Blog - Vegan Recipes + Lifestyle - Page 6 of 64

Pregnant During Coronavirus

March 21, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky 2 Comments

driving to a high risk scan appointment, Los Angeles

I've finally announced my happy news. And even shared about my infertility journey to get here. Well, today I'm sharing a bit of my experience with being pregnant during coronavirus chaos...

It's been a long rainy week here in Los Angeles. Thank goodness. I think the gloom is actually keeping people indoors.

I'm currently hunkered down, ready to not leave my house - for a few weeks, some say months. I was lucky to squeeze into an important scan a few days ago, but an appointment I have next week has already been cancelled. Playing on my OB's office voicemail, an announcement that all offices are closed due to Covid-19.

Last night I couldn't sleep.

The fresh news that all of California is basically on lockdown, certainly wasn't helpful. But I'm trying to stay positive and grateful. I'm grateful for local grocery delivery workers, being with my amazing husband and my cats who are sweetly oblivious - their fuzzy faces and soft purrs keeping us sane and happy.

At my scan this week. So glad I got in before places shut down. And yes, I wore a mask...

pregnant during coronavirus, hospital scan

This Wasn't How I Envisioned my Long-Awaited Pregnancy

Masks and Lysol, CDC briefings and cancelled baby showers. The pregnant women I chat with in private groups, texts and DMs are all feeling pretty low right now.

Some women are being told that they will have to delivery ALONE because hospitals cannot allow guests. So many important appointments and scans are being cancelled. (The Atlantic - birth plans being upended.) And while it makes so much sense, I feel awful for any women having to cancel IVF cycles -- or wait months to even start them.

Infertility is hard enough.

This already naturally anxious time has been pressed to limits, beyond what we could have ever imagined. Pregnancies are scary. The possible complications are vast, but a brand new global epidemic virus? Nope, didn't guess that one.

[Read more...]

Sharing My Infertility + IVF Journey

March 21, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky 15 Comments

Get cozy. This is a long one! I am so excited to share my happy news. And today, I am digging a bit deeper into the 'how' of my pregnancy by sharing my Infertility and IVF Journey with you guys.

- 1 in 8 couples will struggle with infertility
- Resolve.org

Thirty-five is the average age of females when their natural fertility begins to show a marked decline. By age 40, a woman’s natural chance of pregnancy is less than 5% per cycle.
- fertility answers

As of 2014, almost one million U.S. babies have been conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF) since the procedure was developed in the 1980s.
- fertility answers

Some Baby Talk, Continued...

It’s been three years since I wrote this blogpost, chatting about my desire to be a mom - and touching a bit on my struggles. And since then, I have kept pretty quiet about this topic. Well, I am finally ready to share..

[Read more...]

Something Happy. Pregnancy Announcement.

March 21, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky 28 Comments

I never expected to announce this way.

Stuck in my house and aching for normalcy. But here goes. I hope my very happy news brings you some sunshine today - we all need it right now.

I'm beyond happy to say after a long struggle --- I am pregnant.

pregnancy announcement — *happy announcement*

How to announce in times like these?

I had plans. Big plans. For my big announcement. I hoped coronavirus would pass. But it didn't. So how to announce? Nothing I had planned seemed right for the mood. So many are suffering.

Being pregnant right now is scary, but also, nothing can smother the elation, joy, peace I feel. I'm so excited to share.

So last night around midnight, unable to sleep, I grabbed a notebook and pen. I curled up on the couch, and wrote this little entry. A sort of poem, about my sweet baby girl and the story she'll tell. Hope you like it -- and thank you for sharing this happy moment with me.

updated: THANK YOU for all the kind + heart-warming comments on Instagram. Seriously crying from all the love.

kathy patalsky pregnant trimester one — birthday week, Jan 30th, first trimester

Sole Survivor

(a little poem, by kathy)

We only had one. It was her.
The sole survivor of the bunch.
She's been retrieved.
Frozen.
Transported.
Thawed.
She "stuck" --- on her mom's, very first try.
She snuggled in deep, held on tight.
She grew.
She stayed.
Little legs.
Ten toes.
Swift heart.
Already a fighter in so many ways..

Then one more thing came along.
Chaos and panic.
The whole world ached --
While she wiggled and slept.

Nothing is promised, every step is magic.
But this little girl, the first of her kind,
Has made it this far, and that is
a
gift.

Nothing is promised, but if dreams do come true,
We'll get to see what she does once she opens her eyes.
Takes her first breath.
And reminds mom and dad everyday,

What a badass she is.

carrying embryo in a tank ivf — transporting my baby - as an embryo - oh what an adventure it has been

You can catch up on my infertility + pregnancy journey right here...

Healthy Happy Baby:

Baby (category)
Sharing My Infertility + IVF Journey
Pregnant During Coronavirus
..more to come! Excited to share this adventure with you.

To the TTC community..

(TTC - trying to conceive) To anyone going through infertility, IVF, secondary infertility, miscarriage, loss or heavy heart of any kind in this arena. I know pregnancy announcements can be extremely triggering. Never forget that you are so worthy of all the joy you are seeking. I am sending you love, hope and healing. I see you. Our TTC stories are all so different, but they unite us just the same.

mark anthony badass quote — *Love this quote from Mark A...*

kathy patalsky pregnant trimester two happy — stepping into trimester two - feeling much better!

Kale Pesto Pasta

March 19, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

Last weekend before all of LA basically shut down, we made a very quick trip to a farmer's market. With a fluffy-fresh bunch of kale sitting in my fridge and pasta in my pantry, I whipped up this vegan Kale Pesto Pasta recipe. This recipe would also make an excellent easy pasta dinner right now.

This Kale Pesto Pasta provides a satisfying pasta base while also including loads of healthy leafy greens via the kale pesto sauce. As for the nuts in this recipe, I used walnuts, but you could sub with pine nuts, cashews or even pumpkin seeds if need be.

This is a very simple and super delicious plant-based meal that I hope you can try!...

[Read more...]

Vegan Yack Attack: HHL Interview

March 16, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

jackie sobon of vegan yack attack in her kitchen

For today's interview: Vegan Yack Attack, also known as my friend Jackie.

These Healthy Happy Leader interviews are an extension of my Veggie Girl Power Series from years ago. I love chatting with inspiring women and learning from their successes, challenges and goals in life.

I first "met" Jackie Sobon of Vegan Yack Attack years ago when the vegan blogging scene here in LA felt so fresh and new to me! I was so excited to meet so many talented and kind people with the same creative ambitions and passions as me. I think the best way to sum up Jackie is that everyone loves her. She is a sparkly, fun soul just packed with creative energy.

Since that first meeting, Jackie has written a bunch of amazing cookbooks (like this one I reviewed) and works on loads of very cool food photography projects. And of course her usual blogging duties! And most of all, she is just a really cool and lovely, kind and fun lady to know. Let's chat with Jackie!...

[Read more...]

Pantry-Friendly Meals: 37 Plant-Based Ideas

March 16, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky 3 Comments

Since we are all hunkering down and staying in lately, I wanted to help out a bit on the culinary side of things. I scanned my blog in search of some of what I think are very quarantine-friendly recipes. I'm constantly updating this post so, here are my 37 .. 40 plant-based vegan pantry-friendly meals to save the day in these coronavirus times...

Vegan Pantry-Friendly Meals Shopping List

To get you started, here are a few of the main pantry and fridge or freezer storage ingredients that are common in these recipes...

rice, quinoa, farro dry grains
beans of all varieties
jarred marinara sauce
canned tomatoes or tomato paste
extra virgin olive oil
vinegars
nutritional yeast
raw nuts, especially cashews and walnuts
raw seeds
salsa
chips, crackers
bread - store in freezer for longer life
flour
dried lentils and split peas
frozen veggies like peas, squash, greens
dried spices - cayenne, cinnamon, chili powder, pepper
veggie broth
peanut butter
jams
jarred veggies like olives, peppers, chilies
other jarred or canned sauces
vegan butter
tahini, miso paste, soy sauce - fridge
salad dressings
oatmeal - rolled oats
frozen fruit
chocolate! and cocoa powder
vegan mayo and mustard
vegan cheeses
tofu, tempeh, seitan
potatoes - white or sweet
any veggies you can manage - carrots, broccoli, cauliflower
loads of fruit (though not in these recipes - so great to have on hand)

....those are just a few things off the top of my head! But really focus on beans and grains and breads. There are so many recipes to be made using those basics.

37 Plant-Based Pantry-Friendly Meals

1 - Rice + Beans Bowl

This has been my go-to for a while now, but it's simple. Warm up a can of beans or vegan chili and whip up some rice. Instant meal. Add some veggies on the side and maybe some sauces like salsa, hot sauce or something simple like oil and lemon juice and a few dried spices. I'm starting off simple, but a fancier version of this is my coconut curry rice bowl.

have on hand: hummus! Or DIY hummus with chickpeas, EVOO, tahini and lemon juice.

2 - Hummus Sandwiches

Fight me on this, but hummus sandwiches can absolutely be served any time of day. Dinner approved! Just serve some hearty veggie side dish, stack your sandwich high and you can a full meal. The hummus sandwich I have been obsessing over lately: Green Crunch 'n 'Cado Sandwich. Bonus points if you break out a can of chickpeas and DIY the hummus.

3 - Pasta with Beans

Rev up your go-to pasta and sauce with some beans! This dish with beans and potatoes is total comfort food. Or try this marinara sauce with beans: rustic White Bean Tomato Sauce.

pasta dishes are incredibly versatile pantry-friendly meals!

4 - Baked Mac 'n Cheese

This comfort food recipe can be made with any pasta you might have in your pantry - mac not required! Make a double batch and bake your mac and cheese for a more casserole like meal that will last a few days.

5 - Broccoli Soup

One of my absolute fave comfort food, pantry-friendly meals that is actually packed with protein... broccoli soup! I change it up with adding beans and how many potatoes and how much vegan cheese I add. This is a good starting point recipe: Broccoli Soup. Now the tricky part will be snagging some fresh broccoli. Once you find some, stock up and make a big batch of this soup to last a few days.

6 - Burritos or Tacos

This is an easy vegan pantry meal. Have tortillas, rice, beans and jarred salsa on hand. Instant meal. Add veggies or avocado if you have them.

have on hand: tempeh, seitan and tofu.

7 - Philly Cheese Sandwich

If you have some seitan in the fridge, and some rolls or sandwich bread in the freezer, this is a great pantry meal. Bell peppers and vegan cheese make it even better. Snag this recipe with mushrooms. Or this classic recipe with just seitan.

