Are you a vegetarian worried about how in the world you are going to get in enough protein? My tips this week will help! These 7 hacks to hit your protein goals as a vegetarian are a total game changer!  

As a vegetarian, I regularly find myself in a conversation about my diet. Like it or not, this seems to come with the territory of being a plant-based eater. I’ve been a vegetarian for a while now. I raised two children who have never eaten [continue reading]

Tara, I’ve got a bundle of asparagus, what should I make? You ask, I answer! This Tuesday is Ingredient Tuesday + we are using another one of my favorite ingredients! Spring is in the air + that means bright green asparagus in the stores, farmers [continue reading]

Protein intake is a hot topic + I’m not sure that’s going anywhere any time soon.  Making it even worse is the obsession with cutting carbs.  Ugh.  So, do we need to consume more protein or more animal products? Consume excess amounts of protein? Eat [continue reading]

Are we obsessed with fad diets? Whole 30, Keto, WW, Mediterranean, WFPB, the list goes on and on. 45 million Americans embark on a new diet plan each year adding up to more than $30 billion spent on weight loss products. Yes, we are obsessed [continue reading]

Kitchen is closed.  Or is it?  Nighttime hunger is a real health issue.  If we let it, it can easily get out of control.  There’s no denying that it’s really really hard to curb hunger that plagues us at night.  When answering the question, “Why Am [continue reading]

Tara, I’ve got a box of pasta, what should I make? You ask, I answer! You have come to the right place. This Tuesday is Ingredient Tuesday + we are using one of my favorite ingredients! I know you all have a box of pasta [continue reading]

Are you a salad hater? I am here to tell you, it is ok to hate salads + you don’t have to eat them if you don’t want to. Making a hearty, irresistible salad isn’t an easy task to accomplish. Planning for a salad and [continue reading]

I don’t have a recipe for you today or my favorite way to use a new plant-based ingredient. I have a list. The best things I ever did to improve my health. But what exactly does it mean to be healthy? If I were to [continue reading]

Mindful eating is not just another diet. It isn’t complicated or cumbersome with calculators, rules, measurements, and restriction. Eating mindfully is a practice of being aware of cues that influence your food choices. There are SO MANY benefits to learning how to eat mindfully. This [continue reading]

It’s almost Super Bowl time! Just because you are vegetarian, doesn’t mean your game day food doesn’t have to taste good. No more plates of celery for us! This year, let’s make your meat-free Super Bowl eats as memorable as the commercials. Less time stressing, [continue reading]

The Mediterranean Diet continues to grow in popularity + for very good reason! I am not a ‘diet’ kind of girl but that is what makes The Mediterranean Diet so awesome! It is a style of eating rooted in history, culture, and enjoyment of unprocessed, [continue reading]

Getting enough protein as a vegetarian is not as difficult as people think! Are you looking for ways to easily increase your protein intake without turning to animal products? You have come to the right place! My tips this week are 5 Insanely Easy Vegetarian [continue reading]

Is your New Year’s Resolution to eat less meat? More plants? Get healthy? You have come to the right place! My tips this week are a quick-start guide to a painless transition from wherever you are with your eating to easily eating more plants in [continue reading]

I’ve got shocking news for some of you. Ready? You do not need to eat meat to get enough protein. Here is more shocking news: vegetarians, vegans, plant-forward eaters all get plenty of protein. How? So glad you asked. My usual answer is tofu, beans, [continue reading]

As a vegetarian, sometimes you need to think outside the box when it comes to baking. Some vegetarians don’t eat eggs, some don’t eat dairy, some try to eat as plant-based as possible even when it comes to baked goods. No matter where you fall [continue reading]

Diets are addicting. A quick fix promising fast results. It is very easy to get caught up in a cycle of diets. Somehow, it is satisfying to know that being on a “diet” puts parameters on your life leaving no room for uncertainty of what [continue reading]

Can something as simple as what we eat help prevent us from getting sick? YES! Your immune system is the most complex organ system in your body constantly patrolling your every cell + rapidly responding. Our organs, blood vessels, molecules + cells are constantly being [continue reading]

Today I am sharing my secrets for staying healthy over a holiday weekend. You asked, Tara, “What easy things can I do to stay on a healthy path during Thanksgiving weekend?” So glad you asked! I am sharing my secrets that I use on holidays [continue reading]

It is tricky to be a vegetarian this time of year. A food holiday is upon us that literally has a table centerpiece of a stuffed bird as its mascot. Let’s put some plant-foods on that table! If you are welcoming a vegetarian to your [continue reading]

