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Something Happy. Pregnancy Announcement.

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santa monica beach sunset

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
ivf needles and embryo pregnancy news

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

Healthy Happy Baby:

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

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kale pesto pasta

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

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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

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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.

pantry friendly meal round-up

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.

hummus veggie sandwich

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 with beans pantry meal

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.

mac and cheese baked vegan spoonful

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.

015PEANUT-BUTTER-CURRY-CHOCKPEA-QUINOA-EASYentree.png

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.

peanut tofu soba noodles

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.

speedy sweet potato soup

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.

mushroom toast

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.

farro casserole dish

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.

spinach enchiladas
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.

IMG_7141SPICY-SOBA-NOODLES.png

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.

bolognese lentil pasta

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.

buffalo chickpeas
buffalo chickpeas

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.

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.

ttla sandwich

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.

red curry tofu

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.

beans on toast

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!

african peanut chickpeas
african peanut chickpeas

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.

senate bean soup

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.

bean salad

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.

tomato soup and grilled cheese vegan

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.

mushroom risotto skillet

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.

best-recipe-12creamy-tomato-pasta-vegan.png

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.

pesto pasta in bowl

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.)

cozy potato soup

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

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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:

my cookbooks

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.

cali avocado farmer

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.

da francesco rome
vegan pasta in rome

8. Get Social. Online + In Person.

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.

instagram profile

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.

12. Start Your Own Blog or Social Channel

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.

Kathy and a snail

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
new vegans pin

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

vegan recipes

More Vegan Topics to Browse:

11 Tips for Working From Home

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kathy patalsky blogging computer

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.

blogging work

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.

working with laptop kathy pin

Green Crunch 'n 'Cado Sandwich

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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!...

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The Minimalist Vegan: Healthy Happy Leaders

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masa of the minimalist vegan

I am so excited to chat with Maลกa 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. Maลกa of The Minimalist Vegan!

I first "met" Maลกa and her husband Michaelย 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!....

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True Botanicals Review - Clean Skincare

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true botanicals products

*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 organโ€”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.

Rainbow Smoothies
Rainbow Smoothies

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 SAFEยฎ 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.

true botanicals skin care

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...

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 skinโ€”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 insidesโ€”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!

pin for true botanicals review

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

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Food Photography Backgrounds

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..

banana cream pudding
banana cream pudding

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..

veggie vegan chili in pot

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.

Vegan Chick'n Salad

Fabrics Layered

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

red curry tofu

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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

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Chewy Peanut Butter Banana Flapjacks close-up stack

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!...

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Lemon-Parmesan Garlic Snap Pea Pasta

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Lemon-Parmesan Garlicky Pasta

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!...

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My Ruggable Review

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kella off white rug with kitty cats

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...

kella ruggable rug, 5 x 7

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 ๐Ÿ™‚

Banana French Toast

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banana french toast breakfast

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!....

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Vegan Pecan Pie

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vegan pecan pie

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.

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10 Vegan Shoes for Spring 2020

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10 Vegan Shoes for Spring 2020

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.

photo credit: 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.

photo credit: 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.

Matt & Nat Chili Nature Sandals
photo credit: Matt& Nat

#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

photo credit: APL
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.

Sydney Brown

#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

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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!...

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Vegan Chick'n Salad

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vegan chick'n salad sandwich on bread for lunch, turquoise plate

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....

french bread for sandwiches
vegan chicken salad in a bowl
vegan chicken salad on french loaf for lunch
close up of chick'n salad with celery

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.

chick'n salad on french bread

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!...

vegan chicken salad sandwich
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 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: breakfast sandwich, celery, chicken, easy, lunch, salad sandwich, vegan
Servings: 4
Calories: 201kcal
Author: Kathy Patalsky
Cost: 5

Equipment

  • large soup pot
  • wooden spoon
  • mixing bowl

Ingredients

  • 8 oz vegan chick'n chopped or cubed**
  • โ…“ cup water
  • 1-2 tablespoon olive oil
  • ยผ teaspoon black pepper
  • ยผ 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
  • โ…“ 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

Calories: 201kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 471mg | Potassium: 211mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 750IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg

Chocolate Chip Walnut Snack Muffins

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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!...

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Birthday Post.

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kathy patalsky birthday 39

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...

pastel rainbow color palette
mood.
kathy patalsky black and white smile

This is 39.

Though ok, these pics are a week old. Close enough. TODAY,ย #jan30, was in fact PJs all day, messy hair in a bun, warm tea mug in hand, kitty in lap. Iโ€™m not feeling ๐Ÿ’ฏthis week, so low key it was. Luckily, my fave vanilla-cinnamonย #veganย bday cake fromย @sinnersandsaintsdesserts, courtesy of the husband, aka superhero and rockstar, did make an appearance. ๐ŸŽ‚ so I ate cake in my PJs. Birthday accomplished.

But honestly, low key feels right after the past week/month ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿจ๐Ÿ€ Even if you donโ€™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 thatโ€™s pretty great.

I guess the message thatโ€™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. ๐Ÿ’›โœจ ~ Kย 

Birthday post 2020, out. xo

kathy patalsky sitting in a dress
saints and sinners vegan birthday cake
the BEST vegan cake from Sinners and Saints in LA

Yellow Cake Cupcakes

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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...

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Easy Veggie Chili

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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!..

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Vegan Buttermilk Biscuits

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open biscuit with jam and butter

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
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
reaching for a biscuit

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!

stacked buttermilk biscuits

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...

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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!

vegan buttermilk biscuits
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 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Course: bread
Cuisine: American
Keyword: almond butter, baking, biscuit, bread, side, vegan
Servings: 10
Calories: 140kcal
Author: Kathy Patalsky
Cost: 5

Equipment

  • biscuit cutter
  • pastry/dough cutter
  • mixing bowl
  • baking sheet

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoon vegan butter cold
  • 1 cup soy milk unsweetened, cold - just under one cup measured
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 2 cups pastry flour unbleached

Also

  • flour for work surface
  • 1 tablespoon vegan butter melted - optional for brushing tops

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Measure out just under one cup of soy milk. To be exact, ยพ cups plus 3 Tbsp. Then briskly stir the 2 tablespoon lemon juice into the milk. Set this mixture aside for a few minutes to allow it to thicken.
  • While the 'buttermilk' thickens, add the flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder to a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
  • Remove the vegan butter from the fridge - so that it is as cold as can be - and measure out six tablespoons. Plop the vegan butter into the mixing bowl. Using your pastry cutter, cut the butter into the flour. You want tiny bits so that the flour is lumpy and the butter combined into the mix. You don't want to overwork the butter to melt it - just cut briskly to get it into little chilled bits. This flour mixture will be lumpy from the butter.
  • Give your vegan buttermilk a brisk stir. Measure out one cup and pour into the center of the flour bowl. Using a large spoon - I like to use a wooden spoon - gently stir to combine the liquid and the flour. Fold just until you have a nice lumpy, wet dough and there is no more dry flour to be seen.
  • Sprinkle a generous amount of flour on your work surface. Then plop the dough on top. Sprinkle a light dusting of flour over the dough. Pat down the dough to about ยฝ inch thick, then fold the dough over a few time and pat down again - to about ยฝ - 1 inch - depending on how tall you want your biscuits. Note: Thicker biscuits will yield a smaller quantity.
  • Cut your biscuits out with a 2" biscuit cutter. Cut by pushing down and pulling straight up - no twisting. transfer biscuit to baking sheet. Repeat until all the dough is used up. You will need to reform the dough a few times before using all of it. Optional: Melt the additional tablespoon of butter and brush tops of biscuits with it, using a pastry brush. Warning, this really bumps up the "buttery" flavor so use with caution! I actually don't prefer the extra butter tops, but it does create a smoother top with nice browning too. Tip: Try doing half and half your first batch and see what you prefer.
  • Place the biscuits in the 450 degree oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes - depending on size and how browned you like the edges. As soon as you see slight browning on the edge the biscuits are done. Add a few minutes if you like slightly crispy tops and bottoms. Or remove promptly for softer edges.
  • Serve right away or store in the fridge, in a sealed bag or container, for up to two days. For longer storage, store in the freezer.