2016_03_09_PHILLY-CHEESE-vegan_9999_33philly-cheese-sandwich-kblog-vegan1313820.png

8 - Simple Pasta Night

Easy peasy. Jarred sauce and dry pasta create an easy meal. Add frozen veggie balls, vegan Parm or tossed in veggies for a more well-rounded meal. A salad on the side would also help.

9 - Skillet Rice Bowls

If you have rice and some excess ingredients like veggies and maybe some plant-based meats (sausage, tofu, etc..) your skillet is waiting for you. Simple seasonings like EVOO, vinegar, spices and more can help. This recipe used seitan and peanut sauce and was super easy to put together. tossing everything together in a warmed oiled skillet will intensify flavors.

peanut butter isn't just for PBJs! Peanut butter can create versatile savory sauces,

10 - PB Chickpeas and Quinoa (Or tofu!)

All you need for this meal: chickpeas, rice or quinoa and some simple peanut sauce. Love this super easy but satisfying peanut butter-flavored chickpea recipe. --- Peanut Butter Tofu is another fave.

have on hand: soba noodles! They cook up super fast and provide some variety compared to regular pastas like spaghetti.

11 - Peanutty Soba Noodles

Soba noodles offer up so many opportunities for easy, delicious meals. I love these soba noodles tossed in a peanut sauce. Want bonus points? Add a veggie and some tofu or beans.

12 - Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers

Beans? Sweet potatoes? You are almost ready to make these sweet potato veggie burgers! And you can actually serve these on a bun or just as is. This is one of my most popular recipes for a reason!

sweet potato veggie burgers with avocado

have on hand: sweet potatoes! Store them in the fridge to keep them longer.

13 - Speedy Sweet Potato Soup

Another fan favorite is this speedy sweet potato soup. Minimal ingredients are involved for the basic soup, so have sweet potatoes on hand for a pantry-friendly meal. Add lime, chips and fancy spices to make it next level amazing.

14 - Mushroom Toast

Maybe it's just me, but the mushroom section is always well-stocked during a crisis. Obviously people haven't tried this mushroom toast! A delicious light meal or hearty snack.

have on hand: dried peas! Rich in protein and they create the yummiest pea soup.

15 - Pea Soup

Dried peas and veggie broth are easy to keep in your pantry. And with a few flavor accents, you can make a delicious meal-approved, protein-rich soup. Love this easy pea soup!

creative grain idea: farro!

16 - Farro Dishes

Another easy dried grain to keep on hand is farro. It has a very hearty and nutty flavor that pairs well with basically any vegetable. You could even add some beans and your own blend of spices to the mix. Farro with Squash.

17 - Alfredo Pasta

Cashews and vegan butter will start up this amazing vegan alfredo sauce. Add it to any pasta you have on hand. I'm obsessed with how yummy and creamy this sauce is!

raw cashews make the best creamy vegan sauces! Have some on hand and be ready for deliciousness.

18 - Cashew-based Pot Pie with Veggies

This is an awesome casserole to whip up for a good few days of meals. The sauce is cashew-based and the add-in ingredients can range from frozen veggies to tofu and even beans. A simple pot pie biscuit topping seals things in. I love this version with tofu and frozen veggies.

2017_03_20_9-22-16_9999_101healthyhappylife-vegantofu-pot-pie-1500tofu-pot-pie-1500-kathyp820.png

have on hand: tortillas! Yes, you can even freeze them.

19 - Easy Enchiladas

Keep tortillas, some jarred enchilada sauce (or DIY it), beans, canned black olives or green chiles and frozen or fresh spinach on hand to whip up some vegan enchiladas. Vegan cheese of course makes every dish of enchiladas even more delicious. Easy Spinach Enchiladas.

20 - Lentil Soup

Keep dried lentils on hand for lentil soup. Spices and a variety of optional veggies help glam things up. Try this carrot potato lentil soup.

21 - Spicy Soba Noodles

Speedy, spicy soba noodles can save meal time! And soba noodles are easy to keep in your pantry and whip up in a few minutes with just a few flavor accents. Try ginger peanut spicy soba. Bonus, ginger is great for lung health.

lentils are a great source of protein and iron and can create a variety of savory dishes.

22 - Lentil Bolognese

Lentils come to the rescue again to add some serious protein, fiber and iron pizazz to your plant-based meal. This bolognese sauce is so good and more satisfying than basic marinara.

23 - Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a great pantry item to keep around for as long as you can. Sometimes I put my sweet potatoes in the fridge to extend their life. Baking and stuffing sweet potatoes is an easy meal. You can add just about anything you love like hummus, veggies, greens, avocado and more.

2016_12_28_9-22-16_9999_2healthyhappylifeloaded-sweet-potatoesvegan.png

24. Bean + Cheese Quesadillas

Keep those beans around! especially refried beans, which can easily be added to tortillas for quesadillas. And seriously, the cheese is actually optional. These are a great easy meal: Spinach Bean Quesadillas. Frozen veggies would work too!

25 - Buffalo Chickpeas

Want to give your boring can of pantry beans some life? Buffalo-flavor them! Add these beans to rice, quinoa, salads, pitas or eat them as is.

beans, beans and more beans! chickpeas, kidney beans, navy beans, white beans and more.

26. Beans and Biscuits

Homemade biscuits will make any bean-based meal something to crave. Biscuits are actually super simple to make! You just need some flour and vegan butter and a few other simple ingredients. Canned beans, baked beans or your own bean creation would go well with these flaky homemade biscuits.

27 - Easy Veggie Chili

Another bean-winner: chili! Veggie Chili is super simple to whip up using pantry ingredients like kidney beans and tomato paste.

28 - Tempeh Sandwiches

Tempeh is another great ingredient to keep in your fridge because it lasts a long time and can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a great protein-building ingredient for sandwiches like a TTLA.

29 - Red Curry Tofu

Curry paste is a great flavor-boosting ingredient to keep in your pantry or fridge. Add it to beans, rice or tofu. This red curry tofu is an easy meal.

30 - Beans on Toast

These beans on toast offer up a simple and comforting, healthy meal. Bread can be kept in the freezer and any canned beans can be used for this recipe. Vegan butter adds loads of richness to this recipe.

31 - West African Peanut chickpeas

This is a really delicious way to flavor beans! These west african chickpeas have a peanutty flavor. Add over top rice or quinoa for a complete meal. Add veggies if you have them on hand. Frozen works!

32 - Senate Bean Soup

One of my fave cozy bean soups, senate bean soup uses the texture and flavor of buttery mashed potatoes to achieve it's cravable flavor and texture. rich in fiber and bean-based goodness.

chilled pasta salads are a great way to infused flavor into pasta and have a meal prepped and ready for lunches and fast meals.

33 - two-bean chilled pasta salad

Pasta and beans - can't get more pantry-friendly than that! This chilled pasta salad can easily be a main course. Add sauces and spices that you have on hand.

34 - tomato soup with grilled cheese croutons

When comfort food is calling you, reach for the grilled cheese croutons and tomato soup. This meal is made using simple ingredients, pantry-friendly. If in a bind, nix the grilled cheese and use crackers or chips as croutons.

35 - Risotto

Slow-cooked and full of cozy flavor, risotto is one of those elegant pantry-friendly meals. Keep arborio rice on hand to whip up some risotto. you can use any veggies or flavor accents that you have on hand to build a meal around this luxurious grain. Try pumpkin sage. Or my fave mushroom risotto. Frozen peas make an excellent addition to risotto to add fiber, flavor and protein.

have on hand: garlic and EVOO!

36 - Olio Pasta with Parm

Something super simple to try: any pasta, vegan Parm, and some smashed roasted garlic. Easy! Add lemon juice for a kick, black pepper for some spice and toss in veggies for a more balanced meal. It's similar to this garlic butter pasta.

37 - Creamy Tomato Pasta Sauce

This is a richer version of a basic marinara. Basically if you love creamy tomato sauces, this recipe is for you. Simple and easy to add veggies to create a well-balanced meal.

38 - Ginger Carrot Soup (bonus one I needed to add...)

With just four ingredients, this ginger carrot soup is a great pantry-approved recipe because carrots actually keep for a good amount of time in the fridge - along with the fresh ginger!

39 - Kale Pesto Pasta

Loads of pasta in your pantry? Get your hands on some kale and whip up this fresh and fancy pesto sauce for Kale Pesto Pasta. Vegan Parm on top.

40. Potato Soup

This creamy, thick potato cauliflower soup is a new fave. Simple ingredients, if you have some potatoes, you can give this a try! (Yes, you can a sub all potato if you are out of cauliflower.)

I hope those vegan, plant-based pantry-friendly meals are a bit of help for you and your family! What fave meals are you guys making right now??

15 Tips for Going Vegan

March 15, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky 3 Comments

kathy patalsky vegan for the animals sign

If you are looking into starting with a plant-based, vegan diet I have some tips for you! Here are my 15 Tips for Going Vegan ...

Why Go Vegan? Here are my five reasons why I am vegan.

Two Bonus Resource Ideas for the Veg-Curious...

1 - Vegan Cheat Sheets

I created these on-sheet cheat sheets for you guys to print out or browse online. Super easy to understand and use as a vegan reference. Get them here!

2 - Embracing AI for Vegan Education

I know we all have a complex relationship with programs like Chat Gpt, but I have a secret to share: it is great for those of you looking to explore a more plant-forward or fully vegan way of life! I even created a list of prompts that you can ask chatgpt to get so much info and inspiration when it comes to vegan recipes and lifestyle. Get the prompts here: 45 Vegan Inspiration Chat GPT Prompts - here's an example of one of the pages in the guide...

Alright, let us get to the good stuff. My tips for going vegan ahead!...

15 Tips for Going Vegan

Promise, it's easier than you may think to go plant-based!

With so many vegan products on the market these days and so many reasons to go vegan, now is the time to dive in. Here are some tips for going vegan..

1. Read Up. Blogs + Cookbooks + Mags + Books.

This is my absolute favorite way for you to inspire and educate yourself. There are so many vegan resources out there! Here are just a few to browse:

Findingvegan.com - for my vegan mentor resources
Amazon Vegan Cookbooks - my books here
Lifestyle + News: VegNews rocks! GirlieGirlArmy too!
I also love vegan.com
Books on Vegan Living / Animal Rights
Documentaries like Before the Flood

2. Take it Slow.

Start with one thing. Give up dairy. Eggs. Or meat. Then slowly add in more an more vegan foods. Or start with meatless Mondays. Vegan weekends.