As vegetarians, we opt not to eat animals. Our reasons for not eating animals can be anything from health or religion to ethical reasons or for the environment. Whatever your reason is, next you decide if your life of vegetarianism includes eggs, dairy, gelatin, honey, [continue reading]

It’s that time of year again. How lucky am I that I write an article every week on a Tuesday + this year Halloween is on a Tuesday? Two of my favorite things on the same day. 🧡  For this special occasion (yes, I am [continue reading]

Dietary fats have been on a popularity roller coaster over the last few decades. Eat fat, don’t eat fat, fat is good, fat is bad. Where fats land today in the public eye is still up for debate. One thing we do know, is that [continue reading]

Don’t be afraid of tempeh! Some people tell me they don’t like the taste of tempeh, that it is bitter or has a soapy, sandy taste. If this is you, you aren’t cooking it correctly. Let me help you! Today, my tempeh Q&A will help [continue reading]

Do you want to eat a more plant-forward diet but feel overwhelmed? I’m here for you! This Tuesday, I am sharing my 9 favorite hacks to make being a vegetarian easier. These hacks will have you prepping + cooking vegetarian foods like a pro!

Happy October! Oh how I love October. Fall races, cooler weather, football season, and lucky for me October is my birthday month! Does it get any better?!?! Yes, it does. In the month of October I can cook with pumpkin almost every day 🧡 and [continue reading]

Do you hate cooking at home? You know you should be doing it, but do you hate it? It is a task we can’t escape from so if you hate it, let’s explore a few practical tips that can help you go from uber eats [continue reading]

What do you think? Are spicy foods healthy or dangerous? Such a mixed camp on this hot topic! This Tuesday, let’s put the fire out on some of the myths surrounding spicy foods and you can decide for yourself.

Are you curious about volume eating? Not sure if it is right for you? Can you use volume eating for better health? Longevity? Improved blood sugars and gut health? How is it different for vegetarians? SO MANY questions!

Don’t eat fish? Me either! But the first thing most of us think of when we think of Omega-3 fatty acids is fish. Does that mean if we want to get enough omega-3 in our diets we need to eat fish? Nope! Today, my tips [continue reading]

Lately I feel as though everywhere I turn I see an advertisement for a magnesium supplement. To be honest, I think we are seeing lots of supplements, but magnesium is certainly having its moment in the spotlight. So today, I decided to devote a little [continue reading]

Another addition in my collection of letters. I like to sprinkle in a letter from a food blogger now + then to spice up the Tuesday Tips. If you know me, you know I usually have a lot to say. When I write you a [continue reading]

You asked, “Should I be eating only organic foods?” This week, I give you my answer … with a little explanation … so you can decide for yourself. This is an extremely polarized debate, but perhaps we can get a little perspective on it together.

It is no secret that pink salts have become a trendy food item over the last few years. There is no arguing that they are much prettier + more interesting looking than the average table salt. The lovely pink hue + textured rock-like appearance gives [continue reading]

Eat more fiber. How many times have you heard that? You know you are supposed to eat lots of fiber, but do you? About 95% of Americans do not eat nearly enough fiber. If you are one of them, then you are missing out on [continue reading]

Can you believe it is the middle of July? Summer is in full swing! Here in sunny Florida, that means it is about as hot as it gets.  Hot and humid! Most of you reading this are experiencing the exact same thing. Some days, we [continue reading]

I am all for big goals. Big financial goals, health goals, and fitness goals alike. We should never stop setting + striving for these types of goals. However, the path to ultimate health is an accumulation of the tiny decisions we make every single day. [continue reading]

Just in time! Independence Day here in the USA is quickly approaching! Do you know anyone interested in trading out their burger for a meatless Independence Day celebration? Then you have come to the right place! I know I will be hosting a few vegetarians [continue reading]

Vegan, vegetarian, plant-based, plant-forward. It can be tough to keep these terms straight without making your head spin. The word vegan can be quite polarizing to some, making them afraid to label themselves as such. Or, have you ever heard someone refer to themselves as [continue reading]

The season of summer is comin’ in hot! If only every day could be a summer day! I think I was made just for sunny summer days. Warm sunshine, swimming, sandy feet, and summer foods!!! Even if you aren’t a fan of the sun or [continue reading]

The Vegetarian’s Guide to the 80/20 Diet is just in time! As summer approaches, we are being bombarded with summer diets, quick fixes, and the latest diet train to jump on. A diet is a diet and, in my world, diet culture stinks. Let’s face [continue reading]