Notes

Self-Rising Flour Sub: If you want to substitute self-rising flour, simply use 2 cups of self-rising flour (such as White Lily brand) and omit the added baking powder, soda and salt in this recipe.
The flour brand I used in this recipe: Bob's Red Mill unbleached pastry flour.ย 
See additional biscuit-making tips in the body of this post.

Nutrition

Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 297mg | Potassium: 237mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 371IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 1mg

disclosure: this post contains Amazon affiliate links

Best Biscuit Flour? White Lily vs. Bob's Red Mill.

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biscuit flours white lily vs bob's red mill

In my new Vegan buttermilk Biscuits recipe, spoiler alert, I used Bob's Red Mill unbleached pastry flour. But I absolutely tested that recipe a few different ways and with specifically, two different flours. Including the famous White Lily brand. The results: they both created delicious biscuits with a few subtle differences. I'm excited to share my views with you today...

Best Biscuit Flour Consensus

Do a little research online about how to make the best, authentically-southern biscuits and a 'flour brand war' will start raging.

"You can't use just any flour," is what most experts agree. And I generally agree on this as well.

But some biscuit experts agree that specific brands yield the best biscuits. One very popular/infamous biscuit flour brand is White Lily...

White Lily Brand Gets Rave Reviews

SouthernKitchen.com says, "Ask any Southern chef or sagacious biscuit grandma and youโ€™ll hear a pattern emerge: they all swear byย White Lily flour."

However, one contrasting viewpoint comes in this article on NPR.org, that says maybe the flour isn't as important as everyone has always said. A common all-purpose flour could maybe, maybe work just as well. Chef Carla Hall said they did a little test in their kitchen, "..(made biscuits) with each type of flour and, surprisingly, the hard wheat flour won for both."

Do you Need Special Flour for Biscuits?

So maybe this whole "special flour for biscuits" thing is just a myth? Nah. I think any baker knows that flour does matter when baking. Using the 'right' flour for cakes, muffins, breads and biscuits definitely has impact on the finished product. But the real mystery comes in answering, what does it mean to be the "best biscuit."

What Makes a Biscuit, the "best?"

I have to agree with the southern grandmas on this one. I do think that special, lower-gluten flour makes the best biscuits. And by "best" I mean super fluffy and light and melt-in-your-mouth buttery.

All Purpose Flour?

I used to make biscuits using only all-purpose flour and they definitely had a chewier texture and less fluffiness. Still delicious, but I do prefer a finer, lighter flour for biscuits.

But again, everyone has different tastes, and today I'm just sharing mine.

white lily biscuits
White Lily biscuits
Bob's Red Mill pastry flour biscuits
Bob's Red Mill biscuits

White Lily vs. Bob's Red Mill Pastry Flour

Once I found a recipe I liked, I tested my biscuits using both brands. One note, the White Lily version I used was the unbleached self-rising flour. Which meant that it did have the salt and baking soda/powder built in. My Bob's was not self-rising, so I added those ingredients myself.

I quite liked adding my own ingredients because I was able to choose the quality and brands. I used my fave pink salt and an aluminum-free baking powder.

Bob's says about their flour, "Our Fine Pastry Flour is milled from soft white wheat with a low protein content, making it ideal for tender baked goods."

White Lily says, "Made From 100% Soft Winter Wheat and is a Southern tradition since 1883."

The Results

The results were pretty clear. The White Lily flour absolutely baked up a spongy, fluffy, flaky, very tender biscuit. While the Bob's flour baked up an equally fluffy biscuit, with just a bit more nuttiness and oomph in the dough. Less cake-like in my opinion.

Split Results! I preferred the Bob's Red Mill, non-rising flour route, while my husband preferred the ultra-soft and light White Lily biscuits.

The Bottom Line

I personally think that biscuits are at their best when you use a fine pastry-type flour like White Lily or Bob's Pastry flour. BUT, all-purpose flour is absolutely an option.

I actually think that your technique when making biscuits is just as - if not, more - important than the flour you use. And I talk techniques and tips in this post: Vegan Buttermilk Biscuits.

Do your Own Test!

White Lily and Bob's product pages on their websites.

You can also purchase them on Amazon: White Lily and Bob's.

Happy biscuit baking!

vegan biscuit with butter and jam

disclosure: this post contains Amazon affiliate links

14 Cool Things in the 2020 VegNews Veggie Awards

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2020 veggie awards pink

Happy 2020 everyone! Sorry I have been mia the past few weeks, but I'm eager to start sharing my 2020 adventures with you all. I have been off social media for a bit - posting, not viewing, ha - and I was so thrilled when I popped on to see that VegNews launched their 2020 Veggie Awards.

I love the Veggie Awards because it offers everyone an easy way to browse all that the world of vegan offers! From food to restaurants to fashion and blogs. When you vote, you will enter to win prizes, but you will also learn something new about the very wide (and getting wider everyday) world of plant-based.

And yes, even I learn new things + products! So here are my 14 Cool Vegan Things in the 2020 VegNews Veggie Awards .....

[Read more...]

Maple Peanut Butter Cookies

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peanut butter cookies on a cooling rack

These tender and chewy Maple Peanut Butter Cookies are easy to whip up when you are craving cookies. These are the perfect cookies to leave Santa Claus, or whoever your fave cookie-eating person might be.

Maple-Sweetened Peanut Butter Cookies

I love these cookies because they are sweetened with a golden amber maple syrup. Maple syrup is a natural sweetener that is rich in minerals such as zinc, magnesium and even calcium. Choose a dark amber maple syrup for the most health benefits. Maple syrup that is dark used to be called 'grade B,' but is sometimes just labeled 'dark amber' these days.

peanut butter cookies with milk and pink background

Peanut Butter Health Benefits

Peanut butter is one of those foods that, unless you are allergic, you probably love. Not only is peanut butter super versatile to have in your kitchen, but it is something delicious that is also good for you. Peanut butter is rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals, healthy fats and protein. Two tablespoons contain about 8g or plant-based protein - the most in any nut. Well, I should say 'nut.' Peanuts are actually not a nut, they are a legume.

diagonal cookies on a pink background

Cookies for Santa

One of my favorite memories of Christmas morning as a kid was waking up, running to my stocking, hung over our 1970's-style yellow-tiled fireplace, and plucking my stocking - overflowing with little goodies. Then out of the corner of my eye, on the edge of the fireplace, the plate of cookies and milk we left out for "Santa" would magically be eaten. Nothing but one swig of milk and a few crumbs of cookies left.

And even as I grew older - like the wise old age of seven - and knew that Santa Claus was in fact, well you know.. I still felt a bit of Christmas magic seeing those nibbled cookies. I actually loved picturing a fictional conversation between my mom or dad - figuring out who was going to eat the cookies. Was it always my dad? Or did my mom's sweet tooth snag the cookies. Did they really drink the milk that had been left out for a few hours or did they pout a bit down the drain? Mysteries I never found out and quite frankly, don't really ever want to know the answers to.

close up of peanut butter cookies on pink background

Whatever your holiday plans, I hope you find some magic in this time of year - no matter what you celebrate, who you are with or where you are. I'm sending you lots of love and plenty of freshly-baked Maple Peanut Butter Cookies this holiday season.