This doesn't have to be an overnight process. It took me about five years to transition from veg to vegan. (Of course if you want to dive right in, go for it!)

3. Perfection is Not the Goal.

Even vegans make exceptions sometimes. I wear my old leather boots once in a while. My wool sweaters in the back of my closet. I eat honey. I have taken small bites of celebration cakes that are no vegan. This isn't about perfection. This is about the planet and animals and being proud to call yourself vegan.

4. Start Farmers-Marketing.

Fave habit! Picking up fresh produce from local suppliers. Local produce just tastes better! And you get some fresh air and connect with others.

5. Try to Add Plants to Every Meal.

If you don't want to dive in, practice adding more plants to your plate. Add a side salad. Add some nuts or seeds to your cereal. Fresh fruit as snacks. Add more plants and start falling in love with how they make you feel.

raw kale salad - hhvk — kale salad from my cookbook hhvk

6. Veganize Your Favorites.

Love Mac 'n Cheese? Look up a vegan version! Seriously there is a vegan version for everything. Need help? Ask me and I'mm find a recipe for you! Or just browse my recipes.

7. Dine Out!

Search for a vegan-friendly restaurant in your city and go! Ask the server what the most popular vegan recipes are.

Seek out local vegan events like VegFest style events and more and join vegan groups on Facebook.

9. Seek Out a "Vegan Buddy."

Do it with a friend! Going vegan is so much more enjoyable when you have a vegan buddy to chat with. Choose someone who wants to go vegan with you - or find a friend who is already vegan.

friends are always a good thing - blogger summit

10. Browse Instagram

Instagram is filled with vegan recipe photos! Just hop on Insta and browse the hashtags: vegan, veganrecipe, meatlessmonday, vegansofig and more! I used these hashtags and more on my food posts. Follow me on Insta.

11. Experiment with Veganizing Your Wardrobe.

Get shopping! There are so many awesome vegan fashion brands these days. Check my shop for a few faves.

I love this idea! There is no better way to dive into the vegan community than documenting your journey online. Start a vegan social account - or start a blog! It will be so much easier to connect with other vegans and bloggers this way. Plus, you will be creating content to inspire others.

13. Listen Up! Podcasts and More.

If you love podcasts, listen to a few popular vegan ones!

14. Cook For Friends and Family.

If you love entertaining, now is your time to shine! Practice some vegan recipes and invite your besties over to experiment with a vegan feast.

15. For the Animals.

Honestly, these are the five reasons I am vegan but I am really vegan for the animals. And any time I'm feeling frustrated I think of the huge difference I am making for animal lives. You can visit a local rescue farm, or even visit a rescue animal shelter and give the cats and dogs some love. Animals will always lead me back to the WHY in my journey.

Some bonus help for you...

50 Favorite Vegan Basics Shopping List

1. leafy greens
(spinach, kale, romaine)
2. bananas
3. lemons
4. berries
5. sweet potato
6. onion
7. garlic
8. avocado
9. herbs
(parsley, cilantro, basil)
10. apples
11. carrots
12. broccoli / cauliflower
13. Medjool dates
14. tea / coffee
(herbal, matcha, black)
15. plant milk
(soy, almond..)
16. plant yogurt
17. vegan cheese
(cream, shredded, aged, slices)
18. assorted pasta
19. marinara sauce
20. EVOO / coconut oil
21. vinegars
(apple cider, balsamic..)
22. maple syrup
23. flour
24. cocoa / chocolate
25. vanilla extract
26. oatmeal
27. frozen berries
28. frozen vegan pizza / burritos
29. quinoa / rice
30. beans / lentils / peas
(chickpeas, white beans..)
31. Nuts
(cashews, Brazil, walnuts..)
32. Nut / Seed Butters
33. spice cabinet
(cinna, bay leaf, paprika, s&p)
34. spicy mustard
35. vegan mayo
35. bread / tortillas / bagels
36. chips / crackers
37. tamari
38. tempeh / tofu
39. olives
40. salsa
41. BBQ sauce
42. hummus
43. cold cereal / granola
44. vegan protein powder
45. seeds
(pumpkin, hemp, chia, flax)
46. veggie broth / miso paste
47. nutritional yeast
48. instant mac + cheese
49. vegan ice cream
50. frozen edamame / peas
51. kombucha + coconut h20
52. frozen acai
53. vegan sugar
(powdered, coconut, raw..)
54. vegan butter
55. applesauce
56. popcorn

Check out my vegan pantry-recipes for easy meal ideas...

11 Tips for Working From Home

March 13, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky 2 Comments

The past few weeks have thrown a lot of stress and anxiety at our society. During my trip to Whole Foods last night I was pretty shocked by the long lines, completely empty frozen foods section and of course - the total lack of toilet paper and hand sanitizer for weeks now.

I mean, forget all the usual worries we have as humans - or have personally going on right now - but toss in a global epidemic like Coronavirus and your ability to stay calm, cool and cheerful becomes seriously challenged.

And because of the covid-19 circumstances, along with event and sports cancellations, it seems there are many people working virtually for the next few weeks or longer. So today, I'm sharing my 10 Working From Home Tips. Because hi, I've totally been doing this for quite a while now...

I Know This One!

I consider myself an expert in this arena since I have been working from home for the past thirteen years.

It's Not All PJS and Lunch Breaks

Most people think that working from home is nothing but PJs all day, reality TV on demand, snacks a few feet away and a chill state of mind. And yeah, that is absolutely true at first! But working from home has it's own challenges. So I have ten tips to help you stay healthy, happy and productive if you are working from home.

Working From Home Roadblocks:

social isolation
access to distractions like food + TV + family + chores
snacking alllll day
lack of commute to clear your mind
time warp effect
lack of productivity due to virtual setup

Working from home can be a wonderful thing. But it takes some time and practice to really figure out your routine and what your personal roadblocks might be. Some people get really depressed working alone. Some people can't stay out of the kitchen. Some people simply can't work when there are so many chores, distractions and household things at their fingertips. But hopefully, my tips will help you in your roadblock areas!

work from home creative spread laptop, camera, food

11 Tips for Working From Home

1 - Stick to Your Morning Routine

I think the most important tip for working from home is to stick to your usual morning routine. Trust me, sleeping in too late and sliding into your work chair still in your PJs can absolutely happen - but long term it just kinda makes you feel yucky. Not really like yourself.

there is something really energizing and comforting to get up and do your usual AM routine. For me, it involves feeding the cats, taking a shower, giving my body and face some TLC with my clean skincare products. Then I get dressed. I admit I usually wear loungewear all day .. but sometimes throw on a pair of jeans. Wear whatever feels normal to you. I'll cover this more in #2. And then I make breakfast, actually sit down for breakfast, check my phone, chill for a minute and think about my workday ahead. And then my tiny commute from kitchen to office. Hey, it's not the usual 9-5 gig routine, but it works for me to transition me from bed to office.

2 - Wear Real Clothes

As I touched on in #1, wearing PJs all day long gets old really fast. It messes with your brain. It makes everything feel less active and productive. And it's confusing to be wearing PJs at 4pm when you should be getting ready to stop working soon and transition to the evening soon. Nothing is better than changing into your PJs at the end of the day! Wearing them all day prevents that happy transition.

Another reason to wear real clothes: it encourages you to be able to go outside into the real world! And more on that...

3 - Get Out

Working from home doesn't mean you have to stay cooped up inside all day. My favorite get-out activities are the following:

Check the mail (simple but works!)
Walk around the block or to the store
Take out the trash
Walk to the gym (if possible)
Toss on some Airpods and queue up a podcast or some music and walk and listen as you stroll or even sit outside.
If you have a dog, take your dog for a walk or even potty breaks help you get out.
Plan a lunchtime stroll with a neighbor or friend
Walk to get coffee, a smoothie or anything nearby.
Take a drive to a local park and stroll a bit there.

4 - Take Lunch Breaks

So important when working from home! Trust me, you can easily be churning out a project - in the zone - and with zero co-workers to remind you to take a break - end up working right through lunch. Don't do it. Keep your blood sugar stable and energize your brain with some healthy eats. Even a light lunch helps! Plus it breaks up the day and shifts your energy for a bit. I find I need a midday break - mentally - to come back to work and get my second wind for that second half of the day. Some easy lunch ideas:

Take advantage of the fact that you have an entire kitchen available to you when you work from home!

5 - Stay Connected! Text Co-workers of Colleagues..

If you are virtually working with your usual officemates, this will naturally happen. But for self-employed folks like me, you sometimes have to be proactive. I love hopping on my phone and texting friends who do the same type of work as me. And sometimes we have long chats about projects, life and everything in between.

Prevent isolation and stalled brain power by staying connected.

And if you don't have any co-workers or colleagues for whatever reason, hop on social media! Find hashtags related to your job and make virtual connections. Facebook Groups are also great ways to privately interact with people in your line of work.

6 - Don't Let Pets be the Boss

Ha. This one is kinda hard. My cats can absolutely take over my workday pretty easily by meowing their heads off for attention, jumping on or in front of my computer or just doing that thing where they look so cute I need to stop everything and cuddle them. Well, definitely take pet breaks - it's good for your health!!! - but also don't let them distract you too much. They will learn. And eventually they will understand that you are not just at home to give them extra attention, but to actually get work done. "Work, what's that?" - my cats.

But really, having pets in your workspace is a beautiful thing! It really feels like I have little co-workers on most days. Well, very lazy and unproductive coworkers! But very cute coworkers....

kathy and kitty at work desk — Mr. White is really the CEO of things around here..

7 - Work Space

Where is your working from home sanctuary? Your in-home office? You need one! Even if it's a cozy corner or quiet room.

Working in the middle of a loud, busy room isn't the best scenario. Try to find a place that is quiet, calm and gives you space to think and be creative. Sometimes I really just need to be alone when I write. Having someone in the same room as me can distract the ideas swirling in my head. And that's ok! Separate yourself as best you can from family and clearly explain that you need your space to be productive.

The more productive you are - the sooner you can stop working and enjoy being so close to your loved ones! (Or pets!)

8 - Consider a 4-Day Week

One of my fave tips for working from home...

When possible, consider working hard core only four days a week. Sometimes I make Friday my 'light work' day. I can then do all the housework I want and even give myself some space to watch a movie in the middle of the day!

If you have kids while working from home, it can be awesome to separate one day as a free day for them - during the week.

Working from home allows you to be a bit more flexible with how you use your time. Use it or lose it! Take advantage of the lack of commute. Lack of time wasted in meetings at work. And more. Be full steam productive a few days and then be easy on yourself for one or even more days.

