dried fruits are free from added dairy. Try this Vegan Fruitcake Recipe by my friend Melanie of A Virtual Vegan.

Moving along on my Vegan Christmas Desserts...

20 - Candy Cane Brownies:

How to Veganize it: Make festive vegan candy cane brownies using a dairy-free brownie mix and crushed vegan candy canes. Check out this Vegan Candy Cane Brownies Recipe by my friend Caitlin.

And if you want to make my brownies and add some candy canes on top, go for it. My recipe is here.

21 - Biscotti:

How to Veganize it: Enjoy vegan biscotti by using plant-based butter or oil. Here's a delicious Vegan Biscotti Recipe for your coffee or tea.

22 - Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies:

How to Veganize it: Create vegan peanut butter thumbprint cookies using plant-based butter and your favorite jam or chocolate candies. In the image below, I made my own "kisses" by using mini funnels and adding melted chocolate. It was a lot of work, but fun to try at least once! You could use broken chocolate pieces or chocolate chips for ease.

Try this Vegan Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies Recipe.

2015_11_30_pb-cookies-kiss_9999_54kiss-cookies-pb1350888.png

23 - Hot Cocoa:

How to Veganize it: Make a cozy vegan hot cocoa by using plant-based milk and dairy-free chocolate. I am also in love with Dandies vegan marshmallows and the many vegan whipped cream options in stores these days. You can DIY cocoa mix by using sweetener and cocoa powder, or look for a brand that is dairy-free.

You can also make a cocoa mix for gifting!

And if you want a match version: candy cane matcha latte

Check out this Vegan Hot Cocoa Recipe.

24 - Rice Crispy Treats:

How to Veganize it: Veganize classic rice crispy treats by using vegan marshmallows and plant-based butter. Try this Vegan Rice Crispy Treats Recipe.

And for a flashback video, watch Whitney, Cobi and I make these rice crispy treats.

25 - Puppy Chow:

How to Veganize it: Enjoy a vegan version of puppy chow by using dairy-free chocolate and plant-based butter. Here's a Vegan Puppy Chow Recipe by Six Vegan Sisters, for a delightful snack.

26 - Powdered Donuts:

These snowy-looking treats are a must-have for cozy cocoa mornings. Easily veganize them with a vegan donut recipe - baked - and also some vegan powdered sugar. Vegan sugar is any sugar labeled organic! Pretty cool fun fact for you. Make vegan powdered sugar donuts. And if you want another holiday donut spin, try apple cider donuts.

27 - Holiday Granola

Wonderful for gifting or making for your own family, this holiday granola will make your kitchen smell like the dreamiest holiday moment ever. Spice and vanilla and nutty aromas. Make my holiday granola.

28 - "M&M" Cookies

I had to add these to the list because they are a family fave. I remember scooping up handfuls of these cookies at church or school holiday bake sales as a kid! So lets veganize them. Easy! Just swap out M&Ms with a vegan version of chocolate candy. We use UNREAL. Try this vegan recipe for candy cookies.

29 - Nog French Toast

This easy and cozy breakfast recipe can easily be made by soaking bread in vegan nog. Get the recipe: Holiday Nog French Toast. Or try the super easy: Casserole version.

2015_12_19_eggnog-french-toast_9999_114vegan-eggnog-french-toastlg820.png

So there you have it – 29 veganized sweet treats to make your holiday season extra special. Embrace the joy of vegan baking and share these delicious treats with your loved ones. Wishing you a sweet and compassionate holiday season!

And as you nibble, try this list of my fave holiday movies paired with vegan treats!

Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake

November 15, 2023 by Kathy Patalsky 2 Comments

Hello friends! I have a bit of a 'spin on a recipe' for you today with this Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake. I did a few fun tweaks to this recipe, so wanted to share it!

First Pumpkin Pie Taste

Last night, Rosalie and I sat down at the kitchen table after a long late nap and had pasta and broccoli together. We chatted about eating the tiny trees and how she likes broccoli when it's 'not dirty' meaning she doesn't like the seasoning I put on it. Yes, I had to rinse off my nooch-covered broccoli.

Then we dug into this pumpkin cheesecake - her very first pumpkin pie experience ever. I loved watching her little face light up as she tasted the warm spices, creamy texture and cozy pumpkin vanilla flavor. She is a picky eater, like most three year-olds so watching her gobble this up and annouce that she loves pumpkin pie, really filled me up. I can't wait to have another slice with her tonight. I took a quick pic to capture her happy pie face... (Ignore my oh-so-organized cabinets - life as a mom!)

More of my Pumpkin Pie and Cheesecake Recipes:

pumpkin pie - my classic go-to
pumpkin pie - two ingredients
pumpkin pie - Hubbard
pumpkin pie cheesecake - OG recipe from long ago
cheesecake - classic
blueberry cheesecake ice cream
pumpkin pie - maple bliss
pumpkin pie pudding

Crafting the Perfect Vegan Cheesecake: Your Go-to Guide

So as I said, today, we're diving into the art of making the perfect vegan pumpkin cheesecake. This dessert is not only a crowd-pleaser but also a testament to how versatile and delicious vegan cooking can be. From the crust to the filling, I've got you covered with tips, tricks, and insights.

This cheesecake was what I call "toddler life cooking' where I have zero regard for the perfection of the crust and look of things, but only care about the bake and flavor of the final product. Put on pause are my days of making sure every pie looks like the pages of Gourmet magazine.

Or maybe I'm being too hard on myself? Who knows, you tell me. It's not the most gorgeous photo spread ever, but boy was it yummy!!!

Crafting the Vegan Cheesecake Crust

The foundation of any great cheesecake is its crust. For a vegan version, I swap out the traditional buttery base for something equally scrumptious but entirely plant-based. In this case, I used vegan buttery spread. Done and done.

My crust literally has two ingredients and two steps:

crust ingredients: crushed crackers (yup. i did a savory spin on my crust!) and vegan buttery spread, melted.

You just combine the two and press into a parchment paper lined pie dish - I used a springform cake pan. Then press the crumbs and butter in and bake for 8 minutes at 350 degrees. Then you add your filling over top and bake. Easiest dessert ever.

If you want a healthier pie crust, try something like this:

Nut-Date Vegan Crumble Crust:

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups of your favorite nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans work great)
1 cup pitted dates, soaked in warm water for 10 minutes
A pinch of sea salt

Method:

Begin by blending the nuts in a food processor until they reach a coarse meal consistency.
Drain the dates and add them to the nut mixture along with a pinch of sea salt.
Process until the mixture sticks together when pressed between your fingers.
Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of your cheesecake pan to form a solid, even base.

So for my recipe, I blend the vegan pumpkin cheesecake filling. This is the part where you could use either a blender or a food processor. Let's chat about that....

Blender vs. Food Processor in Baking

When making vegan cheesecake, the consistency of your filling is key. This brings us to the great debate: blender or food processor?

Blender: Ideal for achieving a smooth, creamy texture. Perfect if you're using ingredients like soaked cashews or silken tofu.
Food Processor: Offers more control over texture. It's excellent for the crust or if you prefer a slightly chunkier filling.

Choose based on the texture you desire for your cheesecake.

Sweetener Options That Are Unrefined

So how do you sweeten a vegan cheesecake? I use either agave or maple syrup in my recipes. The liquid form makes it super easy to blend in.

Moving away from refined sugars, several natural sweeteners offer not just sweetness but also unique flavors and health benefits.

Maple Syrup: Rich in antioxidants and has a lower glycemic index than sugar. It adds a warm, caramel-like flavor.
Agave Nectar: Sweeter than sugar, so you can use less. It's also low glycemic, making it a good option for those watching their sugar intake.
Coconut Sugar: Contains inulin, which may slow glucose absorption. It imparts a subtle caramel flavor.

Experiment with these to find your preferred taste and sweetness level.

How to Bake a Cheesecake – Tips

Water Bath: To avoid cracks, bake your cheesecake in a water bath. This method helps cook the cake gently and evenly.
Low and Slow: Bake your cheesecake at a lower temperature for a longer time to prevent overcooking the edges.
Cooling: Let your cheesecake cool gradually in the oven with the door slightly ajar. Rapid temperature changes can cause cracking.

I don't usually use a water bath for my cheesecakes, but I do want to experiment with that technique more in the future and see the results.

Let's get baking!

Vegan pumpkin cheesecake is a delightful, compassionate twist on a classic dessert. With the right techniques and ingredients, you can create a dessert that's not only kind to animals and the planet but also a hit with all your guests. Happy baking!

Print Recipe

5 from 3 votes

Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake

This fluffy, flavorful cheesecake is a breeze to whip up and so delicious! Simple ingredients make this the perfect holiday dessert for your vegan feast.

Prep Time10

Cook Time45

cool time2

Total Time2 55

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked cheesecake, holiday, pumpkin, thanksgiving

Servings: slices

Calories: 350kcal

Author: Kathy Patalsky

Equipment

1 blender or food processor
1 pie dish or springform pan
parchment paper

Ingredients

Crust

2 cups crushed crackers or cookies or grahams
½ cup melted vegan buttery spread

Filling

16 oz vegan cream cheese
15 oz canned pumpkin, unsweetened
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
½ cup JUST vegan egg or flax eggs
¾ cup maple syrup or agave
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a pie dish with parchment paper. Note: if you use a traditional pie dish, this will fill to the top. If you use a 8 or 10" cake pan, you could actually double the filling recipe to make an extra tall and thick cheesecake!
Combine the crushed crackers and melted butter. Press into the pie dish until smooth and packed in.
Bake crust for 8 minutes.
Combine the filling ingredients in a blender or food processor. Until thick and silky smooth.
Remove crust from oven and pour in the filling.
Place pie back in oven and bake for 10 minutes at 350, then reduce heat to 325 and bake for an additional 35 minutes.
Cool for two hours or overnight in the fridge. You can make this pie a few days ahead of serving it!

Nutrition

Toddler Holiday Gift Guide: Top Picks for Joy and Wonder!

November 14, 2023 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

Today I'm sharing my Toddler Holiday Gift Guide: Top Picks for Joy and Wonder! I want to first say this: we own everything on this list!!

Reviews from actually buying these gifts...

This is not a 'canned gift list' to get clicks. These are literally beloved toys that we have in our house right now so if you want any extra details on them or pics - DM me on social, comment here or post to my IG comments and I will spill the toddler tea. Ooh, tea. Maybe I should add our fave tea set to this list too? Yes!

Holiday Gifts for Toddlers

The holidays are a time of twinkling lights, warm spices wafting through the air, and the joyous laughter of little ones. As a young mom, you're not just juggling the holiday feast preparations but also on the hunt for that perfect gift that lights up your toddler's eyes with wonder. Well, cozy up with a mug of cocoa, because I've got you covered with a list of gifts that will make your little one's holiday season magical. From the whimsical to the practical, each of these gifts is a pathway to joy and learning for your precious tot.

Toddler Holiday Gift Guide: Top Picks for Joy and Wonder!

The Dough House Play Dough Subscription
"Hot Dog"
Little blue Cottage
Morphee
MagnaTiles
Trish & Scully Dress up
Kyte dresses
Schoolhouse Stool
TonieBox
Barbie House
Rody
Planets book - the best!
Kidnoculars
Train Set
Coding Robot
Interactive Globe
ZARA gold dress
YUMBOX
Space Shuttle
DLAND

Gift #1: The Dough House Play Dough Subscription

Price: Varies by product, but as of now, it is $18/mo for the subscription.
Who is this for: The creative, hands-on child
Why it is awesome: Imagine a world where your child's creativity knows no bounds. The Dough House subscription brings this world right to your doorstep, with a delightful array of play doughs that will keep little hands busy and minds engaged. It's a monthly burst of tactile fun that encourages sensory play and artistic expression.

Price Check: Dough House Subscription - or individual order

Gift #2: "Hot Dog" - The Book

Price: Around $15
Who is this for: Dog, city, beack, cute book lovers!
Why it is awesome: "Hot Dog" is the 2023 Caldecott winner. And I adore the illustrations in this book! Every little kid who loves dogs, the city, the beach or just fun pictures will love this book.

"NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • WINNER OF THE 2023 CALDECOTT MEDAL • This glowing and playful picture book features an overheated—and overwhelmed—pup who finds his calm with some sea, sand, and fresh air. Destined to become a classic!

“An utter joy from beginning to end!” —Sophie Blackall, two-time Caldecott Medal winner

This hot dog has had enough of summer in the city! Enough of sizzling sidewalks, enough of wailing sirens, enough of people's feet right in his face. When he plops down in the middle of a crosswalk, his owner endeavors to get him the breath of fresh air he needs. She hails a taxi, hops a train, and ferries out to the beach. Here, a pup can run! With fluid art and lyrical text that have the soothing effect of waves on sand, award-winning author Doug Salati shows us how to find calm and carry it back with us so we can appreciate the small joys in a day."