Oh, and don't forget to check out my "Best of 2019" recipe round-up!

maple peanut butter cookies with a glass of soy milk on a pink surface
maple peanut butter cookies
Print Recipe
4.64 from 11 votes

Maple Peanut Butter Cookies

Tender and chewy peanut butter cookies that are naturally sweetened with maple syrup, vegan recipe.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Total Time22 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baking, christmas cookies, holiday, maple syrup, peanut butter, snacks, vegan
Servings: 16 cookies
Calories: 174kcal
Author: Kathy Patalsky
Cost: 5

Equipment

  • baking sheet
  • mixing bowl
  • mixer

Ingredients

Wet:

  • ยพ cup peanut butter
  • ยพ cup maple syrup dark amber
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ยผ cup vegan butter
  • ยฝ cup applesauce

Dry:

  • ยฝ teaspoon baking soda
  • ยผ teaspoon salt
  • โ…› teaspoon cinnamon optional
  • 1 โ…“ cups all purpose flour

Coating:

  • flour or sugar

Instructions

  • Add all the wet ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Beat on high until smooth and fluffy.
  • Add in the salt, baking soda and optional cinnamon. Then add in ยฝ cup of the flour and beat to combine. Add in aother ยฝ cup of the flour. Beat. Then finally the last โ…“ cup of flour. Beat until fluffy and smooth for about a minute.
  • Place the dough in the fridge to chill for at least a half hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat.
  • Remove the dough from the fridge and spoon into small balls. Lightly flour your hands - or use a sparkly fine sugar - and roll the dough into balls. The flour or sugar will help keep the dough from stucking to your hands. Repeat until all the dough is rolled and placed.
  • Using a fork, crimp hashtag designs in the center of the cookies as you press them down to flatten.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes - depending on the size of the cookies. When cookies are done they will be puffed out and slightly darker in color. Remove the cookies from the oven, and cool on a cooling rack for at least five minutes before serving. Store leftovers for up to one day on the counter - or up to a week in the fridge.

Notes

For slightly cake-ier cookies, add ยผ cup of flour to the dough.

Nutrition

Calories: 174kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 151mg | Potassium: 129mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 135IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg
pin for peanut butter cookies
peanut butter cookies and milk

Top Recipes of 2019

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top recipes 2019

As 2019 draws to a close, it's time to look back on all the recipes I've posted this past year! In case you missed anything, now is a great time to catch up. Here are my Top 31 Recipes of 2019 - and a bit of reflection...

2019.

This past year I made some big blog changes, switching to WordPress from Blogger. There was my 20th high school reunion. I completed a year-long program for a certificate in screenwriting at UCLA and met some amazing people, and produced some really satisfying scripts along the way. And I continued posting recipes and personal stories here on the blog. Then I travelled to Italy. And of course, I played with my kitty cats. I nurtured my mind, body and spirit. Learned to love myself a little more.

And much like any year in life, I learned a bit more about myself. My values, strengths, weaknesses and goals.

As we splash into 2020, a brand new decade, I hope to bring with me lots of love, light, hope, friendship, creative goals, happiness goals and just a lot of self love and confidence too.

If anything, this past year, probably more than ever, I have learned to be on my own side. In saw a quote on Instagram that really spoke to me with this...

"I am on my side: each day I am more and more on my side."

- unknown

Who + What Gets Your Energy?

How I spend my energy will be a big theme for 2020. From creative projects to relationships.

I want to spend my energy on positive things, happy things, soul-nurturing relationships and satisfying work projects. As I look back on my life, I don't regret anything, but I have learned that I need to speak up for myself more. I think my late 30's have taught me that most of all! To not only think my needs, but speak them.

Voice my goals, needs, wants. That's the only way any action can happen.

So speak your needs in 202. And find your people + work environments + projects - things that make you feel whole, on fire with hope and satisfaction. Work and people that bring out your light, your energy, your talent and brilliance. Make you feel like -- you. There is no reason to waste any energy feeling less than fabulous in life. (Easier said than done, but wanting that for yourself is half the battle.)

Life is too short to waste it on people and projects that make you feel less than, unappreciated or broken.

And now, the good stuff. My most popular posts of the year! (Note: this ranking method obviously always gives favoring to posts that were done earlier in the year.)

Recipe Trends 2019

So the trends I noticed from my posts last year: beans, bowls, cake baking, comfort food!..

Who knows what 2020 will bring. Maybe sweet potatoes will make another comeback - Today show thinks so. I guess I'll just have to wait and see! Any special requests? Let me know in the comments!

Top 31 Recipes of 2019

  1. Coconut Curry Rice Bowl
  2. Vegan Birthday Cake
  3. West African Peanut Chickpeas
  4. Pesto + Parm Pasta e Fagioli
  5. Buddha Bowl
  6. Vegan Glazed Donuts
  7. Ridiculously Creamy Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo
  8. Easy Vegan Chili
  9. Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
  10. Wacky Chocolate Cake
  11. Sunny Day Tofu Sandwich
  12. Banana Cream Pudding
  13. Cowgirl Baked Beans
  14. Speedy Peanut Seitan Rice Bowl
  15. Potato Tempeh Bacon Mushroom Salad
  16. Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream
  17. Softy Chocolate Chip Cookies
  18. Wild Blueberry Pumpkin Seed Smoothie
  19. Smoothie Oatmeal
  20. Chunky Veggie Pasta Sauce
  21. Cinnamon Soy Latte
  22. Pine Nut Pesto
  23. Toasty Pumpkin Chickpea Fritters (recipe revamp)
  24. The Best Green Bean Casserole
  25. Banana Pancakes
  26. Garlic Herb Cheeseball
  27. Winter Veggie Stew
  28. Walnut Sticky Buns
  29. Soft Sweet Potato Rolls
  30. Grilled Cheese Italiano
  31. Caesar Salad

Recipe Photos...

  1. Coconut Curry Rice Bowl
coconut curry chickpea rice
coconut curry rice bowl

2. Vegan Birthday Cake

vegan birthday cake
vegan birthday cake

3. West African Peanut Chickpeas

african peanut chickpeas
african peanut chickpeas

4. Pesto + Parm Pasta e Fagioli

Pasta e Fagioli

5. Buddha Bowl

buddha bowl
buddha bowl

6. Vegan Glazed Donuts

vegan donuts
vegan donuts

7. Ridiculously Creamy Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo

vegan alfredo sauce
vegan alfredo sauce

8. Easy Vegan Chili

easy vegan chili
easy vegan chili

9. Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

chocolate chip banana bread
chocolate chip banana bread

10. Wacky Chocolate Cake

wacky chocolate cake
wacky chocolate cake

11. Sunny Day Tofu Sandwich

tofu sandwich
tofu sandwich

12. Banana Cream Pudding

banana cream pudding
banana cream pudding

13. Cowgirl Baked Beans

Cowgirl Baked Beans
Cowgirl Baked Beans

14. Speedy Peanut Seitan Rice Bowl

seitan rice bowls

15. Potato Tempeh Bacon Mushroom Salad

potato tempeh avocado salad

16. Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream

strawberry ice cream cone

17. Softy Chocolate Chip Cookies

chocolate chip cookies

18. Wild Blueberry Pumpkin Seed Smoothie

blueberry pumpkin seed smoothie
blueberry pumpkin seed smoothie

19. Smoothie Oatmeal

smoothie oatmeal
smoothie oatmeal

20. Chunky Veggie Pasta Sauce

marinara sauce chunky

21. Cinnamon Soy Latte

cinnamon latte
latte

22. Pine Nut Pesto

pine nut pesto

23. Toasty Pumpkin Chickpea Fritters (recipe revamp)

24. The Best Green Bean Casserole

green bean casserole

25. Banana Pancakes

banana pancakes

26. Garlic Herb Cheeseball

garlic herb cheese ball

27. Winter Veggie Stew

Winter Veggie Stew

28. Walnut Sticky Buns

29. Soft Sweet Potato Rolls

sweet potato rolls

30. Grilled Cheese Italiano

grilled cheese italiano

31. Vegan Caesar Salad

And that's it! Those are my Top Recipes of 2019. Thank you so much for being here and continuing to check in with my blog and hopefully gain some amazing new recipes from it. I am so excited for the next decade of HHL! xoxo ~ Kathy

ps. I would love to hear what your fave recipe of 2019 was! Here or otherwise!

