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]
Tofu, a few veggies + a bottle of teriyaki sauce! It doesn’t get any easier than that! This recipe for Teriyaki Tofu with Vegetables is on regular rotation here in the MVF kitchen + I have a feeling it will be a regular in your [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]
Learning how to air fry frozen broccoli is a kitchen skill you MUST have! Super easy + healthy + makes the perfect side dish or snack! I always have a bag of frozen broccoli in my freezer for those nights when I simply need a [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]
I am always searching for a really good cookie. This is a really good cookie. The best part? I made them with whole wheat flour + no eggs! Edible cookie dough anyone? Yes, please! You can eat the batter or the cookie! You NEED these [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]
5 minutes + 5 ingredients! That is all you need to make this Oil-Free Thai Cucumber Salad! Perfectly flavored + crisp + no fuss. Made with no fish sauce + no oil. This salad is great for a snack, lunch, or an Asian-inspired side dish.
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]
Welcome to the latest addition into my collection of vegan bacon recipes! Crispy + flavorful + smoky + meatless! This recipe for Vegan Tempeh Bacon Bits is super easy to make + you can toss them into a salad, soup, sprinkle onto a baked potato [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]
20 minutes + few simple ingredients is all you need to make this one pot wonder! This Dairy-free One Pot Creamy Mushroom Pasta is simply a perfect dinner for the nights you don’t want to cook dinner. Packed with flavor, creamy without cream, completely vegan, [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]
These Vegan Buckwheat Flour Blondies are super addicting! Why? They are vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, gluten free, and oh so delicious! Buckwheat flour is so healthy + tasty + gluten free! If you have never baked with buckwheat flour, you are in for a real treat!
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]
5 minutes + 5 ingredients is all you need for this healthy, vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, dairy-free dressing! Perfectly packed with flavor for your salad or bowl! Silken tofu + jalapeño + cilantro + lime juice + your blender! That’s it! Meet your new favorite dressing, [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]
Have I got a good one for you today! This is a meal I make when I don’t feel like cooking! I don’t have to worry about different spices or ingredients to have ready. Just some tempeh, a few veggies + a bottle of teriyaki [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]
5 minutes + 7 ingredients is all you need for the best ever Oil-Free Avocado Hummus Recipe. Avocado, chickpeas, lime juice, tahini, garlic, cilantro, jalapeños, and your blender! Perfect for a party appetizer, snack, as a salad dressing, or in a sandwich. So pretty + [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]
The easiest + prettiest salad dressing you will ever make! So colorful, packed with nutrients, full of flavor + oh so delicious! This Pomegranate Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate Dressing is dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free. This salad is full of so many wonderful veggies + yummy [continue reading]
The easiest + prettiest salad dressing you will ever make! So colorful, packed with nutrients, full of flavor + oh so delicious! This Oil-Free Pomegranate Salad Dressing is dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free. The best part is that it is ready in 5 minutes with only [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]
If you know, you know! Kala Jeera, also known as Black Cumin is the secret ingredient in this wonderfully flavorful, fluffy, moist rice! Perfect alongside any of your favorite Indian dishes or when you are in the mood for anything but plain rice! Just a [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]
Dairy-free and so delicious! This Vegan Tofu Palak Paneer recipe is packed with healthy spinach, tomatoes, onions, and Indian spices! If you love ordering saag paneer or palak paneer in an Indian restaurant but want to make it dairy-free in your very own kitchen, you [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]
The perfect meatless Mexican idea! No meat? No problem! Chickpeas spiced + cooked in a skillet, then layered into a taco! This Skillet Chickpea Taco Recipe is super easy + flavorful + will come in handy on a busy weeknight or when you need something [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]
9 ingredients + 20 minutes are all you need for the most perfect vegetarian gravy you will ever eat! Vegan, oil-free, gluten-free, dairy free and oh so yummy! This recipe for Quick and Easy Vegetarian Mushroom Gravy MUST be on your thanksgiving menu this year! [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]
These Vegetarian Seitan Turkey Cutlets are perfect for your plant-based Thanksgiving guests! Paired with mashed potatoes, gravy + your favorite veggie and you have yourself the perfect meal! The best part? This recipe requires only a few simple ingredients, is ready in under one hour, [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]
The easiest, 10-ingredient, dairy-free, Vegan Cream of Mushroom soup made in under 30 minutes on your stove-top. Perfect for a vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based Thanksgiving! Mushrooms + onions + garlic + thyme + sage + black pepper + coconut milk + vegetable broth + a [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]
This Healthy Instant Pot Black Bean Soup is SO EASY! The perfect soup for meal prep, make lots + freeze for later! Packed with protein + flavor this one is a keeper. Customize your bowl with your favorite toppings for a winning dinner idea!
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]
These Vegan Apple Cinnamon Mini Muffins are so moist + perfectly portioned + super cut ! Eggless, easy, and topped with the BEST homemade icing! I love these little muffins! They are the perfect addition to any brunch, breakfast, autumn gathering or as a snack!
I love this banana bread! Let’s get one thing perfectly clear … this isn’t omg yum lets have a slice of dreamy banana bread for dessert after a rich autumn meal. This is, however, a thick hearty banana bread that I am always in the [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]
Pumpkin puree + maple syrup + cinnamon + crunchy oats = YUM! This Pumpkin Spice Granola Recipe is absolutely perfect in every way! Granola is not just for breakfast. Enjoy this sprinkled over yogurt, ice cream, in a bowl with your favorite milk, or eat [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]
This Oil-Free Green Olive Hummus Recipe is ready in minutes, perfectly creamy + super delicious! Store bought hummus? No way! This one is creamy + salty + is absolute perfection! Protein-packed chickpeas, creamy tahini, fragrant garlic, and green olives!