Price Check: Hot Dog book

Next up on my Toddler Holiday Gift Guide...

Gift #3: "The Little Blue Cottage" - The Book

Price: Around $17

Who is this for: The dreamer

Why it is awesome: "The Little Blue Cottage" waits all year for summer to return — and with it, the girl. It's a story of change and permanence, and a reminder of cherished moments. This book is a warm hug in literary form, perfect for bedtime stories and afternoon snuggles.

In this heartfelt story about change, Kelly Jordan's lilting text and Jessica Courtney-Tickle's lush art captures the essence of cherishing a favorite place.

Winner of the 2021 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award
Winner of the 2020 Northern Lights Book Award in the Family Category and Cover Art Category

This book is illustrated by my fave kids book illustrator: Jessica Courtney-Tickle.

Price check: The Little Blue Cottage

Gift #4: My Little Morphee Sleep Aid Machine

Price: Around $80 Who is this for: The child who loves a good night's sleep (and their parents!) Why it is awesome: My Little Morphee isn't just a sleep aid; it's a nighttime companion that brings peace and tranquility to bedtime routines. With various audio options, it weaves stories and soft tunes that lull your little one into a restful slumber.

Price Check: My Little Morphee

Gift #5: Magna-Tiles

Price: Around $50 for a starter set Who is this for: The future architect or engineer Why it is awesome: These colorful magnetic tiles are not just playthings; they're foundations for your child's imagination. Building castles, towers, and everything in between, Magna-Tiles are about fun, spatial reasoning, and creativity. Plus, they're surprisingly soothing to snap together — you might find yourself building alongside your kiddo!

Price Check: Magnatiles

Gift #6: Princess Dresses from Trish Scully

Price: Around $60-$100 Who is this for: The princess in every girl Why it is awesome: Trish Scully's dresses are where dreams are woven into fabric. These dresses are not just about playing dress-up; they're about stepping into a fairy tale and feeling the magic. Every stitch is a promise of adventure and elegance, perfect for the little princess in your life.

I kid you not when I say that I bought two more dresses from them while doing research for this post. We have probably five dresses from them already. The best play dresses! So comfy and they wash well.

Price Check: Trish Scully

And another fave dress option on my Toddler Holiday Gift Guide...

Gift #7: Twirl Dresses from Kyte

Price: Around $30 Who is this for: The mover and shaker Why it is awesome: Kyte's twirl dresses are a twirlable delight that will have your toddler dancing with joy. Made from sustainable bamboo, they're soft on the skin and the environment, ensuring your little one is not only stylish but also eco-conscious.

We have about seven Kyte dresses... maybe more. Love them!

Price Check: Kyte

Gift #8: Step Stool from Schoolhouse

Price: Around $199 Who is this for: The independent spirit w a flair for design and quality Why it is awesome: This isn't just a step stool; it's a step towards independence. With its sturdy design and classic look, it will give your toddler the boost they need to reach new heights — literally. It's a practical addition to any home, fostering a sense of accomplishment with each little step.

This stool is not cheap! It is kinda ridiculously priced, but once you own it you realize it is the best step stool you will ever own. It never slips. It's cute. Extra large face. Comes in a variety of sizes and with or without backs. The colors! It is so cute. We own two and I might need more.

Price Check: Schoolhouse stool

Gift #9: Toniebox Audio Player

Price: Around $100 Who is this for: The audiobook aficionado Why it is awesome: The Toniebox is an innovative audio player that brings stories to life without screens. It's durable, kid-friendly, and completely operable by your toddler. Just pop a Tonie on top, and they're whisked away into a world of stories, songs, and educational content.

We love our toniebox and have way too many tonie figures.... but we love them! Ok, it kinda stinks that some Disney tonies do not have the original songs. But you get over it in exchange for the fun. It's kinda like Disney songs gone (tonie's version) - swifties get me? My two fave tonies: Fantasia Mickey, Mater (Cars) and Jungle Book

Price Check: Amazon Tonies

Gift #10: Barbie House by Little People

Price: Around $50 Who is this for: The imaginative role-player Why it is awesome: The Barbie House by Little People opens the door to a world of imaginative play. With its accessible size and friendly figures, it's perfect for little hands to navigate and brings the timeless charm of Barbie to a new generation.

We love this thing. The oven with the cookies and pizza is a highlight. The cute sounds and fun too. We love the "what's you fave color" song the best. Only drawback: no Ryan Gosling or Margot Robbie voiceovers or dolls! ha. I don't think the kids will notice.

Price Check: Amazon Barbie House

Gift #11: RODY Play Horse

Price: Around $60 Who is this for: The active kiddo Why it is awesome: This thing is everything! It is a toy, exercise machine, friend, decoration... I literally have to tell you that we have five of these. Do not judge me. She fell in love with it and wanted all the colors. She loves them all and treats them like real horses. Hey, it was cheaper than building an actual barn and moving to Palos Verdes. IYKYK. So yeah, we love these things.

Price check: Amazon Rody Horse

Gift #12: PLANETS Storybook

Price: Around $20 Who is this for: The space lover Why it is awesome: If your kiddo loves space and music, this gorgeous book is for you! “Discover the music of Holst’s “The Planets” with this sound book, which has 10 clips of music to listen to, as well as gorgeous illustrations of Jupiter, Mars and more. Part of the Story Orchestra series, which has sold more than 700,000 copies, says Frances Lincoln.”―The Bookseller

New obsession! Rosalie is obsessed with this book. She loves learning the planet names and hearing the cool music.

Shoutout to again, our fave children's book illustrator ever. I will buy any book she does" Jessica Courtney Tickle is an illustrator who graduated from Kingston University in July 2014. Her absolute favorite thing to draw or paint is nature, finding a focus on foliage of any kind as well as children's stories about adventure and exploration. She also has a penchant for drawing theater from music makers to dancers and even singing animals. Jessica is most influenced by vintage picture books, travel posters, and folk art as well as numerous painters and printmakers.

Price check: Planets on Amazon

Gift #13: My First Binoculars - Kidnoculars

Price: Around $11 Who is this for: The curious explorer Why it is awesome: These are super kid-approved binoculars. Comfort rest for the forehead and nice no-tangle strap that easily unclicks.

Price check: Amazon kidnoculars

Next up in this toddler holiday gift guide...

Gift #14: Wooden Railway Set

Price: Around $30+ Who is this for: The little conductor Why it is awesome: Choo-choo! This wooden railway set is perfect for toddlers who love trains and building tracks. It encourages imaginative play and motor skill development.

We have this and a huge haul of other wood train sets. We love visiting the trains at Travel Town in LA. Trains are a fun way to build and explore travel!

Price Check: Trains on Amazon

Gift #15: Coding Robot

Price: Around $65 Who is this for: The robot lover Why it is awesome: We love this robot for a number of reasons, but really, it is both a very cool toy that teaches the basics of coding, while having really cool phrases of encouragement. It says things like "wow! you really worked hard on that." Which is very DrBecky of it.

So yeah, I try to stay away from plastic toys but this one was an exception.

Price check: coding robot for toddlers

Gift #16: Leapfrog Kids Globe

Price: Around $70 Who is this for: The globe-trotter Why it is awesome: We love this talking interactive globe! It has a pen that lets kids point to a spot on earth to learn more about it. From animals to flags and more, it's a fun little learning tool if you want to teach kids about how big and diverse the world is. When daddy was traveling internationally, we loved pointing to the country on the globe and noticing how far away it was and how he would fly home!

I also love this one because she can explore it now and I knbow it will grow with her for a few years! Heck, I love using it to learn new things about the world.

Price check: Amazon Leapfrog Globe

Gift #17 ZARA Gold Dress

Price: $35 Who: The Little Fashionista Why: She wanted to put this one right away and she wore it all day. If your little one loves a good sparkle dress, this is her meytalic moment in time. There is also a silver version if she's feeling intergalactic in theme. Sp perfect for adding some sparkle to your holiday pics and parties.

Price check: ZARA

Gift #18 YUMBOX Lunch Box

Price: $30 Who: Preschool kiddo Why: This is hands down my fave lunch box for a preschool kiddo. It is easy to open, has a compact footprint. Doesn't clank around or make loud stainless steel noise and is a nice soft sturdy bpa-free plastic. Easy to wash and super cute too! Check out all the colors and designs of this thing. It comes in large and small too.

Price Check: The best lunch box!

Gift #19 SPACE SHUTTLE Rocket

Price: $33 Who: The Mini Astronaut Why: She loves this thing! It does so many things, The little astronauts fit into little doors, can float through space and scoot on their space scooter. It also lights up and makes steam from the engines. She really loves this toy as a compliment to her current space and planets obsession.

Price Check: Space Shuttle on Amazon

Gift #20 DISNEYLAND trip

Price: a lot Who: The Daydreamer Why: Well, yes, this is the ultimate gift for every toddler. If you don't live in California, or the LA area, this trip will be a big investment, but I truly have SO much fun at Disneyland with my little Minnie Mouse, Frozen, Cars and Wall-E superfan. It's a special suggestion here on this list, but I couldn't leave it out! If you are looking for Vegan in Disneyland tips, I've got them for ya!

TICKET SPECIAL: "For a limited time, children ages 3 to 9 can visit a Disneyland Resort theme park for as low as $50 per child with the purchase of a special 1-day, 1-park ticket. Park reservations required. " Dates valid: Jan 10 - March 2024. see details here.

Price Check: DISNEYLAND - kiddos under age 3 are FREE!

Oh my gosh guys, I have to stop there ..... even though you know I could go on and on with this toddler holiday gift guide!

I hope this list helps you sprinkle a bit of healthy, happy, life magic into your holiday season. Remember, the greatest gift you can give is your presence, so make sure to join your little one in the joy of play, discovery, and cuddles.

Want even more fun this holiday? Download my recipe-packed HOLIDAY GUIDE!

And as always, browse the holiday recipes here on the blog. Love these snowball cookies so much!

Happy Holidays! 🎄✨

Vegan Thanksgiving 2024

November 13, 2023 by Kathy Patalsky 1 Comment

Hello, hello to Vegan Thanksgiving 2024, let's do this!

Hello, lovely readers! It's that time of year again when the leaves turn golden and our hearts warm with gratitude. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and I'm here to guide you through creating a vegan feast that's not just about good food, but about celebrating life, compassion, and the joys of plant-based eating.

Whether you’re a seasoned vegan chef or new to the plant-based world, get ready for a Thanksgiving that's as nourishing for the soul as it is for the body!

Modern Veganism on Display

Thanksgiving is a great time to showcase how awesome it is to be vegan in 2024.

As we embrace this Vegan Thanksgiving 2024, let’s take a moment to appreciate how far vegan cuisine has come. I mean, whoa. No more dry Tofurky with a side of mustard. That gives me 2000 vibes, guys. I actually remember making those weird 'vegan wishbones' in my oven. Anyone else? Lol.

I mean it's 2024 and vegan has come so far!

This year, it’s all about blending tradition with innovation. I'm seeing a surge in plant-based alternatives that are not just healthy but also a delight to the taste buds. Vegan instagram is on fire. If you are not already following amazing creators like banana diaries, georgie eats and simple sweet vegan, oh and of course me at findingvegan, you should hop to it!

So for today's vegan menu I am just choosing my very faves. If you want to see all my Thanksgiving Recipes - please hop over to this post!...

ALL THE VEGAN THANKSGIVING RECIPES

And also check out these posts...

More Vegan Thanksgiving Resources:

My Thanksgiving Guide has all my recipes - even more than are listed in this post - plus a bunch of tips for having a stress-free plant-based holiday.
25 Reasons for Hosting a Vegan Thanksgiving
And finally, my vegan Thanksgiving recipe index here on the blog is a browseable gallery of all my recipes.
And of course, keep reading for my fave recipes of 2019.....

Let the magic of holiday week begin!

Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes

Appetizers:

Citrus-Sage Butternut Squash Dip
Party-Ready Cashew Cheese Spread
Vegan Cheese Board with raw cheese faves
Garlic Herb Vegan Cheese Ball

Entree:

Mushroom Potato Pot Pie
My famous Sweet 'n Sassy Sweet Potato Pockets

Thanksgiving Side Dishes:

Maple-Roasted Brussels Sprouts
The Best Vegan Green Bean Casserole
Mashed Potatoes and Mushroom Gravy
Classic Vegan Stuffing or try my Mushroom Stuffing
Tuscan White Beans
Maple-Citrus Sweet Potatoes or get sticky with Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
Wild Blueberry Cranberry Sauce or try my Smooth Cranberry Sauce
Leafy green side: Fall Flavor Salad
Baked Mac + Cheese
Bread: Softy Sweet Potato Rolls

Notes: To me, Thanksgiving has always been about veggies and veggie-based side dishes. From classics like stuffing and sweet potatoes to the BEST creamy mushroom-green bean casserole.