Winter Veggie Stew

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Winter Veggie Stew with white cloth

The dinner I have made the most this season is this Winter Veggie Stew. It is my go-to soup recipe for these chilly winter months. Warming, a bit rustic and fast and easy to whip together. I serve a big bowl of this soup with a side of freshly baked crusty bread and dinner is done.

Nourishing Veggie Stew

This Winter Veggie Stew is super nourishing and perfect for when you feel like your immune system is dragging a bit. With garlic, onion, spices and a cozy broth, this soup packs a feel good punch!

This Winter Veggie Stew is filled with a variety of veggies like carrots, spinach, parsley, celery, potato and onion. Plus it contains a protein-boosting ingredient.

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Disney's Frozen 2 + Dole Recipes

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blue snowstorm smoothie

*disclosure: This post is sponsored by DOLE

One of my most anticipated movie releases this winter: Disney's Frozen 2.

Also exciting, how Disney and Dole have collaborated up for a healthy eating campaign to help kids and families eat more fruits and veggies.

Today, I am sharing a few wintery, healthy-delicious recipes with you guys! All plant-based, all infused with a little Disney magic. Plus, enter to win a jam-packed Dole + Disney's Frozen 2 Prize Pack. Giveaway and recipes ahead..

[Read more...]

10 Cozy Christmas Gifts

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Today I'm sharing 10+ Cozy Christmas Gifts (You May Want to gift yourself).

With all the sales flying around it's impossible for a few deals and marketing ploys to not catch your internet-browsing eye. Well, if you're anything like me, you absolutely end up gifting yourself a few new things before Christmas even arrives! Well here are a few items that indeed, YES, I already bought myself. And wanted to pass on my finds to you...

Staying in this holiday season? Enjoying your twinkling tree, a mug of cocoa, holiday baking, holiday movies and your family and pets? Well me too! Yup. And you don't even have to be an introvert to enjoy a good cozy night in. Some basics are in order: PJs, a good movie, maybe a hot bath, snacks and a few other goodies. Looking for cozy? Or have some cozy-loving friends on your gift list? Here are my picks!...

10 Cozy Christmas Gifts

1 - PJs + Sleepwear

Every cozy night in needs cozy PJs. One of my favorite home and living brands, Parachute, recently started selling goodies like sleep shirts and PJs. This Gauze Sleep Shirt in Fog, Surplus or Slate, retails for $99 and looks classically divine. "With a button down crew neck, long sleeves and above-the-knee cut โ€“ our soft and airy nightshirt is a timeless staple piece."

Sleep Shirt by Parachute, photo credit: Parachute.com
Sleep Shirt by Parachute, photo credit: Parachute.com

I also love basically all the Pjs at Jcrew and Anthro.

2. OSEA Bath + Body Products

I love this vegan brand for both bath, face and body products. Some of my faves are the algae masks (white and red and my faves) and I love all their body oils. this Gigartina Bath Soak would be perfect on a cozy winter night in. Shop OSEA goodies.

photo credit: OSEA.com

3. Lighting - Salt Lamps

I put these on my Gift Lists like every year for good reason, I love them so much! I have them all around my house, like in every room and I just adore the soft pink-orange sunset flow that they give off. Levoit Salt Lamp with the bamboo base is my fave for gifting and for a large-sized salt lamp.

photo credit: Levoit

4. Mug of Cocoa or Tea

Every cozy event needs a warm mug. And my absolute fave mugs are by East Fork. We have them in pollen (yellow) and prune (deep purple). If you think spending $40+ on one mug is nuts, then ok. But seriously, these are forever mugs. Handmade and loaded with charm and coziness. I bought two and just bought two more because we use them nonstop for tea. They make perfect cocoa mugs too.

As for the cocoa or tea. Try this pretty tin of Relaxed Tea (a fave of mine). Or snag this recipe for my Cloud Coca.

pancakes with mugs
oat pancakes with east fork mugs

5. Buffy Bed Products

I discovered Buffy about a year ago when I tried their comforter. I fell in love. We currently use their duvet cover and loooooove it. The fibers they use are 100% vegan, made using eucalyptus trees. The material is super soft and environment-friendly.

How is eucalyptus fiber more earth-friendly than cotton?

"Eucalyptus is a renewable resource because it is cut when harvested instead of uprooted. This means the trees can regenerate naturally. Our eucalyptus comes from responsible forests in Austria. It consumes 10x less water than cotton to grow and is transformed into fiber through a closed-loop system that reuses 99% of solventsโ€”meaning itโ€™s made with virtually zero waste." - Buffy.com

6. Cozy Lounge Wear

One of my fave leggings: the space-dyed high-waisted leggings from Beyond Yoga. Tip: Order them like two sizes up! Seriously, they still fit, and they have an ultra cozy feel. Not too tight and perfect for lounging.

I also adore my Dreamy pants from J. Crew. They make a variety of them. But anything with 'dreamy' in the name will be cozy.

photo credit: Jcrew.com

7. Cuddly Throw

Must have Cozy Christmas Gift: a cozy blanket to cuddle under. There are so many on the market. We have a few by Parachute - the waffle blankies - and we adore them. If you want a throw size, just buy the "baby blankie!"

And I love this Make Me Organics Chunky Knit Cotton Throw. It is one of the few ones that seems to be organic, non-toxic and chemical free...

photo credit: Make Me Organics

8. Out and About

Cozy Christmas Gifts can also be for heading out in the world. If you absolutely need to leave the house, here are two of my favorite clothing items. Save the Duck puffer and my APL sneakers. Both vegan and super comfy, so you can stay cozy even out and about!

I also love a good scarf this time of year! Anthro has a bunch of cute ones, especially this Delaney scarf that's on sale.

And if you want some cozy, vegan lighter shoes, try vegan Rothy's flats. And for super premium coats and goodies, check out Vaute NYC. Like a Vaute Cardigan, oozing coziness.

  • photo credit: Anthro
  • photo credit: save the duck

9. Tv Upgrade? Go OLED!

Ok, so for the past ten years we have been watching TV on what I would describe as very average TVs. Our last flatscreen always looked a bit blurry! So finally, since there is just so much great television out there today, we upgraded to this LG OLED 55 C9. We were really cautious about spending so much on a TV. But oh my gosh, this thing is ah-mazing. Every movie we watch is like being in a movie theater. And even TV shows that I am re-watching seem brand new because of the amazing picture and sound. It's also super thin which is great if you hang it on a wall.

We kept saying "If we hate it, we'll just return it!" But of course, we love it. It stays.

And for all those TV watching snacks, snag a giant round (or hexagon) cutting board. And we just got Disney+ and I am loving it! We have already watched a few holiday movies, re-watched plenty of animated classics and National Geographic specials like the Titanic special. I also loved the Imagineering documentary.

LG OLED - We are obsessed with this amazing TV -- photo credit: LG

10. Monopoly (Board Games!)

Call me old fashioned, but I always break out a board game during the holidays. Cozy Christmas Gifts include all sorts of board games, but this Rustic Monopoly looks particularly fun. Oh and for the Disney folks, Frozen 2 Monopoly (for just $14.99 right now).

Monopoly - All time fave board game -- photo credit: Monopoly via Amazon
photo credit: Monopoly via Amazon


Cozy Christmas Gift ideas?

What do you love to give and receive this time of year for a cozy sort of mood?

cozy gifts
Cozy Christmas Gifts

disclosure: contains some affiliate links. Product photos are copyright the website featuring the product.

