THIS chowder, more specifically, is the bomb diggity! It's luscious, hearty, creamy & dreamy! It feels all cheezy and indulgent even though there is not a spec of vegan cheese in it. Utter trickery, I tell you!
My Favorite Books for Raising Plant-based Vegan Kids!
If you are transitioning your family to eating more plants and have questions like:
- Where do I start? (Right here!)
- Is it healthy for them? (You betchya!)
…and more questions, I have your back!
If you have been eating plant based &/or vegan for a while but are looking for resources to keep you, and the kids in your life, engaged and inspired, these are great for you too!
Here are my favorite books for helping me raise plant based vegan kids:
Nourish
by Reshma Shah, MD, MPH & Brenda Davis, RD
The Definitive Plant-based Nutrition Guide for Families
Part educational, part inspirational, and part recipes & guides.
Delicious recipes! Many of which I have posted reviews on. Check out my Nourish IG Guide here.
The Nourish website has excellent resources: nourishthebook.com
Follow @reshmashah on IG for more recipes, education, inspiration & wisdom!
Follow @brendadavisrd on IG. She is a legend in the field of plant based nutrition and utterly charming to listen to. She is not super active on social media, but can be found as a guest on a plethora of podcasts, and has several excellent books. Check her out at: brendadavisrd.com.
A PARENT’S GUIDE TO INTUITIVE EATING
by Yami Carzorla-Lancaster, DO, MPH, MS, FAAP
How to Raise Kids Who Love to Eat Healthy
Walks you through the powers of intuitive eating, body acceptance, what to eat, feeding at different stages of childhood, eating styles, lifestyle habits, and eating concerns like picky eating and disordered eating.
Has recipes sprinkled throughout, based on phase of childhood and the needs for each period of growth.
Dr. Yami also has an awesome podcast, offers coaching, and a stellar website of resources! Follow her on IG @thedoctoryami.
RUBY ROTH Books
All of them!
THE HELP YOURSELF COOKBOOK FOR KIDS
A book made especially for kids to cook from! Amazing graphics, delicious & fun recipes! One of my all time faves!! A great book for adults too, even if there are no kids in your household. A really delightful addition to any home.
V IS FOR VEGAN
An ABC book about being kind.
THAT'S WHY WE DON"T EAT ANIMALS
A book about our animal friends that shows the light and the dark side of their lives. Small explanations about the cruelty of animal agriculture harms them, us and our planet, in a way that is appropriate for children.
VEGAN IS LOVE
Addresses topics such as zoos, aquariums, rodeos, clothing, and more. Explains how the choices we make are powerful, and how, with love, we can take action.
Follow Ruby Roth on IG @wedonteatanimals and check our her shop.
SIMPLE HAPPY KITCHEN
by Miki Mottes
An Illustrated Guide for Your Plant-Based Life.
Loaded with recipes and guides to help you eat your plants! Plus its graphically really fun for the whole family.
Follow them on IG @simple_happy_kitchen, and check out all their resources online. We love their cookbook, coloring book, and have the posters taped to the inside of our kitchen cabinets where the kids can see them.
CLIMATE ACTION
by Seymour Simon
What Happened and What We Can Do
A fascinating and harrowing look at climate change, what we've done to our planet, and what we can do to make a difference.
Check out his website at seymoursimon.com for more science books & free resources for kids and educators.
Thought not very active on social media, you can still follow him on IG at @seymoursimon_books
There are loads of other resources available! These are just some of the ones that we have come across and enjoy regularly. I encourage you to dive into being open and encouraging with the kids in your life. The more they know about how our food choices have an impact, the more empowered they will feel. And you may just find, the compassion and kindness of veganism aligns deeply with the innate compassion and kindness in their hearts.
For more inspiration and ideas about eating more plants, veganism, and plant-based lifestyle, follow me on IG @ifican.change
Make sure we stay in touch by signing up for my newsletter. I promise I won’t spam you, and you can unsubscribe at any time. It comes with a free download to make building meals easy and delicious!
Much love to you and any littles in your life. If you have any questions or would like me to cover this more, please do not hesitate to reach out. Xo, Lani
Recipe Review of The Korean Vegan's Mushroom Galbi (BBQ Short Ribs)
Mushroom Galbi (BBQ Short Ribs) recipe by @thekoreanvegan
Recipe Rating: 💚 8/10
Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5/5 (Holy mother of !!!!)
Ease: ⭐️ 1/2 (mostly simple, though takes a lil time and care)
Healthy: ⭐️⭐️ 2/2 (little oil and sweetener)
Accessibility: 0/1 (buy the book!)
Holy mother of mushrooms!!! Another hit that makes you just gush at the table!
This sexy mushroom version of BBQ short ribs is one of the tastiest dishes I have ever enjoyed! And it's no wonder! The sauce is packed with flavorful ingredients like red onion, scallions, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, mushroom dashi, and even a Korean pear! Without any liquid smoke at all, the sauce still manages to be smoky and sultry, with just the right amount of sweetness to caramelize in the pan.
We paired it with white jasmine rice, steamed bok choy, kimchi, and the potato salad, which is also in the book. But I’ll review that separately. It was an excellent combination, giving us that last little BBQ vibe as we enjoy the last warm days of the year.