Convenient, portable, quick, packed with nutrients, all in one single cup + ready to set the foundation for a healthy day of eating. With endless possibilities of flavor combinations, my daily smoothie is a beloved part of my routine. Why do I drink a smoothie [continue reading]

This Tuesday my tips are 7 small + easy steps you can take to be healthier. Steps that I take every day for a healthy life. So many of you have told me that you just don’t know where to start. Getting back on track [continue reading]

This list will come in handy if you are lazy, yes. But it will also prove useful if you are short on time, energy, or ingredients.  When I don’t feel like cooking, these go-to lazy vegetarian meals come to the rescue. I know takeout can [continue reading]

We have all heard of PRObiotics.  This Tuesday, let’s talk about PREbiotics. What are they? How are probiotics + prebiotics different? Can I drink them? Why do I even need them? The Vegetarian’s Guide to Prebiotics answers all the prebiotic questions + your gut is [continue reading]

There are far too many scary things floating around the internet about soy consumption.  Everything from man boobs to excessive hair growth, cancer + infertility. For every piece of information you find against soy consumption, there are those that sing the praises of eating soy. [continue reading]

Are you trying to cook more vegetarian meals? It is easy to be skeptical of meatless cooking.  Will it taste good? Is it difficult to do? Can it still be healthy? How time consuming will it be? I get it! Today I am sharing my [continue reading]

If a food isn’t good, is it bad? If a food isn’t clean, is it dirty? Can food truly be categorized into these black or white categories that we place them in? Is this simply a marketing term to convince us to buy one food [continue reading]

Eat your broccoli.  You don’t have to ask me twice! Perhaps I am of a rare breed, but I am of the belief that broccoli is one of the coolest vegetables ever created. I love broccoli of all kinds … broccoli rabe, broccolini, broccoli sprouts, [continue reading]

Life is busy enough worrying about all of the things we need to get done in a day. Worrying about getting enough nutrients in your food should be something you strive to get on sort of an autopilot mode.  If you know you need to [continue reading]

Just like a regular Tuesday for me, I sat down to publish my tips knowing my fans are eagerly awaiting what I have to say every Tuesday 😉. I went to hit the publish button + noticed that today I am publishing post number 500 [continue reading]

Leftovers have such a bad reputation. Personally, I love opening my refrigerator and finding that wonderful something that was already carefully cooked + portioned into a container ready for me to heat + eat.  I have learned that many of you don’t share in my [continue reading]

A healthier Valentine’s Day is possible! Not only is it possible, it might even be better! If you know me, you know I love a good celebration.  The kind of celebrating with lots of good food, good company, and great dessert. I am the last [continue reading]

I love snacks.  I don’t love oil.  When Mr. MVF + I first embarked on our oil-free journey we were hard core oil-free.  We spent hours in the grocery stores and searching the internet for what to use to replace the beloved oil in everything [continue reading]

 Let’s Make Hummus! There are a few things that always make it into the grocery cart when Mr. MVF + I go shopping together. One of those things undoubtedly used to be a tub of hummus. Not. Any. More. Not because we don’t like hummus, [continue reading]

Plant-based foods are naturally full of antioxidants + vitamins that fight inflammation.  But, you might not know where to begin when it comes to choosing anti-inflammatory foods. Does everyone need to worry about eating these foods? What is inflammation anyway? For me + my family, [continue reading]

Winter vegetables often get overlooked as we reach for cozy soups and comfort foods in the cooler months of the year.  A great big winter salad is the perfect way to remind us that we can eat vibrant, colorful, healthful vegetables even when it is [continue reading]

It doesn’t have to be all or nothing! Are you interested in eating less meat or no meat at all? That means you will be eating more plants! You don’t need to go full on vegan to incorporate more plant-based foods into your meal, your [continue reading]

It’s that time of year again! Tis the season for wiping the slate clean, conquering a challenge, or setting your sights on a new goal. Ok, so, if you’ve been around here for a little while now,  you know I’m not a huge fan of [continue reading]

Let’s Bake! I love to bake, do you? I dabble in baking whenever possible.  Baking cookies + donuts + the occasional muffin are my absolute favorite. It makes my heart happy when one of you shares with me that you made a cookie recipe from [continue reading]

Have you noticed more and more foods having a gorgeous yellow glow popping up in your favorite places to eat? Lattes, teas, smoothies, soups, ice cream + more. The not-so-secret ingredient? You guessed it, turmeric! As the fastest growing supplement in America, turmeric is making [continue reading]