Gingerbread Men Cookies

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It's November, so that means holiday recipes are coming. It may be seventy-seven degrees today, but still, holiday recipes are coming. And right now we are obsessed with these Vegan Gingerbread Men Cookies.

They are pretty easy to make and are so perfect for nibbling as a snack, with tea or cocoa or after-dinner treat. You can frost or ice them, decorate them, or leave them a la natural. I love a thin layer of frosty icing and a face of some sort. And for faces? Sure! I like to make a few grumpy men too, because their little frowns are kinda cute.

These cookies are also perfect for gifting because they are sturdy and still delicious even after a few days. Plus, they are super cute! I will admit I don't go all 'Martha' when decorating my Gingerbread Men, but even still, they are pretty cute.

cashew smiles and frowns for my Gingerbread Men Cookies
large-seized copper cookie cutout
cutting the cookies out

Gather your Gingerbread Men Cookies ingredients...

..Must have ingredient: blackstrap molasses!

Molasses is what gives gingerbread that unique, sweet, earthy flavor and crunchy-chewy texture. I love this stuff because it is an excellent source of vegan iron. For optimal absorption of iron, consume with vitamin C. Think OJ or fresh fruit.

Gingerbread Men Cookies: Spices

I love my gingerbread cookies super spicy, so I add in a variety of ground spices. You could *just* use the pumpkin pie spice and be good to go! If you want to add more spices: ground cloves, ground ginger and even cardamom and cayenne are nice spices to play with. I adored my Pfefferneuse cookies because of all those spices.

I also added in a tiny bit of maca powder the first time I made these. A hint of a superfood. Again, totally optional. The small amount (1-2 tsp) doesn't change the consistency at all.

Frosting and icing options:

  • You can go super thick and creamy and use my fluffy cream cheese buttercream frosting. You can even dye this frosting different colors using natural ingredients like pitaya, matcha or beets!
  • Frosty icing glaze. This is what I did for these cookies and I really loved it. It goes on drippy, but firms up into a frosty sort of look that you can still apply 'toppings' to. Here is my basic recipe:

Frosty Glazed Cookie Icing:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar, organic
  • 2 tablespoon melted vegan butter
  • 1 tablespoon water

You just whisk everything together - very briskly - and pour over top the cookies. If you like a thicker glaze, add a few more spoonfuls of sugar to thicken things up.

Tip: I stick my Gingerbread Men Cookies in the freezer ten minutes before icing them. This way, the icing firms up on the cookies very swiftly.

I store frosted cookies in the fridge.

Q: "Shoot! I over-baked them!!!"

Ok, so this was me yesterday. I baked them for twenty minutes, lost track of time after hearing the oven buzzer go off, and then they sat in the HOT oven for another five minutes of so. When I pulled them out they were super crisp and dark brown on the edges. "Ruined!" I thought. Nope! Actually, the slightly over-baked cookies were really good! I loved the extra crisp texture. They seemed extra light and crisp. So, even though they may look ruined at first glance, those dark brown cookies are still totally edible. And yummy. (These pics were from my 'over-baked' batch. I made more for the video, they are a bit less toasty. ๐Ÿ™‚

Gingerbread Men Cookie Baking Times:

The general baking time for gingerbread men is 20 minutes. For softer, chewier, less crisp cookies, go for 15-18 minutes. For crisp cookies, 18-22 minutes. And for extra-crisp cookies: 22-25 minutes. Also hugely dependent on baking time is how thin you roll out your dough. I would say ยผ" is standard for a hearty cookie. Even thinner will help you get a crisper cookie. They will plump up very slightly in the oven, so take that into account.

So just how good are these cookies???

Well, I barely got a chance to photograph my first half-batch of iced+cooled cookies because we kept nibbling them ... and even nibbling the toppings off one of these guys, apparently. But I wanted to at least show how nicely the frosting cools to a snow-colored white frost....

when the icing dries in the fridge it turns opaque white like snow
Print Recipe
5 from 3 votes

Gingerbread Men

Vegan gingerbread cookies that are light and crispy, spiced and buttery. Optional glaze on top.
Prep Time50 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: christmas, christmas cookies, ginger, gingerbread, holiday, vegan
Servings: 20 cookies
Calories: 139kcal
Author: Kathy Patalsky

Equipment

  • Rolling Pin
  • gingerbread man cookie cutout
  • large mixing bowl

Ingredients

Wet:

  • ยฝ cup cane sugar organic
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • ยฝ cup vegan butter
  • โ…“ cup molasses
  • 1 flax egg 1 tablespoon ground flax seed + 3 tablespoon water
  • 3 tablespoon apple sauce

Dry:

  • 2 ยพ cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves optional
  • ยฝ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger optional
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • Additional: flour for rolling out dough
  • Toppings to decorate cookies with chocolate chips, cashewsโ€ฆ

Easy Icing:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar organic
  • 2 tablespoon vegan butter melted
  • 1-2 tablespoon water

Instructions

  • Add all the wet ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Beat until smooth.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and beat until a shiny dough forms.
  • Transfer the dough to a small bowl, cover, and place in the fridge for at least thirty minutes, or until the dough is cool enough to easily roll out. Overnight works too!
  • When you are ready to bake the cookies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Remove the dough from the fridge. Tear off a small round from the large piece and roll out on a lightly floured surface. Press out gingerbread man shapes using a cookie cutter. Transfer your cookies to the baking sheet. Repeat until all the cookies are created.
  • Bake cookies for 18-20 minutes at 350 degrees. You want them to be nice and crispy, but not burnt. If you want a softer, chewy cookie, you can bake for a few minutes less.
  • Remove cookies from the oven. Cool cookies on a cookie rack.
  • When cookies are cooled, place them in the freezer. (This helps when you apply the icing.)
  • Whisk together you icing. Start with 1 tablespoon water and add one or two more if needed. If you mess up and your icing thins too much, just add a few more spoonfuls of sugar. Whisk until the small clumps are mostly gone. Sifting the powdered sugar can help prevent clumps, but totally optional for aesthetics.
  • Pull out the cookies and place them back on the cooling rack, placing a baking sheet beneath the cooling rack โ€“ so when icing drips, it doesnโ€™t make a mess. Using a spoon, pour the icing over top the cookies. It should freeze in place nicely since the cookies are cool. Add any other accents to the cookies โ€“ eyes, smile, clothes, buttons, etc.
  • Serve or store cookies in the fridge until ready to serve.

Video

Notes

nutrition info is for unfrosted cookies

Nutrition

Calories: 139kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 98mg | Potassium: 127mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 216IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

Also check out my Glazed Gingerbread Cake.

Apple Cider Donuts

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apple cider donuts

I remember when I used to wander through the New York City greenmarket in fall and winter I'd always see stacks of plump Apple Cider Donuts. Wrapped in tidy little bags, all glittered with cinnamon and sugar. They looked so good! But since they weren't vegan, I never got to indulge in those fluffy little rounds. Well finally, I decided to whip up some Apple Cider Donuts of my own!...

apple cider donuts

Vegan Apple Cider Donuts

These fluffy, boldly flavored donuts taste like sweet apple cider, cinnamon spice and of course sparkly sugar on top. They are easy to whip up and pair deliciously with a warm mug of cocoa, tea, coffee or whatever your fave winter beverage happens to be.

vegan egg replacer

In my vegan donuts I usually use flax seed or a fruit-based egg replacer. In these donuts I used, what else, a fresh chopped apple. It worked very well!

How to get Bold Apple Cider Flavor

I always wondered how apple cider donuts actually tasted like apple cider. I mean, you couldn't just add say ยฝ cup of straight up cider and get anything more than a very muted apple flavor. so I figured that there must be some process of boiling down the cider - reducing it to intensify the flavor. With a quick bit of research, I indeed found that all the best apple cider recipes reduce the cider.

