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]

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]

Tara, I need some new ideas on how I can eat more lentils, what should I make? You ask what to do with lentils, I answer! This Tuesday is Ingredient Tuesday + we are using another one of my favorite ingredients! Lentils! These little legumes [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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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 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]

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]

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]

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]

 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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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, leucine, and iron.  They are especially good for people looking to control blood sugar, [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]

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]

Russet, Yukon Gold, mashed, baked, diced, there is a potato for everyone! The Vegetarian’s Guide To Potatoes sorts through how to store potatoes, choosing which one to put in your recipe + nutrition information.  Yes, you can AND should be eating potatoes!

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]

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]

Nuts often get lumped into the “do not eat” category.  Before doing that, consider the possibility that nuts can be an incredible food to incorporate into your diet. BUT WAIT! Are nuts good for you or not?

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]

Sometimes our bodies give us warning signs that our diets are not serving us well.  Minor day to day ailments might be the result of what you eat (or don’t eat)! Don’t overlook the subtle clues that your body is dishing out. With the rise [continue reading]

Tara’s Tuesday Tips: First Tuesday Quick Tips Fruits + vegetables are an essential and critical part of a healthy diet.  Conventional or organic. My tips today help you navigate when eating organic really matters.  Sometimes, the investment isn’t necessary. Remember, pesticides are a toxic substance [continue reading]

Hi! My name is Tara.  I’m so glad you are here because that means you have an interest in some form of meatless eating! Whether you are brand new to cutting out meat, or are a plant-based veteran, we are all here with one common [continue reading]

If you are new to plant-based eating, there is a good chance you have never even heard of tempeh! My tips this week will introduce you to this versatile + plant-based food.  Get ready to get hooked on tempeh. Protein-packed, easy to prepare, super high [continue reading]

Tara’s Tuesday Tips: First Tuesday Quick Tips What you are not changing, you are choosing. Sometimes, sticking with the status quo is ok.  Other times, this complacency can have negative consequences. Do you need a little help figuring out how to choose to be healthy [continue reading]

Tara’s Tuesday Tips this week is something very different for us here at MVF.  As you know, we are vegetarian 💚.  What you may not know is that this week marks the one year anniversary of our journey with Intermittent Fasting.  So, I thought it [continue reading]

Have you ever thrown in the towel on your weight loss efforts because you are tired of feeling deprived + hungry? You are not alone. The vicious cycle of eating less, cutting calories, banishing your favorite foods, letting yourself get so hungry that you overeat [continue reading]

We all go pumpkin crazy sometime during the month of September.  Every.  Single.  Year.  I will be the first to admit, I get the pumpkin fever very early in the season.  Every. Single. Year. The list of nutritional benefits of pumpkin goes on + on.  [continue reading]

There is no magic formula for weight loss.  Not the first time you have heard that, I know. However, it does take a little knowledge + effort.  In a world full of weight loss gimmicks, magic diet pills, intense diet + exercise regimens, it becomes [continue reading]

Tara’s Super Quick Lesson On Diabetes Simply put, diabetes is chronically elevated blood glucose.  In Type 1 diabetics, there is a chronic glucose elevation as a result of the pancreas not making insulin.  With Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas makes insulin but the insulin has [continue reading]

I love cooking.  I am the kind of girl that gets super excited when I am gifted a new kitchen gadget, I LOVE experimenting with new recipes at home, new flavors, and ingredients.  The entire process I am obsessed with.  From growing my own food [continue reading]

Tara’s Tuesday Tips: Guide to Frozen Vegetables (Myths + Methods!) What do you do when you don’t have access to fresh vegetables? Not eat vegetables? Nope! Go for frozen! Let’s sort through the myths in this guide to frozen vegetables and most importantly, correct any [continue reading]

Using my Tuesday Tips this week to bring you My Favorite Kitchen Hacks. Even during a pandemic, My Vegetarian Family is still here 💚 helping my friends and followers survive this crazy time.  We are all still cooking and eating! Still managing grocery deliveries, and [continue reading]

Oil-Free Salad Dressings? Is it even possible?!?! YES! Today I bring you 10 of my favorite oil-free salad dressings. They are all plant-based + easy! The best part? You can use them on greens, veggies, as a dip, on pasta or noodles, or as a [continue reading]

Are you new to nutritional yeast? Can you believe this? I was until a short time ago! If you are a vegan or vegetarian or just looking for that extra something to up your kitchen game, its time to learn how to use nutritional yeast! [continue reading]