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]
Need an easy dinner idea that you don’t have to turn on the oven to make? These Easy Air Fryer Nachos are perfect for a dinner, lunch, snack! Start with chips, then layer up all of your favorites … beans, salsa, lettuce, avocado and more!
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]
These Eggless Baked Banana Bread Donuts are the perfect little baked treat for when you want banana bread but also want easy + quick! Made eggless + with healthy oat flour, these amazing donuts are made in one bowl + done in under 30 minutes. [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]
This Habanero Jalapeño Hot Sauce Recipe is ready in 30 minutes + perfect to drizzle on a taco, veggie burger, burrito, just about anything! I love making my own hot sauce. I know exactly what is in the bottle AND it is the perfect way [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]
Serrano peppers, fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro + garlic blended together to make pure salsa perfection with this Homemade Serrano Salsa Recipe. No more jarred salsa for this salsa fanatic! You have come to the right place if you love salsa! I am with you. Making [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]
This Vegetarian Habanero Chili Recipe is packed with the wholesome goodness of kidney beans paired with fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, jalapeños, and cumin. The best part? The roasted habanero pepper! This chili is a great source of protein, ready in under 30 minutes, and is [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]
Ready to spice up your salsa? This Ghost Pepper Salsa Recipe is EASY + so fresh + perfectly spicy! Perfect for chips, nachos, tacos, and more! Ghost peppers + tomatoes + onions + garlic + cilantro whirled in a blender + ready in 5 minutes! [continue reading]
Another incredibly Indian recipe! How about Indian Potatoes with Eggplant? This Aloo Baingan recipe is vegan + gluten free + made with just a few simple ingredients! So healthy + yummy!
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!
Looking for a healthy side dish or snack that is high in protein + ready in minutes? You have come to the right place! This Easy Air Fryer Edamame Recipe is super simple + can be the perfect healthy snack in a pinch! Keep a [continue reading]
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]
A healthy-ish donut baked not fried + sweetened with beautiful blueberries! Completely dairy-free + eggless + vegan but absolutely delish! Baking with blueberries is one of my favorite things to do! I love fresh blueberries, but what I love more is when I can use [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]
Strawberries and donuts, two of my favorite things! I combined them to make these amazingly awesome Baked Vegan Strawberry Donuts and I am not sorry I did!!! Donuts are actually quite easy to make when you get the hang of it! You have come to [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]
The perfect addition to any meal! Healthy + crispy + just spicy enough + ready in 20 minutes! These Sweet and Spicy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are the perfect vegetable side dish to go alongside your favorite meal or eat as a snack!
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!
These Baked Vegan Gingerbread Donuts have the wonderful flavors of gingerbread perfectly baked in and then are topped with creamy homemade icing! This recipe is fabulous to add to your holiday baking or can be eaten any time! I don’t like to wait to bake [continue reading]
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]
Super Easy Almond Butter Granola Recipe! The EASIEST granola you will ever make! Ready in 30 minutes + crunchy + vegan + gluten free + packed with plant-based protein + fiber. Almond Butter + Oats = perfect breakfast or snack. No more boring oats!
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]
Dal is a staple in most Indian kitchens. Today I bring you my family’s recipe for Instant Pot Gujarati Dal straight from our kitchen! Made of hearty lentils, this dish is a fabulous source of protein + fiber. There are so many variations of dal [continue reading]
Love JUST Egg? Me too! This JUST Egg Hack is totally life changing! The liquid JUST Egg is so awesome for people who don’t eat eggs or even for those that do! With my version of baked JUST Egg, you can save yourself some money [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]
How about vegan sausage + peppers? There are some things that you might miss after going plant-based, a good Italian meal might be one of those things. After we went plant-based, I was worried about still being able to enjoy the traditional Italian meals I [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]
Who wants a bagel? ME! How about a bagel in your very own kitchen with no yeast, no boiling, and no fuss! These Vegan Air Fryer Sesame Seed Bagels are made with your favorite unsweetened vegan yogurt + self-rising flour. Air fry for 10 minutes [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]
This girl loves a big bowl of awesome. Packed with protein + good-for-you carbs, this bowl counts as a big bowl of awesome. These Tempeh Sweet Potato Bowls are perfect for meal prep, lunch, dinner + anything in between. The best part? The tahini dressing [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, leucine, 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]
This Easy Vegetarian Tempeh Chili is packed with plant-based protein, tomatoes, onions, garlic, jalapenos, and cumin. Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for meal prep, yummy on its own or loaded with your favorite toppings!
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]
This recipe for Oil-Free Lentil Hummus is such a perfect way to eat lentils! This hummus is smooth, creamy, flavorful + makes the perfect dip or spread. High in protein + super healthy! This is one of my favorite snacks to meal prep + have [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]
Healthy + Vegan + low-carb + ready in MINUTES! These Diary-Free Tofu Ricotta Zucchini Noodles are perfect for busy nights, quick lunches, or meal prep! This is a great way to sneak in some veggies and still have that pasta-ish feel to your meal!
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]
No more boring dinners! Hello Vegan Panang Curry with Tofu! This curry is super flavorful, hearty, healthy, and you can customize it with different veggies! Serve over rice noodles, quinoa, or rice! If you know me, you know I LOVE Thai food! Any day, any [continue reading]