You can read Sally's Baking Blog to see how she indeed does reduce the apple cider for her Cider Donuts. Sally is such an amazing baker, so any tips she might have for cider donuts, I would certainly listen to!

So I took Sally's advice and took one and a half cups of apple cider and simmered it on the stove for about ten minutes - until it reduced to a half cup. They I used that in my recipe.

apple cider donuts

Cinnamon and Sugar

I used a vegan cane sugar, which has a medium-sized, sparkly crystal to it. You could also use coconut sugar, but you won't get that signature sparkly look to your cider donuts. Choose a sugar that is fine enough to stick to the donuts, but also has a nice crystal to it.

I used this cane sugar. I always choose organic sugars because they are almost always vegan.

apple cider donuts
apple cider donuts
apple cider donuts
Print Recipe
4.45 from 9 votes

Apple Cider Donuts

These fluffy, sugar and spice coated vegan donuts are perfect for the holiday season. Baked, not fried.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Total Time22 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: apple cider, apples, baking, christmas, cinnamon, donuts, holiday, vegan
Servings: 8 donuts
Calories: 230kcal
Author: Kathy Patalsky

Equipment

  • donut tin
  • blender
  • large mixing bowl
  • beater or whisk
  • pastry brush

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 ยฝ cups apple cider
  • ยผ cup walnuts
  • ยผ cup vegan butter softened
  • ยฝ cup apple chopped
  • ยผ cup soy milk + 2 Tbsp
  • 2 tablespoon coconut sugar or maple syrup optional
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:

  • 1 tso ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoon pumpkin pie or apple pie spice
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 ยผ cups spelt flour

Topping:

  • 2 tablespoon vegan butter melted
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 4 tablespoon vegan sugar

Greasing tin: oil or vegan butter

Instructions

  • Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease the insides of your donut tin using oil or butter.

Reducing the Apple Cider:

  • Pour the one and a half cups of cider into a small soup pot. Bring it to a bowl and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer on the stove for about ten minutes - or until it has reduced to one half cup.

Donut Batter:

  • Add all the wet ingredients to a blender - walnuts, apple, butter, soy milk, vanilla, cider and sugar - (you are using the reduced apple cider - ยฝ cup). Blend from low to high until mostly smooth. You want to smooth out the walnuts and apple.
  • Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and pie spice to a large mixing bowl. Slowly pour in the blended mixture as you either beat or whisk the batter. Whip the batter until fluffy.
  • Pour the donut batter into the donut rounds. Fill the donut tins just about to the top. You want a clean pour - no excess batter dripping over the edges. For perfect holes, make sure the center whole of the pan shows through.
  • Bake the donuts for about 12 minutes, or until fluffy and baked through. Allow the donuts to rest in the pan for a few minutes before carefully removing. Refill the pan with your excess batter and bake your remaining donuts.

Topping:

  • Combine the cinnamon and sugar in a small, wide bowl. Melt the butter.
  • Using your pastry brush, brush the top of your first donut, then dunk and swirl it in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Fully coat the tops. Coating the bottom and all sides is up to you, but will yield a sweeter flavor. Repeat with all the donuts. Serve warm!

Notes

  • Feel free to double the amount of sugar and cinnamon topping if you want very buttery and double coated donuts.
  • For the flour, spelt if advised because it has a nice hearty grain. You could experiment subbing with another hearty flour like oat or whole wheat - but a fine pastry flour will not be sturdy enough for this recipe.
  • I used Martinelli's apple cider - but any variety can be used.

Nutrition

Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 52mg | Potassium: 179mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 285IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 2mg

Love Donuts?

This donut recipe was based off of my Glazed Vegan Donuts...

glazed vegan donuts

Red Curry Tofu

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This vegan Red Curry Tofu has a warmly spiced, bright and fragrant flavor of red curry, accented with coconut milk and hint of peanut. Pair these fluffy bites of tofu with some white or brown rice and you have a nourishing anytime meal.

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Garlic Herb Cheese Ball

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garlic herb cheese ball

I love a good cheese ball around the holidays! And this Garlic Herb Cheese Ball, made using vegan ingredients, garlic, lemon and fragrant dried herbs is one worthy of a holiday party or simple anytime snacking.

cheese and crackers appetizer
creamy and rich, yet light and fluffy
walnut crusted cheese ball
happy cat under the tree
Mr. White is certainly enjoying his Christmas tree.

Holiday Appetizer

Super easy to make, this recipe for my vegan Garlic Herb Cheese Ball comes together in about a half hour and requires no baking, just a quick blend to whip things to fluffy, cheesy perfection - and a bit of chill time.

Stack some crackers or veggie sticks on your serving plate and enjoy the cheese ball fun. This cheese ball goes perfectly with fancy "cheese platter" type ingredients like:

Cheese Platter Ingredients to Try:

  • fancy olives
  • dried fruit
  • apple slices
  • aged cashew cheese
  • crackers
  • marcona almonds
  • grapes
  • whole satsumas, leaves and stems in tact
  • pretzels
  • salted mixed nuts
  • sourdough or crostini
garlic herb cheese ball
vegan cheese ball

How to Roll a Cheese Ball:

It's actually a pretty easy process! First, make sure your cheese ball mixture is well chilled. I actually pop mine in the freezer for ten minutes or so to really firm things up. If you are finding that your mixture is just too wet, you can always try folding in more cheese shreds or even another pinch of the dried herbs. but really, it should be good to go after chilling. Then you oil-coat your hands and roll into a ball. The final step is to roll the ball in your chopped nuts. Chill again to set and serve!

garlic herb cheese ball
party approved cheese ball

How good is this cheese ball?

Well, let's just say that I had one bite and then an hour later I was coming back for more and basically devoured half this ball and some of my fave rye crisps and veggie sticks for lunch. Cheese ball for lunch? Sure!

Garlic Herb Cheese Ball Flavors..

The creamy cheese flavor has a mild accent of salty Parmesan. Then the delicate Italian herbs come through in every bite, and a richness from the EVOO. And then all that dense creaminess is brightened up by the addition of lemon juice and pepper.

So yeah..... to answer that question: SO GOOD!

Party approved. TV binge-watching night approved. Anytime approved.

Which vegan cream cheese to use?

I just happen to have Tofutti on hand, so that is the brand I used. I also chose this brand because I know how thick and firm the texture is - which is helpful when making a cheeseball. For eating plain, such as on bagels, I love Kite Hill's cream cheese. But Kite Hill tends to be a bit softer, so that brand still needs to be tested for this recipe.

I also like Tofutti because it always seems to be the cheapest brand on the shelf. Helpful if you are making multiple cheese balls this holiday season!!

What about the herbs?

I like using dried herbs because they soak up any excess liquid in the cheese, making it an easier mold into a ball. If you want to fold in a few pinches of fresh basil or parsley, finely chopped, go for it! But the dried herbs, I found, do the trick just fine.

My dried herbs were a mix of: oregano, basil, thyme and savory. Summer savory, or santoreggia, is my favorite lesser known italian herb. I found it at Eataly and absolutely love it!

garlic herb cheese ball
Print Recipe
4.47 from 15 votes

Garlic Herb Cheese Ball

Creamy and light, this vegan garlic, herb cheese ball has an accent of lemon to brighten the rich cheesy texture, walnuts coating the outside. Perfect for a party appetizer, cheese platter or everyday snacking.
Prep Time10 minutes
Chill Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheese, christmas, easy, garlic, holiday, party food, snacks, vegan, walnuts
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 143kcal
Author: Kathy Patalsky
Cost: 5

Ingredients

Cheese Ball:

  • 8 oz cream cheese vegan
  • 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 tablespoon Parmesan shreds vegan
  • 1 tablespoon mixed dried italian herbs unsalted
  • โ…› teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoon garlic granules
  • โ…› teaspoon black pepper

Coating:

  • ยฝ cup raw walnuts or pecans

For hands:

  • 1-2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  • Add all the cheese ball ingredients to a small mixing bowl.
  • Beat the ingredients together until smooth and fluffy. Scrape the bowl and spoon the cheese together to form a sort of very flat ball. Just to get the mixture tight and together.
  • Place the bowl of whipped cheese in the freezer for 15 minutes.
  • Finely chop your walnuts or pecans.
  • Remove cheese from the freezer. Pour EVOO on your hands and coat your palms in the oil. Then using your hands, scoop the chilled cheese from the bowl and roll it gently into a ball shape. Roll the cheese ball in the chopped walnuts, coating all sides.
  • Place the ball gently on your serving plate and place it back in the freezer. Allow to chill for five minutes.
  • Serve the cheese ball with crackers, crostini or veggie sticks. Best when eaten within an hour of removing from the fridge.