Gone is the day where milk alternatives are sought after by only the lactose intolerant, milk-protein allergic, or the animal rights activists.  Welcome to the era where milk alternatives are part of our everyday culture.  From Starbucks to Dunkin Donuts, kids lunchboxes to dairy-free milk [continue reading]

True or False? Can You Be Vegetarian and Still Work Out? Tara’s Tuesday Tips this week busts through all of the myths surrounding this question! There are so many things to think about if you are considering going meat-free. Let’s sort through the facts so [continue reading]

Finally! All of your questions answered about your air fryer. Whether you are new to cooking in your air fryer or you love it just as much as I do, Air Fryer 101 is a Tara’s Tuesday Tips best and a MUST READ! There is [continue reading]

Oats are fabulous! You don’t have to be great cook, you don’t need a complicated recipe, you don’t even need fancy kitchen gadgets. Oatmeal can be a blank canvas for any creation you dream up. On the flip side, they can get redundant and boring.  [continue reading]

Chia seeds are tiny little seeds packed with enormous health benefits.  My favorite thing about chia seeds is the way they soak up water. Every time I put chia seeds in a recipe I feel as though I am doing a science experiment watching those [continue reading]

Are there truly good carbs and bad carbs? Should you avoid all carbs? What are carbs anyway? Can diabetics eat carbs? Do carbs cause obesity? Are low-carb fad diets healthy? Read on to find out the truth about carbs.  

 A whole food plant-based diet doesn’t have to be confusing or overwhelming. The data, the research, and the science heavily support eating more whole, natural, minimally processed foods to meet your nutritional needs.  By doing so, yes, you might lose weight, but at the same [continue reading]

So glad you are here! The holiday season can be a VERY stressful time of the year.  My tips this week can help you stay healthy during the holidays and every day!  

Diet research and advice emerges every day. What we once believed, we are now told not to do. Diet culture, wellness influencers, social media, fad diets. We have seen plenty of nutrition advice change over the last few decades. Regardless of the diet of the [continue reading]

Vegetarian or not,  if you are diabetic, interested in lowering your sugar intake, suffering with fatty liver disease or another health condition, and you want to lower your sugar intake, you need to understand refined sugars and the alternatives you can enjoy! My tips this [continue reading]

Intermittent Fasting sure is having a moment in the world right now. What is this style of eating? Are there health benefits? What are the best foods to break a fast? Are there special considerations for vegetarians? Today, my tips answer 10 common questions regarding [continue reading]

Hi There! We Are Back! 🙌🏻 MyVegetarianFamily.com took some much-needed time off, but we are back! Over the last year we were blessed to venture out on many travel adventures, met family from around the country and around the world! We learned lots and lots [continue reading]

Fake meat.  Meat substitute.  Meat alternatives. Mock meats. Call it what you want but be wary.  Not all of the fake meats are created equal. This Fake Meat Guide can help you navigate everything from tofu to the exotic look-alikes.

Are you considering cutting out gluten in your diet? Not sure if it is right for you? My tips this week help! 10 Things You Should Know Before Going Gluten Free. What to eat, what to avoid, plus GF recipes + tips!

Every year when the first of January comes rolling in, the buzz word everywhere is ‘resolutions’. New year, new you, time for a change, you’ve heard them all, I’m sure! Goals are a great thing! With the new year comes the hope of new beginnings, [continue reading]

The holiday season inspires a sense of excitement, the warmth of tradition, the welcoming of cooler weather.  For some, these are wonderful emotions that can be motivating. For others, these emotions entice anxiety, stress, and sadness. Whether you are filled with joy or anxiety this [continue reading]

Oh what a wonderful time of year! Autumn! In America, that means Thanksgiving is coming! Some call it turkey day. What if you don’t eat turkey? Thanksgiving can be a difficult day for vegetarians. We want to experience all of the magic of the holiday, [continue reading]

Not sure if what you are reading or hearing is myth or fact? Tired of all of the nutrition misinformation? You have come to the right place! Read on to find out the nutrition myths you need to stop believing immediately (and the facts!) and [continue reading]

To egg or not to egg.  That is the question. Should I be eating eggs? Should you be eating eggs? My tips this week help you answer the question, “Should I Be Eating Eggs?”. There are lots of reasons people choose not to eat eggs.  [continue reading]

Making the decision to change is never easy.  Change is good, right? Well, yes, except when you are ready to change and the people around you are not.  In that case, change can be awkward. Figuring out how to be a vegetarian when your family [continue reading]

Heading out on vacation? You have come to the right place! These travel tips for vegetarians will come in handy. Being a vegetarian while traveling can sometimes get tricky. However, it is entirely possible to eat completely plant-based when you are out on the road [continue reading]