Is “winter appetite” in our heads or is it a real thing? As we get all wrapped up in welcoming December and the holiday season, we can’t ignore the cooler weather, shorter days, and the familiar feeling of an increase in what and how much [continue reading]

Heading out on the road this holiday season? You have come to the right place! The Vegetarian’s Guide to Packing Food for a Roadtrip has lots of tips for your outing! There are endless options to make your trip complete! You can make it fun, filling, [continue reading]

So, you have a vegetarian coming to dinner for Thanksgiving? You are not alone! With the number of plant-based eaters in the world growing exponentially, you are bound to have one show up to dinner at some point! Before you have a total meltdown over [continue reading]

Ready or not, here it comes! The holiday season is upon us.  These days it seems as though as we pack up our Halloween decorations + jump straight into stringing up Christmas lights. This makes for a much longer holiday season than just the few [continue reading]

I remember a day when I used to exclusively use all-purpose flour.  When I became a food blogger, my curiosity for all things cooking + nutrition led me to find more types of flour than I can count.  That is wonderful BUT how does one [continue reading]

For new or not so new vegetarians, getting enough iron does not need to be challenging or confusing BUT is SO important! Yes, the iron in meat is easier to absorb, but that does not mean that iron is not plentiful in a variety of [continue reading]

If you have vegetarian kids, are a vegetarian kid, will have plant-based trick-or-treaters, or are simply a vegetarian kid at heart … this one is for you! Traditional Halloween festivities can be difficult to navigate for vegans, vegetarians + plant-based folks alike. It doesn’t have [continue reading]

What does autumn mean to you? To me, it means pumpkins + pumpkin spice, lots of apples, and fall holidays!  Growing up on Long Island, autumn brought brightly colored leaves, time to put on a jacket or two + I got to pick the perfect [continue reading]

Hi Friends! I’ve got something a little different for you today. Why? Because it is October! Happy October + Happy Tara Month! Tara month? Yep! It is my birthday month + in honor of birthday month we get a week off from my usual recipes [continue reading]

Let me tell you something, eating vegetarian is not hard or challenging or difficult or any of it! It just takes a little practice! This week, I am sharing with you my top 5 tips to make going plant-based easier for vegetarians or vegans, novice [continue reading]

Hello, my name is Tara + I am a coffee drinker.  Ready for my Tuesday Tips confession? I spent the first 45 years of my life never ever ever drinking a cup of coffee.  Yep, you read that correctly.  45 years, not a single cup.

It is so easy to look for the magic pill. Regardless of the price, so many people want a pill to fix it all. Tired? Take a vitamin. Want to lose weight? Take a supplement.  Can’t sleep? There is a gummy for that. Today let’s [continue reading]

Today I have a special treat for you! Improve your health by adding, not subtracting! So different from what we are used to hearing from health enthusiasts! There have been so many of you stopping by here for my healthy + plant-based recipe creations.  I [continue reading]

Ready or not, Labor Day is here! This weekend officially marks the end of summer! Are you ready to say goodbye to summer? Regardless of where you live, backyard BBQ’s, beach days, picnics + pool parties are being set aside for back-to-school + pumpkin spice [continue reading]

Have you heard of food pairing? Vegetarian or not … Diabetic or not … Eating a diet that keeps our blood sugars stable is more important than you think! There are not many things in life that have a simple formula for success.  This one [continue reading]

Learn how to build your own salsa! It’s easier than you think! A few simple ingredients + so easy to customize with your favorite produce!!! Tomatoes, onions, peppers, fruit, garlic, lemon, lime, vinegar, cilantro, salt + maybe a little cumin or sugar and there you [continue reading]

Is fruit nature’s fast food? Convenient, healthy, portable, low calorie + high fiber.  Or is fruit loaded with too much sugar + carbs? Will eating fruit cause you to gain weight and send your blood sugar skyrocketing? What do you think? Should we all just [continue reading]

Today I am sharing the most frequently asked questions I get about a vegetarian lifestyle.  Some of you reading this might have the same questions. You might want to keep these handy for when someone questions your vegetarian lifestyle! Tara’s Vegetarian FAQ to the rescue!