9 - Too Quiet? Fix That.

Sometimes a work from home office can get too quiet. Maybe not true if your entire family is at home - but for me it definitely happens under more normal circumstances. Well, there are a few things you can do:

Turn on your fave podcast - or find one! There are soooo many these days.
If you are writing and cannot have background sound - read everything out loud! this is actually a really awesome benefit for work from home writers.
Turn on your fave music - calming or upbeat
Tell Alexa to play ocean or rain sounds
Turn on the TV! If desperate, some background chatter can help. Sometimes I will play old movies that I've seen a million times when doing creative work like cooking, photographing or photo editing.
Call your mom or dad. I like how I can just call my mom and let her talk for a while updating me on things. I just listen and work and it definitely breaks up the quiet.
Turn on sports. I actually LOVE working with tennis on in the background. I'm so sad so many tournaments have been cancelled due to coronavirus. But under normal circumstances..

10 - Get Moving

Take advantage of the fact that you don't have to stay stuck at your desk all day. Get up, walk around the house, throw some laundry in the washing machine or take out the trash. I love how much I am able to get in steps without ever leaving my office.

And when possible, fit in a fitness plan to your new work reality. The cool thing about more flexible hours is that sometimes you can workout in the middle of the day.

11 - Stay off Social Media

Oh man this is a big one. If you use social media for work - like a lot of people these days - definitely take breaks and do what you need to do. But for long productive work stretches, place your phone further than arms reach away. even in another room if possible.

I hope those tips for working from home help a little. I know it can feel strange working from home if you are not used to it. It isn't all rainbows and butterflies, but when looked at from an optimistic view - can absolutely be a very positive thing! For more, check out my article: 12 Tips for Workday Wellness.

Stay well everyone.

Green Crunch 'n 'Cado Sandwich

March 12, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky 2 Comments

lunch plate with avocado hummus sandwich and carrots

There are a lot of people working from home these past few weeks and when one works from home, you need a few yummy, healthy sandwich recipes up your sleeve. Today's Green Crunch 'n 'Cado Sandwich is what I have been making lately.

It combines buttery avocado and lots of crunchy romaine lettuce with a thick layer of hummus, a few fresh pickles, black pepper and some optional other add-ins all on my half-toasted sprouted grain bread. If you want a cravable sandwich with some serious crunch power, give this a go!...

[Read more...]

The Minimalist Vegan: Healthy Happy Leaders

March 12, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

I am so excited to chat with Maša of The Minimalist Vegan today!

It has been my goal this year to jumpstart my interview series again. I loved chatting with fave ladies in my Veggie Girl Power Series, and now I'm adding to my Healthy, Happy Leaders Series. And today I get to interview someone who I have followed online for a while now. Maša of The Minimalist Vegan!

I first "met" Maša and her husband Michael when I did an interview back in 2015. Geez, that was five years ago! Crazy how time flies in this career of mine. If you know TMV's site you already know that the recipes and conversations are all lovely and bring so much value to your day. Not only is there a website, but also a podcast covering "Honest conversations about minimalism, veganism and more." So let's chat more with this amazing lady!....

[Read more...]

True Botanicals Review - Clean Skincare

March 10, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky 5 Comments

*This is not a sponsored review.*

I recently purchased a few products from True Botanicals skincare line. I love trying new skincare products and so I'm hoping to add more skincare reviews to HHL. Especially the rave reviews! Let's just say that these goodies I bought from True Botanicals were a total treat for my skin - and my senses...

How I Found True Botanicals

You know the story. I saw a True Botanicals ad pop up on my Facebook timeline and I clicked on it. I think it was a video of Olivia Wilde massaging an oil onto her face. Hm, ok, she has nice skin...

But really, this is probably another 'social media' skin care ad - a product that is probably more average than the claims and that I don't really need - and I will probably want to return it, but be too lazy to do that and thus stuck with a product I hate until I use it all or pawn it off on my husband.

Buying skin care products online -- without trying them first -- is risky business! Especially when you are spending a lot of money. The face oil? $110. (But don't let that scare you! Keep reading for deets..)

So, after the reading every Facebook ad comment, I did a little research and dove in with a purchase.

Green Skincare Lover

I am a total spa-loving, skincare addict. Scratch that, a vegan, clean skincare addict. I have a very crowded bathroom cabinet and don't like to skimp on skincare quality. I definitely think this habit got worse once I hit my 30's. And as I approach 40 I have seen how taking care of your skin - on a daily basis - really makes a difference in how your skin looks and more importantly - feels!

Taking care of my skin also seems to have a positive whole body effect for me. I just feel better after I give my face some TLC. I mean, our skin is the largest organ in our body, so it makes sense!

Fun Fact: "Skin is our largest organ—adults carry some 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms) and 22 square feet (2 square meters) of it." - National Geographic

Of course, you can always load up on skin-loving goodness via the foods you eat! Hydration + fiber + antioxidant-rich smoothies are always a treat for skin.

My Personal Skincare Preferences

I like natural, clean and perfume/fragrance free. The only aromas I can handle on my skin are from essential oils and plants. Fragrance is one thing that I am really sensitive to.

It's getting easier and easier to find "clean" and green skincare products these days. But really, what does that mean? Sephora offers a "clean" skincare category that means this: "free of parabens, sulfites SLS and SLES, mineral oils, phthalates, formaldehyde and more."

But for my skin care products, I always like to make sure the brand does not test on animals. And also isn't sold in mainland China. The government in China requires animal testing on all products sold, so even if a brand is "cruelty-free" by choice, selling in China may nix that.

I try to choose 100% vegan products as well, but I admit I'm not perfect. A few of my natural makeup products contain beeswax. But I'm getting there! Progress not perfection. Luckily, True Botanicals offers up all the things I am looking for!..

"All of our products carry the MADE SAFE® seal, the most comprehensive safety standard available, which certifies they are made without 5,000+ toxic chemicals known to harm human and environmental health. As a cruelty-free company, we are also Leaping Bunny certified, and our products are free of genetically modified organisms."
- True Botanicals

My Skin Type

My skin used to be very reactive and acne-prone. But lately I only get breakouts due to hormone fluctuations. My skin is combination with some dryness made worse from living in a dry climate like California.

I actually used to despise face oils for my skin. But now, I adore them. I think my favorite thing is that they allow me to really massage the product into my skin for a few minutes, which just feels so good.

Plus, face oils seem to add a lasting GLOW that I just cannot replicate with a traditional cream moisturizer.

Face Oil Love

Finding a good face oil that truly fits your skin isn't an easy task. But starting off with high quality ingredients will really help your search.

True Botanicals face oils contain a diverse array of plant-based oils. Oils from kiwi, chia, papaya, rosehip, green tea and more.

My True Botanicals Review:

I am so excited to try a few more True Botanicals products, but first, the four True Botanicals products I tried for my first order, were the following...

Vitamin C Booster
Pure Radiance Face Oil, Renew
Nutrient Mist
Immune Aromatherapy roller ball

1 - Vitamin C Booster

This is a really interesting product! I have been wanting to add more vitamin C to my skin care regimen, but without adding another expensive serum or cream. So this powder that blends into whatever cream, serum or oil you are using works really well for me. Plus, there is a slight tingling that makes me think it is actually doing something.

Vitamin C Booster Ingredients:

Tapioca Starch
L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
Ferulic Acid (Antioxidant Found In Plant Cell Walls)

Also of note, sometimes vitamin C products can sometimes upset my skin. So I proceeded with caution with this. But I actually love it! No breakouts from it.

It is a fine white powder I have been blending into my serum. You do want to make sure you blend it with enough liquid (serum or whatever) so that it goes on smoothly and doesn't clump. It's so fine that it blends in seconds for me.

I have been using it for a few weeks now and I feel like it's definitely brightening my skin a bit! Plus, I just love having a daily vitamin C product for me skin.

2 - Pure Radiance Oil, Renew

The Pure Radiance Oil is thick and silky, deep orange in color. The key ingredients are:

chia seed and kiwi seed oils
papaya seed oil and passion fruit oil
algae extract and astaxanithin

Aroma: This oil smells absolutely heavenly and is naturally scented with jasmine, neroli, and rose.

This pure radiance oil comes in three varieties: calm, renew and clear. I chose the renew since it "reduces visible signs of aging" and I don't really have acne-prone or super sensitive skin right now. I considered the clear since sometimes face oils can spark break outs for me, but so far so good! Nothing but calm, happy, super-glowy skin.

"While creams and lotions stay on the surface, face oils deliver nutrients to the deeper layers of the skin—where skin issues start. Chia seed and kiwi extract, two Omega-3 powerhouses, help skin retain moisture and shield it from environmental toxins. Passion fruit and papaya seed oil help gently dissolve excess oil and impurities." - True Botanicals description of the Radiance Oil

This face oil is absolutely an investment clean skincare purchase since it is $110, but honestly, I really do feel and see such a big difference in this oil compared to others I have tried. And a little goes a long way. TB suggests 2-10 drops per use. I usually end up with four drops which is more than enough for my face and neck. Hoping this bottle lasts me a while!

3 - Immune Boost Essential Oil Stick

This is a really lovely aromatherapy roller ball with immune boosting essential oils. I love rubbing it on the insides of my wrists and around my lymph nodes under my chin. Perfect for travel days or a midday boost.

And especially right now during virus and flu season! I don't think essential oils are immunity miracles by any means, but something about them does seen to boost my mood and comfort me.

TB says... "A comfort to help get you out from under the weather. Ravintsara is an age-old immune support while bay laurel is said to assist with lymphatic drainage."

Key ingredients in the immune roller ball...

Ravintsara
Bay Laurel

There are other "flavors" in the aromatherapy sticks: muscle release and stress relief.

4 - Renew Nutrient Mist

This is a light, hydrating mist that smells incredible. It is perfect as a quick refresher or to use as a toner. I just love the natural scent so much I spray it whenever I need a aromatherapy boost.

Key Ingredients in the Nutrient Mist:

Green and white tea
algae extract
kombucha

"...our Renew Nutrient Mist is packed with restorative ingredients that are specifically formulated to renew and replenish. Antioxidants help revive the appearance of aging skin and restore a youthful glow. Algae extract helps prevent water loss and protect skin from environmental pollutants. And it turns out kombucha isn't just good for your insides—it helps restore pH on the outside, too." - True Botanicals website description for the Nutrient Mist

UPDATED! Added product reviews...

