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Creamy Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding

Breakfast

The Creamiest Vanilla Chia Pudding

Salt and Vinegar Popcorn

Snacks

Salt and Vinegar Popcorn

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Appetizers

Warm Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Vegan Parmesan Cheese

Essentials

1 Minute Vegan Parmesan Cheese

If you’ve been following me for a bit, you know

If you’ve been following me for a bit, you know about the large benign cyst that was discovered in my chest & surgically removed in March 2020, days before the world shut down. What I never shared was that shortly thereafter, I was diagnosed with cancer: a rare, aggressive Stage 1 form of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, discovered incidentally during post-surgical pathology on other resected tissue.

Initially optimistic that the worst was behind me (it was early stage, removed in surgery, etc.), I learned that my medical team – including over a dozen oncologists at a world-renowned cancer hospital – unanimously recommended an intensive chemotherapy regimen due to the highly aggressive nature of my NHL subtype.

After more consults & testing, I made the agonizingly difficult decision to forgo formal treatment and instead take an “active surveillance” approach while implementing alternative healing strategies on my own. I found a brilliant board-certified oncologist who closely monitors my health (he supports my choice with the perfect blend of vigilance and cautious optimism), and I’ve voraciously consumed every book & podcast on holistic cancer healing that I could get my hands on.

I’m celebrating 18 months without evidence of disease. I’m not sure if it’s luck, or the life-saving work of my surgeon, or the lifestyle & dietary changes I’ve implemented, but I’m beyond grateful.

For the record: chemotherapy is a Godsend; I’m ecstatic that this medicine exists to both save and extend the lives of so many, including several of my loved ones. Still, navigating cancer is highly personal and there is no one size fits all approach. There’s no easy, “correct” route, and anyone who has walked as a patient through a cancer center, sat in an oncologist’s office hearing their diagnosis in plain English, stared in disbelief at pathology reports, been cut open, poked & prodded, Googled survival rates, discussed chemo regimens, lay in bed each night terrified, experienced “scanxiety”,…knows what I’m talking about. It’s excruciating, and there’s no room for judgment when it comes to cancer. Period.
(Cont. in comments).

WANT TO USE LESS PLASTIC AT HOME? ♻️ 🌍 Ho

WANT TO USE LESS PLASTIC AT HOME? ♻️ 🌍

Hooray! Reducing our single-use plastic consumption is fantastic for the environment, and better for our health.

When you decide to pare down on plastic, it can feel overwhelming, but it CAN be done with dedication, some small initial investments, and resourcefulness.

Here are some suggestions to get started:

🌟 Replace food storage vessels (plastic containers, Ziploc bags) with reusable options (like Glasslock containers and @stasherbag bags). Purchasing these items can get expensive, so consider purchasing a few pieces at a time, as your budget allows. It’s a worthwhile investment, especially in the case of reusable bags - they reduce so much waste, and result in overall savings since you won’t need to buy plastic storage bags anymore! I stopped buying Ziploc bags cold-turkey once I had reusable bags and haven’t looked back.
🌟Avoid purchasing basic household cleaners that come in plastic bottles, and instead make simple, nontoxic homemade solutions that you can store in glass spray bottles. I also stopped buying body wash in plastic bottles, and use bar soap instead.
🌟Consider ways to store food without plastic wrap. I store food in containers that come with dedicated covers, or put random bits and bobs of food (such as half avocados, half citrus, etc) in my reusable bags.
🌟Re-use! Plastic invariably makes its way into my home, and I do my best to re-use it when possible. Ziploc bags, sliced bread bags, cereal bags and the like are washed and dried and used again. Used berry containers are washed & repurposed for storing sprouts and herbs. Plastic shopping bags are used for picking up dog 💩 and getting rid of dirty diapers.