If you know me, you know I love my air fryer.  I have several air fryers + I love them all equally.  I air fry something every day.  No joke.  One or more air fryers get used in my kitchen on a daily basis. But [continue reading]

Meat, eggs, and dairy are expensive.  Beans are cheap! Is that the only tip you needed? I didn’t think so!!! Today I bring you my Guide to Shopping Vegetarian On a Budget because this is a super important skill for any novice or expert plant-based eater! [continue reading]

Most times, we have the best intentions with our health. Working out, eating healthy foods, meal prepping, you know the list. But sometimes, these healthy habits can unknowingly turn into something that sabotage our healthy efforts! If you know me, you know that I am anti [continue reading]

Do you struggle with deciding between brown rice and white rice? Cauliflower rice maybe? Black rice? Your struggle is real + you are not alone. The keto craze has made us all afraid of enjoying that beloved rice bowl without the never-ending carb guilt lingering [continue reading]

New to plant-based eating? Bored with plant-based eating? Looking for a healthy alternative to animal-based meat products with less environmental impact? The Vegetarian’s Guide to Plant-Based Meat Alternatives answers all of your fake meat questions!

Curious about the Mediterranean Diet? Is this a diet full of restriction, lists of foods to eat + foods to avoid? Why should I try this? Lots of questions + I have the answers! Vegan, vegetarian, or plant-based, you have come to the right place [continue reading]

Hitting the trail? You have come to the right place! The Vegetarian’s Guide to Packing Food for a Hike has lots of tips for your day trip! There are endless options for packing the plant-based backpack! You can make it fun, satisfying, filling, packed with nutrients [continue reading]

Today I’m here to help demystify the food label for all of my plant-based friends! When you first decide to ditch meat, it seems easy … no meat no problem. Obviously when you go meat-free, you skip over lunch meats, ground turkey, and salmon when [continue reading]

The Ultimate Meatless DIY Pasta Bar.  Looking for a fun lunch or dinner party idea? A DIY Plant-Based Pasta Bar lets everyone get creative + personalize their own bowl! You can accommodate the pickiest eaters, the vegans, vegetarians, kids, dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, and even your [continue reading]

I was raised in a house where everyone ate meat. This was normal. This was what we were taught to do and we did it. Somewhere along the way, I began to rethink this norm. There wasn’t a big event or reason that jumped out [continue reading]

Mexican food is SO perfect for vegans, vegetarians, and plant-based eaters! The recipes are so wonderfully centered around robust spices, grains, beans, and fresh vegetables. This week, in honor of this Mexican + Mexican-American holiday, let’s celebrate My Vegetarian Family style! Tara’s Tips for a [continue reading]

One of the things I learned during the pandemic was that I missed eating out with my friends.  I also missed traveling to see new, beautiful places + enjoying the foods that come along with that.  As we get back out into the world, I [continue reading]

With a little thought, a bowl of pasta can be a fabulous meal packed with flavor + fun! Noodles and pasta alike can be a healthy source of energy without the guilt when prepared with thoughtful sauces + toppings! Let me show you how to [continue reading]

From a very young age, I was told that I had to drink milk if I wanted to have strong bones. We are conditioned to think that milk is the only way we can ever get enough calcium. Is that true? Nope! There are lots of [continue reading]

You are in luck! Here are my favorite lentil recipes all in one place! Chili, curry, hummus, burgers + more! Lentils are an awesome way to get lots of protein, fiber, luceine, and iron.  They are especially good for people looking to control blood sugar, [continue reading]

Could it be true that I have a new favorite legume? Yes, it is undoubtedly true.  I love lentils. Are they just a trend or are they legit? These little legumes have been around a long time and are a staple in plant-based kitchens everywhere!  [continue reading]

After two years of pandemic living, how many new habits have you picked up? Forced to change many of our behaviors + expected to adapt to new ways of life, we all picked up some new habits. So how long will these new behaviors stick [continue reading]

Eating more fiber isn’t expensive or difficult or disgusting! Fiber helps you feel full, protects you from lots of diseases, and can help you maintain your weight. Some of the health benefits of eating fiber might surprise you!!!   Once you learn How To Improve Your [continue reading]

Intermittent fasting continues to grow in popularity.  Curious if Intermittent Fasting is right for you? Is this just another fad diet or is intermittent fasting a lifestyle that you might want to try? Not all eating styles are right for all people.  Let’s dig a [continue reading]

Some people think cravings are a weakness or a lack of willpower. Nope! Cravings are very real! Some cravings are triggered by smell, some are caused by hormonal fluctuations, other times our bodies are telling us we need more of certain macro or micronutrients.  In [continue reading]

Looking to add more plants to your plate? Jumping in to plant-forward eating for health or your budget? Maybe making meatless Mondays a thing? You have come to the right place! This week I am sharing 10 things on my grocery list every week! This [continue reading]