Notes

vegan cream cheese brand: I used Tofutti, but other brand you could use include Kite Hill (the best flavor and texture) or Follow Your Heart.ย 

Nutrition

Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 136mg | Potassium: 41mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

Pin it for later!

garlic herb cheese ball

Want more cheese spread ideas? This similar recipe uses cashews in the mix.

Walnut Sticky Buns

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vegan walnut sticky buns

Cinnamon-y rolls have always been a fave of mine in December. And these Walnut Sticky Buns are a fun twist on that classic sweet swirl. These sticky buns come out of the oven warm, fluffy and sticky-sweet in all the right places.

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All the "Friends" Thanksgiving Episodes

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friends pop up event

For your holiday week enjoyment, here are all the "Friends" Thanksgiving episodes. Ok, truth be told, I'm writing this post to remind myself which episodes to watch.

So no one told you life was gonna be this way. (clap, clap, clap, clap)

You see, last year, on Thanksgiving night, stuck inside from bad air quality from the California wildfires, we flipped on a random thanksgiving episode of Friends. Then of course, we had to watch another, and another.

And suddenly, we had binge-watched the entire line-up of Thanksgiving themed Friends episodes. And I didn't regret a single second of it. Laughing, giggling, feeling like all you need to do is plop on the couch and laugh with family and snuggle with kittens is one of my happy places.

Oh, and of course I included the one with Ross's sandwich in this list as well. I mean, it's a crucial part of the Thanksgiving spirit.

via Instagram + that time at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
cloud cocoa
So pull up a mug of cloud cocoa for this one.....

The One Where They Binge-Watched Friends

big orange couch friends pop up
pull up a couch, a big orange couch

All the "Friends" Thanksgiving Episodes

season one, e9

  • "The One Where Underdog Gets Away" -- Season 1, episode 9 - 8.2 stars on imbd
    The get locked out and hilarity ensues. Love the season one vibe.

season two, e8

  • "The One with the List" -- Season 2, episode 8 -- 8.5 stars on imdb
    Probably the least festive episode, but I still love the recipe development themes. On point, Monica.

season three, e9

  • "The One with the Football" -- Season 3, episode 9 -- 9.0 stars on imd.
    I mean, who doesn't love the football episode?

season four, e8

  • "The One with Chandler in a Box" -- Season 4, episode 8 -- 9.1 stars on imdb
    Joey in a box, need I say more? Love this one.

season five, e8

  • "The One with All the Thanksgivings" -- Season 5, episode 8 -- 9.2 stars on imdb
    Flashback episode! It's a good one. I feel like season five was peak Friends. (It was all peak, but you this season was extra special.)

season six, e9

"The One Where Ross Got High" -- Season 6, episode 9 -- 9.2 stars on imdb
I will never forget Rachel's Trifle and the fact that Joey enjoyed it.

season seven, e8

  • "The One Where Chandler Doesn't Like Dogs" -- Season 7, episode 8 -- 8.2 stars on imdb
    You will want to play the state-naming game after this one. We did. I believe I lost.

season eight, e9

"The One with the Rumor" -- Season 8, episode 9 -- 9.3 stars on imdb (aka the Brad Pitt episode
Brad Pitt hates Rachel, need I say more? So good. I love funny Brad.

season nine, e8

"The One With Rachel's Other Sister" -- Season 9, episode 8 -- 8.8 stars on imdb
Cute episode! Monica's china...

season ten, e8

"The One with the Late Thanksgiving" -- Season 10, episode 8 -- 8.9 stars on imdb
I love this episode, perfect way to end the series with a thanksgiving bang of laughter. Joey's eyes when he looks at the food...

bonus episode....

bonus: season 5, episode 9: "The One with ross's Sandwich" 9.1 stars on imdb
I mean, this one is a must watch. ross having a breakdown, yes please.

whitney and kathy friends pop up
cheersing coffee cups with my lovely friend Whitney of EcoVeganGal, among other things

What's my favorite Friends Thanksgiving episode?

I would absolutely tell you my favorite, but truly, I don't have one. They are all so good and funny and if you can't spend the holidays with your own big family, or your own big set of Friends, or just wish you had a big set of Friends like this crew, these episodes really bring some love and laughter and vintage 90's style into your holiday.

One of my fave Friends episodes...

But I will say that one of my fave Friends episodes: the one with Ross and the leather pants. Watch it. It's actually called "The One with all the Resolutions" season 5, episode 11.

Friends Quiz

Oh, and if you want even more lazy-holiday activities: check out this which character are you from Friends quiz.. Although I will warn you, it may not be (gasp) terribly accurate. I got "Emma" aka Rachel's baby. So not sure what that means. I always thought I was a Monica with a side of Rachel and the veggie-eating ways of Phoebe.

I'll be there for you.

I hope you have a cozy, stress-free, delicious Thanksgiving holiday!

Don't forget the coffee! Or a cinnamon soy latte, all foamy and sweet..

cinnamon latte
latte
friends pop up

And while you're here, definitely check out some of my Christmas Holiday Dessert recipes!

Gingerbread Men Cookies
FRIENDS THANKSGIVING EPISODES

Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts

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Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts

I'm happy to say that in the past few years, public opinion has really fallen in love with brussels sprouts. The once shunned veggie can now be found on trendy restaurant menus and donned up with bold marinades and flavor accents, crispy, caramelized leaves and tender to the bite. And today, I'm sharing an easy recipe for my Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts, so that you can enjoy flavorful sprouts - in under thirty minutes - at home...

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Mushroom Stuffing

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mushroom stuffing

This vegan Mushroom Stuffing is packed with tender mushrooms, veggies and vegan sausage too. Super flavorful and moist from all those earthy shrooms. Whip this up in under an hour and enjoy festive holiday stuffing whenever you crave it!

mushroom stuffing

Mushrooms for the Holidays

I always want to serve more mushrooms at my holiday table. And while I adore my Mushroom-Chickpea Tart this time of year, I wanted another option. This time I went all in on mushroom stuffing. Not just a few mushrooms, a huge helping of them. combined with classic stuffing ingredients like celery, onion and poultry spice, this stuffing is everything you want it to be - and nothing more. Did that make sense. Like you get all the amazing stuffing flavors, minus the animal products.

Browse all my vegan thanksgiving recipe here

Get my other vegan stuffing recipe here!

mushroom stuffing

Veganized Stuffing

Stuffing is easily veganized these days. Instead of butter, you can use vegan buttery spread. Instead of sausage, veggie sausage. Andbroth can easily be veggie-based. Let's face it, the star of the stuffing show is those bread cubes anyways, so the rest is easy.

This mushroom stuffing adds a hearty flavor and texture that really gives this dish depth.

Dry or Moist Stuffing?

Do you like your stuffing dry and fluffy, a few of those bread cubes, not totally marinated? Some toasty edges and lightness throughout?

Or do you prefer your stuffing thick and heavy, even kinda mushy in a lovely marinated bread sort of way?