🌟How are you cutting back on plastic at home? Tell me below! Always looking for new ideas 💡
#zerowaste #ecofriendly #plasticfree #earthfriendly #earthdayeveryday

MEDITATIONS ON COOKING If September is synonymous

BACK TO SCHOOL DINNERS (Spicy Vegan Sheet Pan Ques

SCRAMBLED CHICKPEAS WITH KALE AND RED ONION ☀️

HOW TO TRAVEL ANYWHERE AS A VEGAN ✈️ After w

HOW TO TRAVEL ANYWHERE AS A VEGAN ✈️

After what seems like an eternity, it finally feels (sort of?) safe to travel again. I know that for the vegan-curious, the idea of staying plant based while on vacation can seem daunting. I’ve been vegan now for 8 years and can assure you, it can be done! Here are my best tips ✔️:

STAY IN A RENTAL 🏡. When I have my own kitchen through an @airbnb or @vrbo rental, I am guaranteed the ability to eat. Usually my family eats breakfast at “home”, since that is the one meal I find hardest to navigate while traveling.

DO YOUR RESEARCH 🧐. Before leaving, Google “vegan guide to (fill in destination)”. You’ll find online guides detailing the veg-friendly spots in your destination. I also check Happy Cow & Yelp for veg-friendly restaurants, look up menus to local eateries and keep a list of dining possibilities in my phone.

GO INTERNATIONAL 🍜. It’s easier for vegans to eat well at ethnic eateries. Indian, Japanese, Mexican, Thai, Chinese, and Italian are my go-tos because they do plant based so much better than American style places.

SPEAK UP 🗣. You’re NOT being a nuisance if you ask your waiter to to swap the sausage in your pasta for white beans, or to request that the chef put together a vegan plate for you. I ask for modifications ALL THE TIME with zero guilt. So many people needlessly carry insecurities about this - don’t hesitate for a millisecond to ask for what you need. 💁🏻‍♀️

STOCK UP 🍞🍎🥑 on some basics at a local supermarket. Fresh fruit (especially apples and bananas, since they’re portable and don’t need refrigeration), a loaf of whole grain bread, peanut butter, hummus, avocados, instant oatmeal, and baby carrots all can fit in a small hotel fridge and can be mixed and matched to form different light meals/snacks in the unlikely event that you strike out at a restaurant.

LOOSEN THE REIGNS 🌴. It’s vacation, after all. If your meal ends up being a Beyond Burger with fries, or a huge bowl of pasta, that’s OK! Just squeeze in fruits and veggies whenever you have the chance, stay active and have fun…Whole Foods will be there when you get home. 😉
#vegantravel #vegantraveltips #plantbasedtravel #wanderlust

HI! I’m Lauren - welcome to my little corner of

HI! I’m Lauren - welcome to my little corner of the ‘gram! 👋

If you’re new here, I’m a professionally trained vegan chef, recipe developer, and holistic health coach. I am here to help demystify the vegan way of life, provide delicious, satisfying and healthy plant-based recipes, and showcase the incredible healing powers of plants. 🥑 🫐 I write recipes not only for my readers/audience, but for veg-superstars like @crazysexykris @theguthealthmd and many others! It’s my dream job and I feel beyond lucky to do this work.

I’m also passionate about slowing down and leading a simpler, more intentional life rooted in holistic health, mindfulness and a connection with our natural world. 🍂💆🏻‍♀️

After a harrowing health crisis that began in late 2019, I re-evaluated my diet and lifestyle and got back to basics in order to heal. My protocol? Overdosing on whole plant foods, meditation, and long walks in the woods (plus a few great doctors along the way 🙏🏻).

A bit more about me: I’m a mom of two little girls 💗 and live with my family 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 in Northern NJ (my home state!), surrounded by forests and farms. I’m happiest and most at peace in nature, and my sacred connection with the earth inspires much of my approach to food (and life, in general!). 🌲 ⛰

I love books (with a particular fondness for cookbooks 😉), cozy sweaters, strong coffee, spicy food, quiet mornings, travel, and, most of all, being with my family and cooking for them. ☕️ 📚 ✈️ 🍝

I’m so glad you’re here 🌿 Let me know how I can serve you in the comments below 👇🏻 - what kind of content do you like to see? 🤔
#aboutme #veganchef #veganrecipes #recipedeveloper #holistichealthcoach #njchef

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