5 - Nourishing Cleanser

I like this cleanser! It is very gently and doesn't foam really at all, it is more silky. I probably won't buy this product again just because I like something a bit more intense. But if you want something super gentle and silky, give it a try.

6 - Repair Serum

LOVE this natural serum! It reminds me of the skin oil, only richer and more intense. It isn't cheap at $140, but it lasts a long time. I feel like my skin definitely glows a bit more with this serum. I will definitely order it again.

7 - Antioxidant Booster

Sadly, I don't love this one at all. I'm not sure if I just got a bad bottle or what, but it is very clumpy and doesn't dissolve well like the vitamin C booster does. It feels a bit chunky when I try to rub it into the serum. Not a fan. If you think I just got a bad bottle, let me know.. I LOVE the vitamin C booster though, which is also a powder.

8 - Nourishing Conditioner

I Love this! I wanted to try their hair products and strated with the conditioner. It is pretty light, yet does a good job moisturizing. Great smell. I like it!

9 - Pure Radiance Body Oil

I love this oil! It smells amazing and comes in a nice pump for less mess when dispensing. It definitely moisturizes well and has a nice thick texture, yet doesn't feel greasy. I love it. The only problem is that somehow I went through it really fast!! I think the pump leads me to use more than I normally would. I will probably order this again though it was so nice.

10 - Resurfacing Moisture Mask

This one is interesting. I'm not a fan of the texture at all because it is very soupy and runny. However, it does a really great job at giving my skin a boost. I just wish it was a bit thicker in texture. Probably won't buy this one again - though it is a good product.

Wrapping Things Up

I hope you enjoyed this True Botanicals Review! I am pretty happy with this new vegan + clean skincare line I found via the unpredictable internet. If you have any fave TB products, let me know! And if you have any questions about the products mentioned, I'm happy to answer when possible!

disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. All products were purchased by me. This post does contain an affiliate link for True Botanicals.

Food Photography Backgrounds

March 9, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky 5 Comments

Today's creative minds chat: Food Photography Backgrounds! Let's explore this ever-evolving world. I'll share traditional and modern options, as well as the pros and cons...

In the beginning, there was white foam board. Simple, effective and cheap. And then maybe you experimented with a few colored foam boards. Or maybe, for the truly adventurous, you ventured to Home Depot and DIY'd your own wooden backgrounds.

Evolving World of Food Photography Backgrounds...

But these days, the world of Food Photography Backgrounds has evolved to a full on business category! As bloggers, cookbook authors, food stylists and social media mavens use their recipe-creating, photo-snagging skills as primary or robust-hobby income, the demand for professional looking backgrounds has increased.

And as with all supply and demand situations, the market has eventually answered us! So put down that foam board and let's take a look at some sophisticated and professional options for your food photography background needs...

Food Photography Backgrounds List:

Here are a few of the ideas I'll discuss in more details below..

made-for-photography wood backgrounds - authentic, compact sized
in-home wood - tables, floors, benches, large-sized, already there!
printed photo boards - easy to clean, lightweight
weathered baking sheets - cheap, modern
marble - sleek, modern, heavy, expensive
DIY, color your own - cheap, fun!
fabrics - cheap, colorful, textured, lightweight
printed photo sheets - rollable, compact, creative colors and textures
foam boards - super cheap and disposable, basic
placemats - basic, easy to fine, less modern
crinkled parchment paper - modern, super cheap, textured
styrofoam - not eco-friendly, cheap, leftovers from packaging..
seasonal / novelty backgrounds - fun, variety, colorful

Now let's take a look at a few of these options in action...

Classic: real wood on real wood....

You cannot go wrong with real wood! Seriously. The go-to for any food photo scene. Cinnamon buns.

Classic Foam Board: white or color..

I still love a good foam board for clean white or a pop of very bright color. Like this yellow for my banana pudding. You can buy foam boards for under $5 at most drug stores or Target..

Printed photo boards...

Boards that replicate surfaces like wood, stone, cement and more. Easy to clean and super lightweight compared to wood! they come in a variety of colors and designs and sizes. Veggie chili..

Weathered Baking Sheets,

...cheap and effective! Modern, rustic vibe.

DIY: Color your own!

...I made this one in a few minutes using foam board and colored pencils..

And now I want to go into a bit more detail with your options...

Printed Photo Backgrounds - Rollable..

Roll up your faux wood background! These are super convenient to store! And the technology is pretty good for authenticity. I buy my rolled backgrounds from Ink and Elm. My flapjacks and PB Cookies show off a few more colorful options...

peanut butter banana flapjacks — green Ink and Elm background - rollable

peanut butter cookies — Pink Ink and Elm background - rollable

Layered: Marble on Printed Board

Layering is always a good idea for food photos! combine textures and you'll look like a pro. This vegan chick'n salad post used two layers.

Fabrics Layered

Another great idea to add texture and layering: fabrics. Napkins do the trick. Red Curry Tofu post.

Now onto the details of photo backgrounds...

Check out this comparison of some of the pros and cons of the various backgrounds...

12 Food Photography Backgrounds

1 - Traditional Wood.

The classic option for stunning food photography: wood! Kitchen tables and benches make this also pretty obvious. But specialty wood boards now exist.

Wood is gorgeous, sturdy and easy to find. The more texture and varying colors, the better. Opt for pale pine, rich grays and even rustic oak colors.

In my personal opinion, orange-toned wood will too often blend in with the food - not good. You want the colors in your food to POP! And anything too shiny or smooth won't produce the texture that food photography loves. Go for matte, rustic wood - the knobbier and scratchier the better. I like grey tones. Reclaimed wood can often have really lovely cool hues

Your options with wood involve three main things:

Furniture already in your home. If you are lucky enough to have a food photography perfect table in a naturally lit area of your home - embrace it! Other in-home items may be stools, desks, side tables and more.
Wooden Boards. Anything from large cutting boards to random wooden boards you may find in your house. Get creative. You can even craft your own board using some wood and nails - if you are into that sort of thing.
Buy them! You can actually buy pre-made photography backgrounds made of beautiful wood. They are heavy, expensive and a pain to store - but they work beautifully. I have gone through about five or six of these and have loved them. However, they can get 'used up' since they don't offer a lot of variety. But a good neutral, versatile board should last you years and years.

Where to find them:

Found on Etsy... AS PaulJoy boards aren't cheap - but so sturdy and beautiful work! Etsy Shop: AS PAULJOY.

Example blogpost: Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls and some of my Lentil Bolognese shots.

2 - Printed Photo Boards

I recently bought a few printed photo boards. I love that they are easy to clean, light, sturdy and versatile. but they are still expensive and don't offer the authentic texture of real wood - so it will limit your shooting capabilities just a bit. But overall, I am really happy with these. Bessie Bakes.

Example blogpost: Pretzel-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cups on a faux white crinkle board by Bessie Bakes.

3 - Rolled Printed Photo Sheets

My latest venture into photography backgrounds - printed sheets! You roll them up to store them. They are super light, like a heavy weight photo print or sheet of paper or vinyl and they are the least expensive option. that means you can buy more of them and increase the diversity in your photos! Love that. they come in all colors, textures and styles. They do have some shine to them, so overhead shots come out the best. Ink and Elm is who I have used.

Example blogpost: Grilled Cheese Italiano on an Ink and Elm rolled sheet.

4 - Old / Weathered Baking Sheets

One of my favorite "free" boards - old, ages, worn baking sheets. The flat, unrimmed sheets work best. As they age, they get tons of texture and neutral gray-blue color. Perfect for food photos. If your sheets turn too blue, you can always remove the blue hues when photo editing to get a gorgeous gray color. Tip: If you wash your baking sheets in the dishwasher, they will develop a dark color that you may or may not love. These work great - flat baking sheets.

Example blogpost: Tofu Tacos - on a weathered baking sheet.

5 - Fabric - Napkins, Tablecloths..

Not my fave option, but fabric works really well in either layering with shoots or as the primary background. When I first started out buying up various colors or placemats and napkins was my go-to way to infused color and texture into my shoots. I advise using fabric as a layering accent, rather than the primary background.

Example blogpost: Layering with napkins on wood - Banana Pancakes.

6 - Foam Boards - aka Foam Core

This is the classic cheap "perfectly white background." You can buy them at most drug stores - in the arts and craft / office supply section and they are super cheap. They get dirty easily and are not terribly sturdy. But they reflect clean light very well and can provide a clean white background when needed.

Example blogposts: Colored foam board: Banana Pudding - white foam board: Cherry Pudding Parfaits.

7 - Marble

Marble - usually gray and white swirled - makes for a stylistic look. It works really well with color since it is neutral and usually isn't too glossy to add shine. Shine is a 'no no' for food photography backgrounds. You want matte! Marble is heavy and not terribly practical unless you have a marble kitchen counter in a well-lit location. Tip! Your marble doesn't have to be real to work. There are plenty of faux marble products out there that could work well. I have even seen faux marble placemats.

Example blogpost: Strawberry Citrus Smoothie

8 - Placemats

Various placemats can offer color and texture. They can even add faux wood looks and more. Placemats can be tricky, but if you find the right ones, they can offer a cheap and lightweight backdrop. Browse colors on Amazon.

Example blogpost: Mushroom Philly Cheese (gingham placemat shots)

9 - Crinkled Parchment - White

One of my favorite super easy and cheap texture to make a backdrop - white parchment paper. I always crinkle it up into a ball and then unfold it to get some nice texture. White Parchment Paper.

Example blogposts: TTLA + Mushroom Quesodillas

10 - Styrofoam

I would never encourage buying styrofoam, but sometimes it ends up in packaging and while you have it in your home, it definitely works well as a lightweight, matte background or reflecting device.

I don't have any examples of backdrops, but I have used as a reflector..

11 - DIY, Color Your Own!

Take those white foam boards - or your own canvas or large sheets of heavy-weight paper and color your own backgrounds! This of course creates a super unique look and is a pretty cheap option.

Example blogpost: Strawberry Ice Cream

12 - Novelty Napkins + Seasonal Items

When it comes to seasonal props and food styling, novelty goodies can go a long way. And even holiday-themed napkins - yes the paper kind - can provide a bit of festive flair for your food styling layout.

Example blogpost: Pumpkin ghost Donut holes with paper Halloween napkins

So that's it! I hope this look at Food Photography Backgrounds gave you a few new ideas to play with in your creative space. What did I miss?? I'd love to hear what background you love for your work!