Onto desserts for Vegan Thanksgiving 2024... I could not edit this list guys! I needed to suggest all these vegan desserts this year...

Desserts:

Notes: You can't go wrong with any of these treats. The pies can also be made ahead of time to save you time and energy on Thanksgiving. Love these recipes!

And if you want this entire menu, plus a few other recipes - snag my Vegan Holiday Guide!

Beyond the Table

Embracing veganism during Thanksgiving can extend beyond the dinner table to embody a lifestyle of compassion and sustainability.

Visit the Animals! Volunteering at or simply visiting animal shelters or sanctuaries deepens the connection to animal welfare and fosters community. I adore visiting Gentle Barn here in LA, and hugging their precious turkeys around the holiday season. It truly reminds me of just why I am vegan.
Chat at the Table! Don't be the annoying vegan, but still feel free to have your voice be heard if people inquire about your 'vegan' lifestyle at a holiday table. Sharing the benefits of veganism through respectful conversations and educational materials can gently advocate for the lifestyle.
For the Planet. Practicing eco-friendly habits, like using sustainable decorations and local produce, contributes to environmental stewardship.
Time to Think. Personal reflection activities, such as nature walks and meditation, align with vegan mindfulness.
Black Friday that Means Something. Supporting vegan businesses by purchasing gifts or choosing vegan-friendly venues also promotes the lifestyle. These practices collectively reinforce a compassionate approach to the holiday.

Happy Celebrating to You

As we gather around the table this Thanksgiving, let’s remember that this holiday is a celebration of gratitude, compassion, and community. Whether you’re sharing this day with family, friends, or enjoying your own company, let your meal be a reflection of your love for the planet and all its creatures. Happy Vegan Thanksgiving, everyone – here’s to a day filled with joy, laughter, and delicious plant-based goodness!

Vegan Resource!

PS. Snag my free vegan cheat sheets for even more tips on going vegan and vegan life!

19 Random Facts About Kathy Patalsky

November 13, 2023 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

Today is a fun one: 19 Random Facts About Kathy Patalsky.

Let's do the fun random facts list trend thing, so here are a bunch of personal, work and random facts about me.

Before I dive into the list, I am so excited to announce that my long absence from newsletter writing is over. Yup, come rain or shine, I am committed to showing up via my beloved newsletter emails. It's such an intimate way to connect with you guys, tell stories and share the latest drops from my blog and other exciting projects.

So if you are not on the list yet - hop on over to subscribe! I'm sending out an exclusive giveaway for subscribers later this week.

So let's do it...

Hi Friends! Let’s get reacquainted! 👋🏻

19 Random Facts About Kathy Patalsky...

Hi Friends! Let’s get reacquainted! 👋🏻

And just so ya know, this is the HHL exclusive extended edition of an Instagram post I recently did.

I’m Kathy, but besties call me Kath.

I am a writer, recipe developer, author, photographer, and toddler mom.

On my blog, HealthyHappyLife.com, I share plant-based recipes and lifestyle tips, travel, life updates and even a bit of vegan glam. (This girl needs her Bhava boots, Stella purse and a plant-based skincare sesh. … along with my Vitamix, Staub pots and never ending stash of vegan superfoods.)

So with that, friends, here are a few random facts about me and my work!

19 Random Facts About Kathy Patalsky

1-5

1️⃣ I’ve authored two cookbooks, 365 Vegan Smoothies and Healthy Happy Vegan Kitchen. Both available on Amazon and in bookstores! 📚

2️⃣ I’ve worked with global brands on dozens of content collaborations, sprinkling my plant-based inspiration everywhere I can. 💻

3️⃣ California-born, I cherish farmer’s markets, wide beaches, pink sunsets, rows of palm trees and roadtrips for sun or snow. 🌴☀️🌊

4️⃣ I have been vegan for over 20 years. I went vegetarian as a teen because I loved animals and eating them felt weird. I help people try vegan on their own terms, with their own life goals and priorities in mind. POV: 🌱 Vegan is not a diet. It is a choice your heart makes. 😘

5️⃣ Career highlight: Spotting my first cookbook in a random Florence, Italy bookstore, translated in Italian!

6-10

6️⃣ I’m an introvert who loves getting glammed up for hugs, hellos, pics …. and a speedy exit 😅 Socially exhausted is my hangover of choice. 💋

7️⃣ My happy place on vacay: the hotel spa after a long day of intense walking and exploring. 🧖🏼‍♀️

8️⃣ My second website FindingVegan.com, was created to foster community & resources for the vegan and veg-curious community! 🌱

9️⃣ As a teen + young adult, I had an intense eating disorder. I never thought I would live a “normal and healthy” life. But somehow, I battled my way out of that dark place and have been my healthiest and happiest for many years. I attribute so much of my healing to my plant-based life. 🌱🥰

1️⃣0️⃣ I am super passionate about modernizing the image of “vegan” - smashing ridiculous outdated stereotypes. And stopping vegan police culture.

11-15

Alright let's keep going... more 10-19 Random Facts About Kathy Patalsky...

1️⃣1️⃣ I was/am a huge GOT fan and traveled to magical filming locations like Dubrovnik and Belfast. I even rang Cersei’s bell on the steps of Shame. (Pics in a blogpost…)I adore the Game Of Thrones musical scores by Ramin Djawadi. I spotted Emilia Clarke at Erewhon once and omg she’s tiny and sweet and gorgeous. But my fave GOT characters: Jamie and Cersei. That ending, oof. 🐉

1️⃣2️⃣ I grew up as a Britney Spears superfan. I will kindly do the entire “Oops” music video dance if you ask me nicely. My very first blog in 2006 was a Britney Spears fan blog, that got me featured on TMZ, twice.

I also danced on stage with Bon Jovi for an Awards Show gig and was in the audience ‘pit’ when Taylor Swift got Kanye-d at the VMAs. I also danced on stage with Green Day at that show. Oh, and I definitely maxed out my first credit card for an NSYNC concert in 2000. 🎶 🧑‍🚀 🎤

1️⃣3️⃣ I struggled with infertility for over 14 years. I shared my IVF journey on my blog and was gifted the best pandemic present ever when my daughter was born in 2020. 🌹

1️⃣4️⃣ Fave movie: Titanic. Always and forever a LEO and KATE and JAMES CAMERON fan. I will forever be a 16 year-old sobbing in a dark Santa Cruz, California theater to My Heart Will Go on. 🚢

1️⃣5️⃣ I got my BS in nutrition & health prmotoion from American University in DC.

15-19

I also recently graduated from UCLA’s screenwriting certificate program - an intense year of in-person classes. I met some amazing people and learned lifelong storytelling skills. ✏️

1️⃣6️⃣ I have two kitty cats, Sochi & Mr. White. We started out adopting just one, but I went back to the shelter and snatched up Sochi’s brother - best decision ever. 🐱🐱

1️⃣7️⃣ Tennis runs in my family and is my absolute fave sport to watch and play. Basketball is a close second. 🎾

1️⃣8️⃣ Living in NYC inspired my blog! I sourced so much inspiration from the bustling culinary scene of that magical land. I loved going to fancy restaurants and asking them to veganize something. Le Bernardin, Butter, Craft, Daniel, Stanton Social, Felidia, ABC Kitchen, Morimoto and all the amazing veg spots too - Dirt Candy, PFW, Blossom, Caravan.. we went *everywhere.* When Foodie was a cool term, I was a foodie in the city 🏙️

1️⃣9️⃣ My signature recipe is my Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers with avocado. And for dessert, you can’t beat vegan chocolate chip cookies or pecan pie. And acai bowls with pumpkin seeds on top are my fave. Don’t even get me started on talking food!!… 😜

Yay! You are here reading this for a reason, we share values, ideas, maybe even a goofy sense of fun, joy, or adventure - or music, eesh - or just vegan eats! - and hopefully a common mindset for compassion, wellness, or self-betterment - let’s keep chatting, friend! I am so glad you are here.

Let’s get to know each other! Introduce (or re-introduce!) yourself below — or tell me what fact about me stood out most 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

Vegan Tempeh Reuben

October 24, 2023 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

This Vegan Tempeh Reuben is what you should make with that block of tempeh sitting in your fridge. Seriously, this protein-loaded sandwich packs a flavor punch and is super filling. You could easily make this a hearty lunch or dinner entree.

My Vegan Tempeh Reuben is loaded with an array of bold flavors. That savory-sweet tempeh, all sizzling in the pan, caramelized around the peppery edges. Then we have the avocado and warmed sauerkraut. Pickles and sweet dried cranberries for a bit of contrast. I ass spicy mustard and my secret sauce. And lightly toasted bread - I used sourdough - brings it all together.

I also love adding the same sort of tempeh to a wrap. This is my smoky tempeh wrap..

Side Note: Ok, so I need to make this again and do a proper photoshoot, but for now, you get one pic of this beauty.

But let's get back to today's main event.

The Tempeh Reuben: A Vegan Twist on a Deli Classic

Reubens are iconic. Hailing from the heart of American delis, this sandwich has been tantalizing taste buds for decades. Traditionally, it’s stacked with corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut, then is toasted to perfection. But what if we could transform this classic into a plant-based masterpiece? Enter: The Tempeh Reuben.

Why Tempeh?

If you're new to tempeh, you're in for a treat. Made from fermented soybeans, tempeh is a fantastic source of protein, fiber, and a slew of nutrients. Its firm texture and nutty flavor make it an ideal meat substitute. Plus, tempeh absorbs flavors beautifully, which is why it's the perfect star for our vegan Reuben sandwich.

In literally minutes, you can take tempeh from drab to dramatic. And unlike tofu, you don't have to stress about the texture. It really is what it is. Firmer. More nutty. Natural texture, a bit 'meaty' in a beany way. Love this stuff.

This Vegan Tempeh Reuben sandwich is a great source of plant-based protein!

The Importance of Marinade

A Reuben sandwich usually uses seasoned meat. In my vegan version, I achieve this by marinating the tempeh in a mix of savory, tangy, and slightly sweet ingredients. Super simple. Just maple syrup and a soy-type sauce -- and that's really it. I also love adding black pepper and something smoky if I have it on hand. Liquid smoke or smoky paprika works well.

Putting It All Together

As with any Reuben, the magic is in the layers. Alongside our marinated tempeh, we'll use avocado, a generous helping of sauerkraut, and a dollop of vegan Russian dressing - but it's really just my simple secret sauce with 2 main ingredients. All of this is nestled between slices of bread, which when toasted, provide the perfect crunch.

Traditionally, you would use a rye bread. But sourdough like I used, works great.

The Final Touch

Each bite of my Vegan Tempeh Reuben promises a harmonious blend of savory, tangy, and creamy notes, making this sandwich a must-try for both vegans and non-vegans alike.

Ready to try this easy + cravable sandwich? Let’s get to the recipe!

[feast_advanced_jump_to]

Ingredients

Alright, here are the Vegan Tempeh Reuben basics...

bread
tempeh
sauerkraut
avocado
pickles
dried cranberries
mustard
sauce

See recipe card for quantities.

Substitutions

Alright, let's get creative...

Tempeh - Yup, tofu could work. Thinly slice it.
Maple + Soy marinade - You could sub with a bottle bbq sauce if you want to try a different flavor
Sauerkraut - Try another pickled veggie or DIY cole slaw
Toppings - You can totally change up the toppings...

Looking for other tempeh recipes? Try these:

Pairing

Some great side dishes for this sandwich:

Print Recipe

4.80 from 5 votes

Vegan Tempeh Reuben

This protein-loaded vegan sandwich is rich in smoky-sweet flavor and crunch - with amazing texture and heartiness. Plant-powered spin on the classic!

Prep Time5

Cook Time9

Total Time15

Course: sandwich

Servings:

Calories: 713kcal

Author: Kathy Patalsky

Equipment

skillet

Ingredients

Tempeh

5 oz tempeh
liquid aminos to taste
1 teaspoon EVOO for pan
1 tablespoon maple syrup to taste - add more for extra sweetness

Secret Sauce

1 tablespoon vegan mayo heaping
1 teaspoon maple syrup
pinch smoky spices

Other

½ cup sauerkraut
5 pickle slices
1 tsp dijon mustard
¼ cup avocado
2 tablespoon dried cranberries optional
2 slices bread

Instructions

Warm skillet over high heat, Add EVOO.
Add tempeh, maple, liquid aminos and spices. Toss a bit. Cover with lid, reduce heat to medium. Cook 2-4 minutes.
Uncover pan, turn off heat. Toss tempeh in liquid a bit more and let steam burn off excess liquid. Add sauerkraut to the skillet to warm a bit.
Briskly whisk together the secret sauce.
Layer sandwich with all ingredients. Slice and serve.

