My tips this week bring you into the MVF kitchen to show you the foods we eat every day as vegetarians. I hope by showing you this, you might consider eating them too! The number one question I get asked is, what do you eat? [continue reading]

The struggle is real. Most people encounter feeling tired + battling fatigue in their daily lives. Stress, balancing work and personal life, exercise regimens + more can leave you feeling low on energy. Can what you put on your plate help get your energy levels [continue reading]

If you have ever looked at your plate & wondered if you are getting it right, my tips this week will help! Learn how to eat as a vegetarian to make sure you are happy with what is on (and off) your plate to keep [continue reading]

We have all heard that in order to lose weight we need to be in a calorie deficit. Recently, you’ve also probably heard of the benefits of balancing our calories to also achieve optimal health and even longevity.  This idea of a calorie deficit, it [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]

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]

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]

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]

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!

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.

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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!

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Happy February! Did you know that February is American Heart Month? To celebrate, let’s have a heart- to-heart chat! Typically, you hear the same old heart-healthy tips. Don’t smoke, exercise more, lose weight, and eat less.  Sound familiar?  Yep.  So, what’s new? Over the last [continue reading]

Ready to explore the silkier side of tofu? Silken tofu is a hidden gem in the world of tofu! Never tried it before? You have come to the right place! The Vegetarian’s Guide to Silken Tofu is the perfect place to start for how to [continue reading]

Hearty, versatile, colorful, nutritious, and downright delicious. The sweet potato. Dinner, dessert, breakfast, or snack, this tuber is perfect any time of day! Not on team sweet potato yet? The Vegetarian’s Guide to Sweet Potatoes will help demystify the wonder of the sweet potato + [continue reading]

Let’s talk about protein! Getting enough protein is a common concern for plant-based eaters.  What are the best types of protein? How about recipes that pack in the protein? How much do we actually need? The Vegetarian’s Guide to Protein covers all this and more, [continue reading]

Dear New Year’s Resolutions, It was fun while it lasted. Sincerely, January 2nd   Let’s try that again …   Dear New Year’s Resolutions, As we emerge from yet another year plagued by a global pandemic, one can only hope for the new year to [continue reading]

There is a whole lot to love about the holiday season.  However, the holidays can come with certain special stressors that escalate this time of year.  These stressors can really impact our health.  When most of us think of holiday health, we think of our [continue reading]

Holidays are awesome! Family + football + fun + feasting! Often times, holidays are filled with so many yummy foods that we tend to overeat.  This is SO normal.  However, there can be the consequential guilt that follows. Why are so many of you filled [continue reading]

Spices are good for your taste buds AND your health, so spice it up! Dried spices can be found in just about every kitchen around the world, can liven up boring meals, and some people even use spices therapeutically. Everyone can and should know how [continue reading]

Do you eat greens simply because you have to? What compels you to eat greens? With so many different types of leafy greens available, it can get really confusing! Which ones are better raw versus cooked, how to wash them, store them, and prepare them.  [continue reading]

Most of you come to this blog for recipes. I have the best recipe for you today.  Eat, move, live, repeat. Tara’s 3-ingredient recipe for living your best life – healthier, happier, stronger, meeting the demands of your everyday life with more energy + less [continue reading]

For those of you out there like me who love a fiery kick to your food, today is your day. Is your spice cabinet stocked with an abundant variety of ground peppers? How about hot sauce bottles with warning labels? In my kitchen, there is [continue reading]

Halloween can be a scary time for even the most health conscious. Everywhere we turn there are decadent treats.  Not to mention, the ginormous oversized bags of candy lurking around every corner. The most frightful part? So many people view Halloween as the starting point [continue reading]

Dear Pumpkin Spice Season, As soon as summer ends, you are everywhere.  You pop up where I get coffee, gas, soap, candles, and even pet food.  We push aside the beloved jack-o-lantern and even apple pie for you. Every September, you come back into our [continue reading]

During the height of the pandemic, many of us wanted so badly to get back to ‘normal’.   This fall, as more and more ‘normal’ activities are resuming, we are slowly getting those familiar routines back.  Routines including in-person meetings, full work or school days, and [continue reading]

What you thought was a regular day in your house suddenly turned upside down by the announcement from one of your children, “I want to be a vegetarian”. Don’t panic! With a little planning + know-how, living with a little vegetarian can be easier than [continue reading]

Are you ready to say goodbye to summer? Ready or not, Labor Day is here! This weekend officially marks the end of summer.  Here in sunny Florida, I’m not sure that we ever say goodbye to summer. Regardless of where you live, backyard BBQ’s, beach [continue reading]

Some of my earliest + fondest memories are of meals from my childhood.  From the rows and rows of home-grown vegetables in our back yard garden on Long Island to the fine China + silverware that my uncle trusted me to eat with even as [continue reading]

It is easier than you think to improvise your way through answering the question, “what should I make for dinner?”.  Maybe you have committed to Meatless Mondays or are considering going completely meat-free.  Plant-based eating should be easy + quick + healthy + yummy! You [continue reading]

What is the phrase “you are what you eat” actually saying to us? Is your overall health exclusively dependent on what, when, and how you eat? Nope. I’m here to tell you that your health goes way beyond food. Your life matters more than how [continue reading]

If only every day could be a summer day! Longer days, warm sunshine, swimming, sandy feet, and summer foods!!! I think I was made just for sunny summer days.  My favorite thing about summer is absolutely the foods that grown abundantly in summer. Don’t miss [continue reading]

Beans are such an exciting food! Versatile + inexpensive + a total nutritional powerhouse.  Yet somehow, still so underrated! Come on guys, give beans some love. I can turn a can of beans into a breakfast, lunch, dinner or even a dessert! The Vegetarian’s Guide [continue reading]

Curious about how to choose a cooking oil? Not sure what smoke point means? Refined or unrefined? Should you go oil-free?  Confused about the coconut oil controversy? I KNOW! My tips this week help guide you through choosing the right cooking oil for the right [continue reading]

What is your breakfast personality? We all have one.  Grab and go? Sit and enjoy? Skip all together? Does the drive-thru save the day for you? Vegetarian or not, let’s talk about breakfast!

Did the pandemic change the way you eat?  Stress eating, snacking, working from home, working out from home, more time at home with more access to the kitchen.  After a year of pandemic living, does your daily eating look different than it used to? Vegetarian [continue reading]

Do find yourself snacking mindlessly or are you an intentional snacker? Mindless snacking can easily derail your best healthy efforts.  There’s no denying that it’s really really hard to curb unnecessary snacking.  Sometimes, finding out why you are snacking is just as important as improving what [continue reading]

By now you already know that there are certain things we can do to decrease our risk of developing cancer. There are also certain things we can do to increase our risk of developing cancer. What you may not know is that when it comes [continue reading]

Make your transition to plant-based eating easy with simple swaps! You won’t miss the meat if you have these substitutions on hand AND know how to use them. I know, it can be tricky to get started.  Trust me here, these 10 easy food substitutions [continue reading]

Mexican cuisine is the ideal cuisine for vegans, vegetarians, and plant-based eaters.  With the dishes being centered around robust spices, grains, beans, and fresh vegetables, this is an obvious choice for meatless eaters.  Vegetarian Mexican Cooking allows for endless ways to put your own twist [continue reading]