I personally think you can get the best of both world with stuffing. The deeper baked stuffing a bit more moist, and the outer edges a bit more dried out. But overall, just make sure you add enough bread if you want a fluffy, bread-y stuffing.

More tips... Eating Well has some great tips for not ruining your stuffing. I like the tips for how to add broth.

Stuffing Cubes

Day old or dried out bread cubes work best. If you use soft, fresh bread, the moisture will be increased. You can always modify the veggie broth add-in to suit your breads needs, but when possible get your bread cubes as dry as possible. Tip: Pop them in the oven and bake them before folding them into your stuffing pot.

mushroom stuffing
Print Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Mushroom Stuffing

Hearty, earthy, mushroom-packed and loaded with classic stuffing flavor.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bread, holiday, mushrooms, thanksgiving
Servings: 8
Calories: 181kcal
Author: Kathy Patalsky

Equipment

  • large soup pot
  • casserole dish

Ingredients

  • 10 oz shiitake mushrooms chopped
  • 1 cup celery chopped
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • ยฝ cup carrots chopped
  • ยผ cup vegan butter
  • 3 tablespoon poultry spice (it's vegan!)
  • 1 ยฝ cups mushroom broth - or modify as desired for moisture level
  • โ…“ cup vegan sausage chopped or torn into bits
  • ยฝ cup parsley finely chopped
  • 6-10 cups bread cubes dried**
  • ยฝ teaspoon black pepper
  • extra virgin olive oil for pan

Instructions

  • Prep your ingredients.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Turn stove to high. Add about 1-2 tablespoon EVOO. Then add the onion, celery, mushrooms, carrots. cook for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add in the vegan sausage and stir to combine. Cook for another minute or two to start to brown the sausage.
  • Add in the vegan butter, poultry spice, parsley and pepper.. Stir to melt butter and combine.
  • Turn heat to low. Fold in the bread cubes.
  • Fold in the broth. Start with one cup. Add more as desired for moisture level. 1 ยฝ - 2 cups should be good. Use less for drier stuffing.
  • Turn heat off and pour stuffing into your casserole dish. Cover with foil.
  • Bake stuffing at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Serve!

Notes

**bread cubes: dries works best for texture. Add more to taste if you like a breadier stuffing.ย 

Nutrition

Calories: 181kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 461mg | Potassium: 283mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2073IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 2mg

Sage-Citrus Butternut Squash Dip

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Sage-Citrus Butternut Squash Dip

Today I'm going vintage. This recipe for my Sage-Citrus Butternut Squash Dip, formerly known as my "Perfect Butternut Squash Dip," first appeared here on my blog on October 15th, 2009. I remember whipping it up in the kitchen and being amazed at the light and lovely, party-perfect flavors in this simple and healthy dip.

This Sage-Citrus Butternut Squash Dip combines butternut squash, garlic hummus, crispy sage, a hint of citrus and sweetness from maple. This dip is best served warm and goes very well with toasty warmed chunks of crusty bread. Veggie sticks work too. This is the type of dip that you can stand around and devour - without feeling like you just ruined your appetite for the meal ahead - or party ahead!

Sage-Citrus Butternut Squash Dip 2.0

Today I am re-posting this recipe because I not only re-shot the photos, I gave it a bit of a 2019 update. Instead of microwaving, I used the stovetop and my oven. Instead of using raw sage, I did a quick EVOO toasting to really bring out those herby flavors. And instead of non-dairy creamer (which I don't really use anymore in recipes) I simply used a bit more hummus and some added EVOO for richness. I loved the results and I hope you do too!

Thanksgiving Approved

I originally made this citrus sage butternut squash dip for Thanksgiving, but you could easily make it any time of year! It definitely has warm and cozy fall flavors going on. Here are a few more dip recipes to try:

Why the perfect?

When I first made this dip, I called it no perfect butternut squash dip. Ok, so it's been ten years, and I've tasted enough dips to know that there is no such thing as the perfect dip. But, I do think this dip is a huge crowd pleaser. The flavors are light, yet bold enough for one bite to bring a flavor-boom to your taste buds. The ingredients are healthy. And the overall flavors are festive and seasonal - perfect for the fall and winter holiday season - Thanksgiving and Christmas time approved!

Roasting the Butternut Squash

One thing I did not do today - because I wanted to stay true to the supreme speediness and ease of the original recipe - is roast the squash myself and blend it into a puree. Instead, I used canned butternut squash puree, unsweetened. But if you want to add about twenty minutes to your recipe and add some serious flavor and texture richness, you can use a raw butternut squash. Here's how to do that...

How to make DIY butternut squash puree:

  • slice your butternut squash into small cubes and toss in some EVOO.
  • roast in an oven-safe dish for about twenty minutes at 450 degrees - or until tender.
  • blend the squash in a blender until smooth. Add a few spoonfuls of water or oil to blend if needed.
  • that's it! measure out about 1 ยผ cups of the blended butternut squash puree and make the recipe as shown below

Or you can follow this easy tutorial from a sweet pea chef: how to make butternut squash puree.

combining ingredients for a dip
combining all the ingredients
butternut squash dip
flashback: 2009 version photo
dip in butternut squash with bread

Healthy Dip.

Protein from the hummus, fiber from the squash and hummus and vitamins and minerals from the super food butternut squash. Vitamin A galore. Plus this creamy dip is hearty and filling. If you want to lighten up the calorie content, simply replace the soy creamer with soy milk or orange juice. You can even use less hummus or a bit less maple syrup for a mellower sweetness. Butternut squash is fat-free and contains 50 calories per half cup.

citrus sage butternut squash dip close up
butternut squash dip
Print Recipe
4.34 from 3 votes

Sage-Citrus Butternut Squash Dip

This light and zesty butternut squash dip is festive with fall flavors like garlic, sage, citrus and pepper. Whip this party-approved dip up in just ten minutes!
Prep Time4 minutes
Cook Time6 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: butternut squash, citrus, dip, holiday, party food, sage, thanksgiving
Servings: 10
Calories: 76kcal
Author: Kathy Patalsky
Cost: 4

Equipment

  • small soup pot

Ingredients

  • 12 oz butternut squash puree unsweetened
  • ยผ cup garlic hummus
  • 2-3 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 fresh sage leaves finely chopped
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt
  • 1 satsuma tangerine medium
  • freshly-ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 clove garlic minced - optional
  • 1 sage leaf for garnish

Instructions

  • Add the butternut squash, maple syrup and hummus to a small bowl. Zest the entire tangerine over top, then slice it in half and squeeze the juice into the bowl. Add in the salt and black pepper. start with a pinch of pepper and add more later to taste. Stir this mixture well to smooth any lumps and combine everything. Set aside.
  • Over medium heat, warm a small soup pot. Add in two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, along with the chopped sage and optional minced garlic. Turn heat to high and cook just until the sage begins to darken in color and sizzle. Usually 1-2 minutes should do it.
  • Pour the squash mixture into the soup pot and stir it with the crispy sage oil. Turn the stove heat back up to medium and bring to a low simmer. Warm for 2-3 minutes to heat the dip.
  • From here, you can 1) pour the dip right into your serving dish and serve warm or 2) pour into an oven-safe serving dip and warm the dip in the oven at 400 degrees for 5-10 minutes.
  • when ready to serve, drizzle the other tablespoon of EVOO right over top the dip, and garnish with a leaf of sage. Serve with veggie sticks and chunks of toasted crusty bread, drizzled in oil.

Notes

Tweaks to try:
  • a few pinches of cinnamon
  • a few pinches of cayenne or spicy paprika
  • more hummus for an earthier, beany flavor
  • roasting squash and making a DIY puree

Nutrition

Calories: 76kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 141mg | Potassium: 136mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 3036IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg
butternut squash dip pin

This recipe was originally published: October 15th, 2009

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