Omma's Korean BBQ Sauce can be made in advance and kept in the fridge for when you are ready. Keep in mind, that the mushrooms need to marinate an hour+, so do plan ahead.
If cooking the mushrooms in a pan, like me, here are my tips:
1. Cook all the onions first, by themselves. Then start the mushrooms.
2. Let them be. Once you lay the shrooms in the pan, do not scooch them around. Wait for them to sizzle for about 2 minutes, then scrape under them with a tong, spatula or chopsticks, and peel them off so that the sauce stays attached to the shroom, rather than in the pan.
3. If any sauce lingering in the pan is near burning, just scrape it out with your spatula and keep going. It peels off really easily.
One more tip - A double recipe was easily finished by 4 adults. Error on the side of more! You will want the leftovers! Trust me!
BUY NOW >> thekoreanvegan.com
Follow me on Instagram & Facebook for more reviews, recommendations & inspiration.
Recipe Review of The Korean Vegan's Gamja Guk (Potato & Leek Soup)
Recipe Review of The Korean Vegan's Braised Potatoes
Recipe Review of The Korean Vegan's Braised Tofu, Korean-style Omelet & Spicy Soy Sauce
Recipe Review of The Korean Vegan recipes:
- Dooboo Jorim (Braised Tofu)
- Gyerranmari (Korean-style omelet)
- Spicy Soy Sauce dressing
Review of "The 30 Day Alzheimer's Solution" by Team Sherzai
Title: The 30 Day Alzheimer’s Solution
Authors: Dean Sherzai, MD, PhD and Ayesha Sherzai, MD, MAS
Photographer: Colin Price Photography
Date released: March 2021
Subjects / Key words: Alzheimer’s disease, Prevention, Cooking, Plant-based nutrition, Brain Health
Where to buy? teamsherzai.com or any major retailer
* All the proceeds go to their non-profit: The Healthy Minds Initiative
The SHORT of it…
This beautiful book is an invaluable resource of education, support, how-to, and power - power over your health, and thus power over your destiny. That may seem like a leap to some, but trust me that the small choices we make on a regular basis, add up to big change!
Who wrote it and why are they cool?
To sum it up: Combined, they are experts in neurology, epidemiology, and preventative medicine. Dr. Ayesha Sherzai is also trained in culinary arts. They are kind, empathetic, extremely generous with their time, and dedicated to spurring mass community change to put a major dent in the rampant prevalence of cognitive decline.
Who is this book good for?
Beginners, confident home cooks, professional chefs. For beginners, a few recipes may take a little extra time and tasking than you are used to, but the tasks themselves are not difficult.
Strongly recommended for anyone who has a history of cognitive decline in their families.
Strongly recommended for anyone who suffers from cognitive decline.
Strongly recommended for foodies! You will be in heaven!
Also strongly recommended for anyone and everyone! What’s good for the brain is good for the whole body, and we can all benefit from the knowledge and the delicious food in this book.
What’s the draw?
It’s a lesson in wellness and foodie bliss in one beautiful package!
My favorite recipes: It’s a struggle to choose so few, but here they are…
Spelt Blueberry Scones (pg. 220)
Golden Waffles with Strawberry Sauce (pg. 94)
Mediterranean Scrumptious Scramble (pg. 111)
The Totally Possible Burger (pg. 128)
Taco Quinoa (pg. 166) eaten with Chipotle Cashew Queso (pg. 205)
Chickpea Barley Soup (pg. 180)
Thai Tempeh Green Curry (pg. 143)
Coco-Hazelnut Butter (pg. 226)
You can read individual recipe reviews for these plus many more by following the Instagram links.
The LONG of it…
Educational portion:
The 30 Day Alzheimer’s Solution is an amazing educational resource, broken down in a clear, concise and easily digestible format.
Main take-aways:
Prevention is key, and it’s estimated that 60- 90% of cognitive decline can be prevented by lifestyle choices! That’s HUGE!
True wellness and good health are not determined by just one factor. All 5 of these elements work together in harmony to achieve optimal health. You can remember them by using their acronym NEURO:
N: Nutrition (the power of plants)
E: Exercise (the power of movement)
U: Unwind (get rid of bad stress)
R: Restore (get good sleep)
O: Optimization (challenge your brain)
The Sherzais provide science-based explanations to answer questions such as:
What foods are helpful and what foods are harmful to the brain and why?
What about Omegas?
What about fats and oils?
How does one implement the NEURO concept?
Do I have to be perfect for this to work and are there cheat days?
They provide tips on how to clean out your kitchen, how to shop & how to make time to make your health a priority.
Overall Review:
Initially, I was intrigued by the Sherzais’ wealth of knowledge. I saw them making the circuit, listened to them on podcasts, and I was hooked! Then when I saw the book cover, the foodie in me swooned! Whether you are drawn in by the food or seeking knowledge, or both, this book is fascinating and a must have for every home!