Notes

Notes:

You can absolutely use all 8 ounces of a tempeh package, but I usually use about 6oz.

Rye is an even better bread choice!

Nutrition

Vegan Meal Plan Monday: 10 Recipes for your Week Ahead

October 23, 2023 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

Hey everyone, let's start out the week with a bit of a vegan meal plan Monday: 10+ Recipes for your Week Ahead! I'm going to share with you some of my favorite fall + October month entrees as well as some other recipes that I think add flavor and fun to your week. Let's get going...

October Recipes

So October means pumpkin, spice and earth flavors like apples, mushrooms, Parmesan cheese, cider vinegar, maple syrup, cinnamon and sage. Hop over to my FV Instagram to see my fall flavors reel.

Vegan Meal Plan Monday: 10 Recipes, 10/23/23

I love helping you guys get inspired for the week ahead with yummy, seasonal - emphasis on easy - plant-based recipes. I usually cook a few nights a week these days, but we absolutely lean on takeout as well - toddler life can be a blur.

So to keep it real, my TAKEOUT PICK of the WEEK: HEY, SUNSHINE KITCHEN

I am loving Sunshine Kitchen lately! It is a vegan spot by the Spork Foods ladies. If you are even in LA, check it out! I am so lucky to live in LA where vegan options are everywhere, but I know that isn't the case for so many of you. That is why I love helping out with amazing tasting recipes that you can make at home.

Dinner Ideas for your Week

MONDAY: EASY VEGAN CHILI WITH CORNBREAD (recipe one)

I love a cozy and nutrition-packed vegan chili to start the week. And this one is super easy to whip up! Serve along with some store-bought or homemade cornbread for instant deliciousness.

TUESDAY: PASTA WITH OLIVE OIL AND GARLIC (recipes two)

Ok, don't come at me that this recipe is too simple. This vegan pasta recipe is the perfect base pasta to add so many fall veggies and beans. Try white beans and mushrooms. Or sage and butternut squash. Or maybe some vegan sausage and spinach. We love this pasta dish in our house because it is super easy and toddler-approved! Vegan meal plan Monday must: pasta!

WEDNESDAY: STUFFED SWEET POTATOES - OR SQUASH (recipe three)

This is a delicious way to bring fall squash or sweet potato to the main dish. You could totally do this recipe with butternut or acorn squash - just bake in the oven until tender and sweet and add filling as with the sweet potato. And did you know this combo of savory beans and hummus and a sweet starch like yam or squash is insanely delicious --- and so healthy? Try it...

THURSDAY: PUMPKIN FRIED RICE KALE TOFU BOWL - FALL FAVE (recipe four)

I almost forgot about this bowl that I adore this time of year. It's a one-skillet vegan meal. It is sweet and savory with crunchy fresh apples, kale, pumpkin-accented flavor and cozy rice. Tofu adds protein and heartiness. Nuts add texture and crunch. If you love a rice bowl, this is a must for fall!

FRIDAY: SLOPPY JOES (recipe five)

Fun vibes with these messy, super speedy, protein-packed lentil sloppy joes. Kid-approved too!

WEEKEND: MAPLE PUMPKIN QUESADILLA (recipe six)

Some day this weekend, for a lazy lunch at home, try my Maple Pumpkin Quesadilla. It may sound like an odd flavor combo, but it's so good! It's a fun savory use of seasonal pumpkin. I even have a fun recipe video that I did with my friend Vince.

Bonus Recipe: PUMPKIN RISOTTO (recipe seven)

DESSERT: cookies, ice cream and cupcakes.....

FROSTED PUMPKIN COOKIES + PUMPKIN ICE CREAM (for everyone in LA who is still dealing w 70+ degrees in October...) + PUMPKIN SPICE CUPCAKES for a fancier treat. (recipes 8-10)

SOUP OF THE WEEK: SENATE BEAN SOUP (bonus recipes..)

We all need a cozy soup on our menu this week so I'm going with Senate Bean with it's smoky rich flavor of mashed potato and white navy bean. So nutrition-packed and cravably delicious. If you want to try something else, look for creamy broccoli potato or even my potato cauliflower, butternut squash or even my fan fave soup: creamy mushroom.

OK, that's it! I hope these recipes inspire your week.

FLAVOR BOOST CHEAT SHEET

And if you want to learn how to add quickie flavor to ANY meal, any time of year, download my Flavor Boost Cheat Sheet. Available in this bundle here.

Check out this cheat sheet!...

Postpartum Life (Out of the Drafts)

October 20, 2023 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

Oh hey guys, lets talk about postpartum life - yes - three years since I had a baby. Yes, it took me that long to get through it.

Out of the Vault: Drafts Edition

I realized I have an entire vault of unfinished, never-published posts in my drafts folder. So I thought it would be fun to challenge myself and -- just share them Unfinished, scrappy and unsure. This one I found was written six months after I had my baby. And I wanted to remember every feeling of that first night and day. And into today. Here it is, some thoughts on Postpartum Life, 6 Months into Motherhood.

Postpartum Life, 6 Months into Motherhood

2/2021

"Today I am sharing all things postpartum. Postpartum Life: 6 Months into Motherhood.

First Mornings of Motherhood at Home

I still remember that first morning. The first full night of being a mom, at home. We brought Rosalie home on a Friday night, so that first morning would have been a Saturday. I remember being up pretty much all night, dipping in and out of sleep and glancing out the window every time I woke up hoping to see a peak of pink or orange. Something that signaled that the sun was about to rise -- the signal that confirmed we had made it through the night. Being a first time mom to a tiny little baby was scary. But nights felt extra worrisome. Rosalie was so little, fragile and perfect. I never wanted to take my eyes off of her. Falling asleep was a scary thing at first!

The Relief of Morning After a Night with a Newborn

But when I saw that pink glow of sunrise come through I always felt better. I knew morning was unfolding. And soon the wide-eyed middle of the night worries would fade into early morning groggies. Groggies that could easily be quenched with hot coffee, food and maybe even a shower.

Breakfast Felt New

Everything old felt new. That hot latte on that first morning tasted like the best thing I had ever sipped from a mug. No longer was my belly stuffed with a squiggly baby, so food felt so much more filling.

That jump in and out of the hot shower felt indescribably cleansing. After being pregnant for nine months, every shower feels like it's shedding another layer of something that had been buffering your body all that time. You were finally coming back into normalcy. It was strange taking showers because I hadn't been alone in the shower in so long! And by alone, I mean, Rosalie was always showering with me - in my tummy! I would talk to her and know that the warm water probably felt good to her too.

Breastfeeding + Feeling Drained

Food was devoured. Breastfeeding not only messes with your body physically, making you ravenous and thirsty, but the stress of being a new mom breastfeeder, made me feel emotionally drained - also physically exhausting. That first morning I had an extra large breakfast sandwich with extra avocado and greens, a giant latte and then in a few hours, I had my husband whip up a PBj and more water and on and on. Snacking, nibbling, food and hydration become things you kinda can't skip because your milk production will feel it!

So yeah, making it through those first few days felt like being 'in the trenches.' As they say.

Every day felt a little easier. Then easier again. Then all a sudden harder again. Then a good few days, then some tough days and on and on. The pattern of parenthood - and postpartum life - seems set. It's basically always amazing, but the good and bad parts seem to rotate back and forth all the same. And the good stuff always outshines all the really crummy parts of things.

So I wanted to touch on some of the basic things that women struggle with in postpartum! Here goes..."

Back to the Present Day

You may have noticed that this posts totally cuts off - unfinished. And that was the end of my post. I never made it sharing all the other stuff I wanted to share. And I think that perfectly describes the ride I have been on the past three years. Unfinished sentences, to-do lists undone, coffee half-sipped growing cold.

That was postpartum life for me.

I finally feel like I'm out of the newborn phase --- yes three years in - LOL. But honestly, moms will get it. You change so much after becoming a mom. And getting used to your new life takes mountains of time and space.

So to any new moms out there, don't get worried that you won't feel good for three years. Nope. These three years of being a new mom have been the absolute best of my life. But coming back to me. My priorities. My work. My goals. My needs. Has indeed taken me three years. Eeesh but true. If you want more mom + baby content, browse here. And if you need postpartum support, please check in with your doctor - or get free resources here at PSI.

Sending you all so much love and hugs!

Free Gift: Vegan Cheat Sheets Bundle

October 19, 2023 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

Today I am sharing a really awesome free gift for all my veg-curious readers - my Vegan Cheat Sheets Bundle. Snag it here and download in seconds. I hope these resources give you some support and inspiration.

Back to Work Update

Hey guys! Well, you may have read my "back to work" post from a few months ago and I am happy to say I have been very dedicated to grinding away. I am working on a big project that will be announced later this fall. But for now, I wanted to check in and give you guys a little gift for your plant-based journey. I created these really colorful, fun and easy-to-read vegan cheat sheets. And you can snag them for free just for connecting with me via my email list. And FYI, I rarely send out emails, so it's really just a way for you and I to stay in touch without social media and blogs etc. True BFF connection here.

Vegan Cheat Sheets Content

So here is what is in the vegan cheat sheets bundle. It is a PDF with a hello from me, and about 14 cheat sheets. One-page, colorful printables that contain advice and support in several areas of veganism. Those vegan topics include:

flavor boost recipes
meal ideas
social support
why vegan?
protein-rich vegan foods
vegan substitutions list
vegan grocery shopping master list
egg subs
lifestyle subs
smoothie builder
bowl builder
and more!!!

I love these cheat sheets so much. They are super easy to glance at and gain some valuable info or inspiration for adding plant-based goodness to your day.

Finding Vegan 2.0

So I will probably do a more in depth post about this transition later, but for now I wanted to let you know that Finding Vegan - the beloved community and resource for all things vegan is getting a revamp for 2024 and I am so excited about it.

I will still be including my amazing community of bloggers and sharing their recipes as much as possible, but I really wanted to take more personal ownership over this brand I created and give it a VOICE -- rather than just becoming another aggregate of other people's content. Ya know?

So yeah, I am really excited about the resources I am working on for this brand and again, get on the list to be on the inside loop of any announcements!

Vegan Resources

And as always, anytime you need advice or support on your plant-based / vegan journey, reach out! I have been super active on the FV social media accounts recently and would absolutely love to see your face there in the comments or my DMs.

If you aren't already, follow along here:

Finding Vegan Instagram
Finding Vegan Facebook
Finding Vegan Twitter
Kathy's personal Instagram page (which just got verified!)

And I do want to note that my personal @kathypatalsky Instagram page has kinda evolved into sharing my life with you guys. Not just food and recipes, but a behind-the-scenes look at my work life, family life and things that move and get to me. If you purely want recipes and vegan-centered content, definitely follow the FV social media accounts where I will be focusing on food content these days. And of course - as always - I will continue to share recipes here on the blog when I find time. I'm just so focused on this big project right now - and being a mama too!

Ok, that's all for now, thanks for being here everyone! xoxo ~ K

10 Back to Work Tips for Moms

September 14, 2023 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

Back-to-school season is in full swing, and I'm embracing it by excitedly going back to work. FINALLY. It's been three years, guys. So today I am sharing my 10 Back to Work Tips for Moms. Working mom mantras.

(Actually, you do not have to be a mom to feel most of these mantras. We are all "mom" to something in our lives, yes?)

kathy north tahoe summer standing rock pink bathing suit

Summertime '23 - toddler edition.

Ah, summertime '23. It was a magical time. Filled with chlorine-hair pool days, white sunscreen noses and sand in all the places - toes, car seats, eyelashes --- beach faceplants happen.

It was a season of melted purple popsicle fingertips and french fry and ketchup-scented kisses. Those dependable sprinkles of Disney Plus, Cars and Elsa, Trash Truck, Minnie Mouse and our new obsession with the pony segment of Fantasia.

Gymnastics, soccer, swings and slides. Baby bumps, bruises, ouchies and Band-Aids. Plenty of afternoon dance parties. Sun-tired naps. Learning the words to Shake it Off for mom's sake, and really mastering our rendition of Into the Unknown, complete with arm choreography, costumes and backup vocals.

A few Disneyland visits in the ridiculous sweltering heat. A few dunks in the crystal blue snow-melted waters of Tahoe. Playdates with fave friends, road trips and scooter rides as far as the eye could see.

I do. I do love you, summertime. But I'm pretty fond of flirting with fall right now.