12 food photography backgrounds to try pin

disclosure: this post contains affiliate links

Peanut Butter Banana Flapjacks

March 9, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky 6 Comments

These Peanut Butter Banana Flapjacks with optional chocolate chips could also be called soft and chewy granola bars. But since I think of granola bars having a bit of crunch to them, I decided to go with flapjacks. Plus, since flapjacks are a british phenomenon, the name gives these rustic, simple, hearty bars a bit of worldly flair.

Cravable Flavors

And yup, these flavors are so beloved and basic. Peanut butter. Fresh banana. Chocolate. All of this goodness is folded together with rolled oats, a bit of flax and some other flavorful, healthy ingredients.

You can serve these Peanut Butter Banana Flapjacks with tea as a snack or take them on the go. When stored in the fridge, they firm up quite nicely if that is your texture preference. I found they get extra chewy served chilled from the fridge.

And the best part is that you can whip a bath of these flapjacks up in about twenty minutes!...

[Read more...]

Lemon-Parmesan Garlic Snap Pea Pasta

March 9, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky 2 Comments

I love posting green-fueled pasta for spring, and this snap pea and kale loaded Lemon-Parmesan Garlicky Snap Pea Pasta really hits the spot!

The flavors are light enough for lunch, yet hearty enough for dinner. I topped the dish with some skillet-toasted vegan sausage slices. Bright and super cheezy, this dish is waiting for you to try!...

[Read more...]

My Ruggable Review

March 8, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky 4 Comments

I am excited to share my (unbiased, unsponsored) Ruggable review with you guys today!...

About six months ago I purchased a pretty blush pink rug from a major design store. It was thick and plush and had a velvet sheen look to it. The color: a very pale blush pink which complimented our off white wood floors. The cost: I bought it for around $350. This was a rare purchase for us because I usually stay away from rugs due to my allergies .. but I wanted to give it a try.

A few weeks in and the kitty cats were already using it as a scratching pad. (Something I should've anticipated.) And the somewhat delicate rug was both shedding like crazy from normal freshness and the kitty claws.

But I stuck it out!

I tried to focus on the plushness of it and the pretty blush color - and of course how much I had already paid - rather than tossing it.

And then came the spills. First there was a few drops of pomegranate juice that I sort've cleaned up. Then I full on splattered my rooibos tea all over one side of the rug. I quickly flipped the rug around when the stain barely budged - a sort of muddy tea-color blob soaked into one side.

But the kicker for me was just the mustiness that the rug started to have within just six months - even with daily vacuuming and our heavy duty steam cleaner. I knew I would have to have it professionally cleaned, but what's the point when your rug is falling apart? And professionally cleaned can include chemicals sometimes - no thank you.

I Wanted a Washable Rug

All that time I was stalking Ruggable. Ruggable makes a two-piece rug system. A rug pad that attaches via velcro to the rug cover. The rug cover can be peeled off and washed in any standard washing machine. Genius.

I loved the idea of a washable rug! I would endlessly browse their designs and watch Youtube video reviews - and scroll their Instagram page for tags and real reviews....

It seemed like most people loved their rugs. The main complaints seemed to be the thinness of the rug. Would it feel soft to walk over etc. And some people may just be used to a more extravagant rug. Plush and thick with deep texture. Ruggable is more about design and function. But I'll get to that in a bit. Back tot those "real reviews..."

Real Reviews

Look no shame in affiliate programs and sponsored posts. I am super proud of my sponsored opportunities! - and to get the opportunity to feature products and brands I adore and get paid. And I never share anything I don't love. But the reality is that #sponsored anything can can lead to a lot of online sharing and "buzz." Funny thing is Ruggable has all that buzz but without the referral rewards. Ruggable doesn't have much of an affiliate program.

They offer 15% off for friends, and then you get 15% off a future purchase for a referral. (There is an affiliate program via commision junction but it looks like it's only like 3% commission, which isn't great.) And I'm sure there are sponsored posts out there, but you should be able to easily spot them with a disclaimer.

Why is this important? Well, you know that people talking about Ruggable and sharing rave reviews are pretty authentic. This post is unsponsored.

I decided to share my Ruggable review here on the blog because I'm a genuine fan and think pet lovers and allergy sufferers like me need this rug. Plus, I've posted my Ruggable rug on Instagram a few times and I *always* get someone asking me about it. Thus this post!

Why Do I Love Ruggable?

So! Now for the details of my Ruggable Review... That sad, heavy, designer pink rug eventually found it's way to recycling. And my floor was bare and the kitties missed a soft place to sit in their morning sunbeam. So I dove in and bought a Ruggable! It arrived pretty swiftly in a tall thin, lightweight box. The rug and rug pad (you need both) come rolled up very tightly. I chose the Kella Off White design...

A few Ruggable designs I like...

Linear Aztec - Black and white, cool look in the right space
Araveli Teal Rug - Love this color accent
Kids Rugs - A lot of cute designs like robots, sleepy sheep and space-loving dinosaurs
Halona - Gray look with an aztec feel
Ziri and Illi are similar to my Kella rug
Disney rugs - Love this collab. I hope they add more Disney designs other than Mickey-infused.

Things I Love About Ruggable:

You can wash it! Just toss the rug cover into any standard machine. They dry very quickly too.
Allergy-Friendly - As someone with allergies and asthma and kitty cats - being able to wash my rug is such a life-saver! We have always stayed away from purchasing rugs because of my allergies. Ruggable actually allows me to own rugs! That's huge.
Lightweight - Easy to move and handle. If I need to vacuum under the rug I can easily roll it up, place it in a corner and be on my way.
Variety of Designs - There seems to be something for everyone. I tend to lean towards more minimal, modern designs for our home, so the Kella was perfect.
Vegan Materials - Ruggable contains no wool or animal products. The Rug Cover is polyester and silicone and The Rug Pad consists of recycled polyester and thermoplastic resin - "(a latex-free synthetic material most commonly used in yoga mats)."
Easy Returns - Returning a traditional run - all heavy and giant would be a pain. But Ruggable makes it easy. I actually tried a different pattern for my second Ruggable purchase and it didn't look great in my space. So I returned it. I easily rolled up the rug and placed it back in the box. Printed a return label and shipped it. Easy.
Soft Surface. The texture is nice and soft - not scratchy at all.
Pet-Approved! So just like my old rug, the cats LOVE scratching this thing. But luckily, because of the way the rugs are bound tightly, nothing sheds on the main surface of the rug. Yay! However, the edge threads have come a bit undone from the cats. Not too bad though.
Price - Ruggable rugs are very reasonable compared to design store rugs. You can get a nice 5 x 7 rug for under two-hundred bucks. And they are often having sales - or you can use this non-affiliate link to snag 15% off.

What I Don't Like About Ruggable

Thickness - Ruggable rugs are thinner than a standard design store rug. At first it bothered me. But honestly, after a few weeks I barely noticed. It's still soft enough to lay comfortably on and the cats seem to love it! I actually think the thinness makes it easier for my Roomba to vacuum it though.

Edges. Sometimes the corners and edges flip upward. And there is a somewhat obvious triangle shape on the edges where the velcro is heaviest to attach. But that being said, those things are definitely not deal breakers for me.
Overall Long Term Quality - I do worry how long this rug will stay looking great. The threads on the edges have broken a bit from the kitties. But overall it seems to be holding up well. It's not a $2000 rug from the best design store ever, but honestly - I don't care - I can peel this thing up and wash it. And that's the best part for me.

I hope you enjoyed this Ruggable Review! Do you own a rug you love? Or an allergy-friendly home item? I may post about all my fave air purifiers in the future if there is interest in allergy-friendly home reviews.

So if you are looking for a new rug, and love the whole washable idea too, give Ruggable to look. If you totally hate it, you can just return it pretty easily. But choose the right design and you could be on your way to being as obsessed as me 🙂

Banana French Toast

March 4, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky 2 Comments

You know that feeling when you wake up absolutely craving something? Well this vegan Banana French Toast with a side of sliced kiwi has been one of those meals for me lately.

The cinnamon, banana-bread-tasting toast is sizzled in a vegan butter slathered skillet until lightly brown on the edges. The insides stay nice and moist. Maple syrup on top for an extra boost of dreamy flavor.

The tart and sweet kiwi on the side adds the perfect kick of acid - as well as loads of folate, vitamin C and fiber!

I like to use sprouted grain bread for a nice boost of whole grains, fiber and even plat-based protein. My favorite brand and flavor right now for this recipe is the Alvarado Street California Style bread. It has a nice 6g of protein per slice. 2g of fiber - 90 calories per slice. It absorbs the banana liquid very well without getting soggy.

Whip this up today and crave it every morning like I do!....

[Read more...]

I Spent $280 on a Skillet, Worth it? Hestan Review!

February 26, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky 22 Comments

Today I'm sharing my Hestan Skillet Review..

And FYI, not a sponsored post.

A few weeks ago, after plenty of research, I dove in and bought a Hestan Nanobond Titaium Skillet. I chose the eleven inch model, price tag? A whopping $280. Here is my Hestan Skillet Review.

Was it worth the price??...

[Read more...]

Vegan Pecan Pie

February 19, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky 2 Comments

This Vegan Pecan Pie bakes up with sticky sweet caramelized pecans on top, gooey amazing filling inside. I absolutely loved this classic dessert gone vegan. I can't believe it's taken me so long to experiment with a vegan version Pecan Pie, but I am so glad I did. This is definitely going into my pie rotation here at home.

And one of the best things about Pecan Pie is that the ingredients are minimal and it is so easy to bring together.

[Read more...]

10 Vegan Shoes for Spring 2020

February 17, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky 1 Comment

Today I'm sharing 10 Vegan Shoes for Spring 2020. From happiness-inducing colors and patterns to scrappy sandals and comfy casuals - here are a few looks to check out..

Vegan Shoes

Vegan shoes are my favorite way to embrace vegan fashion. I remember those early days of still buying leather shoes because there were simply very few vegan options. Especially when it came to heels and boots and scrappy sandals.

But these days, we are so blessed with so many talented shoe designers. People, artisans and brands who are passionate about extending the plant-based message to ... well, our feet!

Overall, here are a few of my favorite vegan shoe brands. So the next time you need some foot-forward retail therapy, check out these brands..

A few fave vegan + vegan-friendly shoe brands...

10 Vegan Shoes for Spring 2020

#1 Rothy's Spring Colors - Mint

I love the new Rothy's colors for spring 2020. Right now in my Rothy's collection, I have a few different pink shades, a basic black and my go-to grey point Rothy's. But I am really eyeing the new Mint color, since light green is a favorite color of mine.