Doctors Dean and Ayesha Sherzai are both servants of public health. Driven by their own personal experiences, and a deep desire to help others, they have become experts in their field - leading molecular research projects, clinical trials and organized community-based interventions. They humbly operate with a mantra “to the best of our knowledge at this time” and expertly point out how the world of data and scientific research all point in the same direction - how eating more plants and implementing the elements of the NEURO plan support longevity, wellness and optimal brain health.
Dr. Ayesha Sherzai is the mastermind behind the recipes in the book. As if being a neurologist isn’t cool enough, her culinary expertise and her overall personality has caused me to go full fan-girl! My attraction to the book itself started with the photography! The food photography made each dish so enticing, as if it was begging me to be made! And once made, many dishes rendered us almost silent, apart from the occasional full-mouthed “oh my gah this is so good!”. It’s been such a delicious journey! We’ve been so impressed by how the food has somehow been unique and fresh, yet familiar and comforting at the same time. We just can’t get enough of this amazing cuisine!
As you may have gathered, I absolutely fell in love with this book! And just like with love, I love it even with it’s imperfections. The few times I made something that was less than mind-blowing, I was shocked because I had gotten so used to being in awe. But who am I to say that those two or three recipes won’t be loved by another? I’m sure they will!
Much of the recipe chapter does more than just lay out instructions to follow, but also teaches basics, leaves room for customization, and is a lesson in culinary skill building. All in all, this book has quickly became my favorite cookbook to date. The recipes within are already staples in our home and I expect them to be for years to come.
I am forever grateful to the Sherzais for the positive impact they have made in our lives, and in the lives of others. They are ambassadors of healthy, harmonious living, and the world is a better place because of their hard work & dedication. Their humility, wisdom, and the general nature of their personalities makes their message a joy to listen to, and to participate in. There is zero shame, heaps of positivity, and a love of eating yummy food that keeps the journey fun and the goals attainable. I highly recommend that you not only buy the book, but that you seek them out on podcasts, YouTube, and social media so that you can fully experience the beauty of who they are, and what they do.
You can search “Sherzai” on any podcast app to easily find their own podcast, or the many podcasts on which they were guests. Below are a few podcast videos to get you started. Enjoy! xo
Meal Ideas and Favorite Recipes
If I can change what I cook…then I can improve my health, help save the planet and save some beautiful animals! How powerful is that? Choices matter. Small changes make a difference.
New to the site is a list of my favorite recipes and meal ideas in one spot – the RECIPES & MEAL IDEAS page. This is an extensive list that I put together to save you time and effort. When we were new to this lifestyle, we tried so many recipes that were duds. When a plant-based version of a recipe is not even half as good as its dairy or meat counterpart, it can be super frustrating and disappointing. It may even hinder you from wanting to make changes. All anyone wants is a yummy food that aligns with their goals! Is that too much to ask?
NOPE! Because here is your short-cut. These meal ideas and recipes are tried and true staples to our lifestyle. Whenever possible and reasonable, I choose recipes that are whole food plant-based, full of fruits and veg, and still meet the expectation of being delicious. Now keep in mind, not everything here is the healthy version. Cake is still cake, with sugar and oil in all its glory. Because that is cakes job, and life is about balance!
Some are just ideas, some are links to my favorite recipes, cookbooks and products. I link the products so that you know what to look for at your local grocery store or online market. I put as many online recipes as possible to save you from having to invest in a bunch of cookbooks. But, please do support these chefs if possible. Their cookbooks are a wise investment!
Trust that none of what I do is sponsored or paid for by anyone. This is something I do completely for free because it is a passion of mine.
My love of food runs deep. It really is an obsession. When eating one meal, I am already planning the next. To me, dining is an art, no matter how casual or fancy. It’s a complete experience of the senses, and my palate has high expectations! My work has allowed me to eat my heart out all over the country and in a handful of other countries around the world. My family is culturally diverse, so I have eaten American, Asian, French & Dutch food straight from Grandma’s, Oma’s, and Mamie’s kitchens. So trust me when I tell you that my expectations are high. These recipes will not let you down!
Happy eating! Bon appetit! Lekker eten! xo
Not an doctor.
Welcome to my blog. Disclaimer: I am not an doctor. Nor a medically trained professional of any sort. But I know who the experts are, and I am here to direct you. I am a plant-based wellness concierge.
The path to eating better can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. See, I have already done much of the work for you. If you don’t know where to start, I can direct you to films, books, chefs, restaurants, apps and services that will make your journey smoother. If you need a recipe for mac and cheese or pancakes, but are worried they might be a flop, fear not! I have already tried over 10 vegan pancake recipes to find the absolutely best one. (Its by The Pretty Bee and you can get it here). I have made multiple mac and cheese dishes, but the tastiest is absolutely a Roasted Red Pepper Mac & Cheese by Isa Chandra. I’ll be sharing my cooking adventures and more recommendations here on my blog and on instagram.
My overall intentions are thus…to provide an online reference library to the best of the best out there in the plant-based/vegan world. To be clear, I am a regular Joe. My only area of expertise is knowing what tastes good and what doesn’t. I love cooking and trying new things, so I’ll do the trial and error for you. I will be sharing my opinions and experiences from following doctors and chefs who are far wiser than I, so that I can set you up for success.
Now let’s do this!