One week until it is officially fall.... September 22nd 2023 everyone.

Time to Work

Back to school season, for me, means back to work. I am scared, excited and yes, a bit anxious for this transition. Last year - actually the past three years - felt like a failure for getting back into work mode. It never came to fruition as I had envisioned. That first year of preschool was a lot. These first few years of parenting -- a lot.

With school came lunch-packing, wake-up and bedtime routines, a million sicknesses and boxes of tissues. Tears and adjustments. For my kiddo - and parents!

So this year, I am letting go of too many expectations, but also going in with "let's do this" energy. Because, energy is important. My energy this year is reminiscent of those GirlBoss days, a la 2010-ish. But sidenote, RIP "Girlboss," I guess. Anyways.

PS. Rosalie is THREE

Ps. Did I tell you that my little child is three now! Oh my goodness. Biggest change from last year? Potty training and the level of conversation skills going on. We have a toddler rapport now. It's like having a mini-me that exudes the sassiness and swagger of her daddy. She's a bee-saving, stuffie-cuddling, imagination-minded little ambitious, quiet, sweet leader of all. God, I love her.

PPS. Taylor Swift Edition

Ever since my Eras Tour night, I have been an actual Swiftie. Converted!

I have been listening to Vigilate Sh*t, a la Taylor Swift, on repeat this morning to get in a mom-is-working sort of, badass-y, mood. We need a ten-minute version of Vigilante Sh*t. It's too short. CC TayTay on that one.

Ok, let's go.... 10 Back to Work Tips for Moms. But first...

Back to Work: Goal Setting

Mom Time.
Monetization.
Passion + Joy + Fulfillment.

Before looking at a few back to work mom mantras, I always think the first step to any project is clarifying your goals. What are your three main goals? I'll start...

For my work, my goals are:

1 - Connection + Storytelling

Number one, is storytelling and connection via creation. To tell stories and create art and content that I am truly passionate about. Content and stories that bring value to those on the receiving end. I think stories are all about connection. To my community. Friends and followers. YOU.

2 - Work/Life Balance

Number two, to be able to balance my work time with being a mom. Being mom comes first. I want to be a mom with enough energy to play a little, be present and not feel totally dragged down by my attempt at work/life balance.

Because let's face it the phrase "work/life balance" is ridiculous.

3 - Monetize

And number three, my goal with work is to monetize my work efforts. I am not just out here creating for the sake of fulfillment, I want to be making money while working. Nothing wrong with that, moms! and dads!

I'm going to say it. I love being artist, creator Kathy, but I miss making money, guys. And I'm really ok with feeling that way. I was so proud of the income I made in my most successful days of blogging and being a brand representative and writing cookbooks. It makes me feel proud to contribute to my family's financial needs. So I want that piece of my life back. I am excited to be working on something BIG via my Finding Vegan brand.

RIP GirlBoss?

They say the "Girlboss is Dead" but I don't think that is entirely true. It just needs a name change and PR revamp.

The modern "girlboss" is now a woman who is in control of her career, and has ambitions bigger than herself. Simple.

Have you noticed all these RIP girlboss posts lately? The Atlantic, The Cut.

10 Back to Work Tips for Moms

#1 Are You a Maker or Master?

One thing I loved about summertime was being able to close my eyes and think random thoughts. Next to a napping toddler.

Once I start working, my mind gets so focused on the actual project that I don't have time to... think. And one thing I realized about myself this summer -- because we never stop learning about ourselves -- is that I am a maker before I am a master.

What does that mean? Well, I could do an entire book on this theory, but looking back on my life, I realized that I hold the skill and gift of being a maker. Creating. Actually putting one foot in front of the other and making something my own and crafting something new. Making something from scratch - brand new.

One example of this is recipes. Some people love to re-create recipes from books and master their faves. I much prefer to create new recipes and play and experiment. Another example is art. Some people love to learn a technique and master it. I much prefer to create my own stories, songs, art pieces no matter how imperfect. And actually tell stories through them.

Some people I love are masters. They want to learn from someone else and master something. Yes, I strive to make something the best I can, but being a "maker" is a gift. And it may make me a bit less focused on one path in life, but that's all part of it.

I am a storyteller and a soul-sharer. I want to create and share something new

What are you? A Maker or a Master?

As you move into this next season of your life - what are you? A master or a maker? Finding out may actually help you feel more confidant in your skills and stop comparing yourself to the "other" type of person.

Masters may feel like they never make their skills their own or create anything new. While makers may feel like they are never 'good enough' or as perfect as masters.

Anyways. This realization really helped me this summer! Instead of wallowing in perfection, I am excited to make and share and tell stories.

#2 Do Scary Stuff - Challenge Yourself

I recently watched an interview with Hugh Jackman, he said:

"The more scared I am, the more courage I find and the more rewarding the whole thing becomes, whether it is a success or not."

He goes on to say, "My relationship with risk is that, if I'm too comfortable, I'm probably doing pretty average stuff."

I love this quote so much! That no matter how successful a project is, if you are challenging yourself - it is worth it! The full video clip here.

#3 Never Think You are a "Nerd" -- Embrace Your Passions, All of Them

This is a nod to GaryVee. He always advises to literally call yourself out in public for your downfalls and vulnerabilities - your weaknesses. Or even your "nerdy" qualities. Btw, I love anything "nerdy."

I think the modern word for nerdy is probably "niche." Yes?

And I will say to extend that to your quirks and "nerdy" passions. They are literally what make you who you are! No matter how fringe or silly they may seem to one person, I promise they will be the things that people remember about you - and the things that closely bond you with others.

Embrace those weird things.

No one is boring. Some people are just more scared to share their unique quirks with others.

And by "share" I don't mean you have to start a blog or podcast and share them - just sharing them with the people in your life will help you find you people.

And anyone who loves you, will love your quirks and "nerdy" "niche" side.

I think the key about embracing differences around others is to not push your believes and passions on others. You can share that you are passionate about certain things without acting like others need to be interested in them too.

Own your own passions and learn to love spending time with yourself and your "nerdy" passions. And eventually, you will find someone else who is as niche as you.

Continuing my Back to Work Tips for Moms...

#4 Find a Community

And that leads me to the next mantra. Find your niche community. Take your unique passions and interests and find a community that also thinks those things are cool! This way you have an outlet to be as excited as possible about the things you nerd out on.

#5 Tell Your story - Always

Ok, so this may only be for the "makers" of the bunch. But I am a believer in sharing your life and your story with others. Maybe you prefer to sit back and master skills and listen to others get vulnerable, well that's fine too, but know that your story is so important to why you are a "master!"

So even if you find it uncomfortable to share yourself, make a point to build your story in your own head. Know where you came from and how your incredible skillset came to be in this world!

#6 People Are Connecting More Online These Days ---- And That's OK!

So we all know that people are more lonely than ever. But people are only lonely when they don't have the skills and resources to make connections. And the truth is, we are all busy these days. It doesn't take much to connect with someone.

One solid interaction with someone can last a lifetime. Truly.

And don't discount the communication via your phone! In the past, people have looked down on tech connections and friends. But I think that has really changed.

As a busy mom, I find that in-person interactions are actually pretty surface-deep.

Most of my close relationships actually nurture themselves via texta and social media. I see it happening with teens too.

We are all so busy in our daily lives that in-person interactions tend to be brief, dry and to the point. It is rare to get a lazy day or chatting and connecting.

But the real space we seem to have to connect may be those two hours before bed when you are curled up staring at your phone, chatting and interacting with people online.

Moms especially, don't really get to let down their guard and relax into a social setting until their kids go to sleep. It's hard to connect when you are acting as childcare.

So yeah, try to make connections in person, but don't be afraid to let those connections bloom via your phone.

#7 Don't Get Sad - Get Even // Revenge

Swifties will know this line. Itis a lyric from Vigilante Sh*t. One of my current fave Taylor swift songs. And I love the meaning so much right now.

I have been in the past, someone who can wallow in my feelings. Letting sadness or anxiety take over my precious time. I don't do that anymore. Well, very rarely. And my life is so much happier this way!

TS says, don't get sad. Get even. Don't wallow in your emotions too long - get out there and fix things you are sad about!

Emotions are natural and normal and having big feelings for kids and adults is a healthy thing, but sometimes - especially in today's world - it can be easy to obsess in that sad space. To ruminate on those feelings of despair. Well, if this is where you are, you may need a therapist. I certainly did for a few years!

On the flip side, you may be able to pull yourself out of the sad place just by your own mindset change.

So I want to be clear that if you are in a place of sadness that you cannot shake, you may need to seek professional help. Depression and anxiety are real! And stem from all sorts of root causes - emotional, situational, and even physical. Please go get some help if you are "sad" and cannot shake it.

Otherwise, I absolutely love this message of taking a minute for your sadness and emotions and moving on. Taking action. Getting even or getting "revenge" on what made you sad -- in the nicest way possible of course. Ha!

#8 Move Your Body - Stand Up!

I know, it's annoying to hear because it's hard to do, but get moving! Get exercise. Move. Find something to do during the day that gets your blood flowing and endorphins pumping. Staring at a screen all day was awful for my brain, mood and body.

It's a challenge for me, trust me. But I always feel better when I work out during the work week.

#9 It's All About the Energy You Bring

Life is all about the energy you bring. If you set up the energy to do something instead of expecting it to not work out - you are more likely to succeed - IMO.

Example that is very nerdy.... er, "niche."

I really wanted to go see Taylor Swift. But how do you do that when the concert is sold out and crazy expensive? Well, I just felt this energy of, I can go tonight. I'm just going to go.... I got dressed. Ready to go. It was already seven thirty. The concert had "started" at six thirty. Well, I waited until the last possible moment to get there before she took the stage just after eight-fifteen. And I snagged a very cheap, in comparison, ticket just off the floor.

I went alone and had the best night out.

And I made it happen because I just wasn't going to take no for an answer. I wanted to go. I was going to find a way.

And lastly in my Back to Work Tips for Moms....

#10 How Can You Modernize?

When going back to work, it's so easy to go back to how you did it before. Just start doing it as you know how. And if you love that - great! But if it feels off, or you don't love your work anymore, what then?

What if you took a leap of faith and switched things up?

It's challenging to learn new skills and mediums of communicating. But if you want to stay current - it is a must.

For me, it is a question of actually asking myself: "Am I doing this backward?" "I am creating, but is it reaching people?" That is really a question for all artists. Let's say you are a painter. You paint something and wait ten years to get into a prestigious gallery. Not very effective at getting your art into the eyes of people ASAP. How can you modernize your medium?

That is something I am working on right now. How can my work get to the people in the most efficient and impactful way? To be continued, I guess....

Ok! Those are my ten things about going back to work. I hope they inspired some thoughts in your own life!

Peace out, summer!

Oh wait there, one more, bonus Back to Work Tip for Moms..

#11 Laugh a Lot (bonus)

Oh hey there, thanks for scrolling even more, ha!

Laughter is the secret to life. I'm pretty confidant of that.

Something magical happens when you are authentically laughing. Your problems go away for that moment in time. And the more you feel that lightweight feeling, the better. So find ways to laugh. And make laughing a daily habit.

OK, you found my secret to life. What's yours? Tell me in the comments! Or on social media. I think it is different for everyone, actually.

Vegan Dining at Disneyland - 2023 - Complete List!

June 12, 2023 by Kathy Patalsky 1 Comment

kathy in paradise pier hotel room with pirates minnie ears on

I am so excited to share a huge passion of mine today, Vegan Dining at Disneyland, updated for 2023. The last time I posted about vegan options at Disneyland was way back in 2011. Oh my, how things have changed since then! Both in the world, and at Disneyland Resort. So, has the state of vegan dining at Disney gotten better, or is there still room for improvement?

I will share my favorite vegan dining spots, tricks and tips and also a complete list of the plant-based menu items at Disneyland Resort as of summer 2023! Check out all these offerings in a downloadable PDF.

Plus, I will share my top five fave plant-based menu items, as well as the one thing that irks me about plant-based dining at Disneyland.

Let's discuss it!

(Vegan) Disney Fan, Hi, it's Me.

First off, hi, I'm Kathy and I love Disneyland. I have been a pass holder for as many years as possible since moving (back) to Los Angeles around 2011. I am also a vegan! And I love to eat. So, if you also love to eat plant-based goodies and love Disney - this post is for you! Or maybe you are just curious about the plant-based offerings at Disneyland Resort - this will be a fun read.