If you don't own a pair of Rothy's yet, definitely check them out. I wear mine on most casual days working or running around. They are comfy, cute and machine washable. Read my full Rothy's review.

Browse Rothy's: Snag $20 off your Rothy's order with my link.

mint the point shoes rothy's — photo credit: Rothy's

#2 Matt and Nat - Emilia|Koala

I feel like these Emilia sandals are really easy for spring 2020. They are a versatile dusty tone of gray, with some fun logo texture - and the best part is they appear to be 50% off right now, which is a great price. I love these as spring and summer slip-ons for lazy days outside. Check them out on Matt & Nat.

#3 VANS Vintage Slip-On in floral/Marshmallow

Hello spring florals. I love that colors this season are in muted pastel shades. Dusty rose, peachy oranges and milky turquoise. And these cute Vans have a very cheerful look to them. If you are a Vans fan, these cute floral slip-on sneakers are a cute way to celebrate spring. Check these Floral shoes out on Vans.

vans floral marshmallow shoes — photo credit: VANS

#4 Bhava Amber Strappy Heel

Vegan Shoes Spring 2020 needs a super elegant scrappy candle. And this is it! Bhava makes the best shoes. Super high quality and comfortable too!

Bhava has a wide selection of luxury sandals and heels that would work for spring - strappy heels, clogs, flats and more. Perfect for spring events that require a bit more glam. For example, the Amber style is perfect for a dressy spring event, shower, party, date night or drinks with friends. Check out the Amber on Bhava.

#5 Will's Vegan Shoes - Tan Footbed Sandals

These sturdy, comfy and cute looking sandals look like perfect everyday footwear for warmer weather. These Amber sandals would look cute with jeans as well as a long skirt or floral dress.

I adore my pair of Will's shoes. The vegan leather is super soft, sturdy and comfy. Check out this pair of Footbed Sandals.

wills vegan shoes — photo credit: Will's Vegan Shoes

#6 Nae - Anita Pink Sandals

I love pink for spring. And these bright pink open back sandals are a fun statement shoe. You can wear these with more neutral colors on top. Jeans, simple neutral palate dress or skirt, and these shoes add all the color and fun. Plus the chunky block heel looks quite comfy. I own some Nat sneakers that I found in Barcelona and I adore them. Nae is a great brand to browse. Check out these Anita Pink Sandals here.

I also love these Nae white lace-free sneakers here! Currently on sale.

#7 Matt & Nat Chili Nature Sandals

Another one from Matt & Nat that I love. These simple tan, faux leather slides would be cute with spring jeans and your fave white tee. Or pair with a casual sun dress. Check out these Chili Nature Slides.

#8 APL Sneakers

I think every spring season needs a pair of comfy and stylish, go anywhere sneakers. Sneakers that you could easily wear on an easy hike, a long walk, everyday errands and strolls around your favorite neighborhoods. These APL sneakers are perfect for travel, workouts, shopping, farmer's marketing and so much more.

I bought my first pair of APLs in October for my trip to Italy and they were the best! They kept my feet happy - and looking cute the entire trip. Here are some really great NEW APL colors for spring 2020. Sunbeam Yellow + Heather Gray. -- Damask + Midnight + White -- Black + White + Black

sunshine yellow apl sneakers — photo credit: APL

#9 Sydney Brown Circle Slide - Napa

This is a fun brand that I just discovered. I love their looks, including these classic slides in vegan leather. fun for a beach day, sunny lunch with friends or just hanging around the neighborhood. Check these Circle Slides out here.

#1 (part 2) More Rothy's Love.... Coral

One more Rote's shoe to share, because I love the pink options for spring. Coral pink, in a rounded toe. Check out Coral on Rothy's: Snag $20 off your Rothy's order with my link.

rote's flat in coral — photo credit: Rothy's

#10 TOM's Birch Canvas TRVL LITE

I love these cute little sneakers. They are vegan and have lightweight construction with sturdy support built in. If you are looking for a slip-on sneaker, these could be an option for you. This style comes in four colors too. Check out the Birch Canvas Travel Lite.

toms travel lite canvas sneakers — photo credit: TOMS

Well that's it! A few of my picks for some fresh new spring footwear. What did I miss? I'd love to hear your spring shoe favorites or fave brands in the comments!

Looking for more fashion + vegan product faves? Browse my store.

disclosure: all shoe photos are credit to the company website. Rothy's links contain affiliate credit + coupon via link. These are my unbiased / non sponsored reviews.

Oreo Pudding Parfait

February 13, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky 4 Comments

oreo pudding, chocolate and vanilla layers

This decadent, yet secretly sort've healthy, Oreo Pudding Parfait is a perfect treat when you crave some rich chocolate, comfort-food flavors. Layers of silky chocolate pudding mingle with Oreo cookie crumbles and a silky vanilla pudding layer. Creating a easy, cozy, chocolate meets vanilla, Oreo-inspired dessert.

This vegan dessert is power-packed with plant-based protein and naturally sweetened. And the best part is that you can whip this dessert up in minutes with minimal ingredients. Simply chill in the fridge and pull and serve when ready! This is a lovely, eye-catching make-ahead dessert to feed your favorite people.

And this Oreo Pudding Parfait dessert is perfect for Valentine's Day too!...

[Read more...]

Vegan Chick'n Salad

February 12, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky 2 Comments

Looking for fast, easy and delicious? This Vegan Chick'n Salad is the perfect way to whip up a flavorful, protein-packed lunch in just a few minutes. Prep this salad in the morning or the night before, then all you have to do to serve it is toast up your favorite bread, or tortilla or pita and fill it up with this delicious spread! This chick'n salad couldn't be simpler to make, check it out....

vegan chicken salad on french loaf for lunch

Easy Vegan Lunch

A long time ago, in a kitchen far far away, I used to love tuna salad. It was easy, flavorful and I could make it myself (as a kid!) with just a few ingredients. Extra celery, always always.

Well, flash forward to plant-based living and there are a bunch of ways to make a 'salad sandwich' without using animal products. A few of my faves include:

Chickpea Salad Sandwich - Similar to this chick'n salad sandwich recipe, only using chickpeas and no heating involved. Love this one.

Tofu "Egg" Salad Sandwich - This was one of the first blog recipes I posted, and it still holds up today. I like it served on soft, un-toasted sandwich bread.

And then there are these Curried "Eggy" Scramble Toasts using both tofu and chickpeas.

But today, it's all about Vegan Chick'n Salad..

The inspiration for this Vegan Chick'n Salad recipe comes from a food itemI used to buy at Whole Foods, back east. I don't think I've ever seen it out here in California, and I'm not totally sure that they still make it anywhere. But it was simply called vegan chicken salad. It came in the prepared foods section and you could usually find it right next to the non-vegan chicken salad, so you had to be careful which you grabbed!

It had tender cubes of vegan chick'n, seitan-based I believe. And then it was coated in a creamy sauce, a few minor crunchy veggies in there. I have made this recipe on my own for years, but I have never actually posted it! So today, I'm sharing it.

Store-Bought "Chick'n"

Many of the vegan 'chick'n' on the market is seitan-based, or a mix of seitan and soy. Beyond Meat used to have gluten-free chicken strips, but they pulled them off the market as they develop an even tastier version of plant-powder 'chicken.' You may have heard that their very limited, vegan KFC debut sold out in just a few hours.

But for this recipe, you can easily pull from what grocery store shelves already have available to you...

Vegan Chick'n Brands in Stores:

No Evil - This product is very hearty and dark in color. It is a bit tough, but flavorful. The ingredients are more minimal - and it is vital wheat gluten based.
Tofurky - This lightly seasoned option is quite tender upon cooking, and also has a light and peppery flavor already built into the chicken which will make your chick'n salad even more delicious. This was the brand I happened to use to make today's recipe.
Gardein - Gardein's chicken strips come frozen and are soy and wheat based.
DIY Seitan - I admit I have not made my own seitan in a looooong time. But it is always a great option if you want to take your recipe one step further into DIY. The great thing about homemade seitan is that it is usually very light and fluffy.
Tofu or Tempeh - You could also go a bit off the board and use firm tofu cubes or cubed tempeh for your chick'n salad.

french bread with chick'n salad for lunch — Vegan Chick'n Salad Sandwich, so easy! Just stuff and serve.

All the Crunchy Veggies, and more..

My absolute favorite part of any creamy chilled salad sandwich filling is all the crunch! Extra celery please. And I've even added a few optional spring onions to this recipe. But there are so many ways to jazz up this simple chick'n salad base. I love adding sweet ingredients like green apple, grapes or dried cranberries. Or try nuts for a bit of richness and texture. For creative add-ins, you could try..

Optional Vegan Chick'n Salad Add-ins to Try:

dried cranberries
halved red grapes
diced green apple
chopped walnuts or pecans
chopped radish
chopped green bell pepper
fresh herbs like dill
chopped carrot

And with that, enjoy this recipe!...

Print Recipe

5 from 4 votes

Vegan Chick'n Salad

This super easy and flavorful vegan chicken salad can quickly be made into a lunchtime meal! Loaded with crunchy veggies too.

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Total Time15

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: breakfast sandwich, celery, chicken, easy, lunch, salad sandwich, vegan

Servings:

Calories: 201kcal

Author: Kathy Patalsky

Cost: 5

Equipment

large soup pot
wooden spoon
mixing bowl

Ingredients

8 oz vegan chick'n chopped or cubed**
⅓ cup water
1-2 tablespoon olive oil
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ cup vegan mayo - plain vegenaise
2 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice apple cider vinegar works too
1 tablespoon maple or agave syrup optional
⅓ cup flat-leaf parsley finely chopped (or try dill!)
6-8 stalks celery finaly chopped
2 scallions chopped - optional
salt to taste

Instructions

Warm your large soup pot over high heat. Add the olive oil.
When oil is hot, add the vegan chick'n. Stir around in oil to being the lightly browning process. After about 2-3 minutes, turn heat to low and add the water. Quickly cover pot with lid and let sit on low heat for a minute. This allows the water/steam to tendeize the chick'n a bit. For extra moist chick'n, steam a bit longer with more water. Turn off heat, remove lid and transfer your chick'n to your mixing bowl.
Add the vegan mayo, mustard, pepper, lemon and optional agave/maple to the chick'n bowl. Toss well until the chick'n is coated. If desired, you can add the mayo more to taste - using more or less of it. but it will give your sandwich a lot of flavor, so don't skimp!
Next, fold in the celery, optional scallions and parsley. You could also try dill or another fave herb. Fold until everything is combined and coated. And the last step is to salt to taste. You can also add more pepper if desired.
Transfer your chick'n salad to a sealed fridge-safe container and allow to chill for at least an hour (longer is better). You can easily make this the night before serving.
Serve chilled. I like to add my salad to a toasted pita, warmed french loaf or even just scoop it up with some crackers. Leftovers should be consumed in 1-3 days.