I am also now a mom! My daughter isn't vegan since she eats some dairy and eggs when social type situations require it, but she eats mostly vegan with us, so being able to provide her with healthy and delicious meals at Disneyland is a must! A mom can only pack so many pre-made, brought-from-home meals and snacks in her bag!

minnie mouse character and family photo at disneyland

Plant-Based Options at Disneyland Resort

So the good news is that it is June 2023, as of the time I am writing this, and Disney is fully on the plant-based dining train - hooray! No longer do vegans have to pack their own lunches and treats, pray for something vegan to pop up at a nearby dining option, and basically go in blindfolded as to what the options are at the park. It used to be a vegan would have to do a lot of research online before entering the park. But these days, you can literally show up and have all the options at your fingertips! Aka, the Disneyland App.

So overall, these days, the Disneyland Resort is committed to providing various dining options, including plant-based choices, to cater to guests with different dietary preferences and restrictions.

Overview of plant-based dining options at Disneyland Resort:

Sit-Down Restaurants: Many sit-down restaurants throughout the resort offer plant-based menu items or can accommodate vegan requests. These include Carnation Café, Blue Bayou Restaurant, Café Orleans, Lamplight Lounge, and Carthay Circle Restaurant, among others. These locations often have dedicated plant-based menus or can modify existing dishes to be vegan-friendly.
Quick-Service Restaurants: Quick-service dining locations also provide plant-based options. Some notable places include Jolly Holiday Bakery Café, Plaza Inn, Bengal Barbecue, Flo's V8 Café, and Galactic Grill. These venues offer plant-based burgers, salads, sandwiches, and more.
Specialized Locations: Disneyland Resort has specific locations that focus on providing plant-based and vegan options. One such place is the Tropical Hideaway, offering vegan-friendly Dole Whip soft serve and plant-based bao buns. Another is the Award Wieners, which serves vegan hot dogs and loaded plant-based nachos.
Snack Carts and Stands: Throughout the parks, you'll find snack carts and stands offering various plant-based snacks. These can include fresh fruits, popcorn, pretzels, and vegan Mickey-shaped treats.
Allergy-Friendly Options: Disneyland Resort is attentive to guests with food allergies, including those who follow a plant-based diet. Guests with dietary concerns can consult with chefs or cast members to discuss their needs and receive guidance on suitable options.

dining with new friends while watching Thunder Mountain - we love Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland

It's important to note that menus and offerings can change so check the park day-of for the most recent meals. The menus definitely change seasonally or just when they need updating! Disney loves to stay fun and new! Which is a great thing.

Disneyland Resort aims to ensure that all guests have enjoyable dining experiences, including those seeking plant-based and vegan choices. With a range of restaurants and snack options, you can explore the parks while savoring delicious plant-based meals and treats.

pointing in disneyland mom and toddler — MOM: Where are all the vegan options for me?
KIDDO: Right in the App, mom! It's 2023, it's easy now!
MOM: Ohhhhhhh. Thanks next generation. Keep this plant-based thing going please.

Allergy-Friendly Disney

So it used to be that whenever I said "no cheese" or "no dairy" on something that was a vegetarian modification at Disney, the cashier would ask me if it was a preference or an allergy. When I would say "allergy" the chef would actually come out and ensure me that an allergy-free option was being made. So great!

Allergy or Preference?

But these days, Disney has so many officially "plant-based" options that making special requests is really a thing of the past. It is so much easier to just stick to the menu and order from the plant-based section. Otherwise, you spend half your day asking about menus and ingredients in the meals and doing a lot of stressful dining analysis. Who wants that? I'd rather be doing a twirl on the teacups with my toddler.

So if you have an allergy - definitely go ahead and tell the chef! I have friends with allergies that are very specific like nuts or gluten or even specific foods like fruits! Anything involving an allergy needs to be taken seriously by the guest and the chef. Luckily, Disney gets this fact and does an amazing job at taking care of special dietary restrictions and allergies. Thanks, Mickey!

List of Current Plant-Based Meal Menu Items at Disneyland Resort - Summer 2023

This is my own personal research, guys! I went through my App and browsed every single restaurant in Disneyland Park to get this list of options. This list will absolutely need updating since menu items are always changing, but I think it gives you a great overview of the kinds of meals Disney is offering plant-based and vegan eaters...

Snag your Vegan Dining in Disneyland - Printable - direct PDF link, Canva

printable list of disneyland menu items for vegans - plant-based options

Disneyland Park Vegan Dining Options:

Impossible™ Bolognese -- Alien Pizza Planet, Tomorrowland
Hummus Trio -- Bengal Barbecue, Adventureland
Lemon Basil Pasta, Tomato and Watermelon Salad, Creme Brulee -- Blue Bayou, New Orleans Square
Panzanella Salad, Ratatouille Farro Risotto, Creme Brulee -- Cafe Orleans, New Orleans Square
Spring Garden Wrap -- Cafe Daisy, Toon Town
Oatmeal, Carnation Garden Salad, Hearty Veggie Burger, Brownie a la Mode -- Carnation Cafe, Main Street
Felucian Kefta & Hummus Garden Spread with Impossible Meatballs™ and Pita, Temple Rootleaf and Moss Salad -- Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo, Star Wars Land
Veggie Wrap -- Galactic Grill, Tomorrowland
Impossible™ Chili Cheese Fries -- The Golden Horseshoe, Frontierland
Cranberry Pecan Salad, Breadstick -- Jolly Holiday Cafe, Main street
Cauliflower Tacos, guac, chips, rice, beans -- Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante, Frontierland
Penne with Marinara -- Plaza Inn, Main Street
Kale Chickpea Salad, Spicy Garden Burger -- Red Rose Tavern, Fantasyland
Meatballs and Grits, BBQ Tofu, Pear Oat Cobbler -- River Belle Terrace, Frontierland
Ronto-less Garden Wrap -- Ronto Roasters, Star Wars Land
Veggie Gumbo in a bread bowl -- Royal Street Veranda, New Orleans Square
Impossible™ Chili Cheese Fries -- Stage Door Cafe, Frontierland
DOLE Whip - Tiki Juice Bar & Tropical Hideaway, Adventureland
Compressed Watermelon Salad -- Harbour Galley, Critter County

California Adventure Park Vegan Dining Options:

Lemon, Mango or Swirl non-dairy soft-serve -- Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats, Pixar Pier
Plant-BAsed Philly Dog -- Award Weiners, Hollywood Land
Spaghetti with Impossible™ Meatballs -- Boardwalk Pizza, Paradise Gardens Park
Ask the Chef! -- Carthay Circle
Tacos Dorados de Papa, Guac, Chips -- Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill, Pacific Park
Impossible ™ Burger - Flo's V8 Cafe, Cars Land
Curried Cauliflower -- Lamplight Lounge, Boardwalk
Impossible™ Bahm Mi -- Lucky Fortune Cookery, Pacific Wharf
Asian Tofu Salad -- Pacific Wharf Cafe
Impossible™ Chili Cheese Fries -- Paradise Garden Grill
Impossible™ options and salads -- Pym Test Kitchen, Avengers Campus
Vegan Smoothies - ask to customize -- Schmoozies, Hollywood Land
Impossible™ Breakfast Sha-warm-up Wrap -- Shawarma Palace, Avengers Campus
Double Impossible™ Cheeseburger -- Smokejumpers Grill, Grizzly Peak
Tomato Salad, Spaghetti Aglio Olio, Torta della Nonna -- Wine Country Trattoria, Pacific Park

Rancho del Zocalo vegan meal cauliflower tacos with rice and beans

Plant-Based Dining at Disneyland Made Easy

So here's how you eat vegan at Disneyland, without any stress. Ok, almost any stress.

Download the Disneyland App.
Make sure you have park tickets and reservations!
Enter the park.
Click the "plus" sign on the App.
Click "Order Food."
Click any filters or "nearby" options. You can also choose anything "available now." You can even schedule meals for later! So you can schedule your meals hours in advance for ease.
Click "Begin Order" or choose an order arrival time.
Click the "plant-based" icon filter at the top of the restaurant's dining page. You will be zoomed down to the specific vegan options at that restaurant.
Order!
Pick up when your order is ready on the App!

Troubleshooting Vegan Dining Options at Disneyland

Ok, so maybe you do not like the options at a specific restaurant. Here are a few tips..

Check the Salads. Sometimes the salads do not pop up as plant-based because they are shown as "sides" or they may have a non-vegan dressing. You can always nix the dressing on some salads and sometimes the dressing will contain honey - which I know a lot of vegans who are fine with a small amount of honey.
Check the Sides. I have seen a few side dishes that would be fine for vegans. Like french fries and side salads.
Click the "allergy-Friendly" section. Check the allergy-friendly filter option in the App.
Some Restaurants Don't Do the Plant-Based Icon Filter! For some restaurants, you have to actually read the menu on the App - under "view Menu" and then scroll down to the "plant-based" section. You won't see a clickable "plant-based" option in the app.
Downtown Disney! If you are feeling stressed by options or prices inside the park, you can always stick to tried and true faves outside the park. Starbucks, Jamba Juice and many more dining options are right outside at Downtown Disney.
Door Dash it! If you are staying at a nearby hotel, you can use a meal delivery service like Door Dash or UberEats.
Check the Food Carts! We usually do a pineapple spear and grapes snack break at some point in the day.

Hotel Room Picnic Idea

Door Dash or bring food back to your room. You can order the food as you are walking back to your hotel and have it ready when you get there if you time it right. We did this with Pitfire Pizza a few nights ago and it was perfection. Salads, pizza and drinks delivered to the lobby. Stress-free eating with a tired toddler. We do "hotel room picnics" where we spread a towel on the floor and eat away.

My 5 Fave Vegan Meals at Disneyland

Veggie Gumbo in a Bread Bowl - Located in New Orleans Square, near Pirates, this walk-up fave dining option has been around for years! It is kinda the OG of secretly vegan menu items.
Cauliflower Tacos with Rice and Beans at Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland. This is my favorite late-afternoon spot!
Dole Whip. I know, this is one that everyone knows about and not technically a meal, but it's still a fave pause in our Disney day. You can even order ahead on the App now instead of waiting in line!
Plant-Based Philly Dog at Award Weiners in California Adventure Hollywood Land. And across the street is the Schmoozies shop where you can walk up and request a vegan smoothie.
Real Veggie Burger at Red Rose Tavern - If you are like me and not into Impossible Burger anything, then go here! They have a spicy garden burger made from black beans alongside potato bites. Plus, they have a kale-chickpea salad.

Animal Lovers of Disney

We kinda love the ducky families at Disneyland just as much as we love the rides. Anyone else? These teeny tiny ducklings and one very chill Disney duck mom was a huge treat for us to see!

Quiet Dining Spots at Disneyland:

Rancho del Zocalo - When my kid gets hungry and over-stimulated, we go here, find a quiet corner table, order a lot of food, and relax while we watch the train-coaster Thunder Mountain, of Frontierland zoom on by. They also have chips and guac and self-serve fountain beverages.
Red Rose Tavern - Quiet for Fantasyland... Which can get very busy and hectic.
Hungry Bear - So many tables and a cool shady spot to chill out and even let kiddos nap in arms or strollers.
Harbour Galley - Very chill lesser-known spot in Critter County.
Tom Sawyer Island - Bring some eats and find a lazy spot to sit and eat.
California Adventure Hotel Lobby - They do not serve food here, but you could order a drink from the off-lobby bar and bring it out to the main lobby. You could even bring some to-go food and eat it there. Probably not encouraged for non-hotel guests, but as of right now, the lobby is open to everyone.
Plaza Inn - Behind cool white gates, this chill spot doesn't have the best vegan options, but the ambiance for chill is high. And if your kid loves characters, there is character dining in the AM - reserve far in advance!
Flo's V8 Cafe - Lots of tables and right off of Cars Land.

Fine Dining Fave at Disneyland

Try Carthay Circle if you want a fancy sit-down vegan meal. They always make me something amazing and the ambiance is first class for a Disney Park! Maybe not the best for toddlers or babies who just want to run around or scream, but if they are in a cooperative mood, go for it. Whenever we have a special event or dinner, this is where we go. I love the dark and cool atmosphere and the art and memorabilia covering the walls.

What About Downtown Disney Vegan Dining?

My go-to spots are:

Jamba Juice (giant smoothies and maybe a pretzel)
Starbucks (drinks and maybe a bagel)
Napolini Pizzeria (cheese-free pizza and yummy big salads)

We rarely eat at DD if we are going into the park, thus why I don't have a lot of experience with the various spots there. I am sure that all of them will make you something vegan though! Just ask, don't be shy in making a vegan request at Disney!

The One Thing I Don't Like About Disneyland Dining Options for Plant-Based Eaters

I am not a fake burger fan. So Beyond Burger, Impossible Burger - it's not for me. I despise the taste of actual meat and these brands are way too authentic for me. Obviously, if you like the taste of meat and love these options you are in for a treat because Impossible Burger menu items are available just about everywhere in Disneyland Resort. But for me, I wish they did a few more meals with just veggies and beans, and more traditional plant-based fare, rather than just doing fake meat options. Only time will tell if the Impossible Burger menu items are popular or not! What do you guys think???

Disney's Commitment to the Environment

It is important to note that Disney is a publically owned company with shareholder interests. And I think the public wants more environmentally-friendly options at Disney parks. Yay for that. Disney is doing a great job of answering those requests!

Disney has demonstrated a commitment to the environment. Here are some examples of Disney's commitment to environmental sustainability:

Conservation efforts: Disney Conservation Fund, which supports wildlife protection, habitat restoration, and community engagement.
Renewable energy: Disney is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to cleaner energy sources.
Waste reduction and recycling: Disney aims to minimize waste generation and promote recycling.
Water conservation: Disney recognizes the importance of water conservation.
Sustainable sourcing: Disney strives to source products and materials in an environmentally responsible manner. Including paper, palm oil and more.
Education and awareness: Disney leverages its influence and platforms to raise awareness about environmental issues. They incorporate environmental messages into their movies, TV shows, and theme park attractions, promoting a greater understanding of conservation and inspiring positive action. I absolutely love the Disney Nature programming on Disney+ as a family-friendly option for screen time. Penguins is an absolute fave.

More of this please!... Vegan Options for Sustainability

Plant-Based Offerings! I put this one at the bottom of the list because I genuinely think Disney has so much more they can do to live their sustainability and conservation values out via their theme park dining options. I am so confident that Disney will continue to be a leader in plant-based dining options.

While Disney has made significant strides in environmental sustainability, there is always room for improvement, and they continue to work towards reducing their ecological footprint and promoting a more sustainable future. So ask for more vegan dining options and environmental sustainability awareness. infrastructure and procedures.

happiest mom and toddler on the ship columbia disneyland resort

Overview of Dining in Disneyland Resort as a Vegan or Plant-Based Eater

So that's it for my tips for today. While not perfect, the plant-based menu options at Disneyland Resort far exceed what they did twelve years ago when I last wrote about this. And I bet in the next ten years they will get even better. We have to keep asking for vegan options where we eat! Money talks. Vegans love Disneyland too! And the real talk is that even non-vegans will love plant-based options that are crafted with care by talented chefs. And the more people eating vegan meals - the better outcomes for the planet, animals and (usually) our own health. More fruit, veggies, grains, beans, nuts, and seeds are great for Disney lovers like you and me.

I will try to update this page as I hop around the park and try more of the current offerings! Happy Disney eating guys!

And don't forget to snag that PDF of current options - direct link to my PDF here (Canva) - my free gift to you guys!

Chill Your Way to Better Health? Exploring Cold Plunge Therapy

June 6, 2023 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

face in ice water for cold water therapy

A wellness trend that makes its way into the headlines quite often is cold plunge therapy, also known as cold water therapy or just "cold plunging."

Today, I will take a deep dive at this wellness practice as well as share some research findings, consumer products, and my FREE method for getting that cold plunge glow without all the fuss.

And yes, this is a 'just for fun' wellness post. I am not a cold plunge expert, just someone who loves the sassy glow of ice cold water. It helps me when I feel puffy, achy, have a headache or just want a skin rejuvenating boost!

So if you love to peruse wacky (or maybe not-so-wacky at all) wellness trends, give this post a dip...

[Read more...]

Mini Chocolate Candy Cookies

June 6, 2023 by Kathy Patalsky 2 Comments

These Mini Chocolate Candy Cookies are vegan and kid-approved. These make such a fun and colorful after-school treat. I love filling up a plate with these cookies and placing them on my countertop, under a large bakery dome. Then I get to see my kid's eyes light up when she sees them just waiting for her.

The mini size means you can eat a few. And the mini size also means that these Mini Chocolate Candy Cookies are perfect for lunchboxes or taking to-go.

Warm up the oven and let's get baking!...

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Vegan Chocolate Candies

These mini cookies require some colorful chocolate candies on top. But if you are not into the colorful "m & m" style candies, there are a few vegan options on the market today...

There are several vegan chocolate candy brands available that offer delicious treats without any animal-derived ingredients. Here are a few popular options:

Vegan Candy Brands

Enjoy Life Foods: They offer a range of vegan chocolate products, including dark chocolate bars, mini chocolate chips, and chocolate-covered snacks.
Endangered Species Chocolate: Known for their ethically sourced and organic chocolates, they have a variety of vegan dark chocolate bars with different flavor options.
Hu Chocolate: They specialize in paleo and vegan chocolate products, offering bars in various flavors like almond butter and sea salt, cashew butter, and raspberry jelly.
Unreal Candy: Their line of vegan chocolates includes peanut butter cups, chocolate-covered gems, and other fun, plant-based alternatives to classic candies.
OCHO Candy: They create organic and vegan alternatives to popular candy bars like peanut butter cups, caramel-filled bars, and coconut-covered bars.
Go Max Go Foods: They produce vegan versions of classic candy bars, such as vegan Snickers, vegan Milky Way, and vegan Twix.
Alter Eco: Known for their fair-trade and organic chocolates, they have a selection of vegan chocolate bars with different cacao percentages and flavors.

Remember to always check the ingredient list, as formulations can change over time, and different varieties within a brand may have different ingredients.

Presenting a Plate of Cookies

Remember when I told you I loved placing these cookies under a glass dome? Well here are a few beautiful options for those pieces...

Rotating Cake Stand with an Acrylic Dome (kid-friendly!!)

Glass Dome over Marble on Amazon

Nope! You definitely do not have to chill the dough. The thing is, you do get a chewier, perfectly textured cookie if you chill the dough, but if you don't mind a slightly fluffier cookie, room-temperature dough works fine. Sometimes you just can't wait, right?

Why Chill Cookie Dough??

A great question that I get basically every time I teach a cookie recipe. Here is the answer..

Here are a few reasons why chilling cookie dough is often recommended:

Texture: Chilling the dough allows the fat in the dough (such as vegan butter or even nut butters) to solidify. When the cookies are baked, this solid fat takes longer to melt, resulting in cookies that spread less. As a result, you get cookies with a thicker, more tender texture. As I said, better chewy texture and less "fluff."
Flavor development: During the chilling process, the ingredients in the cookie dough have more time to meld and develop flavors. This can lead to a more pronounced and enhanced taste in the finished cookies. It's kinda like how you chill a cold salad or cold pasta dish to really develop the flavor and allow all the ingredients to merge fully together. Dough is the same way!
Reduced spreading: Chilled dough spreads less during baking because the fat solidifies. This helps the cookies maintain their shape and prevents them from spreading too thin and becoming overly crisp. It can also help reel in any puffiness from just-mixed fluffy dough.
Color: They tend to develop a more uniforn browned color when the dough is chilled. I honestly don't know why this one happens, but I've definitely noticed it!
Control over baking time: Chilling the dough allows you to have more control over the baking process. By refrigerating the dough, you can decide when to bake the cookies. This flexibility can be convenient if you want to prepare the dough ahead of time and bake fresh cookies later, or if you prefer warm cookies straight out of the oven at a specific time.
Kid-Friendly Bake: You can prep the dough ahead of time and have it ready to bake with your kiddos helping along!

Conclusion to Chilling

So chill or don't chill, usually, you can decide that on your own. The only dough that really needs to be chilled is something like a sugar cookie dough that gets rolled out.

these are the UNREAL brand vegan candies I always buy.

Make-Ahead Tip:

Whip up the dough the day before you want to bake and serve the cookies! This way you can get the benefits of chilled dough and just treat it like a store-bought package of dough!

You can even roll and prep the cookies for baking with your kids to help them feel involved. Because sometimes all the measuring of ingredients is messy and some days, moms and dads just don't have time for that part of baking.

But yes, baking with kids is the best. Do the messy cookie prep at least once with your littles, they will have fun, even if the cookies don't turn out "perfectly."

Other After-School Treats for Kids...

Here are a few ideas from my blogger friends..

Vegan Brownies by Nora Cooks
Vegan Peanut Butter Cups by Vegan Richa
Vegan Banana Bread by the spruce eats
Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Cookies by love and lemons
Vegan Rice Krispie Treats by minimalist baker
Vegan Chocolate Avocado Pudding by ambitious kitchen

And a few recipes here on my blog!...

Vegan Treats for Kids

Because like these candy cookies, sometimes a little treat is just what you need!

Ingredients

Here are the main ingredients for my Vegan Linzer Cookies...

flour
vegan egg
sugar
vanilla extract
salt
baking soda
vegan butter
vegan candies

See the recipe card below for quantities.

Instructions

Making these Mini Chocolate Candy Cookies is pretty simple. You just mix the wet ingredients. Then add in the dry ingredients. Then you can either fold in the chocolate candies or add them on top after you place the dough on the baking sheet. If you want an extra chocolate flavor, add in the optional chocolate chips when you are mixing the dough.

Substitutions

Here are a few substitution notes for you.

Vegan Egg - You could sub with silken tofu or applesauce. If using applesauce, please reduce the amount to ¼ cup.
Wheat Flour - You can sub with a gluten-free flour blend if needed.
Vegan Butter - This is a prime ingredient for these cookies, but if you really want to attempt a version without it, try coconut oil and a pinch more salt.

Print Recipe

5 from 3 votes

Mini Chocolate Candy Cookies

Mini cookies, topped with rainbow candies, perfect for a kid-approved treat.

Prep Time10

Cook Time10

Total Time20

Course: baking, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cookies

Servings: cookies

Calories: 153kcal

Author: Kathy Patalsky

Equipment

1 parchment paper
2 baking sheets
mixer

Ingredients

Wet

½ cup JUST egg
½ cup vegan butter Earth Balance stick
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⅓ cup cane sugar
1 cup brown sugar

Dry

1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
2 cups all purpose flour

Fold-In

1 cup chocolate chips optional
¾ cup chocolate candies "vegan m & m's"

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cream together the wet ingredients.
Mix in the dry ingredients and beat until fluffy.
Fold in the chips and half of the candies.
Transfer the dough to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let chill for at least 30 minutes. Note: You could bake without chilling the dough, but see blog post for reasons why chilling helps.
Scoop dough into mini-sized balls on parchment. Add the leftover colorful candies on top. Press into the dough.
Bake at 350 for 11 minutes.
Cool on a baking rack for ten minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Storage

Store these Mini Chocolate Candy Cookies on the counter and eat within a few days or store in the fridge and consume within a week.

FAQ

How Long to Bake?

Since these are mini cookies, they require less time in the oven. I do larger "mini" cookies, so about 9-11 minutes works at a warm 350. But if you want teeny tiny mini cookies, you could get about 36 cookies out of this recipe and only need to bake them for about 8-10 minutes.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, just as many posts on my site. All opinions are authentically my own. I only link to products that I either love or that will bring something resourceful to the topic I am blogging about. Affiliate links have the possibility to help support the work I do to bring content to my blog and beyond. Thank you for being here and supporting my work and voice and recipes!

Garage to ADU Conversion: Making of a Studio!

May 19, 2023 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

Today I am sharing a creative project we recently completed: our garage to ADU conversion, aka the making of what is a home studio office of sorts.

Just to mention this upfront, our project was completed by the LA-based ADU firm, OTTO. We did a lot of research on companies and they really impressed us with their design know-how and seamless startup process. This is not a sponsored post at all, but I did want to share a referral discount available to you! If you sign up with Otto for your ADU project, you can receive a $1550 credit just by mentioning my name.

Ok, back to our project details....

Construction Metamorphosis: Dark Dingy Garage Into Bright Beautiful ADU!

What was once a dark and musty 1950's detached garage - that we only used for storage - is now a space where we can gather, feel outdoor-yet-indoors, host overnight guests and be creative.

What Size is this Adu / Garage conversion???

My most-asked question because it truly looks so large! It is only about 16'6" x 18'6" - which is a little over 288 square feet.

Creative Workspace

Our dark old garage is now a light-filled space where I can "detach" from our main house, the one filled with toddler toys and dirty dishes to be dealt with, and brew and bubble away with my creative projects, from photography to writing and more.

Now, don't get me wrong, I have worked from home for about fifteen years now, to some effect, and have loved having my desk a few feet from my kitchen, or sometimes stumbling from bed to computer in mere seconds - no shoes required, but there is also something nice about being able to separate from your main living space, if desired.

Read: My 11 Tips for Working From Home

So garage to ADU conversion it was.

Timeline: A Bit Over a Year

The project took a bit over a year and is now finished.

Fill The Space!

When construction was complete, we were given a beautiful blank slate to fill. And by fill, I mean, place furniture, organize work items and make the space functional yet inviting.