Notes

**I used the Tofurky brand of vegan chick'n for this recipe, but many options are available. See full post for options.

Optional add-ins to try: dried cranberries, halved red grapes, chopped walnuts or pecans, chopped radish, fresh herbs like dill, chopped carrot.

Nutrition

Chocolate Chip Walnut Snack Muffins

February 6, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky 2 Comments

chocolate chip muffins on a baking sheet

These vegan Chocolate Chip Walnut Snack Muffins are simple and fluffy with flavors of vanilla and melty chocolate - a hint of cinnamon too. These muffins are perfectly caught between a snack and a dessert. You can easily eat these anytime of day. Pack one in a lunchbox or warm one up at tea time. If you love the a chocolate chip cookie flavor in the form of a fluffy muffin, this recipe is for you!...

[Read more...]

Birthday Post.

January 30, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky 6 Comments

Birthday girl. Birthday post. #January30. Reflecting a bit this week, as one does...

Birthday Girl.

It's nice to be able to celebrate milestones here on the blog. I love looking back over the years and reading my old life posts - like birthday posts - reflections and thoughts on my current state of living. Well, nothing too fancy today, just a simple copy + paste of my bday caption on Instagram. But I wanted to make sure it was shared here on HHL. So...

This is 39.

Though ok, these pics are a week old. Close enough. TODAY, #jan30, was in fact PJs all day, messy hair in a bun, warm tea mug in hand, kitty in lap. I’m not feeling 💯this week, so low key it was. Luckily, my fave vanilla-cinnamon #vegan bday cake from @sinnersandsaintsdesserts, courtesy of the husband, aka superhero and rockstar, did make an appearance. 🎂 so I ate cake in my PJs. Birthday accomplished.

But honestly, low key feels right after the past week/month 🌍🐨🏀 Even if you don’t live in LA or follow sports, the Kobe tragedy probably caught your attention, made you look up, hug the person standing right beside you, and just appreciate life. Every messy, beautiful, overwhelming piece of it. Each day I get to wake up and do me. Figure shit out. Dream, create, love and share. Mess up and try again. So that’s pretty great.

I guess the message that’s been lingering in my head all week...

Nothing is promised and every day, every year, every birthday is such a gift.

Sending you lots of bday love and light and happy thoughts. 💛✨ ~ K

Birthday post 2020, out. xo

saints and sinners vegan birthday cake — the BEST vegan cake from Sinners and Saints in LA

Yellow Cake Cupcakes

January 29, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky Leave a Comment

yellow cake cupcake with chocolate and sprinkles and a bite

One of my absolute favorite desserts, since I was a kid making cake with boxed mixes and plastic-container frostings, is yellow cake with chocolate frosting. And since it's my birthday week, I am in the mood to share these Yellow Cake Cupcakes with you guys!

These yellow cake cupcakes baked up so incredibly fluffy and perfect. They have a classic vanilla-y flavor, but a gorgeous golden yellow color to them. All that golden color without any eggs! Get the recipe ahead...

[Read more...]

Easy Veggie Chili

January 27, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky 1 Comment

Chili and cornbread is one of my favorite meals. Chili provides a delicious way for me to consume a few extra beans in my diet, and with this Easy Veggie Chili - some vegetables too!

This recipe packs 17g of plant-based protein per serving and 15g fiber. Six servings in one big pot. Or if you like big bowls of chili, like me, you get even more good stuff.

This vegan chili recipe contains beans, celery, garlic, tomato and of course so many warming cozy spices. You can easily whip up a pot of this chili in about a half hour. Dinner made easy. Get the recipe!..

[Read more...]

Vegan Buttermilk Biscuits

January 21, 2020 by Kathy Patalsky 5 Comments

I have been making a lot of biscuits lately and finally nailed down my personal favorite recipe. This recipe for Vegan Buttermilk Biscuits creates a fluffy, buttery biscuit with a flaky interior and lightly browned edges and top. Served warm from the oven with a pat of buttery spread and homemade jam, these biscuits are comfort food heaven. Whip them up in about twenty minutes!

vegan buttermilk biscuits in pan with floured tops — White Lily flour batch, - baked, about 11 minutes.

opened buttermilk biscuit, fluffy — Bob's Red Mill flour batch. Baked about 18 minutes, slightly larger in size.

jam on a vegan buttermilk biscuit — toppings: vegan butter + jam

Biscuit Memories

I have always been a biscuit lover. Let's go way back to the late 80's when dining at KFC was indeed a thing in our household. I would always dart right to the biscuits. I later remember my friends and I ball-girling one summer at a local tennis tournament and the sponsored meal of the day was KFC. We skipped the chicken and side dishes and snapped up more than our fair share of those biscuits. Extra honey packets.

I didn't grow up in the south, where biscuits are more a way of life rather than a yummy carb-filled side dish, but I do remember tasting a few exceptionally amazing biscuits in my childhood.

Another random biscuit memory. My sister and I were on our first solo trip to Disneyland. I must have been 17 and she was 19. by the end of a long day at the park, we sat down to watch Fantasmic. We were starving, but didn't want to spend like $40 or so on a real dinner. So I popped over to a nearby restaurant and saw biscuits on the menu. They were only like two bucks or something. Bargain! I snapped up a few servings, found some butter and honey packets and dinner was done. Ha.

See? I have a thing for biscuits. Vegan buttermilk biscuits, today...

buttermilk biscuits with strawberry jam spread — Fresh strawberry jam and vegan butter on warm biscuits, yes please!

Biscuit Recipes

In more recent years, here on the blog, I have played around with sweet potato biscuits (I can't wait to update that recipe soon!) and biscuit topping on my favorite creamy cashew veggie pot pie. And some popeye biscuits too. But until this post, I never really dove into researching all the in's and out's of creating the perfect biscuits. The perfect vegan buttermilk biscuit!

The Best Flour for Biscuits

Biscuit flour has a bit of a cult following. A bit of googling and you will find a brand called "White Lily." White Lily has a reputation for being the 'only' way to make true southern biscuits. So obviously, I hopped on Amazon and ordered some White Lily self-rising flour. I chose the unbleached variety. Self-rising flour really just means that the baking powder, baking soda and salt is already in the flour, so you don't need to add those extra steps.

I go more into the differences in flour varieties for biscuits in this post. So for now, I will just say this. to make amazing vegan buttermilk biscuits, you do not need to use White Lily. But it definitely helps to use a fine variety of flour - such as Bob's Red Mill unbleached white fine pastry flour - the brand I use and have tested this recipe with. You absolutely still get that fluffiness, but spoiler alert, in my preference, I actually prefer Bob's to White Lily. My husband preferred White Lily - so taste preferences may shift.

tall buttermilk biscuit in pan — This was a White Lily Flour batch

8 Biscuit Making Tips

There are a few key tips for these biscuits. I learned most of these tips from a lot of internet research, and a few from my own common sense and baking preferences...

Use a Tall Biscuit Cutter - You could get away with a basic circle cookie cutter, but my preference for "sky high" biscuits is to find a tall biscuit cutter. I went to two baking stores before I found one that worked for me. I found mine at Williams & Sonoma. But this one from Amazon looks quite similar - and a tiny bit less expensive too. I like tall cutter so that you can stack the dough as high as you want.
Use COLD Vegan Butter - Cold butter is a must! You do not want it melting before you start folding your dough together. Cold, cut in butter created that buttery, flaky texture we all crave.
Use a Pastry Cutter for Ease in Adding Butter - A pastry/dough cutter makes biscuit making so much easier than cutting the butter separately and adding it to the flour. The pastry blender cuts the flour and butter together in just a few minutes with minimal butter melting. OXO sells one on Amazon.
Don't Twist Your Biscuit Cutter on the Way Up - When cutting out your biscuits into rounds try to simply press down and lift up. Twisting can seal off the edges, missing out on those flaky, fluffy layers. don't have a biscuit cutter? You can cut square biscuits with a butter knife - or try using a round glass.
Don't Overwork Your Dough - Huge mistake I used to make when making biscuits. I would knead the dough before bringing everything together for cutting. Kneading the dough not only melts the butter from handling, but it activates more gluten which you don't want for biscuits. This isn't bread. You do not want chewy biscuits. For vegan buttermilk biscuits you want buttery, flaky, fluffy. I really try to lightly stir my dough in my mixing bowl, then plop it onto my floured work surface, fold the dough over just a few times, gently press down and cut. No "kneading" in this process.
Vegan Butter vs. Shortening - There is both vegan butter and vegan shortening these days. Using butter absolutely creates a buttery flavor. If you don't like an overly buttery flavor, I would experiment with using half butter and half shortening. Or all shortening, if you prefer. It really comes down to your taste preferences.
Don't Overbake.... Unless you like that sort of thing.. - Biscuits bake in about 10-15 minutes, easily. My first batch, I kept them in for about 18 minutes because I was afraid of wimpy, undercooked biscuit dough, but I found the edges to be just a tad bit over-browned and crispy. My next few batches the tops were prefect. Just lightly golden, fluffy through the center. BUT, I actually kinda like crispy edges on biscuits, so if I'm making these just for me, I will slightly overcook them. But figure out what you like for your own perfect baking time.
Bake Touching - One more thing. When adding your biscuits to your baking sheet, don't use spacing. Allow them to gently touch. This helps them rise.

My Perfect Vegan Buttermilk Biscuits

I served these with some homemade strawberry jam. Then later, I used them to make vegan sausage and cheese breakfast biscuits. And of course these biscuits would go so well with mushroom gravy, or served with just about any soup recipe. I adore having this new easy baked good in my baking arsenal. Nothing is more impressive than being able to whip up homemade buttermilk biscuits in under twenty minutes.

I hope you enjoy these fluffy little things!

Print Recipe

4 from 3 votes

Vegan Buttermilk Biscuits

These easy, vegan biscuits bake up fluffy and light with a tender texture and buttery flavor. Perfect as a side dish or breakfast sandwich maker.

Prep Time8

Cook Time12

Course: bread

Cuisine: American

Keyword: almond butter, baking, biscuit, bread, side, vegan

Servings:

Calories: 140kcal

Author: Kathy Patalsky

Cost: 5