It is actually quite a challenge to fill a detached studio with inspiring warmth and energy that matches that of your main house. Just think about how much fills your home on a daily basis!

Giggling voices, cozy rugs, pets, comfy furniture, softly humming appliances, photos on the walls, aromas, sounds, textures, energy from the front door.

And a new building truly does clear all that from memory. The goal: to create an uplifting creative cove. I'm still working on making this space functional and inspiring.

Why Did We Convert Our Garage to an ADU?

Coming out of 2020, "working" had shifted to a lot of remote work, and now we also had a baby. So essentially, my work had drastically changed for this period of time. As in, I wasn't doing my traditional job of creative professional.

The spare room that was designated as "Kathy's office" was now being used for my husband. I was totally fine with this, but wondered where I would go once I was ready to dive into work again.

Our solution: and ADU!

So, did it work???

Well, flash forward to today: I am slowly working again and, I find that I separate my workspace between the kitchen island in our main home and my new ADU studio.

I still love working out of the main house, mostly because it has a very warm energy that is impossible to replicate - with access to all the comforts, sights and sounds of home - and the best part - our kitty cats. Huge bonus.

The cats will not go into the ADU, since they are indoor kitties and I do not want to risk confusing them, especially after what we just went through with MrWhite.

Unused Garage Space

We weren't really in need of the detached garage that our home came with. We charge our Tesla in the back driveway. And in LA, you don't get snow or severe weather changes, so parking a car outside, under the sun and sky and stars is basically not a problem.

A Place for Overnight Guests

We get more house guests now that we have a child. I mean, everyone wants to hang with our little cutie pie, I don't blame them, she's the best. So we wanted a space to house overnight guests for a few days, a week or longer! I like the extra spacing between us and our guests. And since the ADU contains a kitchen, they can even prep meals like coffee and breakfast and snacks etc.

But the main purpose of our ADU is for a flexible work space.

I wanted a flexible space that would serve as both a photography studio, kitchen space, and podcasting studio (shhh, more on that project later!)

Will You Rent Out Your ADU? OR do AirBNB?

Short answer, no. Technically, we could rent out our ADU, especially since an ADU has its own address. Or use it for AirBNB. Many people do that! But that's not our passion or comfort level on our property, so no. And being a landlord or AirBnB host also comes with a long list of things to manage, so it's not something to undertake lightly.

Five Things I Love About Our ADU

The Natural Light. The tall windows and French doors that create a super bright corner. The two skylights also bring in loads of natural light.
SMEG. I needed that fridge and I really think it brings so much character to the space. Plus it works great too!
Privacy. One goal for the ADU was that I really wanted the space to feel bright, but still private. By keeping one section of the kitchen wall free of windows, windows that would otherwise face our home, I think we accomplished that goal. And the windows that do look towards our home can easily be covered with semi-private curtains.
The bathroom colors. Though the main space is mostly white, with some fun wood cabinets in the kitchen, the only base color comes from the bathroom - which I love. The pinkish and mossy green hues in there, paired with the gold finishes is so lovely and modern -- without being too feminine.
Having all the appliances! This place is stocked. Fridge, convection oven/microwave, four burner induction stove, washer and dryer and a dishwasher. Yes, you could live here.

What I Wish it Had...

Somewhat wish we had these...

A Murphy bed. They are quite expensive and take up some space on the wall. I like to have a cleared studio when I need it for photography. Always possible to add later though.
A hidden AC/Heat unit. The mini-split is great, but I wish it was hidden or in a less visible spot on the wall. This would have added a significant cost though, so we didn't move it.
More Storage. I mean, this is a tiny space so it's not really possible but still would be nice.
Room Addition or Bedroom Nook. Again, the bed issue. We didn't go with adding another room onto our garage space, but I kinda wish I had that extra room to better dictate the space function. I could have kept a small added room for a cozy bed nook for guests. But oh well.

Adding onto the garage would have added a higher price to the construction cost and more time to the project so we decided to just convert the garage as is - no added square footage. Plus, we didn't want to sacrifice backyard space. So I wish I had an extra room, but also very happy with it as is.

Why Convert a Garage to an ADU?

Here are some reasons why you may want to look into a garage to ADU conversion for yourself!

To get technical, an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) is a separate living unit on the same lot as a primary residence. There are many reasons why homeowners may choose to build an ADU.

Here are some of the most common reasons to have an ADU:

Rental income: Many homeowners choose to build an ADU as a way to generate rental income. Renting out the ADU can be a great way to offset mortgage payments or supplement retirement income.
Multi-generational living: ADUs can provide a separate living space for aging parents, adult children, or other family members who want to live nearby but still maintain their independence.
Increased property value: Adding an ADU can increase the value of your property, especially if it is in a desirable location or if rental income is a possibility.
Home office or workspace: An ADU can provide a separate space for a home office, studio, or workspace, allowing you to work from home without disturbing the rest of the household.
Flexibility: An ADU can provide flexibility for changing needs over time. For example, it can be used as a guest house, vacation rental, or home gym.
Environmental benefits: An ADU can be designed to be energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, with features like solar panels, green roofs, and rainwater collection systems.
Affordable housing: In some areas, ADUs are being promoted as a way to provide more affordable housing options.
Aging in place: An ADU can provide a comfortable and accessible living space for seniors who want to age in place and maintain their independence.

In regards to number eight, I have even heard of some older people who live in their large homes decide to put an ADU on their property, then essentially let their adult children move into the main large house while they stay on property and move into the smaller ADU. In cities where the prices of new homes are soaring, this would benefit young families and seniors.

Overall, building an ADU can provide many benefits, including increased income, flexibility, and added value to your property.

Converting a garage into living space can be a great way to add extra square footage to your home.

College Students Could Stay at Home

We often joke that if we live here when Rosalie graduates high school, she can just move into the "tiny house" and never leave us. Ha.

Hosting Guests

I think I was a hotel owner in another life, because one of the first things I did when our ADU was completed, was create a few little "guest baskets." One in the bathroom, with items like travel toothbrushes, soaps, razors, etc. And in the kitchen, some with drinks, snacks and coffee and tea center on hand.

If you are about to dive into a project like this, here are some helpful tips and just some things to think about...

Here are some tips to help you with the ADU process:

Determine the purpose of the space: Before you begin the conversion process, you need to decide what the purpose of the space will be. Will it be a bedroom, a home office, a playroom, or a guest suite? Knowing the purpose will help you plan for the layout and design of the space.
Check local zoning laws: Make sure to check your local zoning laws to see if converting your garage into living space is allowed. Some areas may require a permit or have specific regulations that you need to follow.
Choose an amazing company to assist in the process! We went with OTTO. We did a lot of research on companies and they really impressed us with their design know-how and seamless startup process. If you sign up with Otto, you can receive a $1550 credit to your project, just by mentioning this post and my name - woo hoo! I also receive a referral credit.
Insulate and weatherproof: Garages are often not insulated and weatherproofed like other living spaces in your home. Make sure to add insulation to the walls, ceiling, and floor to help regulate the temperature in the space. Additionally, check for any air leaks around doors and windows and seal them up.
Add flooring: Garage floors are usually concrete, which can be cold and uninviting. Consider adding new flooring, such as laminate, hardwood, or carpet, to make the space more comfortable and livable.
Add lighting: Garages are often dark and poorly lit, so make sure to add plenty of lighting to the space. You can add overhead lighting, task lighting, and even natural lighting with windows or skylights.
Plan for storage: Garages are often used for storage, so make sure to plan for adequate storage in your new living space. Consider built-in shelving or cabinets to keep the space organized and clutter-free.
Consider HVAC: Depending on your climate, you may need to add heating and cooling to your new living space. Consider installing a mini-split system or extending your existing HVAC system to the garage.
Add finishing touches: Once the major renovations are complete, add finishing touches to make the space feel like a livable area. Add decorations, furniture, and window treatments to make the space comfortable and inviting. Factor this into your budget! You don't want to be left with an unfurnished and accented space.

Remember, converting a garage into living space can be a big project, so make sure to plan carefully and hire professionals as needed.

Some of the Brands I used to Decorate the Space...

Target - Hearth and Hand by Magnolia. I bought so many goodies from Target for this space. I wanted to save money on the decor, yet still keep a trendy and modern vibe and this brand helped me do that. Of note, the dining table and chairs, bench, many decor items.
SMEG - I had to go with the SMEG fridge in white. I ordered mine from Crate & Barrel. It was a custom item so expect to wait a bit for shipping! I also went with a matching SMEG coffee pot in white, which I really adore.
Schoolhouse - Oh man, I would buy everything at Schoolhouse if I could. I love their brand so much. But just a few of the goodies I bought are their stools (I have one in white and one in the burnt orange), artwork "Work Hard and BE Nice to People," by Anthony Burrell -- a black chair and one of their clocks. some of my stuff of theirs is in the main house.
West Elm - I bought the gold-rimmed mirror from West Elm.
Magnolia Rug - the jute rug under our dining table is from Magnolia and I adore it.

kathy teal background photo studio — I painted this backdrop and plan to experiment with more custom-painted backdrops for my studio

Photo Studio Gear

Some of the photo goodies I plan to use in this space..

Food Photography Backgrounds - My usual stock of them finally have a space that's not in the living room or laundry room.
Tripods - One or two is a good mix.
Laptop - Since I didn't want to keep a computer in the studio, a laptop allows me to move my work from main house to studio.
Backdrops - I am actually experimenting with making my own backdrops! This has been so fun. I painted the teal one in the photos here. It's a fun skill to learn!
Studio Lighting
Grip Equipment for hanging backdrops - C stand, clamps, sandbags, etc
Desk or Rolling Media Center
Tether Cords, Remote Control for Camera
Camera, Lenses - In My Camera Bag
iPhone tripod or holder like a Canvas light.

Photos of our ADU

Photo credits: BOW LA

These photos were all taken by the very talented team at BOW Los Angeles Photography. Thank you for allowing me to use them for this post!

The Birthday Gift I Bought Myself

Cameo Videos: The Perfect Gift for Yourself

Elise Myers on Cameo - My First Cameo Experience

Mr. Puppypaws on Cameo - A Birthday Surprise for Rosalie

Why Does Celebrity Status Matter, Though???

The Cameo Sitting in My Inbox

Why This Gift Matters

My Advice for You

Mini English Muffin Pizzas.

The Secret to Better English Muffin Pizzas

The Best Vegan Pepperoni

Cooking Methods: Toaster Oven vs. Oven vs. (Not) the Microwave

Sauce Choices: Pizza Sauce vs. Marinara vs. Something Different

Want to get creative? Try:

The Best Vegan Cheese for Melting

If your kid is cool with toppings, try adding:

The Bottom Line

Easy English Muffin Pizzas

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Am I Doing This Right?

FIVE Lessons at 44 - Birthday Reflection

ONE - ON RELATIONSHIPS...

Human Nature

Authenticity Rules

TWO - SELF WORTH // SUPERFICIAL

THREE - BE DIFFERENT /// REBEL

FOUR - ON JOY /// CREATE HAPPY

FIVE - ON BOUNDARIES...

GOTTA GO..

Taylor’s Shiny Bug Theory

Broccoli vs. Birthday Cake: How to Find Your Thing

Shiny Cake-y Things in Your Feed

Zoom Out

The "Find Your Niche" Secret

The Niche Takeaway

ps. I am going to say it again: post the thing you can’t stop thinking about -- even if it’s weird.

Why I’m Sharing Foods to Support Lung Health

Is It the Placebo Effect?

7 Foods to Support Lung Health

1. Ginger

2. Apples

3. Grapes

4. Spicy Broths and Soups - with garlic and black pepper!

5. Citrus Fruits

6. Rooibos Tea

7. Pineapple

Bonus Tips for Lung Care

Air Purifiers

Masks

Other

A Final Note

Supporting Research & Resources

Vegan Holiday Recipes

Recipe Categories

Appetizers

Entrées

Side Dishes

Desserts

Additional Resources

Vegan Lifestyle Resources

Tips for a Joyful Vegan Holiday

My Gift Philosophy

A Quick Memory

Holiday Gift Guide for 4-5-Year-Olds: Top Picks for Magic and Fun!

Let's go, holiday gift guide:

1. Entertainment Industry Barbie Set

2. Books to Inspire Wonder

3. The Gigglescape™ Target Ice Cream Set

4. Tape Dispenser

5. Foil Fun Craft Kit

6. Large Flat Gem

7. National Geographic Rock, Mineral & Fossil Kit

8. Fairy Potion + Play Dough Sensory Kits

9. Wooden Fairy House Building Kit

10. Magnetic Dress-Up Dolls

11. Adventure Kidz Set

12. Wooden Puppet Theater

13. Knight Dragon Play Set